New-York tribune., 1899-07-22
COLONEL NGERsoLHs CAREER.

Colonel Ingersoll seldom spoke about his early
life He frankly confessed that his reticence was
due to the fact that his childhood was hard and
stern and he never liked to recall 1t to memory.
His father was a Congregational minister. and to
him were born five chlldren-John. Ruth, Mary
| Eben Clark and Robert G.
Robert was the youngest Of tho family. and
born in Dresden ". Y, on August H. 1893. and was
baptized when he three years old in a theatre
| in New-York. IN which theatre his father was
preaching at the time as his church had been
DESTROYED by fire. colonel Ingersolls father was
decidedly rough, and not well fitted to impress the
heart Of child with the beauty OK the authority Of
religion" according to the Rev. F. Spencer, who
was acquainted with him. This same minister was
inclined to the opinion that Colonel IngersoIPs att-
tude toward Christianity due to his unhappy
childhood But this view is not held by the majori-
ty Of persons who have written about the life Of
Colonel Ingersoll Colonel IngersoHs father was,
according TO many persons who knew him. inclined
toward liberalism, and owing TO the Views he held
ne was frequently subjected 10 many annoyances
by persons who claimed 10 be members Of his flock.
The constant strifes between his father and some
members Of his fathers congregation caused
young Robert It Is said TO look upon the teachings
OF Calvinism with hatred
At an early age Colonel Ingersoll gave voice 10
some agnostic expressions. on occasion. It is
said, the father somewhat angry because OF
the views on religion expressed by his son. and
Robert said TO him: We'll father, II you want me
TO lie you may make me pretend 10 believe like
YOU but II you want me 10 he honest. must talk
as I do" Another story is told about Colonel
Ingersolps early hatred for the religion professed
by his father Before his father died. which was in
1889 he delivered his famous lecture "Heretics
and Heresles" When he got home after he had
delivered the lecture he said TO his father: Father
I've Just paid back another Of the insults they
heaped on you"
Colonel Ingersol like his brother Eben Clark Inger-
1y1,- oboo1 adtt
brother John studied for the ministry but later be-
came a physician in Wisconsin When he ten
years old Colonel IngersolPs parents went West.
and soon afterward settled near shawneetown, H..
and the greater part OF his youth passed in
Wisconsin and Illinois. Before he was twenty-one
years old he studied lawand admitted 10 the bar
He then opened law Office with his brother, Eben
Clark. In Shawneetown. They soon became promi-
nent Democrats and Eben ClarkIngersoll elected
a member OF the Legislature. In 1857 Colonel In
serson and Eben Clark moved to Peoria, in which
town lived at that time many we'll known men.
among them being Purple Merriam Manning San
ger Lord and Knowlton 1t was not long before
the brothers recognized leaders OF the
Young Democracy. In 1860 Robert nominated
for Congress against william Kellogg. The district
was strongly Republican, and besides Kellogg
an old politician. Robert not dismayed by the
outlook however. and made a vigorous campaign.
in which he many times worsted his opponent in
debate. Colonel Ingersol was defeated. That was
the last time he ever ran for Office
In 1862 Colonel Ingerson to the
colonel OF the llth Illinois Cavalry.
He made a reputation for bravery. While doing
service in Tennessee he was captured by Forests
command On the next day FORESTS command
was pursued by Union troops The chase extended
for many miles and lasted three days. The Con-
federate general finally told Ingerson Ito light
out and look out for himself" which Ingerso did.
Colonel Ingersor himself said OF his military
career: II was not At to be a soldier; saw
our men fire but l thought OF the widows and
orphans they would make and wished they would
miss"
In 1854 he became a Republican and two years
later he was appointed Attorney General OF III
nois by Governor Oglesby. In 1888 he was spoken
OF for Governor OF Illinois
AT the Republican National Convention of 1876.
held in Cincinnati. he placed the name OF the late
James @ Blaine IN nomination for the Presidency,
and his speech was such that II attracted the at
tentlon OF the entire country II In this speech
that Colonel Ingersoll gave Mr.. Blaine the sobri-
auet OF the "Plumed Knight" name that stuck
TO him as long as he lived. After that Colonel
Ingersolrs time IN great demand. As an
orator he became widely known and his time was
taxed for speeches. In lS7 he refused the post
OF Minister TO Germany. preferring to devote him
self TO the law. and he took part in numerous
law suits In all parts OF the country that attracted
4 great deal OF attention. and counsel for the
so-called Star Route conspirators whose trial re-
suited in acquittal In 1883. He was perhaps best
known for his speeches. pamphlets and books d-
rected against the Christian religion. Among his
best known works were The Gods" Ghosts
''sone Mistakes OF Moses Lectures Complete"
Prose Poems and Selections"
One OF his best known LITERARY works was his !