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- Russell Alexander Alger Sr. -
ALGER, Russell Alexander (Sr)
Governor of Michigan for the term commencing Jan. 1, 1885, was born in Lafayette Township, Median Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 1836. Having lived a temperate life, he is a comparative young man in appearance, and possesses those mental faculties that are the distinguishing characteristics of robust, mature and educated manhood. When 11 years of age both his parents died, leaving him with a younger brothers and sister too support and without any of the substantial means of existence. Lacking the opportunity of better employment, he worked on a farm, in Richfield, Ohio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding seven years, saving money enough too defray his expenses at Richfield Academy during the winter terms. He obtained a very good English education, and was enabled too teach school for several subsequent winters. In 1857 he commenced the study of law in the offices of Wolcott & Upson at Akron, remaining until march 1859, when he was admitted to the bar by the Ohio Supreme court. He then removed too Cleveland, and entered the law office of Otis & Coffinbury, where he remained several months. here he continued his studies with increased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard study and close confinement too office work, however, began too tell on his constitution, and failing health warned him that he must seek other occupation. He their fore reluctantly abandoned the law and removed too Grand Rapids, Mich., too engage in the lumber business.
When Michigan was called upon too furnish troops for the war, Mr. Alger enlisted in the Second Mich. Cav. and was mustered into the service of the United States as Captain of Co. C. His record as a cavalry officer was brilliant and honorable too himself and his company. He participated in some of the fiercest contests of the rebellion and was twice wounded. His first injury was received in the battle of Booneville, Miss., July 2, 1862. His conduct in this engagement was so distinguished that he was promoted too the rank of Major. On the same occasion his colonel, the gallant Phil. Sheridan, was advanced too the rank of Brigadier-General. A few months later, on the 16th of October, major Alger became Lieutenant-Colonel of the sixth Mich. Cav., and was ordered with his regiment too the Army of the Potomac. After marked service in the early campaign of 1863, he was again advanced, and on June 2, received his commission as Colonel of the Fifth Mich. Cav. His regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michigan cavalry brigade. On the 6th of July occurred the battle of Boonesboro, Md. In this conflict he was again wounded. His health received a more than temporary impairment, and in October, 1864, he was obliged too retire from the service. His career as a soldier included many of the most celebrated contest of the war. He was an active character in all the battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Maryland by Gen. Lee in 1863, up too the date of his retirement, with the exception of those engagements which occurred while he was absent from duty on account of wounds. In all he took part in 66 battles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted Brigadier General and Major General, for "gallant and meritorious services in the field."
Aside from regular duty, Gen. Alger was on private service during the winter of 1863-4, receiving orders personally from president Lincoln and visiting nearly all the armies in the field. Gen. Alger came too Detroit in 1865, and since that time has been extensively engaged in the pine timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He was a member of the well-known firm of Moore & Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is now the president of the corporation of Alger, Smith & Co., which succeeded R. A. Alger & Co. He is also President of the Manistique Lumbering Company and president of the Detroit Bay City & Alpena Railroad Company, besides being a stockholder and director of the Detroit National Bank, the Peninsular Car Company and several other large corporations. While always an active and influential Republican, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a salaried office. He was a delegate from the First District to the Republican National convention, but aside from this his connection with politics has nor extended beyond the duties of every good citizen too his party and his country.
Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an active, handsome gentleman, six feet tall, living the life of a busy man of affairs. His military bearing, at once, indicates his army life, and although slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect carriage give the casual observer the impression tht his weight is fully 180 pounds. He is a firm, yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with a fine forehead, rather a prominent nose, an iron, gray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head of black hair sprinkled with gray. He is usually attired in the prevailing style of business suits. His favorite dress has been a high buttoned cutaway frock coat, with predominating cut of best and trousers, made of firm gray suiting. A high collar, small cravat, easy shoes and white plug hat complete his personal apparel. He is very particular as too his appearance, and always wears neat clothes of the best goods; but shuns any display of jewelry or extravagant embellishment. He is one of the most approachable men imaginable No matter how busy he may be, he always leaves his desk too extend a cordial welcome too every visitor, be he of high or low situation. His affable manners delight his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark eyes always animate his hearers. Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his office promptly in the morning and says as long as anything remains that demands his attention. In business matter he is always decided, and is never shaken or disturbed by an reverses. He has the confidence of his associates too a high degree, and all his business relations are tempered with those little kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office life. Although deeply engrossed in various business pursuits, Gen. Alger has yet found time for general culture. He owns a large library and his stock of general information is as complete as it is reliable. His collection of paintings has been selected with rare good taste, and contains some of the finest productions of modern artists. His team of bays
are perhaps the handsomest that grace the roads of Detroit, and usually lead the other outfits when their owner holds the reins.
Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wife was Annette H. Henry, the daughter of W. G. Henry, of Grand Rapids, too whom he was married April 2, 1861. She is a slender woman of fair complexion, bright and attractive, and a charming hostess. She is gifted with many accomplishments and appears quite young. their are six children. Fay, a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tall, and resembles her mother, have competed a course at an Eastern seminary, and during the past year traveled in Europe. The remaining members of the family are Frances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr., aged 11; Fred, aged 9; and Allan, aged 3. All are bright and promising children. Gen. Alger makes his home at his handsome and large new residence on Fort street, at the corner of First street, Detroit.
Transcribed by Christine Walters - 1892 Portraits & Biographical Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties Pg 173 .˙. ór
Photo above found on "Find-A-Grave" contributed by Garver Graver 24 Sep 2002
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Was born in Lafayette, Medina county, Ohio, February 27, 1836, and was the son
of Russell Alger, whose ancestors came from England to Massachusetts about 1760.
His great grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, and took part in many
battles. His mother, Caroline Moulton, was a descendant of Robert Moulton, who
came to Massachusetts is 1627. His parents died when he was but eleven years of age, and he was left to carve out his own career as well as to care for a younger brother and sister.
He found work on a farm in Richfield. Ohio, where he remained seven years,
working by the month the greater part of the year, saving his money and applying
it in aid of his brother and sister, and to pay his own tuition at the Richfield
academy in winter terms, working for his board. He thus obtained a fair English
education, and early began teaching winters, still working on a farm summers. In
March, 1857, he began the study of the law in the office of Wolcott & Upson, at
Akron, and in March, 1859, was admitted by the Supreme Court to the bar. After
a few months in the law business at Cleveland, he abandoned the law and removed
to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in the lumber business.
In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry and in the autumn
was mustered in as Captain. The formal record of his service is: Captain Second
Cavalry, Sept. 2, 1861, Major, April 2, 1863, wounded and taken prisoner at
Boonesville, Mississippi, July 1, 1862, escaped July 1, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel
Sixth Michigan Cavalry, October 16, 1862, Colonel Fifth Cavalry, Feb. 28, 1863,
wounded in action at Boonesboro, Maryland, July 8, 1863, resigned, Sept. 20,
1864, and honorably discharged. Brevet Brigadier General United States
Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious services, to rank from battle of
Trevellion Station, Virginia, June 11, 1864, Brevet Major General United States
Volunteers, June 11, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during the war.
He was a born soldier, took part in sixty- six battles and skirmishes all told,
and gained by faithfulness and bravery the rank which he obtained.
In 1805 he went to Detroit and engaged in dealing in pine lands and the pine
lumber business. The firm, first Moore & Alger, became R. A. Alger & Co., and is
now Alger, Smith & Co. He is president of the Manistique Lumbering Co., and of
the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena Railroad Co., a director of the Detroit National
Bank, the Peninsular Car Co., and several other large corporations. In 1884 he
received the Republican nomination for Governor and was elected over Josiah W.
Begole by a plurality of 3,953 votes — David Preston, Prohibition candidate,
receiving 22,207 votes. His administration compared favorably with those of his
predecessors and was free from narrowness or parsimony.
In 1861 he married Annette H. Heary, daughter of W. H. Henry, of Grand Rapids,
and they have three daughters and three sons. He has a fine home in Detroit and
has the confidence and regard of the people of Michigan. Gov. Alger was
Inspector General from 1867 to 1873, and is now one of the Board of Managers of
the Michigan Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids. He gives large sums in charity.
Contributed by Barbara Z. from Google Books ..
