A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume II, Part 5

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1006

USA > Indiana > A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume II > Part 5

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demonstrates this proposition. He is a large, portly gentleman, of kindly and courteous bearing, and enjoys the fullest confidence and esteem of all who know him. Ile and his interesting family are the admired of a host of the elite of the city. Although a social gentleman, and frequently in society and in company with his

O. P. llorten

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friends, he has carefully avoided the contaminations and evil influences of a city ; for it is truthfully said- how greatly to his credit all may judge-that Doctor Minich never swore an oath nor drank a draught of liquor.

'OORE, COLONEL JOSEPH, of Indianapolis, was born in Daviess County, Indiana, March 5, 1829. His father was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and married a Miss Allison, the daughter of a farmer living near Maysville, Kentucky. The family about 1820 came to the wilds of the West, and of this parentage is Colonel Moore. In those early days, when Indiana was yet young, few were the facilities for obtaining a common school education, while high schools and colleges were yet to come. The excellent system of public instruction of the state is the aggregate result of years of toil and careful management. Joseph's education was not elaborate. The greater part of the time he was under instruction was while he was in at- tendance upon the public schools of Vincennes. For two years, however, he studied at an academy in New- burg, Warrick County, an institution under Presbyterian control, but after this he gave himself to mercantile pursuits, into which channel he readily drifted by reason of a peculiar fitness for its duties. He continued in business until the beginning of the Rebellion. At their ORTON, OLIVER PERRY, was born in the village of Saulsbury, Wayne County, Indiana, August 4, 1823. His name is not only as famil- iar as household words to the people of Indiana, not only inseparably connected with the eventful history of the state, but one also which embellishes the bright- est pages of a nation's annals. No other man has ever been more renowned and honored in Indiana, and, of country's call for help there were many who walked bravely up to the very threshold of death, and extended a strong and willing hand to aid her in maintaining a place among the nations of the earth. With those who came with firmest step, and were readiest to sacrifice all for the land they loved, was Mr. Moore, and of a record like his might any man be justly proud. In 1861 he organized the 58th Indiana Regiment of Vol- ! all those born within her borders, none have contributed unteers, at Princeton, Gibson County, and entered the so largely to the honor and dignity of the state. The family name was originally Throckmorton, and was so ; land about the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and settled in New Jersey. James T. Morton, father army as its captain. He and his band crossed to Ken- tucky, and served under Generals Buell, Rosecrans, and , written by the grandfather, who emigrated from Eng- Thomas, in their various campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia. At his starting he was tendered a major's commission, which he declined ; of Oliver P., was a native of New Jersey, and a man to accept, but, after having "crossed the line," he was | of sterling worth, sound sense, good judgment, and promoted to the rank of colonel, and participated in strict integrity. While yet a young man he emigrated to the West, and finally located in Wayne County, In- : diana, where he married the mother of Oliver P., whose maiden name was Sarah Miller. She died while Oliver was quite young, so that he scarcely knew what it was to have a mother's love. His father at one time en- gaged in the building of the old Hamilton and Cincin- nati Canal, but his contracts proved unsuccessful, and he returned to work at his trade, which was that of a shoemaker. Thus it will be seen that Governor Morton had none of the aids given by wealth and high social position in early life; and one of the grandest lessons every hard-fought battle in which his division was en- gaged. He came home; but in the winter of 1863 and 1864 he re-enlisted, now taking charge of the engineer- i ing trains under General Thomas; and he did efficient service. He bridged all the armies from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and that of Georgia through from Atlanta to the sea, in the route spanning the Savannah River and several swamps, and doubtless constructing not less than five miles of corduroy road. When he returned to his home he was much afflicted with rheumatism. Having made a satisfactory disposition of his property

in Gibson County, he removed farther westward -- to Macon, Missouri-but finding his ailment not only not benefited, but steadily growing worse, he returned in 1871. While he was a resident of Macon, the people of that place showed their hearty appreciation of Colonel Moore, as a citizen and a soldier, by electing him to the office of mayor. Mr. Moore is a man of very retiring disposition. He seldom asks favors of the public, or seeks preferment. He was married, on the twenty-sev- enth day of August, 1853, to Miss Arminda C. Knowles, of Gibson County. She is a most amiable Christian woman, born May 19, 1834. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational Church, uniting therewith in 1868. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom, all girls, are still living. True to a father's instinct, his most ardent desire is that his children may become well educated. In personal appearance Col- onel Moore is slight of build, dark, and wearing an expression only too plainly showing ill-health and the cares of half a century. For eight years past he has been connected with a line of fire insurance companies, as one of the firm of Beardsley & Moore. In his polit- ical faith he is decidedly Republican, being from the very origin of that party its firm and steadfast supporter.

