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

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GEORGE A. McILHENNY DEAD.
The Career of . 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 a number of years past he has
been great sufferer and his last moments were
not free from pain. As stated in Saturdays
STAR, Mr.. McIlhenny was in his Office on Tues
day, where heattended to business as usual, re-
ceived his friends and appeared to be in his
customary health and spirits. h. however.
suddenly had IN 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
invaldism, made gallant fight against death.
The struggle. however, was vain one. The
paralysis which attacked him fourteen years
ago. and has peen in its nature progressive,
held him in firm grasp and finally reached his
tongue and deprived him of the power of
speech. Hts 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 artculate mo" and ''yes." but with these ex-
ceptions he 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
q marked trait of his character. A few days be-
fore his death he insisted upon getting out Of
bed and sitting in q chair and actually accom-
plishcd it, A 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 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 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 a leading place in this city
Had he not been an invalid for many years
he would have taken a more active part in pub
lie affairs. The nature OF his affection made it
difficult for him to move around as for q num-
Der Of years past he has practically been de-
privcd Of the use of his lower limbs. To
markable 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 SO 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 real sense
may be called his life work, he was prominent
III 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 a
director and vice president of the West End
Bank and 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 years
the meetings of the board were held at his resi-
dence.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Mr.. McIlhenny's career is typical American
one in that he was essentially 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 mon. 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 he was 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
chinist. He selected rs a special study gas en-
kihcCIiuk. Which, was tucH III lts III tulS
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.. Mcllhenny's 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 7, 1865, and since that time his best
thought and energy has been given to advanc-
ing the interests OF the company. November
Is, loe'. he was 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 was never allowed to grow rusty. He was
Of the improvements which have in the past
few years completely revOutionized the pro-
cesses OF gasmaking. The company has
profted from Mr.. Mcllhennys researches. He
made several improvements which were pat
ented. He has written number Of
published In the proceedings Of the
American Gas Light Association and which
are recognized as authoritative. While Mr..
McIlhenny's career business man and as q
citizen is notable one, yet 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 man he had 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 SO 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
McIlhenny Of Philadelphia, was with him when
he died. His brother Oliver lives in Georgia,
and his sister, Mrs. Barr. in Philadelphir. His
nephew, JAS McIlhenny, is the superintendent
Of the eastern station Of the gas company.
The funeral will take place Thursday at
o'clock.
ADVISING LAWFUL MEASURES.
Father Delaney's Address at Teresa Nc.
DOnald's Funeral.