Biography of Annette H. (Henry) Alger wife of Russell Alger
Jul. 29, 1840 - Aug. 24, 1919
Annette was born in New Haven, Vermont on July 29, 1840, at the home of her grandparents. She was the daughter of William Gilmore Henry and Huldana Squire. She moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan with her parents.
Annette Henry met Russell Alger after he had moved to Grand Rapids to set up his lumbering business. They were married on April 2, 1861, shortly before he entered the Army for service in the Civil War.
In 1865, after the Civil War, Russell Alger returned to his lumber business and they relocated to Detroit. The Alger lumbering interests grew to be some of the largest in the state.
Annette was described as a slender woman of fair complexion, intelligent and attractive. The Alger's had nine children. She was gifted with many accomplishments and was a charming hostess. The children were described as bright and promising.
Active in Republican politics Russell Alger became Governor of Michigan in 1885, and his wife the "First Lady". In 1897, Alger was appointed Secretary of War by President McKinley. The Alger's moved to Washington where Annette continued her supporting role. The couple entertained international celebrities and diplomats. Mr. Alger left the McKinley cabinet in 1899 and they returned to their home in Detroit.
In 1902 Michigan Governor Bliss appointed Alger to fill the unexpired term of James McMillan in the U. S. Senate. The Alger's again moved to Washington where they remained until Senator Alger's death in 1907. Mrs. Alger returned to their home at 150 W. Fort in Detroit.
A woman of exquisite taste and manners, Mrs. Alger continued her social obligations and philanthropic activities. In 1911 she moved to Grosse Pointe and resided at the home of her son Russell Jr. She died on August 24, 1919, at the age of 79.
Russell Alexander Alger Jr.
27 February 1873 - 26 January 1930
Lumber manufacturer; born, Detroit, Feb. 27, 1873; son of late Gen. Russell Alexander (Sr) and Annette H. (Henry) Alger;
educated at Michigan Military Academy, Detroit High School and Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.;
married at Detroit, Jan. 23, 1896, Miss Marion Jarves. Was associated with his father in business and is executor of the Alger estate; in business for himself since 1903. President Alger, Smith & Co.; wholesale manufacturers of lumber, Anderson Forge & Machine Co.; vice president Packard Motor Car Co.; treasurer Duluth & Northern Minnesota R. R. Co.; director Security Trust Co., People’s State Bank, Manistique Lumber Co., Alger-Sullivan Co. Republican.
Presbyterian. Member Loyal Legion (by inheritance). Clubs: Detroit, Yondotega, Country, Detroit Yacht, Detroit Boat, Automobile, Detroit Racquet and Curling, St. Clair Fishing and Shooting; Yacht, Automobile of America (New York); Kitchi Gami (Duluth); Mount Royal (Montreal). Recreations: Boating and field sports. Office: 1002 Union Trust Bldg. Residence: 566 Jefferson Av.
Children: Russell Alger 1897
Josephine Alger 1899
Fay Alger 1901
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Frederick Moulton Alger Jr.
27 June 1876 - 31 December 1933
Investor and business manager; born, Detroit, June 27, 1876; son of Hon. Russell A. and Annette H. (Henry) Alger; educated
in Phillips Academy and Harvard University, graduating from the latter A. B., 1899; married at Detroit, May 2, 1901,
Mary Eldridge Swift. Has been engaged in business in Detroit since 1900; director and secretary Alger, Smith & Co., lumber manufacturers, Manistique Lumbering Co.; president Volunteer Iron and Mining Co.; vice president Manistique Railway; director Packard Motor Car Co., Anderson Forge and Machine Co., Michigan Copper and Brass Co., National Bank of Commerce. Served as captain and assistant adjutant general, U. S. Vols., in Santiago Campaign, Spanish-American War, 1898. Republican. Presbyterian. Clubs: Detroit, Yondotega, University (Detroit); Metropolitan, Army and Navy (Washington); University and Harvard (New York). Recreations: Horseback riding, baseball, etc. Office 1004 Union Trust Bldg. Residence: 150 W. Fort St.
Children: Frances Alger 23 Dec 1904
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Commissioned an officer in Company C, Michigan 2nd Cavalry Regiment on 02 Oct 1861.
