HON. DAVID ATVVOOD.
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��sisters. Returning to Hamilton, lor three years he was engaged in the sale of law books i)ublishetl by his former employers. During this period he traveled extensively in the states of New York. Pennsyhania, Maryland, N'irginia, Ohio, Indiana. Michigan, Illi- nois, Missouri, Kentucky, and the Dis- trict of Columbia. During these years he gained much knowledge of pioneer life, and often was amazed at the wide contrast between the luxury and ease found in the older slates, and the self- denial and struggle found in the new. When Mr. Atwood first saw Chicago he found it in a swamp, with a main, muddy street almost impassable, and the business of the town gathered about a forlorn wooden hotel. De- clining tempting offers to engage in business elsewhere, he returned in 1839 to Hamilton, and undertook, in com- pany with his brother, the publication of the Haiiiilioii Palladium, a weeklv newspaper. This paper was political in its character, and devoted to the old Whig party. It was continued through two Presidential campaigns ; that of Harrison and Van Buren in 1840, and of Clay and Polk in 1844. .^tthe close of the latter, on account of failing health. Mr. Atwood withdrew his interest from the paper, thinking that out-door employment might be beneficial. In company with a friend he purchased a tract of land in Ste- phenson county in Illinois, and stocked it with sheep. His farming enterprise for two years was not a pecuniary suc- cess, but it brought a return of his for- mer vifjorous health. Having disposed ofhis farm he commenceri life anew, and in the business t(^ which he had given many years, and for which he was best prepared. Mr. .Atwood at once [)roceeded to Madison, Wiscon- sin, and within an hour after his arrival he was jjlaced in editorial charge of the Mailisoii Express, then published by W. W. Wyman. During the first year ofhis residence at Madison, he purchased Tlie Express, changed the name to the State Journal, and within {\\'Q years he bought out The Daily
��State Journal, with which he is still connected. Soon after Mr. Atwood located in Madison the constitutional convention of 1847-8 convened in that place ; he took his seat in it as a re- porter, and during every moment that body was in session, he was present, and furnished a report of its proceed- ings. He has continued to act as a reporter of legislative bodies ever since he commenced. P^itherby election or appointment Mr. .Atwood has held many offices, both civil and military, — justice of the peace, village trustee, chief clerk of the assembly, member of the assembly, assessor of internal revenue four years, mayor of Madison two years, and member of the forty- first congress. He was commissioned by Pres. Grant as centennial commis- sioner from Wisconsin. He has also held many local positions in different associations, such as the City School Board, S'ate .Vgricultural Society, Stale Historical Society, the Madison Mutual Insurance Company, the Madison Gas Light and Coke Company, Hospital for the Insane, and several railroad companies.
In early life, while in New York, he was commissioned as adjutant on the staff of Col. James W. Nye, in 1841. The next year he became major of the regiment, and the next, colonel. In Wisconsin, he was quarter-master gen- eral, and afterward major-general.
In politics, Mr. Atwood was a Whig, and labored actively to promote the interests of that ])arty, until it died in its attempt to unite liberty and slavery. He was on the committee that reported the first Republican platform, and has ever since been a most zealous sup- porter of the ])rinriples advocated by that party.
In the review of such a life as that above noticed, there is much to excite interest and awaken inquiry. In an age and a country like ours, where every attainment is possible, and yet, where there are so many life failures, it is pertinent to inquire what are the conditions of such pre-eminent suc- cess. It is evident that with Mr. .At-
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