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GOVERNORS OF INDIANA
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02533 1163
Gc 977.2 Ov1g Oval, Charles Joseph, 1870- Governors of Indiana, illustrated
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017
https://archive.org/details/governorsofindia00oval 0
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Copyright, 1916 by Oval & Koster
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GOVERNORS
ADIANA
ILLUSTRATED
CHARLES J. OVAL .
OVAL & KOSTER PTBISHERS
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street A PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
INDIANA 418243
T HE earliest known inhabitants of Indiana, were for want of a better name, called the Mound Builders, so-called from their custom of building huge mounds, in which to bury their dead. Whence they came, who they were, or what became of them, no one knows. Fol- lowing the Mound Builders, perhaps long, long afterwards, came the Indians, concerning whose origin, likewise there is much uncertainty. Following the Indians, came the French missionaries and settlers from Canada, a simple, kindly, pleasure-loving people, who lived by hunting and trapping and gave little attention to the pursuit of agriculture. Then came the English speaking Colonists from Kentucky and Virginia, who founded the southern tier of counties along the Ohio river, and began the first serious attempt to tame the wilderness.
The original Indiana Territory included the present States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and a part of Minnesota. The first Capital of the Territory was located at Vincennes, but in 1813 it was removed to Corydon, because Corydon at that time was nearer the center of population. However, the northern part of the Territory settled rapidly, and it was soon necessary to revise the system of government and the boundary division. When the Territory was created by an act of Congress, May 7, 1800, its population was only 5,641, about 2,500 being in Indiana proper. By 1809 the population had so grown, that Illinois and the northern country were made a separate Territory, and Indiana Territory was given almost the same boundaries as now enclose the State. In 1815 the population had increased to 63,897 and the Territorial Legislature petitioned Congress to have Indiana admitted to statehood. This act was passed by Congress on April 19, 1816 and was signed by James Madison, President of the United States. The business of the new State was administered from Corydon, but soon the Repre- sentatives from the northern counties demanded a more central seat of Government, and in 1821 the site of what is now Indianapolis was chosen for the State Capital by five commissioners appointed by the State Legis- lature for that purpose. Congress donated four sections of land, 2,560 acres, for the new Capital, but the removal from Corydon was not made until 1824. The first meeting of the General Assembly was held in Indianapolis in June, 1825. The State's offices were located in the Marion County court house, until the new state house was built, in 1835. It was on the site of the present state house and was considered a very fine building in its day. It was torn down in 1878. The present State Capitol building was completed in 1888. Since Indiana's birth as a State, its history has been one of continued progress. It early gained fame for its agricultural development; later its coal and oil fields added billions to its wealth, and it now has taken a high place as a manufac- turing center. With all its natural and acquired riches, Indiana has not neglected the arts. Its poets, authors, artists and statesmen have attained national renown, and have given to it a reputation second to none as a cultural center.
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WILLIAM H. HARRISON
W ILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the first governor of Indiana Territory, was born in Berkeley, Virginia, February 9, 1773. He was the youngest son of Benjamin Harrison, prominent in revolutionary times. His education was obtained at Hampden-Sidney College, and he had made some progress in the study of medicine, when at the age of 19, his college career was cut short by a call to arms to fight the Indians. He fought under General St. Clair and General Wayne. He was promoted to Captain in 1795 and assigned to the com- mand of Fort Washington, Ohio, (now Cincinnati). In 1798, President Adams appointed him secretary of the Northwestern Territory under Governor St. Clair, and in 1799 he was sent as a delegate to Congress. When Indiana became a Territory, he became its Governor and Superin- tendent of Indian affairs. He continued to hold these offices under Presidents Jefferson and Madison. He was very successful in dealing with the Indians and effected many important treaties. As a soldier he was no less successful. It was during the autumn of 1811 that occurred the battle of Tippecanoe, where a force of regulars and volunteers, led by General Harrison, decisively defeated a large body of Indians. This battle foiled the plans of Tecumseh and the Prophet, his brother, for a general uprising and massacre of the whites. General Harrison's mili- tary career ended in 1814, when he resigned his commission rather than accept an assignment to a post which he disliked. At the close of the war with Great Britain in 1814, he returned to his farm at North Bend, Ohio, near Cincinnati. In 1816 he was elected to Congress from the State of Ohio, and served in this position for three years. Later he served two years as a Senator in the Ohio Legislature, and in 1824 was sent to the United States Senate, but resigned in 1828, when President Adams made him United States Minister to Colombia. In 1835 he was nominated to the Presidency of the United States, but was defeated. In 1839 the National Whig Convention at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, nominated him for President, and then began the Log Cabin and Hard Cider campaign. His political opponents belittled his talents and tried to make the people believe he was ignorant and unfit for the high office of President. They said he was a backwoodsman, lived in a log cabin and treated his guests to hard cider. His supporters quickly took their cue, and boldly adopted a log cabin as their emblem. When the election was held he had 234 electoral votes against 60 for Van Buren. However, his occupancy of the office was very brief, for he died suddenly one month later. He was buried at North Bend, Ohio.