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to be drawn from his career is that humble birth and adverse circumstances tend rather to develop strength of character, and lead to great achievements, than to prevent the bestowal of such honors. Oliver P. Morton was named after Oliver H. Perry, the naval hero. Of his early life but little is known. After the death of his mother the years of his boyhood were spent with his grand-parents, in Ohio, and with two widowed aunts, who resided in Centerville, Wayne County. His father's moderate circumstances allowed him but little opportu- nity for early education, and it is not known that at this period of his life he gave evidence of any future great- ness. At the age of fourteen he was placed by his aunts in the Wayne County Seminary, and Professor S. H. Hoshour thus speaks of him: "He was a timid and rather verdant-looking youth, whose mental manifesta- tions at that time were not equal to those of some of his schoolmates; but his steady demeanor and persistent application to his studies gave him a respectable posi- tion in his classes." But, if Oliver was not the most showy boy in his class, he had a depth of character whose force was yet to be developed, and place him above his fellows, and cause him to be ranked among the great men of his time. He remained at this school little more than a year, and was then put to work with his elder half-brother, W. S. T. Morton, to learn the hatter's trade. During the four years which were spent in learning this business his spare hours were devoted to reading, and the information thus acquired created so great a thirst for knowledge that he left his trade in 1843 and entered Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. Here he remained two years, his vigorous mind eagerly grasping, absorbing, and appropriating knowledge. He was then characterized as a diligent, earnest student ; modest, but not timid; plain, but not verdant; and more anxious to acquire than to display learning. At this institution he achieved the reputation of being the best debater in college, here developing those powers of analysis and argument which were to make him celebrated in after life. Upon leaving college, after two years of hard study and hard fare (for he boarded himself part of the time in his own room), he imme- ‹liately began the study of law, in the office of Hon. John S. Newman, of Indianapolis, then residing in Cen- terville. Morton was then nearly twenty-two years of age. About this time, or on the 15th of May, 1845, he was married to Miss Lucinda Burbank, daughter of Isaac Burbank, of Centerville. This gentle lady exercised a most gracious influence over his subsequent life and for- tunes. She was a devoted wife and mother, as well as a wise counselor, sympathetic friend, and intelligent companion. To the study of law Oliver P. Morton brought the same directness of purpose and energetic effort which had now become recognized traits of his character, and he grappled with the knotty problems

of the law as one who felt his power to master them. His preceptor says: "He was laborious in his studies, temperate in his habits, and genial in manners; a very thorough reader, and possessed in a remarkable degree the power of thinking at all times and in every place." He was admitted to the bar in 1847, and found himself at the outset of his career brought in professional con- tact with some of the ablest and most cultivated men who have graced the profession in Indiana. It was a good school for the young lawyer, and put him to the effort of bringing out all there was in him. At the bar he soon became known through Eastern Indiana, and the number of his friends and legal cases were rapidly increased. He possessed the faculty of selecting the salient points of a case, and getting at the heart of a legal question. His mind was massive and logical, and he could apply great legal principles to given cases, discard non-essentials, and reach decisive points. Only five years after his admission to the bar he was appointed by the Governor Circuit Judge. He was then but twenty-nine years of age. This ap- pointment was a high mark of distinction, and a flattering recognition of Mr. Morton's personal and professional merit. During the summer of 1852 he held court at the capital of the state several days, and strongly impressed the bar by his mastery of legal principles and the clearness and force of his decisions. He was an able associate and formidable competitor, po- lite and gentlemanly in his intercourse with his profes- sional brethren. Hon. T. A. Hendricks says of him : " He possessed every qualification for eminence in our profession." Being naturally of a controversial cast of mind, he preferred active professional combat to judi- cial service. He always mastered every thing he under- took, and could not be deterred by false pride from going back to gather knowledge in which he imagined himself to be deficient. This is proved by citing the fact that, after five years of professional practice and a highly creditable service on the bench, Mr. Morton, be- fore resuming legal practice, took a six months' course in the law school of Cincinnati, probably the only in- stance of the kind on record. After this period of close application he returned to the practice of his profession with an assiduity and zeal that won success and reward. During the next few years he laid the foundation for the moderate fortune which he amassed. Between 1852 and 1860 nearly all his time and energy were given to the law. Events were now shaping themselves which were destined to change the whole course of his life and in a most remarkable manner develop the latent force of his character. The political career of Oliver P. Morton has been of such a brilliant character that his great achievements in the field of the statesman, his wonderful power as a political organizer, have won for him a recognition of his ability from the strongest op-

