The Anaconda standard., 1898-02-23
HE is CONGRATULATED
The Newly Appointed United
States District Attorney.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Born on Farm in Illinois-Educated at
Lincoln and Cumberland University
He Has Served the County
and State With Credit

William r. Rodgers, who was con-
firmed as United States district attor-
ney to succeed Ex-Governor Leslie by
the senate Monday. is receiving many
congratulatory kilograms upon his ap-
pointment and confirmation. and the
choice is commended by all parties
without distinction. During his resi-
dence in the state Mr.. Rodgers has
made many warm friends and his abil-
ity as an attorney has commanded gen.
eral admiration and regard for strik
ing qualities and attainments.
The new United States district attor-
ney was born Jan. Z, 1865 on farm in
Coles county, Illinois. where his early
days were passed He passed through
the common schools of the neighbor-
hood, and in 1883 entered Lincoln uni
versity of Lincoln, ILL.,, where he took
the collegiate and literary courses,
teaching school between terms. He
was graduated from Lincoln university
in 1883 and then entered the law de-
partment of Cumberland university at
Lebanon, Tenn, where he took his de-
gree in June 1891 This university,
probably the leading law school of the
South, graduated Judge Brantly, Chief
Justice Pemberton and Judge De Wolfe.
1t is also the alma mater of Senator
Cockrilf, Benton Mcmillan and many
cal leaders. Representative Bailey of
Texas. the democratic leader in the
house, was graduated from the uniyer
sity a year before Mr.. Rodgers.
After receiving his degree at Cum
berland university, Mr.. Rodgers, in
July, 1891, came to Montana and took
up his residence at Philipsburg, where
he Immediately entered upon the prae-
tice of his profession. His ability won
recognition at once and he was soon in
the possession of a lucrative prac-
tice.
Mr. Rodgers has always taken an
active interest in politics and has al
ways been a republican. as was his
father and grandfather before him. In
the fall of 1892 Mr.. Rodgers was nomi-
mated by the republican convention,
which met in Philipsburg, then part
of Deer Lodge county, for the Office
of county attorney. Colonel O'Leary,
democrat, and w. l.. Brown, populist,
We're nominated in opposition to him.
After a warm campaign Mr.. Rodgers
was elected by majority of 335 Fol-
lowing this election Mr.. Rodgers moved
to Deer Lodge, then the county seat,
where he made his home until he re-
moved to Anaconda, in the fall of
1897.
In the fall of 1894 he was nominated
by the joint republican convention of
DeeE LDdEe anu MiSSOuld counties as
joint representative for the two eoun-
ties in the Fourth legislature. The
democrats nominated Senator Mats
Mr. Rodgers was elected by a plurality
of about 500 In the assembly he served
on the judiciary and ways and means
committees and was appointed chair
man of the committee on state boards
and officers. His services in the house
made for him a very creditable reputa-
ton.
On June II. 1896, Mr.. Rodgers mar
ried Miss Alice Janette Knowles at
Petersburg, ILL.,
During Mr.. Rodgers practice in the
state he has been connected with near
ly every important action brought in
the courts of Deer Lodge county and
has appeared quite often in the courts
of Missoula and Silver Bow counties
While making special study of water
rights and mining cases, Mr.. Rodgers
practice has given him wide expe-
rience on both criminal and civil cases.
During his term as district attorney for
Deer Lodge county there were only two
acquittals among the criminal cases
which he prosecuted, and since his term
expired he has frequently been called
to act as special counsel for the prose
cution, as in the Dresser murder case
He has also for some time been re-
tanned as special prosecutor for the
Granite County Stock association.
Mr. Rodgers expects to qualify for
the position of United States district
March next, upon which date
Ex-Governor Lesiie's term expires.