Though in congress in the somewhat hampered position of a territorial representative, his abilities soon won him consideration, and he attracted especial attention by his earnest and vigorous effort for the admission of New Mexico as a state of the Union. His eloquent and forcible speech on this topic, though it failed of the desired effect, gave him high rank as a legislative debater; and during his first term he was made a member of the Republican national committee, on which he served during three presidential campaigns. A warm friend of James G. Blaine, he was largely instrumental in procuring the nomination of the latter for the presidency, and also aided materially in the nomination of Benjamin Harrison. Long before this latter event, he had become a power in the councils of the Republican party, and was looked upon as one of the most skillful, sagacious and forcible political leaders of the country.
Mr. Elkins's energies were by no means confined to the field of political action. His rare executive ability soon made him prominent in the world of business. For years he was president of the First National Bank of Santa Fe, while he became one of the largest land holders in New Mexico, and an extensive owner of mines in Colorado and Arizona.
In 1875 he married as his second wife Hattie Davis, daughter of Senator Henry G. Davis, of West Virginia, the Democratic nominee for vice-president in 1904. This marriage turned his attention to business enterprises in West Virginia, to the mineral resources of which district, especially to its coal, he devoted himself in connection with Senator Davis. In the furtherance of these enterprises he sold much of his Western holdings. In addition to mining, he became interested in railroad affairs, and he has been vice-president of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway Company since its organization. He is also vice-president of the Piedmont and Cumberland Railway Company. The town of Elkins, in Randolph county, was founded by him, and here he has built a palatial country seat, Halliehurst, in a picturesque mountain situation, affording a superb view. His town residence is in New York.
While thus engaged in business, Mr. Elkins kept in close touch with the political situation. An earnest, active and aggressive Republican, and an orator whose addresses showed originality, breadth and keen insight into political, industrial and economical questions, his prominence steadily increased, and on December 17,
