History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 9

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, National Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 666

USA > Iowa > Monona County > History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 9

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THE NEW YORK MIBLIC LIBIA.MY

ASTOR, LENOX A .D TILDEN FOUNDAT O S.

Grover Cleveland

TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT.

IO3

S. Grover Cleveland.

TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- LAND, the twenty-second Pres- ident of the United States, was born in 1837, in the obscure town of Caldwell, Essex Co., N. J., and in a little two-and-a- half-story white house which is still standing, characteristically to mark the humble birth-place of one of America's great men in striking con- trast with the Old World, where all men high in office must be high in origin and born in the cradle of STATY wealth. When the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his father, who was a Presbyterian min- ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most straggling of country villages, about five miles from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born.

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- menced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned way," and presumably distinguished himself after the manner of all village boys, in doing the things he ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the capacity of the village school and expressed a most

emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this his father decidedly objected. Academies in those days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to become self-supporting by the quickest possible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed to be a position in a country store, where his father and the large family on his hands had considerable influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to receive $roo the second year. Here the lad com- menced his career as salesman, and in two years he had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness that his employers desired to retain him for an in. definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy.

But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- ville, he went with the family in their removal to Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a high school. Here he industriously pursued his studies until the family removed with him to a point on Black River known as the "Holland Patent," a village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a small salary, the position of "under-teacher " in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two years, and although he obtained a good reputation in this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his

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S. GROVER CLEVELAND.

calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some charm in that name for him; but before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to ask the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, my boy? " he asked. law," was the reply.

" Well, sir, I want to study " Good gracious!" remarked the old gentleman; "do you, indeed ? What ever put that into your head? How much money have you got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got any."

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a year, while he could " look around." One day soon afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he wanted. A number of young men were already en- gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his board and washing. The walk to and from his uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although the first winter was a memorably severe one, his shoes were out of repair and his overcoat-he had none-yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. On the first day of his service here, his senior em- ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's where they all begin." A titter ran around the little circle of clerks and students, as they thought that was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for chasing principles through all their metaphysical possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do it," was practically his motto.

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 'which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two criminals. In ISSI he was elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms

in the administration of the municipal affairs of that city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his performance of duty has generally been considered fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- reted out and magnified during the last Presidential campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- tous street-cleaning contract : "This is a time for plain speech, and my objection to your action shall be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of a mos' bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme to betray the interests of the people and to worse than squander the people's money." The New York Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and his administration- of the affairs of State was generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if any, were made very public throughout the nation after he was nominated for President of the United States. For this high office he was nominated July II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc .; and he was elected by the people, by a majority of about a thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- land resigned his office as Governor of New York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as the Chief Executive of the United States, in which capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of Arkansas.

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- tween those who were in favor of the continuance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his inauguration.

ay . Bem. Jannicou

107

TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT.

Benjamin Harrison.

ENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third President, is the descendant of one of the historical families of this country. The head of the family was a Major General Harrison, one of Oliver Cromwell's trusted follow- ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- well's power it became the duty of this Harrison to participate in the trial of Charles I, and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king. He subse- quently paid for this with his life, being hung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendants came to America, and the next of the family that appears in history is Benja- ": in Harrison, of Virginia, great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch, and after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison was a member of the Continental Congress during the years 1774-5-6, and was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was three times elected Governor of Virginia.

Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the

distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, and with .a clean record as Governor of the North- western Territory, was elected President of the United States in 1840. His career was cut short by death within one month after his inauguration.

President Harrison was born at North Bend, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833. Ilis life upto the time of his graduation by the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- try lad of a family of small means. His father was able to give him a good education, and nothing more. He became engaged while at college to the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin cinnati and then read law for two years. At the expiration of that time young Harrison received to. only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left fin a lot valued at 8800. He regarded this legacy as : fortune, and decided to get married at once, tak . this money and go to some Eastern town an . De- gin the practice of law. Ile sold his lot, and with the money in his pocket, he started out with his young wife to fight for a place in the world. Ke

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BEMMAMIN HARRISON.

decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at that time a town of promise. Ile met with slight encouragement at first, making scarcely anything the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- self closely to his calling, built up an extensive practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- fession. Ile is the father of two children.

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- gan his experience as a stump speake. Ile can- vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. ITis regiment was composed of the rawest of material, out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first mastering military tacties and drilling his men, when he therefore came to move toward the East with Sherman his regiment was one of the best Grilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery at Peachtree Creck he was made a Brigadier Gen- oral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms.

During the absence of Gen. Ilarrison in the field he Supreme Court declared the office of the Su- preme Court Reporter vaeant, and another person was elected to the position. From the time of leav- ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864 he had taken no leave of absence, but having been nominated that year for the same office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected for another term. He then started to rejoin Sher- man, but on the way was stricken down with searlet Lever, and after a most trying siege made his way to the front in time to participate in the closing incidents of the war.

