tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86979136713202163642024-03-16T11:52:37.427-07:00The Strangest Names In American Political History Dedicated to American political figures with strange, odd, and unusual names! ©Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.comBlogger1139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-21812508814563907082023-12-31T14:44:00.000-08:002024-01-03T16:06:59.978-08:00Texas Angel (1839-1903)<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iIjtOVu9RhW6zU5yX3DYSsPuDdTTQr4qrCssxoz_a4Fa3ZTYzKNzXXkZ07RtAJKmKjDc9yCZqEjkrpIbKZDKIImAN0ZtMgBoCBQY_L6hka0v4CAojibaDxl2myyzNNo7IjnFVacKQ9BuOuj8n1quo4B7MiIOYJe2w0HW7ZOhHNwOGmBwg5mr1_R-eVk/s544/TEXAS%20ANGEL.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iIjtOVu9RhW6zU5yX3DYSsPuDdTTQr4qrCssxoz_a4Fa3ZTYzKNzXXkZ07RtAJKmKjDc9yCZqEjkrpIbKZDKIImAN0ZtMgBoCBQY_L6hka0v4CAojibaDxl2myyzNNo7IjnFVacKQ9BuOuj8n1quo4B7MiIOYJe2w0HW7ZOhHNwOGmBwg5mr1_R-eVk/s16000/TEXAS%20ANGEL.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Idaho Statesman, April 6, 1903.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> December 31 is upon us and with that comes our Strangest Name of the Year. As is the custom over the past decade, the final posting of the year is dedicated to an especially odd-named figure, and the following profile takes us to Idaho to examine the life of Texas Angel, a transplant to that state from Wisconsin. A New Yorker by birth and a Civil War veteran, Angel first found political distinction in Wisconsin, where he served as a District Attorney. After a five-year residency in California, Angel settled in Idaho, where he practiced law for over two decades. During his residency, he was an unsuccessful aspirant for the state supreme court and was a candidate for district court judge in the year before his death. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Born in Angelica, New York on October 19, 1839, Texas Angel <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7641225/william-gardner-angel" target="_blank">was the son of William Gardner Angel (1790-1858) and the former Clarissa English (1800-1873)</a>. A distinguished figure in his own right, William G. Angel was a three-term U.S. Representative from New York and later was elected as the first county judge for Allegany County. Upon the birth of his last son in 1839 he bestowed on him the name Texas, and the origins of that curious name were highlighted in Angel's 1903 <i>Boise, Idaho Statesman</i> obituary, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/115670104/" target="_blank">which notes</a>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Mr. Angel was named in honor of the then republic of Texas. There has been a good deal of speculation relative to his name, and Mr. Angel on his last visit to Boise told a group of inquiring friends the story of his christening. General Sam Houston, who was then the president of the republic of Texas, was a warm friend of Mr. Angel's father. Mr. Angel was born when the general was at the height of his fame and his father named the boy Texas as an avidence of his esteem and admiration for the gallant old soldier."</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A student in schools local to the Angelica area, Texas Angel enlisted in Co. I, 27th New York Infantry in April 1861. Angel <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/n161/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">saw action at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 and participated with his unit at the Battle of West Point</a> and during the Peninsular Campaign in 1862. Angel and the 27th New York Infantry saw further action at the Battle of Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, and Malvern Hill. At some point following the last named battle Angel was hospitalized for an indeterminate period, but recuperated and soon joined his regiment at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862. Following the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam, Angel earned a promotion to "<a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/n161/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank"><i>commissary sergeant with the rank of second lieutenant in Co. I.</i></a>" Further particulars of Angel's service include his participation in the march from Antietam to Fredericksburg, and at the end of his enlistment had achieved the rank of quartermaster of his regiment. From May 1863-May 1864 he continued to serve his country <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/n161/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">in the recruiting service</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Seeing a bright future for himself in the West, Texas Angel journeyed to California in May 1864 and there began the study of law under local attorney Samuel M. Wilson. Angel was admitted to the bar in April 1866. His stay in California proved to be short, and in that year, he opted to move back to New York, and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/115670104/" target="_blank">in late 1866 established his law practice in Jamestown in Chautauqua County</a>. He remained in Jamestown for one year and in 1867 decided to relocate once again, this time to Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> Establishing his law practice in Eau Claire, Angel soon developed roots in the community and </span>became active in the politics of that county. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Rw1OAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA251&dq=%22texas+angel%22+eau+claire&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSyeGz-KuDAxUJrYkEHcxOCAoQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22texas%20angel%22%20eau%20claire&f=false" target="_blank">During the early 1870s, he sat on the city board of aldermen</a>, and in 1871 announced his candidacy for county district attorney. Described as a "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/eau-claire-weekly-free-press/137394578/" target="_blank"><i>young lawyer with some promise</i></a>", Angel won the election that November and served from 1872-1874. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qZTwwLeJ8G2CI-8wbRrWokwfRwPuQHn_Ob4WKJRdfQ7Vi-HzaqEHCunmHDezZtVXrCOQUC4TdV138l03l-m_TEfF0Jj8v6n9nzK005EzniC9poIL8eZu0aesOYQtnt1rbcDuf-2-0q7lEPuCVw3qe8nmrdbVyjToz63ocujpifKS-86nMytwN3MlJ3I/s250/Texas%20Angel%20notice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="250" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qZTwwLeJ8G2CI-8wbRrWokwfRwPuQHn_Ob4WKJRdfQ7Vi-HzaqEHCunmHDezZtVXrCOQUC4TdV138l03l-m_TEfF0Jj8v6n9nzK005EzniC9poIL8eZu0aesOYQtnt1rbcDuf-2-0q7lEPuCVw3qe8nmrdbVyjToz63ocujpifKS-86nMytwN3MlJ3I/w320-h218/Texas%20Angel%20notice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>From the Eau Claire Weekly Free Press.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Angel's time in Eau Claire <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/n161/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">saw him in a law partnership with Levi Vilas</a>, a future Eau Claire mayor and district attorney. Texas Angel married in Wisconsin in 1870 to Mary E. Goodrich, to whom he was wed for over thirty years. The couple <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52695368/mary-e-angel" target="_blank">had three children</a>, Richard Marvin (1871-1939), May (1872-1961), and Floyd Dwight (1882-1957). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1877 the Angel family left Wisconsin to make their home in California, <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/n161/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">moving to improve Mary Angel's health</a>. Settling in San Francisco, Angel established a law practice there, and in December 1878 received <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-petaluma-courier/137450710/" target="_blank">a write-up on his unusual name in the Daily Los Angeles Herald</a>. In 1881 Angel and his family moved to Idaho, where they would permanently make their home. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/115670104/" target="_blank">Settling in the nascent community of Hailey</a>, he established his law practice and "<i>identified himself actively with the young town and materially assisted in its upbringing</i>."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Now firmly established in Hailey, Angel <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/992/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">operated a law partnership with Isaac Newton Sullivan</a>, a future chief justice of the state supreme court. Their firm continued for eight years and in the mid-1880s Angel made his first move into Idaho politics, <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/992/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">serving as a representative from Alturas County</a> to the Republican Territorial Central Committee in 1884. In the year following Angel was elected as secretary pro tem of that committee, and in 1886 was elected <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/wood-river-times/137452364/" target="_blank">as a trustee of the Alturas Water Company</a>. Angel would be a founding incorporator of the Idaho Electric Supply Co. of Hailey in 1887, and in February of that year journeyed to Chicago <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/wood-river-times/137452581/" target="_blank">to purchase "<i>generators and lamps</i>" for the city's first electric light works</a>. Further business successes were accorded to Angel during the early 1890s with his time as <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/wood-river-times/137453123/" target="_blank">president of the Salt Lake, Hailey, and Puget Sound Railway Company</a>, serving in that capacity for an indeterminate period.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> By the early 1890s, Texas Angel was viewed as one of the leading Republican figures residing in Alturas County, and in the early part of that decade <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofidahona03fren/page/992/mode/2up?q=angel&view=theater" target="_blank">switched political allegiance to the Populist Party</a>. In August 1894 he was nominated "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/137476535/" target="_blank">by acclamation</a>" for associate justice of the state supreme court <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/137476704/" target="_blank">but withdrew his candidacy</a> a few weeks later. However, the Populists later issued a statement on August 30, claiming Angel <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/137477532/" target="_blank">had not withdrawn from the ticket</a>, and the day following that article <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/137477672/" target="_blank">Angel himself commented</a> that "<i>he had reconsidered the matter and finally decided to accept in order that there should be no vacancies on the ticket</i>. Angel would lose that contest that November, victory instead going to incumbent judge <a href="https://accessgenealogy.com/idaho/biography-of-joseph-w-huston.htm" target="_blank">Joseph W. Huston</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gcp8ZvZLsuOOsv2QNoPMLpISJoDp7rfzEs4ySaJaM8b9RW5zLNIrqFaWyWKR87k7nPxMfa_JWL1gEG8k1UAEUz_kZa4DlT41HCTTKAK57kCDI4p4mpDU0zaetw7zV7r5UMJOsFv-GdbCq2fAjis6Cqhe230SagT6-UZlr8TwqxQm3d8Oi2vv54ER_vE/s818/Angel%20notice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="818" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gcp8ZvZLsuOOsv2QNoPMLpISJoDp7rfzEs4ySaJaM8b9RW5zLNIrqFaWyWKR87k7nPxMfa_JWL1gEG8k1UAEUz_kZa4DlT41HCTTKAK57kCDI4p4mpDU0zaetw7zV7r5UMJOsFv-GdbCq2fAjis6Cqhe230SagT6-UZlr8TwqxQm3d8Oi2vv54ER_vE/w400-h164/Angel%20notice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Idaho Statesman, December 24, 1896.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Not one to let a loss get the best of him, Angel returned to politics in December 1896 when he announced his candidacy for U.S. Senator from Idaho. Again a candidate of the Populists, mentions of Angel's senatorial ambitions appeared in several Idaho newspapers during the early part of 1897. With the senatorial election being decided by the Idaho state legislature, there were several rounds of balloting to decide the election. On January 16, 1897,<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/137478815/" target="_blank"> a round of balloting saw Angel receive 24 votes (all Populists)</a>, with Silver Republican Fred DuBois leading by one vote. Balloting in the legislature continued until January 30, 1897, when Henry Heitfeld, another Populist, was duly elected senator. In the final round of balloting <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weiser-semi-weekly-signal/137479409/" target="_blank">Heitfeld received 39 votes, incumbent senator Fred Dubois 30 votes, and Texas Angel secured one vote.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> While his senatorial ambitions may have been dashed, Angel wasn't through politically, and in the next year announced his candidacy for district court judge for Idaho's 4th judicial district. That September he was <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/shoshone-journal/137479862/" target="_blank">officially nominated by the Populists</a>, with several newspapers booming his candidacy following his nomination. Described as an "<i>honest man and a man of marked ability</i>", Angel looked to be a lock a the polls, but was again dealt defeat in November 1898, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/elmore-bulletin/137480398/" target="_blank">the judgeship instead going to Charles O. Stockslager</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSkmqOxPZx-lh6RCHDYZ5UuuGsff4jHpONoLlxRzizh5E46gTmnyc3wdnl1DXmTM8AYGpjrbq2JigrmByU81oLQxAHoQ1i8RXExyXJQ4atjS7TylSueX-pAx5QJdqGNki31j849bffX45d3rc0Qu1YLu5ztXTBJjCYwGCiEt2_Chu0rnG_y3kmqQ7Qt8/s681/Angel%20notice%20II.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="681" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSkmqOxPZx-lh6RCHDYZ5UuuGsff4jHpONoLlxRzizh5E46gTmnyc3wdnl1DXmTM8AYGpjrbq2JigrmByU81oLQxAHoQ1i8RXExyXJQ4atjS7TylSueX-pAx5QJdqGNki31j849bffX45d3rc0Qu1YLu5ztXTBJjCYwGCiEt2_Chu0rnG_y3kmqQ7Qt8/s320/Angel%20notice%20II.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Silver Messenger, October 11, 1898.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following that defeat, Angel returned to his law practice in Hailey and reemerged on the political scene in 1900 when his name <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-silver-messenger/137480819/" target="_blank">was again put forward by the Populists for justice of the state supreme court</a>. He remained on the ticket until October when he withdrew his name from the ticket, an act that <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/137481059/" target="_blank">was met with surprise by newspapers of the period</a>. In his last attempt for public office Texas Angel again was a candidate for judge from Idaho's Fourth Judicial District in 1902, but was dealt yet another loss, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/montpelier-examiner/137482011/" target="_blank">with victory going to Republican Lyttleton Price</a> that November.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The final months of Texas Angel's life were spent in the practice of law in Hailey and in early 1903 took sick, with the Shoshone Journal <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/shoshone-journal/137482285/" target="_blank">attributing the cause as a ruptured blood vessel in the brain</a>. Angel suffered <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/115670104/" target="_blank">two more strokes</a> shortly before his death, which occurred at his home on April 5, 1903. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the Hailey Cemetery in Hailey, Idaho.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCpojxBPE_8sFZGHIAJKy7T3fkguuaCaNcZWZ4FHd7qjZLprlEOGhqYgUu3Q6z5VcFGnaWjombLQTFVFrvBZnQYULkMp0GU0dHfXu_Vd4JiJ8dTdhOO7JFgGfA_tCeBD9yR2COJCvAXpLnHz04zzhLsXveAW4XteS5l8vsOtVw11s9gIuhl_oP4dxEQo/s456/Texas%20Angel%20II.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCpojxBPE_8sFZGHIAJKy7T3fkguuaCaNcZWZ4FHd7qjZLprlEOGhqYgUu3Q6z5VcFGnaWjombLQTFVFrvBZnQYULkMp0GU0dHfXu_Vd4JiJ8dTdhOO7JFgGfA_tCeBD9yR2COJCvAXpLnHz04zzhLsXveAW4XteS5l8vsOtVw11s9gIuhl_oP4dxEQo/s16000/Texas%20Angel%20II.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the History of Idaho, A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Vol III, 1914.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo5QALgTUE8xg-lpuShh8PC0UZi0HItFqxJJPm1Npmxd_ukrFsUfYKzEGNMlOD6D1SJ3ONIMlCCguRKbznGezCCnk37HUzUhRaDDAWcCUMD2_rDeVpBTU6FqV_g6YYOHyGh7r-vFWzuenvHlTq07uT9BUBFCrhAtKdGHgKcF5NVYmwdUjlpR5octL7SM/s753/Angle%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="753" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo5QALgTUE8xg-lpuShh8PC0UZi0HItFqxJJPm1Npmxd_ukrFsUfYKzEGNMlOD6D1SJ3ONIMlCCguRKbznGezCCnk37HUzUhRaDDAWcCUMD2_rDeVpBTU6FqV_g6YYOHyGh7r-vFWzuenvHlTq07uT9BUBFCrhAtKdGHgKcF5NVYmwdUjlpR5octL7SM/w400-h290/Angle%20obit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Lewiston Inter-State News, April 7, 1903.</span></i></div></div></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-12925364974839112222023-12-26T08:37:00.000-08:002023-12-26T08:37:31.088-08:00Missouri Hennegar Whaley (1836-1904)<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xqSkyMXHv8ConE-i8eHQ9Z6pXVMjqefe8YK8g1tF43dCPtQN-jbzN3oEnjs96w9BbmtsB1CHcSbOHz6CZGjR11LVZJU8uy94rS52xHdIfaIkCIQVDGZamX1oQnxz3p3b5gYjtntEDHd_GQzlF4SnRpqbKAmaok3TO1Fmcnhbb8s2GAQZBl2BZ_FOr5c/s449/MISSOURI%20HENNEGAR%20WHALEY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="290" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xqSkyMXHv8ConE-i8eHQ9Z6pXVMjqefe8YK8g1tF43dCPtQN-jbzN3oEnjs96w9BbmtsB1CHcSbOHz6CZGjR11LVZJU8uy94rS52xHdIfaIkCIQVDGZamX1oQnxz3p3b5gYjtntEDHd_GQzlF4SnRpqbKAmaok3TO1Fmcnhbb8s2GAQZBl2BZ_FOr5c/w259-h400/MISSOURI%20HENNEGAR%20WHALEY.