George J. Bergen to Richard Yates

United State Internal Revenue,

Assessor's Office, 5th District, Illinois.

Galesburg, Nov 30th 1861

Hon Richd Yates

My Dear Friend

I was anxious to see you before Congress Assembled this fall.

But my domestic troubles would not admit of absence from home.

I suppose you learned through the obituary notice in paper sent you of my deep affliction, which leaves my House desolate indeed.

I had much to say to you more especialy on two subjects which imperitavely demand Legislation.

On the Currency question, the other a better method of collecting the Whiskey tax, on these subjects I have written Mr Ingersoll quite fully.

My time is pretty thoroughly ocupied

with the Office which I hold through your kindness & partiality. And which I can assure you is greatfully appreciated. While also it is my earnest desire to so perform its duties that the Treas Department may be fully satisfied.

Of one thing I am quite certain the Books & paper of the Office are kept in better shape than ever before, and I believe in all other respects the duties of the office are well done, whether Commissioner Rollins is pleased with it or not, I am not informed.

I have every reason to believe however that he is, & for your sake I sincerely hope all is satisfactory.

For Your many favors by way of public documents, please acept my thanks, I should be glad to ocasionaly hear from you & that all is well

Very Truly Yours

Geo J Bergen

No.____

Geo. J Bergen,

Assessor of Internal Revenue.

5th District Illinois.

Dated Galesburg, ___ 186

In relation to the death of Mrs Bergen. Also to collection of tax on whiskey &c

DIED

In this city, of consumption, on Friday at 10 o'clock, A.M., Nov 15th, Sylvia Maria, wife of Hon. George J. Bergen, aged 41 years.

The deceased, during her walk in this life, became endeared in the hearts of a large circle of warm friends; and although sadly conscious of but a brief existence, by the approach of that most insidious of all destroyers, her faith in the Redeemer was as a bright and shining light canopying her pathway to that better world, with a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Two little ones had preceeded her “to that bourne whence no traveller returns” and three remain to comfort their stricken parent.

The funeral obsequies were held last Sabbath, in the N.S. Presbyterian Church, when the Rev. Rufus B. Guild, of Galva, delivered a most appropriate and beautifully illustrative sermon, in which he touchingly described the life here, and the life to come.

Angels they hover on mission of love, While breathing sweet music to spirits above. Guarding the home that by God has been given To all of his creative in Paradise. Heaven.

The vast auditorium was insufficient to accommodate the immense concourse that assembled in common sympathy with the bereaved friends of the beloved one, to hear, and participate in the last sad rite of paying tribute to the idolized Mother, the truly loving and faithful Wife, the fondly affectionate Sister and Daughter, and the patient, faith-firm and devoted Christian.

At least two thousand people were gathered in and around the edifice; and as the funeral cortege moved from its portals on the mournful march toward the silent “Village on the Hill,” the number was constantly augmented by carriages and pedestrians, until arriving at the Cemetery it presented one vast sea of human faces.

Many present remarked that it was an unprecedented assemblage, and by far the largest they had ever witnessed, in this city.