These are selected obituaries from an annual publication that was printed in 1867 for the purpose of covering news events of 1866. —fadedpages.com

Jan. 27.—CRELE, JOSEPH, the oldest man in America, died at Caledonia, Wisconsin, aged 141 years. He was born of French parents, in what is now Detroit, but which was then only an Indian trading-station, in 1725. The record of his baptism in the French Catholic church in that city establishes this fact. He was a resident of Wisconsin for about a century, and was first married in New Orleans in 1755, when thirty years of age. A few years after his marriage he settled at Prairie du Chien, while Wisconsin was yet a province of France. Before the Revolutionary War, he was employed to carry letters between Prairie du Chien and Green Bay. He bore arms at Braddock's defeat, and was an old man when Jackson defeated Packenham at New Orleans. A few years ago he was called as a witness in the Circuit Court of Wisconsin, in a case involving the title to certain real estate at Prairie du Chien, to give testimony in relation to events that transpired eighty years before, and many years before the birth of the litigants. For some years past he had resided at Caledonia with a daughter by his third wife. He was sixty-nine when she was born. Up to 1864 Mr. Crele was as hale and hearty as most men of seventy. He could walk several miles without fatigue, and was frequently in the habit of "chopping" wood for the family use. The only weakness of mind which he ever betrayed was in the last year or two of his existence, when he frequently remarked, with a startling air of sadness, that he feared that perhaps "death had forgotten him."

Jan. 28.—GRIER, WILLIAM P., surgeon United States Navy, was lost by the explosion of the Miami, near the mouth of the Arkansas River. He was a son of Justice Grier, of the Supreme Court of the United States, and received an appointment as surgeon in the regular army in July, 1862, and served in the office of the assistant surgeon-general at St. Louis. He was with Pope in his Virginia campaign, and with McClellan at Antietam. During 1864 and 1865 he was assistant medical director in the Department of Philadelphia. The only incident known of his death was that a group of officers were seated around the stove on board the steamer Miami, opposite Napoleon, on the Arkansas River, about eight o'clock on the evening of the 28th, when the explosion occurred, and no member of the group was ever seen again.

Feb. 9.—HINKLEY, HOLMES, a pioneer locomotive builder, died in Boston, aged 75 years. Upon the completion of his first locomotive he found difficulty in obtaining a purchaser, as at that time railroads themselves were an unsolved problem; but his faith in the future wants of the country was so great, that he undertook the construction of four more, and before their completion railroads were felt to be a necessity, and his "Hinkley" engine was among the foremost in the country. Subsequently seven hundred and thirty-seven were delivered from his works.

Feb. 12.—MURRAY, Col. JAMES B., an eminent New York merchant and politician, died in that city, aged 76 years. He was the last of those who welcomed Gen. Jackson in Tammany Hall after the battle of New Orleans; and he was not the least eloquent or enthusiastic of those who celebrated the semi-centennial of that event among the sachems of Tammany in January last. Col. Murray was one of the oldest members of the Chamber of Commerce, and held during his life many offices of trust and responsibility.

March 5.—JAYNE, Dr. DAVID, a manufacturing druggist of much note, died in Philadelphia, aged 67 years. He was a native of New Jersey, but had resided in Philadelphia since 1836. By publishing the virtues of his patent medicines first throughout the United States, and finally all over the world, he built up such a colossal business, that for the last sixteen years of his life his chief study has been how to employ his money, and the care of making and selling his specific remedies has devolved upon his son and his nephew, who were his partners. He was a man of large liberality, and devoted immense sums for the improvement of the city, of which he was a respected and influential citizen, building several edifices of solid granite, with others of marble, and at the time of his death was rearing a grand palatial residence of fine white Westchester marble, which may be considered one of the wonders of the town. His interest in the public enterprises of the day was constant and unwearied.

March 19.—ROBINSON, Capt. HENRY, a well-known sea-captain, died at Newburg, N.Y., aged 84 years. He commanded a ship many years before the first steamer crossed the ocean, and was from time to time in charge of various vessels. On his retirement he took great interest in yacht-building, and built the Victoria, which he used as a pleasure-boat. When Mr. Hall was about leaving for the Arctic regions in search of the lost explorers, Capt. Robinson took a deep interest in the project, and presented him with his yacht, the Victoria, to be used in the service, or, if unfitted for the voyage, to be sold, and the proceeds appropriated in the manner most available.

