Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1914-02-28
Ex.state Treasurer pleo.

Ex-State Treasurer Dies.
Edward c. McFetridge, for a third
or a century prominent in the coun.
ellis of the Republican party in Wis.
consln and a personal friend of
many Of the party leaders in the
state and nation, died at his resi-
dence In Beaver Dam. Death was not
unexpected, resulting from a period
OF Ill health that covered several
years and which began with an at
tack IN 1901 that at the time was
reared would cost him his life.
1t was while as state treasurer that
Mr.. McFetridge came into the great
est prominence. He had been promi-
nent in county affairs, was q familiar
ngure in state conventions and was
a close personal friend of United
States Senator Philetus Sawyer.
While Mr.. McFetridge was state
treasurer the historic suits were
brought against the state treasurer
and his bondsmen by the state for
the recovery of interest on state mon
eys that had been in the hands of
posted in various banks. The suit
led to a sensational trial, in the
course of which came the charge by
Robert NJ, La Toilette that Senator
Sawyer had attempted to influence
Judge Siebecker, one of the trial
judges and brother-in-law of La Fol
lette, by offering La Toilette money.
La Toilette called it a bride and Sen
ator Sawyer declared it was a re-
tanner rendered La Toilette in good
faith. The outcome of the suits and
the restoration of many thousands of
dollars to the state treasury is now
part of the history of Wisconsin.
Mr.. McFetridge was born in Roch-
ester, N. Y, April 10, 1886, and he
received his elementary education in
the schools of that city, and upon his
graduation was one out Of three who
received free scholarships in the Uni
versity OF Rochester. He was admit
ted to the bar in 1858.
In November, 1858, he came to Bea-
yer Dam, where he engaged in the
practice of his profession for several
years
Ever since he cast his first vote,
which was for Abraham Lincoln, he
had been a Republican and taken an
active part in both state and national
politics, and filed various official DO
sitions.
tie was city superintendent of
schools during his early residence
here and was later elected mayor. He
was also a member of the county
board of supervisors and in 1869 was
elected county treasurer. In 1872, as
presidential elector, he and his as,
sociates cast the vote of Wisconsin
for Ulysses S. Grant He was elected
to the lower house of the legislature
in 1873, was a member of the senate
in 1879 and 1880, and was again elected
to the assembly in 1881. He was a
member of the committee on the re-
vision of the revised statutes of 1873
and was chairman of the committee
on state affairs, he making the mi
nority report of that committee rec
ommending biennial sessions of the
Legislature, which was adopted by both
branches of the Legislature of 1880,
ratified by the legislature of 1881, sub
mitted to vote Of the people in No
vember, 1881 and adopted by a large
majority. He was elected state treas
urer in 1881 and was reelected in 1884.
holding the office for five years.
With the termination of his term as
state treasurer he retired from poll
ties and devoted all his time to furth-
ering the interests of the manufacture
ing establishments with which he was
connected in this city