History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 108

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104

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In 1842 Edward Edger, another of the dyed-in- the-wool type of Democrats, was chosen repre- sentative from Randolph county, and that sturdy yeoman started from Deerfield early in Decem- ber and walked all the way to Indianapolis to attend the session of the General Assembly. He was the father of Edward Shields Edger, present postmaster of Winchester, the latter having been born while the father was serving the State, and the babe was almost three months old before the father saw him. In passing let us be reminded that the present Governor of Indiana, the Hon. James P. Goodrich, is a grandson of that noble old Democrat.

Among the ablest men of affairs in the twenties and thirties were the judges of the courts, who made their extended circuits on horseback. No more renowned members of the Judiciary could have been found in the entire Northwest Terri- tory than the men who held courts in Wayne and Randolph counties in those days. A few of them may be named here: John Watts, Miles C. Eg- gleston, Samuel Bigger, Isaac Blackford, John Sample, Charles H. Test, Oliver H. Smith, Caleb B. Smith and Jeremiah Smith. All of these men were admitted to the Randolph county bar, and practiced and served as either prosecuting attor- ney or judge. Few of the foregoing were resi- dents of the county. Jeremiah Smith was an ex- ception, but they all exerted a marked influence on public affairs in the county.

Oliver Hampton Smith was admitted to the Randolph county bar in 1825. He served as pros- ecuting attorney and also as judge for several years. He was a native of New Jersey, born in 1794, and came to Wayne county with his parents in 1817. He served in the State Legislature in 1827; was elected to Congress as a Jackson Demo- crat. In 1836, however, he united with the Whig party and was elected to the United States Sen- ate. After his term expired he removed to In- dianapolis and engaged largely in railroad enter- prises. He was one of the chief promoters of the Indianapolis and Bellefontaine railroad, the old Bee Line, now a branch of the New York Central from Cleveland to Indianapolis. In 1834 he pub- lished "Recollections of a Congressional Life," and in 1857 his "Early Indiana Trials, Sketches and Reminiscences" was published after first ap-

pearing in the columns of the Indianapolis Jour- nal. This volume contains many interesting his- torical facts about Randolph county, men and measures paramount in those pioneer days. Sen- ator Smith died in Indianapolis in 1859.

Charles H. Test was admitted to the Randolph county bar in 1827. He was also prosecuting at- torney by judicial appointment. His home was in Centerville, Wayne county, while serving in this district. He was a circuit judge from 1830 to 1838. Later he moved to White county. He served several different counties in the State Leg- islature, was also a judge of the Lafayette Cir- cuit Court. He was Secretary of State from 1849 to 1853. He finally removed to Indianapolis, and practiced law successfully many years.

Caleb B. Smith was admitted to the bar in this county in 1829. He was also a prosecuting at- torney for this circuit. His home was at Con- nersville. In 1832 he established the Connersville Sentinel. In 1834 he was elected a member of the General Assembly, and served five terms. From 1843 to 1849 he served in Congress as a Whig. Later removing to Indianapolis he was chosen Secretary of the Interior by President Lincoln. He resigned this position in December, 1862, to become circuit judge for Indiana. He died at Indianapolis in January, 1864.

Jeremiah Smith, familiarly called "Jere," was conspicuous as a man of affairs as well as a fine lawyer. He was a native of South Carolina, but in early youth came with his parents and settled in Randolph county in 1817, which, by the way, was a year before the county was organized. He held various public offices and filled all of them with efficient service. He was by turns county surveyor, county treasurer, prosecuting attorney, school examiner and circuit judge two separate terms, and for more than thirty years was a suc- cessful lawyer. He was associated with Oliver H. Smith in the building of the Indianapolis and Bellefontaine Railroad, later known as Indianapolis and Cleveland Straight Line Railroad. He became president of this road and also president of the Cincinnati, Union and Fort Wayne road. He was owner of the land and laid out the town of Union City, Indiana. Most of his life was spent in Win- chester. He died in 1874, leaving six sons and two daughters. The sons have always been active in promoting the cause of Democracy.

Beattie McClelland, a native of the Emerald Isle, came to Randolph county in early manhood. He was admitted to the Randolph county bar in 1839. He was made probate judge in 1842, serv- ing with credit for a period of seven years. In 1851 he was chosen as Randolph's member of the State Constitutional Convention. In 1861 he

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moved to Columbus, Indiana, and later served as judge of Bartholomew county. He was a forceful speaker and entertaining because of his Irish wit.

