Quincy Whig: Thursday, March 4, 1886. Obituary - Mrs Catharine [Katherine] V Fogg:
The demise of Mrs. Fogg, wife of Geo W Fogg occurred at an early hour Monday morning. This news was heard and will be read with the most unfeigned sorrow by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. She had been seriously ill for some time but her improvement in health of late had been rapid, and bright and fond hoped were earnestly entertained of a speedy recovery. But an inscrutable Providence willed otherwise and she is numbered with the mighty host who have passed over the silent river. Very little can be said to give her a more lasting place in the memory of her acquaintances, or to further enshrine her name in the hearts of those who knew and loved her best. She was yet in the prime of life, but it was a life rounded and complete with good works, conspicuous for its bright example, and beautiful with the graces which adorn gentle and true womanhood. Never assuming the position of a leader in society, her charms shone especially in the light and love of home. In precincts to sacred to be touched upon by the ruthless pen, in the positions of wife and mother, the deep and rich harmony of her life found it's grandest utterance. She loved 2322her church and faithfully, quietly free from all ostentation, she faithfully met and discharged her duties. A constant attendant of divine worship and zealous in all good works.22222222322
She was born in Quincy. A daughter of one of the early settlers, Hon. Harrison222 Dills, she was well and widely known. Besides her bereaved husband, she leaves tow lovely young daughters, Kitty and Nellie Bushnell Fogg, to mourn her loss. It seems almost unnecessary to state that the sympathy for these members of the family and the aged parent, will be true, sincere, and far spread. All of the consolations emanating from divine revelations gather in their fulness for the departed. And the thought also comes that as darkness, dense and deep, settles on some portions of the earth, morning breaks in serenest light and beauty at other points. "There are places where the birds are singing evermore.". Notes: George W Fogg, Harrison and Laura Parsons-Dills 27 Dec 1847-1 March 1886 [septic poisoning]
Kate - Septic poisoning: This was an entry under the Fogg family history. Kate is listed at Katherine Vercella Dills in two different census. "Kate Dills, daughter of Harrison Dills and Laura Parsons Dills, at Quincy, Illinois October 13, 1870 who was born in Quincy December 27, 1847. She died at same city of septic poisoning March 1, 1886."
Nine years later, George and his daughters moved to Tacoma where he gained a reputation as a top lawyer in Washington. Quincy Herald, Thurs, March 21, 1895: "Miss Kittie and Helen Fogg left yesterday from Hannibal for their future home in Tacoma, Wash where they will be joined by their father, the major, for a permanent home." Quincy Herald Sat, Aug 3, 1895: "Major Fogg leaves this evening for Tacoma, Wash. His law partner there, Colonel Doolittle, has been elected to congress, and the major steps into an assured thing in the way of practice."
George Washington Fogg Passed
Away In The West - The death of Maj. George W Fogg at Tacoma - Formerly a
prominent Quincy Attorney who was appointed by Gov Altgeld as Superintendent of
the Soldiers' Home. Maj. George W Fogg... died yesterday at his home in Tacoma
Washington, where he had resided for the past ten years. He was active in
Democratic politics and appointed by Gov. John P Altgeld as superintenent of the
Soldiers Home here. Maj Fogg was born in Portland, Maine, June 20, 1843 and was
in his 63rd year. He was the oldest of a family of eight - all but one of whom
are now dead. He first attended the common schools of his native city and later
was prepared for college at the classical academies in Limington, Corinth, and
Hampden in Maine. Later he entered Bowdoin College at Brunswick, Maine and was a
student ath that venerable institution of learning when the war broke out. He
dropped his studies to serve his country and in October 1862 enlisted as a
private in Company B of the Seventh Maine infantry. His regiment was assigned to
the second division of the Sixth army corps. This was commanded by Gen. John
Sedgwick who was killed at the battle of Spotslyvania in 1864. Young Fogg was
early commissioned as a first Lieutenant and served gallantry on many a bloody
field. Before the close of the war his regiment was consolidated with two others
as the Maine Veteran infantry and young Fogg was made major of one of it's
battalions. He thus served until the war closed and he received his honorable
discharge. Returning to Porland at the end of the war he took up the study of
law. He entered Harvard University and graduated from it's law department with
honor and the degree of LLB. He also took a special course in languages and
natural science and became thoroughly equipped for the practice of his
profession. He finished his studies in 1868 and then came west, settling in
Quincy. He entered the office of Browning & Bushnell for three years and then
opened an office of his own. He thus continued until his removal from the city
and built up a large general practice in the state federal courts. He was a man
of striking physical presence. His complexion was swarthy and wavy, jet black
hair was silken in it's quality. He was also loarge and rather portly and
possessed a magnificent voice for oratory. This fine basso organ was in fact
smilingly designated by his friends as "the Fogg-horn". "Maj. Fogg was always a
Democrat and was interested in the acts and principles of his party although had
little part in the petty details of the organization. In 1892 John P Altgeld was
elected governor of Illinois. Captain William Steinwedell was the local trstee
of the Soldiers. Home and Major Fogg was made superintendent of the institution.
