Troy Times

August 16, 1849 

TELFORD, CHARLES L., ESQ. - The mournful task devolved upon us of announcing the death of Charles L. Telford, Esq.  He died on the 4th inst., of consumption, at Mackinaw, whither he had gone in company with his father, Dr. Telford, in hopes of benefiting his health, which has been rapidly declining for some time.  He leaves a wife and one child. --  He was a native of this place, but had been, for a number of years previous to his death, a resident of Cincinnati, where he occupied an enviable position among those of his profession.

Troy Times

August 23, 1849

TELFORD, CHARLES L. ESQ. - We regretted that our time last week would not permit us to give a more extended notice of Chas. L. Telford, Esq.  We copy below, an article from the Cincinnati Atlas, and also the Preamble and Resolutions unanimously adopted by the Hamilton County Bar, of which the deceased was a member.  In his death, we have one of those signal instances of Mortality,--which seem sent to remind us, that no merit, and not condition can exempt their possessor, even for a time,--from the common fate of Humanity.  In the midst of manhood,--in the midst of its growing business, and of fast accumulating honors,--with an excellence which none denied,--bearing thickly the fruits of an early and long sustained promise,--our friend has passed, as to the things of this earth,--like a falling star, which passes suddenly from the brilliant sky,--and is hid in the shadows of earth.  We may listen for his voice, but it is gone!--We may expect his return, but till the graves give up their dead,--we shall see him no more!  Mr. Telford was the son,--and the only son of Dr. J. G. Telford, of Troy, in this State.  Reared, with the utmost care, he was early taught those sound principles,--which render a youth upright and give to the Mind a manly, just, and honorable character.  At an early age, he was sent to Miami University,--where, under the care of the venerable Dr. Bishop, he was graduated with honor and distinction.  After leaving College, his early bent was towards Literature, and Science, with a view of taking place in some of the Literary institutions and devoting his life to study and learning.  Having acquired the friendship of Dr. M. Griffey, then President of Cincinnati College--he was in 1836 appointed Professor of Rhetoric Belle-Lettres. etc. in that Institution.  There he taught during a year, with high credit to himself, and with the confidence, of his colleagues, and of all who knew him.  Soon after that, he commenced the study of the Law, and after the usual probation was admitted to the Bar of the County--about 1839-40.  Distinguished from the beginning, by a most conscientious integrity--by a firmness, which yielded to none of the blandishments of the world, and a dignity which allowed no interference with his purpose--he was, at first, regarded as rather reserved and abstract, then, as possessing the qualities of popularity.  To these characteristics, he added, however, a graceful elocution, and a courteous manner.  The characteristics of grace and of worth were united together.  Such a person must be a once admired and valued.  He was to the full measure ____ that a reasonable ambition would ask.--He rose rapidly at the Bar.  He was employed in important cases; was associated with the circle of distinguished counsel and some three years since, was elected one of the Professors of Law, in the Law Department of Cincinnati College.

There also, he was successful, and one of the last public duties he performed was to complete for his class, last winter, the course of Lectures, he had agreed to deliver.  The portrait of his character, we fear our hand can scarcely trace.  Of him, more than any one of his age, we ever knew, might it be truly said.

Justuim et tenacem propositi virum.

To ability, which are seldom possessed he added graces of education, of religion, and life which are seldom acquired.  A member of the 2d Presbyterian Church in this city, he was a practical Christian, who believed what he said, and tried to practice what he believed.  They who think that of such is the assembly of the Just made perfect will be consoled with the hope of a Glorious Future, and the assurance, that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come.