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WILLIAM H.HARRISON TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR 1800-1811
JOHN GIBSON
J OHN GIBSON was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1740. He received a good education and when eighteen years old took part in a British expedition against the French at Fort DuQuesne (now Pittsburgh). The expedition was successful, resulting in the capture of the fort. When peace was declared, Gibson settled there and began business as an Indian trader. At one time he, with other white men, was captured by the savages and condemned to be burned at the stake, but his life was saved by an aged squaw who had lost a son in battle. She took a fancy to the young trader and adopted him into her family. He lived among the Indians for several years, learned their language and became familiar with their manners and customs. However, the life proved distasteful to him; and when a suit- able opportunity presented he made his escape and resumed his former occupation of trading. Upon the breaking out of the American Revolu- tion he was appointed Colonel and raised a regiment. Later he was promoted to General and placed in command of the troops on the Western Frontier. When the war ended he again returned to Pittsburgh and continued to follow his old occupation of trading with the Indians. In 1778, General Gibson was elected a member of the convention that made the first constitution of Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was for several years Judge of the Common Pleas of Allegheny County, at the same time serving as General of the State Militia. When Congress passed an act dividing the Northwestern Territory and creating Indiana terri- tory, President Jefferson appointed General Gibson its Secretary. He at once started for its capital, Vincennes. His thorough knowledge of Indian affairs enabled him to fulfill the duties of his office in an admirable manner. Upon the retirement of Governor Harrison from office, General Gibson became Acting Governor, and served until 1813. General Gibson continued for a while to live at Vincennes. Later he removed to Pennsylvania, and died near Pittsburgh, April 10, 1822, at the age of 82 years. General Gibson was a shrewd and capable man, and he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of those who knew him.
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There is not in existence any known likeness of Governor John Gibson.
JOHN GIBSON TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR 1811-1813
THOMAS POSEY
T HOMAS POSEY was Indiana's third and last territorial Gov- ernor. He was a native of Virginia, and was born July 9, 1750, on a farm on the banks of the Potomac river. With only a common school education, he carved out a career for himself of which many a man might be proud. Life on his father's farm well fitted him for the hard knocks he was to encounter in later life. Prompted by a spirit of adventure and a desire to see more of the world, when nineteen years old, young Posey left home and went to the Western part of the State, then the frontier of civilization. It was in the year 1774, the year of Dunmore's expedition against the Indians, and young Posey eagerly accepted the opportunity to join it. He fought in one of the bloodiest battles ever fought between Indians and white men. Seventy- five Virginians were killed outright and one hundred and forty wounded, while the Indians' loss was far greater. Like General Gibson, Posey was a revolutionary soldier, and raised a company of men to fight for American Independence. He successively became Captain, Major and General, and fought in many of the hardest battles of the war, including Saratoga, Monmouth, Stony Point and Yorktown. He was with General Wayne in a battle near Savannah, Georgia, and in a fierce fight with the Indians, Posey killed several with his own hands. He was with General Green in South Carolina when peace was declared. In 1785 Posey was appointed Colonel of the militia of his county, and the next year was made County Lieutenant, an office of much honor and dignity. During the war between the United States and England, he was made Major-General to organize Kentucky troops. During the war of 1812, he served with distinction in Louisiana. Later he was sent by Louisiana as Senator to the United States Senate. On March 3, 1813, President Madison appointed him Governor of Indiana Territory, to succeed Acting Governor Gibson. He entered upon his duties as Governor at the age of sixty-three years. Soon afterward the Territorial Capital was removed to Corydon. Governor Posey's health became impaired, and finding that the climate did not agree with him, he removed to Jeffersonville. During his official term, the Constitutional Convention which made Indiana a State, was held at Corydon, and by reason of this change in the government, the office of Territorial Governor was abolished. Governor Posey was nominated for Governor of the new State of Indiana but was defeated by Jonathan Jennings. Shortly after- ward he was appointed Indian agent for Illinois Territory, and died at Shawneetown, Illinois, March 19, 1818.
