The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-14

With pleasure, we present in this week S
issue of the WoRKINGNAN's ADVOCATE, a
correct likeness ard brief biographical
sketch OF the Hon. JOHN HTNsHCLIFFR,
of Illinois, Senator from st. Clair county,
one of the..oldest and most indefatigable
advocates Of labor's interests in the West
ern, or in fact, in the United States q
man who, for the past twenty years, has
strive by voice and pen to elevate the
condition Of the toiling millions, and in
still into them those principles, in the
practical recognition Of which, their future
welfare depends. Having risen from the
humblest walks of life to the honorable
position he now holds, by his own indomi-
table energy and zeal for labor's interests,
his career is worthy of more than passing
notice in the columns of this journal
Mr.. Hinchcliffe was born in Bradford,
in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Eng
land, on the twentieth day of April, 1922,
and he is consequently about fifty two years
of age. He is the son Of Abraham and
Rebecca Hinchcliffe, and brother of Rich
ard Hinchcliffe, recently editor Of ths
Lawrence Mass. Journal His venerated
father 10 now a resident of the old Bay
state, where his mother died only q few
years ago.
When boy, it was the rule to send
children to work in the factories at a very
tender age, and as the necessities of his
parents did not permit them to make an
exception to the rule in his favor, he was
sent to work in the factory before he was
seven years of age. He Afterwards served
an apprenticeship to the trade Of a tailor,
which business he followed successfully as
apprentice, journeyman, foreman, and en-
ployer, until the year 1858, when he en-
tered upon a course of studies with view
to qualify himself for the practice Of law,
and he was admitted to the bar in 1860.
In the same year, he was called to the po-
sition Of associate-editor Of the BelIeville
Democrat, a weekly paper, and also Of the
Daily Dispatch, both of which were pub
lished at the same Office. Early in the
spring Of 1868, he commenced the publica>
ton of the Weekly Miner" and con-
tinued the same, with q slight change in
name and form, for about four years.
Notwithstanding his editorial duties sb-
sorbed the most of his time during that
period, yet, from the day he was admitted
to the bar, he has always been actively
engaged in the practice of his profession
as lawyer.
His residence in early life, in one Of
the large mining districts Of England,
made him familiar with the habits, Gus
toms, wants, and requirements Of that
large, useful, and much misunderstood
class of men-the miners-and his &C
qualntsnce with the Factory system,
as well as with the operation Of Trades
Unions, and other Societies established
for the promotion of social and political
reform, begat sympathies in him for
the less fortunate classes of society
which, we believe, will never die out
while life and opportunity for the i'm
provement of their condition remains.
He emigrated to the United States in the
winter of 1S47 lived in the East for three
or four years married Miss Sarah Gam.
Der, Pennsylvania, Of good family, in
the city Of Philadelphia, in 1852, and
removed to st. Louis the year follow.
ing. In 1857, he changed his residence
to st. Clair county, Illinois, where, with
his estimable family, he has residsd evel
s.nce.
When the first number Of the Niue,
made its appearance, there were no paper
in existence in this country, published ex
clusively in the interests of the industria
classes. Two weeks after Fineher's Trades
Revisc was issued, and few weeks aftel
that, the WoRKINGMAN's ADVOCATE mad,
its first bow to the public this paper, un
like iss less fortunate, but certainly not les
worthy and able contemporaries, ha
gathered strength and influence will
the lapse Of each succeeding year, Will
they have, with few exceptions, foun'
premature graves. The Miner was con
Quoted upon the broad basis of labor re
form and in its day exerted . powe
against monopoly, shoddy and sham aria
tocracy, which was felt and recognizes
by every tyrant against whom its inhu
encs was directed.
When quite youth. Mr. Hinchcliffe par
ticipatsd In labor reform demonstration
conducted by M. T. Sadier, and Richar'
Oastler, In England, IN favor Of shortening
the hours OF labor in factories from twelv
and fourteen, TO ten hours per day. Late
in life, he became y regular contributor