Howard Painter

The Philadelphia Telegraph June 8, 1876

San Francisco, May 15, 1876.

That "death loves a shining ark, a signal blow" exemplified by the departure from this life of Howard Painter, which occurred at San Francisco, California, on the 15th of May, 1876. The brief career of this young man was so remarkable as to demand, in the interest of those in early manhood, a succinct account of the circumstances which led to the useful and prominent position which he reached, although the bloom of youth was scarcely removed fro his cheek.

Howard Painter was born in West Chester, Pa., on the 29th of January 1851, and consequently was in his twenty-sixth year at the time of his death. The early part of his scholastic education commenced at Haverford College, when in his seventeenth year. Whilst there, he became deeply interested in mining engineering, partly from the fact that his natural bent seemed to be in that direction and partly owing to the intimate relations of which were established between himself and a fellow collegian, whose intellectual tastes were of similar character. So enthusiastic did he become in regard to this branch of scientific knowledge, that he determined to devote himself to its pursuit. In order to become thoroughly qualified to follow the pathway to usefulness which he had marked out for himself, young Mr. Painter determined to cross the Atlantic, and to avail himself of the ample opportunities which the Europeans schools afford for instruction in metallurgy and its kindred sciences. This he was enabled to accomplish when about eighteen years of age. Upon reaching the Continent, he found himself "a stranger in a strange land", and with but the slightest knowledge of its language. Freiberg, in Saxony, was chosen by him as the most desirable place to receive the instruction which he sought with so great a degree of earnestness, inasmuch as that city contains the most famous mining school in Europe. At this celebrated mining academy Mr. Painter remained five years, during which time he devoted himself, with the utmost assiduity, to his favorite pursuit. He was graduated with distinguished honor in nine branches connected with this profession, and was the only American who ever passed a State examination. After his graduation, President Grant appointed him one of the Commissioners to the Vienna Exposition. The Commissioners, twenty-five in number, discovering in Mr. Painter the information ability requisite for the proper performance of such an important duty, selected him to prepare a report on the "Metallurgy of Lead, Silver, Copper and Zinc," which was duly submitted,and which has been recently published in a handsome volume containing over two hundred pages. Associated for several years with foreigners of distinction, Mr. Painter familiarized himself with several different tongues, and had become a perfect master of the German language.

Upon his return from Europe, he remained eight months at the residence of his father, Samuel M. Painter, in West Chester. At the expiration of that time he started to explore the mineral regions of the Far West. Whilst passing through Colorado he was employed by a company in that Territory, which was in possession of an abundance of ore, but owning to a deficiency of information, was unable to advantageously use it in the process of smelting. Mr. Painter's knowledge and skill enabled him to lend this company such amount of assistance as to give the in impetus of great value to their interests. Thence he proceeded to Nevada, and Whilst engaged in his profession there, his services were sought and engaged by capitalists in San Francisco to proceed to Southern California and Arizona to examine their mining interests in that country. Shortly after his arrival in San Francisco (en route south) he was attacked with mountain fever, which rapidly developed pieura-pneumonia, and terminated his brief but brilliant career.

The example of Howard Painter should serve to inspire young men with a determination to reach success in whatever vocations thy may elect to engage. An indomitable energy and resolute purpose were, in his case, it is true, sustained by health and a splendid physique, which are not permitted to all. One can readily suppose that the Latin Maxim "Possunt Quia Posse Videntur," * might have been his motto, since he was one of those to whom nothing seemed impossible if undertaken with courage, self-reliance, and a confident assurance that well directed industry would secure success. In him combined, to a remarkable extent the gentleness of a woman with the qualities of a hero, and that he was endowed with intellectual gifts of an uncommon order is shown by the prominent positions he occupied and by the valuable productions of his pen. To his friends he was endeared by his unselfish conduct, perfect sincerity, and the constant disposition he manifested to promote the comfort and happiness of others.

"Catch, the, O Catch the transient hour; Improve each moment as it flies; Life's a short summer- man a flower; He dies, alas! how soon he dies!"

• Possunt quia posse videntur. (They can because they think they can, from The Aeneid)* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 31 2020, 5:15:18 UTC