George Frisbie Hoar.
A commanding figure among the Republican forces in the United States senate, not alone from his personality and ability, but also because of his attitude on trust legislation and on the Philippine question, is George Frisbie Hoar, Massachusetts. Mr. Hoar was born in Concord, Massachusetts, August 29, 1826. A graduate of Harvard in 1846, aged twenty, and later of Harvard law school, he has retained his interest in higher education, and in scholarly matters. He has been an overseer of Harvard college from 1874 to 1880, at various times regent of the Smithsonian Institute, a trustee of the Leicester academy and the Peabody Museum of Archæology, and officer of various national and state societies. He settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, after graduating and practiced law. He has been married twice, his first wife being Mary Louisa Spurr and his second Ruth A. Miller. His service in the senate, since 1877, is exceeded by but few fellow-members, and he represents that body’s best traditions. He was elected because, as legislator from 1852 to 1856, as state senator in 1856, and as member of congress from 1869 until he was sent to the senate, he had shown marked ability, an unfailing watchfulness for public welfare and an unswerving honesty as rare as it is desirable. Senator Hoar is a striking example of how irreproachable integrity can take active and prominent part in party politics. He has kept his influence in his party and in general legislation in spite of sometimes opposing leaders of his own party, when his conscience and judgment bade him do so.