Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-03-03
JUDGE DRURY IS DEAD.
Jurist Who Was Associated With
Our Early History Passes
Away in New York.
CAME TO ROCK ISLAND IN 1888.

Prospered by Developing Real Estat,
-Practiced Law and Was Elevated
to the Bench-AIso Engaged in
Agricultural Pursuits-An Old Lin,
Democrat.
The Associated Press brought thi:
morning news which will be received
with sorrow and regret by many. es-
pecially among our older citizens in
Rock Island county:
| "Rhinebeck, n. Y, March 3.-John
Wilson Drury is dead, aged Sc. He
was close personal friend of Stephen
A. Douglas and Samuel j. Tilden. In
1910 he moved to Illinois, where he
| became eminent as a iurist.''
Young. am bitiOus and full of en-
ergy, Judge Drurv came from his ma
tive place, Rhinebeck. n. Y, and To-
Gated in Rock Island in 1888. He was
one of the few Young lawyers here at
that time. Real estate was CHEAP.
Lots in the Chicago or Lower addi-
ton in Rock Island often sold for So
each. Young Drury would buy a lot.
| improve some little, and sell it for
SO. BY economy and good manage
ment he continued this policy, and
! leaving an extensive and valuable es-
tate.
Some time after his arrival in Rock
Island he married Miss Jessie French.
She lived but few months. In time
he married Miss Lucia Garvin. of
Buffalo, n. Y. Three sons, Wilson.
John and Alfred. were born to them.
all of whom died previous to their
mother. After the death of his sec
ond wife he married her sister, Sarah
Garvin, with whom he lived until
her death in 1891.
After living in Rock Island some
years, he formed law partnership
with Joseph Knox, the latter known
far and near as a great advocate. His
firm continued to do business in most
OF the counties in northern Illinois
until 1896, when Judge Drury was
elected circuit Judge, the district at
that time numbering six or eight
counties. When he left the bench he
formed law partnership with John
Z. Cook, of Davenport, with whom he
continued for a number of wears.
They were attorneys for the Rock
Island Railroad company. MIR. Tracy,
the president of the company, invited
Judge Drurv to move to Chicago and
look after his personal matters espe-
cially. To this work he devoted some
years. or until Mr.. Tracy's death.
Man of Varied Tastes.
Judge Drury's tastes were rural.
While practicing law in Rock Island
and Davenport he was always engaged
III farming more or less. He Dur-
chased the large farm on Rock river
afterward known as the Hartman
farm, and devoted much attention to
cultivating the soil. He was a sue
cessful farmer; in fact, ANYTHING he
attempted to do he succeeded in.
About 1891 Judge Drurv returned
from Chicago and retired to his farm
near Milan, living for many years
quiet, happy life. with all life's comforts |
surrounding him. A couple of years
ago, his relatives mostly living in |
Rhinebeck, n. Y, Judge DI,urv went
there also. Every attention in his
declining years has been shown him
by his nieces' and nephews at Rhine
beck, ali his brothers and sisters hay
ing passed away before him.
Judge Drury in politics was ALWAYS
an earnest democrat. In local affairs
ne was active, and he participated in
county and state conventions. He
was voted for as an elector on the
democratic ticket. He was delegate
o the national democratic convention
which met in Charleston in 1860. and
was one of the men who stood firmly
'or the nomination of Stephen A.
Douglas in that convention.
There are but few old citizens now
living who were here when Judge
)rury came to Rock Island. Mai. ii.
y. Connolly knew him for Il years, was
married in his house, and during all
he years he lived here was probably
lis most intimate personal friend.
lis life was pure and upright, and
hough his cup of sorrow was so often
He'd to overlooking when death with
ad frequency was attracted by the
Inning marks that frightened his life
nd were dear to his heart, he was I'M
always cheerful and cor
ial. and he died full of honors as
veil as years, beloved by those who
new him best and respected by all
'ho had his acquaintance.
Pay for the Reserves.