USA > Indiana > History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916 > Part 148
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161
Mrs. Pigg was formerly Miss Julia A. Reeves, of Hyde Park, Cincinnati, Ohio.
C. R. POLLARD
Seldom is it the good fortune of an individual to be honored by the offer of various positions in the service of the commonwealth until so many years of his life are spent in the service of the public that he is driven to refuse further honors. Such has been the unique experience of Judge C. R. Pollard of Delphi.
Judge Pollard is a true son of the South, born in Alabama, August 9, 1845, the son of Robert P. Pollard and Lydia Garrett Pollard. He attended the common schools of the city of Mobile, and later attended the Tuscaloosa Military Academy, being at the latter school at the beginning of the Civil war. He fought in the Confederate army, engaging in many of the great battles, and surrendering at Meridian, Miss., to Gen. U. S. Canby.
In 1865 he came to Delphi and served as deputy clerk from 1865 to 1867, inclusive. On March 18, 1868, he was married to Miss Lillie M. Pig- man of Delphi, and three children were born of this union, one of whom, Mrs. R. M. Isherwood, is now living. In 1869 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of his county by Governor Hendricks, and in 1870 was elected to the same position, serving until 1872. In 1892 he was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Grover Cleve- land to the Presidency, and in 1895 was appointed associate justice of the supreme court of Montana. Following his term of service there, he returned to Delphi, Indiana, and engaged in the practice of law, in which profession he has met with remarkable success. During his career he has been em- ployed as attorney in 24 murder cases, including the famous Mabbitt case at Indianapolis in 1892, and assisted in the prosecution of the only man ever hung in Carroll county.
Judge Pollard is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. lodges, and is a member of the Epis- copal church. He is also one of the most popular members of the Jackson club at Lafayette; and was for many years city and county attorney. Judge Pollard has a large practice, being engaged upon one side of every important civil and criminal case tried in his county, a great orator, and one of the best lawyers in the Wabash valley.
ROBERT E. PROCTOR
Robert E. Proctor was one of the young men of the Democratic party in Indiana who early came to a conspicuous place in the political affairs of the state. He was elected a member of the state senate in 1908, the same year Thomas R. Marshall was chosen governor, succeeding a long list of Re- publicans at the head of the state government.
In the two sessions of the general assembly in which he represented the Elkhart district, Sen- ator Proctor was prominent as a leader, and his ability as a speaker kept him constantly to the front. Because of this prominence, and for his independence of action on all subjects, he was a special mark for the Republican press of Indianapolis and the state. He was always a Democrat who be-
( 994 )
HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
lieved in the party of which he was a member, and was ready to fight for the things for which it stood.
Robert E. Proctor first acquired an acquaintance in state politics as the campaign manager for Colonel Conn of Elkhart, who was a candidate for the nomination for governor on the Democratic ticket in 1908. Colonel Conn not being the choice of any part of the regular party organization, young Proctor resorted to the use of printer's ink. He filled the newspapers of Indiana with lavish ad- vertisements setting out the claims of his candidate to the support of the state delegates. But he fell short of the mark in results when the convention came to voting, for the delegates were not in sympathy with many of the advanced notions which the Colonel had advocated. To the members of the party who were selecting the candidate he looked too much as Governor Hanly had looked to the Republicans-one who might be the cause of much internal striving.
But Proctor succeeded in being elected to the state senate and was always one of the most active and effective advocates in that body. He was an able young attorney and successful in forcing many of his ideas on important legislation on his associates.
Robert E. Proctor was born in Elkhart, February 15, 1883. His father was Robert T. Proctor, a native of Ohio, and his mother had been Miss Catherine Cavanan, a native of Ireland. He was educat- ed at St. Vincent's parochial school and the Elkhart high school, and secured his degree in law from the University of Notre Dame in 1904. Twenty-one years of age, he began practicing law at Elkhart, the year of his graduation. For eighteen months he was associated with C. C. Raymer, and then until 1912 he practiced alone, forming a partnership in the latter year with Verne G. Cawley, under the style of Proctor & Cawley.
