The Stevensons vacationed at lake resorts in Wisconsin during summers . There , Stevenson befriended William Freeman Vilas , a growing voice among Midwest Democrats and a friend of Grover Cleveland . Stevenson was a delegate to the 1884 Democratic National Convention , and after briefly supporting a local candidate , he threw his support behind Cleveland . Vilas and Stevenson personally informed Cleveland of the nomination . When Cleveland was elected that November , Vilas was named postmaster general . Although a different supporter was initially named assistant postmaster general , Stevenson received the position after the first choice fell ill
1884 Democratic National Convention
1884 Democratic National Convention
Adlai Stevenson I