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Portrait courtesy of the Legislative Reference Library of Texas.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> An obscure resident of Montague County, Texas, Missouri Hennegar Whaley represented that county for one term in his state's House of Representatives. A native of Tennessee, Whaley was born in Rhea County on February 28, 1836, <a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Biographical_Souvenir/Whaley_MH.pdf" target="_blank">one of thirteen children born to John and Mary Airhart Whaley</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A student at the Clinton Academy and the Strawberry Plains College in his native state, Whaley decided upon a law career and in 1854 <a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Biographical_Souvenir/Whaley_MH.pdf" target="_blank">began study under Judge Frank Locke</a>. Four years later he moved to Texas, and after settling in Cooke County was selected as deputy district clerk. He continued reading law during this period and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1860. At the dawn of the Civil War Whaley cast his lot with the Confederacy and <a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Biographical_Souvenir/Whaley_MH.pdf" target="_blank">enlisted in Co. B., Eleventh Texas Calvary</a>, with which he served until the war's conclusion. Whaley </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">married in 1861 to Jane Puryear (1841-1918), to whom he was wed until his death. </span><a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Biographical_Souvenir/Whaley_MH.pdf" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">The couple had ten children</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Flora Helen, Theodore Ewin, Joe Wheeler, Richard Holder, John Brent, Sallie Florence, Maggie Lea, Cora Belle, James Edgar, and Rufus Edgar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his military service Whaley was elected as clerk of the district court of Cook County, and in the early 1870s "<a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Biographical_Souvenir/Whaley_MH.pdf" target="_blank"><i>erected the first steam saw and grist mill in Cook County</i></a>" with which he was affiliated for several years. In 1878 he and his family moved to Montague County, and in the succeeding years became a leading business figure in the county, being involved in the flour mill and lumber business.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Described as a "<a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Personnel_19th_1885.pdf" target="_blank">believer in prohibition and a Democrat without reproach</a>", Whaley's highest degree of political prominence came in 1884 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Serving in the 1885-87 session, he was remarked as one of the "<i>ablest members of the house</i>" <a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/legeleaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=4191&searchparams=chamber=~city=~countyID=0~RcountyID=~district=~first=~gender=~last=whaley~leaderNote=~leg=~party=~roleDesc=~Committee=" target="_blank">and sat on the committees</a> on Agriculture, Finance, and the Public Land Office.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After leaving the legislature Whaley <a href="https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1498414/m1/6/zoom/?q=%22m.h.%20whaley%22&resolution=2&lat=1213.5891691495663&lon=1729.8644255919478" target="_blank">served two terms as county collector of taxes</a> and two years before his death moved to the town of Calvin in Red River County. He died there on June 10, 1904, aged 67, and was later returned to Montague County for burial <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54395937/missouri-hennagar-whaley" target="_blank">at the Mountain View Cemetery</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TlRe6LTjl8FBdAm8R0QZYDQgR5SqeamZL1_Emm8BmSyx8w3NyEekZmcJERSCyLmtMGJdqM1z00Vo-9FoDfOzPOwYN1UgrXhnZJ9BpMkxv00bliW4iwqDpyCzHiBnBZ-XUJtMRGRQTrgPZFqs8PCQECHzbeZ2nFtREfw7LhcQZaGDd5qdEnQSaIDGI2M/s516/Whaley%20obit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TlRe6LTjl8FBdAm8R0QZYDQgR5SqeamZL1_Emm8BmSyx8w3NyEekZmcJERSCyLmtMGJdqM1z00Vo-9FoDfOzPOwYN1UgrXhnZJ9BpMkxv00bliW4iwqDpyCzHiBnBZ-XUJtMRGRQTrgPZFqs8PCQECHzbeZ2nFtREfw7LhcQZaGDd5qdEnQSaIDGI2M/s16000/Whaley%20obit.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Fort Worth Record and Register, June 14, 1904.</span></i></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-77151044596276419882023-12-21T13:50:00.000-08:002023-12-21T13:50:22.603-08:00Vermont Marston Finley (1880-1958)<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfZqbW8oTBsZ1Wk41miJUcllkojkkxcV9rZ3ieiggCaK63FO-G7jV9ka3JnrESnD5Flt0sMbFqaoTJR-vdky5RRR6dyvzmwlmYrLgIHJB-usrrA4ejAoeChNxgh2KRwtM92KBQoNxBZqD7SxR4vURpSEY19MiAQCwoPjdMWcQm7PnqB-jLOdXuTaA2XI/s479/VERMONT%20MARSTON%20FINLEY.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfZqbW8oTBsZ1Wk41miJUcllkojkkxcV9rZ3ieiggCaK63FO-G7jV9ka3JnrESnD5Flt0sMbFqaoTJR-vdky5RRR6dyvzmwlmYrLgIHJB-usrrA4ejAoeChNxgh2KRwtM92KBQoNxBZqD7SxR4vURpSEY19MiAQCwoPjdMWcQm7PnqB-jLOdXuTaA2XI/s16000/VERMONT%20MARSTON%20FINLEY.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Indiana University "Arbutus", 1909.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A leading attorney based in Kendallville, Indiana, Vermont Marston Finley shares his first name with the Green Mountain State and made his political mark in the Indiana House of Representatives, where he served for one term. The <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/steuben-republican-obituary-for-marston/136919389/" target="_blank">son of Thomas and Effie Lybarger Finley</a>, Vermont Finley was born in Wayne County, Ohio on July 19, 1880. He moved with his family to Indiana during childhood and settled first in Avilla and later in Kendallville.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A student in schools local to Noble County, Indiana, Finley enrolled at the Tri-State College, where he earned a teaching license, a<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/steuben-republican-obituary-for-marston/136919389/" target="_blank">nd for several years taught at various schools in the Kendallville vicinity</a>. He later returned to Tri-State College to obtain his A.B. degree and continued study at Indiana University, where he pursued an L.L.B. degree. His time at the school saw him take front rank as a debater, and in December 1908 "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news/137127090/" target="_blank"><i>won honors</i>" over several other students</a> in an interclass debate on " <i>Centralization, Its Tendencies and Its Evils</i>." Finley graduated in 1909 and shortly after was admitted to the state bar, and began practice in Kendallville.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Vermont Finley married in Indiana on January 12, 1910, to Carlotta Fisk, to whom he was wed until his death. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/steuben-republican-obituary-for-marston/136919389/" target="_blank">The couple had two children, Wyman and Sylvia</a>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the same year as his marriage, Finley entered politics for the first time, gaining the Republican nomination for state representative from Noble County that June. Throughout the election season, Finley conducted "</span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/palladium-item/137127772/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><i>a vigorous campaign</i></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">" and that November triumphed at the polls, besting incumbent Democrat J.T. Stahl </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune/137127947/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">by just 42 votes</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Finley's victory was one of the few Republican wins in Noble County that year, with the South Bend Tribune remarking on the </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune/137127947/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">overwhelming Democratic wins that year</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Taking his seat at the start of the 1911-13 session, Finley's committee assignments during his term remain unknown and in November 1912 was defeated for reelection<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=LPRKAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA131&dq=%22vermont+finley%22+noble+county&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwis8uHvyJ6DAxVJkYkEHfPaC84Q6AF6BAgGEAI#v=onepage&q=%22vermont%20finley%22%20noble%20county&f=false" target="_blank"> by Democrat Marion Franks, 2,942 votes to 2,738</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After leaving the legislature Finley returned to his law practice and around 1923 was <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/steuben-republican-obituary-for-marston/136919389/" target="_blank">named as receiver for the Noble County Bank of Kendallville</a>, where he continued work until the bank's closure in 1930. In 1937 he was joined in practice by his son Wyman, and in the latter portion of his life remained busy in several civic and fraternal groups, holding memberships in the Noble County Bar Association, and the International Order of Odd Fellows. Finley's 1957 obituary also denotes him as <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/steuben-republican-obituary-for-marston/136919389/" target="_blank">a longstanding parishioner</a> at the First Church of Christ, where he was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Vermont Marston Finley died in Kendallville on February 16, 1957, following a heart attack. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the Lakeview Cemetery in Kendallville.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0Y_trhhZYtFnKNAOZgbz9qmCm-MYdKiD76_U8ErrZ3AAUYpU3JH69MooMj2Es6mowGTLpT5Eg5MXB7gfX0D8tW8WE35_A6uKRK2INr8CavP-d9p8pt5q5lBPGwdnyEAW16FHFojP-K74c3m0xLFyU4af6a_lXa20iMkRHznWgpExtUAI2gPK-KKTC-8/s1324/Vermont%20Finley%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0Y_trhhZYtFnKNAOZgbz9qmCm-MYdKiD76_U8ErrZ3AAUYpU3JH69MooMj2Es6mowGTLpT5Eg5MXB7gfX0D8tW8WE35_A6uKRK2INr8CavP-d9p8pt5q5lBPGwdnyEAW16FHFojP-K74c3m0xLFyU4af6a_lXa20iMkRHznWgpExtUAI2gPK-KKTC-8/s16000/Vermont%20Finley%20obit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Steuben Republican, February 9, 1957.</span></i></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-72062471006073484862023-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:002023-12-18T09:21:49.635-08:00Nevada Northrop Stranahan (1861-1928)<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1DQGh8M7ifCTKlp9KUwrV4B1hGsKK47bwg3Ca4BxZV1my6PkAPdY4bGwj2yL4bgoGnpLszQ4utOz5ERrIqaWuiKpEpw78IhDQ0eYcks_l-bH1AWibR6c8Hl-UrRbXYHf7Tn7Bn_a_kgE2_6DAF7vFsTwnbCw7jvPz9MueyQMgjtcUlT9hizvEp66agE/s434/NEVADA%20NORTHROP%20STRANAHAN.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1DQGh8M7ifCTKlp9KUwrV4B1hGsKK47bwg3Ca4BxZV1my6PkAPdY4bGwj2yL4bgoGnpLszQ4utOz5ERrIqaWuiKpEpw78IhDQ0eYcks_l-bH1AWibR6c8Hl-UrRbXYHf7Tn7Bn_a_kgE2_6DAF7vFsTwnbCw7jvPz9MueyQMgjtcUlT9hizvEp66agE/s16000/NEVADA%20NORTHROP%20STRANAHAN.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Portrait from Prominent and Progressive Americans, Vol. II, 1904.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> "Mr. Stranahan's career is distinguished by a series of success achieved by few men of his age...such achievements speak louder than words, and as an expression of regard for his attainments from the people of Oswego County must ever be a gratification of Mr. Stranahan. In the prime of manhood and with a wide experience of finance, he is eminently fitted to cope with the duties of the Collector of the Port."</i></span></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=HHEeAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA525&dq=nevada+stranahan+%22collector%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiNjen9_JKDAxXqv4kEHX63BUE4ChDoAXoECA0QAg#v=onepage&q=nevada%20stranahan%20%22collector%22&f=false" target="_blank"> Such was the character assessment</a> of Nevada Northrop Stranahan, one of the more unusual names on the New York political stage at the turn of the 19th century. Stranahan served multiple terms in both houses of the New York legislature, was District Attorney of Oswego County, and in 1901 was named as Collector of the Port of New York. The <a href="https://www.ancestorarchive.org/stranahan_photo_gallery_surname_index_ii.php" target="_blank">son of Smith and Lucelia Higgins Stranahan</a>, Nevada Northrop Stranahan <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=W0YDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA213-IA1&dq=%22nevada+n.+stranahan+%221861&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL_5njl5KDAxUgkokEHfvKAE0Q6AF6BAgLEAI#v=onepage&q=%22nevada%20n.%20stranahan%20%221861&f=false" target="_blank">was born in Granby, Oswego County, New York</a> on February 27, 1861. The origins of Stranahan's first name remain unknown but is believed to be connected to the like-named state, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Territory#cite_note-3" target="_blank">which had come into existence as a U.S. territory</a> around the time of his birth.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Stranahan's youth was spent on his family's farm and he was a student in schools local to his hometown,<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=W0YDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA213-IA1&dq=%22nevada+n.+stranahan+%221861&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL_5njl5KDAxUgkokEHfvKAE0Q6AF6BAgLEAI#v=onepage&q=%22nevada%20n.%20stranahan%20%221861&f=false" target="_blank"> including the Valley Seminary</a>. Deciding upon a career in law, Stranahan enrolled at the Columbia College Law School in the early 1880s and in 1884 was admitted to the state bar. Stranahan <a href="https://www.ancestorarchive.org/stranahan_photo_gallery_surname_index_ii.php" target="_blank">married </a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.ancestorarchive.org/stranahan_photo_gallery_surname_index_ii.php" target="_blank">in April 1885 to Elsie Merriman</a>, who predeceased him in 1922. The couple were wed for nearly forty years and had one daughter, Louise. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After being admitted to the bar Stranahan established his law practice in Fulton, New York, and made his first foray into politics <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/136889563/" target="_blank">in September 1889 when he was nominated </a>for the state assembly at the Oswego County Republican convention. He was elected that November and after taking his seat in January 1890 <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-commercial-stranahan-committ/136889819/" target="_blank">was named to the committees</a> on Claims and Privileges and Elections. He was renominated for a second term in August 1890. He was<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express/136890054/" target="_blank"> acknowledged</a> by both the Syracuse Standard and Buffalo Courier as a "<i>faithful, competent member</i>" and "<i>one of the most talented young men of the county."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j27P7w1Aeso7SeTfS0Rd9h5DLkkGnZM-NJpRMRbDr8jXSVPACZ4xXkXhYKspO95eGkE9UjbOkfkqixfG7kypNamngRLM78vqUh7h5FBTww2MDVuzKQ_xdZ_BRWJ6QqQJpKivLdukJCaHpqwkMMzc_srazKnKqq7PMii8Vf-4fiOxgbY6Dkbq67Jf-0M/s353/Nevada%20Stranahan%20red%20book.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j27P7w1Aeso7SeTfS0Rd9h5DLkkGnZM-NJpRMRbDr8jXSVPACZ4xXkXhYKspO95eGkE9UjbOkfkqixfG7kypNamngRLM78vqUh7h5FBTww2MDVuzKQ_xdZ_BRWJ6QqQJpKivLdukJCaHpqwkMMzc_srazKnKqq7PMii8Vf-4fiOxgbY6Dkbq67Jf-0M/s320/Nevada%20Stranahan%20red%20book.png" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the New York Red Book, 1892.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Stranahan won a second term that November and in January 1891 <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046278&seq=249&q1=stranahan" target="_blank">was named to the committees on Codes and Gas and Electricity</a>. He won a third term in late 1891 "<i>with an 825 plurality</i>" over two opponents and throughout the 1892 session <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046278&seq=250&q1=stranahan" target="_blank">authored several pieces of legislation</a>, including "<i>authorizing towns and villages to establish free baths</i>", a bill to prevent diseases in peach trees, and a bill for holding town meetings in Oswego County. The New York Red Book also notes that Stranahan took "<i>front rank as a debater</i>", and during his term held the additional post of <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046278&seq=249&q1=stranahan" target="_blank">vice president of the Fulton and Oswego Falls Railroad</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After his third term in the assembly, Stranahan was elected as Oswego County District Attorney, serving from 1893 to 1895, during which time "<i>he filled that place to the satisfaction of the county</i>." Stranahan continued his political ascent in 1895 when he was elected to the state senate "<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=xo8aAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA89&dq=nevada+stranahan+assembly&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZrNP1lZKDAxX9g4kEHWzvBBg4ChDoAXoECAYQAg#v=onepage&q=nevada%20stranahan%20assembly&f=false" target="_blank">by a majority of 9,839</a>" over Democratic nominee William Baker. During the 1896 term, he chaired the committee on Cities and served on the committees on Privileges and Elections, and Taxation and Retrenchment. He won a second senate term in November 1898, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=W0YDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA213-IA1&dq=%22nevada+n.