Alger, Russell Alexander definition of Alger, Russell Alexander in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Alger, Russell Alexander, 1836–1907, U.S. secretary of war (1897–99), b. near Medina, Ohio. After moving to Michigan he engaged in the lumber business, in which he made a fortune. During the Civil War he rose from the ranks to be a brevet major general. Alger was (1885–86) a popular governor of Michigan and was prominent in Republican national affairs. He was made secretary of war by President McKinley, but the inefficiency of his department, which was highly disorganized when he took charge, and his appointment of William R. Shafter Shafter, William Rufus, 1835–1906, American general, b. Galesburg, Mich. He served in the Union army during the Civil War and in 1867 joined the regular army, rising to become brigadier general (1897).
..... Click the link for more information. as leader of the Cuban expedition were bitterly criticized, and he resigned. He was later (1902–7) U.S. senator from Michigan.

Alger, Russell Alexander (1836–1907) soldier, politician; born in Lafayette Township, Ohio. A lawyer and lumberman, he was an officer with the Michigan cavalry and fought for the Union in various battles including Gettysburg. He was a Republican governor of Michigan (1885–86) and was head of the Grand Army of the Republic (1889). As secretary of war (1897–99) he was blamed for the U.S. unpreparedness during the opening months of the Spanish-American War and was forced to resign.