USA > Indiana > History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916 > Part 125
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That he made good in a big way as state treasurer is shown by the public records. During his term he enjoyed the distinction of signing the check that paid off over three millions of state debts which had been inherited from the Republican administration. The Vincennes University bonds amounting to $120,548 (not due until 1917) and Indiana University bonds amounting to $340,000 (not due until 1921) were paid in full in 1916, and the entire foreign and domestic debts were liquidated, stopping all interest charges and freeing the State from all debt for the first time in eighty-four years.
At the session of the Legislature in 1917 the state debt sinking fund was abolished. Inasmuch as the State was out of debt there was no further need for this fund. Thus the state tax rate of 40.1 cents on each $100 of taxables was reduced by 1} cents, making the rate 38.6 cents on each $100, and the lowest tax rate of any State in the Middle West.
Mr. Bittler was treasurer of the Teutonia Loan and Savings Association of Fort Wayne, secre- tary of the Fort Wayne chapter of the American Institute of Banking and secretary of the Jefferson Club of Fort Wayne, the oldest and most active Democratic club of the State. He was a member of the advisory committee of several financial institutions, a director of the Indiana Democratic Club, a member of the Pen and Pencil Club of Indianapolis, member of the University and Commercial clubs of Fort Wayne and a trustee of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran church of Indianapolis.
ADOLPH BLICKWEDEL
Adolph Blickwedel was born in the province of Saxony, Germany, April 3, 1861, a son of Fred- erick J. and Mary (Schultz) Blickwedel. He received his preliminary education in the schools of his country, learning the trade of cabinet maker, which he followed until he came to America, coming direct to Richmond, arriving February 21, 1882. He continued to follow the career of cabinet maker for about ten years, then going to the employ of the Panhandle railway as car repairer. After an accident, which nearly cost him an arm, he embarked in the grocery business in 1892, occupying the same quarters that he now has, and being known as a progressive and reliable man.
Mr. Blickwedel is secretary of the Minck Brewing Co., president South Side Improvement Co., president German Mutual Fire Insurance Association, and treasurer of the German Maennerchor Society. He is also a member of the Young Men's Business Club of Richmond. He takes a lively interest in politics, but has never desired office. He represented the 4th ward in the city council 1896 to 1900, and again 1904 to 1906. On February 21, 1881, he married Mary M. Wieharke, who died in 1889, leaving two children. On April 29, 1890, Mr. Blickwedel married Anna Randkoph.
Mr. Blickwedel is an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and a member of St. John's Benevolent Society.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
BENTON J. BLOOM
The name of Benton J. Bloom is familiar to the citizens of Whitley county, being that of a prom- inent attorney of Columbia City and formerly an honored public official of that place.
Mr. Bloom was born in this state on October 29, 1879, and received his early schooling in the public schools, graduating from the high school. He attended Indiana University for a course in law, in due time was admitted to the bar of Whitley county, and entered into the active practice of his profession at Columbia City, his ability as an attorney and his loyalty to his clients soon winning for him a large and lucrative practice.
In the year 1910 Mr. Bloom assumed the duties of mayor of his home city, and during his four years of service in that capacity established an enviable record as an official of ability and integrity.
On the 15th day of May, 1912, Mr. Bloom was united in marriage to Miss Marie A. Meyers, who has proved an able second in his career and a charming hostess to their many friends.
MICHAEL C. BLUE
Mr. Blue is best known in Indiana as the "Father of the Wells County Democracy," inasmuch as he has always been called upon to cement slightly fractured friendships, settle disputes, party quarrels-and, although not a lawyer, has fre- quently even been called upon to adjust family differences, hence the cognomen of "Father."
He was born in Ohio on the 16th day of April, 1836, and God has spared him to a useful and ripe old age, which, to his credit, he has used in helping others rather than helping himself. His parents moved to Indiana in 1840, and he re- ceived his education at the country schools and Roanoke Col- lege.