+stranahan+%221861&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL_5njl5KDAxUgkokEHfvKAE0Q6AF6BAgLEAI#v=onepage&q=%22nevada%20n.%20stranahan%20%221861&f=false" target="_blank">polling 16,270 votes</a>, and again chaired the committee on cities. Stranahan coasted to a third term in the Senate in November 1900 <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=xo8aAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA89&dq=nevada+stranahan+assembly&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZrNP1lZKDAxX9g4kEHWzvBBg4ChDoAXoECAYQAg#v=onepage&q=stranahan&f=false" target="_blank">when he defeated Democrat Charles Remick </a>by a vote of 18,295 to 10,332. The 1901-02 session saw him chair the committee on cities for a third time and also continued on the Finance and Taxation and Retrenchment committees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hj0SeTqkqW5vWIrT50zl2HHspvTutAuCv7BTHwLDzXEIc-jAAmKGopH_bG-Ababa1rhO4kRAYf1Mf0zFWXZJ4A6ZXyLbIkK87I9wwmFUmaoz8phgHnOsHueONPUZoPh6FGfGFuq9IgJqvWLQgjckEh4wvtaRxSAc6VYt7SsUVS1r_Azb1uyPlalYXN0/s993/Nevada%20Stranahan%20Mt%20Vernon%20Argus%20Mar%2021%201902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="672" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hj0SeTqkqW5vWIrT50zl2HHspvTutAuCv7BTHwLDzXEIc-jAAmKGopH_bG-Ababa1rhO4kRAYf1Mf0zFWXZJ4A6ZXyLbIkK87I9wwmFUmaoz8phgHnOsHueONPUZoPh6FGfGFuq9IgJqvWLQgjckEh4wvtaRxSAc6VYt7SsUVS1r_Azb1uyPlalYXN0/w271-h400/Nevada%20Stranahan%20Mt%20Vernon%20Argus%20Mar%2021%201902.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Mt. Vernon Argus.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Late in his third senate term Nevada Stranahan's name was put forward as a possible successor to George R. Bidwell, the retiring Collector of the Port of New York. A coveted federal office, the New York Port Collector had charge of the collection of import duties on foreign goods that entered the United States via the port of New York. In November 1901 President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Stranahan to that post, with his duties to begin in April 1902. Stranahan's succession to that office was met with wide praise by newspapers of the time, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/136913117/" target="_blank">with the Troy Times describing him as</a> "<i>one of the ablest and most honorable men in the legislature.</i>" Further character praise was given by the Brooklyn Eagle, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/136913117/" target="_blank">which remarked</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He is a politician, whose integrity, liberality and honorableness, as well as whose learning and public service, entitle him to be called a statesman. He is in thorough sympathy with his party on the line of its best intents. He is a scholarly and cultivated gentleman."</i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1902 Stranahan resigned his senate seat and formally entered into the collector's office on April 1. His tenure extended until December 1907<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world/136916587/" target="_blank"> when he resigned</a> due to health concerns, and in the latter part of that year <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express/136916469/" target="_blank">undertook a trip to Europe in the hope of regaining his health</a>. Following his resignation his service was lauded by Treasury Secretary George Cortelyou, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world/136916587/" target="_blank">who noted</a>:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"It was with great reluctance that the department accepted this resignation, and only upon his instistance. He retires from this office to the great regret of all, and with the acknowledged reputation of having been one of the best collectors that New York has ever had."</i></span></blockquote><p></p></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Stranahan continued residency in New York until 1911, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/136917658/" target="_blank">and in March of that year announced that he and his family would be moving to Great Britain</a>, in the hope of bettering his health. On March 29, 1911, he and his wife w<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/136917802/" target="_blank">ere feted with a farewell dinner</a> by the citizens of Fulton, and shortly thereafter left for Europe. Little is known of his time in Great Britain. Widowed in 1922, Stranahan resided at the home of his daughter Louise in Peterborough following his wife's death and died in that city on July 6, 1928, aged 67. He was later interred alongside his wife <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2707530/memorial-search?firstName=&lastName=Stranahan&includeMaidenName=true" target="_blank">at the Winwick Churchyard, Winwick, Cambridgeshire, England</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P981B34bIhDRnykyou0VKHbLBMTEsquDVmbRTQyZyFawGyWWlz5y9ZE5DTbCZWEXWrPSnVHmZMNFnSZs-xZi4MZyZNA10pq2ccvLB67XwcJZUDFtIU0vyxoEfCyddvxtdFyUfuyA2_4wDxfx5reh7mbbnZU81CVjrLP0eQJrEzWRZ4LZjJ-HhRnZ2W8/s878/Nevada%20Stranahan%20New%20York%20Tribune%20Apr%205%201912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="819" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P981B34bIhDRnykyou0VKHbLBMTEsquDVmbRTQyZyFawGyWWlz5y9ZE5DTbCZWEXWrPSnVHmZMNFnSZs-xZi4MZyZNA10pq2ccvLB67XwcJZUDFtIU0vyxoEfCyddvxtdFyUfuyA2_4wDxfx5reh7mbbnZU81CVjrLP0eQJrEzWRZ4LZjJ-HhRnZ2W8/w373-h400/Nevada%20Stranahan%20New%20York%20Tribune%20Apr%205%201912.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the New York Tribune, April 5, 1902.</span></i></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNuwvK_WGgmITExSuO5NV6U8TZDxtrHksLE6xIavFKVw8rLa1i3yTENsyy7hm8k8UKASykHNlhVwaW4hXjJFDh2J6mMRaEjIgt9viwEBJCfD4Fcj0Qveos0YiaxzcxxV9yixapPxao08xEqyNcXzXolqTfbhZ4q_OMdF50P9dtRFmP2tB9gQRBaWBp2A/s1206/stranahan%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNuwvK_WGgmITExSuO5NV6U8TZDxtrHksLE6xIavFKVw8rLa1i3yTENsyy7hm8k8UKASykHNlhVwaW4hXjJFDh2J6mMRaEjIgt9viwEBJCfD4Fcj0Qveos0YiaxzcxxV9yixapPxao08xEqyNcXzXolqTfbhZ4q_OMdF50P9dtRFmP2tB9gQRBaWBp2A/w309-h640/stranahan%20obit.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Brooklyn Times Union, July 12, 1928.</span></i></div></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-13260818524290131482023-12-15T10:48:00.000-08:002023-12-15T10:48:57.618-08:00Ohio Whitney Jr. (1813-1879)<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51XVTzUCovc76T-u2EtjvsJe-rNc3UY_7Jic2A17BxWYH4RQ9VHFSzrGL8-EUxWQ3C3-0i_e4rMXkh90aj9BFU-rNtEooAvb5fnaaxcl1HtIC3gezu6Zvd3pLaIxGfu6axqEIMKeJynOn9GMv4czGB3QFOKZZfNNwQCdIF-OSCLYzwJqMjynaIVNAsZc/s471/Ohio%20Whitney%20Jr..jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51XVTzUCovc76T-u2EtjvsJe-rNc3UY_7Jic2A17BxWYH4RQ9VHFSzrGL8-EUxWQ3C3-0i_e4rMXkh90aj9BFU-rNtEooAvb5fnaaxcl1HtIC3gezu6Zvd3pLaIxGfu6axqEIMKeJynOn9GMv4czGB3QFOKZZfNNwQCdIF-OSCLYzwJqMjynaIVNAsZc/s16000/Ohio%20Whitney%20Jr..jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 1887.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> For many years a leading resident in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, Ohio Whitney Jr. shares his first name with the Buckeye State, but left his mark in the state of his birth, where he was a banker, civic leader, and member of both houses of the state legislature. A lifelong resident of the Bay State, Ohio Whitney Jr. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofashburn00ste/page/486/mode/2up?view=theater" target="_blank">was the son of Ohio Whitney Sr. and the former Mary Bolton</a> and was born in Ashburnham on June 9, 1813.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Little is known of Whitney's early years, and at a young age, he was apprenticed to local carpenter Josiah White and later removed to Worcester to continue carpentry for several years. Around 1840 Whitney returned to Ashburnham where for decades afterward he followed a career as a contractor and builder, and gained distinction in a variety of endeavors in that town. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofashburn00ste/page/n519/mode/2up?view=theater" target="_blank">A former president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society</a>, Whitney also was a member of the Fitchburg Board of Trade and was affiliated with the Cushing Academy. </span><a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofashburn00ste/page/n519/mode/2up?view=theater" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Prominent in local financial circles</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Whitney served an indeterminate period as trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank, was a vice president of the Ashburnham Savings Bank, and was a director of the Ashburnham National Bank. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Ohio Whitney Jr. married in Massachusetts in 1839 to Mary Brooks (1818-1904). The couple were wed for nearly forty years <a href="https://www.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney,_Ohio_(1813-1879)" target="_blank">and had six children</a>, Ellen (1840-1865), Mary Josie (born 1843), Sarah Georgianna (born 1845), Lydia Ann (born 1846), Clinton Ohio (born 1850), and Walton Brooks (1859-1952).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Whitney began his political career <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofashburn00ste/page/n519/mode/2up?view=theater" target="_blank">as moderator</a> of the Ashburnham town meetings, serving in that capacity for 18 years. He was also a justice of the peace, township assessor, and selectman, and in 1855 was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Serving during the 1856 session, he was elected to one term in the state senate later that year</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his terms in state government Whitney <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=v69gkH-uE0QC&pg=RA1-PA10&dq=%22ohio+whitney%22+ashburnham&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjuitaJiZKDAxX4D1kFHVFHB1gQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=%22ohio%20whitney%22%20ashburnham&f=false" target="_blank">was a director in the Ashburnham Railroad Company </a>in the 1870s, and died in Ashburnham on February 6, 1879, aged 65. Following funeral arrangements, Whitney <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fitchburg-sentinel/136862567/" target="_blank">was interred in the "family lot"</a> at the New Cemetery in Ashburnham. He was later memorialized by the Fitchburg Sentinel as a leading citizen of Worcester County, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fitchburg-sentinel/136862567/" target="_blank">noting</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Ashburnham has lost by the death of Ohio Whitney a worthy citizen, a friend of progress and good order, and one who in many positions of trust has discharged his duties with fidelity and high purpose."</i></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayuWC7USIWRp7O2GhBMO4fW156cR2JatvgRsS3b1sxgPrCyq_T1WPykRF03I2Rknu3rVEpoQOnGhdF2QbUcDBwAO6MqG6YicG6rVv8ImHIXTyTj8ixFObEM-O-5NBoOU0UjOmy03h0K9H9CwoJ54bdgy5zPlH3sucL90cCUwU1MU5FoHCxEZtUsuS6jU/s706/Ohio%20Whitney%20notice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="706" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayuWC7USIWRp7O2GhBMO4fW156cR2JatvgRsS3b1sxgPrCyq_T1WPykRF03I2Rknu3rVEpoQOnGhdF2QbUcDBwAO6MqG6YicG6rVv8ImHIXTyTj8ixFObEM-O-5NBoOU0UjOmy03h0K9H9CwoJ54bdgy5zPlH3sucL90cCUwU1MU5FoHCxEZtUsuS6jU/w400-h115/Ohio%20Whitney%20notice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Boston Evening Transcript, February 7, 1879.</span></i></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-13520365639958193932023-12-12T10:25:00.000-08:002023-12-27T10:45:57.848-08:00Wyoming Benjamin Paris (1906-2001)<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfNfL4_OdVh5340U3GYZCkl1UmHlh246Vb67OrdNWHXuUv69A_3x1ierpzjzOYSO6ckEP1r7b82QG7dzfFx6yV0zgfff-sY82V9SnVQnoYQdJAgKP3srLSwFQBSqcXXqQcsT2n0EFPRYERt6HfPrGTd6yoi5rkQ7QNAuLWYZ_TCI3zusOB0qG1U6wcEc/s472/WYOMING%20BENJAMIN%20PARIS%20Wichita%20Beaon%20July%2031%201972.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfNfL4_OdVh5340U3GYZCkl1UmHlh246Vb67OrdNWHXuUv69A_3x1ierpzjzOYSO6ckEP1r7b82QG7dzfFx6yV0zgfff-sY82V9SnVQnoYQdJAgKP3srLSwFQBSqcXXqQcsT2n0EFPRYERt6HfPrGTd6yoi5rkQ7QNAuLWYZ_TCI3zusOB0qG1U6wcEc/s16000/WYOMING%20BENJAMIN%20PARIS%20Wichita%20Beaon%20July%2031%201972.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Wichita Beacon, July 31, 1972.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The name would be Wyoming B. Paris. A curious name at that, and hiding behind that name lies the colorful story of a man who rose from humble origins in Wyoming to become a widely known semipro basketball player of the 1920s and 30s. He later served his country in the Marines during WWII, and following his service was a mausoleum sales manager residing in Pennsylvania and Kansas. After removing to the latter state in the early 1960s he resided in Wichita, and in 1972 was a candidate for U.S. Representative in that year's Democratic primary. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Wyoming Benjamin Paris's story begins, appropriately enough, in Wyoming, where he was born on October 3, 1906, <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPJ2-R2G" target="_blank">the son of Samuel and Rachel Paris</a>. Paris's unusual first name was later explained in his 2001 obituary,<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-obituary-for-wyo/136642181/" target="_blank"> which notes</a>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"His given name stemmed from being the first Jewish baby born in the state of Wyoming, where his parents, Ukrainian immigrants, lived on a sheep farm."</i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Little is known of Paris's formative years or education, except a census notice from 1910 denoting his family's residence in Torrington, Wyoming. By the late 1910s he and his family were residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-wyoming-paris-at/136644010/" target="_blank">in 1921 he was a student at the Franklin School</a>. Paris would soon gain distinction on the basketball court in Pittsburgh, and around 1919 he, his brother, and several other Jewish friends <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-castle-news/136644409/" target="_blank">formed the Enoch Rauh Club</a>, which was later highlighted in Paris's 2001 obituary as "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-obituary-for-wyo/136642181/" target="_blank"><i>the state's premier semipro squad</i></a>." Paris's time on the court saw him wearing an aluminum face mask following a broken nose (received in a 1927 game) and was bestowed the moniker "the Masked Marvel" by local sportswriters. Following his service in WWII Paris </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">became </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-obituary-for-wyo/136642181/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">coach of a group of ex-college players</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, the Altoona Flyers, in the All-American Basketball League. The duration of Paris's coaching career remains uncertain, and his Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-obituary-for-wyo/136642181/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">notes that he</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Once spent a night in jail after a brawl in Uniontown precipitated by a diner's refusal to serve one of Mr. Paris's players, who was black."</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Wyoming Paris <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-obituary-for-wyo/136642181/" target="_blank">married in 1930 to Claire Gill</a> (1908-1994), to whom he was wed for over sixty years. The couple's long union produced three children, Barry, Wyoming Jr., and Pamela. Following his marriage </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paris served during WWII, "</span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-sun-telegraph-wyoming-paris-a/136646603/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><i>training with the Marines at Parris Island, S.C</i></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">." in early 1945. After his military service, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paris achieved distinction in the field of mausoleum programming, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/136643154/" target="_blank">and was </a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/136643154/" target="_blank">"</a><i><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/136643154/" target="_blank">recognized</a> as one of the nation's foremost sales experts in modern mausoleum operations</i>." Through his work, Paris was connected with the Allegany Cemetery of Pittsburgh, where he aided in the development of "<i>a 6,000 crypt building, including a chapel</i>", and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/136643154/" target="_blank">was a consultant and director</a> on the Roosevelt Memorial Park program in Pittsburgh:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Where plans for the largest mausoleum in the eastern United States has been announced for building of 16,000 spaces and a chapel within a mausoleum to cost approximately $7,000,000."