The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-09-04
Samnel A. Rice.

Ten years ago, We FIRST became acquaint-
ed with the gentleman whose name stands
at the head Of this article, and who 10 now
the Republican candidate for Attorney Gen
eral Of Iowa. A short sketch of his person
al history as we'll as political antecedents
will interest our readers.
Mr.. Rice was born in Western New York,
and is now, we believe, in his goth year. In
early life, he removed, along with his faith
er's family, to Belmont county, Ohio, where
he continued to reside until he secured for
himself home in Iowa. 1t was there We
made his acquaintance, at time when be
was fitting himself for the duties he has
since so honorably discharged. His facili-
ties for acquiring the education he was de-
termined to secure, were extremely limited,
and if it is at all creditable to be a "self-
made man." that credit in its fullest sense
belongs to Samuel A. Rice. Rejecting in
favor of others, the assistance his family
could render him, he entered upon his pur-
pose dependant on himself alone. That pur-
pose he achieved. BY engaging in such
manual employment as he could obtain, and
thus defraying the expenses of his tuition
out Of the earnings of his own hard labor,
he succeeded in acquiring liberal education,
and finally graduated with high honors at
Union College, N. Y, in lS49.
After two years more of close application
to the study of the law, he was admitted to
practice in 1851, and the same year remov-
ed to Iowa and settled at Oskaloosa. Since
that time his practice has steadily increased,
and he now ranks as one Of the foremost law
yers Of the State.
In the canvass of 1854, Mr.. Rice Was one
Of the frmess and most active opponents of
the Kansas Nebraska iniQuity, and did much
to redeem Iowa from the thraldom of Lo-
cofoco mis.rule in which she had so long
been sunk. In the fall Of the same year, he
was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Ma
haska county.
The first Republican State Convention in
Iowa, was held in February, 1856. BY that
time, Mr.. Rice had become we'll and favor
ably known to the Southern part of the
State, and his name was brought forward
by the delegates from that section, for the
Office of Attorney General. On the first
ballot he was nominated BY an almost unan-
imous vote, and was elected in August fol-
James Baker, the Democratic nominee. The
al Of the State have been much greater dur
been discharged with an ability and faith
fulness before unknown to the Office. His
official opinions have been given without re-
gard to friend or foe, and we believe in
every case where doubted, have been con-
firmed. So ably and satisfactorily has he
filed the Office, that at the late State Con-
vention he was, after an informal ballot,
renominated by reclamation. And such
nomination he well deserved.
Few men have attained, at Mr.. Rice's
age, so envable position, but to US it is
not unexpected. When he was struggling,
unaided, years ago, we frequently heard It
said that he would yet win distinction, and
achieve an honorable fame. The predic-
tons of his friends have thus far been fully
verified, and We have sure confidence they
will be more fully confirmed in future. We
confidently expect the voters of Iowa to roll
up, in October next, rs in 1856, a majority
Of thousands for Samuel A. Rice.-T linton
Eagle.