Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-09
PUSH. PERSEVERANCE AND POWER
Success of Rugged Character Local
Pioneer Modern Life.


Lieutant- Colonial J. A. Watrons is
writing scrios of articles for the
Whitewater Register on army and civil
/ ilfe, taking as his subject Wisconsin
characters. His latest production is
peculiarly local to this community and
! the CENSOR takes pleasure in present.
! ing the article:
Fifty-tive years ago he was driving
| four oxen to haul saw-logs to a small
mill in the western part of the state.
and he did it well, beginning work at
daylight and quitting at dark.
That was before the eight hour dav
came.
And it was when it was the almost
universal fashion for the hired man to
make as good use of his time as if he
was pushing work in his own factC nv,
store, mill, office or ON his own farm
He was a large-framed, big-hearted
good natured man and made friends of
all who were worthy of the friendship
of such a character.
The proprietor of a stage line appre-
ciated his merits as a driver of oxen
and made him driver ON a Concord
coach running north from Prairie du
Chen.
In that higher and more remunera-
tive position he added largely to his
army of admirers. He was prevailed
upon to come down from the stage
coach and take charge of country
hotel. Here he made more money and
many more friends, and one day a dele
cation from convention went TO the
tavern and told the landlord that he
had been nominated for sheriff.
81 can't take it, my schooling has
not been good enough" said the ex-ox
iriyer, stage driver and hotel man.
But You must take it. Inc call is
from full convention.
He accepted, was elected and more
than made good, besides becoming the
most popular nan in his country.
Then he went to the assembly, where
he became a leader
Then came the war the great big
war whose questions being settled made
possible our present wonderful country
the best on earth
The governor Of Wisconsin sent him
a commission as major Of regiment.
Later on he became a lieutenant col
onel, and when the two great armies,
those of the North and South had com
pleted their task, and completed it to
the best of their abilities, our hero came
some time commanded a brigade.
The following fall the people of Wis
consin made him a state officer. a posi-
tion he held for four years.
The next demand the public made
upon him resulted in his going to con-
gress for six years. In congress he
became most efficient working meia
ber and no congressman gave closer
attention TO the wants of a district, or
was more in earnest in advancing all
good interests in behalf of the Nation.
After that his party placed him in
nomination for governor He was
elected and remained in the Office seven
years, longer than any other governor
the state ever had and Wisconsin never
had a better governor
He was so good a governor, and had
been of such excellent service in other
stations, and was SO popular, personally
that his states delegation to national
convention was solidlv in favor of his
nomination for president.
A few months later one Of the ablest
men and greatest of our presidents in
vited our hero to seat in his cabinet.
and during his term of four years he
was not only one of the most popular
members of the cabinet, but he laid the |
foundation and began building up ore
of the most important departments of |
the government builded so we'll that |
a grateful people will not forget his
invaluable services.
Not long after retiring from the cab
met this grand character one of Wis |
consin's graniest whose schooling
was not good enough" for sheriff who
won fame as a state legislator, as
soldier. bark comptroller. congressman,
governor and cabinet officer, a public |
servant of the best type, went to his
rest surely an ample reward and his |
loved Wisconsin and the great Nation |
mourned the loss of the Ox-driver of |
fifty years ago noarned the death of |
dear, brave, honest, manly, faithful |
Old Jerry Rusk, and many are still
mourning.
This chapter is not for oid-timars, to
whom the story is A. b. c. bat for a
younger generation and am sure that
they viii enjoy it, and ] hope it may be
of value to many.