Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 12

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 12

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The reports about Kenton's life and his final home are somewhat conflicting with respect to the fact as to whether he resided alone or with some relative. It would seem from the statements of Mr. Woodward, that during sometime of his residence there, his wife was living, and yet other statements seem to indicate that, at least at the time of his death, he was living alone. On a stone at the cor- ner of what used to be his log cabin, close to the Indian town of Wapatomika, Zanes- field, Ohio, these words are carved, "This is the corner stone of Simon Kenton, do not remove it." This is all that remains now to indicate the place where this old hero spent his last days. The following from the pen of William Hubbard, a newspaper editor of Bellfontaine, is worthy of quotation :

Tread lightly, this is hallowed ground; tread reverently here !

Who never quailed in darkest hour, whose heart ne'er felt a fear ;

Tread lightly, then, and here bestow the tribute of a tear.

Ah! can this be the spot where sleeps the bravest of the brave?

Is this rude slab the only mark of Simon Kenton's grave? These fallen palings, are they all his in- grate country gave

To one who periled life so oft, her homes and hearths to save?

Long, long ago, in manhood's prime when all was wild and drear

They bound the hero to a stake of savage torment here- Unblanched and firm, his soul disdained a supplicating tear-

A thousand demons could not daunt the Western Pioneer.

They tied his hands, Mazeppa-like, and set him on a steed,

Wild as a mustang of the plains, and, mocking, bade him speed !

They sped that courser like the wind, of curb and bit all freed,

O'er flood and field, o'er hill and dale, wherever chance might lead.

But, firm in every trial hour, his heart was still the same-

Still throbbed with self-reliance strong, which danger could not tame.

Yet fought he not that he might win the splendor of a fame,

Beneath this sod in silence sleeps the Which would in ages long to come shed brave old pioneer glory on his name.

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He fought because he loved the land And ever in the fiercest and thickest of where first he saw the light- the fight,

He fought because his soul was true and The dusk and swarthy foeman felt the idolized the right; terror of his might.

CHAPTER VII.

COUNTY POLITICS AND ROSTER OF OFFICERS.

Whigs and Republicans in Politics-Vote at Presidential Election-Close Calls and Defeats-Log Cabin Campaign-Prominence in Politics-Civil War Spirits -War Politics-Political Meetings-Garfield and Pendleton Debate-Keifer- Bushnell Contest-Unsuccessful Candidates-Plug Hat Brigade-Incidents Attending Elections Under Former Laws-State Officials-Apportionment to Congress-Congressional Districts-Members of Congress-State Senators -Representatives-Common Pleas Judges-Probate Judges-Clerk of Court -Prosecuting Attorneys-Sheriffs - Auditors - Treasurers - Recorders -Surveyors-Coroners-County Commissioners-Infirmary Directors.

WHIG AND REPUBLICANS IN POLITICS.

An investigation of the organization of states and counties and the formation of the general government more than a century ago, will show that in the direc- tion of politics men were much the same then as now. We are inclined to hold up the past and decry the present. Looking back we see only statesmen and patriots. Looking around us today we see only "grafters" and persons who are inclined to look only to the realization of their own personal ambitions, but an honest comparison would make the man in public life today just as good as he was a hun- dred years ago. In politics our people have always been alert and active. An early exhibition in that direction was the

fight that was made in the Legislature for the organization of the county, and from that day to this, our people, through their representatives in various branches of governmental affairs, have made them- selves felt in the political history of our commonwealth and nation. From the fact that the emigrants to this county came from the regions of Kentucky, Maryland and Virginia, with quite a sprinkling from New England, New Jer- sey and New York, it would be naturally inferred that the original political com- plexion of this county would be Whig, and so it was. The Whig party at that time, if not opposed to slavery, did not favor it, and from that party sprang the Republican party, and thus it will be seen that naturally our county would be

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

Republican in politics today as it was Whig in years gone by. It has wavered less in this respect than almost any county in the state; ever since its organization it has cast a majority vote for the Presi- dential candidates of either the Whig or the Republican party.

