under the management of Rev. A. L. Hawks, D.D., its able founder. Thomas F.'s early ambition was to be a successful merchant, and he pursued his studies to that end. Subsequent examination of the matter led him to abandon the purpose, and he commenced the study of the law. In 1851, he was admitted to the bar of the State, and commenced practice at Wilmington. For two years he made the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia), his home, when he returned to Wilmington, where he has since resided. In 1853, Mr. Bayard was made United States District Attorney, but disliking the service, he resigned after occupying the position one year. From this time on, or until 1869, he devoted himself to his profession. March 4, 1869, he succeeded his father as United States Senator. He was a member of the Electoral Commission of 1876, and one of the favorite candidates for the Presidency in 1880, receiving on the first ballot of the National Democratic Convention, one hundred and fifty-three votes. As a debater he is listened to with interest, and is regarded by his compeers as a first-class lawyer and able statesman. In the Senate he is very influential, his high character and rare abilities being recognized. THIS CHAPTER XV. ALLEN G. THURMAN. HIS gentleman was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, November 13, 1813. In 1819 he removed to Ohio, where he received an academic education, studied law, and was admitted in 1835. He was a nephew of the distinguished statesman, Hon. William Allen, who for many years represented Ohio in the United States Senate, and later was elected Governor over General Noyes. Mr. Thurman soon acquired a large practice, his mind being highly analytical and judicial, properties which give to a clientage the largest confidence. The Democracy of his district, recognizing his aptitude for public affairs, nominated and elected him to the Twenty-ninth Congress. In 1851, he was elected a member of the Supreme Court, and from 1854 to 1856, was its Chief Justice. No man who ever sat on the bench in the Buckeye State, gained greater respect for learned and impartial decisions than Judge Thurman. In 1867, he was the candidate of his party for Governer, but was defeated. In 1868, he was elected United States Senator, for the term 1869 to 1875. In 1874, he was re-elected for the term which ended in 1881. In the Senate he was a laborious worker, and, although a partisan, eminently fair. In fact, his character and bent of mind does not admit of his being bigoted. He was a leading member of the Judiciary Committee, and on the Committee on Post Roads and Post Offices. In 1876, he was prominently mentioned as a candidate for President; but the Tilden wave engulfed him with the others. |