Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-09-03

formerly United States territorial
Judge. In his twentieth year young
Villas argued his first case before the
state supreme court, making very
favorable impression on the court and
the bar.
The civil war broke out soon after
ward, he threw up his law business
and entered into the business of rails
ing troops with all the zeal of ms
young manhood. At war meeting
held in the state capitol he made =
speech in support of the union cause
which for its eloquence and patriotic
fervor was notable even in those
times,
Brilliant War Record.
He raised a company for the Twenty
third regiment of the Wisconsin infan-
try and was mustered in as senior cap
tain Soon he was promo, ed to major
then to lieutenant-colonel and during
much Of his service he was in com
mand of the regiment. He served III
the army of Tennessee under Gen.
z.
led the regiment in several rapid
marches, skirmishes and battles,
which contributed to the success OF
The military operations Of that region.
After the end of the Vicksburg cam.
paign col. Vlass regiment was sent
to New Orleans, and he seeing a long
period of inaction before him, resigned
his commission, returned home ana
resumed his law practice i'm which ne
steadily rose to the front rank. From
the beginning 20 the end of his proFe3.
sional career he was a duigent student
of the law, of general literature and
of his cases. He never vent into
court without the most thorough pre-
paration and this was the rule Of his
business and professional life !
He was married in 1866 and es abb
lished himself on beautiful
farm just outside the city limits OF
Madison, and here his evenings were
spent in study. In 1875, Col Villas
Judge David Taylor and J. P. c, Cot,
rill were appointed a commission go
revise the statutes OF Wisconsin and
this work occupied three years
He refused the nomination for gov,
ernor in 1879 and in 1883. lie was u
trustee of the Soldiers Orphans
Home while that institution was IN
existence, and for a number OF years
was a regent of the University Of WIS
consin, of which he had always been
an ardent friend. He caused the short
course in agriculture to be established,
greatly adding to the usefulness and
popularity of the agricultural depart.
ment
He was a member Of the lower
, house of the legislature in 1885, ana
was instrumental in securing for the
university the largest appropriation it
had ever received up to that time
In CIeveIand's Cabinet.
Col. Vilas's prominence and ability
as a lawyer and public man secured
his appointment, in 1885, as postmas-
ter-general in President Cleyeland's
cabinet. His administration of the
office was sufficient and able and gave
very general satisfaction. In January
1888, Secretar Villas was transferred
10 the interior department, which ne
henceforth held until the end Of Glove.
lands term, displaying his rare execu-
tive ability in the charge of the multi
farious and difficult duties of that
position.
In 1890, Col. Villas was prominent in
the state campaign speaking against
the compulsory educational law and
incidentally against the Mckinley tar
if. The campaign resulted in the
overwhelming defeat of the Repubi.
cans. The Democrats had a large ma
jOrity in the legislature, and Col. Villas
was elected United States senator TO
succeed Senator Spooner. IN the sen
ate he ably supported the administra.
ton of President Cleveland, and was
easily one of the leaders of his party
in that body. Upon the expiration OF
his term he was succeeded in turn, by
Mr.. Spooner, the Republican having re-
gained control of the legislature
Noted AS an Orator
Col. Villas was long noted as an ora
tor of great power, and one of his most
famous speeches was at a banquet OF
the Society of The Army of the Ten
nessee in 1879, upon the occasion OF
Gen. Grants return from the trip
around the world, when Col Villas re
sponded 10 the toast: Our First
Commander, Gen. U. s. Grant. The
speech was delivered before a most
distinguished assemblage of men who
had won distinction in civil and mill
tary life, and was received with the
greatest enthusiasm by the auditors
and by the press throughout the whole
country.