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THOMAS POSEY TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR 1813 1816
JONATHAN JENNINGS
J ONATHAN JENNINGS, the first Governor of the State of Indiana, was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in 1784. His father was a Presbyterian minister, and soon after Jonathan's birth removed to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He received a common school educa- tion and later attended a grammar school at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he gained some proficiency in mathematics and the classics. After completing his education, while still a young man, he removed to Jeffer- sonville, Indiana, where he applied himself assiduously to the study of law, afterward serving as clerk to the Territorial Legislature. He was strongly opposed to the institution of slavery, which was then attracting much attention in Indiana Territory, and in the race for Territorial Delegate to Congress in 1809, he defeated Thomas Randolph, who favored it. Governor Jennings took a prominent part in the proceedings of Congress, and was active in having Indiana admitted to statehood. He was but thirty-two years old when he became its first Governor, defeating Thomas Posey. The latter's advocacy of slavery tended largely to his defeat. Governor Jennings showed high ability in putting into motion the machinery of the new State. His office was a trying one, but he proved himself equal to the task, and it is doubtful whether an abler man could have been selected for the office. Governor Jennings was re-elected to the executive chair in 1819, defeating Christopher Harrison. The following year he was appointed a Commissioner to select a per- manent location for the State's Capital. In 1822 he was elected a Repre- sentative to United States Congress, and resigned his office of Governor to accept this position. The remaining three months of the Governor's term were completed by Ratliff Boone, Lieutenant-Governor. Governor Jennings continued to represent his district in Congress for a period of eight years, being defeated for re-election in 1830 by General John Carr. On leaving Congress, Governor Jennings removed to his farm near Charlestown, Indiana. In 1832, President Jackson appointed him Com- missioner to negotiate a treaty with the Indians for the Indian lands in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. His reputation for truth among the Indians was such that he had much influence with them, and rendered his country invaluable service. Governor Jennings died at his home at Charlestown on July 26, 1834.
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JONATHAN JENNINGS. GOVERNOR OF INDIANA IBI6-1822
RATLIFF BOONE
R ATLIFF BOONE, the second Governor of Indiana, was Lieu- tenant-Governor under Governor Jennings. He succeeded Gov- ernor Jennings when Jennings resigned the office after being elected to a seat in Congress. Writers disagree as to Boone's birth place, some claiming that North Carolina is the State of his birth, while others claim that he was born in Georgia. However, all agree that he was born in 1781. He was a gunsmith by trade, came to Indiana in 1809, and was shortly afterward elected the first treasurer of Warrick County, which office he held for several years. He was elected a member of the first House of Representatives after Indiana became a State, and in 1818 he was elected from Warrick County to the State Senate. Three years later he was elected Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket with Governor Jennings. In 1822 Governor Boone was re-elected Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket with William Hendricks, but resigned the office to become a candidate for Representative to Congress. He was elected to this posi- tion, and served continuously until 1839. After leaving Congress he removed to Missouri, where he died on November 20, 1844, at the age of sixty-three years. Governor Boone was a type of man common in those early days. He came from the same Kentucky Boone ancestry as Daniel Boone, and shared with his illustrious kinsman the reputation for self reliance and fearlessness.
