Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-04-29

EX-GOv. RICHARD j. OGLESBY.
floor in an unconscious condition. An
attack of vertigo had caused him to fall
to the floor, and in the fall his head
struck upon a small box. DIR. C. B.
Taylor, the family physician, was sum-
moned and all possible aid was given,
but the eX-governor's system was too
weak to rally and death came at :O5 in
the afternoon without his having re-
gained consciousness. No arrangements
have yet been made for the funeral.
His Career.
| [Gen. Richard ]. Oglesby was born in Old
ham county, KY, July 25, 1924. His parents
were of Scottish eXtract ction. In 1886 he was
| taken by his uncle, Willis Oglesby, to De-
catur, ILL.,, and in that city grew to man
hood. First he was a farmer three years
| and then he returned to Kentucky and
learned the carpenters trade. At the age
of 10 he returned to farm in Illinois. In
| the campaign of 1910 he sided with Lincoln.
In 1914 Mr. Oglesby began the study of law
at Springfield, and upon his admission to
the bar located in Moultrie county, where
ne practiced until the Mexican war broke
out in 1916, when he enlisted a volunteer.
| At the close of the war he returned to De-
catur and in 1S49 drove overland to Cali
! fornia in search of gold. He was not very
fortunate in the gold regions, and in the
latter part of 1851 he came home and once
more resumed his practice, continuing it
successfully for five years. Then he spent
| a year in European travel. Besides the
regular line of tourists he visited Egypt
Syria and Palestine, making use of the
knowledge thus acquired in lectures and in
campaign speeches, for on his return he
was nominated for congress and ran
against James c. Robinson who defeated
him. Two years later he was made state
| senator his election a republican max
ing the senate of Illinois republican for the
first time in the party's history of this state.
Career as n Soldier.
The call to war in April, 1861. found him
ready to answer, and his resignation as sem
ator promptly followed. April 25 he was
elected colonel of the Eighth regiment, I'LL
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
nessee. His men were the first to enter
Fort Henry and for gallant conduct in the
investment and capture of Fort Donelson
he was made brlgadier general. In this ca
pacity he fought in the second battle of
Corinth October 8, 1862, and was so severe
ly 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 emaciated 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.
Becomes Governor.
That speech made him the candidate for
governor in 1864. His wound did not heal
: and in June, 1863, he asked that his resigna-
tion be accepted, he having in the mean
time resumed his place in the army Gen.
!, Grant refused to accept the resignation,
e but granted Oglesby, now major general,
six months leave of absence. The next
= year, May "a, 1864 he again urged his res
ignation, and the next day was nominated
: for governor His opponent was the same
q James c. Robinson who had defeated him
9 for congress in 1858 November Oglesby
u was elected. After rest of four years at
/. the conclusion of his term Gov. Oglesby
was again chosen to lead the republicans 10
a victory, and in November 1872. was again
elected governor of the commonwealth.
In the Senate.
He was soon transferred 10 the senate
' of the United States, taking lis seat March
d 4, 1873 Six years of life in Washington were
+ enough for Uncle Dick" as he was fondly
= called by his party all over the state, and on
y the expiration of his senatorship in 1879 he
e declined a reelection. In November, 1884
l. he was again elected to the office of gov
n erpor. Since the close of his term, January
: 1, 1889, he had been out of public life and
y lived most of the time on his farm neal
Elkhart, Illl
Many Deaths from spotted Fever.
e Pana, ILL.,, April 25.-Spotted fever is
|, raging to an alarming extent in the vi
o cinity south of the town of Nokomis
e Montgomery county, IL miles west o.
=. Pana. Five deaths are reported in thu
t. family of j. Il. McFarand. 1t is said 81
d new cases have developed in the pas
IS four days. Health officers claim to have
e the dread disease confined and unde
control.
Killed HIS Father.
!. i rdrnr,rn ~ mil Innls Do