Russell Alexander Alger
| Russell A. Alger | |
|---|---|
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United States Senator from Michigan |
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In office September 27, 1902 – January 24, 1907 |
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| Preceded by | James McMillan |
| Succeeded by | William A. Smith |
| 40th United States Secretary of War | |
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In office March 5, 1897 – August 1, 1899 |
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| President | William McKinley |
| Preceded by | Daniel S. Lamont |
| Succeeded by | Elihu Root |
| 20th Governor of Michigan | |
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In office January 1, 1885 – January 1, 1887 |
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| Lieutenant | Archibald Buttars |
| Preceded by | Josiah Begole |
| Succeeded by | Cyrus G. Luce |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Russell Alexander Alger February 27, 1836 Medina County, Ohio |
| Died | January 24, 1907 (aged 70) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Annette Huldana Squire Henry |
| Children | Fay Caroline Frances Russell Fred Allan |
| Profession | General, Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |
 Colonel Brevet Major General
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| Commands | 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Russell Alexander Alger (February 27, 1836 – January 24, 1907) was the 20th Governor and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan and also U.S. Secretary of War during the Presidential administration of William McKinley. He was supposedly a distant relation of Horatio Alger; although Russell Alger lived his own "rags-to-riches" success tale, eventually becoming an army officer, financier, lumber baron, railroad owner, and government official in several high offices.
Russell Alexander Alger was born on February 27, 1836, in Lafayette Township in Medina County, Ohio. His parents were Russell and Caroline (Moulton) Alger. He was orphaned at age 13 and worked on a farm to support himself and two younger siblings. He attended Richfield Academy in Summit County, Ohio, and taught country school for two winters. He studied law in Akron, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in March 1859. He first began to practice law in Cleveland and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1860, where he engaged in the lumber business.
On April 2, 1861, he married Annette Huldana Squire Henry of Grand Rapids. They had six children; Henrietta Fay Huldana (Alger) Bailey, Caroline Annette (Alger) Shelden, Frances Aura (Alger) Pike, Russell Alexander Alger, Jr., Frederick Charles Moulton Alger and Allan Alger. Frederick graduated from Harvard in 1899, served as a lieutenant colonel with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France during the First World War and was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
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