</i></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsWMhrdrPB0lHvUaFsJYE7zOEZceggITJacILO5I4XVOgn2hAkNeD-jHaXifIA8H4Jt-Jl-oprmFkXZIcWpnwPTgSrEB1J2XQoA2RaE7HikFen9DjtboL2JooVnbWHIpl8DsrwMbcPqoJmgZoxhkiCeA3swX29IcwNHesFKgn414_MtPgW6tVeF-TVuk/s432/WYOMING%20BENJAMIN%20PARIS%20Wichita%20Beacon%20dec%2019%201961.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsWMhrdrPB0lHvUaFsJYE7zOEZceggITJacILO5I4XVOgn2hAkNeD-jHaXifIA8H4Jt-Jl-oprmFkXZIcWpnwPTgSrEB1J2XQoA2RaE7HikFen9DjtboL2JooVnbWHIpl8DsrwMbcPqoJmgZoxhkiCeA3swX29IcwNHesFKgn414_MtPgW6tVeF-TVuk/s16000/WYOMING%20BENJAMIN%20PARIS%20Wichita%20Beacon%20dec%2019%201961.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Wichita Beacon, December 19, 1961.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Paris's work in mausoleum programming eventually took him to Wichita, Kansas, where he and his family settled in the early 1960s. Following his move he became sales manager<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/136643154/" target="_blank"> for the Mission Chapel Mausoleum</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the years after his resettlement the name of Wyoming Paris grew to be a prominent one in Wichita, and in 1972 made his first move into politics, announcing his candidacy for U.S. Representative from Kansas's 4th district. Running in that year's Democratic primary, Paris was one of several candidates that year, and was remarked as a "<i><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-obituary-for-wyo/136642181/" target="_blank">Democrat who proposed nationalizing the big oil companies</a></i>." Throughout the summer of 1972 notices on Paris's candidacy appeared in Wichita newspapers, and in July 1972 he spoke before the local women's political caucus, where he labeled the Nixon administration as one of the most anti-labor presidencies in the country's history. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/136648661/" target="_blank">Paris went on to remark</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"His wage controls on labor have been harsh and punitive, while he has put no lid at all on the amount of corporate profits to be earned by the rich, or on interest rates...McGovern is the labor candidate of this country, just as I am the only labor candidate for a U.S. Congressional seat from Kansas."</i></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hrXwvjmRuvOarkShAu5koTNjgN7JjmG_9h4vFdVV3g-ZtUjL2n00Phut3TXZil6ElS8zQ8m89vXwWFhR135P9orKhjfXuErJ-0IzpHJ2j64vpYvQQ7ysvM59Oxpc0udpWg6MeeBmaIs_N9e9zCQWmDwBeC7NYQySQ7gDvKmxbwdbp0CbOAXY3ylAvRk/s407/Paris%20campaign%20notice.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hrXwvjmRuvOarkShAu5koTNjgN7JjmG_9h4vFdVV3g-ZtUjL2n00Phut3TXZil6ElS8zQ8m89vXwWFhR135P9orKhjfXuErJ-0IzpHJ2j64vpYvQQ7ysvM59Oxpc0udpWg6MeeBmaIs_N9e9zCQWmDwBeC7NYQySQ7gDvKmxbwdbp0CbOAXY3ylAvRk/s16000/Paris%20campaign%20notice.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Wichita Beacon, July 31, 1972.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Further particulars of Paris's campaign note that he found the salary of a U.S. Congressman (then $42,000) excessive, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/136650129/" target="_blank">and made a campaign promise that he would donate $5,000 of his own salary</a> "<i>to help needy students go to college</i>." On primary election day, August 1, 1972, Wyoming Paris placed second in the vote count, <a href="https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=757697" target="_blank">polling 7,400 votes to winning candidate John B. Steven's total of 13,911.</a> Stevens, in turn, would go on to <a href="https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=53945" target="_blank">lose the general election</a> to six-term incumbent Republican Garner E. Shriver, who had served in Congress since 1960. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the decades following his congressional run Paris continued residency in Wichita and in 1990 was honored with <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/136649630/" target="_blank">an induction to the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame</a>, due to his basketball career many decades before. Paris and his wife attended the event in Pittsburgh and also celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary during their visit. Widowed in 1994, Paris celebrated his 90th birthday in 1997 and died aged 94 on May 21, 2001, in Wichita. He was survived by his three children and was interred at the Mission Chapel Mausoleum.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DPrqJ2CqWnQe7okjhQuMcqMuz9mDgPuvMCYW9cTQFBPcEL8XA7_ocXK5AB5Yhnp2L7yNaSxJ7KlvGEvn6YKggpRQVqA5Z4NHUnK-h7CryW05J0-Idt23iQJKd-5rERsqNAw29g7uGkrrPWQomKOgjs7MlX4cDNz01p2lBV2IiOvOU3qq1jyETKC4OZM/s459/Wyoming%20Paris%20III.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DPrqJ2CqWnQe7okjhQuMcqMuz9mDgPuvMCYW9cTQFBPcEL8XA7_ocXK5AB5Yhnp2L7yNaSxJ7KlvGEvn6YKggpRQVqA5Z4NHUnK-h7CryW05J0-Idt23iQJKd-5rERsqNAw29g7uGkrrPWQomKOgjs7MlX4cDNz01p2lBV2IiOvOU3qq1jyETKC4OZM/s16000/Wyoming%20Paris%20III.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Wichita Beacon, September 23, 1962.</span></i></div></div></div></div><p></p></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-69948539955239568222023-12-08T10:40:00.000-08:002023-12-08T10:40:22.006-08:00Montana Wanda Smith (1914-1981)<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUJrglRQs4yg7_bKmcCRtaQnssJZQ_dHeKMzWvlu_udmbLVEXrFC9pitjIlKyIccxpg_YCuM4XcZ8caN4pFY77DEmYq1xGPNlx0jg0BcqjQIMsFB84g943T9f1KMezyIjP6Z3ZyuHMMDAmVL_QhHT_ggJSyY6y3ZyDgNSnTe_gWeW4UY3EWYkrYuIRjg/s348/MONTANA%20WADE%20SMITH%201945%20Colorado%20yearbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="303" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUJrglRQs4yg7_bKmcCRtaQnssJZQ_dHeKMzWvlu_udmbLVEXrFC9pitjIlKyIccxpg_YCuM4XcZ8caN4pFY77DEmYq1xGPNlx0jg0BcqjQIMsFB84g943T9f1KMezyIjP6Z3ZyuHMMDAmVL_QhHT_ggJSyY6y3ZyDgNSnTe_gWeW4UY3EWYkrYuIRjg/w349-h400/MONTANA%20WADE%20SMITH%201945%20Colorado%20yearbook.png" width="349" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the 1945 Year Book of the State of Colorado.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Our theme of politicians named in honor of states continues with a peek at the life of Montana Wanda Smith, who, while named after the nation's 41st state, achieved political distinction in Colorado. A two-term member of the state house of representatives, the former Montana Wanda French was born,</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> appropriately enough, <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNT-7LN4" target="_blank">in Butte, Montana on October 25, 1914</a>, the daughter of F.S. and Thea Plambeck French. Little is known of her early life, except notice of <a href="https://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/0/1AE3B049461900B4872578E200632024/$File/smith.pdf" target="_blank">her marriage to Norton Alonza Smith in 1937</a>. The couple<a href="https://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/0/1AE3B049461900B4872578E200632024/$File/smith.pdf" target="_blank"> had two children</a>, Burton Earle and Byrne C. Smith, and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel/136459843/" target="_blank">later divorced in 1948</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following her removal to Lake City, Colorado, Smith was employed by <a href="https://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/0/1AE3B049461900B4872578E200632024/$File/smith.pdf" target="_blank">the Colorado Department of Wildlife</a>. She entered politics in 1946 when she announced her candidacy for the state house of representatives and hoped to represent the counties of Gunnison, Saguache, and Hinsdale. In November she defeated Republican incumbent Robert Tarbell<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel/136458864/" target="_blank"> by 242 votes</a> and took her seat in January 1947. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During the 1947-49 term Smith </span><a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112107083153&seq=39&q1=montana" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">was named to the committees</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> on Counties and County Lines, Elections and Appointments, Mines and Mining, and Revision and Engrossment, and won a second term in the legislature in November 1948. She <a href="https://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/DocView.xsp?documentId=1AE3B049461900B4872578E200632024&action=openDocument">chaired the committee on Fish and Game during this session</a> and held seats on the committees on Constitutional Amendments, Elections and Appointments, Public Buildings, and Roads and Bridges.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn1OmglPngRK4GWYOoTDVJCS0OXBpnqv79sxAL52tpf5C0LkjzyY-3gLLYRw8BnjGBuNUfGAvg0kYCp3Evu3jUBwCo_yxaLZibhXAa18pDle_9ipGRsfpZ38NmMo8TkA0yAThpAg9SqwmK06YE1aPjJF1w3ar7e4S8001BhxR-5iZy03nY1gW8jzDhAI/s616/Montana%20Smith%20notice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn1OmglPngRK4GWYOoTDVJCS0OXBpnqv79sxAL52tpf5C0LkjzyY-3gLLYRw8BnjGBuNUfGAvg0kYCp3Evu3jUBwCo_yxaLZibhXAa18pDle_9ipGRsfpZ38NmMo8TkA0yAThpAg9SqwmK06YE1aPjJF1w3ar7e4S8001BhxR-5iZy03nY1gW8jzDhAI/s320/Montana%20Smith%20notice.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, November 25, 1946.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following her terms in the legislature, Smith was employed <a href="https://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/0/1AE3B049461900B4872578E200632024/$File/smith.pdf" target="_blank">by the Denver Water Board as an engineer</a> and for an indeterminate period worked for Boeing Aircraft Co. of Seattle. Active in several clubs in Colorado, Smith <a href="https://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/0/1AE3B049461900B4872578E200632024/$File/smith.pdf" target="_blank">was a member</a> of the Order of the Eastern Star, a former worthy priestess in the White Shrine of Jerusalem, and "<i>a conductress of the Columbine Court No. 15 Amaranth of Aurora</i>." Montana Wanda Smith died at a Colorado hospital on May 30, 1981, aged 66. She was survived by her two sons and was <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28075456/montana-f-smith" target="_blank">interred at the IOOF Cemetery</a> in Lake City, Colorado.</span></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-25024607944945311542023-12-06T08:52:00.000-08:002023-12-07T05:45:31.799-08:00Maryland Bullard Huggins (1870-1951)<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlR1hGVwFmlnTQRhruj7ILGHhfqAk4F0TWICsSm48_xAjJEQGX4tpm9F3BRL2EqyiC7wAn_4AbFeTxY2TctD0xrzU3Wr3mGOBkb-Ujf8hkyo2_0W652Y8YbLXOlkXAyJXT8Uc-MjHXUwhEN8_t1s9mhfVeP4bs1N_cDxZhwXGzuyxFUNo90t81tlRovI/s269/MARYLAND%20BULLARD%20HUGGINS%201943.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="188" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlR1hGVwFmlnTQRhruj7ILGHhfqAk4F0TWICsSm48_xAjJEQGX4tpm9F3BRL2EqyiC7wAn_4AbFeTxY2TctD0xrzU3Wr3mGOBkb-Ujf8hkyo2_0W652Y8YbLXOlkXAyJXT8Uc-MjHXUwhEN8_t1s9mhfVeP4bs1N_cDxZhwXGzuyxFUNo90t81tlRovI/w280-h400/MARYLAND%20BULLARD%20HUGGINS%201943.png" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the South Carolina state legislative manual, 1943.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A three-term member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Maryland Bullard Huggins was a lifelong resident of the Palmetto State and prior to his legislative service served on the Timmonsville city council. Born in Florence County on June 23, 1870, Maryland B. Huggins<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105033696/james-henry_montgomery-huggins" target="_blank"> was the son of James Henry Montgomery Huggins (1835-1900) and the former Louisa E.M Jones (1843-1879)</a>. Little is known of Huggins's formative years; by 1900, he had established roots in the ton of Timmonsville. Huggins married in South Carolina in December 1895 to Luella Lee Cox. <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81036362/luella-lee-huggins" target="_blank">The couple were married for over fifty years and had 11 children</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the years following his resettlement, Huggins became a civic leader in Timmonsville, serving terms on the city council, being a Florence County commissioner, and was a longstanding member of the Southern Methodist Church. He is also recorded as a farmer and livestock dealer in his region. In 1930 he announced his candidacy for the South Carolina House of Representatives and in September of that year detailed the tenets of his campaign in the Florence Morning News, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/florence-morning-news/136371960/" target="_blank">noting</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"My principle platform, as I stated on the stump, is economy. I believe in good roads, good schools, but think that these should be put on an economical and business basis."</i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In September 1930 Huggins was one of four Florence County legislative candidates to win in the Democratic primary, polling 4,365 votes. He went on to win the general election that November and would resign his seat on the Timmonsville Board of Aldermen. Taking his seat in January 1931, Huggins served until 1933 </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and was defeated for reelection </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbia-record/136371845/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">in the Republican primary in September 1932</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. In May 1936 he announced his candidacy for a second term, and in a campaign notice promoting his previous service was remarked as having "<i>fought during his legislative career for strict economy in state government</i>."</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J-P0_fZUOX6v0fEzMYCzEYjXIFLnkZ7q_yNunP23_a0ylQ-jC2NMwcZZud_Q5sjXmLL84yqEapw5A0Xj3XUQ3Xqcqv0tJRXXz7QJKGdSzOIgbztZIsGNpPWAS0RHY0j-YnBs8x4ZTzLE1ocqydRMdE8Y5_aYERaEdTDyDxCYRK7liSIJLwZ0Bzhj30I/s1090/Huggins%20notice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J-P0_fZUOX6v0fEzMYCzEYjXIFLnkZ7q_yNunP23_a0ylQ-jC2NMwcZZud_Q5sjXmLL84yqEapw5A0Xj3XUQ3Xqcqv0tJRXXz7QJKGdSzOIgbztZIsGNpPWAS0RHY0j-YnBs8x4ZTzLE1ocqydRMdE8Y5_aYERaEdTDyDxCYRK7liSIJLwZ0Bzhj30I/w215-h400/Huggins%20notice.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Florence Morning News, May 24, 1936.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Elected to a second term in November 1936, Huggins <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/florence-morning-news/136373460/" target="_blank">was named as a Lieutenant Colonel on the staff of Governor Olin Johnson </a>early in 1938 and later proved "<i>instrumental in passing the law furnishing free textbooks for students in the public schools of the state</i>." In 1942 he won a third term in the legislature </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and during the 1943-44 session </span><a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556023449341&seq=141&q1=huggins" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">sat on the committees on</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Accounts, Agriculture, the Legislative Library, Police Regulations, and Social Security. He announced his candidacy for a fourth term in June 1944 but was defeated in that year's primary.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Maryland Bullard Huggins continued residence in Timmonsville until his death at age 80 on March 17, 1951. His wife Louisa had died the year previously, and both were interred at the Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFtvXgNwjDvUamcXcihZ75zN9CfIb48EntL_MkG9nR9WtuuVLEIo3WjP_e3kNalmC92K7W8L4psN2eFyxDLsUMEsbgP7qUaj6yOq6eg3xqruHmXvhtSVezRLZEKT-lQIw9K3YrWex-cJ0bMXDo_fHjXGF1vl4Frsj2Hl74xtnVURpgxEE6x0UP2FWtQU/s2198/huggins%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2198" data-original-width="643" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFtvXgNwjDvUamcXcihZ75zN9CfIb48EntL_MkG9nR9WtuuVLEIo3WjP_e3kNalmC92K7W8L4psN2eFyxDLsUMEsbgP7qUaj6yOq6eg3xqruHmXvhtSVezRLZEKT-lQIw9K3YrWex-cJ0bMXDo_fHjXGF1vl4Frsj2Hl74xtnVURpgxEE6x0UP2FWtQU/w189-h640/huggins%20obit.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Columbia, South Carolina "State", March 18, 1951.</span></i></div></div><p></p></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-4550579254082216502023-12-03T11:03:00.000-08:002023-12-03T11:03:30.629-08:00Tennessee Chesmond Brister (1896-1976)<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGJForXR-cgLNmk5SY0RLt4PVW_U5sSF9z5SdvNex4t5nsDTJJvAnSOufL4mTLFYFFFS2jlk8-Wr7rUuAYq8QspIR-HKjRcPm0wBWj39oiuo6Ov1NwdkVZ7prQgUTSksb36DzQJgAAMlTcBqgAVdJP9xP7NnhhNFJeXl6LjV6PzBBMO4UuHXQF3TTXLg/s490/TENNESSEE%20CHESMOND%20BRISTER%20ALEXANDRIA%20WEEKLY%20TOWN%20TALK%20jan%208%201944.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGJForXR-cgLNmk5SY0RLt4PVW_U5sSF9z5SdvNex4t5nsDTJJvAnSOufL4mTLFYFFFS2jlk8-Wr7rUuAYq8QspIR-HKjRcPm0wBWj39oiuo6Ov1NwdkVZ7prQgUTSksb36DzQJgAAMlTcBqgAVdJP9xP7NnhhNFJeXl6LjV6PzBBMO4UuHXQF3TTXLg/s16000/TENNESSEE%20CHESMOND%20BRISTER%20ALEXANDRIA%20WEEKLY%20TOWN%20TALK%20jan%208%201944.