Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-12
ADLAI y. srENENsoN.
His Long Public Servcc-lIc is of Nir-
Einia Antocedents
(vvashington Timcs)


Adlai L, Stevenson was born in Chris
tinn county, Ky. on October 81. 1885. He
is the eldest son of MIR. and Mrs j. r.
Stevenson. his forefathcrs 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 Il Vice Presidential
candidate by the Democratic party began.
when he was about five years OF age.
under DIR. r. j.. Worrcll. in one OF the
schools of his native county. Young StcV-
Danville. Among his classmates were
Scnator-eicct blackburn. of Kentucky;
eN Senator Davidson. of Florida. and eX
Governor McCreery. 1t IS said by his con-
tcmporarics that Adlai Stevenson always
exhibited great interest in history. and
was fond of studying the political affairs
of the world. and especially those of his
own country. He was an apt and Il popu-
lar student.
from kentucky to Illinois, and settled at
Bloomington. where the eldest son en-
tered the Illinois Wesleyan University.
When n years OF age he went 10 Centre
College. in his native State, returning
home. however. in 1857. on the death OF
He then resolved to enter upon the
study of law. and soon thereafter began
reading in the office of Williams 81 Pack
ard. afterwards Williams X Burr In 1855,
when Adlai Stevenson was in his 23d
year. he was admitted to the bar. begin
iin- prnGllce in -Metamora. Woodford
county; III; where he remlTHcI Tor ten
years. holding office as prosecuting attor-
ney twice during the decade From lS6l
to 1865. he held the position of master of
chancerv under the aupointmcnt of Tho.
Circuit Judge. During his career at Meta
mora Mr.. Stevenson gained reputation
as keen and learned lawyer. In lS6S he
again took legal work In Bloomington.
and with hs partner in the firm of Steven
son & Ewing. carried on an extensive
practice in the State and Federal courts.
An interesting fact at this time is that
the citizens of the Twenty-third Judicial
District became so favorably impressed
at Metamora that. in 1854, he was named
as the Presidential clcctor for the district.
law practice in Bloomington. Mr.. Steven
son married Miss l-ettia Green. the
vile. y son and three daughters were
born To them.
MIR. Stevenson has always been Il sturdy
Demo rat. Ills political career may be
said To have commenced when he was
chosen as II Presidential clcctor in 1851.
During the Presidential campaign he
spoke in behalf of General Mcclellan in
every county of the State of illinois.
In 1874. in a district considered TO he
reliably Republican by about 500 major
ity. Mr. Stevenson was nominated for
Congress. and defeated General John Me
Nulty. tie Republican nominee. by l,2S5
majority. In 1876 his party rcnoninated
him for Congress, but this campaign went
against him. Again in 1875 his name was
placed on the ticket. anu LOT tlc second
time he gained II signal victory. the ma
iority in his favor reaching Zoo. The
district represented by him gave Hayes
a plurality of 20'n in 1876. and Garfield "a
like plurality In 1850.
In the Congressional contest of lSs. as
in that of lS16-both being Presidential
years. when party lines were closely
drawn-Mr Stevenson lost his seat in the
House OF Representatives, by little more
than 200 votes. In lsS2 he came within $50
votes of a victory This was his last can
didaCN for Congress.
In 1854 Mr.. Stevenson was sent as q
delegate to the National Conve 10 ON
Grover Clcveland's c.ecIlon 10 ,.ie resi-
dcncy Mr.. Stevenson was appointed First
Assistant PoStmaStcr-Gcnerai He made
an enviabe record In discharginS the
oncrous duties of this responsible position
At the end of this service he returned
with his family To Bloomington. lie 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
a Chicago. In the interest OF the EXPOSE
ton he Travelled through the whole South
and olso made q number of Journeys on
diplomatic missions In Mexico and Otner
distant points.
placed In nomination ut Chicago MS /, run
ming mate for Grover Cleveland. and the
ticket was successful. After his four
years In Washington he again returned to
Bloomington, where he has since led d