Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-05
TWO OFFICERS DEAD
News Received Of the Death Of Captains
MCCurley and HCGltnSey.
norH WE'RE WELL KNOWN HERE.
One Commanded the Monitor Fleet
and the other spent Several Win
tiers in Acknowledgement Deaths
In This City.

OF the death OF Two ntNai o"tNciS' W."
were well-known and had spent goou
deal Of time In Richmond
Captain Felix McCurley. who was TOT
several years commander Of the mohi'or
feet, died suddenly Of heart-disease 81
turday evening at League Island navy
ward. Philadelphia, and Captain John +.
McGlensey. who lived in this city through
several winters. passed away carly sun
day morning nj his home in Washington.
His death. too. was quite sudden ana
from heart-failure.
The news Of Captain McCurley's deatn
caused much sorrow among the friends In
this city Of the esteemed officer, VINO
during his stay Of several years in Rich
mond as commander Of the monitors, en-
deared himself to large circle OF frienos'
Commander McCurley was assigned 10
duty on the monitor feet when they were
stationed at City Point about 1881 or
1888. and removed with them to Richmond,
remaining here for several years. when
he was reassigned to sea duty.
While stationed here Commander and
Mrs. McCurley and their daughter, Miss
Edith. became very popular In society.
They entertained both freely and elegant
IL at their apartments on the monitors
and social functions on the gunboats were
OF almost daily occurrence. The Com
mander was Of most genial and hospitaDie
disposition, and as guest or host he was
alike agreeable. He was fond Of club
life, and spent much time at the west
moreland. Miss McCuriey married
against the wishes OF her parents. and
her father never became reeonciied. the
young lady afterwards went on the stage.
and only short time since came through
Richmond with an operate troupe.
Commander McCuTley was one Of the
best-known officers In the navy. and had
served the country in every quarter Of
the world Ee was under fire more than
forty tunes, and was conspicuous for his
intrep.dity. He was born IN Baltimore
In 1895. He was the son of prominent
Baltimore merchant. and before the war
had attained a high place in the merchant
marine When the war broke out he
entered the naval service % acting mas
ter, November IS. 1861. and was ordered
10 the United States steamship Winona.
After numerous engagements he entered
the regular service By examination, and
was commissioned as master on March
u 1868 and as ileutenant : commander
March 2 lS7O. From July. 1870. to Febru-
airy. 1911, he was ON duty at the Hydro
graphic Office, Washington: February to
August 1871, United States steamer Wor-
cester. European station; August lSll-'I3,
at the Hydrographic Office. August, lS'5'
70 July, 1876. United States steamer
Alaska. European squadron; April, 1877,
20 October 1877, United States frigate
Franklin, torpedo station; lSH-B com
mandng Fortune; special service, lSS-'79;
United States steamer wabash, 1SSl-'s2;
United States steamer Franklin, 1886.
He was made commander in January,
1887 and commanded the Nipsic and Al
lance.
He was then assigned to duty I'm COM
mand Of the ironclads stationed at City
Point, and remained several years after
their removal TO a point few miles
below Richmond. After several years of
sea duty the popular commander was
made equipment officer and captain Of the
navy-yard, League Island in April. 1888.
CAPTAIN MaLENsEYs DEATH.
IL is a rather remarkable coincidence
that Captain John F. McGlensey should
have died under somewhat similar circum-
stances. and within less than twenty
four hours OF Captain McCurley.
Captain MoGlensey was native OF
Pennsylvania. graduated from Annapolis
shortly before the war, and served
through the four years of strife with
the Union army. He remained In active
service until the close of the naval rem
devious In Hampton Roads a few years
ago, when no was retired on account or
ill-health. The last vessel commanded by
Him was the Chicago. He andrhis wife
moved to this city after his retirement,
and lived here the greater part OF the
time. until about year ago, when they
moved 10 Washington.
The death OF Captain McGlensey, while
sudden, was not unexpected. His health
had been poor ever since his retirement
from naval duty, and II had been appa-
rent recently that with the APP
proach of warm weather his strength
was gradually failing.
Deceased was about 81 years of age, and
leaves wife and two children. His
only daughter married DR.. George M.
Piokrell. United States navy. of this city,
and his son 10 a SUDDEN, at Cornell Uni
versity. where he will graduate this year.
The marriage OF DIR. Pickreh and Miss
McCilensey occurred on board the re-
ceiying- ship Franklin at Norfolk. while
Captain MeGlensey was in command of
the Franklin. Deceased served as q
member OF the court-martial that tried
Commander Graham. OF the monitors
here. several years ago. He was an ac-
complished gentleman. and won a warm
place in the hearts OF those with whom
he became acquainted in Richmond
The Washington Star OF yesterday. re-
ferring 10 the death of Captain McGlen-
sey says;
He entered the naval service Septem-
Der % 1857, being appointed from Penn
syivania an acting mldshipman. He was
confirmed as OF the grade Of midshipman
in 1861, and year later, I'm the course of
the war. skipped three grades and was
made "a lieutenant. lie became a lieute-
nant commander in 1866. commander in
1875. and reached the grade Of captain In
1850. being retired three years later on ac-
count OF disability incurred in the SER
vice"
The burial viii occur at Annapolis. Md.
to-day.
MIR. r. T. PARKER DEAD.
Mr.. r.. T. Parker, Junior member Of
the well-known firm of Curtis & Parker.
shipbrokers. died at his residence. No. SIG
north Seventh street. yesterday morning.
MIR. Parker was son of the late John
N. Parker was about 40 years OF age.
and had been associated in business
with Mr.. Ii. A. Curtis about six or seven
years. having succeeded TO his fathers
interest in the business.
Mr. Parker was a gentleman of quiet
habits. retiring disposition. genial man
ners. and was highly respected and es-
seemed by all who knew him. He had
been in III health for several months, but
had only been confined TO his bed two
weekA He leaves wife and one child
20 mourn their loss.
The funeral will take place from the
residence on north Seventh street. this
morning al 10 o'clock.
A YOUNG MINISTER'S DEATH.
Rev John A Smith n native OF this