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Portrait from the Alexandria Weekly Town Talk, January 8, 1944.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A leading figure in the political and business life of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, Tennessee Chesmond "T.C." Brister was a veteran of WWI who, following his service in France, relocated to Pineville, where he was affiliated with a hardware business for nearly forty years. He entered politics in 1940 with his election to the Louisiana House of Representatives, serving three nonconsecutive terms. In addition to his legislative service, Brister was an aspirant for a state senate seat in 1944 but was defeated. A resident of Louisiana for a good majority of his life, "T.C." Brister was born on May 28, 1896, in Winn Parish, <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154282738/allen-cicero-brister" target="_blank">the son of Allen Cicero (1872-1956) and Mary Adams Brister (1869-1944)</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Recorded by most sources under the initials "T.C.", Brister's full name was discovered via the archives of the United States Veterans Administration's master index, <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPLK-TG2D" target="_blank">which lists his full name as Tennessee Chesmond Brister</a>. Removing with his family to Mount Lebanon, Louisiana during infancy, Brister resided there until 1906, whereafter he resided and attended school in Grant Parish. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136064742/" target="_blank">A graduate of the parish high school in 1915</a>, Brister moved with his family to Pineville, Rapides parish sometime later and during the First World War was stationed in France <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136064742/" target="_blank">with the U.S. Army Signal Corps</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS18-N1P2?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQPLK-TG2D&action=view" target="_blank">Honorably discharged in May 1919</a>, Brister returned to Louisiana where he was employed with the Gulf Refining Co. as an agent. His work took him to Brookhaven, Mississippi, and during the 1920s was affiliated with a wholesale oil business at Westpoint. He also worked as a traveling salesman. He married in Mississippi<a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91Z-HS9Z-4?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A8CH6-KMPZ&action=view" target="_blank"> in April 1934 to Mary Louise Blum </a>(1906-1990), to whom he was wed for over forty years. The couple's union produced three daughters, Kathleen (1939-2020), Marleen Marie, and Margaret Louise. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Residing in Pineville in the late 1920s, T.C. Brister would <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136067364/" target="_blank">join his brother Commodore Webster Brister in the Pineville Hardware Co.</a>, serving as its secretary and treasurer. By 1938 the business had grown to such an extent it necessitated removal to a larger building, located in Alexandria. Now serving as company manager, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136068486/" target="_blank">Brister and the store were profiled in the February 2, 1938 edition of the Alexandria Weekly Town Talk</a>, which detailed the store's inventory. In addition to nails, barbed wire fencing, tools, and agricultural implements, the store also carried paints, stoves, and "<i>harness and saddlery.</i>" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> With his name firmly established in Alexandria's business community, Brister entered politics in 1939 when he announced his candidacy for the Louisiana House of Representatives. Running free of political influence, Brister<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-brister-fror-representativ/136068942/" target="_blank"> decried the "<i>crookedness, graft, and waste of public funds</i>"</a> in his state, and in a lengthy announcement laid out the principles of his campaign, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-brister-fror-representativ/136068942/" target="_blank">including</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favoring 12 months pay for school teachers and a school teacher's tenure law.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favoring repeal of the state sales tax and favoring a tax on Carbon Black and other state minerals.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The return of power to local sheriffs, mayors, and assessors</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favoring an old age pension of $30.00 a month to every man or woman over age 60.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favoring organized labor, a decent wage, and an eight-hour workday</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favoring a $3.00 car license</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Coming out against a state and parish-wide No Fence law.</span></li></ul></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pkWbEbbxUsa4lzvAGGBEIFfwVKoW_q2ooytMZBcqZXmijAuHQzSVvkp6fP1ItRJJp4pHDQJtWw-SgOrSw3xr4zZny3BMrpepCP8CjlPoVJOiUcJmUMbX-dOeRrWDc0aFNGFHuIy4hIFk-r2INq2KxRhwEe-6Waf65UzXOjmPYoVqfxhbEcBCbBE56Tg/s820/Brister.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="820" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pkWbEbbxUsa4lzvAGGBEIFfwVKoW_q2ooytMZBcqZXmijAuHQzSVvkp6fP1ItRJJp4pHDQJtWw-SgOrSw3xr4zZny3BMrpepCP8CjlPoVJOiUcJmUMbX-dOeRrWDc0aFNGFHuIy4hIFk-r2INq2KxRhwEe-6Waf65UzXOjmPYoVqfxhbEcBCbBE56Tg/w400-h394/Brister.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A Brister campaign notice from 1939.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Running in a field of twenty legislative candidates, Brister faced an uphill battle. On primary election day in January 1940, he emerged victorious. He went on to win the April general election, and after taking his seat <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-monroe-news-star/136209259/" target="_blank">was named as vice chairman of the committee on public buildings</a> and sat on the committee on registration and election laws. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Towards the end of his first term, Brister announced his candidacy for the state senate, and in a write-up on his candidacy noted his successes during the previous house term, remarking:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"I was one of the co-authors of the bill that would have given eight hour working days and an increase in pay to the unpaid at our state institutions."</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> On primary election day in January 1944, T.C. Brister polled second to incumbent senator Grove Stafford, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136210133/" target="_blank">who led by over 1,200 votes</a>. Though he lost that election, Brister went on to win a second term in the state house in February 1948,<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/weekly-town-talk/136210696/" target="_blank"> polling 12,876 votes</a>. D</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">uring the 1948-52 session, he served on the committees on Appropriations, Contingent Expenses, the Penitentiary, and Printing, and wasn't a candidate for reelection. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his term Brister was a candidate for the Pineville school board in May 1952 and for the next fourteen years devoted "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136064742/" target="_blank"><i>his time to his Pineville hardware and sporting goods business</i></a>." He would sell his business in 1966 and in the following year reemerged on the political scene, announcing his candidacy for a third term in the house of representatives. In a June 1967 campaign notice, Brister highlighted his previous terms, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136212039/" target="_blank">remarking</a>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"The office of representative is becoming more and more important and time demanding...If you see fit to select me as one of your four representatives I will give that office full time. I will not engage in any other employment during my term of office. I will be at your service seven days a week for the next four years. Having previous service in the legislature, I will have the know-how to get things done for our district."</i></span></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq2wCHvhvE4pBXDepyrckEBYpvHRnFPYVm_67z89zOYsAtEC-jVK7ZM-B_1jeHSUZwGLe2xU5MMxQnMrgptP5DEPr2gxD7WUI57U8KefHCBId31KCdts85zjAIL_Je_bGXL2h9yJod3ZOLWpjQDks4bNAc3nKxkmZPXZy-uUN7thuBurMybQ0NSH0TyU/s818/TENNESSEE%20CHESMOND%20BRISTER%20ALEXANDRIA%20WEEKLY%20TOWN%20TALK%20DEC%206%201967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="818" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq2wCHvhvE4pBXDepyrckEBYpvHRnFPYVm_67z89zOYsAtEC-jVK7ZM-B_1jeHSUZwGLe2xU5MMxQnMrgptP5DEPr2gxD7WUI57U8KefHCBId31KCdts85zjAIL_Je_bGXL2h9yJod3ZOLWpjQDks4bNAc3nKxkmZPXZy-uUN7thuBurMybQ0NSH0TyU/w400-h277/TENNESSEE%20CHESMOND%20BRISTER%20ALEXANDRIA%20WEEKLY%20TOWN%20TALK%20DEC%206%201967.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Weekly Town Talk, December 6, 1967.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Brister won his third house term in February 1968, polling 11,850 votes, and in April 1968 was profiled<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136212791/" target="_blank"> in an extensive write-up</a> in the Alexandria Town Talk. Noting that "<i>education and highways are the biggest problems facing the legislature on a statewide level</i>", Brister made further note of the state needing four-lane highways, and his hopes the Louisiana State University at Alexandria would someday become a four-year college "<i>complete with dormitories</i>." On politics, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136212791/" target="_blank">Brister announced himself as a firm backer of Alabama Governor George Wallace</a> (then running for president) but noted that Hubert Humphrey would be the likely Democratic presidential nominee.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> T.C. Brister's third term concluded in 1972 and for the remainder of his life resided in Pineville. A member of the Fist Baptist Church of Pineville, Brister <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk/136064742/" target="_blank">held memberships</a> in the Solomon Lodge No. 221 and Keystone Chapter No. 44 of Free and Accepted Masons, the Trinity Commandry No.8, Knights Templer, as well as the VFW and American Legion. T.C. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-obituary-for-tc-brister/124041565/" target="_blank">Brister died on November 26, 1976</a>, at the Rapides General Hospital, aged 80. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the Greenwood Cemetery in Alexandria.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOiKuEOGejK7zRHti96LKgjxkAtCb2yBsfLg2rBRLChwxqTHahQ8RWDiAULmteRAZG8Bvh_qA8NqWh8daiZEHR0lNobBkt1kcU90cS2Azbyy4CPrXyo5PsLH7NuMDCUoofk2LoTxZfIhKovpR6Urd7i4p-VT7liq36Yin0vK15MOHDcOEraeafdiOKS0/s535/Tennessee%20Chesmond%20Brister%201968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOiKuEOGejK7zRHti96LKgjxkAtCb2yBsfLg2rBRLChwxqTHahQ8RWDiAULmteRAZG8Bvh_qA8NqWh8daiZEHR0lNobBkt1kcU90cS2Azbyy4CPrXyo5PsLH7NuMDCUoofk2LoTxZfIhKovpR6Urd7i4p-VT7liq36Yin0vK15MOHDcOEraeafdiOKS0/s16000/Tennessee%20Chesmond%20Brister%201968.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Alexandria Town Talk, April 7, 1968.</span></i></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-86419780952034431562023-11-30T15:01:00.000-08:002023-12-27T10:44:38.161-08:00Electious Williams Davis (1874-1947)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtEP3TrRciMu8bbTAQNlJMZtau5uUxODgWexeHrQIYayGoib6uNmhoeIthZ3Az4Xtps7GGiKwXhGQFWteC0NQAJXjHK_ds6IMaCNpzF87nGEvNEUy4fczNKw3lYN4LtJHr2UVjcaRWqV7AjTZv8pqVtfi8c864rQzVToYL0l7ST1fRf02iW0OlqDvV9Q/s270/ELECTIOUS%20WILLIAMS%20DAVIS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtEP3TrRciMu8bbTAQNlJMZtau5uUxODgWexeHrQIYayGoib6uNmhoeIthZ3Az4Xtps7GGiKwXhGQFWteC0NQAJXjHK_ds6IMaCNpzF87nGEvNEUy4fczNKw3lYN4LtJHr2UVjcaRWqV7AjTZv8pqVtfi8c864rQzVToYL0l7ST1fRf02iW0OlqDvV9Q/w296-h400/ELECTIOUS%20WILLIAMS%20DAVIS.png" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Mississippi Official and Statistical Register, 1924-28.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Certainly one of the more unusual names to be found among past Mississippi state representatives, Electious Williams Davis represented Jefferson and Claiborne County for one term beginning in 1923. A lifelong Mississippian, Davis <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=evmgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA301&dq=ELECTIOUS+WILLIAMS+DAVIS&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLgOzClueCAxUpv4kEHQb7Ct0Q6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=ELECTIOUS%20WILLIAMS%20DAVIS&f=false" target="_blank">was the son of John Whitfield and Julia (Havis) Davis</a>, his birth occurring in Caseyville on March 25, 1874. A student in the common schools, Electious Davis's education was "<i>acquired through his own efforts</i>" and he would attend the Chamberlain-Hunt Academy and the summer normal schools in Brookhaven and Clinton, Mississippi. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> For five years Davis followed a teaching career before turning his efforts towards law studies. He read law at home via bought and borrowed books<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=evmgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA301&dq=ELECTIOUS+WILLIAMS+DAVIS&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLgOzClueCAxUpv4kEHQb7Ct0Q6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=ELECTIOUS%20WILLIAMS%20DAVIS&f=false" target="_blank"> and later studied under future state chancellor Richard Wiltz Cutrer </a>in Port Gibson. Davis married in Mississippi in January 1899 to Rhoda Belle Middleton (1879-1953), to who he was wed for nearly fifty years. The couple <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55651555/electious-williams-davis" target="_blank">had three children</a>, Annie Belle (1899-1938), Percy Williams (birthdate unknown), and Prentiss Elliott (1907-1975).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Active in the First Baptist Church in Port Gibson, Davis was a longstanding member of the Modern Woodmen of the World, a farmer, and served <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=evmgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA301&dq=ELECTIOUS+WILLIAMS+DAVIS&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLgOzClueCAxUpv4kEHQb7Ct0Q6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=ELECTIOUS%20WILLIAMS%20DAVIS&f=false" target="_blank">as Secretary and Treasurer of the Claiborne County National Farm Loan Association</a>. He also was named an abstractor by the Federal Land Bank of New Orleans as a land title examiner. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJkb0Xp8aue_1YAyh9JP7ecY2JHmyY3A3xL-YLkriQvxwdUipflNp2XDs7oeU-vWSobBlmjzaMNNninB9TGOFma3OSuxKs1u4ko3MrzgnLjyMqmK7QmVKSV6a77CrwE2NWH3cV7GASbtdA7-zIy4j-DqRa0Q7pg1mptK_oZvJbh0PfzxoNNLNtY4-9Io/s579/davis%20announcement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="579" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJkb0Xp8aue_1YAyh9JP7ecY2JHmyY3A3xL-YLkriQvxwdUipflNp2XDs7oeU-vWSobBlmjzaMNNninB9TGOFma3OSuxKs1u4ko3MrzgnLjyMqmK7QmVKSV6a77CrwE2NWH3cV7GASbtdA7-zIy4j-DqRa0Q7pg1mptK_oZvJbh0PfzxoNNLNtY4-9Io/s320/davis%20announcement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Port Gibson Reveille, March 6, 1919.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-size: small;"> </i>Electious Davis entered local politics with his service as a constable and justice of the peace, and in 1915 was an unsuccessful <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-port-gibson-reveille/135926658/" target="_blank">candidate for county superintendent of public instruction</a>. In March 1919 he </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">announced his candidacy for Claiborne County attorney, with the Port Gibson Reveille noting that:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"There has never been the slightest reproach against his character. He has always borne the reputation of doing well anything he has ever undertaken, and if elected to this office he will give his best effort."</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Running against Davis that year was another oddly named man, Milling Marion "M.M." Satterfield, then serving as county attorney. When the votes were tallied that August it was Satterfield who won out, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-port-gibson-reveille/135928424/" target="_blank">polling 5,462 votes to Davis's 1,283</a>. Undeterred by his loss, Davis later set his sights on a seat in the Mississippi house of representatives and in 1923 was elected to that body. Serving from 1924-28, <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112107050483&seq=23&q1=%22e.w.+davis%22" target="_blank">he sat on the committees</a> on the Constitution, Fees and Salaries, and Liquor Traffic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Little else is known of Electious Davis's life following his term in the legislature. In 1930 he is recorded as a census enumerator for Claiborne County, and his death occurred in Mississippi on January 28, 1947, aged 72. He was survived by his wife and children and <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55651555/electious-williams-davis" target="_blank">was interred at the Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Gibson</a>.