History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 145

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

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In 1898 he was elected by a plurality of more than 2,000 to the position of judge of the Eighth judicial circuit, then embracing Decatur and Rush counties, and in this capacity served for one year.

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In 1899, however, his circuit was changed to the Sixteenth, composed of Rush and Shelby counties, where he served the remainder of his six-year term. During this service, in 1902, his brother, John M. Morris, was elected judge of the circuit court of Henry county, thus producing a rare coincidence-two brothers serving at the same time as elected judges in adjoining circuits. In the year 1910 he was elected to the bench of the supreme court of Indiana.

During his career on the supreme court bench Judge Morris evinced the same industry and con- scientious zeal in the service of the public that characterized his former labors as a jurist.

He is an adherent of the Democratic party. In 1884, while a resident of Knoxville, he made cam- paign speeches for Cleveland and Hendricks in the mountain counties of east Tennessee. In 1892 he was acting chairman of the Democratic central committee of Rush county. In 1888 he was the nomi- nee of the Democratic party for congress in the then Republican stronghold of the Sixth, or old "Burnt" district.

His uncle, Isaac Morris, elected to the legislature of 1850, was the only Democrat serving in such capacity from Henry county prior to 1913.

During his years in college he became identified with the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and in this organization he still takes a friendly interest. He is also an active member of the Presbyterian church of Rushville, where he and his family are held in high esteem.

On the 6th day of October, 1892, occurred his marriage to Miss Pamela A. Spann, daughter of Hon. Jesse J. Spann, state senator and distinguished lawyer. Their home life has stood for the highest ideals and refinements of thought. To them have been born a son and daughter, who have assisted in drawing about the family a wide circle of cultured friends and in dispensing the hospitali- ties of their charming home.

RALPH W. MOSS

During the first four years of the Woodrow Wilson administration, Ralph W. Moss was more closely identified with the progressive legislation advocated by the President, than any congressman from Indiana. In fact, there were few members of either the Congress or the Senate who were in closer touch with the views of the President, and assisted him more materially in promoting the pas- sage of important bills, than was Congressman Moss.

In 1913 he was sent to Europe on a commission to secure data for drafting the Rural Credits Law, which was one of the most important bills passed during the first term of President Wilson. He was appointed member of the special committee which framed the present farm credit law and introduced the bill in the House. Following the passage of the bill he was consulted by the Presi- dent in the appointments and in completing the organization of this very important feature of gov- ernmental work.

Mr. Moss was first elected to Congress in 1908, being re-elected for three more terms, serving four terms of eight years. He was a nominee of his party without opposition four terms following, when the Republican majority in the district was so large it was impossible even with a lead for him to overcome it.

Another important committee on which Congressman Moss was appointed, was that which in- vestigated the Wiley scandals in the pure food controversy.

He was born in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, April 21, 1862, spending his life in the same place. After completing the course in the local district schools he went two years to Purdue, after which he taught school for several terms. His entrance into politics was when he was nominated and elected into the State Senate in 1904 from Owen and Clay counties. That was in the famous Roosevelt year and there were but three other Democratic state senators elected in Indiana that year. In addition to his political work he was always most actively identified with farmers' organ- izations and became very much interested and active in that branch of vocational education under- taken under the Federal Government. In the campaign of 1918, he served as chairman and direc- tor of the Democratic League of Indiana which organized with several thousand members. He was well known throughout the state and popular as a campaigner.

CHARLES W. MOUCH

Charles W. Mouch of Newcastle is closely identified with the business and political life of the city and has a wide acquaintance throughout the county.

Mr. Mouchi was born in the state of Ohio, July 6, 1863, and received his education in the schools

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of Wapakoneta. In his youth he was in the employ of the I. B. & W. Railway Company, and came to the town of Mooreland, Henry county, to assume the duties of station agent. In October, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie F. Moore of Mooreland and that place was for many years their home. During the period from 1895 to 1809 he served as postmaster of the town; but later moved to the town of Newcastle. There he servel in the city council from 1910 to 1914, and there also his business interests have centered. He is now president and manager of the Indiana Rolling Mill Co. and president of the Farmers' National Bank.

