New-York tribune., 1901-05-24
OBITUARY..
EX-GOVERNOR JOHN R. TANNER.

EX-GOVERNOR JOHN Il. TANNER.
Springfield, H., May 23.-Former Governor
John Riley Tanner died suddenly at 2:45 o'clock
this afternoon at the Leland Hotel, in this city,
from rheumatism of the heart. Governor Tan
ner had been confined to his apartments since
his return from Chicago, last Saturday with
rheumatism in the left side. The case was not
considered at all serious. This afternoon the
Governor became much worse. Or. Dixon his
family physician. was hurriedly called. He
reached the bedside al go o'clock. and found
the Governor beyond medical aid.
Governor Tanner held many political offices
in this State and for years was of the
Illinois leaders of the Republican party
John Riley Tanner. former Governor of Illinois.
born on a farm three miles from Bonneville.
Ind. on April g. 1s44. His father. John Tanner.
and his mother. Eliza Y. were both born in Ken
tucky. and settled in Warwick County. Ind. in
1894. They had six children. four boys and two
girls The father and four enlisted IN the
Civil War the father in Stewards battalion after
ward a part OF the 18th Illinois Cavalry lie died
IN a rebel prison IN 1862 The eldest brother. Al
bert, enlisted in the 26th Kentucky. was wounded
and died in hospital at Nashville. Tenn. Fred
erick Tanner enlisted in the 18th Illinois Cavalry
and died al Pine Bluff, Ark. in 1864. j NJ Tanner
enlisted IN the 18th Illinois Cavalry survived the
war and lives at Louisville. Clay County. Ill. John
r Tanner enlisted in the 9Sth Illinois in 1853 was
transferred TO Company b of the 6lst Illinois and
was mustered out OF service at Nashville In No
vember. 1865.
on his return from the war he married and
bought farm east OF Louisville. Ill He was
elected Sheriff OF Clay County. Ill, in 1870. and
Circuit Court Clerk in 1872. He was appointed
master in chanCery OF the Circuit Court in 1871,
and was elected to the State Senate from the
XLIVth Senate District in 1850 President Arthur
appointed him United States marshal in November
1883 and he was removed by President Cleveland
the charge Of offensive and pernicous partisan
ship. These charges were supported by atfdavits
Of having taken an interest In the NAHlNth Dis
trict election. the result OF which made General
Logan United States Senator after his contest
against Mr.. Morrison. Mr.. Tanner then returned
10 Clay County and engaged in the lumber bust
ness with his brother, J. NJ. Tanner.
In 1856 he elected State Treasurer Of Illinois,
and was appointed Railroad and Warehouse Com
missioner by Governor Fifer in April 1890 but re-
signed the office in September Of the same year
, He was appointed ASSISTANT treasurer OF in VI.
and was again removed by President Cleveland at
the beginning Of his second term. He was elected
chairman OF the Republican State Central Commit
tee in 1921, and conducted the campaign or that
year which resulted in the Republican majority Of
$4,000. Two years later he was the Republican
candidate for Governor. and was elected by large
Governor Tanner came into undesirable notoriety
in October. ls'S, curing the strike at the coal
tempted t. import negroes from outside the state
10 take the place Of the strikers, and asked the
Governor Cor military protection for the new
Iaborers. This he refused. In a speech made on
October - Justify his action he said: Il will
not tolerate this wholesale importation of for
eigners into Illinois, and if hear that "A mob is
10 be brought into this State, such taken
into Virden ! care not on what railroad it comes
for whom. / will meet ii at the State line and
shoot 1t pieces with Gatng guns" An earlier
incident in Governor Tanners career ought to
be omitted Before he ever became an officehodev.
day when he working his polltaH on
the country road he killed companion with his
shovel I'm moment of anger. He convicted
aud sentenced to death but on a new trial he was
acquitted.
Mr. Tanner first married 10 Miss Loretta
Ingraham in December 1866. Their children were
Lucinda 7. Tanner. who married J. a. Barnes, and
lives In Chicago and J. Mack Tanner, who lives in
Springfield. I'll. His first wife died I'm 1887. Just
before he ineuguratcd 3 Governor of Illinois
he married Miss Cora Edith English. of
Springfield H.
The Unpopularity which Governor Tanner earned
( by his championship OF lawiessness during the
! Nirden strike did not suffice 10 keep him of
politics. and in 1900 he engaged i'm a bitter fac
tional fight to oust Senator Cuom from his seat.
3 He lost the struggle, however, and Senator Cullom
4 chosen for another term.