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined : re-election as reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876 Le was a candidate for Governor. Although de- eated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him a National reputation, and he was mueh sought, es- peeialy in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, as usual, he took an active part in the campaign, and was elected to the United States Senate. Here he served six years, and was known as one of the ablest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in

that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial term he returned to the practice of his profession, becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in the State.

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the most memorable in the history of our country. The convention which assembled in Chicago in June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer of the Republican party, was great in every partic- ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- ment became popular, and from all sections of the country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed thither to pay their respeets to the distinguished statesman. The popularity of these was greatly increased on account of the remarkable speeches made by Mr. Ilarrison. He spoke daily all through the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were his speeches that they at once placed him in the foremost rank of American orators and statesmen.

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- commonly early age to take part in the discussion of the great questions that then began to, agitate the country. Ile was an uncompromising anti slavery man, and was matched against some of the most eminent Democratie speakers of his State. No man who felt the touch of his blade desired to be pitted with him again. With all his eloquence as an orator he never spoke for oratoricai effect. but his words always went like bullets to the mark Ile is purely American in his ideas and is a spler did type of the American statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue. he is one of the most distinguished impromptu speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse statements have already become aphorisms. Origi- mal in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as the sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day

OVERDORS.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ABTOR, LEN \ A. D TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

111

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

Ansel Briggs.

A NSEL BRIGGS, the first gentleman chosen to fill the gubernatorial chair of Iowa after its organization as a State, was a native of Ver- mont, and was born Feh. 3, 1806. His parents, who likewise were New Englanders, were Ben- jamin and Electa Briggs. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native State, and in at- tendance upon the common schools he received a fair education which was subsequently improved by a term at Norwich Academy. When a young man he removed with his parents to Cambridge. Guernsey Co., Ohio, where young Briggs engaged in the work of establishing stage lines. Ile also here embarked in political affairs and as a Whig run for the office of County Auditor but was defeated by John Ferguson, a Jackson Democrat.

After remaining in Ohio for six years, the glow- ing accounts of the fair fields and the fertile prairies of the Territory of Iowa, led him westward across the Father of Waters. He had previously united his fortunes in life with Nancy M. Dunlap, daugh- ter of Major Dunlap, an officer in the War of 1812. Even prior to this marriage he had chosen a wife, " lady who was born on the same day and year as himself, but of whom he was soon bereft. Ile brought with him to Iowa his little family and lo- cated at Andrew in Jackson County. Seeing the

opportunity here for resuming his former business, he began opening up stage lines, frequently driving the old stage coach himself. He made several con- tracts with the Postoffice Department for carrying the United States mails weekly between Dubuque and Davenport, Dubuque and Iowa City and other routes, thus opening up and carrying on a very im portant enterprise. Politically, Gov. Briggs was a Democrat, and on coming to lowa identified him- self with that party. In 1842 he was chosen a member of the Territorial House of Representatives from Jackson County, and subsequently was elected Sheriff of the same county. He had taken a lead- ing part in public affairs, and upon the formation of the State Government in 1846, he became a prom- inent candidate for Governor, and though his com- petitors in his own party were distinguished and well-known citizens, Mr. Briggs received the nom- ination. The convention was held in Iowa City, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 1846, and assembled to nominate State officers and two Congressmen. It was called to order by F. D. Mills, of Des Moines County. William Thompson, of Henry County, presided, and .I. T. Fales, of Dubuque, was Secre- tary. The vote for Governor in the convention stood : Briggs, sixty-two; Jesse Williams, thirty- two, and William Thompson, thirty-one. The two latter withdrew, and Briggs was then chosen by ac- clamation. Elisha Cutler, Jr., of Van Buren Coun- ty, was nominated for Secretary of State; Joseph T. Fales, of Linn, for Auditor, and Morgan Reno. of Johnson, for Treasurer. S. C. Hastings and Sheperd Leffer were nominated for Congress. The

112

ANSEL BRIGGS.

election was held Oct. 28, 1846, the entire Demo- cratic ticket being successful. Briggs received 7,626 votes and his competitor, Thomas MeKnight. the Whig candidate, 7,379, giving Briggs a major- ity of 247.

The principal question between the two leading parties, the Democratic and the Whig. at this period, was that of the banking system. It is related that short time prior to the meeting of the conven- tion which nominated Mr. Briggs, that in offering toast at a banquet, he struck the key-note which made him the popular man of the hour. He said, "No banks but earth. and they well tilled." This was at once caught up by his party and it did more to secure him the nomination than anything else. Ilis administration was one void of any special in- terest. lle labored in harmonious accord with his party, yet frequently exhibited an independence of principle, characteristic of his nature. The Mis- souri boundary question which caused a great deal of excited controversy at this period, and even a determination to resort to arms, was handled by him with great ability.

On his election as Executive of the State, Gov. Briggs sold out his mail contract, but after the ex- piration of his term of service he continued his residence in Jackson County. In 1870 he removed to Council Bluffs. He had visited the western part of the State before the day of railroads in that section, making the trip by carriage. On the occa- sion he enrolled himself as one of the founders of the town of Florence on the Nebraska side of the river and six miles above Council Bluffs, and which for a time was a vigorous rival of Omaha. Dur- ing the mining excitement, in 1600, he made a trip to Colorado, and three years later, in company with his son John and a large party, went to Montana, where he remained until the year

1865, when he returned to his home in Iowa.