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RATLIFF BOONE GOVERNOR OF INDIANA 1822
WILLIAM HENDRICKS
W ILLIAM HENDRICKS, the third Governor of Indiana, was born in 1783, at Ligonier, Pennsylvania. He was an uncle of Thomas A. Hendricks, who later became Governor of Indiana and Vice-President of the United States. William Hendricks received only a common school education, but being studious and ambi- tious, he read widely and stored his mind with much valuable informa- tion which he later put to excellent use. He came to Madison, Indiana, in 1814, bringing with him a printing press, with which he established "The Eagle," the second newspaper published in Indiana. As an editor he was painstaking and enterprising, and soon gained a wide acquaint- ance. In his spare moments he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He made the first revision of the laws of the State, and printed it on his own press. Declining to receive pay for this task, he was voted a resolution of thanks by the Legislature. During the year 1814, he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature, and was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives. When the Constitutional Con- vention was held in 1816, he was made its Secretary, and when Indiana became a State, he was elected a Representative to the United States Con- gress, and was twice re-elected to this honorable position. In 1822, when thirty-nine years of age, he was unanimously elected Governor of Indiana. His popularity was such that, before his term of office had expired, he was elected a United States Senator, and in 1831 was re-elected to this high office. For more than twenty years, he served the State in three of the highest offices its people could bestow. He retired to private life in 1837, and never afterward held public office. Governor Hendricks had always carefully husbanded his resources and by judicious investments in real estate and its rapid increase in value, he became quite wealthy. Himself having had only a meagre opportunity to gain an education, he was the more able to appreciate its advantages, and was always ready with purse and counsel to promote the cause of education, as well as other public enterprises. Governor Hendricks was of large stature and muscular build. He had auburn hair, blue eyes and a florid complexion. His manners were easy and dignified and his address that of a well bred gentleman. It is to be regretted that there is no likeness of him extant. He died very suddenly May 16, 1850, at his farm near Madison, Indiana.
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There is not in existence any known likeness of Governor William Hendricks.
WILLIAM HENDRICKS GOVERNOR OF INDIANA 1822-1825
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JAMES B. RAY
J AMES BROWN RAY, the fourth Governor of Indiana, was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, February 19, 1794. When quite young, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and studied law in the office of General Gano. He soon afterward removed to Brookville, Indiana, and commenced the practice of law. Brookville, even at that early date, was quite an important town, and was the home of many able and ambi- tious men. The young Kentuckian took an active interest in public affairs and in December 1822, was sent by Franklin County to the State Senate. In 1824, when Ratliff Boone, then Lieutenant-Governor of the State, resigned his office, Ray was elected president pro tem. of the Senate. He presided over the proceedings of the Senate with such ability and fairness that it bestowed upon him a resolution of thanks. While but a young man he had become one of the most popular and influential politicians of the State. In 1825, he was elected Governor of Indiana, his opponent being Isaac Blackford. Upon the completion of his term, he was re-elected, and held the office of Governor until the inauguration of Noah Noble in 1831. During Governor Ray's incumbency of the Governor's chair, he was appointed a Federal Commissioner to negotiate a treaty with the Miami and Pottawattomie Indians, his assistants in the commission being Generals Carr and Tipton. Their work was very successful, but Governor Ray's acceptance of this office, while retaining that of Governor, excited the jealousy of politicians and embroiled him in a controversy which caused much bitterness of feeling on both sides. This feeling was accentuated when, in 1830, the term of the Supreme Judges having expired, he reappointed Judge Blackford and refused to appoint Judges Scott and Holman. It was charged at the time, and very generally believed, that his refusal to re-appoint Judges Scott and Holman was because they had declined to aid him in his Senatorial aspirations. It is difficult to ascertain his motives, but this action of Governor Ray caused him the loss of many friends. Up to that time he was the most popular man in the State, but his popularity rapidly waned. He was a man of marked eccentricities, and the loss of his prestige preyed upon his mind and embittered the closing years of his life. He died in 1848 at the age of fifty-four years, and was buried in Spring Grove cemetery, near Cincinnati.