On May 1, 1866, he was married to Miss Rhoda Richey, and in 1857, while but 21 years of age, was appointed con- stable, and two years later, in 1859, was elected township as- sessor. In 1866 he was elected county surveyor, serving until 1870, and then was elected county auditor, serving from 1870 to 1874. In 1881 he surveyed and admirably laid out the town of Tocsin, and taught the first term of the Tocsin school, as well as being instrumental in securing a postoffice and, with others, in inducing the C. & E. R. R. to put a station at Tocsin.
In 1892 he was elected to the state legislature, and re-elected in 1894; both times proving his popularity and worth to Democracy by running ahead of his party ticket by large majorities. In 1894 he was one of the fifteen Democratic representatives who survived the fierce legislative cam- paign waged by the Republican party while Claude Matthews was in the governor's chair.
Since his last term in the legislature he has devoted his attention to his large farming inter- ests, being an extensive raiser and shipper of hogs; and yet has never been too busy to give his party his best efforts, financial support and counsel at the primaries and on election day.
In these days of Democratic success, we cannot lose sight of the stalwarts like Michael C. Blue who have made our present supremacy possible by their eternal vigilance in the days gone by, when "corrupt political practices" had to be fought, even in the face of a forlorn hope.
Mr. Blue is a prominent layman in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was always active in benevolent and local commercial circles until his age and large farming interests forced his retire- ment. Wells county, the state and Democratic party are proud of him.
DR. FELTY A. BOLSER
Dr. Felty A. Bolser was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1858, and moved with his parents to Henry county, Indiana, about 1870. During the eighties he attended veterinary college at Toronto, Canada, and took a very thorough course. Setting up an office in Newcastle his practice soon took him in many parts of the state. During the administration of Governor Matthews he was made
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
state veterinarian, a position he held for nearly six years. Dr. Bolser was several times chair- man of the Henry county Democratic committee and has used his splendid organizing ability in every campaign for the last thirty years.
Soon after the election of Governor Ralston he was made assistant state veterinarian and served four years in that capacity. It was during this term that the foot-and-mouth plague took hold in Indiana and Dr. Bolser in connection with federal agents was given the task of stamping it out.
For the last year or more the name of Dr. Bolser has been mentioned in connection with the state committee and when that body reorganized last May he was elected vice-chairman. He is married and has one son, Dr. Harry W. Bolser, who is his business associate at Newcastle.
LEWIS W. BORDERS
Mr. Borders is a native of Hendricks county, his birth having occurred in Franklin township on the 6th day of October, 1863, and is esteemed as one of the substantial citizens of Danville. His education was received in the common schools of the county, and he has since remained in the home of his birth, loyal to Hendricks county and proud of the progress she has made in the many years of his residence within her borders.
Since his youth he has been engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and is a successful breeder of live stock. In October, 1907, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Worrell. In the fall of 1911 he was elected to the position of auditor of Hendricks county, and so conscientiously did he perform the duties of his position that he was renominated in 1914, serving until January 1, 1916. Always a zealous worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, he served as precinct committeeman for a number of years and attended state conventions as delegate. He is a member of the Indiana Demo- cratic Club and of the order of Masons.
AUGUST C. BORGMAN
August C. Borgman, one of the best known business men of Ft. Wayne, is a native of that city and has lived there all his life. He received his early education in the German parochial schools and at Concordia College, which he attended for a short time. When but a boy he began to work for his father, who was engaged in the excavating business, and was so employed until he attained his ma- jority. At the age of twenty-two he married Elizabeth Horstmeyer and began to shape his own career.
For seven years Mr. Borgman was a member of the Ft. Wayne police force, but resigned to go into the trucking business with his brother, Captain William F. Borgman. Subsequently he was appointed chief of police by Mayor Grice, but resigned after two months' service. He was tendered the same position by Mayor Hosey in January, 1914, but declined the office. In 1910 he was a can- didate of sheriff of Allen county.
Mr. Borgman has for years taken an active part in local affairs and is one of the strong Demo- crats of Ft. Wayne, with many influential friends and a host of adherents. He has been delegate to several conventions and is always active in campaigns. He is an upright and successful busi- ness man and has a clean record in every way.
