Who was Adlai Ewing Stevenson?
Patriarch of the politically distinguished Stevenson family of Illinois, Adlai Ewing Stevenson was a U.S. representative and the 23rd vice president. Born in Christian County, Kentucky on October 23, 1835, Stevenson relocated with his family to Bloomington, Illinois. He later studied law, opening his own office in 1859. For 10 years he practiced in the region, simultaneously serving as master of the circuit court and as district attorney. His effectiveness led to a nomination by the Democratic Party for presidential elector in 1864. In 1874 Stevenson was elected to Congress by the Democrats of his staunchly Republican district. Not immediately reelected, he returned to Congress from 1879 to 1881. Stevenson was later appointed by President Grover Cleveland as first assistant postmaster general. In 1892 Stevenson was elected Cleveland’s second-term vice president. In that capacity, he presided over the Senate, where his general affability made him universally popular. He ran for vice pre