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JAMES B, RAY GOVERNOR OF INDIANA 1825-1831
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NOAH NOBLE
N OAH NOBLE, the fifth Governor of Indiana, was born in Clark County, Virginia, January 15, 1794, but left there when quite young and went to Kentucky, where he remained until he had reached manhood. He then removed to Brookville, Indiana, where his brother James had previously settled and held public office. Noah Noble took an active part in politics, and in 1820 became Sheriff of Franklin County, to which office he was re-elected in 1822. In August, 1824, he was chosen a Representative to the State Legislature. At that time he was probably the most popular man in Franklin County, so popular indeed that his name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for the Governor's office. However, this honor was not attained by him until several years afterward. In the meantime, in 1826, Lazarus Noble, a young brother of Noah, was appointed by President Adams to the office of Receiver of Public Moneys for the Brookville Land District. Shortly afterward, this office was removed to Indianapolis, and while on his way to that place, Lazarus Noble died. Noah Noble was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the new Receiver at once came to Indianapolis. While filling this office, Noble had many opportunities to meet persons of prominence, and he also made many friends generally. He had that rare faculty of winning friends and holding them. In most cases the same qualities that win supporters often excite the envy of others who are not so fortunate, with the result that they have a host of warm sup- porters and likewise a crowd of enemies and detractors. The office of Receiver of Public Moneys gave Noah Noble many opportunities for making friends. He often assisted the emigrant with the means whereby he could enter his land, and in many other ways accommodated and befriended him. These emigrants were of a hardy and earnest class, and rarely forgot a kind act. In 1831 Noble was a candidate for Gov- ernor, and although he was a Whig and the Democrats normally had a large majority in the State, he was elected over James G. Reed, Democrat, by 2,791 majority. This was the more remarkable, for Milton Stapp, also a Whig, was a candidate and polled 4,422 votes. In 1834, Governor Noble was re-elected to the office, his opponent again being James G. Reed. Governor Noble received 27,676 votes and Reed 19,994 votes. Upon the expiration of his term, he was elected a member of the Board of Internal Improvements, and in 1841, was chosen Fund Commissioner, an important and responsible position. Shortly afterward he was offered the office of General Land Commissioner, but declined it, saying that the State needed his services and his first duty was to the State. He died February 8, 1844, and it is doubtful whether the loss of any Indiana Governor before or since, was so generally mourned.
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NOAH NOBLE GOVERNOR OF INDIANA 1831-1837
DAVID WALLACE
D AVID WALLACE, the sixth Governor of Indiana, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1799. While quite young, his family removed to Ohio, and had for a close neighbor General William H. Harrison, between whom and the Wallace family sprang up a warm friendship. General Harrison was then in Congress, and thru his influence David Wallace secured a cadetship at West Point. Wallace graduated at West Point in 1821, and for a short time was Professor of Mathematics in that institution. He was then commissioned a Lieutenant of Artillery, but after serving one year in the army, he resigned. Like Governor Ray and Governor Noble, David Wallace settled in Brookville, Indiana, which was at that time the most important town in the State. Here he began the practice of law and took an active interest in politics, being elected to the Legislature in 1828, 1829 and 1830. He was elected Lieutenant-Governor in 1831, and re-elected to the office in 1834. As a presiding officer, few were his equal, and none excelled him. His manner was dignified and quickly commanded respect. His voice was soft, yet possessed rare carrying qualities, and was modulated to the finest and nicest precision. His decisions were always rendered with justness and impartiality, and no stain of corruption or dishonesty ever attached to his name. In 1837 he was elected Governor, defeating for the office John Dumont, of Vevay. Governor Wallace was elected to the office largely through his warm advocacy of the system of Internal Improve- ment, which was then a very prominent issue thruout the State. Unfor- tunately, the system was extravagantly planned and poorly executed, with the result that it broke down and caused financial disaster to all concerned. There were those who laid much of the blame on Governor Wallace, and when he came up for re-election in 1840, he was defeated by Samuel Bigger, who had not been identified with the Internal Improve- ment system. Governor Wallace resumed the practice of law, but in 1841 was elected to Congress. In 1843 he was defeated for re-election. He then for several years retired from public life, with the exception of a few minor offices, in which he showed little interest. In 1856, Gov- ernor Wallace was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, where he made the best record of his life. He died suddenly in Indianapolis, September 4, 1859.
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