The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-26

CONGRESSMAN HATCH
date members of his family, including
his brother, John, of Chicago. Bright's
disease was the primary cause of death,
but complete paralysis rendered futile
all efforts of the physicians.
During his long career in congress
Colonel Hatch was almost constantly
in the public eye. He had an interest
ing personality. He conceived that his
missiOa as a stateman was TO do all
in his power for the amelioration of the
condition Of the agricultural classes,
and it was out Of this regard, for the
farmer that arose his celebrated anti
option bill, which created universal
comment and agitation, and in many
quarters of the country extreme oppo-
sition.
His Work I'm Congress.
Colonel Hatch was also noted for his
work in congress i'm favor of legislation
for pure food, especially with reference
to butter, a matter that was of direct
Importance to the farming classes. He
lived a country life most of the time,
and took a keen interest in agricultur-
al production and the status of the
farmer. He was aggressive on the
floor of the house, and, when occasion
demanded, was a chairman with
hand of iron. When in the speakers
chair he held the house in subsection
With as small effort as any man who
ever presided over it's deliberations,
and he had no end of admirers in his
| own party for the impartial manner in
which he welded the gavel.
His father was a preacher In Scott
| county, KY, and it was there that
| William Henry was born siXty-three
years ago. The elder Hatch took a
large part in the great religious up
| heaval which in the early part of this
| century threw to the surface the Cum
| berland Presbyterian church and the
| Christian, commonly called the Camp
| bellite church The warm personality
| of Alexander Campbell completely won
the colonels father, who abandoned a
| lucrative medical practice to become an
| expounder of the new gospel.
Active in Missouri Politics.
| Young Hatch was sent to school at
| Lexington. KY, and was admitted to
the bar lust as he reached his major
ity. Five years later he came to Mis-
| souri,. and Immediately became active
|
| was elected circuit attorney of the Six
teenth judicial district, and was re-
| elected in 1860. About this time the
| mutterings of the thunder Of the war
| were beginning to be heard. When the
| storm broke he allied himself with the
| Confederates, and entered the army Of
the south In December. 1862 he got
| his commission as captain, and In the
| N
| commissioner of exchange, and contin-
| ned in that position until the close Of
the war.
| He returned to his home in Missouri
| and once more took up his practice of
| law and active politics. In 1872 he be-
gan to look toward lofty political posi-
tions. and aspired to be governor. but
| he was defeated for the nomination by
Samuel Woodson. In 1878 he ran for
congress. and was successful. He was
reelected every succeeding term until
two years ago.
Fertile Field for Work.
As chairman of the agricultural COM
mittee he found fertile field for the
work he delighted In. His speeches
were always listened to with interest
and he was especially picturesque when
opposing his fellow-members with ret
ribution at the hands of 35.00O,OOO farm
ers when election next came around
Colonel Hatch was not only farmer
in theory. He loved the occupation fol
itself. and in his estate Is included one
of the finest farms in the Illinois bot
toms. on this land he grew tremend-
Gus wheat crops. Until of late. when
his illness precluded active work. he
personally attended to his farming
Politically Colonel Hatch was ambi-
tious. He probably would have pre-
ferred to be governor Of Missouri more
than any other place within his reach
hut his defeat in 1872 soured him. and
he made no effort since that time &c
crafty his ambition in that direction
He leaves widow and two children
| @ Hatch of MemnhiS. Tenn.. ano