The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
A. J. STREETER'S CAREER.
UIinoisan Who Once Was n Candidate
for the Presidency.

GALESBURG, H., Nov. 25.-Alson j.
S~treeter, who died yesterday, left a large
fortune. For over a third of a century
he was active in politics. He was born in
Rensselaer, county, New York, in 1923, and
as his life began on a farm, so until his
death did his interest center in agricultural
pursuits and the success of the farmer.
His political efforts were directed in lines
he considered best calculated to bring that
sources when seventeen years old, he cast
about for a better education. The spirit OF
the West seemed to him to offer more adj
vantages for a boy forced to work for his
education, and he turned his back on the
many schools in the East.
Arriving at Galesburg, Ill, he enrolled
among the students at Knox College. He
had acquired the knowledge of making
shingles and this afforded him his only
chance to earn the money necessary TO pay
his way through school. He devoted his
Saturdays to cutting down trees and saw
ing them into blocks. 1t has been said
he "%shingled his educational granary."
He left Knox College at the end of three
years and began the active life which has
been closely identified with the growth
and progress of the State.
Twice he drove herds of cattle from
Galesburg to California to market, and as
incomprehensible as such a venture would
appear to-day, he made money on both
deals. Then he bought land near New
Windsor, Mercer county, Illinois, estab-
lished a stock farm, and that was his home
until the last. He prospered, and with that
prosperity came an inclination to politics.
During the civil war Mr.. Streeter was a
war Democrat, and in 1872 was elected to
the Legislature by that party. From the
start he threw his influence against the
money power" and took an active part
in railroad legislation, Ito prevent extor-
ton and unjust discrimination" The fol-
lowing year he became identified with the
greenback movement and was it's candi-
date for Congress in 1873, and for Governor
in 1880. BY a coalition of greenbacks and
Democrats he was elected to the State
Senate in 1884. But Mr.. Streeter's political
fame had spread beyond the confines of the
State. He was interested in the labor
movement, and when the National Labor
party in 1888 cast about for a candidate for
President of the United States il called on
the Sage OF New Windsor" He accented
the nomination and made the campaign
with characteristic earnestness. knowing
defeat would be his portion.
His greatest political fight came three
years later in the contest for United States
senator. Fusion between the Farmers' al
lance and the Democrats had left the Re
publicans in the minority in the Legisla-
ture. Streeter was the candidate of the
majority Of the fusion element for senator,
but as the vote was close il was necessary
for him to have the support Of all the
members. This he could not get. He came
within three votes of winning in a long
contest, which ended In the election of Mr..
John NJ. Palmer.
In his home county no one was more
highly esteemed than Mr.. Streeter.
''He was just a good man who had the
courage of his convictions, was the com
ment OF a ~neighbCr-
"He thought he was right about every
thing ne did" said another. There was
no nonsense about him, no frecrackers. no
dress ~parade-just a plain man."
During the civil wal Mr.. Streeter Is said
10 have given freely to aid the families of
Union soldiers, and always contributed 10
the equipment of every company raised IN
Mercer county. When money was being
raised for the soldiers monument which
stands at Aledo, Mr.. Streeter was the larg-
est contributor.