The Washington times., 1913-07-30
SENATOR DU POINT IS
75 YEARS OLD TODAY
Delaware Statesman Is One of
Old Regime Which Is Fast
Disappearing.

Senator Henry A. du Pont of Della
ware is seventy-flve years old today
So many young men are coming to the
House and Senate nowadays that mem
bers of Senator du Points age are be-
coming scarce The Delaware Senator
is splendid type of the old regime that
is fast disappearing
A multimillionaire, an aristocrat Of
ar1stocrats, and a trust magnate So
called Senator du Pont naturally
enough finds himself out of sympathy
with much of the sentiment that finds
expression in the Senate now. He is
not the kind of man known as a good
mixer, but his personal qualities, his
ability and conscientious performance
OF duty have earned for him a high
place among members of Congress and
others in official life here.
Can Boast Of Lineage.
No man in the United States Senate
can boast of more distinguished lineage
than Senator du Pont. Pierre Samuel du
Pont de Nemours, the founder Of the
American branch of the family. was one
OF the ablest political reformers of
France during the period of the revo-
luton. He was inspector general of
commerce under Turgot when that emf
nent statesman was controller general
OF French finances. During the revo-
luton he fed to the United States to
escape the guillotine. In 1902 he re-
turned to France and was instrumental
in promoting the treaty by which
Louisiana was sold TO the United States.
1t was Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, the
son Of Pierre Samuel who began the
manufacture of gunpowder in Delaware
and thus founded the great industry
controlled by the family today. He set
UP the first powder mill on the banks
OF the Brandywine in 1902 The models
and machinery he had brought from
France. The industry was a success
from the start
The founder died in 1884, and was sue
ceeded by his eldest son. Alfred, who
built additional mills and enlarged the
business greatly. Alfred died in 1850,
and was succeeded by his brother.
Henry, who remained the head of the
firm until 1889. At his death the busi-
ness went into the hands of his nephew.
Eugene du Pont who died in 1901 and
was succeeded by his son, T Coleman
du Pont, and his nephew, who is the
present Senator.
Was Officer In Civil War.
But Senator du Points claims to dis
tinction DO not rest upon his family tree
alone. Among the things of which he
might boast is his record of service in
the civil war. He was graduated from
the United States Military Academy in
the year that the war began and was
appointed to the command OF a light bat
terry. His father, who was a veteran
of 1872 was very proud OF his son and
begged the privilege from Simon Cac.-I
eron, then Secretary Of War of supply
ing the troop with the best horses that
money could buy. Thus mounted the
battery was the finest in the Northern
army.
Captain du Pont served in the battles
Of Newmarket, W. Va. as chief Of ar
ulery, and in the battles Of Piedmont
Lynchburg, Opequan, Fishers Hill. and
Cedar Creek, in the latter three as COM
nander Of artillery Of General Crooks
corps. He was breveted major and lieu
tenant colonel and awarded Congress !
sional medal Of honor for distinguished
gallantry-
Senator du Pont has not mingled with
the masses. In fact. his coterie Of as
sociates in private life has been limited. |
but their loyalty was attested by the
way they stuck to him through the
eleven sensational years when J. Edward
Addicks sought TO dominate Delaware
politics and eventually elevated him to
the Senate in the face Of Addfcks' op- /
position.