Evening star., 1901-09-27
LINCOLN'S FRIEND
Death of John G. Nicolay, His Private
Secretary and Biographer.
SKETCH OF his NOTABLE CAREER
Man of High Accomplishments and
Sturdy Character.
NERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Mr. John G. Nicolay, private secretary
to President Lincoln. and, in collaboration
with John Hay, present Secretary Of State,
the author of the biography of that great
man, died late yesterday afternoon, after
lingering Illness, at his residence, No 2l2
B street southeast. He was In his seven
tieth year. Mr.. Nicolay had been in feeble
health for several years, and since 1887.
when he resigned his position as marshall
Of the United States Supreme Court, has
been leading a retired life. He spent last
winter in Europe, returning in the spring,
with his health much impaired. Since May
he was confined to his bed and for some
time his case had been regarded as hope
less by his family physician, DR.. ]. w.
Bayne and DR. w. w Johnston who was
due to general debility. Mr.. Nicolay Is
survived by daughter, Miss Helen Nico-
lay. who has attained recognition as an
artist of much merit, but who in the recent
past has devoted herself entirely to MN
fstering to her father.
Mr.. Nicolay was Bavarian, having been
born at Essingen February 26, 1882. He
was the of John and Helena Nicolay.
The family emigrated to America in 1888,
and first made its home In Cincinnati. La
ter the Nicolays removed to Indiana Mis-
souri, and Illinois, successfully. When the
boy was fourteen years old his parents
died and he was thrown upon his own re-
sources. He had received an elementary
education, and after serving a clerk In
small store In st. Louis for short time
he went to Pittsfeld, Pike county, ILL., and
started to learn the printers trade in the
office Of the Free Press, weekly county
paper. His advancement was rapid After
mastering the art preservative he became
successfully publisher, editor and proprie-
tor of the journal. The vigorous charac-
tertstics which he displayed in this field
attracted general attention to him and he
rapidly became a political power in Illinois.
He relinquished his paper to take a po-
sition in the office of Charles Hatch. then
secretary of state of Illinois, at the state
capital, Springfield.
His Meeting With Lincoln.
Here he met Abraham Lincoln and formed
the acquaintance that was to ripen into
the most intimate of friendships. During
the presidential campaign of 1860 Mr.. Lin
coin made Mr.. Nicolay his private secre-
tary, and he was a potent factor in that
memorable contest. He was constantly
with Mr.. Lincoln from the time of the
latter's nomination until his inauguration,
and during the perilous period that fol-
lowed he enjoyed the same intimate and
responsible relations with the President.
1t was at Mr.. Nicolay's suggestion that
John Hay became member of Lncoln's
official family, as executive clerk, and the
friendship between the two was warm and
intimate to the last.
Made Consul at Paris.
Upon the beginning of President Lincoln's
second term he appointed Mr.. Nicolay
United States consul at Paris and Mr.. Hay
secretary Of the American legation at the
same capital Mr.. Nicolay was in Charles
ton, S. c., returning from a vacation trip
to Cuba, when he was informed Of Presi-
dent Lincoln's assassination. A celebra-
ton had been planned In honor of the rails
ing of the American flag over Fort Sumter,
four years before. by Maj. Anderson, and
Mr.. Nicolay had been invited to be the lat
ter's guest He hurried at once to Wash
ington, however, reaching here barely in
time to attend the obseques.
Previous to sailing for his post in Paris
in the fall Of 1865 Mr.. Nicolay welded
Miss Therena Bates of Pittsfield Ill. Two
children were born to them, a son who
died in infancy and the daughter who sur
wives. Mrs. Nicolay died sixteen years
ago.
Mr.. Nicolay served as consul at Paris