The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-15
SENATOR GEAR DEAD.
DIsting uished Iowaian Passed Away
UncxpectedIy.

Unexpectedly.
Washington, July 14.-Cnited States SEN
ator John Henry Gear of Burlington. Ia,
died at 4:3O a. m. to-day of heart disease
in his apartments at the Portland in this
city.
While Senator Gear had been in i'll
health for a year or more, death came
entirely Unexpectedly. He was in excel
lent spirits last night and made engage
ments with some political friends for to-
day. Shortly before o'clock last evening,
accompanied by Mrs. Gear, he went cut
driving with Secretary Wilson of the ag-
ricultural department. They returned
about 10 o'clock, and the Senator retired
an hour later in his usual health.
Early to-day Sergeant-at-A Rams
dell of the Senate was notified of Senator
Gears death and began to make arrange
ments for the funeral. The remains will
be taken directly to Burlington, Ia. which
for many years has been the home of
Senator Gear. A special car will be at
tached to the Pennsylvania train to-mor-
row afternoon for the accommodation of
the funeral party.
Col. Ransdell communicated to-day with
Senator Frye of Maine, president pro tenn
pore Of the Senate, who will name a COM
mittee of senators to represent the Sem
ate at the funeral Speaker Henderson
of Senator Gears state also was notified
officially of the death. He will designate
a committee of the House to attend the
funeral.
Senator Gear left, besides his widow,
two daughters, Mrs. ]. w. Blythe, wife
of the principal attorney Of the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and
Mrs Horace Rand, wife of a prominent
business man, both residing in Burling-
ton. Funeral services will be held in
Burlington some time on Wednesday. No
services are to be held here.
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson and Ad-
mirHl Walker of the Navy, accompanied
by ex-senator. Pasco of Florida, called at
the Portland early 10 tender their ser
vices and sympathy.
John Henry Gear was born in Ithaca,
N. Y, April T. 1926. He received COM
mon school education in his native town.
In 1886 he removed to Galena, Ill, and
two years later to Fort Smelling in Iowa
territory. In 1913 he made his home in
Burlington, where he engaged in merchan-
dising. He was elected Mayor of Bur
hngton in 1863. Later he was elected a
member of the Iowa general assembly
two of these terms he was speaker of the
House He was elected Governor of Iowa
in 1873. and again in 1880. He was first
elected a representative in Congress in
1886, where he served two terms and was
defeated for reelection. He was assist
ant secretary of the treasury under Pres
ident benjamin Harrison, after which he
was again elected to Congress as rep
resentative. In January, 1894 he was
elected United States senator from Iowa,
for the term beginning March 4. 1885. His
term would have expired March 3, 1901.
Few men in public life were more gen
orally loved and respected than Senator
Gear. His was a beautiful character, and
political opponents. as we'll as political
friends, recognized his sterling worth In
deed, some of his most intimate friends
were found among those who differed
from him in politics. His domestic life
was charming. He was a devoted hus:
band and father and was a distinct favi
orite in a wide social circle. He was
known particularly for his unostenta'
| tious, but effective charitable work.