He acquired the habit of hustling for himself while going through school, getting through the university by waiting on tables, acting as correspondent for various newspapers, serving as one of the editors of the Notre Dame Scholastic, the college weekly, and being employed in various capa- cities by the New York Central Railroad. The remainder of his time was spent in study and reci- tation.
He was a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Democratic Club, Knights of Columbus, Elks, Eagles and Moose.
He was married in 1905 to Miss Evalyn A. Smith, of Huntington, Indiana.
JAMES S. PRITCHETT
For many years an honored official of the city of Vincennes and a leading citizen of Knox county, the late James S. Pritchett was a native of this State, born in Warrenton, Gibson county, July 18, 1844. In his infancy, however, his parents moved to Illinois and there he remained and attended the schools of his home district until he reached the age of thirteen years, when he moved to Knox county with his family.
Following his graduation from the public schools Mr. Pritchett entered and was graduated from Hanover College. Then followed three years of work at the University of Vincennes, during which time he completed the regular four-year course of study.
On September 11, 1872, Mr. Pritchett was united in marriage to Miss Ella Wise. To that union were born three children, two of whom are now living.
Prior to his entrance to Vincennes University Mr. Pritchett taught school for eighteen months. After his graduation he became engaged in the practice of law. He evinced marked ability in the practice of this profession and became more than locally known as an orator. Indeed, it is said he was recognized as the leading speaker in his home county, and his services as an orator were greatly in demand on patriotic occasions, soldiers' re- unions and the like, as well as during political campaigns. He also was well known as a friend of union labor, and often was called upon to speak at Labor day celebrations and similar gatherings.
For a period of sixteen years Mr. Pritchett served as a member of the city council. He later was elected to the office of mayor of Vincennes and served in that capacity for six years with great credit.
Fraternally, Mr. Pritchett was allied with the Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights of Pythias and Elks. He often was a delegate to party conventions.
( 995 )
HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
ROYAL E. PURCELL
Royal E. Purcell was for forty-two years editor of the Western Sun, published at Vincennes. He was born July 26, 1849, in a small farm house in Johnson township, Knox county, two miles east of Purcell Station, which was named for his father's uncle, Andrew Purcell, who lived on a farm at that point. He was the youngest of four children. His father died in 1850, less than one year after his birth. His education was secured in the very crudest of country schools. They were not public schools, but of the old subscription class where a teacher or an individual with small qualifi- cations would secure a number of pupils and teach them for very small pay for two or three months of the year. When he was able to finish his common school education he attended the first public school in that section of the country at Sand Hill. He finished this part of his studies at home preparing himself for a higher education, securing a license to teach and getting a position at $1.75 per day, riding on horse back from his home to the school house where he taught. Between working on the farm and teaching this school he was able to secure enough money to take him through Hanover College. Upon leaving college young Purcell's ambition was to engage in news- paper work or journalism. Seeing no possible chance of entering immediately upon that work he went to Vincennes and studied law, later being admitted to the bar and taking the partnership with W. B. Robinson under the firm name of Robinson & Purcell. At the end of two years he found himself practicing alone and, according to his own story many years afterwards, he was earn- ing approximately $100 per month, which made life worth while. It was at this point that he had an opportunity to enter journalism. Several friends came to him and announced that the Western Sun, the newspaper which he was destined to own for the remainder of his life, was for sale. The price was $6,000. His former partner and two other men agreed to advance the money and allow him to pay it back out of the profits of the business. He began as the editor of the Sun in 1876. It was a weekly paper at the time he acquired ownership and in 1879 he established it as a daily, put- ting up a building in which to publish it in 1881.
When Mr. Purcell retired a few years before his death, which occurred in 1918, his son, Royal E. Purcell, Jr., succeeded him as the editor and head of the paper. He was an active member of the Democratic organization in Knox county all his life. He served as president of the State Editorial Association, many times was chosen on the executive committee of the National Editorial Associa- tion and was an Indiana member of the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition in 1892 and 1893. He was postmaster at Vincennes in 1893 and 1897 and served two seasons as state senator, being elected in 1899 and 1901. He was trustee of the Vincennes University, member of the Board of Trus- tees at Hanover College, president and director of the Second National Bank at Vincennes, director of the Vincennes Light and Power Company, director of the Knox County Home Telephone Com- pany, and connected with many other business enterprises.
