After the War the Captain moved back to Wisconsin where he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1867. He then spent time as a county treasurer and a Justice of the Peace. In 1874 he moved to Plattsmouth, NE where he became a banker. In Plattsmouth he was the 1st Vice Commander of the GAR post he helped establish, the first president of the Fire Department he helped set up, the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and eventually in 1881 Mayor.
During the last 6 months or so of his life the Captain was afflicted with what was thought to be an eye problem. His left eye filled with blood and he spent several months traveling around the country looking for answers and relief from his condition. While returning from the "hot springs" where he had been sent to recuperate he passed away as stated previously. The records I have do not show a cause of death but several of his descendents have suffered strokes in which thier left eye first filled with blood from a rupture which was then followed by a stroke - which for some of the descendents was fatal. I have always assumed this was the case with the Captain as well.
While I do not dispute the findings discussed earlier in this thread I do find it extreemly interesting that a man who, from the war record, had a real problem with drinking, went on to have such a successful post-war carrer.
also, in 2007 Captain John O'Rourke's Home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a building of architectural significance. In 2008 the listing was amended and upgraded to one of a place owned by a person (paraphrasing here) Important to the building and development of the United States such that the country would not exist today as it is without his existance.
Thank you for the read and I hope you do not see this as to far "off topic"