Our book

Preface

Reader, if you find this volume of any value, your thanks are due to Charlemagne Towee, whose liberality and public spirit not only originated its publication, but furnished the means by which it was accomplished.

True, it had previously been suggested that some of my newspaper contributions might be worthy of book shape, but I knew that this could only be done at a pecuniary loss which I was not prepared to meet. Then, too, I naturally shrank from the task of preparing so laborious a work, being already under a very heavy pressure of daily toil.

The reader can, therefore, imagine my surprise at receiving from an entire stranger, the proposal mentioned below. It led me, burdened as I was, to make a beginning, being impelled in no small degree by what might be called the " moral support *' — that is the interest felt by a man of Mr. Tower's position and attainments in my productions.

Under this influence and with the aid of an efficient secretary, I compiled a selection extending over the work of a quarter century, and have classified the articles to assist in reference.

Nearly three years have elapsed since Mr. Tower's proposal was received, and during this interval he has advanced a large sum of money — much more indeed iv Preface.

than I could have expected, and this has placed the publication beyond all risk of loss. While thus fulfilling his pledge, he has harmonized with me in the plan that should there be any contingent profit in the work, it should enure to benefit a scheme which I have long cherished, but have been unable to accomplish.

Having thus introduced Mr. Tower's proposal, I have thought proper to add a few extracts from some of his letters:

Philadelphia, November 16, 1886.

Rev. Washington Fkothingham:

I have frequently read with great interest the weekly letters, of which I am informed you are the author, and I have been so impressed by them, containing as they do individual and local histories, that it occurred to me they should be reprinted and put in book form. I presume you have copies from which this can be done. I write you now, to ask if this would be agreeable to yourself. I do not solicit any share of profit, if there should be any, but I would cheerfully, if permitted, share in the cost or in the losses that might be incurred. You will gratify me by acknowledging this letter and particularly by complying with my request for publication.

Respectfully and truly yours,

CHARLEMAGNE TOWER.

Philadelphia, December 27, 1886.

Dear Sir — I was gratified by the receipt of your letter and particularly by your inclination to allow a republication in book form, of at least a portion of your letters.

Let me suggest to you to select from your stock sufficient to make a satisfactory production, and permit me to caution you against being too limited in your selection. Your writings have cost much labor, and are so valuable that not many of them can be spared. Better be profuse than omit anything that may be useful in local or personal history.

Respectfully and truly yours,

CHARLEMAGNE TOWER.

Preface. v

Philadelphia, March 19, 1887.

Dear Sir — T am pleased to learn from your last, that the future book is started, and that you hope to yet see it in real existence, and I am not surprised at your remark " Alas ! how long a task it will be." I have myself believed that the work would be larger, and would require more time than you had at first expected, and • your present conviction that " Even at the greatest amount of reduction, it will be a large volume, and that if the book reaches publication in two years, it will be as expeditious as can be expected," is very natural. Take heart, however, and push it on; we will yet see the realization of these expectations, and I suggest that you increase your assistant force.

Respectfully and truly yours,

CHARLEMAGNE TOWER.

Philadelphia, September 19, 1888.

I really hope that there may arise to you out of this undertaking, some profit — the greater the better. I was only anxious at the out set, that the many facts, incidents, and the abundant diversified information, which you had embodied in your published letters, should not be lost, but should be all published and made accessible in a condensed and inviting, as well as a durable form.

If there should be any profit from the work, I shall be the more gratified that I have said and done, what I have, since you tell me that you shall appropriate it to a " pet scheme " of yours. Please accept my thanks for this benevolent purpose — "a posthumous effort," though you say " it must be" — and my sincere wishes that you may have an abundance with which to accomplish

the purpose.

Very truly yours,

CHARLEMAGNE TOWER.

Under such encouragement, added to continued health and ability to work (for which I should be more thankful than I am), the task has been continued until it has at last reached completion. Of course the book could have been indefinitely enlarged, but it has passed the proposed limit and is already almost too cumbrous for convenience.

vi Preface.

To those who, knowing my clerical position, inquire why there is so little religious matter in its pages, I reply that the latter are made up, not from pulpit, but from newspaper work, whose profits, meagre as they are, have enabled me to accomplish a clerical service which otherwise would have been impossible.

Such being the origin of the present volume, its title justly sets forth the combination in the work, making it really, Ode Book.

