Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1894-05-04
MICHIGAN MOURNING.
SENATOR STOCKRRIDGE DIED
VERY SUDDENLY.
Was Visiting His Nephew In Chicago at
the Time of the Summons-Had I;een
Ill Sometime. but Was Not Thought
Serious-Hls Life and Work.

Senator Francis Il. Stock bridge, of
Michigan, died suddenly at the resi-
dence of his nephew, j. l.. Houghtel-
ing, at Chicago. The senator expired
while sitting in chair in his sleeping
room. Three weeks previous Senator
and Mrs. Stockbridge went TO Chicago
from their home in Kalamazoo, intend
ing to go to the Pacific coast to visit
the California fair. 1t was their inten-
ton TO spend day or two at the home
OF their nephew and then start for the
west. The senator, however, was sud-
denly attacked with stomach trouble
and later suffered with acute pains
near the heart. His condition at no
time was considered serious, but he
was confined TO his bed and he lost so
much strength because of inability to
retain much food that he decided to
abandon the trip to the California fair
and return to his Michigan home as
soon as his condition would permit
him to travel.
On the fatal evening at 7 o'clock the
senator was left alone in his room with
a nurse, the other members of the
household being at dinner. At about
1880 the senator arose from his chair to
walk across the room. when he was
suddenly attacked with pains in his
left side. lie made no cutlery. but
with his hands clasped over his heart
and his face showing that he was suf-
fering intense pain he hastily returned
TO his chair. The nurse at once called
the family from the dining-room, and
Mrs. Stockbridge and Mrs. Houghtel-
ing were quickly at his side. Within
few seconds after they reached him
the senator became unconscious and
sank rapidly. Physicians were hastily
summoned and restoratives were APP
piled, but ii was of no avail, the SEN
ator sank rapidly and in a very short
time breathed his last.
Francis u. Stockbridge was born in Bath
Me, April " 1870. He came from good old New
England stock. His father. Or. John Stock
bridge. was prominent as a practising physi-
clan In Bath for fifty years. and his mother
was the daughter of John Russell the veteran
editor OF the Boston Gazette. Francis received
his education in the common schools and the
academy OF his native town until he reached
the age OF 10, when he became clerk in a dry
goods store In Boston. There he remained
until lSi1, when he came west to Chicago
where, IN connection with another gentleman
ne opened lumber yard, the firm name being
Carter \ Stockbridge. In making this move
he decided The WORK OF his entire after life
From this time onward his interests as a lum-
Der merchact gradually widened until he be-
came one OF the most prominent in the north
west. In 1858 be removed from Chicago to AL
Logan county, Mich, where he had a number of
saw-mlls Locating at Saugatuck he re-
maincd there until 1874. when he removed to
Kalamazoo, where he had since resided lie
extended his interests to the iron mines OF the
upper peninsula and also engaged extensively
During the war, though not in actual service,
Mr.. Stockbridge served on Gov. Blairs staff
gaining the rank OF colonel In 1869 he was
lodi.
lature and after completing his term was elected
to the state senate, where he served until 1873.
In both houses he was distinguished for his
tact as an organizer and manager and his ability
in committee work OF every torEn In 1887 ne
was elected, with but little opposition. to sue
coed Hon Omar d. COnger in the United States
senate. Here. as elsewhere, his ability made
itself manifest. he served with distinguished
ability on several OF the senate committees
Though never known as a politician. and much
less as a nero party politician. lie was a Re
labored for the best interests OF his party, when
he found himself able TO do so.
He was married In 1888 10 Miss Betsy Arnold
OF Gum Plains. Alegan county. Mich, the
Csti!nable daughter OF Daniel Arnold, Esq. one
Of the pioneers OF the state. Their social and
domestic relations were ever OF the most pleas
ant. At the federal capital and at their Michi-
gan home. they were honored members OF the
highest and most select circles In the enjoy
ment OF an ample competency, the senator
freely INDUCED has natural tastes for elegant
literature aud valuable works OF art. With his
manifold business interests, the time ana at
tention devoted TO political and government
affairs. tho demands OF social life he was not
unmindtul of the higher life, for as member
OF the Protestant Episcopal church. he was one
OF the vestrymen and actively and prominently
connected with all charitable and church mat
ters AS business man he accomplished a
great deal for Kalamazoo and the various
localities IN the numbering districts where he
had interests. and later for the great state OF
which they form a part
Senator Stockbridge had during his seven
years service in the United States senate be-
come much loved by his colleagues for his
strong character. sterling worth and genuine
e-heartednesS. While he was not what is
called an aggressive senator, he was a thor
oughly reliable and useful one, and he became
a peculiarly valuable representative OF the
state His long and extensive business ex-
perience gave him wide experience especially
valuable TO senator. He was for four years
chairman OF the senate committee on fisheries
and rendered important service. He also served
with credit on the committee on naval affairs
Indian affairs and railroads. He was a man OF
the truest integrity, and even in these days of
senatorial decadence was an example OF all
that blhmeless public servant should be. He
was a warm-hearted, true man. whose friends
we're always attached to him by hooks of steel
His loss is much deplored by his colleagues in
the senate, and he is spoken of with deep feel
ing by all OF them.