JAMES BOUSLOG
A roster of the prominent citizens of the city of Newcastle would be incomplete were mention not made of the present sheriff of Henry county, Mr. James Bouslog. This gentleman is a native of the Hoosier state, and most of his life has been spent in the pursuit of agriculture. His birth oc- curred on the 25th day of June, 1854, and his education was received in the public schools of Henry county. In the year 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Lenora Bunner, and three children have come to brighten their home.
Mr. Bouslog has since his youth been a stanch Democrat, and in the year 1911 was appointed chief of police of the city of Newcastle. This position he held until the fall of 1914, at which time he was elected sheriff of Henry county. During his incumbency of these important offices, Mr. Bous- log has shown conscientious zeal in the administration of the affairs in his charge, and has served with great credit to himself and his constituents. Though not interested in fraternal affairs, he has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and has won a high position in the esteem of the com- munity at large.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
FRANCIS EDWARD BOWSER
Judge Francis Edward Bowser, for many years an honored official of Kosciusko county, is a true product of this county. He was born in Kosciusko county, and here his life has been spent and his in- terests are firmly established. His birth occurred on the 1st day of February, 1861, and in all the years which have passed since his loyalty to Warsaw has not wavered. Here he attended the public schools, taking both the elementary and high school grades; but when he wished to fit himself for his chosen profession, the law, a course of study was taken at Indiana University, at Bloomington. In 1885 he was admitted to the bar of Kosciusko county and engaged in the active practice of law. In the fall of 1908 he was elected judge of the 54th Judicial Circuit (Kosciusko county), and re-elected in November, 1914.
Mrs. Bowser, to whom he was married June 20, 1894, was formerly Miss Regina Bitner, and to her, as the presiding genius of his home, much credit is due for the success of her husband.
Judge Bowser is a stanch Democrat and has adhered consistently to the tenets of his party.
JOHN P. BOYD
John P. Boyd was born on a farm in Penn township, Jay county, on March 28, 1869. His father, Amor Boyd, located in Montpelier in 1877, where he is still in active business, and the son John has been a resident of Montpelier ever since. He was educated in the schools of Montpelier and was married to Miss Minnie Arnold. Two sons have been born to them, Robert A., born October 31, 1893, and Francis D., born December 18, 1899.
Mr. Boyd chose the legal profession for his activities, studied law, and was ad- mitted to the Blackford county bar. He was made city attorney from 1902 to 1906, and again from 1910 to March 1, 1913, when he resigned on account of pressure of other duties. He also served as deputy prosecuting attorney for Blackford county from 1904 to June 1, 1913, when he resigned. He was also county attorney in 1911 and 1912.
On January 1, 1909, he was appointed receiver of the Montpelier Light & Water Company, which position he held until December, 1913, when the company was re-organized and he was appointed as manager of the new company-the Montpelier Utilities Co. He is also treasurer of the corporation.
Mr. Boyd is president of the board of school trustees and member of the library board and also continues his practice of law. He takes an active interest in his party politics, having been Democratic township chairman for the past twelve years, and continues in that position. Fraternally, he is a member of No. 625 Elks Lodge.
P. S. BRADLEY
Closely identified with the political and business life of the city of Elwood, and one of the most faithful and zealous of the party workers in that city and vicinity, P. S. Bradley is familiarly known to the citizens of Madison county.
Mr. Bradley is a native of the state of New York, born in Brooklyn, May 14, 1854. He received his education in the public and parochial schools of the city of Troy; and in the year 1887, when the natural gas fields were opened in Indiana, came to this state for the purpose of engaging in the business of laying natural gas mains.
Mr. Bradley is descended from a line of Democratic ancestors and throughout the family no other political faith is known. He has often served as precinct committeeman and delegate to county, district and state conventions. He also has been a member of the city council, elected in a Republi- can stronghold.
