True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-26
The Candidates for Speakership.

We find in the New York Herald Of
the 5lh inst, the following sketches of
the lives of the candidates for Speaker
ship:
WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON.
Mr. Richardson was born in Fayelte
Co., near Lexington, KY, January is,
1911. His father was Virginia farmer.
He died when William was only six years
old, leaving four children to the sole care
of their mother. She belonged to the
Edmonsons, zone of The first families of
Virginia. Her father and seven of his
brothers died in battle.
He removed to Illinois at The age OF
twenty-one, and was member of the
Legislature of that State for several years.
In 1916, he raised a company of vol,
unteers to join the army in Mexico; was
first elected captain; on the field of bat.
lie at Buena Vista, after the death Of Col.
Hardin, he was unanimously elected Ma
ior. In the battle of Beuna Vista he
greatly distinguished himself. He was
wounded, but did not faint. Before his
return from Mexico he was nominated
and elected to Congress, and has ever
since remaiued member of the House.
He is Democrat in the technical sense
of the term, TO the backbone, is in favor
of the Fugitive Slave Law, and all the
other compromise Observation-Disclosures
and Douglas. He is what is called a
good fellow jolly, stout how-lare-you
looking and seeming, and the most pop
ular man his party could have nominated
The Colonel, as has been remarked
goes for the Nebraska bill and squatteI
sovereignty, but not for admitting States
Which allow plurality of wives, as he
says that is a privilege not enjoyed BY
the original thirteen
NATHANIEL BANKS.
Mr.. Banks was born in Wallham, Mid
dlesex County, Massachusetts, on ,h'
l3lh day of January, 1916. AS his mid
die name indicates, he is descended, o,
one side, from the Prentiss family of New
Hampshire.
AT The age Of twelve years he begal
to work in cotton factory. AT II Iate
age lie assisted his father, who was ahous
carpenter. He next learned tlte fhachi
nist's trade, and worked at il in Walthan
and Boston. He never had any school
ing after he was twelve years Of age
Prior to that he attended the public schoc
in his native town, and was considere
. an apt scholar.
In lS4s, he was admitted to the ba
and began practice in Boston.
In 1854, Mr.. Banks ran for Congres
as candidate of the regular democrail
convention in his district, and of tn
Know Noshings, and was elected b.
about seven thousand majority. The al
, ministralion democrats boiled The nom
, nation on account of Mr.. BIS opposillo
10 the Nebraska bill.
Mr.. Banks has wife and Two children
He is good looking man, with som'
thing of the clerical and Puritanic al
pearance which belongs 10 the stllte
stiffness which characterized Winthrop
Mr.. Banks is fond of retirement, a
F: though he has had boisterous polite
life. All his studies, even that Of lay
have been pursued principally in privat
He has great fondness for lileratur
n and has acquired by his own unaided
/. forts good knowledge of the princiP
r languages of Northern and Southern +
9 rope. Though no! an advocate OF Il
Maine law, he is strictly temperate, al
!. is even said never TO have drank a gla
d Of liquor in his life. The paleness
q his countenance would seem to indica
!. that glass of wine for the stomach
,. sake, would do the gentleman no har'
II HUMPHREY MARSHALL.
- Mr.. Marshall was born in Frankie
n KY, January 10, 1912. His father W
J. Judge John J. Marshall, of louisville
!. nephew Of the old Chief Justice MI
! shall. Judge Marshall was educated
Princeton, New Jersey, where he 10
!, the FIRST llonors Of his class, Col. M,
,e shalps grandmother was sister 10 Oh
lr Justice Marshall, SO lhaI lie marshals
Oh his veins all the, blood Of the Marshal
id His mother Is the only sister Of Jan
ID a. Birney, many yearsascIshe candid