Gorgas, Joseph Rupert

Capt. Jos. R. Gorgas

Pioneer Photographer, Popular Lodge Man
AND CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN PASSES AWAY

On Monday morning last, apparently in his usual health, Capt. Joseph Rupert Gorgas was out on the street for a while, but became ill and returned to his home, whose portals he entered for the last time alive. Partial paralysis and congestion of the brain ensued, and after lingering until six o'clock this morning he gently fell into his last sleep.

Capt. Gorges came as near enjoying the fullest respect and confidence of the people as any man in Madison. He was born at Greensburg, near Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania on the 7th of February, 1829, and came to Madison with the late Irby Smith fifty years ago this month to clerk in the latter's dry goods store, His first wife was Miss Belle Lowe, the daughter of Mr. John Lowe, a prominent shoe merchant here in the fifties, In October, 1865, he was married to Miss Delphena Verry, who survives him, together with their only child, Mrs. Edward E. Powell. He was associated in the daguerreotypic business in those early days with Mr. Paul Dewey, and succeeded to the full control of the business a little later on. For a time he was in partnership with Mr. Oliver Mulvey. The last special work he did was the enlargement of the photo of his long-time friend mayor John G. Moore, which with the photos of the preceding Chief Magistrates ornament the Council Chamber of the City Building as memorials alike of the artist and the Mayors.

For nearly half a century he was known as the pioneer artist in his line in Madison, and only recently disposed of his interest and good will in the trade to Mr. George L. Spalding.

The Captain was a member and Vestryman of Christ (Episcopal) Church, and also held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Wildy Encampment, La Belle Riviere Lodge, Juniata Tribe of Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias and Madison Council of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks. He seemed to take especial pride in his connection with Madison Lodge of Pythians and Madison Lodge of Odd Fellows, being for years the Captain of the working teams of both organizations. He was a member of the Joint Board of Trustees of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served also with fidelity and usefulness in the City Council as representative from the Fourth Ward of which most of his life was spent. In politics he was an ardent Republican.

Captain Gorgas was not a noisy, demonstrative man, being always quiet and straightforward, pursuing the even tenor of his way, doing all the good he could and casting sunshine on many a shaded pathway. Only last week it was related to us by a well known citizen, who had been in hard luck a number of times, that someone had come secretly to his relief, and it was a long time before he found out from another that Captain Gorgas was his friend indeed.

Farewell good citizen, faithful friend, Peaceful be thy silent slumber, blessed forever be thy memory. The funeral will probably not be before Wednesday.