Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-02-17
DEATH OF C. H. GALLAGHER
At the Home Of Ills SOn-in- Law, |. B.
BurrOTeS, in Jersey City.
WELL-KNOWN WILMINGTON MAN
Formerly Chief Engineer of
Water Department..
AN ACTIVE REPUBLICAN POLITICIAN

Word was received here Friday of the
death, in Jersey City, n. j., last even
ing, OF Capt Charles Il. Gallagher, for
many years leading and wellknown
citizen of Wilmington. His death, which
was due to complication of affections
which had long prostrntod him, occurred
at the residence of his son in.l law, Isaac
Is. Burrowes, also former Whining
tOnian.
Charles Ii. Gallagher was born in
Wilmington, May LIST, 1928 and was
son OF John and Margaret Stotseu-
burg Gallagher. His parents dying
Young, he was raised by his uncle,
Evan c. Stotsenburg lie learned the
iron foundry business with Robert
d. Wood of Philadelphia, hut re-
turned to Wilmington about 1863.
Later he entered the naval service of
thu government, and was for several
years stationed at Key West, Fla. Dur
ing the Civil War he served in the de.
partment of the quartermaster-geu
Of the army, aud was part OF the time
stationed in Wilmington.
At the conclusion OF the war, Capt.
Gallagher settled in Wilmington, and
for nearly 80 years was prominent in
the business and political concerns of
the city. He was for some years en-
gagged with George B. Thompson in the
business of oil refining. He was the
first to introduce in this locality the
improved odorless excayating apparatus.
For a while be went to Washington
and engaged in the business of manu-
featuring ornamental metal cornice
work.
But il was in political and public
affairs that Capt. Gallagher was best
known. lie served in his time as mem
her Of the Board of Health and of the
Board OF Public Education. lie was a
member of City Council from the old
! Fifth ward from 1868 to 1871. From
1872 to 1874 he was chief engineer of
thu Water Department. In the latter
year the construction Of Coul Spring
Reservoir was begun, and the plans ap-
proved by Council, at the suggestion of
Capt. Gallagher, comprised reservoir
which should occupy the entire tract Of
ground between Tenth and Twelfth,
and jackson and Franklin streets, more
than half of which is now occupied by
the Cool Spring Park. The magnitude
| of these plans frightened the people,
and at the city election in Septsmbe
1874, the Republican majority in City
Council was supplanted by q coalition
| of Democrats and Independent Repub-
| licans. City Council elected Joseph
Hyde chief engineer in place of Capt.
Gallagher, and the reservoir plans were
cut down one-hslf, in which form its
construction was completed. A Afterwards,
when tue Republicans regained control
of Council. in 1876, Capt. Gallagher
was again elected chief engineer of the
| 80. anI A.u-
years. In September, 1878. he was the
republican nominee for mayor, but was
defeated by John p A llmon0. A term
years later, closed his Official career in
Wilmington. Afterwards be was ap-
pointed an assistant in the Office of the
immigration missioner, at Ellis
Island, New York, 10 which capacity
he was serving at the time of his last
illness. .=..-. r....
In politics Capt Gallagher was hold
and picturesque figure. He was loya
TO his friends, but at all times hard
fighter, not only for the SUCCESS of biz
political faction. but for the SUCCESS Of
hia party. He was associated in State
and county politics, as we'll as those
Of the city. Naturally, his politica
course resulted in the making of bitter
partisan enemies, and his defeat wher
candidate for mayor. in 1878, wat
largely due to Republican votes cast
againHt him.
Personally, Capt, Gallagher was {
man of genial disposition and many
charming traits Of character. His friendl
were always firm in their allegiance t.
him, and he was ever true to them. HI
was member of ST. Andrews z. f.
Church, and was Interested in church
work.
Capt. Gallagher was married to Mis-
Rebecca Wilson, daughter of the lat,
Alexander Wilson. Mrs. Gallagher ant
two daughters, Mrs. Isaac b. Burrowe
and Miss Reba Gallagher, survive him
J John }. and Frank Il. Gallagher. drug
gists, of this city, are bis nephews.