Ozias Mather Hatch (Chicago Tribune)

OZIAS M. HATCH IS DEAD.

He Was Secretary of State of Illinois from 1856 to 1864.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. March 13 – [Special.] –

Ozias M. Hatch died at noon today at his home in this city. Although he had been in feeble health, his death was unexpected and came after a brief illness. With the exception of Gen. Allan C. Fuller of Belvidere Mr. Hatch was the last survivor of the men who became famous in the administration of State offices during the troublous period of the Civil War. He was a genial companion and an able man, who was held in high esteem by a great circle of warm friends all over the State, including particularly those older citizens who were at the front curing the Civil War, and he will be sincerely mourned by all who knew him. The funeral will be held here at 2 p. m. Wednesday and will no doubt be largely attended by friends from different parts of the State.

[Mr. Hatch was born at Hillsborough, N. H., April 14, 1814. His father was Dr. Reuben Hatch, who came from New Hampshire and located in Pike County, Ill., in 1835. In 1811 O. N. Hatch was appointed clerk of the Circuit Court of Pike County by Judge Samuel D. Lockwood and held that office for seven years. From 1847 to 1851 he was engaged in mercantile business at Griggsville and in the latter year was elected to represent Pike County in the Legislature. In November, 1856, he was elected Secretary of State on the Republican ticket, when that party first came into power in Illinois, and was reelected in 1860 serving in all eight years and during the most trying period in the history of the State. Since his retirement from office he had lived quitely at Springfield. He was one of the original members of the National Lincoln Monument Association and had been one of the most active members of the Board of Trustees and Secretary of the association ever since its organization. Mr. Hatch is survived by his widow and two sons, Ozias Hatch Jr. and Pacal E. Hatch, the latter a student at Harvard University.]