History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 110

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

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Gesten P. Hunt, always an ardent Democrat and at present postmaster of Rushville. Will S. Meredith, postmaster of Rushville during one of the Cleveland administrations. Mark Purcell, deputy postmaster under Postmaster Meredith

and for two years Democratic county chairman of Rush county.

Will Leach, a stanch Democrat and the present city chairman of Rushville. Rush G. Budd, an old-line Democrat and is at this time one of the trustees of the epileptic village at Newcastle, having been appointed to that position by Gov- einor Ralston in 1915.

In view of the long, tardy recognition of the rights of the women of our country-now about to be shown by all the States-the writer feels that no more fitting close to this article could be made than a few lines from a historical sketch of Rush county, written by the late John F. Moses, entitled, "The Pioneer Woman."

"Men write histories and figure most in them. Up to this point little has been said about woman's part in this wilderness life. The hardships were by no means all man's, nor the toil. She cooked at the open fireplace, stooping at most of this work, with her head exposed to the heat. Her equipment of kitchen furniture was meager. There were a few iron pots, a skillet or two, a 'Dutch oven' for the baking, a crane in the chimney for the mush and hominy pot, a few gourd dippers and a few dishes and knives. She made the soap, hackled the flax, carded the wool, spun and dyed the yarn, wove the cloth, cut and made the family clothing; and blankets, sheets and towels were the product of her industry and skill. She gathered herbs and was the family doctor. She bore and raised the children. With all these manifold duties she found time to help out with the corn planting or hoeing. Her willing hands were ever busy with acts of neighborly kindness. She sat by the sick bed and comforted the troubled. Her womanly virtues and graces gave the hard life of that time such refinement as it had. She was the best part of the church and she taught her daughters to be modest and homekeepers and her sons to be good men. With brave heart she toiled through her allotted years, then slipped away into some little graveyard to rest. It may be that its fences have long since rotted down and the cattle trample upon her grave or the plow goes over it today, but on that last day when the Book of Re- membrance is opened, she will come forth to her reward."

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HISTORY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

T HE county of St. Joseph is in the middle of the northernmost tier of counties of In- diana. To the east are the counties of Elkhart, LaGrange and Steuben; to the west, those of LaPorte, Porter and Lake. On the south are the counties of Marshall and Starke, and on the North is the county of Berrien, in the State of Michigan. The northern part of the county is in the St. Joseph Valley, and the southern part in the Kankakee region. A goodly number of lakes were once within the territorial limits of the county. Of these most have become extinct through various causes, but those remaining constitute a source of joy to thousands who have a fondness for healthful outings, for invigorating boating, and for exhilarating fishing. The most impor- tant of the remaining lakes are the Notre Dame, the Chain and Bass Lakes in Warren township, west of South Bend, and Hudson Lake near New Carlisle.

St. Joseph county's organization was effected under an act of the General Assembly, approved January 29, 1830. The first election in conformity with this act was held on the first Monday in August, 1830. At this election Lathrop M. Tay- lor was chosen Clerk and Recorder, and Lambert McCombs, Adam Smith and Levi F. Arnold were chosen as justices of the peace. The board of justices held its first meeting at the house of Alexis Coquillard, August 27, 1830. At this meeting John D. Lasly was appointed Treasurer. His bond was fixed at $1,000. Assessors and col- lectors were also appointed at this meeting. Li- censes were granted the American Fur Company (Alexis Coquillard, agent), and to Samuel Hanna & Co., of Fort Wayne (Lathrop M. Taylor, agent), to vend foreign merchandise within the county of St. Joseph for the term of one year. The fee for this privilege was $10 each.

The last (fourth) meeting of the board of jus- tices was held November 12, 1830. By an act of the General Assembly, approved January 19, 1831, a board of county commissioners was sub- stituted for the board of justices. Under this act a county government was provided for and the various officers serving thereunder were required to be chosen by popular election. The first board of commissioners chosen was composed of Aaron Stanton, David Miller and Joseph Rohrer. South Bend was in 1831 made the seat of justice for the newly-organized county. Lathrop M. Taylor served seven years as clerk and recorder. This office combined the duties of clerk, auditor and recorder. Taylor was succeeded by Tyra W. Bray,