Smith Elkins was another of the prominent judges of the period, who had great force of char- acter, as well as judicial poise. He served one term as probate judge.

Edmund B. Goodrich, grandfather of Governor James P. Goodrich on the paternal side, was also a sterling Democrat, who came from Virginia in 1831, and settled in Randolph county. He was prominent as an attorney and was elected probate judge in 1836, serving six years. He was active in business affairs, as well as in matters legal and political.

Randolph county was always anti-slavery and the Friends Church, strong in the same regard, was one of the foremost factors in molding pub- lic sentiment against slavery. With the rise of the Whig party, and later the Republican party, Democrats of prominence became few and far between. Indeed, many Democrats in this part of the country became strong Union men, and dur- ing the Civil War and afterward, many were al- lied with the party of Lincoln. Some became Free-Soilers, and among the stanchest remained Democratic followers of Douglas, who also stood for the preservation of the Union.

After the beginning of the Civil War-from 1860 to 1912-no Democrat was elected to a coun- ty office. Consequently, Democrats who had as- pirations to enter public life sought more con- genial climates, if their political principles were not reversible. Republican majorities kept mount- ing ever higher until they attained the ratio of about three to one. The Republican party of the county waxed mighty, and eventually became a dominant factor in State politics, and many promi- nent characters went forward to State and Na- tional positions. With political power came dom- ineering arrogance toward the minority. With- out hope of any victory whatever, the Democracy of Randolph always put up its ticket for every contest. The party in the county is nothing, if not militant. The fathers and sons of such fami- lies as the Smiths, the Akers, the Summers, the Davis', the Lasleys, the Shockneys, Arbogasts, Hindsleys, Fields, Sipes and Walls, not to mention others, have always gone into the tournament with banners flying.

Isaac Pusey Gray came to Randolph county in 1855, and began the practice of law in Union City in 1858. He served in the Civil War as a colonel of the 4th Indiana cavalry. He was first affiliated with the Republican party, served in the State Senate from 1868 to 1872, and the latter year became an active member of the Democratic party. In 1876 he was elected Lieutenant-Gov-

ernor with James D. Williams. In the latter part of the year 1880, Governor Williams died and Mr. Gray became acting Governor to the end of the term. In 1884 Governor Gray was elected, serv- ing the full term. He died while minister to Mexico, in 1895, and his body was brought back to Randolph county and reposes within a beauti- ful mausoleum at Union City. This history else- where has a full report of his career.

Governor Gray's two sons, Pierre and Bayard, were men of character and lived the Democratic principles in which they believed. Bayard was the owner and publisher of a Democratic paper at Frankfort, Indiana, for several years. Pierre became a successful attorney at Indianapolis.

John Enos Neff studied law with Thomas M. Browne. In 1874 he was elected Secretary of State and re-elected in 1876. After his term of office he returned to Winchester and took up the practice of law again, with Martin B. Miller, but death cut short what promised to be a brilliant career soon afterward. His Democracy was of the irrefragable brand; and he doffed his hat to no Republican Gesler.

Martin B. Miller was admitted to the bar here in 1859, practicing with Jeremiah Smith. At the outbreak of the Civil War he went forth to fight for the preservation of the Union, a Douglas Democrat, ever remaining loyal to his convictions. At the conclusion of that fratricidal conflict he was mustered out with the rank of brevet colonel. He practiced law in Winchester for many years with splendid success. In 1893 President Cleve- land appointed him to a responsible position in the Pension Bureau at Washington, which place he retained until his death in 1910.

Levi W. Study was another Democratic lawyer who fought for his party most zealously and in- defatigably, but never held a public office. He was admitted to the bar in 1872, and achieved marked success. But in 1886 he died, cutting off what promised to be a splendid legal career. Ralph Study, a son, is now a prominent member of the legal fraternity in New York City.

Garland D. Williamson, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and a soldier in the Civil War, came to Winchester and began the practice of the law in 1880. In 1894 he was appointed circuit judge by Governor Claude Matthews, to fill a vacancy oc- casioned by the election of Judge Leander J. Monks to the supreme bench of the State. In 1895 he bought the Winchester Democrat, and conducted it several months, selling out to J. L. Smith in October of that year. Judge Willian- son was always active in party service and a ju- dicious counselor. The arrogance of the oppo- sition always bumped up against an immovable obstruction when an attempt was made to ride

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

over him. He was appointed postmaster at Ridgeville by President Wilson in 1913, still serv- ing with commendable faithfulness.

