The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-17
EX-Y|CE PRES.
MORTON DEAD
PASSES AWAY ON HIS
GOTH ANNIVERSARY
Sudden Development Of Bron-
chial Pneumonia Sunday
Fatal Ending

POUGIlKEEPSIE. y. Y. May IL
Levi 7. Morton, former vice president
Of the United States, and former gorer-
nor of New York. died at his home, FL
l"rslic. RhincbcCk-on-t -thc-Hudson, ~
$40 o'clock tonight on tho nlncty-SlAlh
anniversary Ut his birth.
Mr.. Morton was taken i'll with n slight
cold three or four days ago but his con
dition did not become serious until TINS
morning, when bronchial pneumonia dc-
ness soon after and the end came pcac"-
fully nj $40 o'clock. With him Mt his
bcdsid" when he died were his daughter.
Mrs. Helen Morton. who had made her
home with him at Ell"rsli"; his country
estate. sine. the death Of Mrs. Morton
In August 1918: his daughter ana SON
ln-law. Mr.. and Mrs. William c. EuStiH
Of Washington. u. c. and his nephew
MnOt.
Another daughter. Miss Mary Morton.
Of Gcrmantnwn Pa. Will arrive tomor-
row morning. having been unabl" 70
reach Rhin"b"ck tonight. Mr.. Morton :
Goth birthday was formally celebrated
yesterday. when the children Of the
Rhnrhcck schools held Il field day at his
country estate, He had returned l" IL
l"rslir from Washington. where he
made residence. on May s. and hhd h""il
in apparently good health until the mid
die nr last week. Arrangements for IN"
funeral. which will u" h"ld al Ell"rslir'
have not been completed. Inter rnrnt
Will be in the family plot in Rhinebeck.
HIS Career
Levi Parsons Morton was nc twenty
second vice president Of the Cnittd
states the running mate of Benjamin
Harrison In 1883. At II years ot age
he rounded out his political life as gov
crnor of New York state.
Although horn IN" son or clergyman
in poor circumstances at ShOreham. W.
N 1924 he forced his way to the front
IN the business and financial world un-
Itil he became one OF inc money powers
nr tho country. He had the blood OF Il
was of George Morton. OF York. Eng.
who raised funds To send the liiGr!ms
; to America or the Mayflower.
Clerk in country stor" mt H. pro-
nr!ctor Of his own little dryguods store
at 2l he started his banking career at
II AS a partner of Junius s Morgan.
father nf the late !. Picrpont Morgan.
and ten years later founded his own
house Of l.. T.. Morton X Co: which be-
came tho fiscal agent Of the govern
m,.n, Under his guidance. it conducted
, some of til" largest negotiations IN the
history Of American finance. Its Lon
don branch flnaicd III" per cent loan
with other European bankers. when en-
abl"d III" United states government. 10
resume special payment in 1871. saving
SO 600. 900 in interest. This paymcnt
had been suspended during and after the
Civil War.
Morton's financial operations brought
him into political prominence. He en-,
tered congress in 1873 and established
"A reputation in the fight over unlimited
free coinage of silver. lie WAS urged
10 accept nomination for Vice l'r"Sident
with President Garfield. Dut declined.
He was offered 4 portfolio in the caDl-
net as secretary of the navy, and re.
fused again.
The offer to become minister TO
France appealed To him. He accepted
and remained during Garfield's and Ar
thurs administrations. He secured the
legal status of American corporations IN
France Ho drove the first nail IN the
construction OF the Statue OF Liberty,
and publicly accepted II in 1861 in be-
half ur the United States. lie establish
ed himself so firmly IN the hearts of the
French people that the square IN which
his legation stood in Paris was named
place dcS Flats tnis.
When q New York man was desired
In 1855 To stand on the Republican nat
iOnal ticket with Benjamin Harrison
Mr.. Morton was til" choice OF the con-
vention by a large majority. As presid-
ing Officer in the Senate he gained the
prais" of both parties for the vigor and
the fairness OF his policy. Mr.. Morton
concluded his political career as COVER
nor Of his state. taking office in 1895
and serving two years. He signed the
hill which abolished the ward trustee
system If school government In New
York city. and the so-called Raines-
Liquor law.
After leaving office In his vigorous
old he still was active in the director
atcs OF many corporations. He was
rated as a millionaire many times over
Mr. Morton was twice married HIS
first wife was Lucy Kimball who died
in 1871. His second was Anna Livi
ston. member of Ali old Manhattan fam