</span></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-16004240647528888912023-11-29T10:43:00.000-08:002023-12-27T10:44:54.446-08:00Greenland Thompson Federer (1888-1961)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2UZEBtmpnR5d8HhVG86bFgvajsU6dKso4FgLQDabGUk03dcPPzupDpDQg6f1gQgnQguk8nQaai4pJpgb1V3rZA4PQZ2b-dmZEI9MlcGIjylCQtP73XTEJ18neJ2SMpzpzHsTlyuYJjRYbbFj7MiZDh2F8cfUjKYETY2jpr5Xz5ut1U1hYo9J_75P/s422/GREENLAND%20THOMPSON%20FEDERER%201926%20Bluebook.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2UZEBtmpnR5d8HhVG86bFgvajsU6dKso4FgLQDabGUk03dcPPzupDpDQg6f1gQgnQguk8nQaai4pJpgb1V3rZA4PQZ2b-dmZEI9MlcGIjylCQtP73XTEJ18neJ2SMpzpzHsTlyuYJjRYbbFj7MiZDh2F8cfUjKYETY2jpr5Xz5ut1U1hYo9J_75P/s16000/GREENLAND%20THOMPSON%20FEDERER%201926%20Bluebook.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the 1926 West Virginia Blue Book.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The Strangest Names in American Political History makes its first stop in West Virginia for 2023 with a profile on Greenland Thompson Federer, a one-term member of the state house of delegates. A native of Pennsylvania, Greenland "Green" Federer was born in Washington County on July 29, 1888, the son of the Rev. George Andrew and Dora (McKenna) Federer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Removing to West Virginia with his family in 1897, the Federers<a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4047325&view=1up&seq=229&skin=2021&q1=federer" target="_blank"> settled on a farm in Preston County</a>, and Greenland later graduated from the Fairmount State Normal School. As a resident of Gladesville, Federer <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141673268/greenland-thompson-federer" target="_blank">established a meat market</a> in that area, using a horse and wagon to deliver his product. A veteran of WWI, Greenland Federer served <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141673268/greenland-thompson-federer" target="_blank">with the Army's 80th Infantry Division in France</a> and was honorably discharged following the close of the hostilities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After returning to West Virginia Federer <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28246433/greenland-t-federer-marriage/" target="_blank">married Thora L. Robinson (1899-1993)</a> in 1920, to who he was wed for forty years. The couple had two daughters, Eleanor (1921-2015) and Eloise. Residing in Morgantown, Federer announced his candidacy for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1924 from Monongalia County. Running on the Republican ticket, Federer was elected that November, <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4047325&view=1up&seq=1044&skin=2021&q1=federer" target="_blank">polling 6,818 votes</a>. Taking his seat in January 1925, Federer served one term and was a <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4047325&view=1up&seq=295&skin=2021&q1=federer" target="_blank">member of the committees</a> on Prohibition and Temperance, Redistricting, State Boundaries, and Taxation and Finance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> "Green" Federer continued residence in Morgantown following his term and is recorded as operating several meat markets in that area. He continued in his vocation until WWII and afterwards <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141673268/greenland-thompson-federer" target="_blank">worked as a real estate broker</a>. Little is known of the remainder of his life, except notice of his death in Morgantown on October 8, 1961, aged 73. He was survived by his wife and daughters and was interred at the East Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.</span></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-91429860685438601602023-11-28T08:52:00.000-08:002023-12-27T10:45:14.493-08:00Septimus Bonham Sightler (1863-1952), Septimus Augustus Harvin Jr. (1907-1983), Septimus Douglass Cabaniss (1815-1889), Septimus Evans Niven (1842-1927), Septimius Hall (1847-1926))<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7EAOweUCKeeUZl1_OhsdepFM7OjyMpGPDbTqUNUCeYVG4f-ic7BCsTtNrX_2NcmPIakfuTVphDkFfPzaSgBOVUx6K_2bB1bOCk_steiakbH--QRchLm7tKRJZzMAA8gb9T_oTM1tbqg2rSrsHAR7k4AL02pY1IUoh_w7PcqsSUkGTR2s91epI8Az/s492/SEPTIMUS%20BONHAM%20SIGHTLER%20MONTG%20ADVERTISER%20Apr%2029%201934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7EAOweUCKeeUZl1_OhsdepFM7OjyMpGPDbTqUNUCeYVG4f-ic7BCsTtNrX_2NcmPIakfuTVphDkFfPzaSgBOVUx6K_2bB1bOCk_steiakbH--QRchLm7tKRJZzMAA8gb9T_oTM1tbqg2rSrsHAR7k4AL02pY1IUoh_w7PcqsSUkGTR2s91epI8Az/s16000/SEPTIMUS%20BONHAM%20SIGHTLER%20MONTG%20ADVERTISER%20Apr%2029%201934.jpg" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Montgomery Advertiser, April 29, 1934.</span></i></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">A quintet of politicians named Septimus is profiled today, and it is worth noting that four of the five share a first name with its origins in ancient times, and is also the Latin word for seventh. The first man to be highlighted is Alabama's <b>Septimus Bonham Sightler</b>, a furniture dealer and insurance man who served four consecutive terms in his state's house of representatives. The <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046970&view=1up&seq=207&skin=2021&q1=sightler" target="_blank">son of Joseph Myers and Martha (Hutto) Sightler</a>, Septimus Bonham Sightler was born in Lexington, South Carolina on October 24, 1863.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During his youth, Sightler attended the <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046970&view=1up&seq=207&skin=2021&q1=sightler" target="_blank">Oakey Springs Academy</a> in Lexington, and in 1886 removed to Montgomery, Alabama, where he took employment with the Montgomery Furniture Company. He married in October of the following year to Mary Francis Boykin (1865-1947), and the couple's sixty-year union <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046970&view=1up&seq=207&skin=2021&q1=sightler" target="_blank">produced six children</a>: Ann (birthdate unknown), Aileen (1888-1958), Ruth Cleveland (1893-1977), Martha Elizabeth (birthdate unknown), Mamie Bonham (birthdate unknown), Maude Gertrude (1897-1900), and Septimus Bonham Jr. (1905-1999).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After a two-year residence in Montgomery Sightler joined his brother in Birmingham in 1888, where both worked in the furniture industry. He <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046970&view=1up&seq=207&skin=2021&q1=sightler" target="_blank">removed back to Montgomery in 1894</a> to take on a managerial position in the Ellis-Gay Furniture Company, and in 1900 partnered with George Wragg <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109103190/the-montgomery-advertiser/" target="_blank">to form the Wragg-Sightler Furniture Company</a>., which existed until 1904. In December of that year, Sightler joined old partner E.W. Gay to form a new furniture dealership, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109103253/the-montgomery-times/" target="_blank">Gay and Sightler</a>, located in Montgomery. Notices for their new venture appeared in Montgomery Times throughout 1904 and 1905 hawking their wares, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109103295/the-montgomery-times/" target="_blank">noting</a>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Gay and Sightler can make you exceedingly attractive prices on ladies' desks, children's rockers, iron beds, centre tables, rockers, hat racks, bed lounges, children's iron beds, bookcases, bed springs, lamps, blankets and other things too numerous to mention: special prices on everything and cash or credit."</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Active in the civic and fraternal life of Montgomery, Sightler held memberships in the International Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Shriners, and served on the Montgomery County Welfare Board and Safety Council. Additionally, Sightler was active in Baptist church work, and at the time of his death in 1952 was actively engaged <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109102988/obituary-for-s-d-sighller-aged-88/" target="_blank">as a teacher of the Beacon Light Sunday School class</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1927 the firm of Gay and Sightler dissolved, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109103415/the-brewton-standard/" target="_blank">with Septimus Sightler soon going into business for himself</a>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">He began an interest in local politics in 1917 when his name was mentioned </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109103082/the-dothan-eagle/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">as a possible legislative candidate</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> but didn't actively pursue public office until February 1934, when he announced his bid for the Alabama house of representatives. He would win the primary election in June and in November the general election.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdIu2fjVNSg_7xZrc4QnFcqHwxfA3uVw8EBgeeMb4pR0cXW6rV4hsbh2TMQrDZ_ADlZef4KUFnFQOTkS8-siEdJotsRaE0JdtHGUsTZJ0taKtT75eMd98_0_xlht1MOlL_NFWErwQ-mWcjnZps2IegxpMI_5Y3Q4OHgWP3vg-l7uAWzkkSX5NXb6l/s546/sightler%20notice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="546" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdIu2fjVNSg_7xZrc4QnFcqHwxfA3uVw8EBgeeMb4pR0cXW6rV4hsbh2TMQrDZ_ADlZef4KUFnFQOTkS8-siEdJotsRaE0JdtHGUsTZJ0taKtT75eMd98_0_xlht1MOlL_NFWErwQ-mWcjnZps2IegxpMI_5Y3Q4OHgWP3vg-l7uAWzkkSX5NXb6l/w400-h190/sightler%20notice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Montgomery Advertiser, May 8, 1934.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> As he prepared to take his seat in January 1935, Sightler was interviewed a month prior by the Montgomery Advertiser, where he outlined a platform of what he hoped to accomplish in his first term. He opposed ratification of<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109103017/the-montgomery-advertiser/" target="_blank"> a possible amendment to a child labor law</a> in the state's constitution, on the grounds that it would "<i>virtually take jurisdiction away children from the parents and hand it over to the government.</i>" Additionally, Sightler favored the legalization of beer and wine sales, and advocated for driver's licenses "<i>for all persons who operate motor vehicles in the state of Alabama." </i>This four-year term (1935-39) saw Sightler <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4046970&view=1up&seq=166&skin=2021&q1=sightler" target="_blank">named to the following committees</a>: Commerce and Common Carriers, Criminal Administration, Insurance and Insurance Companies, Public Buildings and Institutions, the Soldier's Home, and Ways and Means.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> All told, Sightler served four consecutive four-year terms in the state house of representatives, and in 1950 announced his intention not to seek reelection, being 86 years old at the time. He retired from politics at the end of his term, and in the last months of his life was honored by the Woodmen of the World for his "<i>long record of service</i>" to the organization. Septimus Bonham Sightler died at his home in Montgomery on February 22, 1952, at age 88. He had been preceded in death by his wife in 1947 and <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57762638/septimus-bonham-sightler" target="_blank">was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQw_E-rhCfb0ufDLygYhxyRQW9k5_KN-AJj1VjTEXuF2F1oPPY4XVZAG9v7SUeDehuz2FbsFN67ZVnBv7_9p-3kydpZ8g31yuErqQcn0yvm-kpJi8_KhUVXYzwtpeHjyDCKyr4BtOsx4ZXQGgfLfda8Dckn-MmuBD_W_TleeuIlcEGE48tihdocPc/s466/Septimus%20Sightler%20honored.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQw_E-rhCfb0ufDLygYhxyRQW9k5_KN-AJj1VjTEXuF2F1oPPY4XVZAG9v7SUeDehuz2FbsFN67ZVnBv7_9p-3kydpZ8g31yuErqQcn0yvm-kpJi8_KhUVXYzwtpeHjyDCKyr4BtOsx4ZXQGgfLfda8Dckn-MmuBD_W_TleeuIlcEGE48tihdocPc/s16000/Septimus%20Sightler%20honored.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Montgomery Advertiser, January 2, 1952.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfofNY4rr6ceD9zv3cw3iiaMGgvdnv5VcpOiUJ2cqr1CAhRfdmTtzGU0dKbCGsnz3-9Q-GkHjrs6brIcNAJx7dyrBvQOaQJBnXVrrA_pFnBY6kDZnLbI-5_Qpqp_RPcAGsFOy0WJEVg1kx8kj2sthLiVo4gj7L5jfTIsCzciozHt3KLxeRe5kjBad/s541/SEPTIMUS%20AUGUSTUS%20HARVIN%20Sumter%20Item%20dec%2021%201983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfofNY4rr6ceD9zv3cw3iiaMGgvdnv5VcpOiUJ2cqr1CAhRfdmTtzGU0dKbCGsnz3-9Q-GkHjrs6brIcNAJx7dyrBvQOaQJBnXVrrA_pFnBY6kDZnLbI-5_Qpqp_RPcAGsFOy0WJEVg1kx8kj2sthLiVo4gj7L5jfTIsCzciozHt3KLxeRe5kjBad/s16000/SEPTIMUS%20AUGUSTUS%20HARVIN%20Sumter%20Item%20dec%2021%201983.jpg" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Fromm the Sumter Item, December 21, 1983.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A leading public servant in Sumter, South Carolina, <b>Septimus Augustus Harvin Jr</b>. served four years as Sumter's mayor and was active in several fraternal organizations in that city. A lifelong Sumter County resident, Harvin was born in that county on September 15, 1907, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/750785390/?terms=septimus%20harvin&match=1" target="_blank">the son of Septimus Augustus and Harriette Ann Harvin</a>. A student in schools local to Sumter, Harvin graduated from Sumter High School in 1925. A graduate of Clemson University in the class of 1929, he earned his bachelor of science degree from that school and married to Mary Ellen Suber (1908-2004) in the 1930s. The couple had two children, Virginia Anne (Harvin) McLaurin and Septimus Augustus Jr. (born 1937). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Through the succeeding years, Harvin's name grew to be a prominent one in Sumter. Remarked as "<i>one of the county's largest and most outstanding farmers</i>", Harvin entered the business life of his community in 1940 when he purchased an interest in the Kirkland Division Co. meatpacking firm, and, following a fire in 1945, bought out the other partners and<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64824329/harvin/" target="_blank"> continued operations under the firm name Harvin Packing Co.</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Harvin first entered city politics with his election to the city council in 1952. In 1956 he took office as mayor, and his four years in office<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64824386/harvin-ii/" target="_blank"> saw him as a "dedicated public servant"</a> who "<i>was a strong leader in civic affairs and always had the interests of the people at heart</i>." Active in the fraternal life of his county, Harvin was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Rotary Club, Shriners, the Sumter Progressive Club, and the local Masonic chapter. Septimus Augustus Harvin Jr. died on December 21, 1983, aged 76, and was survived by his wife and children. He was interred at the Sumter Cemetery. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54t9TTeSqKF1A-Tgbu87JPsWAla9-eZc8cNkiWeGu_7flAP06K_sPPEl1_okaE1hbAqxPrOZ8M4FvcSQyd882bhJ6u1i8n9ZeyVxwWzgDwpp0MewFiSIJHODHizgjWkLCQGWdJ0QKMt_gXLHGsJm4OWZ17t_MGgPTHzFrueBpD_xOF5DuRR8YmfeO/s285/Septimus%20Douglass%20Cabaniss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="202" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54t9TTeSqKF1A-Tgbu87JPsWAla9-eZc8cNkiWeGu_7flAP06K_sPPEl1_okaE1hbAqxPrOZ8M4FvcSQyd882bhJ6u1i8n9ZeyVxwWzgDwpp0MewFiSIJHODHizgjWkLCQGWdJ0QKMt_gXLHGsJm4OWZ17t_MGgPTHzFrueBpD_xOF5DuRR8YmfeO/w284-h400/Septimus%20Douglass%20Cabaniss.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Courtesy of huntsvillehistorycollection.org</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A native of Alabama, <b>Septimus Douglass Cabaniss</b> was an attorney based in Huntsville who served one term in that state's house of representatives. Born in Alabama in December 1815, Cabaniss was the last of twelve children born to Charles and Lucy (Ingram) Cabaniss. A student at the Greene Academy in Huntsville, Cabaniss later attended the University of Virginia at Charlottesville and after graduation in 1835 elected to follow a career in law. He began study <a href="https://archives.lib.ua.edu/repositories/3/resources/627" target="_blank">under Huntsville lawyer Silas Parsons</a> and three years later was admitted to the state bar. He married Virginia Shepard (1824-1907) in 1843, and later had twelve children (<a href="https://archives.lib.ua.edu/repositories/3/resources/627" target="_blank">six living to adulthood</a>.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Cabaniss began practice in Huntsville in the late 1830s, and by 1851 had established a partnership with future state supreme court chief justice Robert C. Brickell (1824-1900). He began his political career by serving Madison County as <a href="https://archives.lib.ua.edu/repositories/3/resources/627" target="_blank">its first register in chancery</a> from 1839-43 and was an assignee in bankruptcy for that county from 1841-43. In 1860 Cabaniss was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, where he served from 1861-63. He cast his lot with the Confederacy during the Civil War and is recorded by at least one 1955 source as having been <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109273333/the-huntsville-times/" target="_blank">involved in Confederate Army intelligence work</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1865 Cabaniss resumed practicing law and later partnered with Francis P. Ward. Active in civic affairs in his region, he served as president of the Northern Bank of Alabama and was a member of the board of trustees of the Huntsville Agricultural and Mechanical Institute. Cabaniss died in Huntsville on March 30, 1889, and was interred at the Maple Hill Cemetery in that city. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokGZd5WblD9x0iWphSd3Cg0sSjILLuw7oGxXBvba_fIZBJfS9w-0ONkds-sFMG_Gpj6-N5MV_1xvTsLm9sI52zIdypGrmlZYlEbwczwD1AhcKmyp5zU-1nnQ3VXarr56jrzGwhySQ_qin2QSDGYqoUCTg4cM4_I2IYfa5scSemYyc8zOI6sHnFRz1/s956/SEPTIMUS%20EVANS%20NIVIN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="751" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokGZd5WblD9x0iWphSd3Cg0sSjILLuw7oGxXBvba_fIZBJfS9w-0ONkds-sFMG_Gpj6-N5MV_1xvTsLm9sI52zIdypGrmlZYlEbwczwD1AhcKmyp5zU-1nnQ3VXarr56jrzGwhySQ_qin2QSDGYqoUCTg4cM4_I2IYfa5scSemYyc8zOI6sHnFRz1/w314-h400/SEPTIMUS%20EVANS%20NIVIN.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Portrait courtesy of the Pennsylvania Senate database.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Remarked as a "<i>progressive practical farmer and dairyman</i>" Chester County, Pennsylvania resident <b>Septimus Evans Nivin</b> also was active politically, serving two terms as Chester County auditor and in the early 1890s was elected to one term in the state senate. One of six children born to David and Sarah (Evans) Nivin, Septimus Evans Nivin was born in the borough of London Britain in Chester County on April 12, 1842. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Notes_and_Queries/1dQUAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22septimus+e.+nivin%22&pg=PA298&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">Inheriting his unusual name courtesy of his maternal grandfather Septimus Evans</a> (1771-1849), young Nivin attended the West Chester Academy and followed farming for nearly all his life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Residing upon his family's ancestral farm, the Niven family's landholdings comprised 600 acres, and during his life specialized in breeding Jersey cattle, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Notes_and_Queries/1dQUAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=septimus" target="_blank">with an 1895 Pennsylvania history noting that</a>:</span></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"He converts their milk to butter in a creamery on his own land, which brings the highest price at the Philadelphia market. It would well pay any farmer to visit this farm and inpect the fine cattle and stable arrangement under the management of Mr. Nivin."</span></i></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Active in the Pennsylvania grange, Nivin served as its state treasurer, and attained further prominence in the political life of its region, <a href="https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/clip/86996706/obituary-for-septimus-e-nivin/" target="_blank">serving in a number of county offices</a>, and holding the county auditorship for two terms. Additionally, he served as school director and was school treasurer for three decades. Nivin entered the race for the Pennsylvania state senate in 1890 and that November was elected, being the first Democrat elected to the senate from his county <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109330864/lancaster-new-era/" target="_blank">in thirty years</a>. Succeeding senator A.D. Harlan, who had resigned to accept a post as U.S. Marshal, Nivin was sworn in in November 1891, with two days left to serve in that year's extra session. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109331468/harrisburg-telegraph/" target="_blank">Much to the ire</a> of Republicans and Republican-leaning newspapers in the state, Nivin <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109331364/the-philadelphia-times/" target="_blank">was accorded a full session pay of $500, despite serving only two days</a>. This fact was later brought up when Nivin was announced for reelection in 1892.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Nivin lost his reelection bid in September 1892, the nod going to another Chester County Democrat, and later returned to farming. He died at his home in London Britain township at age 84 on December 22, 1926, the cause of death being reported as pneumonia. A lifelong bachelor, <a href="https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/clip/86996706/obituary-for-septimus-e-nivin/" target="_blank">he was survived by two nieces</a> and was interred at the New London Presbyterian Church Cemetery.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wNdvr0g1H1wUE6mz5Ik3a1oT_rCkQfHOT0ZuizD_kLCx2-jJ8X1kcOU4ouqv035-Hh6Ou9_ZhDPlmApcAlHBXWj6q8DQ5eeiREMs-hXpLElVZUl9y1s3IyDuijblsM9mzpotGcDP5Tv6ftcF4Yy0d6UjhMJm-zd26h-pLBMrhQE17HDkCPHmmd25/s441/SEPTIMIUS%20HALL%201926.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wNdvr0g1H1wUE6mz5Ik3a1oT_rCkQfHOT0ZuizD_kLCx2-jJ8X1kcOU4ouqv035-Hh6Ou9_ZhDPlmApcAlHBXWj6q8DQ5eeiREMs-hXpLElVZUl9y1s3IyDuijblsM9mzpotGcDP5Tv6ftcF4Yy0d6UjhMJm-zd26h-pLBMrhQE17HDkCPHmmd25/s16000/SEPTIMIUS%20HALL%201926.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the West Virginia Blue Book, 1926.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A long-tenured member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, <b>Septimius Hall</b> is also one of the more oddly named men to win election to that body. First elected to the state senate in the early 1870s, he won his first election to the state house of delegates a decade later, and, all told, served twelve nonconsecutive terms in that body. Additionally, Hall was a delegate to the West Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1872, served a term as mayor of New Martinsville, and was long active in the Odd Fellows lodge in his state. The son of Leonard Stout and Jeannette McGregor Hall, Septimius Hall <a href="https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2021/197/38354348_c12cc209-409b-4989-9ee9-a2af982e4799.jpeg" target="_blank">was born in what is now Ritchie County, West Virginia on February 14, 1847</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Young Septimius was a student in schools local to New Martinsville and later followed his father into the study of law. He elected not to practice and instead organized a business named the <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_West_Virginia_Old_and_New/4zUTAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1" target="_blank">Pittsburg Stave Company</a>, which he operated for over a decade. Hall married Fannie Anshutz (1848-1936) in 1875, to who he was wed for fifty years. <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38354348/septimius-hall" target="_blank">The couple had four children</a>, Charles Leonard (1876-1934), Lulu Hall Blair (1880-1953, Septimius Jr. (1884-1958), and Lamoine Mott (1889-1971).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Septimius Hall began his long political career in 1871 when he was elected to the West Virginia Constitutional Convention. His time at the convention (1872-73) saw him as an active participant in its proceedings, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_West_Virginia_Old_and_New/4zUTAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1" target="_blank">helping to draw up the state's organic law</a> and at the time of his death in 1926 was one of three surviving convention members. While serving at the convention Hall was elected to represent his district in the state senate, where from 1873-75 he <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_West_Virginia_Old_and_New/4zUTAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1" target="_blank">chaired the committee on Banks and Corporations</a> and helped pass the state's first general railroad law.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After several years away from politics Septimius Hall was elected to represent Wetzel County in the state house of delegates, where he served two terms from 1881-85. Following those terms, he served an indeterminate period as mayor of New Martinsville, and in 1906 was reelected to the house of delegates. Here he would serve until his death in 1926, a total of 25 years of service in both houses. During that time Hall <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4047316&view=1up&seq=822&skin=2021&q1=septimius" target="_blank">served on dozens of House committees</a>, including Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Forestry and Conservation, Insurance, Labor and Finance, Military Affairs, the Penitentiary, Taxation and Finance, and Virginia Debt.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2K_tRrWBAuqdh1JmNvhwsz38KgP1uyJk83q3a6TSLq4ZgzU9-t-JUroRpAERlr2MfKnYuvEzM0UoSNUgwVIW22IbaexuHDwnc-9kbLBVYDhRImOEIjOY2iCdgu74L7CzSUDZBQItGVTg6gsbxdoxbiSuGz_s5wo0CHGkZ58SjV4Q3Bj8Zza06s8-1/s292/Septimius%20Hall%201907.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2K_tRrWBAuqdh1JmNvhwsz38KgP1uyJk83q3a6TSLq4ZgzU9-t-JUroRpAERlr2MfKnYuvEzM0UoSNUgwVIW22IbaexuHDwnc-9kbLBVYDhRImOEIjOY2iCdgu74L7CzSUDZBQItGVTg6gsbxdoxbiSuGz_s5wo0CHGkZ58SjV4Q3Bj8Zza06s8-1/w274-h400/Septimius%20Hall%201907.png" width="274" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the 1907 Manual of the State of West Virginia.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Septimius Hall died in office on February 27, 1926, aged 79. He had been for several months, with that illness being compounded <a href="https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2021/197/38354348_c12cc209-409b-4989-9ee9-a2af982e4799.jpeg" target="_blank">by a fall down his cellar steps three months prior</a> to his death. He was memorialized in the 1926 West Virginia Blue Book as a "<i>familiar figure</i>" at the capital, <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4047325&view=1up&seq=232&skin=2021&q1=septimius" target="_blank">noting</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Septimius Hall is dead and will be sadly missed by a host of friends and neighbors and those who enjoyed a close association with him in legislative service. While steadfast in his political convictions, he was not classed as a biased partisan; the interest of the state in its wonderful development were always near to him, and even when health was failing, and he had earned reief from public duties, he insisted on holding his place in the line."</span></blockquote></i></div></div></div></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-22121497186301026072023-01-10T12:19:00.003-08:002023-11-25T08:57:44.270-08:00Leeman Brackett Wormhood (1881-1960)<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYz5Qm6I3NydRPVBHCNNtEShpzl6aVdU-GzpNFLEHxau3uUWDwBwZYW6xV6tpfD4hIxSnWtqPFCf77R266aHvvtXwwmvHxWfVDOikdSHBkh_es_CAXdXgKKB0c2-lDqkm7ZwLDYw5FQifEhePYMwkxbqH-Q3OmBtWIG9Knfc9v_6Sx4ps94txfllU/s391/LEEMAN%20BRACKETT%20WORMHOOD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYz5Qm6I3NydRPVBHCNNtEShpzl6aVdU-GzpNFLEHxau3uUWDwBwZYW6xV6tpfD4hIxSnWtqPFCf77R266aHvvtXwwmvHxWfVDOikdSHBkh_es_CAXdXgKKB0c2-lDqkm7ZwLDYw5FQifEhePYMwkxbqH-Q3OmBtWIG9Knfc9v_6Sx4ps94txfllU/s16000/LEEMAN%20BRACKETT%20WORMHOOD.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>From Madbury Its People and Places, 1968.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In its long history, the town of Madbury, New Hampshire was represented in the legislature by two curiously named men, Eloi Augustus Adams (<a href="https://politicalstrangenames.blogspot.com/2019/11/eloi-augustus-adams-1894-1969.html" target="_blank">profiled here on November 29, 2019</a>) and Leeman Brackett Wormhood, who is highlighted today. A longtime resident of Madbury, Wormhood was employed by the Boston and Maine Railroad and also farmed in the aforementioned town. A multi-term selectman for Madbury, Wormhood served four years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives beginning in 1945, and later was a delegate to the state constitutional convention of 1956.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Born in Ossipee, New Hampshire on May 24, 1881, Leeman Brackett Wormhood <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/hartley-lord-wormhood-24-cnz7vj" target="_blank">was the son of Hartley Lord and Julia Eldredge Wormhood</a>. He <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPMF-36C5" target="_blank">married Blanche Tibbetts in East Rochester, New Hampshire in 1902</a>. The couple were wed for over fifty years and had a least one son, Leeman Brackett Jr. An engineer <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108587728/leeman-brackett-wormhood/" target="_blank">on the Boston and Maine Railroad</a> for forty-five years, Wormhood was active in the civic life of Madbury, being a member of the Grange, the Unity Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and the Union Congregational Church. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> On the political front, Wormhood served Madbury in several capacities, <a href="http://townofmadbury.com/Madbury%20People%20and%20Places%20webversion.pdf" target="_blank">including a sixteen-year tenure as town selectman</a> (1930-1946). From 1945-49 he represented Madbury in the state legislature, and from 1949-58 was the town supervisor of the checklist. In 1956 Wormhood retired from farming at his home in Madbury <a href="http://townofmadbury.com/Madbury%20People%20and%20Places%20webversion.pdf" target="_blank">and later resided in a rest home in New Hampshire</a>. In that same year, he<a href="https://archive.org/details/manualforgeneral35newh/page/306/mode/2up?q=wormhood&view=theater" target="_blank"> served as part of the Strafford County delegation</a> to the state constitutional convention, representing Madbury. Widowed in 1958, Wormhood died in Rochester on December 18, 1960, aged 79, and was interred <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/245528115/leeman-b-wormhood" target="_blank">at the Rochester Cemetery</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwc9IY9CL_19EspgJbDZEXVg87VNOFxC9N7y6usSZftdesbIj_Quai42hX8_LM280YsaYUvz3NqTEt6d0b59Mrs2XzhILf-HLXlQm_RkbypXIkUhPNOCcuVXgSLxsDUy02Ieuvq-8AKsdMLQWzDgd_C3JTQDHPh4TEtmA5R1gloQsZTLv7cVnSzlG/s623/Wormhood%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwc9IY9CL_19EspgJbDZEXVg87VNOFxC9N7y6usSZftdesbIj_Quai42hX8_LM280YsaYUvz3NqTEt6d0b59Mrs2XzhILf-HLXlQm_RkbypXIkUhPNOCcuVXgSLxsDUy02Ieuvq-8AKsdMLQWzDgd_C3JTQDHPh4TEtmA5R1gloQsZTLv7cVnSzlG/s16000/Wormhood%20obit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Boston Globe, December 23, 1960.</span></i></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-5022372581663527272023-01-07T16:02:00.000-08:002023-01-07T16:02:03.240-08:00Constant Sweeney Lake (1840-1917)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU3kzB4f2yD-gkoDRFNCmLUdrqfXEKlMPAoTBTauA1I1QxmiBlyY_Wgk0djrZJDKkWD3vpQHuWqy9DOHqcThQAa1EYZCUNfCR9NNlPEiAougtv78bDrbCnLT1eBH0nEGjp0NNrCGxerlJCjmI1bddavtnBc1BcnxqVDQB4hU3B2_v9TFszimGm9sZ/s717/Constant%20Sweeney%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU3kzB4f2yD-gkoDRFNCmLUdrqfXEKlMPAoTBTauA1I1QxmiBlyY_Wgk0djrZJDKkWD3vpQHuWqy9DOHqcThQAa1EYZCUNfCR9NNlPEiAougtv78bDrbCnLT1eBH0nEGjp0NNrCGxerlJCjmI1bddavtnBc1BcnxqVDQB4hU3B2_v9TFszimGm9sZ/s16000/Constant%20Sweeney%20Lake.jpg" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The second posting for this new year takes us to Iowa and Constant Sweeney Lake, a longtime Marengo resident who was active in Democratic politics in that region. A veteran of the Civil War, Lake served as a delegate from Iowa to the Democratic National Convention of 1880 and six years later was tapped by President Cleveland as U.S. Pension Agent for the districts of Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakota Territory, where he served for four years. A native of Ohio, Constant Sweeney Lake <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74880199/constant-sweeney-lake" target="_blank">was born in Mansfield on February 14, 1840, the son of Elijah and Susan Crothers Lake</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A resident of Ohio until age thirteen, Lake <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115716337/the-daily-gate-city-and/" target="_blank">removed with his family to Iowa City, Iowa</a> in the early 1850s and here received his education. Desiring a career in law, Lake began study in the office of Edmund and Ransom in 1859, continuing until the outbreak of the Civil War. He <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115716337/the-daily-gate-city-and/" target="_blank">enlisted in Co. B., First Iowa Infantry</a> in April 1861 and later re-enlisted in the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry. Sometime later he was transferred to the Twenty-Second Infantry and concluded his service as an adjutant with the Twentieth Iowa Infantry. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Constant S. Lake married in the mid-1860s to Sarah Elizabeth Shepherd (1841-1897). The couple's three-decade union <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74879953/sarah-elizabeth-lake" target="_blank">produced six children</a>, Bertha Lee (1866-1937), Jessie Louise (1869-1949), C.B., Norma (1872-1951), Lallah (1874-1878), and Pearl (1884-1885).