who also held the office for seven years. John F. Lindsay, the last clerk under the constitu- tion of 1816, was in office from 1844 to 1851. Un- der the constitution of 1851 the tenure of the county clerk's office was reduced to four years with the right to one re-election. Samuel M. Chord was elected in 1851 and re-elected four years later. Elias V. Clark held the office from 1859 to 1867; George W. Matthews, to 1875; Cap- tain Edwin Nicar, to 1879; Timothy E. Howard, to 1883; George H. Alward succeeded Howard, but died November 11, 1885, and by appointment was succeeded by his son, George H., who served until 1887. In 1886 William C. McMichael was elected clerk, being succeeded by George M. Foun- tain in 1895. In 1903, George H. Alward became clerk by election, and in 1907 he was succeeded by Frank P. Christoph. The present incumbent of this office is George M. Raab. Fourteen differ- ent individuals have filled this important office since the organization of the county. Edwin Nicar was elected by a combination of Independents and Democrats. Timothy E. Howard was the first Democrat to be chosen county clerk. William C. McMichael, Frank P. Christoph and George M. Raab also were later on elected as Democrats. These three were residents of Mishawaka.

As county auditor, L. M. Taylor served from 1830 to 1837; Tyra W. Bray from 1837 to 1845; George W. Matthews from 1845 to 1849; Aaron B. Ellsworth from 1849 to 1859; W. J. Holloway from 1859 to 1867; Alfred Wheeler from 1867 to 1875; William D. Smith from 1875 to 1883; Aaron Jones from 1883 to 1891; Robert Myler from 1891 to 1895; Geo. W. Loughman from 1895 to 1899; John M. Brown, from 1899 to 1903; John W. Harbou from 1903 to 1911; Clarence Sedgwick from 1912 to 1915; Arthur F. Wolf from 1915 to 1919.

Samuel L. Cottrell was the first sheriff of the county. Those succeeding him in that office were: Benjamin McCarty, 1831; Scott West, 1832; Dan- iel A. Fullerton, 1832 to 1833; Samuel L. Cottrell, 1833 to 1838; Charles M. Tutt, 1838 to 1842; Lott Day, Sr., 1842 to 1846; Lott Day, Jr., 1846 to 1850; Ralph Staples, 1850 to 1852; Benjamin F. Miller, 1852 to 1856; Evan C. Johnson, 1856 to 1860; Nelson Ferris, 1860 to 1864; Solomon W. Palmer, 1864 to 1868; Geo. V. Glover, 1868 to 1872; Joseph Turnock, 1872 to 1876; Robert Hardy, 1876 to 1878; James Dougherty, 1878 to 1880; Zachariah M. Johnson, 1880 to 1884; George Rockstroh, 1884 to 1886; John Finch, 1886 to 1890; Andrew J. Ward, 1890 to 1894; James C.

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816 -1916

Eberhart, 1894 to 1898; Charles E. McCarty, 1898 to 1903; Schuyler C. Robinson, 1903 to 1905; David B. J. Schafer, 1905 to 1909; Millard F. Kerr, 1909 to 1913; Edward S. Swanson, 1913 to 1915; Charles E. Bailey, 1915 to 1919. Of these Staples, Dougherty, Rockstroh, Ward and Bailey were elected as Democrats.

As first treasurer of the county John D. Lasly was appointed by the board of justices for the year 1830. September 7, 1831, Aaron Miller was appointed treasurer by the board of county com- missioners to hold until his successor was duly ap- pointed and qualified. He was required to give bond in the sum of $2,000. By an act of the Gen- eral Assembly, approved February 12, 1841, the office of county treasurer was made elective. From the time when the office was made elective the county treasurers have been: Albert Monson, 1841; John K. Wright, 1850; Robert B. Nicar, 1851; Solomon Miller, 1856; John H: Harper, 1860; Ezekiel Greene, 1864; Hiram Miller, 1868; David B. Creviston, 1872; C. Henry Scheerer, 1876; John Hay, 1878; Frederick Lang, 1880; Emanuel R. Wills, 1884; George H. Stover, 1888; Simon Yenn, 1892; William H. Oren, 1894; John W. Zigler, 1898; Adam Hunsberger, 1903; William C. Stover, 1907; Marshal Hughes, 1909; Fred W. Martin, 1913; Ed. F. Keller, 1917. Of these Hay, Wills, George H. Stover, Yenn, W. C. Stover, Martin and Keller were elected as Democrats.