Emerson E. McGriff, now judge of the Jay coun- ty Circuit Court, is a native of Randolph county, and began the practice of law here in 1885. In the same year he was appointed by Governor Isaac P. Gray to the office of Prosecuting Attor- ney, serving until the election in 1886. In 1895 Mr. MeGriff moved to Portland, Indiana, where he pursued his profession with honor and the confidence of his clients until he was exalted to the bench by the Democrats of Jay county in 1916.

Frederick S. Caldwell was admitted to the bar in 1890, having served as principal and superin- tendent of the Winchester schools prior to that time. He has been credited as being one of the foremost lawyers of Indiana, and for many years has been a loyal mainstay of his party in the Democratic county organization. He was appoint- ed to the Appellate Court in 1913, by Governor Samuel M. Ralston, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge A. A. Adams; and was nominated and elected by the Democratic party in 1914, still serving in that tribunal.

At intervals during the period of the Civil War, the Democrats of Randolph county established newspapers in Winchester and Union City, but the tenure of their existence was of brief dura- tion. It was not until 1885 that a newspaper was founded that has enjoyed continued existence up to the present time. This was the Winchester Democrat, now at its greatest height in worth and influence. The paper was established by J. R. Polk. In the same year the Ridgeville Banner was purchased by Mr. Polk and consolidated with the Democrat. A few years later the Democrat was sold to Joseph Gorrell, who successfully edited it until 1893 when he sold it to Lew G. Ellingham. Mr. Gorrell went from here to Wina- mac, Ind., and bought the Winamac Democrat, which he still publishes. Mr. Ellingham published the Democrat here until the latter part of 1894, when he removed to Adams county and started the Decatur Democrat. In 1910 and 1912 Mr. Ellingham was elected Secretary of State, and after his retirement in 1915, he bought a half in- terest in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, which is one of the acknowledged leaders in moulding public opinion in harmony with Democratic ideals.

The Fawcett brothers in 1894 brought to the county another plant and continued the Democrat, publishing it for a few months, later selling it to Garland D. Williamson. The latter published it until October, 1895, when it was sold to J. L. Smith, former owner of the Vermilion County Democrat. Mr. Smith put in an entire new plant,

and conducted the paper until March, 1897, when he removed to Richmond, Indiana, and became half owner of the Richmond Sun. Meanwhile, the Democrat was conducted by three of four pub- lishers in 1897 and 1898, in the latter year becom- ing the property of Alva C. Hindsley, who later served as deputy in the Secretary of State's office, under Mı. Ellingham. Mr. Hindsley sold the paper to L. C. Rockwell in 1911, and in July the same year, D. W. Callahan, the present owner. purchased the plant. For many years the Demo- crat was the only paper in the county advocating Jeffersonian principles.

In 1872 a Democratic paper called the Inde- pendent was started at Union City by W. R. Hedgepath, and advocated the election of Horace Greeley. It suspended soon after the election of that year.

The Union City Eagle was founded in 1863 by L. G. Dines. The paper was Republican in poli- tics, undergoing the common lot of most county newspapers, that of frequent changes of owner- ship, passing through the hands of half a dozen owners until 1914, when its politics were changed and it became a full-fledged Democratic paper under the control of Don C. Ward. In 1915 Mr. Ward became postmaster at Union City, and a stock company was organized to conduct the pa- per, which issues both a daily and weekly edi- tion. The paper was instrumental in making Union City a Democratic municipality, and hold- ing control now for more than six years.

Another Democratic paper published at Union City, called the Plaindealer, was established by Stephen M. Wentworth in 1877. It was published for about six years, when it was sold and consoli- dated with another local plant, and Democracy was left without an organ. At the present time the Winchester Democrat and the Union City Eagle are stanch defenders of the faith of De- mocracy-ardent backers of Woodrow Wilson.

