Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-30

up the premises too much.
| OF Historical Interest
| (Under this caption the Courier
will publish biographical sketches II
men who have figured in making the
history of this country.)
| James Monroe, fifth president Of the
United States, was born in Westmore-
land county, Virginia April %, 1858,
and died in New York, July 4, 1881.
! He was descended from Scotch
cavalier family studied for short
time at the college Of William and
Mary, which he left on the outbreak
of the Revolutionary war to enlist in
the Continental army, and in 1776 be-
came lieutenant in Virginia req
ment. He served in the campaign ON
the Hudson, taking part in the bat
ties of Harlem Heights and White
Plains. Accompanying Washington in
his retreat through New Jersey, he
distinguished himself at the battle OF
Trenton, where he was wounded. AS
major on the staff of Lord Stirling
Civilian Alexander) he served in the
campaigns of 1777-s, winning credit in
the battles of Brandywine, German
| town and Monmouth. Having lost his
rank in the line by becoming a staff
officer, and failing in an attempt to
raise a regiment which was author
lied by the legislature of Virginia, he
withdrew from the military service.
made the acquaintance Of Jefferson,
and with him studied law, the two
forming life long intimacy.
| During the subsequent invasions OF
| Virginia he took an active part in
organizing the militia for defense. He
served in the congress Of the fedora;
ton from 1888 until 1886. He was
elected to the legislature of Virginia
after retiring in 1886 and in 1888 was
chosen member Of the state conven-
ton called to act upon the ratification
Of the federal constitution, which he
joined with Patrick Henry and others
in opposing. In 1890 Monroe was
elected to the United States senate,
where he served until 1894. Notwith-
standing his attitude taken toward
Washington's administration, he was
appointed minister to France to sue
coed Gouverneur Morris.
After season Of retirement, Mon
roe, in 1899, was elected governor OF
Virginia and served three years. In
1903 President Jefferson sent him as
special envoy to France to act with
Robert J. Livingston, the resident min
lister, in completing negotiations which
resulted in the Louisiana purchase.
During the next seven years he
served in the capacity Of minister to
Spain and England, then he returned
to America where he found himself
involved in controversy with Jeffer-
son, which luckily was only temporary.
In 1910 he was again elected to the
Virginia legislature, and in the follow
ing year became for the second time
governor, but soon after was appoint
cd secretary OF state by President
Madison. In this Office he continued
until his election to the presidency,
during part of the time acting also as
secretary Of war. He served with
energy and success in both depart
ments, especially during the military
operations Of 1814-15.
In 1916 Monroe was elected presi-
dent as the candidate of the Republic
can previously ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CAM party, receiving 1873 votes In the
electoral college against "a for Rufus
King, candidate Of the federalists. An
extended personal visit and inspection
Of the military posts and resources
helped along the era of good feeling
which his administration later became
known by. He became very popular
IL oil Nv
acquisition Of Florida from Spain IN
1919, a sequel of the Seminole war.
While the eight years Of his admins
.tration were not marked by stirring
events, they showed important results
in sea board defense, Strengthening
Of the army and navy, development or
the countrys resources, internal I'M
provements, protection of commerce,
and increased efficiency of the public
service. During this period five states
were admitted to the union: Missis-
sippi, 1917; Illinois, 1918, Alabama,
1919; Maine, 1920, and Missouri, 1921.
The slave question at this time
brought about the Missouri compro-
mise, one of the chief political Incl.
dents in Monroe's administration. But
perhaps the most important result OF
Monroe's administration Is that which
followed its expression OF sympathy
for South American republics, the
PRONUNCIATION OF the Monroe doctrine.
His second term having expired. he
retired to private life in 1925, and re-
turned to his residence in Loudon
county, Virginia, where he was justice
Of the peace, and performed his last
public service as member OF the
Virginia constitutional convention in
1929. and over which he presided I'M
til i'll health compelled his resigna-
ton. He removed to New York short
| time before his death. after which his
body was taken to Richmond, Va, for
burial.
Ulysses Simpson Grant, an Aneri-
|ican general. and eighteenth president