During the existence of the Whig party the county remained steadfastly of that faith. A pro- nounced Freesoil sentiment was developed during the forties. In 1848 there was quite a sentiment in favor of the Van Buren and Adams ticket, stanchly supported by Samuel J. Tilden, but the bulk of the Democratic vote was cast for the regu- lar ticket, Cass and Butler. When the Republican party was formed nearly the entire Whig element joined that party, together with some of the Free- soil Democrats. Know-Nothingism never gained much of a foothold in St. Joseph county, though the People's party, preceding the Republican or- ganization, developed much strength during the fifties. In the memorable campaign of 1860 the Democrats stood unflinchingly by Stephen A. Douglas. This was largely due to the attitude of ex-Congressman Norman Eddy, though his defeat as a candidate for re-election to Congress was di- rectly attributable to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, in the main brought about through the persistent efforts of the "Little Giant," in the sincere but vain hope of appeasing the South and averting a sectional conflict. John Brownfield, who for many years presided over the conventions of the St. Joseph county Democracy before, dur- ing and after the Civil war, maintained a con- servative attitude regarding the presidential con-

test of 1860. A native of Pennsylvania, by na- ture and inclination a conservative, he favored the nomination of James Guthrie of Kentucky as a compromise candidate. But compromise was out of the question, and the great split in the Democratic party of 1860 made it easy for the young, vigorous and enthusiastic Republican party to elect its honored standard-bearer to the presi- dency.

The first rupture in the Republican party fol- lowed the Greeley or Liberal revolt in 1872 and the enactment of the Baxter law by the Indiana Legislature of 1873. This break in the solidity of the Republicans was largely due to the influence exerted by David R. Leeper, who up to that time had been a stanch Republican. He was nomi- nated for the Legislature by a coalition of Demo- crats and Liberal (or Greeley) Republicans, but declined the nomination. In 1874 he was again nominated for the Legislature and triumphantly elected, and re-elected in 1876. By that time he had become a full-fledged Democrat. In 1878 he was elected state senator for St. Joseph and Starke counties by the phenomenal majority of nearly 800. He made a splendid record in both houses of the General Assembly. As senator he served with marked ability as member of the com- mittees on finance, on railroads, on education, on public buildings, on banks, on several committees of conference on appropriation bills and on other impor'ant special committees. He had much to do with shaping legislation for the erection of a new state house at Indianapolis and for the enlarge- ment of the facilities for caring for the insane of the State. By reason of his achievements at In- dianapolis he was strongly urged by party leaders to accept a nomination for Congress by the Demo- crats of the Thirteenth District in 1882, but could not be persuaded to do so. Instead, however, he consented to make the race for county auditor, in the hope of retrieving to some extent the financial loss sustained by having gone on the bail bond of a defaulting city treasurer. As a result of tac- tics first applied during the Hancock-Garfield campaign, the bulldozing of factory employes, the entire Democratic ticket of 1882 was defeated. Mr. Leeper, however, had the proud satisfaction of receiving the largest vote cast for any candidate on his ticket. With these experiences in public life he felt that he had enough of politics. Ac- cordingly he devoted much of his time and atten- tion to travel, literature and music. He wrote a great deal for the public press, and finally turned his attention to formulating a masterpiece in the literary line. This he entitled "The American Idea." The manuscript was submitted to a num- ber of competent critics, all of whom spoke of it as a production of unusual and extraordinary

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

merit. G. P. Putnam's Sons proposed to produce it in their series of "Questions of the Day," but no conclusion was reached regarding the matter. Quite recently his brother Samuel, president of the American Trust Company at South Bend, de- cided to perpetuate the author's memory by caus- ing "The American Idea" to be printed in book form and placed within reach of appreciative stu- dents of government. The appearance of this ex- ceedingly interesting volume has been greeted with marked favor by some of the leading papers of the country, among them the New York World, San Francisco Chronicle and numerous other ex- tensively circulating periodicals.

In the spring of 1892 the Sou'h Bend Democ- racy found itself in straits for an available candi- date for the mayoralty. Factional troubles had rendered the prospect of success at the polls any- thing but assuring, so aspirants for the nomina- tion any way desirable were not conspicuously in sight. Leaders put their heads together and finally decided to bring the strongest possible pressure to hear on David R. Leeper to induce him to make the race. It was no easy task to bring him around. Argument upon argument was adduced why he should make the race for this important office. Still he held out. Final pressure was brought to bear on him during the afternoon preceding the nominating convention, which was held in what was then known as Price's Theater, on North Michigan street. He tenaciously held out against it until it was nearly time for the convention to assemble, and as he lived on the outskirts of the city, the person commissioned to extract from him the promise to accept had to make all possible haste to reach the convention hall. No time was lost in placing Mr. Leeper in nomination. Mani- festations of genuine joy greeted the announce- ment and the nomination was acclaimed with vo- ciferous shouting. By a narrow margin his elec- tion at the polls was accomplished, only one of his associates on the ticket being fortunate enough to "pull through." The Republicans succeeded in electing the greater part of their nominees. Two years later the party insisted on nominating him for re-election. Determinedly he resisted all ef- forts in that direction. While pressure was brought to bear on him to yield, the convention proceeded deliberately with the preliminaries, the managers all the while eagerly looking toward the door for the "pressure committee" to put in an appearance. Definite action could no longer be deferred. Nominations were made. Leeper's con- sent, wrought from him amidst the shedding of tears, could not be obtained until the convention had just about finished its work. A clever young Democrat named George A. McComber headed the ticket. The joy depicted upon Leeper's coun-

