Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-13
n GOOD MAN GONE.

II GOOD MAN GONE.
Death Of Cspt John a. Rearey-Sketeh Of
His Busy. Useful and Meritor;ous Life.
The sad news circulated yesterday afternoon
that Captain John II. Reaney had died about
2:30 p. N. at his residence on Canada street. He
was an old citizen, widely known throughout
the city and state, and indeed through the
entire Northwest from st. Louis to st. Paul
and the valley of the Yellowstone, a man
Uithout an enemy, esteemed and beloved by all
who knew him. Captain Reaney has been in
poor health for some years past and has
been under treatment by DIR.
Brooks, Of Chicago, for i some
disease of the kidneys. At times he has i'm
proved, giving delusive hopes to his family
and friends of ultimate and complete recov-
cry. Two weeks ago TO day he went to CHS
ago lake, accompanied by his family, with
the purpose of remaining there some time II
the seclusion and quiet seemed to benefit
him. It was raw and rainy and he took some
cold, SO that on Sunday he returned to the
city. That night he was quite unwell and
had some trouble OF an asthmatic character.
which interfered with his sleeping. On
the next day he was confined to his
bed and has not left it since.
After few days of suffering he called in DR..
Charles T.. Smith, who has been his constant
medical attendant until the end came. He
died of ''organic heart disease" being in full
and ample possession of all bis faculties up to
the last moment.
Capt. Reaney was born May IL, 1886, in
Pittsburgh, Pa, and came to Minnesota in the
early days, probably about 1852 or 1858. He
accompanied his father, who built small mill
at Pigs Eye, below st. Paul. When quite
young man he commenced steamboating with
Capt. Louis Roberts, and for time ran on the
steamer "Time and Tide" and at one time was
master of the "Jennette Roberts"
The early settlers in the valley of the Min
nesota will always remember kindly, genial
Capt. Reaney, and not few of them who
have maintained warm personal relations with
him through life will shed tears when they
learn that he has passed beyond the swell of
tide and sweep of time.
AS early as 1859, perhaps earlier, he became
associated with his life long friend, CommO-
dore VIM. f. Davidson, who then commanded
the steamer Winona, running from st. Paul
to La Crosse, and Reaney was clerk. They
also ran together on the old Frank Steele and
the Favorite, names that will awaken many
pleasant memories in the hearts OF old set
tiers.
At one time he was master of the steamer
Julia, plying on the Minnesota river, and
later he commanded five sidc-wheel packets
running on the Mississippi, notably the City
of st. Paul, Northern Belle and Belle of La
Crosse. In 1667-S he was agent of the North
western Union Packet company In st. Louis,
and in 1871 and 1872 he was superintendent at
the lower rapids. Subsequently he was ap-
pointed agent at st. Paul, and returned here
for the Keskuk Northern Line Packet
that it was in active operation,
and in 1881 he was appointed and at the time
of his death held the position of agent for the
st. Louis & st. Paul packet company. In 1877
he spent portion of the season at Bismarck,
D. T., and on the Yellowstone river, acting as
agent for Davis & Davidson, who had placed a
fleet of fourteen steamboats, on the upper Mis-
souri, and Yello wstone rivers to transport gov.
eminent freights.
Capt. Reaney was married to Martha j.
Scott December II, 1867, at East Liverpool,
Ohio. She died in st. Paul March 3D., 1870,
leaving one daughter.
Captain Reaney w4s again married in st.
Paul on April l, 1874 to Miss Maggie A. Scott,
and there has been born to them three children,
two sons and daughter. In his domestic
relations he was always kind, genial and
happy, an indulgent father kind and loving
husband; ever thoughtful of the welfare of
wife and children, he has left vacancy in
aching hearts that human sympathy can never
fill. For several years he was alderman in the
precinct in which he lived, representing the
interests of all classes in the city council with
dignity and fidelity aud as public officer dis
charging every duty promptly and faithfully.
Twice he was elected to, aud repres nsed his
district in the Legislature of Minnesota, max
ing clean record and winning the abiding
confidence of his constituency. He would
have been sent to the senate later but on &C
count of his falling health he perem ,torily
declined nomination.
IIa 81 ~ I'll
Lodge, of the CHAPTER, and of Damascus Com.
mandery. He was Sir Knight upon whose
shield there was no stain and now thatIhe has
laid his armOr by, he will receive that reward
from the Supreme Grand Commander which
fittingiy crowns the faithful Knight.
For many years past Capt. Reaney has been
an earnest, consistent Christian, and some
son street Methodist Episcopal church. His
pastor, Rev. DR.. Marshall, was with him
yesterday, and he conversed freely on the sub.
ject of his approaching death, expressing no
fears and only anxiety that his pam and suf-
fering should not be greater than he could
bear. Besides his family, his friend and COM
panion, Commodore Davidson, was with him
to the end, cheering and encourag;,
ing him as the darkness gathered
which finally thickened into the oblivion of
death.
For several years past Captain Reaney has
been director and very active and efficient
worker In the Bethel association, and at the
time of his death occupied the position of
president of that organization. He will be
missed In this community more perhaps than
any one would have thought, for he was very
quiet and unostentatious, and while filling
many places and accomplishing much good,
he never obtruded himself into public notice.
His work as legislator. as a member of the
common council, as an officer of
organizations with which he was con.
nected was always thoroughly and well done,
Immediately after learning of his death
committee of Sir Knights repaired to the grief
stricken home and took charge of the remains,
and whenever the details for the funeral are de-
termined upon they will be made public.
Board Of Public Works.