VOTE AT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

As indicative of the political complex- ion of this county, the following vote at Presidential elections will be interesting: In 1832 Henry Clay, a Whig, received 1,963 votes; Andrew Jackson, Democrat, 730. In 1836 William H. Harrison, Whig, received 1,696 votes and Martin Van Buren, Democrat, 713 votes. In 1840 William H. Harrison, Whig, received 2,382 votes, and Martin Van Buren 894 votes. In 1848 only the pluralities are given. Zachary Taylor, Whig, received a majority of 1,132 over Lewis Cass, Dem- ocrat. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln, Repub- lican, received 2,865 votes and Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat, 1,581. In 1868 U. S. Grant, Republican, received 3,384 and Horatio Seymour 1,878 votes. In 1872 U. S. Grant, Republican, received 4,235 votes and Horace Greeley, Democrat and Liberal Republican, 2,751 votes. In 1876 R. B. Hayes, Republican, received 5,136 votes and Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, 3,536. In 1880 James A. Garfield, Re- publican, received 6,229 votes and W. S. Hancock, Democrat, 4,179. In 1888 Ben- jamin Harrison, Republican, received 7,128 and Grover Cleveland, Democrat, 5,858. In 1892, Benjamin Harrison, Re- publican, received 6,151, and Grover Cleveland, Democrat, 5,226. In 1896 William McKinley, Republican, received

7,667, and William J. Bryan, Democrat, 6,382. In 1900 William McKinley, Re- publican, received 8,806, and William J. Bryan, Democrat, 6,243. In 1904 Theo- dore Roosevelt, Republican, received 9,355, and Alton B. Parker, Democrat, 4,565; Silas C. Swallow, Prohibitionist, 345; Eugene V. Debs, Socialist, 764, giv- ing to Roosevelt a plurality of 4,790, the largest plurality that was ever given to any candidate in the county.

CLOSE CALLS AND DEFEATS.

Notwithstanding the fact, however, that the county has been heavily Repub- lican or Whig, once in a while that party would have a close call for its candidate, or receive a defeat. Notably in this line was the congressional campaign of 1868 between John H. Thomas and J. J. Winans, of Xenia, in which Winans was elected by a plurality of ninety-nine. In the county election of 1886, upon the re- turn of the votes cast for sheriff as made on the evening of election, William B. Baker, who was a candidate for re-elec- tion for sheriff, appeared to be defeated by nine votes and was so considered until the Canvassing Board in going over the returns discovered that the precinct of Selma, which had just been created, had been over-looked and that that precinct gave a majority of sixteen votes in favor of Baker, and thereupon Baker was de- clared elected by the bare plurality of seven votes.

Daniel Raffensberger, a Democrat, was elected sheriff in 1846. Jacob Seitz, Democrat, was elected Commissioner in 1867, and John H. Blose, Democrat, in 1872, was also elected commissioner. Two

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years previous to this Blose had defeated S. A. Bowman, one of the most distin- guished members of the Springfield Bar, as a member of this county to the Con- stitutional Convention. This is about the extent of the success of opposition can- didates.in Clark County. In 1886, strange as the combination seemed at the time it was made, the Democrats and Prohibi- tionists united and elected Chas. E. Gillen as county commissioner. Gillen, however, was a Prohibitionist and not a Democrat.

In the roster of county officials it ap- pears that H. S. Showers, a Democrat, was recorder, but that was by appoint- ment and not by election. So Madison over served seven weeks by appointment from a Democratic governor as probate judge in the early part of 1891. S. S. Cox, a Democrat, represented this con- gressional district in Congress in 1863-5, the only Democratic member of Con- gress that ever represented Clark County.

LOG CABIN CAMPAIGN.

Although a period of sixty-eight years has elapsed, the exciting political times of 1840 have not been forgotten. The log cabin campaign will be remembered even longer than the present generation. Gen- eral Harrison was particularly popular in Ohio, having served as its first represent- ative in Congress and in various wars and in other capacities throughout the west. The Whigs were particularly exasperated at General Jackson's conduct in the veto- ing of the National Bank Act. They looked upon Van Buren as his especial protege; besides, the stringent times that had intervened, made a canvass against Van Buren's re-election particularly im-

