Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-23
Mr.. JOHN O. STEGER.
DEATH OF THIS EMINENT MEMBER OF
THE RICHMOND BAR.
Brief Sketch Of HIS Life-Abilities as g
neutrality-suspicious. Of Richmond
Member of the House, &c.

A telegram received in this city yes.
terdsy morning announced the death on
Tuesday night Of Mr.. John O. Steger,
Of this city, who had been boarding for
some time past at Mrs. ID. X. Menefee's,
near Staunton.
Mr.. Steger was one Of the most
prominent members of the Richmond
bar. For learning, calm judgment,
practical sense, devotion to the interests
Of bis clients, and, indeed, for the best
qualities demanded in the practice OF
his profession, he had and well deserved
high standing.
Mr.. Steger was born in the county
Of Amelia, near Chula, and was sixty
nine years of age. Having had careful
preparation in some Of the best schools
of that day, he entered William and
Mary College, and there and at the
University finished his education.
AT THE BAR.
After coming to the bar, he was for
several years a partner Of the Hon.
John 81. Gregory, the frm-name being
Gregory Il Steger. Later on he was a
member Of the firm Of Steger, Sands q
Williams. Mr.. Williams having died,
the business was for some years after
wards conducted by Steger q sands.
POLITICAL.
Deceased was one of the States
Rights candidates for the Convention
of 1861. His colleagues on the ticket
were Judge John Robertson and Gen
eral George w. Randolph. The Union
candidates were William ii. Macfar-
land, Msrmaduke johnson, and John
Minor Bolts. The successful candi
dates were Messrs. Macfarland, John
son, and Randolph, the latter defeating
Mr.. Bolts on account Of Botts's very
pronounced free-soil tendencies.
Later on Mr.. Steger was elected
member of the House of Delegates, and
while in that position, in 1862, Presi-
dent Davis appointed him postmaster OF
Richmond, in place Of Colonel Thomas
B. Bigger. The people of Richmond
elected Colonel Bigger member Of the
House to succeed Mr.. Steger, who
had resigned to accept the postmaster
ship.
A short while before the close Of the
war Mr.. Steger resigned the postmas-
tership, and was succeeded by Mr. W.
b. Alltgre, who had hardly become in
stalled in office before the city was
evacuated by the Confederate troops.
CAPITOL EXPERT.
About 1876 Mr.. Steger was appoint
cd an expert to examine the books and
accounts at the Capitol and to recon-
mend such changes in the manner OF
bookkeeping in the various offices as
seemed to him wise. He discharged
this most exactiDg and laborious task
with conscientious fidelity and at great
sacrifice to his health, for it was not
very long after the completion of this
work that he had typhoid-feyer in very
aggravated form, and from its effects
never fully recovered. lie was never
afterwards qoite the same man.
FAILING HEALTH.
OF late Mr.. Steger's health was very
bad, and he had been spending much
Of bis time in Ashland and IN King
William. In the early part Of the
summer he left King William, and,
with his daughter, Miss Evelyn, went
to Clarke county, there to stay during
the hot weather. Becoming restive IN
Clarke and longing for change, his
daughter took him to the residence Of
Mrs. d. X. Menefee, near Staunton.
and there they were boarding when his
last illness came upon him. Hearing
that change for the worse had come.
his son Robert left here for Staunton
Monday night, and Mr.. Frank Steger,
another son of the deceased, left here for
Staunton Tuesday night.
A CHURCH-MBMBER.
Mr.. Steger was q member of st
James Episcopal church, and in his
life was an exemplar Of what the true
Christian gentleman should be. In
early life he married Miss Mary Pendle-
ton Cook, and of that union seven chill
dren survive. The death Of Mrs. Ste
ger, which took place about three years
ago, was a terrible blow to him, and
from its crushing effects he never fully
rallied. lie was at the time in but poor
health, and from that date the decline
was steady, if not rapid. Death was
probably caused by disease of the
brain.
A LEVEL-HEADED MAN.
Mr.. Steger possessed strong and
well-balanced mind, and was devoted
to bis profession. lie had qualities
which would have given him eminence
on the bench. His ability to grasp ali
business details, and his sound sense in
applying the law. made him very
valuable practitioner in all matters OF
commercial usages, and compl-
cateQ accounts. lie was man vi uu-
swerving integrity, Of high sense OF
honor, and be leaves to his children an
unsullied name and to the profession an
example worthy of imitation. His body
was brought from Stsunton last night,
and was carried to the residence of his
son, Mr.. Frank D. Steger, No. 4Ol east
franklin street. The funeral will take
place at IL o'clock to-day from St.
James church.
MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
At a meeting Of the members Of the
bar held at o'clock yesterday after
noon at the Circuit Courtroom in re-
spect to the memory Of Mr.. Steger,
Judge Fitzhugh was called to the chair.
upon motion Of Judge Marshall, and
Judge George L. Christian was ap
pointed secretary.
A committee Of twenty was appoint
cd to meet the remains upon the arrival
of the western train on the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway last night.
Upon motion Of Judge Marshall, the