Because of the fact that no Democratic news- papers, prior to 1885, have enjoyed continuous existence, it is impossible to get any correct data as to the organization of the party in Randolph county earlier than that year. Many times a man was chosen for chairman who served merely dur- ing the campaign, and the organization was only temporary. With a Republican opposition three to four times greater, there was but little incen- tive to maintain an organization. In 1888 Sol C. Brown of Ward township was elected county chairman. Two years later Frederick S. Cald- well was chosen and served two years. He was followed by Erastus C. Lollar; G. D. Williamson served from 1892 to 1894; Charles C. Smith served in 1896 to 1898; Clifton M. Kelley from 1898 to 1900; Edward M. Semans from 1900 to

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

1904; Alva C. Hindsley from 1904 to 1910; E. S. Edger from 1910 to 1915, and D. W. Callahan from that date to the present time.

On account of the division in the Republican party brought about by the uprising of the Pro- gressive party in 1912, the Democrats elected nearly all of their county ticket that year, the first time that party had elected a candidate since the Civil War. The Hon. Clarence S. Pierce of Union City was elected a member of the General Assembly and served with distinction in the session of 1915. Bert. E. Woodbury was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the 25th judicial dis- trict, the only Democrat ever chosen in the county to that office. Joseph C. Gard was elected county clerk, and is still faithfully performing the duties of the office. John C. Henning has served two terms as sheriff and won deserved popularity by his ability and generous impulses of heart and hand. William W. Smullen and Clarence Mullen were elected as county commissioners, serving out their terms honorably and retiring with the esteem of all the people. The county coroner, David C. Roney, also a Democrat, was elected, but on account of ill health resigned in 1913 and Dr. Sater Nixon filled out the term. In 1914 the Democrats elected seven of the twelve township trustees of Randolph county. By the aid of the Democratic votes, also, Judge Theodore Shockney, nominated on the Progressive ticket, was exalted to the circuit court bench, where he is serving the people of the county with marked distinction, and with a just sense of equity and clearness of judicial vision.

Contingent upon the election of a Democratic board of county commissioners, came the privilege of appointing numerous other men to office. Dr. J. H. Moroney was appointed as secretary of the county board of health. Henry Judy was appoint- ed superintendent of the County Infirmary. Both of these officers serve four years. Robert A. Jellison was appointed road superintendent. Ab- ner Davis was made custodian of the court house. John A. Shockney became county attorney and Dr. Clifton M. Kelley physician to the poor.

Two townships, namely Jackson and Ward, have for two generations been strongly Demo- cratic. In these the Democrats have always elected their township officers. In municipal af-

fairs Union City has been Democratic for ten or twelve years, electing mayors and a majority of the members of the city council.

Again we repeat that among the faithful none are more faithful than those who stanchly defend their principles against tyrannical majorities. They have met the bristling phalanxes of Repub- lican opposition and have gone down in defeat "with heads bloody but unbowed." With the heroism of an Arnold Wilkenreid they have breasted the spears of the serried ranks of the army of special privilege and came back to the arena again to battle.

Jeffersonian democracy is the fruit of liberty. Its creed is the Declaration of Independence. Its pivotal idea is equal rights to all men. Govern- ment must come from the consent of the gov- erned. Democracy means unimpeded progress along the broadway to "life, liberty and the pur- suit of happiness." No hereditary bondsman can be a Democrat. No sycophant, no mendicant, no truckler, no hypocrite can utter the language of Democracy. It is not spoken by autocrat or des- pot except for intrigue and chicanery. Democracy is made counterfeit when the self-seeker feigns to speak for "the people." By treachery he at- tains tyranny. The golden rule embodies the gospel of Democracy. Every man must be grant- ed that degree of equality that shall enable him to be what God intended he should be. These are some of the fundamental ideals that actuate the Democratic sons of old Randolph. Talk not of Spartan fortitude when courage would be em- blazoned on the escutcheon of political integrity -turn to Randolph's Democratic sons. Leonidas at Thermopylae stood for savagery to the death. Democrats of Randolph stand for eternal verities in life as well as death.

"They never fail who die

In a great cause; the block may soak their gore, Their heads may sodden in the sun; their limbs Be strong to city gates and castle walls- But still their spirits walk abroad. Though years Elapse, and others share as dark a doom,

They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts,

Which overpower all others, and conduct The world at last to freedom."

