The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-05-30
SECRETARY GRESHAM DEAD.
SICK ONLY FOUR WEEKS.
Acute Attack of Pleurisy and Failure Of
the Heart.

Walter @. Gresham. secretary Of state, died
at 1ij o'clock Tuesday morning. after
brief Illness The last scene occurred at the
Arlington hotel. in the presence OF Mrs.
Gresham, Mrs. L. L. Andrews. his daughters
Mr.. Andrews, mis- son-in-law; the physicians
and several friends OF the family. The end
was very sadden. 1t was only last Saturday
night that fears were first felt that there
might by fatal termination TO the Illness,
which began on May /.
Secretary Gresham was taken sick four
weeks ago and tho doctors called said he whs
suffering from gall stone. When Dr. w. w.
Johnston was called, some days later. he dis
covered that the secretary was suffering from
an acute case OF pleurisy OF the right lung.
1t is supposed this resulted from exposure
while taking night ride to Woodley, the
presidents summer home. 10 discuss i'm
portant matters relating to Nicaragua.
Walter Quintin Gresham was born March
IL. 1892 near Lanesyille. Harrison county.
Ind. His father, william Gresham. who was
sheriff OF tho county was killed while arrest
ing dcsperado. and his widowed mother
was left in straitcned circumstances with Ave
small children. Walter. who was next to the
youngest, being only years old. At l6 he
obtained n clerkship In the county auditors
Office, which enabled HIN TO pay his expenses
at Corydon seminary, whore be spent two
years, followed by year at Bloomington
university. At ~ he commenced to practice
law at Corydon. lie Joined the Whig party,
and in 1856 stumped for Fremont, the lie.
publican nominee. In 1850 he was elected to
the State Legislature. and was chairman OF
the Committee on Military Affairs. When
the war commenced he enlisted as q private
in the Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers. but
was soon made lieutenant Colonel Later
he became Colonel OF the Fifty-third Indiana.
He fOuyht Mt shiloh GOFiuth and Nigkgburg
and was then recommended by both Gems.
Grant and sherman for "A brigadier general
ship. which he received. While in command
OF the Fourth division OF Seventeenth Army
Corps in the Atlantic campaign, he was sew.
erely wounded iu the knee at the battle OF
Loggett's Hill, July 20. 1864. On March 10.
1865, he was breyeted: major general OF
volunteers for gallantry.
He resumed the practice OF law, md was
twice the unsuccessful Republican candidate
for Congress from his district. He declined
the appointments Of collector ut New Orleans
and United States district attorney for In
diana, rendered him by President Grant In
1869 he became United states district Judge
for Indiana, which position he held for II
years. In 1850 he was defeated for United
States Senator by Benjamin Harrison. In
1888 President Arthur made him Post
master General aud subsequently
Secretary OF the Treasury. This
latter place he resigned TO become
United States Judge OF the Seventh judicial
district, holding court at Chicago. He was
candidate for the Republican nomination for
President in 1854, and again in 1883, when
his successful opponent was again Benjamin
Harrison. In 1892 he refused the nomination
Of the Peoples party for President, and voted
for Mr.. Cleveland. who upon his induction
into office on March 4, 1898. appointed him
Secretary OF State.