The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-07-19
Adlai Ewing Stevenson.
SKETCH OF THE DEMOCRATIC VICE -PRESI-
DENTAL CANDIDATE.
A Strong Man Every Way, Clean,
Conservative, Able and Experienced
His Public Life and Party Services
Briefly Reviewed-His Nomination
Adds Strength to the Ticket-A
Grandson of North Carolina.
washington Times.)

Grand-Son of North Carolina.
washington Times)
Adlai +. Stevenson was born in
Christian county, KY, on October 23,
1888. He is the eldest son of Mr.. and
Mrs j. Il. Stevenson, his forefathers
having been distinguished in the early
history of the Blue Grass State and
Virginia. The branch to which Mr.
Stevenson belongs came originally
from North Carolina
The early education of the man who
has twice been selected as a vice
presidential candidate bv the Demo-
cratic party began when he was about
five years of age, under DR.. +. F. Wor-
rell, in one of the schools of his ma
tive county. Young Stevenson was
later on sent to college at Danville.
Among his classmates were Senator
elect Blackburn, of Kentucky; ex-Sen-
ator Davidson, Of Florida, and cx-Gov-
ernor McCreery. 1t is said by his con-
tempOraries that Adlai Stevenson al
ways exhibited a great interest in his
tory, and was fond of studying the
political affairs of the world, and es-
pecially those OF his own country.
lie was an apt and popular student.
In 1852 the Stevenson family re-
moved from Kentucky to Illinois, and
settled at Bloomington, where the
eldest son entered the Illinois Wesley
an University. When q years of
age he went to Centre College, in his
native State, returning home, how
| ever, in 1857, on the death of his
| father. He then resolved to enter
| upon the study of law, and soon there
after began reading in the Office of
Williams & Packard, afterwards Will
liams q Burr. In 1858, when Adlai
Stevenson was in his 23rd year he was
admitted to the bar, beginning prac-
ticc in Metamora, Woodford county,
| H., where he remained for ten years,
holding office as prosecuting attorney
twice during the decade. From 1861
to 1865, he held the position of
master of chancery under the appoint
ment of the circuit Judge. During
his career at Metamora Mr.. Steven
son gained reputation as keen
and learned lawyer. In 1868 he again
took up legal work in the firm of
Stevenson & Ewing, carried on an ex-
| tensive practice in the State and Fed
eral courts. An interesting fact at
this time is that the citizens of the
twenty-third judicial district become
SO favorably impressed with Mr..
Stevenson during his residence at
Metamora that in 1864, he was named
as the presidential elector for the dis
| trict.
In 1867, shortly before commencing
his law practice in Bloomington, Mr..
Stevenson married Miss Letitia Green
the daughter of DR.. William Green,
his former instructor at Centre Col
lege, Danville. A son and three
daughters were born to them.
Mr.. Stevenson has always been a
sturdy Democrat. His political career
may be said to have commenced when
he was chosen as presidential cleo
tor in 1864. During the presidential
campaign he spoke in behalf of Gen
eral Mcclellan in every county of the
State of Illinois.
In 1874, in a district considered to
be reliably Republican by about 5000
ma iority, Mr.. Stevenson was nomi-
mated for Congress, and defeated Gen
eral John McNulty, the Republican
nominee, by 1885 majority. In 1876
his party renominated him for Con-
gress, but this campaign went against
him. Again in 1878 his name was
placed on the ticket, and for the
second time he gained signal vic
tory, the majority in his favor reach
ing 1000. The district represented
| by him gave Hayes a plurality of q
900 in 1886, and Garfield like plu-
rality in 1880.
In the congressional contest of 1880,
as to that of 1S76-both being presi-
Dental years, when party lines were
closely drawn-Mr. Stevenson lost
his seat in the House of Representa-
tives by a little more than 200 votes.
In 1862 he came within $50 votes of a
victory. This was his last condidacy
for Congress.
| In 1884 Mr.. Stevenson was sent as
delegate to the national convention.
On Grover Cleveland's election to the
presidency Mr.. Stevenson was ap-
pointed First Assistant Postmaster
General. He made an enyiable re-
cord in discharging the onerous du-
ties of this responsible position. AT
the end of this service he returned
with his family to Bloomington. He
did not resume his active part in the
affairs of the firm of Stevenson &
Ewing. of which he was a member,
but was away from the city a great
deal, especially on business connected
with the Worlds Fair at Chicago. In
the interest of the exposition he
Travelled through the whole South,
and also made number of journey
on diplomatic missions to Mexico and
other distant points.
In June 23rd, 1892, Mr.. Stevenson
was placed in nomination at Chicago
as a running mate for Grover Cleve
land, and the ticket was successful
After his four years in Washington he
again returned to Bloomington, where
he has since led quiet life, devotins
himself to the many industrial inter
ests with which he is identified il the
State of Illinois.
Lies harvest is best when thu