Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-05-24

war broke out. young Edwin was one OF
the first to enlist in his part of the coun-
try upon the call for volunteers. Enter
ing the ranks as private he served WIN
honor and distinction until the close OF
the war, retiring with the brevet rank OF
major
Forsakes Law for Finance.
After the war Mr.. Conger devoted him
self to the study of law, graduating at
the law school in Albany, n. Y, in 1866.
Upon receiving his diploma the young
lawyer hung out his single in Gales
burg, ILL.,, and had an early and crafty
ing success, but it was destined that he
should not continue the practice OF ms
profession. He was sent by his father
to look after some large HOLDINGS OF real
estate in Dallas county, La. Successful
in this, Mr.. Conger became large stock
grower, and then a banker. His first
public office was that of state treasurer
of Iowa, which he held two terms;
Mr. Conger was elected to the Forty
ninth. Fifty-frst and the Fiftythird
Congresses. being succeeded by John A.
r. Hull. 1t was while in Congress that
Mr. Congers friendship for President
Mckinley, begun while they were fellow
students at the law school in Albany,
was renewed and resulted in the naming
of Mr.. Conger for the Brazilian mission.
Mr.. Conger served three years as minis
ter to Brazil, retiring in 1893. In 1897
he was again named for the Brazilian
post. Upon the refusal OF the Senate to
confirm the PRESIDENTS first appointment
to China. Charles Page Bryan, who was
objected to because of his youth and in
experience, Mr.. Conger was rapsferred
from Brazil to Pekin.
Became Known All Over World.
In 1900 came the Boxer" uprising in
China and Minister Conger for a time
~ fol cd oil on
in the world. For weeks the fate of the
legation people in the capital was
wrapped in all the mystery that Chinese
ingenuity could devise. There were har-
rowing tales Of death and torture, all
finally dispelled, fortunately, by their
rescue at the hands of the international
forces. Mr.. Conger occupied the first
secretary's house of the British legation
and during the siege his perlls were
shared by his wife and daughters.
Tt was then that the wisdom of trans
ferring Mr., Conger from Brazil to China
was demonstrated. History was being
made rapidly in the orient and man
less astute, less experienced, less far
sigbter might have involved his country
in MANY tangles. From the moment ne
presented his credentials in Pekin the
American minister took leading place
among his colleagues of the diplomatic
corps. Ills aDluly anu SdSdclIy were
early recognized his opinions deferred
to, his advice sought. He stood well,
too, with the Chinese officials, and was
credited with having had great influence
with the Tsung-i-Yamen.
Goes to Mexico.
Mr.. Conger remained in China until
the last yestige of the Boxer troubles
disappeared. Worn out by his work
and worries he desired to retire perma-
nentIy from public life and spend the re-
mainder of his days in quiet at his home
in Iowa. He was prevailed upon, how
ever, to take the post of ambassador to
Mexico for time, and this he did. He
was appointed to Mexico in 1905, but
retired a few months later because of
falling health.
In appearance Mr.. Conger was most
imposing man. He stood over six feet,
had a broad and stalwart frame and
weighed over 200 pounds. He is sur
vived by his wife, a daughter and his
ward and niece, who was a member of
the household during the siege of Pekin.