Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-11-05
SUDDEN DEATH OF GENER
AL MCCLELLAN AT
ORANGE, N. j.
A Short Sketch Of his Career.

| NEWARK, N. j., Oct. 29.-General
George b. Mcclellan died suddenly at
his residence on Orange Mountain
shortly after midnight last night from
neuralgia Of the heart. He returned
home about six weeks ago from his trip
West with his family, and had been un-
der the care OF physician for about
two weeks, Nothing serious was ex-
pected until yesterday, when he became
worse. He was surrounded by his fam
ily. Invitations had been issued for a
reception this evening.
General McClellan'S summer home,
erected after the war, was on the sum-
| NIT of Orange Mountain, next to that
of his father-in-law, General Marcy,
and he had lived there about 20 years.
The whole community was shocked by
the news of his death. The flags are
| flying at half mast, and the Grand
Army Post has called a meeting to eX-
press their sorrow and offer body
guard for the remaius. General Nc
Clellan was an elder in the Presbyteri-
an church.
George Brinton Mcclellan was born
in Philadelphia December 8. 1926, so
that he was not quite SO years Of age at
the time of his death. He was the son
of DR.. George Mcclellan the founder
of Jefferscu Medical College, a physi.
clan of distinction and worthy de
scendant of the Scotch noble family,
the last head of which was Lord Kirk.
albright. DR.. Mcclellan died i'm 1S46.
His mother, Elizabeth Brinton, was a
representative of very sturdy Ameri-
can family, who lived at her country
seat in West Philadelphia. After some
preliminary home training at his fa.
theirs home, young Mcclellan was sent
to school kept by Sears Cook Walker,
where were also such men as DR.. Caspar
Wistar. DIR. Logan, and Richard Sar.
gent. With him he remained four
years, and was then transferred to the
care of a German named Schipper, with
whom he began course in Latin and
Greek. He next attended the pcepara-
tory school of the University, where he
entered the University remaining there
two years. He was a good scholar, but
not brilliant or precociouS boy. His
taste was for solid studies, rather than
snowy achievements.
In June, 1S42, he entered the West
Point Military Academy in obedience
to a settled inclination for a military
life. Mcclellan graduated before he
had completed his twentieth year, in
the summer of 1916, standing second in
general rank jim the largest class that
ha d ever left the Academy. In engi-
neering and geology he was first.
Mcclellan was breyeted second lieu
tenant of engineers, and assigned to du-
ty with corps of sappers and miners
then forming to participate in the Mex
ican war. On returning to West Point
he was made director of field labors
there and instructor of bayonet exer-
else.
In January 1857, Captain MCCLELLAN
iesigned his commission in the army,
having been fifteen years in the service,
and accepted the position of Chief En-
gineer of the Illinois Central Railroad.
of the road, and i'm May 1850, he mar
ried Miss Ellen Marcy, daughter of
General r. B. Marcy. In August of
this year he resigned the Vice Presi-
dency of the Illinois Central Railroad
to accept the Presidency of the Ohio Il
Mississippi Road, at a salary of $4,000
per annum, which post he held, resid-
ing in Cincinnati, until the war broke
out between the North and the South.
This lucrative position he promptly
resigned to accept on April %, 1861, a
major-generaiship Of volunteers from
the State of Ohio, command also haV-
ing been rendered him by Governor
Curtin, of Pennsylvania.
On the 10th OF May, 1851, Ohio, In
diana and Illinois were made a depart
ment. and General Mcclellan was ap-
pointed to the command, and made
major-generai in the regular army.
In 1870 he was appointed Chief En-
gineer of the Department of Docks and
Piers i'm New York City, berth which
he resigned i'm May, 1873.
In 1874 he made another foreign tour
remaining abroad until August of the
following year, and extending his jour-
heys az far as Egypt, in which country
he received many attentions from the
KhediYe. In March, 1877, Governor
Robinson nominated him for the posi-
tion of Superintendent of Public Works
of New York, but the nomination was
rejected by a party vote I'm the Senate.
At this time he was a citizen Of New
Jersey, having established his home
permanently at Orange Mountain In
1872. In September 1877, lie was sud-
denly made the Democratic candidate
fol- Governor of the State. At the cleo
tion in November he defeated Newell.
the Republican candidate. by 1889
plurality, haying a clear majority of
1896 over all opposition. He was sworn
into Office on January 16, 1878, without
any unusual display at his own special
request, and discharged the duties of
the Governorship for three years to the
general satisfaction of the people and
with great credit to himself.
Since the end of his term IN 1881, he
lived in retirement, haying mean while
made another lengthy foreign tour. His
name was, however, frequently men,
toned in connection with public Office.
His friends urged his name for the Sec
retaryship of War in Cleveland's Cab
met. If he had lived, he would have
been leading candidate for the United
States Senatofshlp in 1887, in case the
Democratic party control the Legisla-
ture at next years election.
General McClellan's family consisted
of bis wife and two children-a daugh-
ter, May, aged twenty three. and son
Max, aged nineteen. His only brother,
Major Arthur Mcclellan. a gallant Of