The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-10-08
HIS END WAS PEACEFUL.
After Serving HIS Country Well
ex-Gov. Curtin Passes Away.

ex-Goy Curtin Passes Away.
Bellefonte, Pa, Oct. 7.-Ex-Governor
Andrew G.. Curtin died at o'clock this
morning. His end was peaceful, he
having been unconscious during the
last twelve hours. All the members OF
his family were at the bedside when
he passed away. Mr.. Curtin had been
in feeble health for some weeks, but
his condition grew serious on Thursday
last. and from that time he sank rap
idly Death was caused by old age.
The ex-governor was in his e1ghuetn
year, and this, being combined with
nervous trouble, upon reaching the vi
When the case first took on serious
aspect. physicians were summoned, but
they then abandoned all hopes of re-
covery. and the death of the old war
governor was not a surprise.
Andrew G. Curtin vas born in Belle
fonte, Centre county, sApril %, 1915. His
father, Roland Curtin, emigrated from
Ireland in 1898. and In 1907 established
near Bellefonte, one Of the first manu-
factories of iron in that region. An
drew studied law in the Dickinson Col
lege Law school, and was admitted to
the bar in 1889, and soon became prom
inent. He early entered politics as
Wing, laboring for Harrison's election
in 1910, and making successful can
vass in the state for Clay in 1874. He
was presidential elector in 1S4S and a
candidate for elector on the Wing tick
ct in 1852. g
In 1854, Governor Pollock appointed
him secretary of the commonwealth
and exofficio superintendent of common
schools, and in the discharge of his
duties Mr.. Curtin did much toward
reforming the school system of the
state. His annual report of 1855 rec
commended the legislature to establish
normal schools, and his suggestion was
adopted.
In 1860, Mr. Curtin was the Republic
an candidate for governor. The Demo-
Gratis, though divided in national poll
tics, were united in Pennsylvania, but
Mr.. Curtin was elected by majority
of $4,000. He advocated the forcfble
suppression of secession and was one
of the war governors who were most
earnest in the support of the national
government He responded promptly
to the first cali for troops, and when
General Patterson, who was in COM
mand in Pennsylvania, asked for $4,000
more troops, they were at once fur
nished. General Patterson's requisition
was afterward revoked 10Y the secretary
of war, on the ground that the troops
were not needed, but Governor Curtin,
instead Of disbanding them, obtained
authority from the legislature to equip
them at the states expense and hold
them subject to the call of the national
government The body of men became
known as the Pennsylvania, Reserves"
and was accepted by the authorities at
Washington a few weeks later. Gov
ernor Curtin was untiring in his efforts
for the comfort of the soldiers, answer
ing carefully the numerous letters sent
him from the field, and he originated
the system of care and instruction for
the children of those slain in battle,
making them wards of the state. He
thus became known in the ranks as the
soldiers friend"
Governor Curtin's health began to fail
in 1853, and he signified his intention of
accepting a sforeign mission that had
been, offered him as soon as
his term should expire; but in
the meantime he was renomin-
ated and reelected by $4,000 ma
jority In November, 1865, Mr.. Curtin
went to Cuba for his health, and in that
year declined an offer of a, foreign mis-
sion. In 1862 General Grant appointed
him minister to Russia, and in 1868 and
1872 he was prominently mentioned as
a candidate for vice-president. He re-
turned home in August, 1872, supporting
Horace Greeley for the presidency, and
subsequently Joined the Democratic par
ty, by which he was elected to Congress
for three successive terms, serving from
1881 to 1887.
In recentsyears he had been liviny in
retired life in Bellefonte, where he was
a conspicuous figure, and where his
home was pointed out as one of the
most interesting features of that local
| ity.
1t has been decided on the urgent
request of Governor Pattison to bury
Ex-Governor Curtin with a military
escort. 1t will consist of a regiment of
infantry, a troop of cavalry and a bat
terry of artillery and is the escort ac-
corded by military etiquette to a ccln-
mander-in-chief. The whole will be in
command of a. brigadier commander.
Ex-Governor Beaver has charge of the
arrangements Of the funeral, which will
be held under the auspices OF the G.
A. r.