portant and one calculated to arouse the feelings of the people. Van Buren was looked upon as an aristocrat, and Harri- son as belonging to the hardy race of pioneers. Enthusiasm ran to an ex- traordinary degree for Harrison in Ohio. Miniature log cabins were built and hauled around in parades. There was one such in Springfield. A vast barbecue was held, and fifteen to twenty thousand people were present. General Harrison himself was here and made a speech; later on a noted delegation was made up from Harmony Township and traveled all the way to Columbus to attend a mon- ster Harrison meeting. This delegation had a canoe that was thirty-four feet long and wide enough to seat two per- sons comfortably on cross seats. It was placed on a large wagon and driven to Columbus. Singular as it may seem to us, this was the twentieth of February when weather is not usually agreeable for that kind of campaigning. Flags were flying, songs were sung and there was a general exhibition of enthusiasm for "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Arriving at Columbus, a grand parade took place, and it has been doubted whether the city of Columbus ever witnessed a day so full of enthusiasm before or since. In one part of the procession perched upon the roof of a cabin sat General Anthony.

PROMINENCE IN POLITICS.

Owing to the very great popularity of Governor Vance, of Urbana, who was a member of Congress at the time Clark County was organized, it was sometime before one of our citizens became a mem- ber of the lower national law-making

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body. It was not long, however, before two men became prominent in state and national affairs, and in 1835 General Mason was sent to Congress and served in that body for eight years. General Anthony served in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives a number of years during which he was presiding of- ficer of one of those bodies. He took a very great interest in the Whig campaign of 1840, and upon General Harrison's election he was made United States dis- trict attorney for the state of Ohio. Mason and Anthony were recognized all over the state as distinguished men in the Whig party, and in 1849 General Mason also served as United States district at- torney for Ohio. In 1842 John Gallagher was representative from this county and was speaker of the Lower House at Co- lumbus.

From the time of Mason and Anthony our state has received more or less prom- inence from the distinguished ability and services of the Hon. Samuel Shellabarger in Congress of the United States, Judge William White on the Supreme Bench of Ohio, and General J. Warren Keifer. With all due consideration for the lustre and renown which rightfully belong to other citizens of our county, perhaps no one stands above General Keifer-dis- tinguished as a soldier and general in the Civil War (1861-1865), member of the Ohio Senate (1868-80), in Congress from 1877-1885, two years (1881-83) speaker of that body, major-general in the Span- ish-American War (1898) and after an interregnum of twenty years, 1905, again a member of Congress, in which ca- pacity he is still acting.

Neither should it be forgotten that

more or less prominence was given our locality from the fact that one of its best citizens, a most congenial and affable gentleman, Asa S. Bushnell, was governor of our state in 1895.

CIVIL WAR SPIRIT.

Generally, upon the dissolution of the Whig party, its members became mem- bers of the Republican party. Clark County having been so largely Whig in its political proclivities, it was natural that upon the dissolution of that party its members would follow the same course, or one similar to that which they had heretofore followed, and this was the case. Clark County became as thor- oughly Republican as it had been Whig.

Considerable abolitionist feeling pre- vailed in this part of Ohio. The routes of various "under-ground railroads" were through the territory of this county, and the feeling against slavery was par- ticularly strong. When Fort Sumpter was fired upon, the people arose, we might say en masse, in support of the Union cause. When President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers, Clark Coun- ty's quoto was filled with extraordinary speed.

A meeting was called at once over which Judge William White presided and the late J. K. Mower officiated as secretary. At this meeting a committee was appoint- ed to report at a subsequent one over which General Mason presided. At this meeting appropriate resolutions were adopted to sustain the government with all the power the people possessed, and during the entire continuation of the war. Perhaps in no place in the union was the

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spirit of the people more strongly in fa- vor of President Lincoln than with us. However, there was a very respectable opposition, most of whom had voted for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. Neither Breckenridge nor Bell received much of a vote in the county. Some of this op- position was composed of Democrats who had been in that party a long time. There were some of the Whigs who did not fol- low the majority of that party into the Republican party, but who, by reason probably of sympathy with the states from which they had emigrated, became members of the Democratic party. The Democratic party comprised a member- ship of divergent elements, some of which were not entirely free from sympathy for the cause of the confederacy. This feel- ing was more or less strong in the town- ships of German, Pike and Mad River.

