and for whom he had formed a strong friendship. Mr. Cullom's first public office was that of city attorney of Springfield. In 1856 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature. In this body he served, in all, for eight years. He was speaker in 1861 and 1873.
He was married May 5, 1863, to Julia Fisher. Of their four children none are now living.
In 1865 he became a member of the United States house of representatives, and was twice reelected. From 1876 to 1883 he was governor of the state of Illinois. In the year last named he was elected United States senator, in which capacity he has served continuously since that date. His present term will expire in 1907. He has served as chairman of various important committees in the house and senate, notably as chairman of the committee on Territories of the House; chairman of the committee on Interstate Commerce, and at present chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. He made vigorous efforts both in the house and senate to secure effective legislation against the practise of polygamy in the territory of Utah; he was prominent in securing the passage of the interstate commerce act, and he was chairman of the commission appointed in 1898 to prepare a form of government for Hawaii.
From the beginning of his political career Mr. Cullom has been a Republican. At the national convention of that party in 1872 he nominated General Grant for the presidency, and in 1884 he nominated General Logan for the same office. He has been chairman of the Illinois delegation to the Republican national convention on four separate occasions.
Mr. Cullom received the degree of LL.D. from the University of Illinois. In reply to an inquiry regarding the prominent fraternities, societies, or clubs of which he is a member he says : "I belong to my wife and the Republican party." He adds that he is a member of the Union League, and the Hamilton clubs of Chicago, and of the Sangamon club of Springfield. He is fond of horses and "enjoys a good horse race"; but he has never given especial attention to athletics or to physical culture.
In early life Mr. Cullom was not able to give as much time to reading and study as many boys of his age had at their command. But he improved his opportunities for attending school and twice a year, for a week each time, he attended the sessions of the circuit