tenance upon learning that he would not have to pass through the ordeal of a campaign revealed the true inwardness of his innermost feelings and his deep-seated aversion to making a distasteful race. The election resulted in a sweeping Repub- lican victory-David B. J. Schafer heading the ticket of that party. The panic of 1893 effectually destroyed every prospect of Democratic success at the polls in those perilous days. The only of- fice Mr. Leeper thereafter accepted was that of police commissioner, by appointment of Governor Matthews. It is worthy of note that every nomi- nation conferred upon Mr. Leeper was by unani- mous vote and that in every instance he polled more votes than any of his associates on the ticket. Had his ambition been equal to his ability and his sterling worth, he would in all probability have occupied conspicuous places in State and national councils.

By virtue of legislative authorization, dated January 15, 1844, South Bend became an incor- porated town that year, with Benjamin F. Price, William H. Patteson, John Brownfield, Abraham Wilson and Ricketson Burroughs as trustees. John Brownfield was made president and William H. Patteson clerk of this board. The first elec- tion for town trustee was held March 3, 1845, and resulted in the election of John Brownfield, Benjamin F. Price, William A. Patteson, Ricket- son Burroughs and Joseph Andre. This board selected John Brownfield as president, Charles M. Heaton as clerk, Schuyler Colfax as assessor, Albert Monson as treasurer, and William Snave- ly as marshal. The presidents of subsequent town boards were: 1846, John Brownfield; 1848, John A. Henricks; 1850, Solomon W. Palmer; 1851, Mathias Stover; 1858, Henry Carleton; 1859 and 1860, Benjamin F. Price; 1861, Edmund Pitts Taylor; 1863 and 1864, John A. Henricks; 1865, Henry Carleton.

South Bend became a city in 1865 when, on June 5, William G. George was elected mayor; George H. Alward, clerk; George W. Matthews, treasurer; Daniel Roof, marshal; Washington Saunders, civil engineer; Elisha Sumption, as- sessor. Subsequent mayors were installed: In 1866, William G. George; 1868, Louis Humphreys, serving four years; 1872, William Miller; 1876, A. N. Thomas; 1878, Lucius G. Tong; 1880, Dr. Levi J. Ham; 1884, George W. Loughman; 1888, William H. Longley; 1892, David R. Leeper'; 1894, David B. J. Schafer; 1898, Schuyler Colfax; 1902, Edward J. Fogarty; 1909, Charles L. Goetz; 1913, Fred W. Keller. Dr. Ham was the first Democrat to be elected mayor of South Bend. Other Demo- cratic mayors were Longley, Leeper, Fogarty and Goetz. Keller, though politically a Progressive and Republican, was elected over Pat. A. Joyce

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

as the nominee of a "conglomeration of incongru- ous elements" styling itself "Citizens' party." No man in the city was better equipped for the may- oralty than Mr. Joyce. His record as Councilman for the fourth ward stamped him a highly saga- cious and ruggedly honest municipal legislator. He was the one man who courageously and con- scientiously stood out against the granting of franchises that in subsequent years were utilized to be bartered away to corporations at enormous profits. He repeatedly demonstrated his ability and adaptability to intelligent and efficient munici- pal service while filling the important office of City Controller during the Goetz administration. Yet he was defeated, partly through duplicity and treachery, partly through hypocrisy and cant, and not inconsiderably at the expense of truth, justice and righteous citizenship. Undeceived and base- ly betrayed, the electorate of South Bend would, if it could, gladly undo the foolishness of 1913.