The spirit of the times was such that the majority would hardly grant the minority the right to express their own convictions or manifest their feelings on any matter in opposition to the Repub- lican party without accusing the person manifesting such independence of being a "rebel" or a "Confederate sympa- thizer."

Vallandingham's arrest and subse- quent deportment to Canada aroused con- siderable sympathy for him, although conceded that his actions were not politic nor such as would have been advisable in one who was in thorough sympathy with the Union cause. It was a time when men's feelings were appealed to more often than their judgment. Many Demo- crats became Union soldiers, serving in various capacities with abilities and pa- triotism excelled by none.

WAR POLITICS.

Possibly in no state in the Union was there a hotter time politically during the war than in Ohio. Chase and Stanton, both former Democrats, had become members of Lincoln's Cabinet. Valland- ingham, while exercising what he claimed as "the right of free speech," was ar- rested and deported to Canada; his cause was then taken up by the Democracy and he was nominated, in his absence, for governor. The Republicans nominated John H, Brough, and the nature of the canvass was such as would naturally cause a high spirit and feeling to prevail. Brough was elected by the unheard-of plurality at that time of 101,000. Pre- vious to the Brough campaign a notable canvass was made for Congress between S. S. Cox and Samuel Shellabarger. Cox was an exceedingly bright and witty pub- lic speaker residing at Columbus. Shella- barger was an able lawyer of Springfield. Both had previously served in Congress. By the re-districting made in 1861 they were both thrown in the same Congres- sional district and were named by their respective parties as candidates again for Congress.

A notable meeting was held in this campaign near Bowlusville in the north- ern part of this county, one of its features being an immense barbecue. The Demo- crats of that and the surrounding vicin- ities contributed liberally of their means to make it a great success. It was the in- tention to feed those present. Tables were set and ropes put around with the purpose of permitting the women to go inside the ropes and serve the dinner to those outside. This arrangement did not

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suit the crowd and the ropes were broken down and each one helped himself to what- ever he could get.

Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana, S. S. Cox, Daniel Vorhees, and a number of other distinguished Democrats were pres- ent. It was estimated that 65,000 people were there, but like most estimations of the sort this is doubtless an extreme. Mr. Cox always attributed his election to the success of this meeting.

In the Brough-Vallandingham cam- paign the Democrats of German Town- ship formed an eighty-six horse wagon team to attend a political meeting. Each horse had a rider who was dressed in some patriotic costume. Upon the wagon were women representing the Goddess of Liberty, and various matters of that kind. The Republicans were not behind the Democrats in party demonstration and political meetings.

POLITICAL MEETINGS-GARFIELD AND PEN- DLETON DEBATE.

Springfield and its vicinity has for a long time in political matters been of suf- ficient importance to those managing party campaigns to secure from them some of the noted political speakers of the day. In former times General Harrison, Henry Clay, and Thomas Corwin made political addresses in this city, and per- haps every governor that has ever been elected by the Republican or Whig parties appeared before a Springfield audience.

Formerly, and until a quite recent time party managers sought to influence the voter by the demonstrations made at these political meetings. It was a com- mon thing to have parades in which as

much of a display as possible would be made.

A large portion of the Democratic party was composed of Germans and Irishmen, while a considerable portion of the Re- publican party were of the negro denomi- nation. These two elements were always antagonistic and generally during these parades some participant would be the recipient, somewhere along the line, of a brickbat or some other missile of a like character. Speeches and speakers were often forgotten by most of the paraders. Cannons were fired, fireworks blazed forth to impress upon the mind of the voter the importance of casting his vote for a certain candidate.

In 1877 during the governorship cam- paign between Judge West and R. M. Bishop, a series of debates were arranged for between James A. Garfield and George H. Pendleton. Garfield was then a leader of the House of Representatives, and Pendleton a senator from this state. Both were leading and talented men and fairly representative of their parties. Pendel- ton had been the nominee of his party for Vice-President.

The debate was held in Black's Opera House, and it was the general opinion of those who were present that Garfield was more than a match for Pendleton.

John Sherman frequently made speeches in Springfield and was always enthusiastically received; so was William Mckinley whose speeches were always of a serious kind, scholarly and thoughtful throughout.

One of the most favorite speakers that frequently visited Springfield was Gen. Wm. H. Gibson, of Tiffin, whose power to entertain an audience was never excelled

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by a political speaker in Ohio, at least since the times of Tom Corwin.