As above stated, Gov. Briggs was twice married, his first wife being his companion for : brief time only. llis second wife bore him eight children, all of whom died in infancy save two, and of these lat- ter. Ansel, Jr., died May 15, 1867, aged twenty- five years. John S. Briggs, the only survivor of the family, is editor of the Idaho Herald, published at Blackfoot, Idaho Territory. Mrs. Briggs died Dec. 30, 1847, while her husband was Governor of the State. She was a devoted Christian lady, a strict member of the Presbyterian Church, and a

woman of strong domestic tastes. She was highly lucated, and endowed by nature with that womanly tact and grace which enabled her to adorn the high position her husband had attained. She dispensed a bounteous hospitality, though her home was in a log house, and was highly esteemed and admired by all who met her.

Gov. Briggs went in and out among his people for many years after his retirement from the exeeu- tive office, and even after his return from the Mon tana expedition. He was admired for his able services rendered so unselfishly during the pioneer period of the now great and populous State. Ilis last illness, ulceration of the stomach, was of brief duration, lasting only five weeks, indeed only three days before his death he was able to be out. His demise occurred at the residence of his son, John S. Briggs, in Omaha, Neb., at half-past three of the morning of May 5, 1881. His death was greatly mourned all over the State. Upon the following day, Gov. Gear issued a proclamation reciting his services to the State, ordering half-hour guns to be fired and the national flag on the State capitol to be put at half-mast during the day upon which the funeral was held, which was the following Sun- day succeeding his death.

1. A emporte.o

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

115

tephen

Hempstead.

TEPHEN HEMPSTEAD, sec. ond Governor of Iowa, is a native of Connecticut, where, at New London, he was born Oet. 1, 1812. Ile resided in that State with his parents until 1828, when the family came West, locating upon a farm near Saint Louis. This was the home of young Stephen until 1830, when he went to Galena, Ill., where he served in the capacity of a clerk in a commission house for a time. He was there during the exciting period of the Black Hawk troubles, and was an officer in an artillery company which had been organized for the protec- tion of Galena. After the defeat of Black Hawk and the consequent termination of Indian troubles, he entered the Illinois College at .Jacksonville, where he remained for about two years. On ac- conr.ª of difficulties which he got into about sectarianism and abolitionism, he left the college and rerisned to Missouri. He shortly afterward entered the office of Charles S. Hempstead, a prom- inent lawyer of Galena, and began the study of the profession in which he afterward became quite pro-

fieient. In 1836 he was admitted to practice in all the courts of the Territory of Wisconsin, which at the time embraced the Territory of Iowa, and the same year located at Dubuque, being the first law- yer who began the practice of his profession at that place.

As might be expected in a territory but thinly populated, but one which was rapidly settling up, the services of an able attorney would be in de- mand in order to draft the laws. Upon the organ- ization of the Territorial Government of Iowa in 1838, he was, with Gen. Warner Lewis, elected to represent the northern portion of the Territory in the Legislative Council, which assembled in Bur- lington that year. He was Chairman of the Com- mittee .Judiciary, and at the second session of that body was elected its President. Ile was again elected a member of the Council, in 1845, over which he also presided. In 1844 he was elected one of the delegates of Dubuque County, for the first convention to frame a constitution for the State. In 1848, in company with Judge Charles Mason and W. G. Woodward, he was appointed by the Legislature Commissioner to revise the laws of the State, which revision, with a few amend- ments, was adopted as the code of Iowa in 1851.

In 1850 Mr. Hempstead was elected Governor of

11G

STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD.

the State, and served with ability for four years, that being the full term under the Constitution at the time. He received 13,486 votes against 11,- 103 cast for his opponent, James L. Thompson. After the vote had been canvassed a committee was appointed to inform the Governor-elect that the two Houses of the Legislature were ready to re- ceive him in joint convention, in order that he might receive the oath prescribed by the Constitu- tion. Gov. Hempstead, accompanied by the retir- ing Executive, Gov. Briggs, the Judges of the Su- Freme Court and the officers of State, entered the hall of the House where the Governor-elect deliv- ered his inaugural message, after which the oath was administered by the Chief Justice of the Su- preme Conrt. This was an important period in the history of the State, being at a time when the pub- lie affairs were assuming definite shape, and indeed it was what might be termed the formative period. The session of the Legislature passed many import- ant acts which were approved by the Governor, and during his term there were fifty-two new counties formed. Gov. Hempstead in his message to the Fourth General Assembly in December, 1852, stated that among other things, the population of the State according to the Federal census was 192,- 214, and that the State census showed an increase for one year of 37,786. He also stated that the re- sources of the State for the coming two years would be sufficient to cancel all that part of funded debt which was payable at its option.

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History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 9

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, National Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 666

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, National Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 666