The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-05-30

daughter
When Mr. Gresham was taken sick
four weeks ago the physician dag
noSed the case as gall stone in the
bladder. His pleurisy symptoms We're
overlooked for almost thirty-SiX hours
AS soon as DR.. w. w. Johnston, who
Is now the attending physician, was
called, he discovered that the Secre-
tary was suffering from an acute case
of plcurisy. probably caused by ex-
posture while riding out to WoOdley.
the presidents country place, at night
In the meantime the gall stone had
passed. The secretary's right lung was
affected. the cavity being already
hlled with pleuratic fluid, his reSpira-
ton rose to 43. The physicians de-
cided not to tap the cavity, but to rely
upon absorption to rid it of the eXudeu
fluid" Gradually Secretary Gresham
grew better. The respiration was re-
duced almost to normal. When DR..
Johnston thought all danger past, the
left lung suddenly became affected,
and the secretary failed rapidly.
Walter Quintin Gresham was Il sol
der, judge and 4 statesman, emf
nent and distinguished in these three
rose to the rank of major general of
volunteers during the rebellion. He
was for fourteen years United States
circuit judge for Illinois, and held
three cabinet portfolios, postmaster
general and secretary Of the treasury
under Arthur and secretary OF state
under Cleveland.
Gresham came from English stock.
His ancestors moved to Virginia and
later to Harrison county, Indiana.
where he was born on ST. Patrick's
day, 1882. In 1888 Gresham's father
was elected sheriff. and the next year
was murdered by noted desperate
whom he had gone to arrest. His
mother was left widow with five
small children. Walter Q. was but
two years Of age when his father was
killed. Walter grew up With but two
or three winters schooling until he
was sixteen years of age. BY dint of
hard work and the assistance of his
brother he succeeded in entering the
seminary at Corydon. Two years there
and one at Bloomington university
completed his education so far as
schooling was concerned. He began
the study of law under Judge w. A.
Porter, one of the noted characters Of
Southern Indiana, while acting is
deputy clerk, and in 1854 entered into
partnership with Thomas c. Slaughter,
an eminent lawyer Of that time. and
afterwards judge of the circuit court.
In 1855 the Republican party was
formed. and with it Gresham ut once
allied himself. In the law Gresham
had gained a good reputation as a
careful, painstaking lawyer
Wieh the first shrek Of wars alarm
Gov. Morton appointed him lieutenant
colonel of the Thirty-eighth Indiana,
but before he saw active service he
was appointed colonel of the Fifty
third in December. 1861 Gresham'a
regiment was ordered to join Grant
after Donaldson, Aug II, 1863. and he
was appointed brigadier general on
the recommendation of Grant and
Sherman and placed in command Of
the Natchez division. In the following
spring be was placed in command of
the division of the Seventeenth CORPS
Of the Tennessee. which took part in
the campaign against Atlanta At
IeSgette Hill. before Atlanta. he was
struck by 4 sharpshOoter's bullet Just
below the knee. To the day of his
death Gresham never recovered the
full use of his limb.
The war over, Gen. Gresham re-
turned to his profession. forming a
law partnership at New Albany. Ind
In 1866 he was nominated for congress
against NJ. c. Kerr. but the district
was heavily Democratic. and he was
defeated. When Gen. Grant became
president he appointed him United
States district judge for Indiana.
When postmaster general Howe died
in April, 1888, Gresham, then holding
court at Evansville, was rendered the
cabinet position by telegraph, and &C
cepted. Near the close Of Arthur's
term, on the death of Secretary
Folger, he was appointed secretary of
the treasury. a position he held until
October 1884 President Arthur. who
had taken him from the bench. had
the satisfaction of restoring him to
the bench at the close of his service,
by appointing him to succeed Judge
DrummOnd.
In 1888 Judge Gresham was made a
prominent candidate for the Republic
an nomination for the presidency at
the Chicago convention. His liberal
views on the tariff created against
him the antagonism Of the extreme
protectionists at Chicago. He, with
other Republicans, openly dissented
AVN 'hc NACNlulcy law anu III 1917.
after the nomination Of Mr. Cleveland
by the Democrats, he renowned his
allegiance to the Republican party
and advocated Mr. Clevelands cleo
ton. After Mr.. Cleveland was elected,
in February, 1893, he summoned
Judge Gresham to Lakewood, n. j..
where, after a consultation, he ten
dered him the position of premier of
the cabinet he was forming. Judge
Gresham assumed the duties Of sec
rotary Of state on March 7, 1893. Dur
ing his short term as postmaster gen
eral Gresham accomplished much
Letter postage to Canada was reduced
and the postal convention with Mexico
was signed. Another important SER
vice he rendered to the country was
the establishment of the fast mails.
AS secretary of state in the present
administration Mr.. Gresham has come
to deal with, perhaps. more vexatious,
intricate and delicate diplomatic af-
fairs than has fallen to the share Of
most secretaries of state. His treat
ment Of these We're marked by strong
Individuality which was part Of the
man.