Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1899 — GOVERNOR OGLESBY DEAD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GOVERNOR OGLESBY DEAD.

Illinois’ Dearest Veteran Statesman* soldier Passes Away. Richard J. Oglesby, thrice Governor of Illinois, once the State’s representative in the upper Ijouse of Congress, and one of the few men left who were prominent in political and civic life in tbe West during the threatened days of the rebellion, died at his home on his farm jiear Elkhart Monday. Mr. Oglesby’s death was the result of an attack of vertigo, an ailment from which }ie had long been a sufferer. A sudden attack of the disease overcame him while he was in.the bathroom of his bouse. In falling his head struck a piece of furniture. Concussion of the brain was caused and he died without regaiuiug consciousness. Gov. Oglesby had been failing in health eince the spring of 1895. when he was tak-

en with an attack of the grip and was for nearly three months confined to his home. From this attack he rallied finally, but never fully regained his formef strength. Of late he had appeared to be in fair health and during the winter was not confined to his home except by the bad weather. His trembling walk showed the weakness of the bossy. He bad complained of nothing save his weakness, and there was nothing to indicate anything dangerous in his condition. In the death of Richard J. Oglesby the State of Illinois loses one of the last of tbe group of great men who took so prominent a part in the political affairrbf tbe State during and immediately after the civil war. Like Yates, the great war Governor of the State, and like Beveridge and Palmer, he had himself borne arms in the service of the Union and had done in the field under Grant the work that Lincoln was designing at Washington. His war record was conspicuously brilliant and he left the field, wounded and unfit for further service, with the rank of major general. His eligibility for the post of Governor was instantly recognized. It was his deserved distinction to be elected Governor three times, in 1864, again in 1872 and again in 1884, although he resigned at the beginning of bis second term in order to accept a seat in the United States Senate. Gov. Oglesby’s record was one in which his State mayjustly take pride. He was a man of sterling integrity, solid judgment and considerable acuteness of perception. He was an earnest follower of the party, but kept his own independent judgment upbn pending issues. The regret whi&b mast be felt at his death will be softened by tbe recognition of the fact that hla long life was well rounded with nsefnl activities on behalf, of State and nation. Ha was one of the men whose life and have added to the reputation and hono> of Illinois.

RICHARD J. OGLESBY.