O. A. PURSLEY
Orville Andrew Pursley was born in Fayette county, Ohio, November 6, 1885. His parents moved to Indiana when he was an infant and resided on a farm near Hartford City. His early life was spent in laboring on his father's farm in the summertime and attending the rural school in the winter. At an early age he gradu- ated from the rural schools of Blackford county, where all of his early training was procured, and began at once to work his way through college in an effort to prepare for the legal profession. His preparation extended over a period of eleven years, as he was forced to spend part of his time in the schoolroom teaching in an effort to obtain money to defray his expenses in college. He attended the Marion Normal College, from which place he obtained his high school training, his B. S. degree and a diploma in the law and scientific course. He later completed his college training by obtaining the degree of bachelor of laws in the Mckinley University of Chicago, Illinois.
He became active upon the side of Democracy with his majority and has been since that time precinct committeeman. In 1913 he was appointed deputy prosecutor, and in 1914 was elected city attorney by the common council of the city of Montpelier, Indiana, for a period of four years.
He is known as one of the most active workers in the party, as well as one of the leading young attorneys of his home county.
Mr. Pursley was married to Miss Crystal Van Gordon, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Van Gordon, on November 8, 1907.
( 996 )
HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
SAMUEL GORDON PURDY
Samuel Gordon Purdy is an active worker among the younger element of the Indiana De- mocracy and is also actively interested in the commercial life of Valparaiso, where he is well known as a leading electrical contractor.
Mr. Purdy is a native of this state, born on the 5th day of August, 1884. He attended the public schools of Valparaiso and graduated from the high school of that city. Early in life he be- came interested in the science of electricity and perfected himself along this line of work. In the year 1909 he was appointed electrical inspector for the Indiana Inspection Bureau, serving in this capacity until 1911. In the fall of 1913 he was elected to membership in the city council and has been an active member of this body since.
Mrs. Purdy, to whom he was married January 4, 1908, was Miss Maud M. Crowther.
ALEXANDER N. PURSLEY
One of the best-known party workers in Hartford City is Alexander N. Pursley, chairman of the Democratic county central committee, who has always been a Demo- crat, actively participated in politics even before he became a voter, and has since maintained an unflagging interest in the welfare of the party.
Mr. Pursley was born in Fayette county, Ohio, March 3, 1878, his parents being natives of Ohio. When he was nine years of age they moved to Indiana and settled on a farm in Blackford county. His education was acquired in the county schools, and he was married to Miss Mary J. Sloan on September 26, 1896. They have seven children, all of whom have unusual natural musical ability.
Mr. and Mrs. Pursley moved from the farm to Hartford City in 1897, when Mr. Pursley entered the retail grocery business, to which he gave the same thoughtful and energetic atten- tion that he had given to farming, resulting in an ever-growing business. To an engaging person- ality, Mr. Pursley adds the natural qualities of a "booster" and evident executive ability. For the past three years he has been elected general manager of the Hartford City Merchants and Farmers' Festival Association. Served as a member of the city council from 1906 until 1909 and as township trustee from 1908 to 1914. He was also elected county chairman in 1912, and re-elected in 1914, and is president of the Indiana Trustees' Association. He is an active member of the Hartford City Com- mercial Club, Knights of Columbus, K. O. T. M., Red Men, Elks, Eagles and Moose.
JUDGE JAMES M. PURVIS
Judge Purvis has served with distinction on the circuit bench of the 36th judicial circuit, and has been for a number of years an honored official in the service of the commonwealth; and in the various positions to which he has been called he has demonstrated a keen intelligence, loyalty to the public interest and unflagging energy, which have placed him high in the esteem of the community.
Judge Purvis was born on the 4th day of July, 1863. He attended the public schools of Tipton county and later continued his studies at the Central Normal Col- lege of Danville. A course in law was acquired in local offices in the city of Tipton, Ind., and in the year 1888 he was admitted to the bar of Tipton county and entered into the practice of this profession in the city of Tipton.
