Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1888-10-20

estimated as worth not less than s., DOC, 000
OF the seventy-three years of his life fifty
two had been spent here in Chicago. His
general health had been percepti-
bly, failing for the last six months,
and for some weeks past he had
been confined to his bed.
John Wentworth was born in Sandwich,
STAFFORD County, New Hampshire, March 5,
1915, and was we'll along in his seventy-fourth
year at the time Of his death. His early educa-
ton was fragmentary, but 1882 he entered
Dartmouth College, and was graduated, With
honor, in 1885, In the fall Of the same year he
started West but was undecided as to his future
location. His route was by stage over the
Green Mountains to Schenectady thence by
railroad as far as Utica, from there by Buffalo
by canal, and by steamer to Detroit. After
spending some days in that town in an in-
erectual effort to secure position as teacher,
he came on to Chicago, reaching this city Oc-
tOber rs, 1886. He secured the position Of
editor on the Chicago Democrat, the
first paper started in the city, and, in July,
1887, owing to the financial embarrassments of
the owner, the paper passed into his hands as
proprietor AS he had no money, this trans
action placed heavy load upon his shoulders,
but, by rigid economy and careful manage
ment, he was able to free himself from the
burden of debt, and, in the summer of 1889,
was the sole owner Of the paper, which title, in
all thai it implies, he retained until 1861, when
the pressure Of other business compelled him
to ref1nQuish post which he was no longer
able to fill with satisfaction to himself. Mr..
Wentworth was thorough believer in the
principles of Jackson, and his fiery denuncia-
tions of his opponents were severe that
threats Of throwing the entire plant of
the paper into the river we're open
ly made. When Stephen A. Douglas
was nominated for Congress Mr.. Went
yyoc or Tn
1S49 Mr.. Wentworth was elected to Congress,
being the youngest member of that body. He
was reelected three times, then was out for
two years, when he was returned for another
term. His work in the House during this
period would fill volume, the more important
measures in which he was inter-
ested being the confirmation of the
! Illinois land grants and the early anti
slavery agitation which took shape in the Evil
mot proviso." In 1857 and again in 1860 Mr..
Wentworth was elected mayor of Chicago,
| and his administrations were among the
strongest known in the annals of the city. In
both cases on entering Office he found
large floating debts burdening the city
finances, and by rigldly economical admins
tration was enabled to retire from Office leaving
the city treasury free from incumbrance. He
was again elected to Congress in 1854, and did
yeoman's service on the Ways and Means Com
II s of sbace pa
meNt. Since retiring from Congress Mr.. Went
worth has bestowed much of his time and at
tention on his stock farm at Summit,
5000 acres. He retained ali OF his
old interest in politics. especially those
OF this city, but persistently declined any nomi-
Novem Der 10, 1874 at Troy, N. Y, to Roxanna
Marie Looms, who died February 5, 1870 They
had five children, all of whom died young, eX-
cept one daughter, Roxanna Atwater Went