RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER, United States senator from Michigan, is a capitalist and a manufacturer.
His early life was that of a pioneer, his father entering upon and clearing a small farm, and living in a log cabin, in Medina county, Ohio, where young Alger was born. His parents died when he was eleven years old and he was thrown upon his own resources to support himself and a younger brother and sister as best he could. He worked for seven years on a farm as a common laborer, commencing at three dollars a month, and ending at fifteen dollars a month, attending school winters, during the last two of which he taught.
In May, 1857, he entered the law office of Wolcott & Upson at Akron, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, and was in the firm of Otis, Coffinbury & Wyman at Cleveland, Ohio, for one year. Abandoning the practice of law, and borrowing a small sum of money from a friend, he migrated to Michigan and entered upon the lumber business. The depression in business of 1860 swept away his capital and left him in debt, which he subsequently paid.
September 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the 2d Michigan cavalry, but was elected captain when the regiment was organized. He took part in sixty-six battles and skirmishes during the war. At Boonesville, Mississippi, with ninety men he attacked in the rear three thousand of the enemy under General Chalmers, and routed them. For this action he was promoted major. "This charge," he says, "was the best thing I ever did in the service." He was wounded and taken prisoner, but escaped the same day.
In October, 1862, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 6th Michigan cavalry, and early in 1863 was made colonel of the 5th Michigan cavalry. With his command, he was the first of the Federal troops to march into Gettysburg two days before the battle. His regiment formed part of General Custer's command, known as the Michigan cavalry brigade. Army of the Potomac. General Custer's official report makes special mention of Colonel Alger's bravery. He was severely wounded at Boonesboro, Mary-