He remained as its head for about two years and then resigned. About this time
Maj. Fogg became interested in the northwest and finally removed to Tacoma where
splendid legal possibilities were opened before him. Ath the time of his death
he was one of the greatest and most succesful lawyers of the Pacific Coast.
According to newspapers in Quincy, the Fogg family left for Tacoma on Monday,
Aug 5, 1895 [after visiting family in Kansas and Nebraska. Aug 27th Q Herald
"Major GW Fogg writes that he and his daughters are now pleasantly located at
Tacoma and the girls are deighted with their new home. The major has a sure
thing and his firm has the largest practice in the city. He is already deep in
work and has plenty more coming." In 1894 the Quincy Whig published a series of
bias allegations and hearsay to oust Maj. Fogg from Soldiers' Home. While taking
the Governors lead, certain trustees railed against him in favour of Adjt
McDaniels who may have had something to do with money disappearing from the
Home's strongbox. Fogg was an honest man who dealings before and after his
assignment leads me to believe their was a power play going on within the board
of trustees. George ran a tight ship with the Soldiers' Home until he dismissed
Adjt McDaniel who was second in command at the Home. In The Daily Herald July
24, 1894, The paper said that there were alligations of severe treatment of the
vets besides being critised for buying tableware and carpet for his residence
although he didn't buy new furniture for his abode and brought his own china
dishes. The Herald pointed out that new carpet was absolutely necessary
considering the other was worn out and sited the costs of items purchased.
However, the Daily Whig railed against him in agreement with trustees. The
affair led to his relocating to Tacoma, Wa to join the law firm of Dolittle &
Fogg. The problems began for George when a resident of the Soldiers' Home
complained to the Whig that they wanted better bread and coffee. He addressed
the issues saying that it was partly caused by the flour used and not being
kneaded properly. The coffee was fine at breakfast but weaker at dinnertime. He
quickly solved the problems addressed but the general discontentment didn't end
as the Whig reported that Fogg bought fine carpets and tableware for his
residence at the Home. Gov. Alteld said that it is expected that in so large a
number of old men so will be disasified at times and that most are addicted to
drink and punishment must be inflicted when they get drunk and violate the rules
of the Home. Although following the governer's lead, the Soldiers' Home's board
of trustees wanted Fogg out, and he quit his job Dec 1, 1895 and headed for a
new position in Tacoma. Geo Fogg left his position in Quincy, Ill 18 months
after accepting supervisor job. Daily Quincy Herald, Mar 19th, 1895: "Maj. Fogg
and two daughters left Quincy this forenoon, the latter bound for Beatrice, Neb
and the Major for Fort Scott, Kan. He will return on Saturday but the Misses
Fogg will visit the family of their uncle, Edward R Fogg until June when with
their father, who will join them at Beatrice, will procedd to Tacoma, Wash ith
intentions of making that city their home." Quincy Daily Journal Aug 3, 1895:
Maj. Geo W Fogg after 25 years in Quincy, leaves for Tacoma. He enters there
into partnership with a law firm of which his brother is a member of the large
practice. Maj Fogg will never forget Quincy. Here he came when a young man, here
he married and reared his loving and loyal daughters, and here he buried their
mother. The daughters are at present visiting their uncle in Beatrice, Neb. They
will join their father and go with him to their new home on Puget Sound, that
grea and beautiful inland area of the Pacific slope. Maj. Fogg and his good
daughters have left many friends in Quincy who sincerely wish for them every
good thing which life can bring." Nov 16, 1894 Quinch Morning Whig: "Foggs
Resignation - He did not voluntarily give up the the position.Maj. Fogg's
administration not at all satisfactory to the board of Trustees. He expect to
