The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-09-16
0LIPHANT DEAD.
Adjutant General Of the State
Passed Away This
Morning. :
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
Stricken With Paralysis But
it Was Hoped He Would
Recover.

L
TRENTON, Sept 16, 1902. 2.-Adju-
tant General Alexander G. Oliphant, who
was stricken a few days ago with paraly-
sis, died at his home in West State
street this morning. Yesterday afternoon
he became unconscious and never rallied
but passed peacefully away. A telegram
was at once sent to Coy. Murphy and
one to Major General E. Farmer Wan
ser in Jersey City, who came on here to
attend to the preparation for a State
military funeral.
1t was hoped by the physician who
attended him that Gen .Oliphant would
recover and arrangements for his re-
moyal to California for a few weeks
We're made. Indeed, Gov Murphy ex-
tended the general leave of absence for
the trip. But yesterday the-deet no.
tlced change in his patient and he
grew gradually weaker and weaker, till
coma seized him, and then the end was
only a question of a few hours
General A. G. Oliphant was born in
Uniontown, Pennsylvania. March 25.
1850. In 1867 his family removed to
New Jersey, where they have resided
ever since. The General was the sixth
of family of ten sons, all of whom.
with the exception of one, who is pur-
suing prosperous career as a civil en-
gineer in Michigan, are successful busi-
ness and professional men in Trenton.
He was son of General S. Duncan Oil
phant, who served with distinction in
the Civil War and is now Clerk of the
United States Circuit Court for the Dis
trict OF New Jersey, position which he
has occupied for over thirty years.
General A. c. Oliphant received his
early education in the State Model School
at Trenton and at the Hill School at
Pottstown, Pennsylvania. His first ac-
tive military training was received while
q member of Company A, Seventh Regi-
mems National Guard of New Jersey,
during the railroad riots in August. 1877,
and was with his company at Phillips
burg, when that important strategic
point was guarded by the Provisional
Brigade under the command of Major
General William J. Sewell Upon his
return from this duty he received an
appointment to the United States Naval
academy at Annapolis, from which in
stitution he was graduated in 1881. He
at once received orders to join the U. S.
s. Lancaster the flagship of the Euro
pean squadron, then commanded by Cap
tain (now Rear-AdmiraD Bancroft Cher
ardi. General A. c. Oliphant was in the
force that was landed at Alexandria in
July, 1882, to repulse the anticipated at
tack on that city by the Egyptian rebels
In 1883, upon passing his examination
for promotion to the rank of ensign, he
was honorably discharged, with addi-
tional pay, by reason of the action of
Congress in reducing the number of naval
officers of all ranks. In 1856 he was
appointed major and engineer on the
staff of Major-G General William j. Sewell,
then commanding the Second Brigade,
National Guard of New Jersey, and later
was made Colonel and Inspector of
Division.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-Am
to Washington for a commission in the
volunteer service. At the suggestion of
his predecessor, the late Adjutant-Gen-
eral William s. Stryker, he was specially
detailed as Acting Aide-de-Camp and
Military Secretary to the Hon. Foster
M. Voorhees,, Governor and Commander
in-Chief on duty at the State head
quarters at camp at Sea Girt, and as
sisted in the enrolling and organizing of
troops called for by the national govern
ment in that war.
By reason of his special training and
his wide acquaintanceship with officials
prominent in military and civil life. he
was able to render most valuable service
to the State and its officers.
At the conclusion of the war, Governor
Voorhees,, in recognition of his expert
ence and efficiency, appointed him Assist
ant Acknowledgement of the State.
Upon the death of General William S.
Stryker, who had served as Adjntant-
General for thirty-three years. the Cover
nor commissioned Colonel Oliphant to fill
the vacancy. The appointment was a
most popular one and was received with
approval throughout the State and in the
military and naval circles of the nation
where General Oliphant was we'll known
General A.. G. Oliphant was son-in-
law of United States Senator Stephen B.
Elkins of West Virginia, and his social
prominence and rGlitary and naval con-
nections particularly equipped him for
the Office of Adjutant- Generally His sal
airy was 1880 per year.
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