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ponents, and faith in his prowess and the lasting fealty and admiration of thousands of friends, as he rose from eminence to eminence until he reached the highest point among statesmen. A brief sketch of the life of a man whose career has been so marked can but comprise a few points, a few rough notes, which, written out, might fill a volume. Until his thirty-first year Mr. Morton was a Democrat, but was opposed to the exten- sion of slavery, and upon the formation of the Repub- lican party he allied himself with that organization, being a Republican in principle before the name was adopted. In 1856 he was one of the three delegates sent from Indiana to the Pittsburgh Convention, and was recognized as one of the strong men of the new party. In May, 1856, the Republicans of Indiana nominated Mr. Morton by acclamation for Governor. He accepted the nomination with a full consciousness that there was little or no chance for his election. His opponent was Ashbel P. Willard, a most able man and brilliant speaker. He made an active canvass of the entire state, and wherever he went made a dignified and lasting im- pression. His manner was forcible, his style of speak- ing earnest and convincing. He never appealed to men's passions, but always to their intellect and reason, and whether in attack or defense proved himself a ready and powerful debater. From this campaign of 1856, unsuccessful though it was, dated Mr. Morton's popu- larity with Republicans, and from this time forth he was the recognized leader of the party in Indiana. During the next four years most of his time was devoted to law, although, as opportunity offered, he labored energetically for the success of the party. In 1860 he was nominated for Lieutenant-governor, with Hon. Henry S. Lane for Governor, with the distinct under- standing that, if the party was successful, Mr. Lane should go to the United States Senate and Mr. Morton become Governor. As in 1856, he entered into a spirited campaign. His speeches commanded the attention of thinkers, and wherever he went he was enthusiastically received. The result of the campaign was a Repub- lican success that placed Mr. Lane in the United States Senate, and Mr. Morton in the gubernatorial chair of Indiana at the early age of thirty-seven years. Perhaps had it not been for the war the strength of his charac- ter might never have been so fully developed, but, even without the events which connected him with the war, he would have excelled as a statesman. From the day 'of his inauguration Mr. Morton gave evidence of pos- sessing extraordinary executive ability. It has been said that "great emergencies make great men." This is only partly true. They do often call forth the great- ness that is in men, but they can not make great men out of small . materials. The early months of his ad- ministration were occupied by the mapping out of measures looking to civil reform and retrenchment.