leave for Tacoma, Wasshington soon - Letter from an inmate: It becomes more
evident that the regignation was not a voluntary act on the part of Mr. Fogg. He
was advised to resign and had he failed to do so he would probably have been
removed. It appears that Mag. Fogg's administration at the Home was not at all
satisfactory to the board and that the members of the board have been discussing
for some time the advisability of removing him. Maj. Fogg states that he will
soon go to Tacoma, Wash to make that place his home. To the Editor of the Whig
[from an inmate]: The truth of the matter is that Geo W Fogg was not the man for
the position and complaints have been going to the trustees and governor for
some time and probably might have gone on still if Mr. Fogg had not with his own
bull headedness and ungentlemanly treatment of the adjustant, brought thinking
to a focus. The facts came out that the complaints of "the old cranks" as The
Herald designates it... were truths. It is about the same as some of the old
inmates have done when he put them on the dump for 3 to 6 months without a
pass... In regard to his treatment of the former adjustant, GP McDaniels now
superintentent, there may have been or not some cause for Mr. Fogg complaining.
If so, Fogg waits till McDaniels leaves to go home to vote. He is no sooner off
the grounds than he posts up on the bulletin board an order that he is suspended
for disobeience of orders and the first the adjutant knew of it was by letter
sent to him at his home. Then there was a sensational item out in the Evening
Journal distributed free all through the Home that same evening. Well the "old
cranks" are all pleased,,, All we have to say is that the best man has won, and
we hope Mr. Fogg will be resigned to his resignation and the firm of Dolittle &
Fogg will do something in the petty fogging line on the Pacific slope where an
opening has so opportunity, providentially and suddenly offered itself." One of
the "Old Cranks" A few notes from "Major Fogg Resigns" [Quincy Weekly Whig,
Thurs Nov 22, 1884]: "Maj. Fogg handed his resignation to the board of trustees
and it was promptly accepted. The board then appointed Captain DP McDaniel... As
near as can be learned Maj. Fogg resigned because he couldn't have things all
his own way. It will be rememberd that there was trouble between him and
Col.Sexton, one of the trustees, because he managed the Home in his own way
without consulting the board of trustees. He evidently considered himself a sort
of dictator and expected obedience not only from the inmates of the Home but
also from the board of trustees. His action in the cases of a veteran named Kirk
and Adjt McDaniel made him many enemies in the Home. It appears that Capt
McDaniel had a bigger pull than Maj Fogg and the latter is out of a fat job. It
was a noticeable fact that Fogg never was in sympathy of the old veterans at the
home are diabled in mind or body and cound not be expected to live up to the
rules.." The reporter obviously had a bias and called the Herald's article
"garbled" as it presented the situation differently. On Dec 1, 1894, the
newspaper said that Maj Fogg was surprised to find that the money stored in a
safe for the veterans had disappeared. Although not held responsible by the
state authorities, the board said that Maj. Fogg hand not obeyed the
instructions of the Home and charged some amounts against him. The result will
be that Maj. Fogg will have little or nothing coming to him when his time is out
on Jan 1st. Tacoma, Washington: “The successful man is the one who does his
whole duty in that stage of life to which he has been called… "One may be rich
and successful, but the world owes the greatest debt to those who, starting in
the more humble walks, accomplished great and lasting good for humanity.” Helen
Bushnell Fogg [June 1894 high school graduation speech]. "Mrs. Helen Criffield,
Former teacher, Dies [Dayton, Wa Sep 12, 1955] Funeral services for Mrs. Helen
Fogg Criffield, 80, will be held Wedn at Grace Episcopal church here. Mrs.