I would add, however, in justice to Mr. Tower, that I placecl his name on the title page without asking consent, the interest he has manifested in the joint effort being my only excuse for this liberty. He had suggested that it should be published under one of my best known pen names, but I preferred my own method.

WASHINGTON FROTHINGHAM.

Since writing the above, I have been pained to learn of the death of my honored patron, which took place at his country seat in his native town, among his kindred and the friends of early days, and under circumstances which befit the close of a long and useful life. I forbear giving utterance to my feelings under such a shock — the greater since I knew how deeply he was interested in our mutual project. His hope to "see a realization of these expectations" has been denied, thus giving another proof of the vanity of human wishes. The book now becomes in some degree at least a monument to his memory, and death adds a sad and solemn consecration to our combined effort for public instruction.

OBITUARY.

CHARLEMAGNE TOWERS DEATH.

[From the Utica Herald.]

Oneida county lost one of her most famous sons, and a thriving village was bereft of its greatest benefactor in the death of Charlemagne Tower, which occurred July 24 (1889), at Waterville. He was one whose life of integrity, patient labor and great good to others, whose widely extending influence as a citizen and as a professional man, in war and in peace, made him one of the remarkable men of his country and of his time.

Charlemagne Tower was the seventh in descent from John Tower, who came to America from Hingham, in Norfolk, England, with a colony led by Rev. Peter Hobart, and settled in Hingham, Mass., in the year 1636. His father was Reuben Tower, who was born in Rutland, Worcester county, Mass., February 15, 1787, and who moved to Oneida county in the early part of this century. His father was active in the development of the public improvements of his time in New York, notably the Chenango canal, and was a member of the Legislature in 1828. He died in St. Augustine, Fla., March 14, 1832, whither he had made a horseback journey for his health. Charlemagne's mother was Debora Taylor Pearce Tower, who was born in Little Compton, R.I., July 6, 1785. Charlemagne was born April 18, 1809, in the township of Paris.

His Education.

His education began in his native place, was continued at Oxford Academy, Clinton Academy and the Utica Academy, where he was assistant teacher in 1825. He taught school in the common schools of Paris and Marshall for two consecutive years, when he was fourteen and fifteen years of age. Shortly after he viii Obituary.

was also engaged as a clerk in the store of Hart & Gridley, merchants of this city. He entered the freshman class at Harvard University, for which he prepared under the tutelage of Rev. Caleb Stetson of Cambridge, Mass., in February, 1827, and was graduated in the class of 1830, with high honors.

Among his classmates was Charles Sumner, with whom he formed a close acquaintance. The friendship lasted until Mr. Sumner's death. Many of the letters of their continuous correspondence are published in Peirce's "Life of Sumner." Another of his classmates, with whom the intimacy of college life was perpetuated, was John 0. Sargent, who has been president of the Harvard Association of New York, and who is at present living in that city.

Beginning at Law.

After graduation in 1831, Mr. Tower began the study of law in the office of Hermanus Bleecker, an old Dutch patrician of Albany. The death of his father in the following year recalled him to Waterville, the home of his family, where he continued his studies. Later he went to New York city and finished his course in the study of law in the office of John L. & James L. Graham. He was admitted to practice in the courts of New York State at TJtica, in October, 1836. His beginning in the profession was made in the office of Graham & Sanford, New York, and it was continued in Waterville, where he was also engaged for several years in manufacturing and commercial pursuits. He finally returned to his practice and attained a high position at the bar of Oneida county.

Removal to Pennsylvania.

Legal questions in connection with his charge of the well-known Munson estate, then in litigation, led him to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, and he remained a resident of that State. retaining the old family homestead at "Waterville as his summer home. The Tower estate is indeed a feature of the village. It has often been described. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been expended upon it, and $50,000 is expended each year in keeping it up. The benefits thus accruing to the village have been very great. He lived in Pottsville until 1876, when he removed bis home to Philadelphia.

Obituary. ix

Mr. Tower's career at the bar in Pennsylvania extended over a period of more than twenty years, and was exceedingly active and laborious. He became especially noted as an authority upon the titles of lands, being brought in contact with some of the most difficult and intricate questions of law upon that subject. The best legal talent of the day was called upon to conduct the wide-spread litigation over the great coal fields of the State, involving estates of large value.

