The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-15
FOR COMMANDER.IN.CHIEF
Tho Department of Minnesota Puts Forward
Capt. Ell Torrance.

land Co., Pa, May 16, 1874, the eldest of
three brothers, all of whom served in the
Union army.
His father, Rev. Adam Torrance, at
the age of 81, entered the service as Chap
lain Of the 18th Pa. Reserves.
Among his Pensioners were Gen. John
w. Geary, afterwards Governor of Penn
sylvania, and Gen. Thos. L. Gallagher,
the first Colonel of the 18th Reserves:
| Comrade Torrance came of patriotic
stock, his ancestors having served in the
Colonial and Revolutionary wars, and i'll
every subsequent war, including that for
the preservation of the Union.
Although under military age, he was, on
the Goth day of June, 1861, enrolled as
private in Co. A, 9th Pa. Reserves, and
for almost three years carried musket,
participating in all the battles in which
his regiment was engaged, except when
disabled by wounds.
His regiment was among those that sui
fered severe losses in battle.
On May IL, 1864, he was discharged,
with his regiment, at Pittsburg, Pa, by
reason of expiration of term of service,
and on July 8 following re-entered the
service as Second Lieutenant of Co. u,
1881 Pa, and on Oct. 10, 1864, was trans
ferred to the 97th Pa. and assigned to
duty at Baltimore, Md, where he had the
honor of guarding the body of the mar
tyred President when it lay in state at
Baltimore.
June II, 1865, having barely reached
his majority, he was finally discharged
from the service by reason of the CLOSE
of the war.
By profession Judge Torrance is n law
yer, and for more than 80 years has en-
| joyed an extensive practice and the uD-
broken confidence of the people.
While he is in hearty sympathy with
all patriotic organizations, being n mem
hnr nf hn aty of 10 fnlnnIpi
of the Loyal Legion, and of the Sons of
the American Revolution, nevertheless, his
| first love and duty has always been to the
Grand Army Of the Republic, of which
organization he has long been an earnest,
faithful, efficient and valuable member. =
The following is brief outline of his
G. A. X. record: Charter member of
John A. Rawlins Post, 126, Department
of Minnesota; Judge-Advocate, Depart
ment of Minnesota, 1889; Commander Of
John A. Rawlins Post, 1890; Judge-AdvO-
cate, Department of Minnesota, 1871;
Commander, Department of Minnesota,
1895; Judge-AdvocateGe to Com
mander-in-C Chief Goblin, 1878; Judge-Ad-
vocate-General to James A. Sexton and
| w. G. johnson, 1889: Judge-Advocate-
| General TO Commander-in-C Chief Albert ID.
Shaw, 1S991900.
| lie has also served as member of the
National Council of Administration and
Ol llnDpItdDI SOIlllhIlletS VI l1e NdtlDudl
IEncampments.
His selection for the office of Judge
Advocate-General by so many able Com
manderS-in-Chef was an unusual but de-
served tribute TO his ability and fitness
for that responsible position.
Doubtless no one, not even the Ma
tional organization itself, has manifested
deeper interest in preserving the his
tory of the q. A. K. than Comrade Tor
france.
For years past, and with great patience
and industry, he has been collecting the
journals or published proceedings of the
various Department and National En-
campments, and now has one of the most
complete and valuable records of the
Grand Army of the Republic in existence.
AT regular meeting of John A. Raw
Inns Post, 126, Department of Minnesota,
g. A. r., held March D. 1901, the follow
ing preamble and resolution was adopted,
to-wit:
Whereas we recognize in our comrade,
Past Judge-AdvOcate-Gen Ell Tor
rance, those special qualifications which
pre-eIninently fit him for the office of Com
mander-in-C Chief, viz, sterling integrity,
sound judgment, intimate acquaintance
with the needs and requirements of the
Order as a whole, and a loyalty and deyo-
ton so entire as to embrace the interests
of each Post and individual member of
the Grand Army of the Republic; and
bearing in mind the faithful service he
has rendered as a soldier, citizen and
Icomrade, doing his whole duty as con
Iscientiousiy and faithfully in the Post
room as in conducting the affairs of the
Department, or in aiding by his wise coun-
sci the administration of the National Or
Ganization: Therefore, be it
ResO.red, That we recommend Comrade
Torrance to the Both Annual Encamp-
ment of the Department of Minnesota as
our choice for the position of Commander
| in-Chief.
AT the 35th Annual Encampment of the
Department of Minnesota, g. A. r., held
at St. Paul, Mimi, in March, 1901, the
| following resolution was unanimously
adopted by a rising vote:
! Whereas the comrades of the Depart
ment of Minnesota desire above all things
TO advance the interests and to promote
| the welfare of the Grand Army of the
Republic; and whereas we believe in no
way can we do so more effectively than
| in securing to our comrades the services
| of one who in every way has proven his
special fitness for Commander-in-C Chief
Therefore be it
Resolved, That we present 20 the Both
National Encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic which will meet IN CIeve-
land in the month of September next, the
name of Past Department Commander
and Past Judge-Advocate-Ge General Ell
Torrance as our unanimous choice for the
Office of COmmander-inC Chief; and the
| Past Commanders of the Department of
Minnesota are requested and the Repre-.
sentatiyes to the National Encampment
are hereby instructed to present his name
for that high office and to use all hon
orable means to secure his election.
Headquarters Department of Minnesota,
Grand Army of the Republic, No.
1117 Lumber Exchange, Minneapolis,
Mimi, August, l, A. ID. 1901.
The Commander of the Department of
Minnesota takes great pleasure in submit
ting TO the considerate Judgment of the
Representatives to the 35th National En-
campment of the g. A. r., which con
venes at Cleveland, Ohio, in September
next, MinnesOta's candidate for Com
mander-in- Chief, Ell Torrance, of Min
neapOlis; and while fully approaching the
ability, fitness and devotion of other dis
tinguished and worthy comrades who are
candidates for Commander-in-C Chief I'M
hesitatingly commcnds Comrade Torrance
with the assurance that if elected to that
great office he will more than meet the
high expectations of those who know him
best. Fraternally, VIM. ii. Harries, De
partment Commander.
| Correspondence can be addressed to De
lpartment Headquarters.
READY TO DOWN GEN. SICKLES.