The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1886-02-18
Senator J. D. vertner

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proceedings that the Senate has paid
fitting tribute to the memory Of Senator
J, ID. Yertner, who died recently at
Columbus.
Gen. Vertner was born in Port Glib
son, July 81, 1886, aud was therefore
nearly fifty years Of age when he died.
lie was the younges, Of three children
Of John 'Ve.tner, formerly Of Lexington,
KY, aud Jane Van Dorm, daughter Of
Judge Peter Aaron Van Dorm, Of Clai.
borne county, and sister Of Gen. Earl
Van Dorm. lie WAS educated IN the
schools Of Claiborne county and at
Princeton, n. j.
About 1857, Gen. Vertner went with
his mother TO California and was there
when The late civil war commenced, and
though he aympathized with the South
In her struggles and was anxious TO
join the Confederate army, he could
not leave his mother unprotected IN
order TO do 80. lie never ceased TO re
greet the circumstances which compelled
his absence from the land he loved In
the hour of her trials, and II WAS always
subject about which he was extremely
sensitive.
His only brother Aaron Van Dorm,
was killed at Shiloh. He was Aide.de
camp to Gen. Hindman, aud being be.
tween the lines Of the two opposing
armies, with a United States flag which
he had captured, he was mistaken for
Federal officer and shot down by the
Fourth Louisiana Regiment. His body
was riddled with bullets
In 1867, Gen. Vertner returned 20
Claiborne county. In 1871, his mother
having died, he began the study Of the
law, In six mouths he had received bis
license, and in year was recog
nized asa good lawyer. He was not only
good lawyer, but he had more business,
rs he has often said, than with his
limited experience aud capacity, he was
able to attend to. His career IN this
respect was remarkable, snd II was not
an unusual subject of conversation with
him, He was most successful in win
ming bis case before the Supreme Court,
having taken part in some OF the lead
ing cases on Constitutional law, and dis
played considerable ability in arguing
them orally before the Court.
He was commissioned Brig. General
of Militia ia 1876, but declined because
he thought there were worthy .Confed
crate soldiers who would appreciate
the compliment aud whom he thought
more worthy to receive it,
lie was elected 70 the Senate at the
last election, the only public Office he
ever aspired to, and was the first to in
troduce in either House, bill to pen
sion the Confederate soldiers.
Gen. Vertner evinced great deal of
public spirit on all occasions, and his
services to the Democratic party in the
eser-memorable campaign of 1878 were
invaluable. In fact he seemed deter
mined on all proper occasions to serve
faithfully in peace the people whom he
had been prevented from serving In
var.
lie was man of literary taste, a
great reader, scholarly and studious,
lie was also a profound lsborer in the
Christian religion and devout member
of the Episcopal church. Friends and
enemies alike, said Of him, that he was
the soul Of candor.
lie married about the year 1873, Miss
Constance Kearuey, Of Claiborne county,
and WAS the father of three children,
In the death of Gen, Vertner, the
Bar loses one of its brightest examples,
the State Que of its most devoted and
capable servants, aud society one of its
most courteous and honorable members.