ALBERT R. MULKINS

Albert R. Mulkins, the present postmaster of the city of Edinburg, has been for many years a resident and well known citizen of that community.

Mr. Mulkins was born at West Point, Harlan county, Kentucky, September 28, 1871, and early in life accompanied his parents to the state of Illinois, where his schooling was largely received. He attended the public schools of his home district and the high school of Chrisman, Illinois. His stud- ies were later continued at the technical school at Jacksonville, Illinois, and this was followed by a year at an academy. A course also was taken at Wabash College. At the age of nineteen years he came to Indiana for permanent abode, and later h's marriage to Miss Catherine P. Warner, of Edin- burg, was solemnized.

On April 14, 1914, Mr. Mulkins received his appointment to the position of postmaster of Edin- burg, and he is still devoting his time to the duties involved.

Mr. Mulkins has taken a deep interest in Democratic affairs and has served on the county execu- tive committee, representing Blue River township.

LEONIDAS H. MULL

In every locality we find a few citizens of sterling worth who are recognized as leaders in the various movements which arise from time to time for the betterment of the community at large, both in its physical features and in its moral uplift. To this class belongs the subject of this arti- cle, Leonidas H. Mull, a lifelong citizen of Rush county and closely identified with its business and social interests.

Mr. Mull was born in Manilla township, Rush county, on the 8th day of October, 1866, and in the wholesome environ- ment of farm life his boyhood and youth were spent. He at- tended the public schools of Manilla and after his gradu- ation from the common school entered the normal school at Lebanon for work in the higher branches and in pedagogy. A commercial course in an Indianapolis business college was also taken, and his work in this institution has since proved of great value in the transaction of his large business interests.

From his youth he has taken a deep interest in agricul- tural pursuits and is recognized as a progressive farmer and an authority in the breeding of fine live stock. He is now the holder of extensive farming interests and yearly markets fine stock in large quantities. In the development of the various branches of this work he has displayed un flagging zeal and characteristic energy, combined with intelligent method and efficient administration of his affairs.

He is also the holder of stock in the Manilla Bank, and has for a number of years held the re- sponsible position of vice-president of this institution.

Mr. Mull is descended from a line of Democratic ancestors, and he has consistently followed in their footsteps, working loyally and zealously in the various campaigns through which he has passed for the furtherance of the cause. He has been prominently identified with the local organ- ization for many years, serving as precinct committeeman and as delegate to the various con- ventions of the party, county, state and congressional.

In the year 1898 he was elected to represent Rush county in the state legislature, and in the assembly of 1899 his services were invaluable to the people of the state. During the fierce fight

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which occurred during that session for the cause of county reform Mr. Mull and one other, Syl- vester Titus of Boone county, were the only Democrats who stood stanchly for the measure, and by their firm stand for what appeared to them the honest and just thing for the people the measure was carried. The nomination for this office came to him unsought, and his conduct as a legislator justified the confidence reposed in him.

Fraternally, Mr. Mull is allied with the orders of Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has passed through the thirty-second degree; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men; and he is also an active member of the Indiana Democratic Club. In all of these various orders he is widely known and highly esteemed; and the reputation he has estab- lished, not only in Rush county, but throughout the state, as a citizen of sterling worth is an en- viable one.

CHARLES B. MULVEY

One of the successful and popular practitioners of Blackford county is Dr. Charles B. Mulvey of Montpelier. He was born at Auburn, in the State of New York, July 21, 1868. Coming to Indiana in 1888 on a pleasure trip, he was so well pleased with the State and with the people he met that he remained to become a citizen of Indiana. Having graduated from the high school at Auburn, N. Y., he entered the Indiana Medical College in 1890 and graduated therefrom in 1894. Following this thor- ough medical course he formed a partnership with and began the practice of medicine with Dr. John Sellers at Montpelier.

