The National tribune., 1906-03-15

| ciples on so extended a scale and with
| such beneficial results as may be truth
| fully recorded of a distinguished ex-
| soldier who Is now sincerely mourned
by his comrades and fellow citizens of
Minnesota.
Andrew Ryan McGill. First Sergeant
| Co. ID, 9th Mimi, State Senator. Post
| master OF St. Paul and Ex-Governor of
Minnesota, died suddenly Oct. 81. 1905,
at his residence in st. Paul. at the age
Of 90 years.
Andrew r. McGill was born in Penn
! syivania, of Revolutionary ancestry
| Feb. 19, 1910. He grew up in that
State. came to Minnesota in 1861. and
| settled at st. Peter, Nicollet County
Here he served in a number of capaci-
ties, being Superintendent of Schools
and Clerk of Court. He studied law
and was admitted to the bar. but other
activities prevented the career he had
mapped out for himself in that honor
able profession.
He was for considerable period ed
itor OF the st. Peter Tribune.
When Horace Austin became Cover
nor of Minnesota. in 1870. he made Mr..
McGill his private secretary. In 1878
he was appointed Insurance Commis-
sioner, in which position he served till
1886, when he was himself nominated
and elected Governor Of the State.
Gov. McGilfS previous experiences
admirably equipped him for the posi-
ton His administration OF the Execu-
tive Office was independent and able,
| commanding respect at the time and
approved by impartial history.
Retiring from the Executive Chair
in 1889, Gov. McGfl embarked in ac-
tive business enterprises.
But ne was not left in retirement.
He was elected to the State Senate in
1898 and reelected in 1902, without
opposition either at the primaries or
at the polls. His legislative career of
seven years was marked by a close ap-
plication to duty, a full appreciation
of his relations to the State and his
constituents and a conscientious exer-
else of his Senatorial prerogatiyes.
In 1899, during his term as Senator,
Gov. McGill was appointed Postmaster
of st. Paul. After serving four years
he was reappointed, and occupied the
dual offices of Senator and Postmaster
at the time of his death.
1t is a significant tribute to his worth
that both President Mckinley and
President Roosevelt issued special or
ders susre".iing in his case the Execu-
tive regulation which prohibits the
holding of State and a Federal office
at the same time.
When he was q years old, Andrew
r. McGill enlisted, Aug. 19. 1852 as a
private in Co. ID, 9th Mimi, for three
years or during the war.
The terrible Indian outbreak on the
upper Minnesota River occurred within
three or four days. and the company
returned to st. Peter, where it served
as the garrison during the Autumn and
Winter of 1923.
He was actively engaged during the
early days of the Indian war in the
work of rcscuing wounded settlers and
driving off the prowling bands of say
ages who infested the region between
pnta and I'm Z y1-n a n
gerous duty, exposed to assault and am
bush, often performed ut night. while
the horizon was lighted with the flames
of burning farnnhouses.
AS First Sergeant of his company all
the detailed 1abors usually performed
by officers fell on him, as the quickest
learner and most willing worker, where
all were new to the complicated service.
For long period. although ranking as
an enlisted man. he was Acting Adju-
tant of the military post at St Peter,
his Captain having been placed in COM
mand. Here his work was of the hard
est, but it was SO we'll performed that
il was found impossible to replace him
by any commissioned officer available.
The exposures of camp life combined
with overwork to bring young McIiill
down with a serious illness. This Illness
was long continued, and left effects from
which he always suffered. For a con-
ptIlcu ItCoNtlS
impossible. and his restoration to health
was so slow that it became manifest he
must leave the service. Accordingly he
reluctantly accepted discharge from
the army Aug. IS, 1863, and it was 4
lifelong subject of regret that he was
not privileged to be with his regiment
in the campaigns and battles which fol-
lowed, and which included some of the
most decisive of the war.
On April s, 1870, Gov. McGill, who
was then private secretary 20 Gov. Hor-
ace Austin, and resided in St Paul. par
ticipated in the movement to organize
Acker Post, u, Department of Mime
sofa. G. A r. He became a charter
member, and his active interest is at
tested by the fact that he was Chair
man of the first committee appointed.
The principal officers chosen to guide
the new enterprise were Henry A. Cas-
tie, Commander; Hiram A. Kimball,
Senior Vice Commander; True 5. White,
Junior Vice Commander; Mark ID.
Flower. Adjutant, and a. Il. McGill,
QuartermaSter.
Comrade McGill remained a faithful
and exemplary member of Acker Post
until his death-a period of more than
35 years. He thoroughly believed in
the principles of our noble Order. and
embraced all the numerous opportuni- |
ties afforded by the exalted public posi- |
tions held by him TO eXemplify those
principles in practical, beneficent acts. |
In his Inaugural Message as Cover
nor of Minnesota in 1887 he strongly |
urged the establishment of State
Home for disabled and destitute veter-
ans. He gave valuable assistance to the
committee of the G.. A. Il. which draft |
ed the law, being especially interested
in the family relief" feature; he did
all an Executive could properly do to |
secure its passage by the Legislature. |
and he promptly approved it when
finally enacted.
Gov. McGill appointed from his wide
circle of acquaintances among the COM
rades the first seven trustees of the
Minnesota Soldiers Home, in April.
1887. During his official term, and ever
afterward, he showed an affectionate
iting it often. rejoicing in its success.
and recurring with pride to the fact
that it was established during his Ad-
ministration.
AS Postmaster he cheerfully gave
that preference in employment or pro-
motion which the laws permit to worthy
and efficient eX-soldiers. AS State Sen
ator he was the recognized champion
of all reasonable demands made by or
in the behalf of the veteran defenders
of the Republic. The following are
some of his achievements in that line
during a single session, that of last
Winter: He introduced and had passed
the bill which made an appropriation
for a monument to the Minnesota SOL
diers who fought at Vicksburg. He Sc
cured the massage of the bill providing