Mr. Tower had a wonderful faculty for mastering the smallest details of his cases, and he prepared to meet the most exacting inquiry, even going out upon the lands themselves with his corps of engineers, and without regard to the physical difficulties of the country, running the lines and establishing the monuments himself. Such was the confidence established in his knowledge, good judgment and high integrity, that it was not unusual to hear him quoted in open court as authority. Several of the great leading battles in which he was engaged were protracted for more than twenty years and carried to a successful issue on his part. Bright and loyal war Record.

Mr. Tower's devotion to the Union was uncompromising and enthusiastic. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, although he was fifty-two years of age and had a family of children and business interests that needed his constant attention, his loyalty became immediately active. He raised two companies and part of a third in Pottsville within a week, and proceeded with them to Harrisburg, where they were mustered into the United States service April 21, 1861. The men Were equipped out of his own purse.

Mr. Tower received a captain's commission at the time of the muster and commanded throughout the term of three months' service, Company H, Sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, to which his men were attached. He declined to accept higher rank because he had promised to stay with his men. He took part in the campaign under the command of G-eneral Robert Patterson, and was at the battle of Falling Waters, Ya., one of the earliest engagements of the war, having crossed the Potomac river at Williamsport, June 21, 1861.

At the end of the three months' service, he and his men were mustered out of service at Harrisburg, June 26, "1861, and Mr. Tower x Obituary.

returned to his family. He afterward enlisted another full company for three years' service, paying to each man a bounty of five dollars. This became Company C, Forty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, which performed distinguished service under the command of Captain Henry Pleasants, afterward brigadier general and engineer in charge of the Petersburg mine, who was his lieutenant during the three months' service. On August 15, 1861, the Tower Guards, who had served under Mr. Tower, marched to his residence in Pottsville and presented him with a handsome sword bearing an appropriate inscription. Mr. Tower served as United States provost marshal for the tenth Pennsylvania congressional district from April 18, 1863, until May 1, 1867, when he resigned, having won distinction at Washington by his administration.

After the War.

When the war was over Mr. Tower returned to the practice of his profession, which he continued until his removal to Philadelphia. He had acquired large bodies of coal lands and other business interests, to the development of which he devoted himself after his retirement from activity at the bar in 1872. He was one of the promoters and for many years a director of the Northern Pacific railroad. In connection with Charles B. Wright he rendered particularly valuable assistance to the company. In all the vicissitudes of the enterprise Mr. Tower never lost confidence in its ultimate success, and the great part it was to play in the development of the country through which the road was built. With his other property, he had extensive interests in lands in Washington territory, Dakota and Minnesota. He was a member of the G. A. R. and the Loyal Legion.

Greatest Undertaking.

Probably Mr. Tower's most successful enterprise was the development of the great Vermillion iron district in Minnesota, undertaken when he was seventy-two years of age. These ore bodies, to which his attention was first called in 1875, and to which he sent several investigating expeditions, that reported favorably, lay in St. Louis county, Minnesota, ninety miles northeast of Duluth. The country presented almost insurmountable obstacles. But the indomitable courage of Mr. Tower did not yield in the least.

Obituary. xi

The opening and working of iron mines so far from the border of civilization, implied a formidable expenditure; a railroad one hundred miles long must be built and equipped, and docks, and harbors must be built. Experienced business men drew back from the enterprise, but Mr. Tower single-handed, determined to carry it through. He built the railroad, erected docks and all the buildings necessary, and in addition had so far developed the mines, that when the railroad was completed, their product was ready for shipment.

The first shipment was made to Cleveland in August, 1884. A town called Tower sprang up at the mines which to-day employ from 1,500 to 1,800 men, and another at the railroad terminus on Lake Superior. The shipment of ore from Tower in 1884, the first year, was 68,000 tons, and in 1887 had increased to 400,000 tons. This enterprise to-day gives support to 5,000 people, and is growing steadily.

This industry, planted by the hand of a single man in a remote and difficult country, will be a grand monument to Mr. Tower's memory. It placed Minnesota, hitherto unknown as a mineral producing district, in the space of four years,, among the foremost iron markets of the United States. A syndicate was formed in 1887 which purchased the entire property for $6,000,000, Mr. Tower retaining, however, a large interest.

Such is the record of the life of this remarkable man. lie lived to see his enterprise thoroughly successful and increasing in importance and benefit to the country every day. His life of eighty years made its influence felt in every direction throughout the United States and resulted in good to thousands of people, and it will continue to be felt for years to come.

The funeral was attended by a multitude from far and near and amid this general sorrow his remains were laid to rest by the side of his ancestors in hope of a glorious resurrection.