Governor Morton was one of the first to foresec the coming storm of battle, and was most active in prepar- ing to meet it. He was no friend to half-way measures. His voice was for the Constitution and the Union, and, if need be, for war to preserve them. Perceiving the danger of a dilatory policy, he visited Washington soon after the inauguration of President Lincoln, to ad- vise vigorous action and to give assurance of Indiana's support in such a policy. During this period events followed each other in rapid succession, culminating in the attack on Fort Sumter. On the morning of the day of the President's proclamation calling for troops, and before it was received in Indianapolis, Governor Morton had tele- graphed to Mr. Lincoln, tendering, on behalf of the state, ten thousand men for the defense of the nation. Thus was Indiana, through her loyal Governor, the first state to proffer troops, as she was also one of the first to put her soldiers in the field, and in less than seven days after the call the services of more than twelve thousand men had been tendered. Thus at the very threshold of the conflict he showed an appreciation of its probable magnitude, and an energy in preparing for it, not evinced by the Governor of any Northern State. So all the time he either anticipated every call for troops, or had matters in such a state of preparation that no time was lost in responding. Under these various calls Indiana gave to the United States 208,367 volun- teers. This record of Indiana, which he was so instru- mental in framing, reflects imperishable honor on the name of Oliver P. Morton, who was henceforth known throughout the nation as the "Great War Governor." During the entire period of the war he performed an incredible amount of work, counseling with the Presi- dent, encouraging the people, organizing regiments, hurrying troops to the field, negotiating loans, organiz- ing sanitary commissions, forwarding stores, performing the work of a dozen men, and inspiring all with en- thusiasm born of his own earnestness. It were impossi- ble in these pages to follow with the pen the events of his life, or note all the important official acts and per- sonal efforts that are so inwrought with the history of the war, and earned for him the title of which he was so proud, " the soldier's friend." The history of the soldier's relief system, organized and inspired by him, and the noble results in response to his call, would fill a volume much larger than this. His labors for the re- lief of the soldiers and their dependent and needy families were held up as matters for emulation by the Governors of other states. The result of these efforts, seconded by the people, was that during the war over six hundred thousand dollars of money and supplies were collected and conveyed to Indiana soldiers, in camp, in field, in hospital, or in prison. The failure of the next Legislature to pass the necessary appropria- tion bills to carry on the state government placed the

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Governor in a trying emergency, to which he proved himself equal. Instead of calling a special session of the same Legislature, which might end in a like result, he organized a Bureau of Finance, and devised a new system of state government, and appealed to the people, private bankers, and to various counties, to furnish funds to carry on the state government; the response was prompt and liberal, many counties making appropria- tions of from two to twenty thousand dollars each. Private citizens advanced large sums, and one railroad company loaned fifteen thousand dollars. Governor Morton then went to Washington, and, on his repre- sentation of the case, the general government ad- vanced him, as a disbursing officer, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Thus, through his personal en- ergy and efforts, funds were raised to carry on the state government, keep all state institutions open, and defray civil and military expenses There is no similar case on record of a Governor of a state raising funds by his personal efforts to support and carry on the state gov- ernment for nearly two years, without appropriations by the Legislature, and without assistance from the state officers. But, vast as his labors were during the war, he still had time to devote to civil affairs and the development of the material interests of the state. In his messages and other official papers he sought to add to her honor, uphold her integrity and credit, and foster her best interests, her agricultural and mineral re- sources, her extensive system of railways, and her gen- eral advantages. He caused to be prepared a very ex- haustive document setting forth the attractions of the state, entitled, "Indiana as a Home for Emigrants," very large editions of which, in English and German, were circulated in this country and Europe. Upon his recommendation and plans a home for disabled .soldiers and a home for soldiers' orphans were successfully established. Taking a deep interest in the cause of popular education, he aided the foundation of a state normal school, an agricultural college, a reform school, and other institutes. Thus he administered the do- mestic affairs of the state, and gave to Indiana a much higher rank in the sisterhood of states than she had heretofore attained, and converted the name of Hoosier from a term of ridicule to one of credit and honor. On the 22d of February, 1864, he was unanimously nomi- nated for re-election. In accepting the nomination he made one of the ablest speeches of his life, reviewing his whole administration as Governor. His opponent for the governorship was Hon. Joseph E. McDonald. A joint canvass was arranged for, and the opening debate took place at Laporte. The crowd in attendance was estimated at twenty thousand. Fully realizing the im- portance of the interests involved, he rose to the require- ment of the occasion. The result was a decided victory for Morton, and from that hour his success was pre-

