Title Page | Collection Summary | Biographical/Organizational Note | Scope and Content | Arrangement
Biographical Note
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1833, Aug. 11 | Born, Dresden, N.Y. |
| 1844 | Moved with family to Illinois |
| 1854 | Read law and was admitted to the Illinois bar |
| 1855-1857 | Practiced law, Shawneetown, Ill. |
| 1857 | Moved law practice to Peoria, Ill. |
| 1860 | Defeated as Democratic candidate for seat in United States House of Representatives |
| 1861 | Commissioned colonel of the Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment |
| 1862 | Married Eva Amelia Parker Served in the Tennessee Valley campaign, at Shiloh and at Corinth during the Civil War |
| 1863 | Discharged from military service |
| 1864 | Joined the Republican Party |
| 1867-1869 | Attorney general of Illinois |
| 1869 | Resumed law practice in Peoria, Ill. Began to acquire a reputation as an orator and agnostic |
| 1876 | Attained national fame as orator in a nominating speech for James Gillespie Blaine at the Republican national convention |
| 1877 | Moved law practice to Washington, D.C. |
| 1882-1883 | Defense attorney, Star Route trial |
| 1885 | Moved law practice to New York, N.Y. |
| 1899, July 21 | Died, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. |