Hon. JAMES G. BLAINE', Like Lincoln and Garfield, is a man of the people. - He has* come to his present high position through industry, energy and devotion to duty. He was born in West Brownsville, Penn., January 31st, 1830, the second of seven children; of Scotch- Irish descent on his father’s side, and the great-grandson of Colonel Ephraim Blaine, famous in the Revolutionary war. His mother was a refined, highly educated woman, well-nigh idolized by her son, James, a brave and enthusiastic boy. Like wise parents, they determined that their children should be educated, though they had lost their fortune. At twelve, James was sent to the house of an uncle, Hon. Thomas Ewing, at Lancaster, O., the Secretary of the Treasurer, to be educated, and there he fitted for WASHINGTON COLLEGE AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN. He soon became, say his college mates, “the best known, the best loved, and the most popular boy at college, from his ready sympathy and prompt asssistance, his frank, generous nature, and his manly bearing.” With a cheerful word for all, he entered heartily into the plans and purposes of others, and as he advanced in his college course, was made an arbiter in the disputes of the younger boys. While he liked fun, greatly enjoying boating and walking, he was ambitious to stand at the head of his class, and studied closely, taking an honor in Greek, and excelling in mathematics. He was fond of debate, a great admirer of Henry Clay, and a careful reader of his speeches. HE BECOMES A TEACHER Out of college, and not yet eighteen, like Garfield, his immediate question was, “How to gain a livelihood?” He found a place as teacher of boys at Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky, and soon became a favorite with the pupils. Twenty miles away there was a young ladies’ seminary, taught by the wife of the principal of the Blue Lick School. About a year later, the young teacher, James Blaine, married one of the pupils, Miss Stanwood, of Maine. Soon after he taught literature and science
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