dicted. After a thorough and exhaustive campaign, he was re-elected Governor by a majority of over twenty thousand votes. He was now in his forty-second year, and in the prime of physical and mental strength. Ex- perience had proved him equal to every emergency, and success had given him confidence almost irresistible in itself. No man felt the death of President Lincoln more keenly than Governor Morton, his trusted friend, counselor, and co-laborer. He convened the citizens of Indianapolis in the state-house square, and, with oth- ers, accompanied the President's remains to their final resting place. At his request it was decided to have them rest for a day at Indianapolis, where many thou- sands of citizens and soldiers had the sad pleasure of viewing them. During the winter of 1865, Governor Morton was, perhaps, the most ubiquitous man in the United States: at Washington, in counsel with the President; then at the front, surveying the battle-field; moving in person through the hospitals; ascertaining the wants of sick and wounded; supervising the operations of numerous agents; then, at home, directing the san- itary movements, appointing and sending extra sur- geons to the field; projecting new plans for relief of dependent women and children; and attending to all the details of his official duties, exerting every power of mind and body. While the strain lasted no injurious effects were visible, but the period was approaching when he was to pay the penalty for this tremendous overwork. During the summer of 1865 he was troubled and alarmed by a feeling of physical apathy which seemed unaccountable. Perhaps, if nature's protest and warning had at that time been heeded, the impending shock might have been averted. One morning he awoke with both limbs paralyzed in the lower extremities. His paralysis was clearly due to overwork and mental exertion during the war. After a few months he was advised to visit Europe, and place himself in the hands of the eminent physician of Paris who had cured Charles Sumner. It was deemed best to anticipate the regular meeting of the Legislature, and that body was convened, in extra session, in November. Governor Morton's message was able and comprehensive, touch- ing on every matter of state policy and making impor- tant recommendations. The scene in the Hall of Rep- resentatives, on the occasion of his formal leave-taking, was impressive and affecting. At this moment party strifes were forgotten. Resolutions complimenting the Governor in the highest terms were drawn up by Hon. Joseph E. McDonald and Hon. Samuel Buskirk, both political opponents, and were adopted by the General Assembly without a dissenting voice. The hatchet of political warfare was buried, and a heart-felt sorrow per- vaded the souls of all present. The wisdom of his counsel, the importance of his services, the magnitude of his heart were now fully realized ; and his talents, patriot-

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ism, and labors were fully appreciated. Four months | have his valuable services at the English Court at that spent in traveling and medical treatment in Europe gave him but little relief; yet upon his return he at once showed intense interest in public affairs, and opened the campaign at Indianapolis, in June, 1866. He spoke sitting, but powerfully and eloquently ; the address, in printed form, making a strong campaign

document. The following Legislature, being largely

Republican, unanimously elected him to the United

States Senate, and he was from that date, March 4, 1867, the recipient of the fullest political confidence of the older Republican Senators. Mr. Morton was, on the expiration of his term, again chosen to the United States Senate, serving in that body until his death. Upon his first entrance he was accorded three important posi- tions: chairman of the Committee on Manufactures,

and member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and on Military Affairs. He filled various other po- sitions, and was at all times one of the most active members of the body, and during his term of serv- ice was prominently identified with a greater num- ber of important measures than any other Senator per- haps in the entire history of the government. His first speech in the Senate, upon the subject of political rights or reconstruction in the South, was universally conceded to be a masterly production, and it placed Senator Morton at once in the foremost rank of de- baters in the Senate. Then was accorded him the highest admiration of his friends and the respect of his enemies. The next day after its delivery General Raw- lins read the speech to General Grant, who remarked in a decisive tone : " That settles it; that one speech, if not another word is said, insures a Republican vic- tory next fall." The National Executive Committee had published, and distributed as a campaign document, no less than two million copies of this memorable ad- dress. To no one person is the credit of the adoption of the fifteenth amendment so largely due as to Senator Morton, and its final ratification was mainly owing to Senator Morton's persistence of purpose and boldness of action. It stands a perpetual monument to his mem- ory. As a member of the Senate Committee on For- eign Relations, he was influential in shaping the action of the government in regard to the Alabama claims, and in bringing about a treaty with Great Britain under which they were finally settled. In October, 1870, President Grant tendered him the English mission, for the express purpose of securing his services in the settlement of this difficult and delicate question. No higher tribute could have been paid to his ability and patriotism. He, however, deemed it best, upon mature consideration, to decline the proffered honor, upon which he received from the President a letter, saying that, while he deemed the course taken by Senator Mor- toń a wise one, he regretted that the country could not

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A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume II, Part 5

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1006

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1006