Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-05-03

to all who met him of late was the in
direct cause.
(Gen. Richard j. Oglesby was born in Old
ham county, KY, July Is, 1924. His parents
were of Scottish extraction. In 1886 he was
taken by his uncle, Willis Oglesby, to De-
catur, ILL.,, and in that city grew to man
hood. In 1874 Mr.. Oglesby began the study
Of law at Springfield, and upon his admis-
sion to the bar located in Moultrie county,
where he practiced until the Mexican war
broke out in 1916, when he enlisted as vol
unteer. AT the close of the war he returned
to Decatur. In 1857 he was nominated for
congress and ran against James c. Robin
son, who defeated him. Two years later he
was made state senator, his election as a
republican making the senate of Illinois
republican for the first time in the party's
history of this state.
The {caN to war in April 1861, found him
ready to answer, and his resignation as SEN
atOr promptly followed April Is he was
elected colonel of the Eighth regiment, ILL.,
nois volunteer infantry. In February Of
the next year, after six months at Birds
Point he was given command of the First
brigade, First division, Army of West Ten
ncssee. His men were the first to enter
Fort Henry and for gallant conduct in the
investment and capture Of Fort Donelson
he was made brigadier general. In this ca
poSAeJ Az AouSAI AL TIC ScCOIO Udtllc OIL
Corlnth, October 8, 1862, and was so severe
~ wounded that he was carried from the
field supposed to be dying. Hackleman,
who commanded with him, was killed. Gen.
Oglesby was taken to his home in Decatur,
where he lay wavering between life and
death for three months. The anti-war
legislature was in session in Springfield,
and as soon as the general was strong
enough to bear excitement he was invited
to speak before the senate. He appeared in
the hall, his form maciated and his face
pale from suffering and long confinement.
His voice trembled when he began to speak,
but when his emotion and the intensity of
his feelings had keyed his strength to the
right pitch he made one of the most thrill
ing speeches ever heard in the legislature
That speech made him the candidate for
governor in 1864. His wound did not heal
and in June, 1863, he asked that his resigna-
ton be accepted, he having in the mean
time resumed his place in the army. Gen.
Grantn refused to accept the . resignat ton.
but granted Oglesby, now major general.
six months leave Of absence. The next
year, May "a, 1864, he again urged his resig
nation. and the next day was nominated
for governor, His opponent was the same
James c. Robinson who had defeated him
for congress in 1865 November Oglesby
was elected. After rest of four years at
the conclusion of his term Gov. Oglesby
was again chosen to lead the republicans to
victory, and in November, 1872, was again
elected governor of the commonwealth. He
was soon transferred to the senate of the
United States, taking his seat March 4,
1873. At the expiration of his sena torship
in 1879 he declined a reelection In Novem-
Der, 1884, he was again elected to the office
of governor. Since the close Of his term,
January 1, 1889, he had been out of public
life and lived most of the time on his farm
near Elkhart, ILL.,