On the 14th day of April, 1897, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Adonis B. Clark, to which union were born five boys, all now living, and their permanent home was established also in this city; and in the same year he served his county as repesentative in the 'state legislature. In the year 1907 he was appointed city attorney, and in this capacity served for three and one-half years, and later served as county attorney for a term of two years.
On the 30th day of August, 1912, he assumed the duties of his present high position, and as circuit judge has established an enviable record. His term of service expires January 1, 1919.
PERRY A. RANDALL
Perry A. Randall is known all over Northeastern Indiana as the great advocate of the proposed Chicago and Lake Erie canal, but his intense advocacy of the project is directed toward having the canal pass through Fort Wayne.
( 997 )
HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
He has addressed committees of Congress on this subject and is untiring in his efforts to edu- cate the people of his city and county on the canal and its value to commerce. Mr. Randall was prepared for college at the Fort Wayne High School, entered Michigan University, and was gradu- ated in 1871 after completing the classical course.
He then entered the law department of his alma mater and graduated in 1873, in which year, also, he was admitted to practice. In April, 1873, he settled in Fort Wayne, where he is one of the leading attorneys. He is also proprietor of the Randall hotel. He is a highly educated man, an able speaker and one of the most public-spirited men in the state.
He has always taken a keen interest in the city of Fort Wayne and was one of the principal organizers of the electric works for the city.
WILLIAM F. RANKE
William F. Ranke has served as treasurer of Allen county, and has long been recognized as a representative citizen of Ft. Wayne and has held various positions of responsibility and trust in the service of the commonwealth.
Mr. Ranke is a native Hoosier, born in Allen county on the 20th day of January, 1865. He was educated in the German Lutheran schools, entered the M. E. College of that place for a commercial course and later entered the University of Michigan, matriculating in the pharmacy department.
In the fall of 1906 he was elected state senator from Allen county to the Indiana legislature, and in the assembly which followed, and in the session of 1909 was an active participant. In 1908 he assumed the duties of deputy county treasurer, and in the fall of 1915 was elected county treasurer.
In military circles he is widely known as captain of the Indiana Battery Spanish-American War, and captain 39th Infantry U. S. Volunteers, 1899, and post department commander of United Spanish War Veterans.
SAMUEL MOFFETT RALSTON
Samuel Moffett Ralston was born December 1, 1857, on a farm at New Cumberland, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, the son of John and Sarah (Scott) Ralston. In 1865 his parents moved to Owen county, Indiana, living there for eight years. They afterwards moved to Fontanet, Ind., where the father took a coal lease and sunk a shaft with the assistance of his son, but a short while afterwards they moved back to Owen county, near Lancaster, the postoffice being Patricksburg, where they resided on a farm.
In 1876, at the age of nineteen, the younger Ralston began teaching school, afterwards spending one term at Val- paraiso, and graduating from the Central Normal College at Danville in 1884. In this year he began reading law with Robinson & Fowler at Spencer, Owen county, Indiana, and January 1, 1886, was admitted to the bar. He located at Lebanon, Ind., in June, 1886, forming a partnership with John A. Abbott, these two practicing together for two years. He then formed a partnership with Michael Keefe, this part- nership existing until Mr. Keefe's death in 1899, from which time Mr. Ralston practiced alone.
Mr. Ralston was a presidential elector in 1892 and cast one of Indiana's electoral votes in 1889 for the re-election of Grover Cleveland as President of the United States. While living in Lebanon Mr. Ralston was President of the Lebanon School Board from 1908 to 1911.
He was a candidate for Governor of Indiana before the Democratic state convention in 1908, but was defeated for the nomination by Thomas R. Marshall, now Vice-President of the United States. At the Democratic state convention in 1912 Mr. Ralston was practically the unanimous choice of his party for Governor and was nominated and elected Governor in that year. He was inaugurated on
( 998 )
HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
the 13th day of January, 1913, his term expiring on the 9th day of January, 1917. During his admin- istration the State debt, long a subject of discussion by political parties, was liquidated in full and the State for the first time in 82 years put out of debt; and upon leaving the office of Governor he turned over to his successor a cash balance largely in excess of three million dollars. Mr. Ralston takes pride in the character of the legislation enacted during his administration. It was progres- sive. He is content to let his record as Governor speak for itself. He was Indiana's first Cen- tennial Governor.