After twenty-five years of service for the Standard Oil Company, laying pipe lines, Mr. Bradley organized the Home Storage and Manufacturing Company, a thriving concern, of which he was pres- ident. He died December 22, 1917.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
DR. GEORGE BALES BREEDLOVE
Dr. George Bales Breedlove, a prominent physician and surgeon of Morgan county, Indiana, who has had charge of the Barnard, Colonial and Highland sani- tariums of Martinsville, Ind., but who is now confining himself to the general prac- tice of medicine and surgery in Morgan county, was born in Marion county on the 18th day of May, 1868. He attended the public and high schools of Marion county and later entered Purdue University for further study, and after graduation en- tered medical college and received his medical degree from the University of Ten- nessee at Nashville. His post-graduate work in medical science and surgery was taken in Chicago Post-Graduate School and in Cornell and Bellevue hospitals, New York City.
He established himself in Morgan county, where he entered into the active practice of medicine and surgery with marked success. He is now county health commissioner and a member of the county, state and American medical associations, having served as president of the former and was twice delegate to the American Medical Association.
He is now Democratic county chairman, and politically has rendered valued service to his party since his youth.
Fraternally he is allied with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Eagles. He enjoys the distinction of being the best-informed Mason in his county.
He has been very active in fighting the great white plague, tuberculosis, in his county and in rendering conditions sanitary. He is on the advisory board of the Anti-Tubercular Society and has always been a very prominent worker in behalf of the cause.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL FRANKLIN LANDERS BRIDGES
Franklin Landers Bridges, by appointment of Governor Samuel M. Ralston, served as adjutant-general of the Indiana National Guard from January, 1914, to January, 1917. Born in Indianapolis in 1878, educated in the schools of Indianapolis, Indiana University and Butler College, he en- listed in the Indiana National Guard in 1895 and served in the Spanish- American war, receiving promotion to quartermaster sergeant in the organi- zation of the 158th Indiana, and serving until the regiment was mustered out.
While he served as adjutant-general the efficiency of the guard was con- siderably raised, calling several times for special compliments from General A. L. Mills, then in charge of the militia division of the Federal War De- partment. It was during the service of Adjutant-General Bridges that for the first time under peace conditions the national guard was called upon to qualify under the standard of the regular army. When called to service on the Mexican border, with most of the men and officers new in service, Indi- ana was complimented with official recognition several times on its comparatively high standard in or- ganization, personnel, equipment and ability to adapt itself to conditions in the field. Its field hos- pital was declared the best on the border by representatives of the Saturday Evening Post when all the troops arrived at the border for service.
JUDGE GEORGE W. BRILL
A lifelong worker for the cause of Democracy, a delegate to many state conventions and to the national conventions of St. Louis, Cincinnati and Baltimore, and a member of the Indiana Democratic Club is Judge George W. Brill of the Hendricks circuit court.
He was born in Hendricks county, December 6, 1859, and attended the public schools of his dis- triet, later continuing his studies in the Central Normal School of Danville. Read law with the well- known firm of Hadley, Hogate & Blake. Following his graduation in 1883 he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the active practice of law, bringing to his work keen intelligence and unflag- ging zeal. In 1885 he was appointed deputy prosecutor for Hendricks and Martin counties under James F. Mitchell, and in 1912 was elected judge of the Hendricks circuit court, the first Demo- crat to hold this position since 1887. His wife was formerly Miss Emma L. Gregg.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
JUDGE WILLIAM HADEN BRIDWELL
The name of William Haden Bridwell is well known throughout Sullivan county and its environs as that of a public-spirited citizen, a brilliant jurist and an able and just judge.
Judge Bridwell is a native Hoosier, born in Owensburg, Ind., on the 14th day of October, 1871, and descended from sturdy pioneers of this State. He attended the public schools of Owensburg, graduating from the high school of this place with the class of 1888. Then followed a course of study at the normal school of Bloomfield, and in the year 1893 he entered the law department of Indiana University. The following year he was admitted to the bar of Greene county and entered into the active practice of this pro- fession. In 1895 he was appointed to the office of deputy prosecutor of Sullivan county, and in this capacity served for a term of two years.
In 1898 he completed the interrupted course of his legal education and graduated from the university. He was again appointed as deputy prose- cuting attorney of Sullivan county in the year of 1900 and served for a period of two years.
In 1895 he located in the city of Sullivan, and has ever since resided in said city.
