Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-17

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GEORGE A. McILHENNY DEAD.
The Career of q Well-Known and Useful
Citizen Ended.
Mr.. George A. McIlhenny. the president OF
the Washington Gas Light Company, died yes
terday at O'Clock at his residence. 2OO1 o
street. For number Of years past he has
been a great sufferer and his last moments were
not free from pain. As stated in Saturday,
STAR, Mr.. McIlhenny was in his Office on Tues
day, where heatsended to business as usual, re-
ceived his friends and appeared to be in his
customary health and spirits. h. however,
suddenly had an attack of illness, which proved
to be congestion Of the kidneys. He was re-
moved to his home, and from that time up 10
the hour Of his demise his indomitable will,
which had carried him through many q
serious attack during the years Of his
invalidism. made a gallant fight against DEATH
The struggle. however, was a vain one. The
paralysis which attacked him fourteen years
ago. and has peen in its nature progressive.
held him in q firm grasp and finally reached his
tongue and deprived him OF the power of
speech. His mind remained clear and active.
and on Wednesday when his brother John, who
had been summoned from his home in Philadel-
phia, reached his bedside he was able to call
him by name. The sufferer managed at times
to articulate no" and ''yes" but with these ex-
ceptions he WAS without the power Of speech
His last moments were not free from pain. but
in spite of his suffering he still showed the evil
dences OF the strong will power which was such
a marked trait of his character. few days be-
fore his death he insisted upon getting out Of
bed and sitting in o chair. and actually accom-
plished it. less resolute man would have sue
cumbed and those at his bedside did not ex-
pect that he would live through Saturday night
The end. however. did not come until o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
HIS PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
There are few men who enjoyed 30 thor
oughly as Mr.. McIlhenny the love and esteem
of those with whom he came in contact. Thor
oughly honorable in all his dealings, he had a
kindly nature and a generous disposition. which
prompted him to acts which endeared him to a
large circle of friends and acquaintance. Az
the head Of such an extensive business as that
OF the Washington Gas Light Company he nat
urally occupied leading place in this city.
Had he not been an invalid for many years
he would have taken more active part in pub
lie affairs. The nature Of his affection made it
difficult for him to move around, as for num-
Der Of years past he has practically been de-
prived of the use of his lower limbs. To a re-
Variable degree, however, he continued up to
the last to take an active part in business affairs
As the head of the great corporation with
which his name is 80 closely identified he man
aged its affairs with an ability and a
prudence that have made it one Of the most sue
cessful corporations of the kind in the country
In addition to this work, which in a real sense
may be called his life work. he Was prominent
i'll various enterprises in this city. He was one
of the organizers and the first president Of the
Belt railroad and a director of the Washing
ton and Georgetown railroad he was a mem
Der Of the committee in charge Of the work Of
constructing the new cable system. He was q
director and vice president of the West End
Bank and a director of the Corcoran Fire Insur-
ance Company. He was identified with the
Western Presbyterian Church and was presi-
dent Of the board of trustees In recent wears
the meetings of the board we're held az his resi-
dence.
A SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Mr.. McIlhenny's career is a typical American
one in that he was essentially a self-made man.
Mr.. McIlhenny was well born and was descended
from that sturdy, strong, Sabbath-keeping
Scotch-Irish people that has produced SO many
eminent men. He came to this country from
Ireland when only eight years Of age with his
widowed mother. His home was in the north
OF Ireland, where be wns born in the year 1885,
He made his home upon arriving in this
country in Philadelphia, where he attended the
public schools. He then entered a machine
shop, and acquired the practical knowledge
which made him a skilled engineer and ma
CuiIllst. ne seitcteu rs special study gas en-
gineering. which was then in its infancy in this
country, and through close application,
combined with energy. he became one
OF the recognized authorities on this subject in
this country. When still youth, only twenty
two years Of ago, Mr.. McIlhennys ability was
recognized by his appointment in charge of the
gas plant at Macon GA. From this place he
received an appointment to the more import
ant position OF superintendent Of the Gas
Light Company Of this city. He came here
March Z, 1865, and since that time his best
thought and energy has been given to advance
ing the interests Of the company. November
Is, loe'. he elected president Of the
company, which position he held at
the time of his death. His practical
knowledge Of the art Of making Illuminating
gas never allowed to grow rusty. He was
making constant progress and SO kept abreast
Of the improvements which have in the past
few years completely revolutionized the pro-
cesses OF gasmaking. The company has
profited from Mr.. McIlhenny's researches. He
made several improvements which were pat
ented He has written number Of
papers on gas manufacture, which were
published in the proceedings of the
American Gas Light Association and which
are recognized authoritative. While Mr..
McIlhenny's career business man and as q
citizen is a notable one. vet in the relation of
friend and adviser his memory will be fondly
cherished by large number who were SO for
tunate as to know him. As a man he Ind many
lovable qualities, and while his business ability
was recognized still when his friends speak Of
him they love to dwell upon those qualities
which frightened social intercourse and made
his friendship sweet and lasting.
Mr.. McIlhenny leaves a wife to mourn his
loss. She was Miss Thyrza Virginia Smith of
this city and for twenty-four years their mar
ried life has continued. His brother, John
Mcllhenny Of Philadelphia, was with him when
he died. His brother Oliver lives in Georgia
and his sister, Mrs. Barr. in Philadelphia His
nephew, Jas. McIlhenny, is the superintendent
Of the eastern station Of the gas company.
The funeral will take place Thursday at 2
o'clock.