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Russell Alexander Alger

Russell A. Alger
Russell Alexander Alger by The Detroit Publishing Co. - retouched from older copy.jpg
United States Senator
from Michigan
In office
September 27, 1902 – January 24, 1907
Preceded by James McMillan
Succeeded by William A. Smith
40th United States Secretary of War
In office
March 5, 1897 – August 1, 1899
President William McKinley
Preceded by Daniel S. Lamont
Succeeded by Elihu Root
20th Governor of Michigan
In office
January 1, 1885 – January 1, 1887
Lieutenant Archibald Buttars
Preceded by Josiah Begole
Succeeded by Cyrus G. Luce
Personal details
Born Russell Alexander Alger
(1836-02-27)February 27, 1836
Medina County, Ohio
Died January 24, 1907(1907-01-24) (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 Union Army colonel rank insignia.png Colonel
Union Army major general rank insignia.svg Brevet Major General
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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