The Biographical Dictionary of America/Alger, Russell Alexander

ALGER, Russell Alexander, cabinet officer, was born in Lafayette, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1836; son of Russell and Caroline (Moulton) Alger and grandson of John Alger, a Revolutionary soldier. His parents died in 1848, leaving Russell the oldest of three orphan children, without money and with a brother and sister to care for and support. He had been accustomed to work for the neighbors for a small quantity of provisions, or a few pennies a day, even before the death of his parents, who were very poor. He now found homes for his brother and sister and secured work for himself on a farm, his remuneration being his board clothes, and the privilege of attending school three months in the year. He afterward secured a place where he was paid regular, though small wages, and he was able from his savings to pass several terms at the Richfield academy. He thus fitted himself to teach a district school, which he commenced in the winter of 1856, boarding around among the farmers as a part of his remuneration. After this time, by close economy he was able to assist his brother and sister in obtaining an education, and to advance himself in the study of law. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Cleveland, O. Overwork and indoor confinement soon broke down his health, and in 1860 he was obliged to relinquish for a time his profession. Borrowing a small sum of money he went to Michigan with a friend, where they engaged in the business of lumbering. In 1861, through the failure of another firm, he lost all his capital, and was left in debt. On the breaking out of the civil war he promptly enlisted as a private in the 2d Michigan cavalry, and was soon promoted to a captaincy. He served three years, through many hard-fought battles, and step by step he gained promotion until at the close of the conflict in 1865 he was made a brevet major-general "for gallant and meritorious service." Not discouraged by his former failure, he once more embarked in the lumber business, this time with such success that in twenty years he had amassed a comfortable fortune. In 1884 he was nominated by the republican party of Michigan for governor and was elected. His administration was exceedingly popular, for he brought into the conduct of state affairs business methods combined with strict honesty and a close attention to every official duty. The best men of both parties desired to see him again in the gubernatorial chair, but he declined and devoted himself to business affairs. His name was prominent as a candidate for the presidency before the republican convention of 1892, that nominated Mr. Harrison, he receiving 143 votes on the fifth ballot. President McKinley made him secretary of war in his cabinet, March 4, 1897, and he held the portfolio and conducted the department during the war with Spain. He offered his resignation, July 19, 1899, which was accepted. He was appointed to the U.S. senate from Michigan, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James McMillan, in 1902, for the term ending in 1907.