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. 
