The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-02-25

ORsoN SIBERIAN HHAD, whose deceass we are
called upon to chronicle, was bern in Paris, One-
da County, n. Y, Oct g. 1917. Born upon q
farm, he was early used to agricultural pursuits,
which became so attractive to him in after life.
During the first eighteen years of his life. his
perlences were those common to the farmers
boy, and by manual labor the foundation was laid
for the rugged constitu ton and robust health
which he ever after enjoyed. To his early mode
Of life may also be largely attributed the mex
haust1ble fund of prac ical common sense which
was always at his command, and which, in pro .
fessional life, atoned for the lack of collegiate
lore.
The education of the deceased included no more
than the requirements at the academy. With a
healthy body and a well balanced and poatRre
mind, he pursued the study Of the law in the Of
fee of Hon. Horatio Seymour, then prominent
lawyer in New York. In 1841 Mr. Head turned his
face toward the newer countries of the West, and
found lOdgment in the little village of South
port. Here he was admitted 20 the Bar and be-
WAS alse In it's infancy. He was several times
elected District Attorney and always acquitted
, himself with ability His practice gradually ia
| creased and he soon came to be regarded as de"
sirabe ally and dangerous enemy Ia the courts
Being quick to discern. bold to execute and un-
relenting to pursue, he became noted Tor his
searching oss-examinations;; BE was justly
cious witness. There was no more chance for
falsehood to survive one OF hia examinations than
fora kernel of wheat to pass unbIoken between
Mr.. Head gained and Was justly entitled to a
reputation for staunch fidelity to his client. The
client whom he Representative mattered not
how poor and mble,-uniformlY received the
benefit of his entire experience, sagacity and
skill. He was never dazzled or confused by the
wealth and influence of the opposition but II the
odds were great against him. he seemed to sup
plement his clients weakness by his own
strength.
By untiring industry Mr.. Head seen gained
competence and thenceforth devoted cen sldera :
BILE attention to outside speculations. In 1851,
the deceased was elected to the State Senate
where be served the people seceptably. He was
an Incorporating enemy to legislative steals,
and was the means of unearthing sundry clever
pieces Of corruption. No fraud was snbtle enough
TO escape his penetrating eye, and no hypocrisy
so lusty as TO withstand mis- pitiless thrusts.
In his daily converse with his acquaintances,
Mr.. Head was too outspoken and brueque to gain
adulation. That he was sharp and exacting In
demanding what was his due, was often miscou-
strued, and bad motives were supplied f,r his
action. But ifhe held Others rigidly to the per-
formance of all obligations, he was thoroughly
consistent in that he deemed himself firmly bound
to an exact fulfment of all his agreements A
man with such a temperament. and with such
habits of mind. is invariably looked upon az hard
hearted by those whose ideas aof business are
loose. Such man 10 nothing less than iyrant.
in the estimation OF class who regard contract
as thing that may always be neglected and often
avoided.
There was however peculiar vein Of tenderness
IN TD1S man 3 nature. WHICH was uOQereL0OQ ana
appreciated by few. Any sentiment that was pa
thetic, touched a chord in his nature that never
failed 10 respond aad vlbrate. The deceased could
not trust himself to read in public any thing par
taking of the nature of pathos. The writer once
heard him tempt to read part Of Mr. LlncoL's
speech at the dedication of the cemetery at Get
tysburg. Time after time, his utterance would
be choked by emotion, although he was thor
oughly familiar with the speech, and nOtwitn-
standing the fact that only two persons were
present in the room. He was so objected that he
was obi ged to abandon the effort. In addressing
juries, MIR. Head frequently showed great emo
tton when touching upon topics that appealed to
the sympathles. Many supposed thar the emo.
ton was spurious, and affected for the purposes
Of the case, but nothing was further frem the
truth than this suppoGition. Indeed so genuine
was the feel ing, and so defective was his control
over it, that he was almost desarred from enter
ing the field where the eloquent advocate
achieves his greatest triumphs.
During the latter years of his life he withdrew
from the active battles of the judicial arena and
devoted himself largely to agricultural pursuits
On the Goth of December last, he was attacked
with pneamonia.and for eight weeks he struggled
against the disease. At last however, by its vio-
lence aud long continuance, the sickness wasted
his strength and overpowered even his strong
Will, and it became apparent that the end was at
hand. Jig met the common enemy 80 he has met
ali foes during his busy life.-with unfinchipg
courage. Although he had keen relish for the
pleasures of life, he neither WINGED or murmured
at the dread decree He completed the last dis
position Of his affairs a. comp0s edly as though
preparing for some important business change
And when the last summons came, he babe fare
vel! to earth calmly and peacefully,-as one who
sailing from Shore waves salute to friends left
behind.
Faults he had like all mankind; but they are
buried with him. No one heard the dull thud OF
the earth upon his coffin, who did Dot then real
ize that the community has lost a valued citizen,
his children kind father, and the profession
brilliant member.
Requiescat in pace.