Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-05-07

Richmond. Afterward he taught scnooi
in Ohio. In the spring of 1869, when 81
years old, he started to seek his fortune
in the growing west. Travelling across
southern Illinois on foot with a limited
amount of loose change, but with the
same quiet, invincible spirit of determi-
nation to get there that has distinguished
him ever since, and landed him well nm
on the ladder of fortune, he arrived at
the Mississippi river, opposite st. Louis,
with undiminished energy and Is cents
in his pocket. After paying out 10
cents of this to the ferry for carving
over himself and companion who
hadn't even that amount of capital TO
draw on, he spent the other cents for
a sheet of paper, an envelope and a
stamp to let his family know of his safe
arrival, and then, pennliness but deter.
mined, he frightened his belt as substi-
tute for square meal, and started on
his career. After working for while
in st. Louis he found that respectable
but sleepy old town too slow, and went
to southern Kansas, which was having
boom. Here he was taken sick and in
that new country was reduced to severe
straits. Again native grit pulled him
through, he walking 100 miles in his
bare feet across the open prairie in
order to get north. He then settled in
northwestern Missouri, where he taught
school and studied law.
In 1872 he was admitted to the bar
His ability and tireless perseverance had
already become SO well known that he
was Immediately appointed city attor-
nay Of Savannah. Subsequently elected
states attorney of Andrews county, he
soon became known as one of the fore
most lawyers of that part of the state,
noted as it was for its jurists-and
colonies.
Feeling the need of larger field, he
resigned in 1915 and came to Chicago,
where knew nobody, but where push
and a capacity for work were sufficient
lntrod- ction. He soon built up a large
practice, his connection with the Storey
Will case bringing him into prominence.
inevitably drifting into politics, for
winch he seems to have a natural bent,
he was nominated in 1884 to congress
from the Fourth district, comprising the
north side and several country districts.
He made hard fight and a thorough
canvass, having something of the same
talent for organizing that made Tilden
so successful, his aggressive campaign
attracting attention all over the state.
He was defeated, but increased the
Democratic vote by several thousand.
In 1886 he was nominated for superior
court Judgeship, was Endorsed by the
knights of Labor, and after hot fight
elected by $4,000, the knights of Labor
giving him $4,000 votes. As judge he
discharged his duties ably and fear
lessly, dealing out even-handed Justice,
and besides being a hard worker on the
bench, found time to build a number
OF down town mercantile blocks.
His action in refusing to accept
passes from railroads whose cases were
likely to come before him for trial on
the ground that it was contrary to
public policy attracted considerable at
tention at the time and is expected to
bring him Alliance votes. Judge Alt
geld has also found time somewhere
for literary work, and in addition to
various papers on questions of the day
has published two works on Our
Penal Machinery and Its Victims" and
Live Questions. He is firm believer
In the individualist theory and in the
dignity and manhood of the individual.
and thinks that about all the advance
made in art, science, industry or gov
eminent is the result of individual
effort, which has forced progress, while
the government and officialism have
opposed it until pressure from the people
has caused a move forward. Last spring
Judge Altgeld resigned to attend to his
private business, which urgently de-
demanded his attention, especially the
magnificent new Unity block, on Dear
born street. of which he is the builder.