The National tribune., 1890-10-16
T. s. McCLELLAND.
A Private Soldier Candidate for Senator from
LllinnIa.

interview had few days ago by representa-
tive of one of tho Chicago papers with Gov. Pal
mer, that gentleman was made to say that the
exsoldiers Of Illinois were justly entitled to
representation in the United States Senate, and
would insist upon ono member. Illinois sent
over 100000 men into the war, and excepting
Oglesby and Logan no soldier has ever been
elected to the Upper House of Congress from
this State. Already tho press throughout the
State have begun to agitate this question, and
available candidates are being sought for
Several Of the papers throughout the State
have made mention of Thomas s. McCleland,
Of the Chicago bar, who served in tho army,
and who possesses elements of education and
character which would seem to commend him
to public notice.
He was born in Sharon, Pa, about 80 years
ago. His ancestors migrated to Pennsylvania
in the very early colonial days, and were
among the pioneers of the western part of that
State. The family is of Scotch origin, and
have a place in early Scotch history and ro-
nance. When Mr. McClelland was nero child
his parents moved from Pennsylvania to south
ern Indiana, near Evansville, where he re-
sided until his 18th year, when he left the
parental roof to brave life with its viCissitudes
on his own responsibility. Having no money
to pay for transportation, he made his way on
foot to near Lacon. H., where he engaged to
work on farm at $l3 per month, with little
extra per diem during the harvest season.
Having had the advantage OF a common school
education, in the Winter of 1857, 49, he was
employed to teach a school some six or eight
miles west of Pontiac, having the previous
Summer attended school himself ut Blooming
ton. At tho close of the school term, in March,
1853, having saved about 5000. he entered the
Academical Department of Beloit College. AT
the end Of two years and one term he was pre-
pared to enter the Freshman class in the Sum
mer Of 1860. Before his first college year was
over Mr.. Lincoln was elected President of tho
United States, the slave. holding States had So
coded from the Union, and the country was in
vOlved in war. A company was formed IN coll
lege under the instruction of Capt. John Rel
CART, which McClelland joined and was drilled
on the college campus, and when ready for serv-
leo il reported to the Governor of Wisconsin
for duty but the State not being in a Condi-
ton to arm or equip the company, IL was dis
banded, and McClelland continued at his
studies In Bcloit until the end Of his junior
year when he took n letter of dismissal to
Williams College, in Massachusetts, then under
the Presidency of Rev. DIR. Mark Hopkins,
where he completed his course, graduating in
June 1864.
His six or seven years Of academy and uni
yersity life was continuous war against pow
erty. With only few dollars saved from his
labors of about two years on the farm, he took
| n Spring and Summer course of study In pri-
vate school in Bloomington and then from the
| proceeds OF five months teaching entered upon
| a long course of classical and literary studies,
running through period OF over six years,
| relying solely upon what he could earn nights
| and mornings. aud during vacations, to pay his
college expenses and for his support. These
were long years Of patient self-den.al. He is
| remembered by tho senior members of the
| Faculty at Bcoit as being always at his post
| and meeting the requirements of his situation
without murmur of complaint, although con-
stantly fighting against adverse circumstances.
! lie relates of himself: "Often have / entered
the class room in the morning after having
| worked three hours, without mOrsel of food,
| and, at the close Of the college year, gone into
| tho harvest field and worked so hard during
the day in order to keep up with the other
men In the field, that when night came could
not sleep from exhaustion"
| At the close of his junior year he was wholly
| free from debt and during the Summer earned
| considerable money Mt work in the harvest
| fields OF northern Illinois and southern Wis
consin which enabled him to purchase the nee
| essary books and clothes for his senior year
| aud with tho kindly assistance of the late
Judge David Davis, Of Bloomington, through
| the intermcdiati0n Of the Judges son, Geo. r
| Davis, who was a classmate of McClelland
means were furnished with which to pay bis
| current expenses at Williams during his senior
| year. Soon after graduation he entered the
| 57th H., Fifteenth Corps, and went with II
| through Georgia aud tho Carolinas and served
! to the close of the war, as a private sol
dior. Not having entered the army until late
| in the war; no opportunity presented itself fol-
| promotion, and preferrng the duties and re-
| spOnsibiities of "a common soldier, he declined
| a detail at Savannah, Ca which was rendered
him through the mediation of Col. Jerome
| Dean Davis, commanding the SD H., who had
been In school with him at Beloit. At the
close OF the war, in August, 1865, Mr.. McClei
land entered the Law Office of Hon. w. C.
Cloudy In Chicago, and pursued his law studio:
in the day time and worked at night until No
vember, 1866, when he presented himself be-
fore the Supreme Court at Mount Vernon, fol
admission to the bar, which was granted after
a critical examination, and he received special
mention as having passed a creditable examin
| alton. Since his admission TO the bar Mr.
| McCleland has devoted himself exclusively L
his professional duties, aud commands the re-
spect and confidence of the courts and his pro
fessional associates with whom he is brought
in contact. throughout the entire country.
Mr.. McClolland makes no pretensions, does
not court notoriety or publicity, but possesse,
and practices integrity of character and has
lived above reproach among his fellow-citizeus
In politics he is an uncOmpIomising Repub
lican in the general tenets of the party, but
liberal in his ideas aud tolerant of the opinions
of others. His life has been one of toll and hi,
sympathes are with him who earns his bread
by the sweat of his brow. BY industry RnC
economy no has prospered in his profession, ant
ranks among the leading lawyers OF the State
| Mr.. McClclland is q member of the Crane
Army of the Republic. and is enrolled in George
ii. Thomas Post, No. g. at Chicago.
Chicago, Ill.
| Wanted IN krare Sarah