In 1888 Thomas B. Reed made a speech at the Fair Grounds.

Blaine was here, I think, in 1876. In 1884 when he ran for the Presidency he stopped at South Charleston but did not come to Springfield. He was a very great favorite here, especially with the younger element of Republicans.

President Roosevelt came through here when he was a candidate for Vice-Presi- dent.

Democrats of almost equal prominence have visited the city but not so frequent- ly as Republicans.

Vice-President Hendricks on several occasions was here.

Perhaps one of the most popular speak- ers for the Democrats was S. S. Cox, former representative in Congress. Will- iam J. Bryan was here during each time that he ran for the Presidency.

The canvass of 1880 was a spirited one in this county. A noted Republican meet- ing was addressed by "Bob" Ingersol, and later in that campaign Samuel Shella- barger made his last political speech in Springfield. William N. Whitley was then in the height of his manufacturing career and contributed both his means and efforts in this campaign.

KEIFER-BUSHNELL CONTEST.

General Keifer was one of those politi- cians who did not meet with success with- out an effort and opposition. He was nominated for Congress the first time over Judge William Lawrence, then in Congress, and present circuit judge Walter Sullivan, Gen. R. P. Kennedy, and

Geo. M. Eichelberger. This was in 1876.

In 1878 Judge Lawrence had not yet given up the idea of being returned to Congress, but Keifer was re-nominated.

In 1880 Gen. R. P. Kennedy of Belle- fontaine, Col. W. R. Warnock, Coates Kinney, and others, had Congressional aspirations and sought nomination, but were unsuccessful. In 1882, Keifer be- ing Speaker, the opposition did not man- ifest itself.

When Keifer was elected to Congress ne recommended as post master one John A. Shipman. The latter made a reason- ably good official but was not a particular- ly popular citizen. When his first term expired some protest was made against his re-appointment, but he was re-ap- pointed. In 1881 Keifer was elected speaker of the House of Representatives and necessarily his time was considerably taken up by his duties at Washington and perhaps he did not pay as close attention to his constituents as he otherwise would have done; anyway, opposition developed, and in looking around for a candidate it was decided that General Bushnell should contest the nomination in 1884.

Bushnell had lived in Springfield for a long while, married into a prominent fam- ily, was popular and at that time was practically the head of one of the largest manufacturing establishments of the city.

General Keifer had by some rulings in Congress excited the opposition of Gen- eral Boynton, who was special corres- pondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, and through that paper the latter relent- lessly pursued General Keifer. Keifer's fighting spirit would not let him withdraw and thus we had the most memorable con- test for political votes that this county

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ever witnessed. It was finally left to a primary, the most pernicious method, when money is or may be used, that could be adopted, and considerable was spent by both participants. Bushnell finally prevailed in carrying the county. The Congressional convention was held in this city and the feeling of opposition among the Keifer adherents was so strong and bitter that it prevented the delegations from the other counties casting their vote at any time for Bushnell. John Little, of Greene County, finally received the nomination.

While Bushnell did not receive the nomination, the result of his canvass gave him much prominence, and paved the way : to the governor's chair. In this conven- tion Clark County could have nominated Geo. M. Eichelberger, Champaign Coun- ty's candidate, and because she did not, secured that county's political enmity, which a score of years has not entirely effaced.

The effect of this canvass in Republi- can politics was felt for a number of years, but was fast fading away before Governor Bushnell died, and at the time that General Keifer was a candidate again, in 1904, the county was enthusias- tically for him, and he was renominated in 1906 without opposition.

UNSUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES.

In the Congressional and judicial dis- tricts, as generally mapped out, Spring- field was the largest city in the district. Being from a reliable Republican county, it would naturally claim recognition from the candidates for those positions.

feated as the choice of this county Asa S. Bushnell was the candidate.

In 1886, the county in the meantime having been placed in another Congres- sional district, and by reason of General Kennedy's popularity in this county, no candidate was presented.

In 1890 Edward S. Wallace was the choice of our delegation. The Congres- sional Convention met at Washington C. H. After casting a large number of votes, each county for its own candidate, the Convention adjourned without nomina- tion.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 12

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 1086

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086