Dr. Mulvey, in addition to careful attention to the duties of his profession, has taken an active inter- est in public affairs. He has adhered steadily to the principles of the Democratic party, and was elected coroner of Blackford county for 1896-98, being re-elected for 1900-1901. In addition he has been secretary of the city board of health since 1898, was elected to the city council in 1908 and served until his re-election in 1908 for a four-year term. He is also deputy health commissioner.

Dr. Mulvey was married on August 1, 1894, to Miss Mary A. Miller. He is a member of Camden Lodge No. 112, F. & A. M., of the Lodge of Perfection at Fort Wayne, of the Indianapolis Consistory, A. A. Scottish Rite No. 3290.

CHARLES J. MURPHY

The men in the trenches have been the real strength of the Democratic party in Indiana. This is true especially of those who have fought with that enthusiasm and earnest- ness born of faith in the party principles, minus first thought of personal reward in the emoluments of office.

Among these fighters, always working with an effect worth while, from before his twenty-first birthday, was Charles J. Murphy, of Brookston, or more properly, of the tenth congressional district.

Member of the Indiana house of representatives at twenty-four, this being in 1899, succeeding himself in 1901 and at this second session being chosen caucus chairman, he retired from office-holding to devote himself to his large farm- ing interests and operations in White county.

Later he served six years as Democratic district chair- man, retiring from this when Governor Ralston named him as a member of the first public service commission of In- diana. The election laws made it impossible for the holder of an appointive state office to serve as a part of any political organization.

As district chairman Mr. Murphy acquired the reputation of being one of the hardest workers and most efficient leaders in the state when it came to "bringing home the bacon." Both with his party and among workers of the opposition he was also and always reputed as "one of the fairest sort of political warriors." As a public service commissioner his efficiency was of the same sort, characterized by hard work

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and results accomplished; seeking conscientiously in all that he did to treat fairly all parties in in- terest in his adjudications, and aiming never to forget that most concerned third party, the ultimate consumer. He always advocated adherence to the letter and spirit of the public service law.

In this service the cases that he adjudicated were so correctly adjusted that none of these have since been reviewed by the commission. He tried and worked out the first electric rate case worked out in Indiana, tried and adjudicated the first and only natural gas rate case ever heard in the United States, also the only municipal purchase case worked out in Indiana up to the date of his re- tirement.

Mr. Murphy retired from the public service commission in the midst of the discussion and set- tlement of the question of allowing one of the public utilities of the state to capitalize and issue se- curities with the stamp of state approval, and for amounts which Commissioner Murphy declared were some millions in excess of any values or investment of money actually shown.

As a member of the commission he insisted in all cases upon adherence to figures that he be- lieved were justified by investment and values really existing. The letter and the spirit of the law, by his interpretation, so anticipated and dictated. He maintained that the utility or business that sought to go beyond this limit must suffer in the end, meaning that stockholders and security holders eventually must lose. He declared this to be of far more concern to the general public than the matter of tossing some temporary advantage in dollars and cents or stock control of public properties to some specially selected individuals.

Since the controversy at the particular time was one in which it appeared that the sincere and conscientious opposition of one member of the commission might modify or prevent the granting of the concessions asked, Mr. Murphy, insisting upon thorough inquiry into facts and values, retired from the commission. This was the direct result of his attitude on the point involved. He refused to recede in this or any adjustment from what he considered the right and equitable position, thus following one of his fixed business and political principles.

Mr. Murphy, upon leaving the commission, became the active vice-president of the State Sav- ings and Trust Company of Indianapolis, as well as continuing ownership and personal direction of his large farming and manufacturing interests.

"Charlie" Murphy never "used" a friend nor did he ever betray a friend. No temptation could ever be strong enough to develop in his make-up the slightest trace of disloyalty or questionable dealing.