The office of postmaster of South Bend, under Democratic administration, was filled by Sorden Lister and Walter Harrigan. The present incum- bent is George W. Zinky. Lister was for many years the recognized leader of Democratic forces in city and county. He served a number of years in the city council and had an ambition to be- come mayor. Factional troubles rendered impos- sible the gratification of this ambition. Mr. Long- ley had the honor of defeating one of the strong- est and most resourceful Republicans of the city, viz .: "Buffalo" Miller. To Mr. Fogarty belongs the honor of having served longer than any other individual chosen as mayor of this city since its organization. The honor of having been elected by the largest majority ever accorded to an as- pirant to the South Bend mayoralty belongs to Charles L. Goetz. He was very reluctant about entering the race, and held out against making it until only a few days before the assembling of the convention. Senator Shively presided. The nominating speeches by Harry Wair, George Ford and F. E. Hering were of a high order. Un- bounded enthusiasm prevailed. The ticket placed in nomination was exceptionally strong. Charles L. Goetz for mayor, G. A. Farabaugh for city judge, and Timothy E. Howard for councilman-at- large, appealed strongly to the electorate. On election day this combination swept everything before it. The majority reached 2,500. Goetz car- ried every ward and every precinct except one. The campaign was conducted upon a high plane and elicited unstinted commendation. Charley Goetz was a prime favorite with the people. He was a true-hearted man and a superb mixer. The defeat of his friend Joyce in 1913 grieved him sorely. There are those who believe it con- tributed to his premature death, June 23, 1915,

when only 56 years of age. For a quarter of a century he was among the most efficient party workers and managers in the State. His passing entailed an irreparable loss.

In the General Assembly St. Joseph county was represented, beginning in the seventies, by Repre- sentatives David R. Leeper, Wm. C. McMichael, Henry Ginz, Thomas J. Garoutte, William H. Stull, Edward A. Metzger, George H. Stover, George V. Byrkett, Joseph F. Suchanek, Charles Weidler, George W. Sands, Charles A. Hagerty, George Y. Hepler, Marion Gorsky and G. A. Has- langer, and by Senators Joseph Henderson, David R. Leeper, Timothy E. Howard, E. Volney Bing- ham and Charles A. Hagerty.

St. Joseph county Democrats elected to Con- gress were Norman Eddy, George Ford and Ben- jamin F. Shively. Eddy and Ford served each one term; Shively, three and a fraction; later on he was twice elected to the U. S. Senate-first by the Legislature and six years later by popular vote. In 1896 he was the Democratic nominee for governor and was defeated by James A. Mount by about 25,000 majority. Schuyler Col- fax and Abraham L. Brick were the only Repub- licans elected to Congress from St. Joseph county. Colfax was first chosen in 1854 to succeed Colonel Eddy and was re-elected to six consecutive terms. Three of his races were made against that force- ful debater, David Turpie. In 1868 Colfax was made vice-president of the United States. That was his last public office. He died at Mankato, Minn., January 13, 1885, while on a lecture tour. Brick was first elected in 1898 and re-elected to four consecutive terms. He died at Indianapolis, April 7, 1908.

In 1870 Colonel Norman Eddy was nominated by the Democrats for secretary of state and triumphantly elected by about two thousand ma- jority over Dr. Max F. A. Hoffmann of Logans- port. Colonel Eddy died during his term. His son, Owen M., was graciously and generously per- mitted to serve the remainder of the term, al- though John F. Farquhar was by the governor named to fill the vacancy. Timothy E. Howard was elected to the supreme bench in 1892 and William P. O'Neill was chosen to the office of lieutenant-governor in 1912. In 1904 Edward J. Fogarty received the Democratic nomination for secretary of state, but with the rest of the ill-fated Alton B. Parker ticket experienced over- whelming defeat.

Upon the death of James D. Reid, warden of the Indiana state prison seven or eight years ago, former Mayor Edward J. Fogarty was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. He holds the posi- tion at this time. By general concurrence that institution has been pronounced the model state

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

prison in the United States. Several years ago Warden Fogarty installed an extensive binder twine manufacturing plant within the prison walls. This has been operated to marked ad- vantage. Operations therein have been impeded of late on account of the exorbitant advance in the price of sisal, caused by the war in Mexico. In lieu of binder twine production, Warden Fo- garty has turned his attention to extensive farm- ing operations in the western part of St. Joseph county. He leased from the Reynolds estate 2,200 acres of choice land in Olive township and the Hubbard farm of 600 acres, near by. Vast quantities of wheat, oats, potatoes, peas, beans, etc., have resulted from the first year's experi- ment. Much greater results are calculated on next year.

At the urgent request of Governor Marshall seven years ago John B. Stoll accepted the ten- der of a position as trustee on the Indiana prison and parole board. He was made president of the board immediately upon becoming a member thereof, and is now serving his seventh year in that capacity. His commission runs to January, 1921.

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History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 110

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