March 21.—ELLIOTT, STEPHEN, Jr., a brigadier-general of the Confederate army, died at Aiken, S.C., aged 34 years. He was a native of Beaufort, S.C. At the commencement of the war he raised and equipped a battery of light infantry, known as the Beaufort Artillery. At Pinckney Island, August, 1862, he commanded three batteries, and was promoted for his gallantry. Shortly after he was placed in command of Fort Sumter, where he continued during the long bombardment to which it was subjected by Gen. Gillmore. In July, 1864, he was wounded by the explosion of a mine under his quarters, by order of Gen. Burnside, and was laid up until the end of the war. In 1865 he took the oath to support the constitution of the State and of the United States, and later was a candidate for congressional honors, being opposed by ex-Governor Aiken.

March 22.—JACKSON, JOHN J., a brigadier-general of the Confederate army, died in Milledgeville, Ga., aged 37 years. He was a native of Augusta, Ga., and a lawyer by profession. At the opening of the war he raised a force known as the First Georgia Infantry. Being promoted to a brigadier-generalship, he commanded a brigade in Bragg's corps, which fought Grant at Shiloh. In August, 1864, he was placed in command of the Confederate Department of Florida. At the close of the war he resumed the practice of law at Augusta.

April 10.—DOWNING, THOMAS, a well-known and philanthropic colored citizen of New York, died there, aged 75 years. He was a native of Accomac County, Va. During the war of 1812 he came North and joined the army. In 1819 he removed to New York and established an eating-house in Broad Street, manifesting so much energy in his business that he accumulated a large fortune, gave a liberal education to his numerous children, some of whom he sent to Europe for that purpose, and devoted freely of his means for the elevation of his own people, as well as to benevolent objects in general.

May 2.—HUTCHINGS, WILLIAM, a Revolutionary pensioner, died at Penobscot, Me., in the 102d year of his age.

May 19.—PIGGOT, JOSEPH, an old and eminent citizen of New York, died there, aged 87 years. He was a native of New York, and in 1825 was a member of the Legislature, being prominently identified with the old Democratic party. In later years he was an ardent Whig of the school of Henry Clay. For many years he was actively engaged in the old Public School Society. He was the father of nineteen children, but three of whom survive him.

Aug. 3.—NEWMAN, Rev. WILLIAM P., a colored Baptist clergyman of Cincinnati, died in that city, of cholera, aged 51 years. He was born a slave in Richmond, Va., but escaped from bondage when a young man, and made his home in Cincinnati; was educated at Oberlin College, and entering the ministry became pastor of a church in Madison, Ind., and afterward of a church in the home of his adoption. Upon the passage of the fugitive-slave bill in 1850 he was obliged to leave the States, and settle in Canada, where he was pastor of several churches. Subsequently he labored for several years in Hayti and Jamaica as a missionary, under the auspices of the Free Mission Society, and, returning to Cincinnati, accepted the pastorate of the Union Baptist Church, which relation he continued until his death.

Aug. 5.—DOSTIE, Dr. ANTHONY P., a citizen of New Orleans, died from wounds received from the mob in that city of July 30th. He was a native of Saratoga County, N.Y., and was a barber by trade, but his fondness for study was such, that he soon became a prominent member of society. Turning his attention to dentistry, he became a proficient, and removed to Chicago to pursue his calling in a broader field. Here he continued some years in the successful practice of his profession, and subsequently removed to New Orleans, where his integrity of character and genial nature won him many friends. His support of the Government during the war drew the attention of those who desired its overthrow, and his fearlessness in the expression of his sentiments, while winning the respect of his friends, secured at the same time the intense hatred of his enemies. On the reorganization of the government for Louisiana, he was appointed auditor, and filled that position with credit to himself and profit to the State. In the spring of 1866 many of the citizens of Louisiana were desirous of having another session of the constitutional convention of 1864, which had adjourned to be reassembled by the call of its president. (See LOUISIANA.) The mob which, on the 30th of July, broke up that convention, sought out Dr. Dostie as one of its first victims, and, though unarmed, he was shot and beaten till he was supposed to be dead, and thrown into a cart with the dead bodies of the other victims of the mob. Being finally taken to the hospital, he survived six days, though in great suffering.

Aug. 5.—HORTON, Rev. JOTHAM WELLS, chaplain of the Louisiana constitutional convention, another victim of the New Orleans mob of July 30th, mortally wounded while endeavoring to dissuade the mob from murderous violence. He survived until the 5th of August, though in intense suffering. He was a native of Nantucket, Mass., and after obtaining a good education in his native State, had been called to the ministry in the Baptist Church. He spent some time in New York City, in connection with a new city mission enterprise, and after the occupation of New Orleans by General Butler, went to that city, and became pastor of a Baptist Church there. He was much beloved, and had distinguished himself by his unwearied ministrations, both temporal and spiritual, to the sick and wounded soldiers. After his death his body was sent to Boston, and the funeral services were attended by an immense concourse, such as has seldom been seen in that city, who desired to do honor to him as a martyr to the cause of his country.