JOHN BERNARD NIEZER

John Bernard Niezer, now deceased, was throughout his life closely identified with the business and political growth of Allen county, and many years were spent in the service of the public.

He was born in Milan township, Allen county, on the 21st day of July, 1846, but in his early childhood his mother came to Ft. Wayne for residence and the boy's education was re- ceived in the schools of this city. Here he remained until the year 1865, at which time he engaged in the hardware business in the town of Monroeville, and this place was henceforward the scene of most of his business and political activities.

On the 28th day of April, 1868, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah T. Eyanson at Ft. Wayne, and their home was established at Monroeville.

He was president of the Citizens' State Bank of Monroe- ville, the first banking institution in the county outside of Ft. Wayne, its organization taking place in the year 1892. He was also one of the incorporators of the German-American National Bank and German-American Trust Company of Ft. Wayne, and a director in both of these institutions from the date of their organization until his death.

In 1876 he was elected school trustee and treasurer of

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Monroeville, serving until 1879; and in 1880 was elected township trustee of Monroe township for a period of four years. In the year 1886 he assumed the duties of auditor of Allen county, serving in this capacity until 1890; and at the expiration of this period was again elected school trustee of Monroeville, this time serving for a period of eight years.

He was also organizer and president of the firm of Niezer & Co., conducting an extensive shipping business and operating grain elevators.

In the year 1908 he took up his residence in Ft. Wayne, retaining his business interests in Mon- roeville; and on September 15, 1912, occurred his death at his residence, 524 West Wayne street.

THOMAS L. NEAL

Among the younger element of the Democratic party in Indiana, perhaps none has accomplished more than the gentleman whose name heads this article. A native of Boone county, his birth occurred on the 19th day of June, 1884. He attended the schools of Lebanon, graduating from high school with the class of 1902; and followed this with a three-year course at Franklin College, graduating with the class of 1905. In the spring of 1906 he became assistant general superintendent of the K. of P. Life Insurance Company, covering the states of North and South Carolina and Virginia. In the year 1908 he returned to Indiana, and, although but twenty-four years of age, assumed the position of general superintendent of the same company, which office he held until he was elected state senator in 1912. This has been his only venture into political affairs, but he proved an active worker during his term of office, and has won distinction as the author of the rural credits law in Indiana. He was also the first president of the local company organized under this statute, the company being capitalized at $1,000,000. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a 32d Degree Mason.

DAVID J. NORRIS

For many years the holder of various positions of responsibility in the service of the public in Lagrange county, David J. Norris needs but little introduction to the citizens of this commonwealth.

He was born in Huntington, Pa., on the 1st day of February, 1847, and received his education in the public schools of his district. His early life was spent in the wholesome atmosphere of the farm, and when he came to Indiana in the year 1876 he continued in the pursuit of agriculture. In the year 1890 he assumed the duties of trustee of Clay township, in Lagrange county, serving in this capacity until 1895. Eight years later he was again elected to this position and served for a term of four years, retiring in 1907. In the fall of 1913 he was elected county commissioner, and this office he as- sumed on the 1st day of the following January, his term of service to expire January 1, 1917.

Mrs. Norris, to whom he was married on the 6th day of January, 1870, was formerly Miss Mary A. Heffner of Pennsylvania.

He has been a delegate to all state conventions of the party except the last for the past twenty- five years.

ELDER WILLIAM R. NOWELS

To the citizens of the city of Rensselaer the name of William R. Nowels is a familiar one; for his labors in the ministry in Jasper county have extended over a period of thirty-five years. He was born in this state on the 2nd day of August, 1846, near the site of his present home, and his interests have centered in this sec- tion of the state. He attended the public schools of his district, and later pursued his studies at the Battle Ground Seminary, from which he graduated with the class of 1866. He was so fortunate as to spend his childhood in the wholesome environ- ment of the farm, and after his schooling was completed he returned to the farm, where he remained until the year 1904, cultivating the land and preaching in the Baptist church.

