Weed, Thurlow, 1797-1882

Thurlow Weed, politician and journalist, was born in Cairo, N.Y., on 15 November 1797. He married Catherine Ostrander in 1818. Weed was a leader of the anti-Masonic movement of the 1820's and 30's, a New York assemblyman from 1829-1831, and a key member of the Whig Party and then the Republican Party. From 1824-1826 Weed was the owner and editor of Rochester Telegraph. He published Anti-Masonic Enquirer, and from 1829-1863 he worked as a reporter and editor for the anti-Masons' paper, Albany Evening Journal. In 1867 he once again turned to journalism as the editor of the Commercial Advertiser, which he soon left due to his failing health. Weed continued to voice his political opinions as a frequent contributor to the press and as an advisor to many politicians. He died on 22 November 1884.

Francis ("Frank") Hardin Walworth was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, on August 17, 1853, the son of Mansfield Tracy Walworth (1830-1873) and Ellen Hardin (1832-1915). He attended Georgetown College and later studied law. The Walworth family lived together for a time in New York City, but Ellen Walworth and her children later returned to Saratoga Springs. According to Frank H. Walworth, his father became abusive; on June 3, 1873, Mansfield and Frank Walworth met at the Sturtevant House Hotel in New York City, where Frank killed his father. Walworth's trial was held from June 24, 1873-July 2, 1873; he was convicted for second-degree murder and received a life sentence at Sing Sing Prison. Governor Lucius Robinson pardoned Walworth on August 1, 1877. Walworth married Corinne Bramlette on December 20, 1883, and they had one daughter, Clara G. Walworth (1886-1952). Frank H. Walworth died on October 29, 1886.

American journalist and politician.

New York State journalist and politician; powerful leader of Whig Party.

Printer, journalist, and politician.

Thurlow Weed was born in Cairo, in upstate New York, in 1797. He attended school only briefly and spent his younger years working at a variety of odd jobs. After serving in the War of 1812, Weed began his newspaper career as a foreman for The Albany Register. He then became involved in state and local politics, initially as a supporter of DeWitt Clinton, and in the election of 1824, worked for the election of John Quincy Adams for President. Weed was very active in Whig politics, being instrumental in the successful New York gubernatorial campaign of William H. Seward in 1838 and in the election of William Henry Harrison to the U.S. Presidency in 1840. Staying mainly behind the scenes, Weed had a reputation as a very capable political manager and manipulator, using patronage, favors, and the power of the press on behalf of the Whigs. Weed supported the presidency of Zachary Taylor, but when Taylor died and Millard Fillmore assumed the presidency, the Compromise of 1850 was passed, allowing some states to self-determine on the issue of slavery. This would mark the end of the Whig Party's importance in the United States.

In 1867, Weed New York City, where he briefly worked as a newspaper editor and remained active and interested in public affairs. He died in November, 1882. Thurlow Weed's grandson, William Barnes Jr., would become a very influential member of the New York State Republican Party in the early 20th Century.