The National tribune., 1906-03-15

Few members of the Grand Army of
the Republic have the disposition and
the opportunity to practice all its prin-
ciples on so extended 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 McGin, 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 I'm st. Paul. at the age
Of 60 years.
Andrew r. McGin was born in Penn
sylvania, of Revolutionary ancestry,
Feb. 10, 1910. He grew up in that
State. came to Minnesota in 1851, and
settled at st. Peter. Nicoilet 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 I'm 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 1873
he was appointed Insurance Commis-
sioner, i'm which position he served till
1885, when he was himself nominated
and elected Governor of the State.
Gov. McGilis 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. McGill embarked in ac-
tive business enterprises.
But he was not left in retirement.
a tn q 10 to N
1898 and reelected in 1902, without
opposition either at the primaries or
at the polls. His legislative career of
seven years was marked by close ap-
plication to duty, a full appreciation
of his relations to the State and his
constituents and conscientious exer-
else of his Senatorial prerogatives.
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 suspending in his case the Execu-
tive regulation which prohibits the
holding of State and Federal office
at the same time.
When he was q years old, Andrew
r. McGill enlisted, Aug. 19, 1852 as a
private in Co. d, 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 rescuing wounded settlers and
30
ages who infested the region between
st. Peter and New Tim. 1t was dan
gerous duty, exposed to assault and am
| bush, often performed at night. while
the horizon was lighted with the flames
of burning farmhouses.
AS First Sergeant of his company all
the detailed iabors usually performed
by officers fell on him, as the quickest
learner and most willing worker. where
all were new to the complicated service.
For a 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
| it was found impossible to replace him
| by any commissioned officer available.
The exposures of camp life combine
with Overwork to bring young McGill
down with a serious illness. This illness
w
which he always suffered. For a con-
| siderable period his recovery seemed
| impossible, and his restoration to health
was so slow that it became manifest he
must leave the service. Accordingly he
| reluctantly accepted discharge from
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 to Gov Hor-
ace Austin. and resided In st. Paul, par
| ticipated in the movement to organize
Acker Post, 81, 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 s. White,
Junior Vice Commander; Mark ID.
Flower. Adjutant, and A. r. McGill,
QuartermaSter.
Comrade McGiu 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 dHOrUeU Dy the PXditcu puDilC posi-
tons 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 a State
Home for disabled and destitute veter-
ans. He gave valuable assistance to the
committee of the G.. A. r. which draft
ed the law. being especially interested
| in the family relief" feature: he did
all an Executive could properly do to
secure it's 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
interest in this model institution, Wis.,
iting it often. rejoicing in it's 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 Sem
ator he was the recognized champion
of all reasonable demands made by or
IN tho hahalf NJ the veteran defenders