Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-20
LEGISLATORS TELL OF
THEIR HUMBLE ORIGIN
CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY A
MINE OF INFORMATION
Members of Congress Contribute
Autoblosraphies to Official PubIi-
catlons-Many Trades Repre-
sented In Washington

Special Correspondence Of The Herald.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 15.-Each
session of congress issues a directory full
of facts and figures concerning the men
who constitute that body as well as
others in public life. Each sem
ator and representative is his own
biographer and 1t is interesting to note
their enumeration of what they consider
the most important features of their
careers.
Senator Bankhead of Alabama "served
four years in the Confederate army, be-
ing wounded three times" Mr.. Johnston
quit school to join the Confederate
army as a private" and was wounded
four times. Congressman Ariosto
Appling Wiley was commissioned lieu
tenant colonel of the Fifth regiment, u.
s. vol. inf, and served for nearly
a year at Santiago, acting as Gen. Law
toms chief of staff and civil governor of
the eastern province" Mr.. Craig served
in the national guard as private and
non-commissioned officer.
Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac, re-
lates that he '1s a naval architect and
lecturer" and that he 'is tenth in
descent from Elder Brewster of the May
flower"
Senator Clarke of Arkansas "entered
the political field in 1886, being then
elected to the Arkansas house of repre-
sentatives." Senator JEFF Davis was ad-
mitted to the bar at the age of 10.
Mr.. Macons biography is short, begin
ming with. is a lawyer" and ending by
stating his elections to congress,
emitting his birth and early education.
Mr.. Floyd worked on a farm until he
was 49," after which he became
d lawyer. Mr.. Reid "won the univer-
sity's medal for oratory" while attending
the Vanderbilt university at Nashville.
Mr.. Wallace was postoffice inspector
from 1887 to 1889.
Perkins Farmer Boy
Senator Perkins of California was born
in Maine and reared on a farm When
thirteen he Shipped on board sailing
ship for New Orleans and followed the
calling of sailor on ships engaged in
the European trade. In 1885 he shipped
before the mast on the sailing ship
Galatea bound for San Francisco Since
that time he has been engaged in mer-
chandising, banking, farming, mining,
whale fishery, steamship transportation
and national affairs. He was state
senator, governor of California and has
been U. S. senator since 1893
Mr.. Englebright entered the United
States service at the Mare Island navy
yard as house joiner's apprentice, stud
iO0 Cli6iHCCilh5 anu 10 uOW dH authority
upon mining and irrigation" Mr.. Nc
Kinley was born in Canada and when
twelve years old learned the trade of
carriage painting and worked in Flint.
Mich" Later he became a lawyer Jdl-
ius Kahn of San Francisco was born in
Germany and came to this country in
1866. He followed the theatrical profess
sion for ten years. playing with Booth,
Jefferson, Salvini and other stars" In
1890 he began to study law and is now
in his fourth term in the house. Mr..
Needham was born in an emigrant
wagon in Nevada, his parents being en-
route across the plains to California
Guggenheim a Linauist
Senator Guggenheim studied languages
in Europe for two years and was en-
gagged In mining and smelling Repre-
sentative Cook Learned telegraphy at
the age Of eleven; ran away from home
and enlisted as drummer boy at IL, serv-
ing in the army of the Cumberland" Az
ter the war he engaged in railroading.
Mr.. Sperry worked on the farm and In
the mill; taught school; learned the
house building trade; commenced busi-
ness on his own account in 1847 and
was postmaster for twenty-eight years.
Mr.. Clark of Florida is "a Baptist.
Knight of Pythias, an Elk and a Wood
man." Representative Edwards Of,
Savannah SIS the fifth Of seven sons. all
of whom are grown and prosperous in
business" Mr.. Livingston of Georgia
prides himself on the fact that his
grandfather emigrated to this country
from North Ireland and served under
Gen. Washington In the Revolutionary
war" Senator Hepburn of Idaho was
not affected by the silver craze of 1896.
Since 1890 Senator Borah has devoted
his entire time exclusively to the practice
of law"
Representative McDermott of Chicago
is a telegrapher and is also in the cigar
business. Mr.. Hamilton of Iowa mar
have a Rocseveltian family of nine chill