Criffield was born in Quincy, Ill and moved to the Northwest about 1898 where
she attended Bellingham Normal school and taught in the public schools. She
moved to Dayton in 1907 and taught here until after WWI, when she married WR
Criffield who preceded her in death about 15 years ago. She is survived by her
sister, Mrs. WO (Kitty) Torrance and a niece, Katherine [daughter of Lillian K
Fogg-Torrance]. She was a member of PEO, the Episcopal church and the Monday
Reading club." Helen and Lillian [known as Nellie and Kitty] were daughters of
Katherine "Kate" Dills and Major George W Fogg: Maj. Fogg married in Quincy in
1870 to Miss Katherine Dills, daughter of Harrison Dills, a postmaster of Quincy
who built and then occupied what has been known as the Senator Wells homestead
on South Sixteenth [and Kentucky] Street. Two daughters were born - Misses
Lillian and Helen Fogg who resided with their father at the time of his death.
The wife and mother died in 1886 and is buried in this city. "Mother Katherine V
Dills-Fogg was the daughter of Harrison and Laura Parsons-Dills. She was born in
1847 and helped in the family business besides valuing a good education. Her
father Harrison rallied the citizens of Quincy and the Methodist church on a
campaign to build a college for new settlers of Adams County. Kate married
George W Fogg in 1870 and they had to daughters, nicknamed "Nellie" [Helen
Bushnell Fogg] and "Kitty" Lillian Katherine Fogg. Their son Edward Noel Fogg
died in infancy dure to teething and inflamation of the stomach. In the 19th
century there were various ailments that caused premature death as both Kate and
George knew from their own childhoods. Families grieved over the loss of love
ones as it left lasting impressions besides grapling with questioning and deep
loss. The community of Quincy like others experienced the loss of dozens of
their citizens although their course was to trudge on. Two years after the loss
of Edward, kate died at age 38 of septic poisoning [March 1, 1886]. This became
a challenge for her husband, George to support and raise their two daughters.
The family landed in Washington state [around 1898]. Like their parents, both
daughters were educated and besides good students became teachers while still
living with their dad. "Oct 1872 N. Bushnell and 15 others requested that
permission be given to Harrison Dills and associates to make and establish a
coal yard and sheds upon the ground belonging to the city on the west side of
Front, between Maine and Jersey to lay side tracks upon the same for the
accommodation of coal yard." Bushnell was a local lawyer in Quincy and
represented Harrison Dills as a legal council. After Kate died, Major George
Washington Fogg became the superintendent of the Illinois Sailor and Soldiers
Home and the family moved on the premises in 1893. A resident of Quincy in 1868
after graduating from Harvard College. He became a successful attorney in Quincy
and resumed his practice in Tacoma until his death in 1906. time vestryman of
the Church of the Good Shepherd of the this city. He was also a member of the
Loyal Legion. Particulars of his last illness and death and the dispisition of
the remains have not yet been learned. Lillian Katherine Fogg and Helen (Nellie)
Bushnell Fogg were 9 and 11 when their mother, Kate died and father George
became a single parent. After moving from Illinois to Washington state, George's
daughters lived in his home until his death in1906.. Katherine V
Dills(1847–1886) 1 Mar 1886 • Adams County, IL Kate: Death of father George
Washington Fogg(1837–1906) 10 Apr 1906 • Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington Death
of sister Helen (Nellie) Bushnell Fogg(1875–1955) 12 Sep 1955 • Colfax, Whitman,
Washington Lillian Katherine Fogg 10 February 1957 • Dayton, Columbia County,
Washington 1873 25 Birth of daughter Lillian Katherine Fogg(1873–1957) 13 Jan
1873 • Quincy, Adams County, Illinois 1875 27 Birth of daughter Helen (Nellie)
Bushnell Fogg(1875–1955) Sep 1875 • Adams County, Illinois Lilian Kathrine Fogg
Marriage Date 2 Jun 1909 [age 31] Dayton; Starbuck; Waitsburg, Washington, USA
Father Geo. W Fogg Mother Catherine V Fogg Spouse William Oscar Torrance Church
Grace Episcopal and Holy Trinity Episcopal Churches; Calvary Episcopal Mission
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