On the 14th day of March, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma A. Rock, and she has since presided over his home and been his faithful ally in the labors to which he has given his time. In

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later years, however, he has retired from active labor in the field and in the ministry, and for the past six years has found the time to take an active part in the counsels of the Democratic organization, to which he has been a devoted adherent since his youth. In the year 1914 he was candidate for town- ship assessor.

JACOB L. O'BANNON

A true product of Harrison county, Jacob L. O'Bannon has, since his youth, been prominently identified with municipal, educational and legal af- fairs of Corydon and its surroundings. He is a native of the county, having been born near his present home on the 10th day of March, 1860. He at- tended the public schools of Corydon, and later his studies were continued at the normal schools of Corydon and Elizabeth. Since this time his life has been a singularly active one, filled with accomplishments along varied lines, demonstrating remarkable energy, intelligence and zeal for the pub- lic good.

For twenty years Mr. O'Bannon was actively engaged in educational affairs, teaching in the schools, and in the meantime reading and practicing law. For fifteen years, also, he held the position of general traveler for the Osborne division of the International Harvester Co., gaining in this work a broad experience of men and affairs.

In the years 1896 and 1898 he was elected representative to the state legislature from Harrison county, and was appointed by Governor Claude Matthews to act as delegate to the good roads convention at Nashville, Tenn. In the year 1912, also, he was elected county auditor for a term of four years, and to the administration of the affairs of this office he is devoting his best energies.

Mr. O'Bannon is a lifelong Democrat, and before he attained his majority began the practice of making campaign speeches, and this he has continued till the present time. He has been active in the counsels of the county organization and is now county chairman. He is also actively allied with the fraternal order of Ben-Hur.

Mrs. O'Bannon, to whom he was married December 30, 1885, was formerly Miss Carrie Fox. To- gether they have won an enviable social position.

LEW M. O'BANNON

Harrison county has produced few citizens with claims to distinction along such varied lines of work as the gentleman whose photo appears herewith.

Lew M. O'Bannon was born in this county on the 18th day of August, 1864, and his education was received in the public schools of his district. In the year 1887 he assumed the duties of county surveyor, serving in this capacity until the fall of 1890, at which time he was elected county recorder, this term of office expiring in 1894. During the years 1896 to 1898 he served the Democratic party as county chairman.

In 1897 occurred two important events in his career, the first his marriage to Miss Lillian Keller of Corydon, on the 27th day of October; and the second his assumption of the duties of private secretary to Congressman William T. Zenor. In this position he remained for ten years, at the expiration of which he took up the active practice of law and also became editor and proprietor of the Corydon Democrat. In connection with this enterprise he is the president of the Indiana Democratic Editorial Association. He is also a member of the orders of Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America and secretary and attorney for the Savings and Loan Association of Corydon.

WILLIAM H. O'BRIEN

Dearborn county, Indiana, is the most consistently and most persistently Democratic county in the State. It was ever so. William H. O'Brien, more than any other man, was responsible for this condition and for its perpetuity. When the great Liberty Loans, the Red Cross drives, the War Sav-

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ings campaigns, the Y. M. C. A. funds and all the other moves for financing the war with Germany were on, Dearborn was the county that always went "over the top" quicker and bigger than any other of the ninety-two counties in Indiana. William H. O'Brien was in all instances the one man of the county that did it.

When men were called to fight the war with Germany the home of William H. O'Brien furnished four of the best young officers who went to the front, two sons and two sons-in-law, and of this one thing William H. O'Brien was prouder than of anything else he ever accomplished.

But to recite the things that William H. O'Brien did in his home county in a political, business or patriotic way would be hardly touching the surface in enumerating the things that should be said of him and what he accomplished. The head of a national bank in his native town of Lawrenceburg, rec- ognized as one of the ablest and shrewdest financiers far beyond the limits of his own State, his reputa- tion always fully sustained and justified in what he did working at the business, both as a public offi- cial and in his financial operations in the business world.

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History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 145

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