62 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 



years. The following fall, however, he contracted malaria while 

 inspecting land in the Kankakee Valley of Illinois; complications 

 ensued and on November 21st, while apparently improving from 

 an operation, he suddenly passed away. GENERAL RUSK was one 

 of the strongest and most characteristic figures in the political 

 and agricultural life of America, during the reconstruction period 

 following the Civil War. He was an unswerving servant of the 

 public weal, and having set his hand to the plow, never deviated 

 until the end of the furrow was reached. 



