Our Ambassador

Our Ambassador

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Five pages.  Only the front of each page was used

Paper: lined paper 7-3/4” wide by 10-3/8” wide

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“Our Ambassador to Germany”

 

 

Edwin F. Uhl was born Aug 14, 1841 in the township of Rush near Avon Springs, in the state of N.Y. being the son of Daniel M. and Catherine DeGarmo Uhl, both of whom were born and raised in N.Y. state.

 

In the spring of 1844 his parents moved to Michigan and settled near Ypsilanti.  It was here that Mr. Uhl was reared, attending the district school and working on the farm during vacations.  He was an ardent student in the Union school and prepared for college in the city of Ypsilanti under Prof. Jos. Estabrook, ex-superintendent of public instruction.  He entered the University of Michigan in the fall of 1858 and graduated in 1860 at the age of twenty.  He read law for two years in the office of Norris and Heinde after which L. D. Norris and Mr. Uhl formed a partnership under the name of Noris and Uhl which continued up to the time that Mr. Norris left Ypsilanti for Grand Rapids.  He then went into partnership with Mr. Crane under the firm name of Uhl and Crane.  The firm continuing until 1876 when Mr. Uhl removed to Grand Rapids and re-entered into partnership with Mr. Norris.  This partnership was dissolved Jan 1, 1887.  In 1888, Mr Crane moved to Grand Rapids and the firm of Uhl and Crane was again continued until the time of Mr. Uhil’s departure for Washington.

 

This firm’s practice was as large and lucrative as any in the state.  Mr. Uhl was elected president of the Grand Rapids National Bank in 1881 and held the office until his removal from the city.  He was interested in a large number of manufacturing concerns, and was looked upon as a valuable adviser.  He made an excellent president for the Bar Association and was attorney for the Michigan Central R. R. in Western Michigan a number of years, as well as for several other large corporations.  He was one of the organizers of the Peninsula Club and was its first president.  He is a member of the Episcopal Church and has held numerous important positions in the church.  His politics is democratic and although he has taken an active interest in the success of his party he is not a politician but an honest man and true American citizen.

 

After many urgent appeals on behalf of the people, he was nominated for the office of Mayor of Grand Rapids and was elected by 2166 plurality.  Twice after this he led his party to victory and upon numerous occasions during Cleveland’s first administration, Mr Uhl was tendered the office of prominence which he declined.  Upon the beginning of Mr. Cleveland’s second administration he was appointed assistant secretary of state, where he served until his present appointment.

 

The appointment of Mr. Uhl as ambassador to the German court has been greeted by the people and the senate as one of the very best Mr. Cleveland has made during his entire term.

 

The prompt manner in which he was confirmed by the senate is a compliment to Mr. Uhl such as has been vouchsafed to few men in public life.  It is customary for the senate to compliment ex-members of its own body in that manner, but is seldom so gracious to others.  It is especially honorable and gratifying to Mr. Uhl that his frank and hearty acknowledgement comes to him after so short a public career.  He will succeed the late Chancellor Runyon at the German court as ambassador extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the U. S. and is expected not only to be the agent of his government but to represent the power and dignity of his country.  The sum paid to the ministers to the German Empire is $17.500.

 

In his home life he is a model.  He was married May 1, 1865 to Miss Alice Follet, daughter of honorable Benjamin Follet, one of Michigan’s leading men.  He has four children, all of whom are living.  He, with his family, will sail for Germany March 14 and where he is known there is a confident faith that he will prove one of the best and most competent ambassadors that has ever graced the German court.  The place vacated by Mr. Uhl will be filled by William Rockhill of Maryland.

 

 

The following is a newspaper clipping that was pinned to the above.

The family will sail next Tuesday on the North German Lloyd’s steamer Saale for Hamburg, en route to the American embassy in Berlin.

 

 

 

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