In 1901 he assumed the duties of county attorney of Sullivan county and served continuously in said capacity until he was appointed by Governor Marshall to the higher responsibilities of judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit, in February, 1911. In the following year he was nominated without oppo- sition for a further term in this office, and was elected with a majority of 1,891 votes.
Judge Bridwell was secretary of the Democratic central committee of Sullivan county in 1904, treasurer in 1906 and chairman in 1908.
Judge Bridwell has been for many years in the van of all movements for the betterment of the community, and is also highly esteemed in the various fraternal orders to which he belongs, includ- ing all Masonic bodies in Sullivan, Terre Haute Temple Mystic Shrine, the I. O. O. F. and B. P. O. E.
THOMAS DRAKE BROOKSHIRE
Though still in the prime of life and actively engaged in the various movements which arise from time to time for the betterment of the com- munity in which he lives, Thomas Drake Brookshire of Roachdale has at- tained the goal toward which he started in his youth, and has retired from the arduous labors of the farm to enjoy the fruits of his earlier toil.
Mr. Brookshire is a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, born on the 15th day of October, 1861. He attended the public schools of his district, and after completing the high school course continued his studies at the Normal School of Ladoga. His boyhood and youth were spent in the wholesome en- vironment of farm life, and after leaving school he returned to the life of the farm and engaged in the pursuit of agriculture with renewed vigor and in- creased knowledge. Here, by the application of unbounded energy and pro- gressive methods, he was enabled to amass a competence for his later years, and before age overtook him, wisely retired to a less strenuous life.
In the year 1898 he assumed the duties of county commissioner and for over nine years his best energies were devoted to the service of the commonwealth in this capacity. Prior to this, from 1893 to 1895, he served as chairman of the construction board to oversee the con- struction of Putnam county's new court house, and in this position won the high esteem of his fellow citizens. In 1913 he served on the famous Dyna mite Jury at Indianapolis.
He is an active member of the Greencastle commandery Knights Templar, among whom he is held in high esteem.
Mrs. Brookshire, to whom he was married November 27, 1884, was formerly Miss Emma Myers.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
THOMAS W. BROLLEY
The present state statistician, Thomas W. Brolley, has been for a number of years prominently identified with the workings of the Democratic party in Indiana.
Mr. Brolley was born in Newport, Ky., on the 10th day of February, 1854; but at the age of six years accompanied his parents to Jennings county, where they lo- cated and where he has since resided. Here, in the schools of North Vernon, he re- ceived his schooling, and in his youth learned the stonecutters' trade, engaging in this work in the year 1872. After working several years as a journeyman he branched out for himself and was soon a general contractor in stone building. Many prominent buildings in North Vernon and vicinity are now evidence of his handiwork.
In the fall of 1906 he was elected representative for Scott and Jennings counties to the state legislature, and in the session of 1907 was an active participant. In the session of 1909, also, he represented his district in this body. In 1910 he was elected to the higher responsibilities of state statistician, assuming the duties of office early in the following year and discharging them with credit to himself and his constituents. In 1912 he was re-elected to this position, and still remains, an honored official and fitting representative of Indiana Democracy.
CLINTON T. BROWN
Clinton T. Brown, attorney-at-law at Tipton, occupies a high position in his profession. Born in Switzerland county, October 28, 1877, a son of Hiram R. and Susan R. Brown, he was reared on his father's farm near Bennington, Switzerland county, and secured his education at the district schools. He began teaching at eighteen and for fifteen terms continued thus engaged. He meanwhile took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar on December 3, 1902. He began to practice at Sharpsville, Tipton county, in 1904, where he remained until 1912, when he moved to Tipton. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Tipton county in 1912. In this office he established a remarkable record.
Mr. Brown married Cora Land on December 5, 1897, and they have three children, Willie O., Robert W., and Eva Hazel.
Mr. Brown is a lifelong Democrat and has taken much interest in politics. During his residence in Sharpsville he filled an unexpired term of one year as justice of the peace.
JOHN W. BROWN
Former auditor of Elkhart county, Mr. John . W. Brown has been long in the service of the pub- lic in this county, and is known throughout its confines as a man of sterling worth and integrity.
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