The National tribune., 1907-01-31

GEN. RUSSELL A. ALGER.
strength was given to the performance
of the work with which he was charged.
Senator Alger was born in Lafayette
| Township, Medina County. Ohio. Feb.
p, 1885. and at the early age of IL
was left to struggle with an adverse
world by the death of his parents. For
seven years he labored on a farm and
snatched up an education in such hours
of respite as came to a boy drudging
at the severest labor of rural life in
a new country. He did so well, how
ever. as TO secure sufficient education to
qualify him for a school teacher, and
then struggling ever upward and on
ward he studied law and was admitted
to the bar. In 1859 he moved to Grand
Rapids. Mich, and was thenceforward
strongly identified with the develop
ment of that State. Ambitious as he
was to make his way in the world, he
was among the first TO hear the call Of
his country, and. early in 1861 enlisted
in the Army and was chosen by his
| comrades Captain of Co. C, I'd Mich
Cav. He went into this new profession
with the same zeal for perfecting HIM
self in it that he displayed in all other
walks of life. Gen. Phil II. Sheridan,
who became Colonel of his regiment,
had a quick eye for men of soldierly
mettle, andIhe selected Capt. Alger to
perform an Important part in the first
battle which Sheridan fought, that at
Bonneville, Miss. July /, 1862. Sheri-
DANG plan was to send Alger with
lanling party around the superior
force of the enemy to strike them in
the rear, while Sheridan himself struck
them heavily in front Alger per-
formed his part of the work with the
greatest gallantry and skill, but lost
half of his command in the desperate
dash which secured victory and the
complete success of Sheridan's plans.
He became Major of the I'd Mich Cav.
and the Governor of Michigan, pursu-
ing the wise policy of selecting the
officers Of the new regiments from those
who had signalZed themselves by pre-
ViouS services, made Maj. Alger Lieu
tenant-Colonel of the new 9Th Cavalry
Colonel of the 5th Mich. Cav. He COM
manded this regiment with distinguish
ed success at Gettysburg and on Sheri-
dams great raid against Richmond, re-
ceiving a brevet of Brigadier-General
for his galIantry at Trevillion Station,
and Major-General for gallantry during
the war. He had earned these proud
distinctions by superb service in Sc bat
ties and sltirmishes.
Physical disabilities and business ne
cessities compelled his resignation from
the army in the latter part of 1864, AID
returning home he entered actively into
the lumber business, becoming the lead
er in tn development of that great in
dustry in Michigan. He took an ear
nest interest in politics and the preser-
walton of the results that the soldiers
had won upon the battlefield. He was
an ardent Republican, a delegate to the
Republican National Convention in 1886
and was elected Governor of Michivan.
His administration was so satisfactory
that he was pressed to accept renom-
ination, but he felt that he could not do
it in justice to his business interests.
AS a citizen of Michigan and Cover
nor of the State, he was strongly identi-
fled with everything that looked to the
upbuilding of the Commonwealth of
which be was properly proud. All in
that direction found his hand, brain
and purse more than ready with assist
ance In his prosperity he retained
the keenest sympathy with those who
were less fortunate, and his benefactions
and charities We're boundless. He al
lowed little TO be said about these, but
| obeyed the scriptural injunction in
charitable matters, not to let his left
hand know what his right hand did
He took a warm abiding interest in his
comrades Of tho battlefield. and was
unanimously elected Commander-in-
Chief of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie in 1889. a, His fame spread beyond
Michigan. and at the Republican Ma
tional Convention in Chicago in 1888 he
received 143 ballots for the Presiden-
tial nomination, the State of Michigan
voting solidIy for him on every ballot.
That year he was the first elector-at-
large of his State. In March, 1897,
President Mckinley appointed him Sec
retary of War. The Spanish-American
war broke out, and Secretary Alger be-
came the target for the yellow press.
This became wildly sensational in allie
cations as to the food furnished to the
soldiers, as well as other matters con-
nected with the management Of the war,
for which there was little real basis
and no reason whatever when we con-
slider the unprepared condition of the
country for war and the things that
necessarily had to be done in the hasty
diers. Out of the fierce fire which these