Aug. 8.—STEPHENS, Major JOSEPH, a well-known dwarf, died at Lyman, Me., aged 61 years. He was 36 inches high, and weighed 45 pounds.

Sept. 7.—BALDWIN, MATTHIAS W., an eminent citizen of Philadelphia, pioneer in American iron manufactures, died in that city, aged 70 years. In 1829, as soon as the news reached America of the success of steam locomotives upon the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad, he predicted the revolution the invention would accomplish in every branch of business, and the rapidity with which it would develop the resources of this country. In the same year the first model of a locomotive engine seen in America was constructed by him, and exhibited on a miniature railroad. After this experiment Mr. Baldwin devoted his energies to the manufacture of locomotives, and was the first to make them in this country. His work grew with the demand, till for many years before his death his establishment was one of the largest in the world, employing over a thousand workmen, and sending locomotives not only to all American States, but to Russia and other European countries. Many of the improvements in locomotive machinery were invented by him. But he did not confine his influence to a single department of industry. He was a liberal friend of the arts and sciences, and took a special interest in agriculture and horticulture. By enterprise in business he had gained a large fortune, which he freely used for the benefit of every deserving cause. Besides munificent gifts to city, State, and national charities without number, he erected several churches, and devoted freely of his means to the advancement of religious interests.

Sept. 29.—ALEXANDER, CHARLES, one of the oldest journalists in the United States, died in Philadelphia, aged 70 years. He was a native of that city, and at the age of 16 years was apprenticed to a printer. Subsequently he purchased the old printing-office of Benjamin Franklin, with type and presses. He edited and published the "Daily Chronicle," and afterward the "Saturday Evening Post," and was publisher of "Graham's Magazine," Burton's "Gentleman's Magazine," and the "Lady's Book."

Oct. 4.—DICKENS, AUGUSTUS N., brother of Charles Dickens, the celebrated novelist, died at Chicago, Ill., aged 40 years. He was the original "Boz," this being the pet name given by his family, and was born at Landport, near Portsmouth, Eng.; emigrated to America, and purchasing land at Amboy, on the Illinois Central Railway, engaged in mercantile pursuits. Losing his money invested, he removed to Chicago with his family, and entered the land-office of the Illinois Central Railway as corresponding clerk, which position he filled at the time of his death. Previous to his coming to this country he was a correspondent of the "London Daily News."

Oct. 4.—RAREY, JOHN S., the celebrated horse-tamer, died at Cleveland, Ohio, aged 38 years. He was born in Franklin County, Ohio, and at an early age showed a knack in the management of horses, which induced the neighbors to submit their intractable beasts to his powers. His own system, by which he gained so much celebrity and profit, was worked out by degrees from his observations on equine peculiarities. In 1856 he went to Texas, and found plenty of material to experiment upon. When he returned to Ohio, he began to give public exhibitions, and from that time was almost continuously before the public. About five years ago he went to Europe, and surprised every one by his complete mastery of the most incorrigible horses. In England particularly, the most vicious beasts that could be found were brought to him, and in no instance did he fail to get at least temporary control over his subjects. One of the greatest triumphs of his skill was manifested in the taming of the racing-colt Cruiser, which was so vicious that he had killed one or two grooms, and was of necessity kept under control by a heavy iron muzzle. Under Mr. Rarey's treatment he became perfectly gentle and submissive, and was brought by him to America. In 1863 Mr. R. was employed by the Government to inspect and report on the horses of the Potomac Army.

Nov. —.—HALE, Mrs. SARAH PRESTON, widow of the Hon. Nathan Hale, of Boston, and sister of the late Hon. Edward Everett, died at Brookline, Mass., aged 70 years. She was a lady of extraordinary mental and social powers.

Dec. 10.—MINOT, CHARLES, a distinguished railroad officer and engineer, died at Somerville, Mass., aged 54 years. He was a native of Haverhill, Mass., and son of Judge Minot. After graduating at Harvard College in the class of 1828, at the early age of sixteen years, he studied law and practised at the Suffolk bar. In 1841 he was appointed Superintendent of the Boston and Maine Railroad, but left within a year for the Erie Railway, with which he remained until l854, when he left, and subsequently became attached to the Michigan Southern Railroad. In 1859 he returned to the Erie Railway as Superintendent, which position he resigned about two years ago. Since that time Mr. Minot has held the position of consulting engineer of the company. He was one of the best-known railroad men in the country, and nearly every railway throughout the West has officers or employés who began railroad life under Mr. Minot's instructions.

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