Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1895-05-31

:inruished in these three great fields OF
human endeavor He rose to the rank Ut
major general of volunteers during the
Rebellion, He was for IA years United
States circuit judgefo for Illinois and held
three cabinet portfolios, postmaster gen
eral and secretary of the treasury under
Arthur and secretary of state under Cleve-
land.
gresham came from English stock. His
ancestors moved to Virginia and later to
Harrison county, Ind, where he was born
on St. Patrlck's day, 1889. In 1S43
the next year was killed by noted des-
perado whom he had gone to arrest. His
mother was left a widow With five small
children. Walter @. was but two years OF
age when his father was killed. He grew
up with two or three winters schooling
until he was IS years of age. BY dint of
hard work and the assistance of his
brother he succeeded in entering the semi
nary 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 as deputy clerk, and in 1854
entered into partnership with Thomas &.
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 at once allied him
self. In the law Gresham had gained a
good reputation as a careful, painstaking
lawyer.
His Record as Soldier.
With the first shrek of wars alarm
Governor Morton appointed him lieuten-
ant colonel of the Thirty-eighth Indiana,
but before he saw active service he was
appointed colonel of the Fifty-third in De-
cember, 1861. Aug. II. 1868, he was ap-
pointed brigadier general on the recon-
mendation of Grant and Sherman and
placed in command of the Natchez divis-
ion. In the following spring he was
placed in command of the division of the
Seventeenth corps of the Tennessee which
took part in the campaign against A.
lanta. At Leggette HILL before Atlanta
he was struck by a sharpshooter's bullet
Just below the knee. TO the day of his
death Gresham never recovered the full
use Of the limb.
The war over. General Gresham re-
turned to his profession, forming law
partnership at New Albany, Ind In 1866
he was nominated for congress against M.
C. Kerr, but the district was heavily DEM
ocratic and he was defeated. When Gen.
eral Grant became president he appointed
him district judge for Indiana. When
Postmaster General Howe died in April,
1888, Gresham, then holding court lat Ev-
ansviIle, was rendered the cabinet posi-
ton by telegraph and accepted. Near the
close of Arthur's term, on the death Of
Secretary Folger, he was appointed secre-
tary of the treasury, u position he held
until October, 1884 President Arthur,
who had taken him from the bench, had
the sati faction of restoring him to the
bench at the close of his service, by ap-
pointing him to succeed Judge Drum
mond.
Was a Candidate for President.
In 1883 Judge Gresham was made a
prominent candidate for the Republican
nomination for the presidency at the Chi
cago convention, but his liberal views on
the tariff created against him the antago-
nism of the extreme protectionists. In
1892, after the nomination Of Mr.. Cleve-
land by the Democrats, he, with other dis
tinguished Republicans, openly dissented
from the Mckinley law, renowned their
allegiance to the Republican party and
advocated Mr.. Cleveland's election. After
Mr. Cleveland was elected in February,
1893, he summoned Judge Gresham to
Lakewood, N. j.. where, alter consulta-
ton, he rendered him the position Of pre-
mier of the cabinet he was forming.
Judge Gresham assumed the duties of
secretary of state on March 7, 1893, and
during his term of office has come to deal
with perhaps more vexatious, intricate
and delicate diplomatic affairs than has
fallen to the share of most secretaries of
state. His treatment of these were
marked by the strong individuality which
was part of the man.
Personal characteristics.
In appearance Gresham was somewhat
slender in youth remarkably so-six feet
tall, his black hair and beard turned to an
iron grey. His eyes were hazel, full and
large, with the power ito threaten and
command" but soft and amiable in famil-
lar conversation. His voice was pleasing
and consorted we'll with his habtual de-
meanor, which was quiet and modest
AS man he was generous and frank.
He was social and approachable. 1t was
IN MS NOME lllC OudO liz WttS IllOSC w W
admired. In 1858 he married Miss Matilda
McGrain, the daughter Of Thomas Nc
Grain, man of Scotch-Irish descent. A
son and daughter were born to them, who
live in Chicago. He was devoted to wife
and children. This side of his life the
public knew nothing of, but it furnishes
the best key to his nature and character.
In the glare Of the public footlights tlnsel
and glitter pass for gold. 1t was in the
soft glow of the freside that his heart was
revealed.
GENERAL SWAIN DEAD.
Was an Associate of Horace Greedy on