The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-11
JOHN G. SPOONER,
EX-SENATOR, DIES
Famous Wisconsin Republican
Leader Succumbs Here to
Long Illness.
REFUSED CABINET OFFERS
Civil War Veteran, Adviser of
Mckinley and Long Promi-
-nent in Nation.

John c. spooner, formerly United
states Senator from Wisconsin and for
many years prominent in Republican
political circles. died this morning at
40 O'Clock at his home in EOS West
Ftfty-seventh street. At his bedside
when the end came were his wife, Mrs
Annie NJ. Spooner; his son, Philip
Spooner. and the family physician. DR.
Albert C. Weed of 152 West Fifty-sey-
enth street.
Senator Spooner suffered a nervous
breakdown about the first Of May, due
In large measure TO his work in yari-
Gus activities connected with Americas
war effort. and had been confined TO his
bed practically ever since. Dr. Weed
was called to attend him a few days
after the first symptoms of illness an
peared. and a few days later his condi-
ton was so serious that his other son,
Willett NJ. Spooner of Milwaukee, was
sent for. He came. but Senator Spooner
gained in strength so RAPIDLY that he
went back 10 his home in the West
The Senator then made such progress
toward recovery that last Monday morn
ing he was able to sit up for an hour or
two, and It seemed then that he would
get well in due time. But that after
noon he had relapse. and from that
time until his death he sank gradually
in spite Of all the physicians could do.
Wiilett Spooner was telegraphed yester-
day. but was unable to reach New York
before his father died
1t was back in 1867, short time
after the close of the civil war that
State Senator Starks of Sank county,
Wisconsin. called on Gov Lucius Fair
child in connection with bill he was
fathering in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Governor" said Senator Starks, as
he vas about to begin his argument,
81 wish you would send that boy from
the ,oom.'
CIV. Fairchild glanced around II
see 10 boy. Senator" he replied
WHO'S that then but a boy?" de-
married. the visitor with some petulance.
step this way. John" said Gov.
Fairclild.
Senator allow me to introduce my
Hew private secretary, Col. John c.
<pooner Take a good look at him
Senator. Wisconsin Is likely to send
that boy to the United States Senate
one Of these times"
Fight to Win senator.hip.
1t was seventeen years later and
after an interim in which the boy
Spooper became one of the best known
Republicans in the State of Wisconsin
that in a three cornered fight he was
nominated for the United States Senate
over his former superior. Gov Fair
child.
The incident in the executive chamber
In Madison marked the beginning OF
John Colt Spooper's long public career,
during which he was an unsuccessful
candidate for the Governorship. was
thrice elected to the United States
Senate twice had the privilege of de-
Ginning a Cabinet appointment preferred
by President Mckinley, also of declin
ing membership on the United States
ard British Joint High Commission and
back in 1903 was for time doomed as
a Presidential possibility.
Although his entire public career was
identified with the State of Wisconsin
Senator Spooner was a native of Indiana,
being born at Lawrenceburg, Dearborn
county. on January 6, 1913. In 1859 he
moved with his parents and settled at
Madison. Young Spooner entered the
Wisconsin State University, but sus-
pended his studies when the civil war
occurred and enlisted as private in the
Fortieth Wisconsin. He emerged from
the service with the brevet Of Major and
became secretary to Gov. Fairchild with
the rank of Colonel, meantime having
completed his legal course and gained
admission to the bar.
His career from that time was marked
by rapid advancement He served as
Assistant Attorney General of the State
and after moving from Madison to
Hudson in 1870, served a term as a
member of the Assembly from st. Croix
county. In 1884 he moved back to
Madison. in the meantime having be-
come member of the board of regents
Of the University of Wisconsin.
In 1884, after having spent three
months canvassing the State in the in
terests of James G. Blaine, there came
demand from all parts of the State for
Spooner's nomination to the United
States Senate. The other Republican
candidates were former Gov. Fairchild
and Judge William T. Price, then a
member OF the House of Representatives.
Judge Prices campaign managers even
tually decided they could not win and
threw their support to Spooner, with the
result that he was nominated for the
term beginning March 4, 1885.
six years later he was succeeded by
William f. Villas. a Democrat. although
he received the solid vote of the Repub-
lican delegation in the Wisconsin Legis-
lature. He was chairman of the Wis
ronsn delegation to the Republican Ma
tional Convention in Minneapolis in
1879, ana the same year received the
unanimous nomination for Governor, but |
was defeated. He was again elected
10 the United States Senate for the |
term beginning March 4, 1897.
Although II did not become known
until 1908. when the Senator revised his
biography in the Congressional Direc- |
tory, 1t is a fact that In 1898. when Cor |
nelius ". Bliss resigned as Secretary OF |
the Interior. President Mckinley offered |
the portfolio to Senator Spooner. who re- !
fused. Again in 1901 he declined APP |
2ointment as Attorney General. Despite |
his announced intention of not being |
a candidate for reelection Senator !
Spooner was for a third time elected for |
the term beginning March 4. 1903. re-
ceiving every Republican vote in both |
houses OF the Wisconsin Legislature. He |
resigned on March 8. 1907, to take |
effect the following May, since which !