INGERSOLL, ROBERT G., b. Dresden, N. Y., 1833; the youngest of five children of a Congregational minister. The family removed west in 1845, and settled in Illinois, and there Robert studied law; was admitted to the bar, and entered into poli tics as a democrat. In 1857 he removed to Peoria, where he soon became recognized as an able lawyer, chiefly employed in railroad litigation. In 1860 he was nominated for congress, but was defeated. 111 1862 he entered the war as col. of the 11th Illi nois cavalry, and was taken prisoner, but exchanged. He returned to citizenship a republican iu politics, and was appointed by gov. of in 1863. In 1876, at the republican presidential conventIlm at Cincinnati, he electrified the audience, and, through them and by means of the press and the telegraph, impressed the entire country with his fervid and vigorous speech in favor of James G. Blaine. From this time col. Ingersoll was recognized as one of the foremost natural orators of the country. He soon after entered the lecture field, where the matter as well as the manner of his discourse excited public attention. He developed the views of a
pronounced opponent to Christianity as a system; and, adopting religious topics as his subjects, attacked the inspired character of the Bible, the personal nature of the Deity, the existence of a hell, with all the force of which he was capable, and with the advantage of rhetorical powers scarcely equaled. There have been few instances of the exercise of freedom of speech iu religious matters which could be compared to that of col. Ingersoll. Yet, despite his recognized ability as a dialectician, and his surprising and persuasive gifts of oratory, there has been no evidence that his influence as a contro vertist or a skeptic has extended beyond the immediate period of his address. Col. Ingersoll married Miss Eva Parker in 1863, and has two daughters. He has been presi dent of several railroad companies; but, since devoting himself to public lecturing, has resided in Washington.