Arizona republican., 1894-01-03
HE WAS A GOOD MAN.
That's What Everybody Says of
 Uncle Jerry Rusk.
Eventful Career of Wisconsin's Popular Ex- GoverDor-How He Rose from an Humble Station to Positions
 of Great Trust.

Jeremiah M. Rusk, who died recent 1y at Viroqua, Wis, was born in Mor- gan county, O., on the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, June r, 1880. His parents, Daniel Rusk and Jane Fakner Rusk, were unable to give him more than an ordinary common school education. When Jeremiah was IA years old his father died. Young Jerry then had to leave school and work to support his mother and sisters. For a year he stayed on the farm.
 Then he got job driving the stage between Zanesville and Newark. Though only 15 years old his powerful physique made him the equal of any full-grown man. When he was 20 he married Mary Martin, the daughter of aneighbor. She bore him three chill dren. In 1853 he moved to Bad Axe (now Vernon) county, Wis, where he opened hotel Soon he was elected sheriff. Other local offices followed, and he became 8 leading figure in county politics. In 1856, his first wife having died, he married Eliza beth Johnson, Wisconsin girl, who
 
 alive. In 1861 he went to the legisla- ture, but, declining reelection, he went to the war with the Twenty-ffth Wisconsin regiment as major. He saw much service and distinguished him self over and over again by his daring and bravery. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and at Helena, Toruoru 1QfQ fn ha lieutenant colonel for gallant con- duct. After the battle of De- catur, Ga., he was made colonel. In Sherman's march to the sea Coi. Rusk commanded the Seven teenth corps. Col Rusk's most famous exploit was at the bloody battle of Salkehatchee. There his regiment was selected to capture bridge which was the key to the battle ground. The enemy had command of the approaches and over thirty cannon were trained upon the narrow cause way. It was second bridge of Lodi. Two-thirds of his regiment were cut down before the rest reached the bridge. But, with the handful remain ing, Col. Rusk drove away the confed- crates and captured and held the bridge It was after this battle that Gen. Mower sent for him, and in the presence of his whole staff said: ''By -, sir, you are the only man l ever saw who could ride deeper into h-l than can." For his brave capture of this bridge he was breveted brigadier general after the war.
 At the close of the rebellion Gen. Rusk returned to Wisconsin, where he was at once elected bank comptroller for the unexpired term of 1s66-67. His reelection for the two ensuing years followed. When this second term ex- pired he went to congress, being elect ed by the biggest majority ever given to any congressman in any district of Wisconsin.
 He was unanimously reelected to the Forty-third congress, no democrat be- ing willing to run against such pop ular opponent. He also served in the Forty-fourth congress. In the house of representatives he was a member of the important committees on war, public lands, mines and mining, agri- culture and pensions. For two terms he was chairman of the committee on pensions, and during his last two years he was chairman of the commit tee on agriculture.
 In 1877 he retired from congress and went back to his farm. In the spring of 1881 President Garfield offered to make him charge d'affaires to Para quay and Uruguay, minister to Den mark, or chief of the bureau of en- graving and printing. He refused them all, and that fall was elected governor of Wisconsin by a plurality of 11,967. In 1882 a constitutional amendment extended the term of office of all state officers from two years to three. In 1884 he was reelected gov ernor by 19,269 plurality and in 1886 chosen governor for third time by 1S,71S plurality. Gov. Rusk occupied the gubernatorial chair longer than any other governor in Wisconsin. Dur ing his last term the anarchist riots took place in Milwaukee. This was just after the Haymarket massacre in SA1CdSO. OON. huSh GI1t entire militia of the state in Milwau- kee within few hours. His prompt and stern action gave anarchy its death blow in Wionoosin.
 He prevented railroad riot by send ing the starving workmen food instead of troops. This wise act made him the idol of the laboring classes. It is uni versally admitted. that he could have had fourth term for the asking. He went out of office at the end of 1888 the most popular governor Wisconsin ever had. The 4th of the next March he was nominated by President liar rison to be secretary of agriculture. This office he held until Secretary Morton succeeded him last spring. In 1888 he was the unanimous choice of Wisconsin for the republican presi- dential nomination. He withdrew after the third ballot.