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HISTORY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF RIPLEY COUNTY

By Peter Holzer

T HE territory of Ripley county belongs to the Grouseland purchase, and with Dear- born, Ohio, Switzerland, Jennings and Jef- ferson counties, was in the possession of the whites soon after the commencement of the pres- ent century. The first white person known to have been in the county was a man by the name of Ross. He wandered up Laughery creek, and after reaching the mouth of a little branch at a point on this stream one mile east of the present location of Versailles, he was discovered by the Indians. To make his escape he ran up that little creek, which, in memory of this occurrence, has always been called "Ross' Run." It is supposed by some of the old citizens that this man Ross was one of the Archibald Laughery party that were attacked by Indians in 1781 at the mouth of Laughery creek, on the bank of the Ohio river, within the boundary of the present Ohio county.

The first settlements in the county were made in Shelby township by Daniel and Henry Wooley, in 1814. Daniel entered his land in this town- ship, near Versailles, but he did not come and settle on it until 1817. Soon after Daniel Wooley came and settled in Shelby township, followed shortly after by Henry Yater, Jesse Cole, the Bartlett and Brown families, James King, P. Young, John Kirby, James McKaskey, George Wagner, John McDowell and William McLuser. These all came before the close of the year 1818. John Snodgrass was the first settler in Franklin township. He came in 1815, before the close of the year. Sanfred Hawley, Robertson Gookins, Esquire Robertson, Philip Newfarth, Samuel Montgomery and John Chamberland had settled here. In the spring of 1816 the Wallace, Shanes and Delay families became citizens of the present Franklin township. A settlement was made in 1815 in Adams township by Richard Workman, Thomas Sunman and several families of Mckees. At a later date George Clark and Thomas Sum- merville also settled in this township. Another settlement was made about the same time in Laughery township by a man named Ball. It is supposed that he came in the spring of 1815. Walter Thackery and Robert Birchfield located in the fall of the same year.

The first settlement in Brown township was made by John Herson in 1815. Before the close of the year 1818 the following early settlers were living in Brown township: Richard Galaband, Moses Roberts, James Curry, A. Young, Ira

Young, Isaac Paugh, David Runner, Lewis Mey- ers, Jacob Hewit, Frederick Buba, James Ben- ham, Thomas Spencer, John Holgarth and Zebu- lon Brason. The latter was a famous hunter and claimed the honor of killing 108 wolves in Ripley county.

The first settler in Johnson township, about Versailles, was John Hunter, who located in 1816. Before the close of the next year the following persons were living in the township: Benjamin Purcell, Thomas Davis, Thomas Kern, afterward Probate Judge; Charles Lewis, James Muir, Thomas Logiston, Thomas Goodrich and Garri- son Bossal. In 1818 Henry Yater, Silas Reed, James Dickerson, William Holman, Joseph Mc- Cluska, John Rea-afterward Sheriff of the coun- ty; William Holland, Jacob Kiser, Colonel Smith and Presley Gray settled.

Ripley county was organized by an act of the Legislature of 1817-18 and named in honor of General E. W. Ripley, an officer of the war of 1812. The first Circuit Court met at the house of Benjamin Brown at New Marion on the 23d of July, 1818. John Test, presiding Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, and John Richey and Thomas Currie, Associate Judges, were present. The only business transacted at this session was the adoption of a county seal.

The March term, 1819, of the Circuit Court was held at Versailles, according to the orders made at New Marion, at the July session, in 1818. At this term John Watts appeared and presented his commission as presiding Judge and the oath of office was administered to him by Jesse L. Hol- man. The first case in this court was presented in assumpsit, Jeremiah Burchfield against Cyrus Webster. This case resulted in a personal en- counter, in which Burchfield received a severe drubbing. Webster was indicted for assault and battery, and at the October term, 1819, pleading guilty, was fined one dollar and cost.

The first term of the Probate Court was held at New Marion, in the house of Benjamin Brown, November 9, 1818, the associate judges presiding. The court simply met, organized and adjourned, to meet at the house of Joseph Bently, in Ver- sailles, on the 15th day of March, 1819. The first business of this court was the appointment of John Johnson, guardian of Richson Blair, orphan of James Blair, deceased.

The Board of County Commissioners met on the 11th day of May, 1818. Present, the Com-

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

missioners: James Wooley, William Buchanan and Freeburn Hall. They divided the county at this meeting into three townships-Graham, Perry and Laughery. They ordered an election in each township to elect justices of the peace, and appointed David Wooley inspector of election in Graham township, William Buchanan in Perry, and Samuel Hodes in Laughery.

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History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 108

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104