On December 30, 1889, he married Jennie Craven of Hendricks county, Indiana. To them three children have been born, Emmet Grattan, Julian Craven and Ruth.
EDWARD B. RAUB
For many years a prominent attorney of Indianapolis and actively engaged in municipal af- fairs, Mr. Edward B. Raub has also contributed largely to the success of the Marion county democ- racy.
He was born on the 23rd day of December, 1871, at Chalmers, Indiana. He entered DePauw Uni- versity, receiving the degree of Ph. B. in 1894. In the following year he graduated from the Indiana Law School and entered into the practice of law in Indianapolis. In 1903 he was appointed city at- torney for a term of two years, and in the years 1910 and 1911 and again in 1915 held the position of county attorney for Marion county. From 1905 to 1909 he also served the party as chairman. At present, in addition to his work as county attorney, he continues his practice, serving also as gen- eral counsel for the Indianapolis Life Insurance Company.
He is affiliated with the college fraternity Delta Upsilon and the legal fraternity Delta Chi; also the Scottish Rite Masons, Indianapolis Consistory; Murat Temple Mystic Shrine; Raper Command- ery Knights Templar; and is a member of the board of governors of the board of trade.
Mrs. Raub, to whom he was married December 28th, 1898, was formerly Miss Martha Drapier, of the city of Indianapolis.
JOHN RAUCH
Closely identified with the business life of Indianapolis for many years and later the incumbent of a position of great responsibility in the service of the commonwealth, the name of Mr. John Rauch is well known through- out Marion county and vicinity.
Mr. Rauch is a native of Franklin county, Indiana, his birth having occurred within its confines on the 4th day of August, 1850. Here, in the little town of Southgate, in Highland township, he received his schooling.
At the age of twenty-one years, however, he entered into the cigar man- ufacturing business in the city of Indianapolis, and here he has since re- mained, his business increasing in volume as the years have passed, and his influence as a business man of integrity and sterling worth growing also.
On the 18th day of May, 1875, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary Catherine Schoen of Cincinnati, and their home, then established in Indianapolis, has never ceased to extend hospitality to many devoted friends.
In the fall of 1910 he was elected to the position of clerk of the circuit court of Marion county, and assumed the duties of office on the first day of the following January. In this capacity he served for a term of four years, bringing to the work conscientious zeal and pro- gressive methods.
Since attaining his majority he has been a consistent adherent to the principles of Democracy, and has labored faithfully and loyally during the various campaigns for the furtherance of the cause, rendering especially valued service to the local organization in late years.
HERMAN RAVE
If variety lends spice to life, Herman Rave must have been filled with peppery things that kept stirring. He said of himself that he was so accustomed to putting off until tomorrow that but for the interest manifested by his friends he would probably not have been a candidate for sheriff of Clark
( 999 )
HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
county until after election days had passed in 1898 and 1900. Since the friends interested themselves in his behalf he was elected and re-elected to the office by majorities which were unusual even in this county of Democrats. He declared the Republicans and Democrats seemed to have united to make him keep up with the days of the month.
Mr. Rave was born in the city of Kiel of "well born and honest parents" by his own admissions. He first attended the preparatory school of the university "where they tried to pound Latin" into him. In his own story, told in his easy chair and smoking his pipe, he explained this was not among the possibilities. "There must have remained some drop of the old Pirates of Kiel, the Victuallers of Victual Brothers as they were called, who very often went to assist the Baltic princes in their quar- rels, or of the old rovers who made it uncomfortable for King Arthur and others, for at the age of thirteen I was permitted to go to Mexico. Had to return at sixteen and put in my martyrdom with tutorship in mathematics and learning, or supposed to be learning bookkeeping.
"United state next in 1867. Horrified Mother Steinway by declaring my intention of shipping on a lumber schooner. Instead, went to railroading with shovel and pick, and laughed at my indignant relatives, who thought I ought to be a railroad president, but gave me up for incurable. All this time I had a notion that the writing of verses was my mission, but my old habit of waiting until the next day saved the public that time.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.