River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-01-29

were more III the line or MS CHOSEN profession.
In this capacity he continued until 1870, when
he removed to Hudson and began general law
practice The following year he was elected a
member of the state legislature, and in the ex-
ereise of the functions of that office distin-
guished himself by his industry and as ready
debatef While a member of this body he vig-
orously championed the state university, which
institution was at that time in sore trouble. His
services in this matter was afterward recognized
by the governor, who appointed him member
of the board of regents of the university, which
position he still retains tie was for twelve years
general solicitor of the West Wisconsin Railroad
company and the Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis
IL Omaha company. In May, 1884, he re-
signed, the rea son he gave being that the
company had brought action against Fl. III. Por-
ter. David Dawes and II. 2. Flower for the alleged
illegal distribution Of stock Of the company
lions with these gentlemen were OF so close
nature that he wished to avoid all possibility of
being connected, even indirectly, with this suit.
He thus relinquished position worth $4,000
per annum. In his law practice Col Spooner
has distinction an able and logical
pleader at the bar, and as political speaker Is,
with the possible exception of Col. w. +. Villas,
the most eloquent orator in the state Aside
from this he possesses broad and comprehen-
siyc business knowledge, gained In an active
and successful battle with the world and Is in
all respects admirably equipped for the new and
exalted position which he will assume at the
national capital
1t was of Col Spooner that Washington cor
respondent discussing the senatorial canvass
just closed. wrote some weeks ago: He set out
in the campaign unknown to many parts or the
state He had spent many winters at Madison
and made the acquaintance OF a thousand as
semblymen and senator's more or less. But the
masses did not come TO the state capital, and he
neither knew them nor they him. His cam
paigliing the past summer has stamped him as a
brilliant speaker, and he always was good law
yer His father Judge Spooner, gave to all his sons
a legal mind John used his If the rest did not.
The Spooners come from Ohio and Indiana
Something like forty years ago Judge Spooner
drove with his wife in their family carriage up
from Chicago through the beautiful prairie
country of Northern Illinois and Southern
Wisconsin to the lake region in Dane county,
and there in that dropsical and excrescent
town of Madison they built their home. The
old judge has been for years the backbone of the
law school there, and in realty law has had no
peer for twenty-five years in Wisconsin. few
days since ex-Speaker Frank ellison, the law
partner of Attorney General Frisby, said that
Col Spooner was not only one of the best law
yers in Wisconsin or any other state of his age
but that he was one of the most honest men he
ever met in the legal profession. No law
yer, said Mr.. ellison, has ever given me more
lofty idea of the sacredness and dignity OF the
law than Col. Spooner. He never known to
mislead a court, misstate a fact, nor to do any
act that would bring disgrace on his profession.
l viii tell you the kind OF man Col Spooner IL.
Three years ago the county of st. Croix where
he resides, was strongly in favor of the nomina-
county convention selected Col Spooner as one
of the delegates to the state convention Spooner
plainly told the convention that if he went
delegate he should support Gov. Rusk, and that
they would better select delegate that would
carry out their wishes. IL is needless to say that
the convention did not select another man. Yes,
Col Spooner is an able, brilliant, honest, sincere
man, and If he is elected senator as think he
will be, the state of Wisconsin will have in him
one of the best men in all respects that it ever
sent to Washington" Col. Spooner is man Of
small physique, not weighing over 125 or $50,
has dark complexion and smoothly shaven
face, and possessed of great bodily well as
mental energy He is extremely nervous in all
his movements, and conveys impression of
almost unbounded vigor and endurance. He is
capable of vast amount of good work, and will
doubtless be excelled by none of his compeers in
the senate as tireless worker.