Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1882 — A BUSY LIFE ENDED. [ARTICLE]

A BUSY LIFE ENDED.

Death of Thurlow Weed, the Veteran Journalist and Politician. A Brief Sketch of His Active and Useful Career.

Thurlow Weed, the veteran editor, politician and statesman, breathed his last at his home in New York, at 8:55 o’clock on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 22, after an illness lasting several weeks. At his deathbed were his children, grandchildren, friends and attendants. He passed away as though going into a gentle sleep, with his granddaughter’s hand reposing in his. Mr. Weed was possessed of a remarkably strong and vigorous constitution, and to this can bi attributed the long years of his life. His physicians say that old age was his only infirmity, and the one that carried him off. Since 1877 Mr. Weed’s eyesight has 1 ’een fa Ung, and latterly he had been almost blind. Lass August he was prostrated by a chill, and has since been de "lin ng. Mr. Weed leaves a considerable fortune in-, vested In New York real estate and in the stock of the Alb ny Evening Journal. He bad three daughters—Mrs. Barnes, of Albany; Miss Harriett Weed, his c nstant companion and housekeeper since th i death of his wife, many years ago, and Mrs. Alden, of Mornsanla. It is a curious incident that some weeks before his death, although then in good health Mr. Weed had a presentiment that he wa* near his end. About four years ago a beautiful white dove flew into the window of h s chamber, and was adopted by him 9s a pet It has been his constant companion, roosting upon the arm of his ohair by day and upon the foot of his bod by night He fed it with his own hands, and the gentle bird curiously enough would accept food from no one else. Some weeks ago he accidentally sat upon it, crushing out its innocent life, and nis sorrow was as genuine as if he had lost an only child. The death of the bird affected him seriously, and he spoke to his frends of a presentiment that he should soon die, and mentioned his belief in the poetical theory of tue ancients that the spiritsof doves surrounded t .e death-beds of the just.

Thurlow Weed was born in Cairo, N. Y., on the 15th day of November, 1797, and was the first-born of parents in lowly circumstances, and at an early age be was compelled to work to aid himself and his family. At the age of 9 he worked for a blacksmith at < at*kill, N. Y , from whom he received a shilling a day and bls board. He subsequently worked in a tavern and sailed on a sloop as cook. At about this time young Weed's father removed his family to Onondaga, where* the bov found work with the Postmaster, who enabled him to receive six months’ shooiing, the only tuition he ever enjoyed. In 1811 a paper, the Lgnx, was started in Onondaga, to the fortunes of which he attached himself as a printer’s apprentice,'at which business he served a year and a naif, when his employer left the city. Weed continued to run the paper for several weeks. In 1812 he volunteered for service in the war as a private under Col. Petrie, and was ordered to Sackett’s Harbor. Before reaching that point he received a Quartermaster’s commssion, for which he ever after cherished the kindliest feelings toward Col Petrie, and when the latter met with reverses Mr. Weed aided him materially. He served during three campaigns in the war and during the intervals worked at his trade in Utica and other cities of New York. After the war he was employed in Seymour’s printing office, New York city, where he became intimate with James, the eldest of the Harper brothers. Returning to the country he was married, and then embarked in the extremely-uncertain pursuit of publishing a country' pxper. The difficulties he encountered were numerous, but his industry and ability had their effect. His paper was called the AntiMasonic Enquirer. At that time there was great excitement over the opposition to Masonic institutions. In 1824 he was again found doing the work of a journeyman printer in Albany. Political excitement was running high, and Martin Van Buren, DeWitt Clinton and others equally famous in the politics of the State were there. Thurlow Weed here virtually began his career. His wonderful powprs of management were first noted. In this campaign he did the Ron’s share of the work which resulted in the election of John Quincy Adams to the Presidency. Mr. Weed next removed to Rochester, where, while he sustained manv reverses, his reputation ss an editor steadily grew. Twice he was elected to the Assembly as an anti-Masonic representative, and his political influence was so wide y felt that he soon came to be recognized as a lea ler, and to him was accorded the honor of the victory which placed DeWitt Clinton in the guberna torial chair of New York. In 1830 he was chosen to lead the Whigs against the Democratic party, which then controlled the affairs of the State, and it was through his effort ’ teat the Democrats suffered their fir t defeat. He went to Albany and assumed editorial man ueipenc of the Evening Journal, which soon gained a national reputation and influence. The political hi-tory of the State for forty years shows how he used his opportunities. He was prominent in secur ng tne nomination of candidates Harrison, Tavlor, Scott, Fremont and Linco n. When the Republican party was organ zed, Mr. Weed joined the young par.y, and early n the civil war he was sent to England, where he was instrumental in preventing that country and France from uniting in favor of the Confederacy. Mr. Weed acted in unity with the Republican pa>ty un 11 the close of the war, when he sided with Pres dent Johnson in his recon-ffruct on views, but bis influence has always been thrown toward the advancement of Republican prin iples, and has b fnltin every gr- at political movement for the last half century.