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his war service, Lake resumed his law studies, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115716337/the-daily-gate-city-and/" target="_blank">reading in the office of state representative Rush Clark</a> (1834-1879), of Iowa City. Upon completion, Lake relocated to Marengo in 1866, where he operated a practice with N.B. Holbrook. Sometime later Lake partnered with state senator and future congressman <a href="https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=15&personID=4682" target="_blank">John Nicholas William Rumple</a> (1841-1903), and their firm continued well into the 1880s. In 1880, Lake<a href="https://politicalgraveyard.com/parties/D/1880/IA.html" target="_blank"> served as part of the Iowa delegation</a> to that year's Democratic National Convention, journeying to Cincinnati, Ohio where Winfield Scott Hancock was nominated for the presidency.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1886 President Grover Cleveland named Lake as Pension Agent for the districts of Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakota Territory. His <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115720277/sioux-city-journal/" target="_blank">appointment was profiled in the Sioux City Journal in April of that year</a> and denotes Lake as "<i>one of the clearest-headed lawyers in the Fifth district</i>", and further notes that he was:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Universally esteemed as an honorable, open handed, high minded gentleman of education and character. As a democrat he has never faltered, even in the darkest hour of the party's history. He was a delegate from the Fifth district to the national convention, which nominated Gen. Hancock for president, and has been active and influential in state politics."</i></span> </blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Lake's tenure in the pension office continued until June 1890, when he resigned. He resumed the practice of law in Marengo and continued until the death of his wife Sarah in 1897. Following her death, he resettled in Marion, Iowa, where he lived with his daughter Bertha. He <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115716337/the-daily-gate-city-and/" target="_blank">died at her home several days prior to his 77th birthday </a>on February 7, 1917, and was interred alongside his wife <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74879953/sarah-elizabeth-lake" target="_blank">at the IOOF Cemetery</a> in Marengo. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K4HUN1uno_PlBm4wzLI3lbtKOKekOZnz0uywy13E2X02EHHO5_DJdNk40Vx81tYOzp-mhRNzd7jyWB-W_8oprLzCb29c6Dbu_YG83tLZCyYhAWNG91IYfhL9Eb66-rJaK4YcqXZgxufNMgOi7xUOzkOj2djX00VO7qxAPSr7c0Ki5N-aqAl37_Zn/s653/Lake%20obit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K4HUN1uno_PlBm4wzLI3lbtKOKekOZnz0uywy13E2X02EHHO5_DJdNk40Vx81tYOzp-mhRNzd7jyWB-W_8oprLzCb29c6Dbu_YG83tLZCyYhAWNG91IYfhL9Eb66-rJaK4YcqXZgxufNMgOi7xUOzkOj2djX00VO7qxAPSr7c0Ki5N-aqAl37_Zn/s320/Lake%20obit.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Marshalltown Evening Times-Republican, February 9, 1917.</span></i></div><p></p></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-23854228463748643102023-01-03T09:57:00.002-08:002023-01-03T09:57:30.210-08:00Ledyard Romulus Tucker (1845-1920), Ledyard Park Hale (1854-1926)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiKjS4S5Zfn3wU3Ku5AkCB-4K5dq_baXT34O7SVRGWyukEPpkChd2jRns2AdzmICjQXpJfm0mv6TqO_fpy-A8y7MO61jxl7QgdhokMVITl0dv4HIJqAnuFmbwwG1CjDEIWqLmBByFzX4hRd7qH7t4apfetexA4wndm58CxEnPefLf1rcpmRqNCBT4/s459/LEDYARD%20ROMULUS%20TUCKER%20%20Colorado%20Assembly%201891.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiKjS4S5Zfn3wU3Ku5AkCB-4K5dq_baXT34O7SVRGWyukEPpkChd2jRns2AdzmICjQXpJfm0mv6TqO_fpy-A8y7MO61jxl7QgdhokMVITl0dv4HIJqAnuFmbwwG1CjDEIWqLmBByFzX4hRd7qH7t4apfetexA4wndm58CxEnPefLf1rcpmRqNCBT4/s16000/LEDYARD%20ROMULUS%20TUCKER%20%20Colorado%20Assembly%201891.png" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Colorado Assembly composite photo, 1891.</span></i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The first of two political figures named Ledyard, Ledyard Romulus Tucker was an obscure resident of Colorado who served one term in that state's house of representatives in the early 1890s. While little is known of his life, a small obituary published in the January 1920 edition of the Glenwood Post, helped significantly in terms of information. Born in Indiana on November 9, 1845, Ledyard Romulus Tucker <a href="https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn91052064/1920-01-17/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1874&index=0&rows=20&words=L+R+TUCKER+Tucker&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Colorado&date2=1920&proxtext=%22l.r.+tucker%22&y=14&x=6&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1" target="_blank">relocated to Leadville, Colorado in 1874</a>, hoping to gain his fortune in mining. He soon removed to Pitkin County, "<i>being present at the big rush which brought Aspen to the notice of the mining world</i>."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the years following his resettlement, he engaged in mining and farming and operated a mercantile store. At the time of his election to the Colorado legislature he is recorded as a cattleman residing in Elbert County, and in 1889 <a href="http://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/DocView.xsp?documentId=39906A0EFAAA3347872578E200637348&action=openDocument" target="_blank">was serving as Elbert County commissioner</a>. In 1890 he was elected to the state legislature and during the 1891-93 session was chairman of the committee on Stock, and was a member of the Fees and Salaries, Finance, and Ways and Means committees. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Later in his life, Tucker was a resident of Basalt and <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KNQ5-B9F" target="_blank">married in January 1898 to Alice B. Lessley</a> (1860-1938). He died in Basalt of heart trouble on January 15, 1920, aged 74, and was survived by his wife. Both were interred at the Rosebud Cemetery in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7o89-C8D7MBnPuYsnuV-skBG5rHGO6ehz9zO51F0BcONyVvhlolZu5WvAgO3C1tjrNFo9QgSO8PGAnImLb5jIWgjjNB2D7ZBNOUkcy6JT20IsIsdsB1ekoCZjN2YM3tQl8S86YXYfFXSDjyz_5MjyFTPe3o7N0-XdZYqy0knJyQgMao5fB1gg3Nl/s470/Ledyard%20Tucker%20obit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7o89-C8D7MBnPuYsnuV-skBG5rHGO6ehz9zO51F0BcONyVvhlolZu5WvAgO3C1tjrNFo9QgSO8PGAnImLb5jIWgjjNB2D7ZBNOUkcy6JT20IsIsdsB1ekoCZjN2YM3tQl8S86YXYfFXSDjyz_5MjyFTPe3o7N0-XdZYqy0knJyQgMao5fB1gg3Nl/s16000/Ledyard%20Tucker%20obit.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Glenwood Post, January 17, 1920.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9xhha36Icum4TT-KE953oHX4Nsz0psvjNE7fcAy8gI5Kl2ZcdBnDEghHCa9O1aFIiyTiBQc5__S_TXf7W4F7oG5PEvfuCtYeOp5U1heEHwxFMBQJfVloFg78wryWTMt6dM1ZTf52iEJ3CL_mTlTcNy1yU__E7PaQWytgf0EjgTN6BePfu4agw-tz/s493/LEDYARD%20PARK%20HALE%201915.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9xhha36Icum4TT-KE953oHX4Nsz0psvjNE7fcAy8gI5Kl2ZcdBnDEghHCa9O1aFIiyTiBQc5__S_TXf7W4F7oG5PEvfuCtYeOp5U1heEHwxFMBQJfVloFg78wryWTMt6dM1ZTf52iEJ3CL_mTlTcNy1yU__E7PaQWytgf0EjgTN6BePfu4agw-tz/s16000/LEDYARD%20PARK%20HALE%201915.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the manual of the New York Constitutional Convention, 1915.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> One of the standout figures in the Northern New York bar in the late 19th and early 20th century, <b>Ledyard Park Hale</b> served St. Lawrence County as both its district attorney and county judge; resigning the latter post to serve on the state board of charities. In one of his last acts of political service, Hale won election to the state constitutional convention of 1915, representing the 34th senate district. Hale is also one of the "old guard" strange-name political figures, his name first being located in a New York Red Book in the summer of 2000. For seventeen years Hale remained without a face to place with his name, with no photographs of him being discovered. That remained the norm until a chance discovery in 2017 of the above portrait in a 1915 manual of the state constitutional convention. Since that time two more rare portraits of him have been found, all of which will accompany his profile here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A lifelong New Yorker, Ledyard Park Hale was born in Canton, St. Lawrence County on May 17, 1854, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Courts_and_Lawyers_of_New_York/B2FQAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22ledyard+park+hale%22&pg=PA148&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">the son of Horace Winthrop and Betsey (Lewis) Hale</a>. A student at the Canton Academy, Hale earned his bachelor of science degree from St. Lawrence University in 1876. Fitting himself for a career in law, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin's Law School and earned his degree in 1878. Removing to Madison following graduation, Hale <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/685983923/?terms=ledyard%20hale&match=1" target="_blank">practiced there before moving back to Canton</a>, where in 1881 he married Georgette "Georgettie" Bacheller (1856-1938), to who he was wed for over forty years. The couple had two children, Irma Hale Pfund (birthdate unknown) and Horace Charles Hale (1888-1942).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Ledyard Hale entered the public life of his county with his appointment as assistant district attorney in 1881, an office that he served <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/685983923/?terms=ledyard%20hale&match=1" target="_blank">for twelve years</a>. He pulled political double duty beginning in 1890 with his election as Canton town supervisor, an office that he would hold until 1894. In August 1893 he received the Republican nomination for St. Lawrence County district attorney, and that November was elected. He served from 1894-1900, <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36948073/georgia-ettie-hale" target="_blank">during which time he</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Became Canton's loyal and brilliant supervisor, District Attorney of the County, figuring in some of the most prominent cases in its entire history, and acquiring distinction for his exceptional ability."</i></span></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LhObqf14wzIypuCs4uQyo6XBDVLFG-_KXY_QeV2RJXJKYaWIW8u8GeJ4Ig6uV8xmL8Z-LOnft0LxoAkhGNyR0mx0pFVAW-keU8li-OPp6DNbUhzoGePuwLFEFxCPCtiqoIy2J5aGkQys3Gd1Fn1sQoYrJacas1hnA2Aku6PutxnucacXXDA3M4Ql/s545/LEDYARD%20PARK%20HALE%201908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LhObqf14wzIypuCs4uQyo6XBDVLFG-_KXY_QeV2RJXJKYaWIW8u8GeJ4Ig6uV8xmL8Z-LOnft0LxoAkhGNyR0mx0pFVAW-keU8li-OPp6DNbUhzoGePuwLFEFxCPCtiqoIy2J5aGkQys3Gd1Fn1sQoYrJacas1hnA2Aku6PutxnucacXXDA3M4Ql/s16000/LEDYARD%20PARK%20HALE%201908.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Buffalo Evening News, April 25, 1908.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hale's two terms saw him secure convictions in the trial of Ogdensburgh's Frank Conroy who murdered his wife, and in the murder trial of Howard W. Burt. He retired as district attorney in 1899 and soon returned to private practice in Canton. He was called to public life once again in 1902 when the office of St. Lawrence County judge became vacant, and in that year Governor Benjamin Odell appointed him to fill the seat. He was reelected to a full term of his own in 1903, and during his final two years of service (1907-08) served in the additional capacity of<a href="https://nyscu.org/Archives/Universalist%20Memory%20Garden/Universalist%20Memory%20Garden%20HA-HL/Hale,%20Ledyard%201926.pdf" target="_blank"> commissioner of the State Board of Charities</a>. He held both posts until his appointment as counsel for the state Public Service Commission in Albany in April 1908. Selected by Governor Charles Evans Hughes, Hale's appointment was looked upon favorably by the New York Press, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109085166/buffalo-evening-news/" target="_blank">with the Buffalo Evening News remarking</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"The selection of Judge Hale for counsel to the Public Service Commission is cordially approved by the bar of the state as that of a lawyer both ample in attainment of learning and flawless in qualities of judgment, tact and solid sense that make him capable of rendering the kind of service desired in the official work of the commission. His salary is $10,000 a year and expenses."</i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hale was still in the position of the commission's counsel when he was elected as a delegate to the 1915 New York Constitutional Convention, during which time he served on the committees on Contingent Expenses, the Governor and Other State Officers, Public Utilities, and Rules. During the proceedings, Hale<a href="https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn85054113/1915-08-13/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=01%2F01%2F1908&city=&date2=12%2F31%2F1926&searchType=advanced&SearchType=prox5&sequence=0&lccn=&index=5&words=Hale+Ledyard&proxdistance=5&county=&to_year=1926&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1908&proxtext=ledyard+hale&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1" target="_blank"> took part in the vigorous debate</a> over possible minimum wage laws and old age pensions, and as chairman of the public utilities committee, recommended that public service commissioners be made constitutional officers who would <a href="https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn89071374/1915-07-29/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=01%2F01%2F1915&city=&date2=12%2F31%2F1915&searchType=advanced&SearchType=prox5&sequence=0&lccn=&index=6&words=Hale+Ledyard&proxdistance=5&county=&to_year=1915&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1915&proxtext=ledyard+hale&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1" target="_blank">be "<i>protected from removal for political reasons</i>."</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb1BOjoolGBvQyTQfeURZqPnvZp3tBqY0yMxYacOxCxJQYjNBgKRnriHnxpYJY_ihNXpIwEti2Yc0nGWsEnWcNHlEbXdN5wSh4x0_4MpzpFXe72G-3qvkJEiWnUD8TSmg1L4_g4ARLX4jDC-QFJPJarzfSRtCO7GM6N95VYfAc8Pbt3Jo1kNGpqY6/s483/Ledyard%20Hale%201908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb1BOjoolGBvQyTQfeURZqPnvZp3tBqY0yMxYacOxCxJQYjNBgKRnriHnxpYJY_ihNXpIwEti2Yc0nGWsEnWcNHlEbXdN5wSh4x0_4MpzpFXe72G-3qvkJEiWnUD8TSmg1L4_g4ARLX4jDC-QFJPJarzfSRtCO7GM6N95VYfAc8Pbt3Jo1kNGpqY6/s16000/Ledyard%20Hale%201908.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Buffalo Evening News, May 3, 1908.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After the completion of the constitutional convention, Ledyard Hale returned to Canton, where he continued to practice law. His final years were spent affiliated with his alma mater, St. Lawrence University, having first been appointed to its board of trustees in 1884. From 1919 to 1922 he was board president. In 1923 he retired as Public Service Commission counsel, and in the last year of his life was troubled by heart issues. On June 5, 1926, he suffered an attack of paralysis at his home and died shortly thereafter at age 72. He was later interred at the Evergreen Cemetery in Canton. He was subsequently memorialized by the Potsdam Commercial Advertiser <a href="https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn85054395/1926-06-08/ed-1/seq-4/" target="_blank">as one of the first citizens of Canton, stating</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Judge Hale was one of those rare men who touched the world, touched men, and touched life at many sides. Rarely do public men, in long service, possess that strength and moral force to keep unsullied by the passing mob. Here was the cleanly man with character and accomplishment, whose entire life bears close inspection. There is no mar--the soul of honor, and in his dealing fair and just."</i></span></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-58857893501726023562022-10-30T13:23:00.004-07:002023-11-25T08:32:19.428-08:00Bloomfield Drummond Woolley (1876-1957), Bloomfield Holmes Minch (1864-1929), Bloomfield Jervis Beach (1820-1894)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKTt6KDP3ppy1Jq9ie-PyE1fOXKiRVR9z9kDlikB6A9liJU8vry6DFL0vjLGKsVL45orplc_-RMy690Hn2qsTSek9eBHYZNaA_uI7LavNvpoi6YvhjxRInu7fbru1BPNqGja7uPzqe4--9KNh1LjYRTBoIBeX0gzhSTrALE6vETpv5Jvdce_l-534/s462/BLOOMFIELD%20DRUMMOND%20WOOLLEY%20ASBPARK%20DP%20OCT%2028%201899.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKTt6KDP3ppy1Jq9ie-PyE1fOXKiRVR9z9kDlikB6A9liJU8vry6DFL0vjLGKsVL45orplc_-RMy690Hn2qsTSek9eBHYZNaA_uI7LavNvpoi6YvhjxRInu7fbru1BPNqGja7uPzqe4--9KNh1LjYRTBoIBeX0gzhSTrALE6vETpv5Jvdce_l-534/s16000/BLOOMFIELD%20DRUMMOND%20WOOLLEY%20ASBPARK%20DP%20OCT%2028%201899.png" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Asbury Park Shore Press, October 28, 1899.</span></i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A trio of Bloomfields is highlighted in the following profile, and it is interesting to note that two of these men with the flowery name served in the New Jersey State Assembly just one term apart! The first of these men, <b>Bloomfield Drummond Woolley</b>, won election to the assembly at the youthful age of 21 and following his two terms served over thirty years as Long Branch city assessor. Born on April 3, 1876, Bloomfield "B. Drummond" Woolley was the son of Thomas Ridge and Annie Maria (West) Woolley.<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5010507/thomas-ridge-woolley" target="_blank"> A distinguished figure in his own right</a>, Thomas Ridge Woolley (1841-1917), was a former undersheriff of Monmouth County who later served as director and vice president of the Long Branch First National Bank, and from 1879-96 was Long Branch's mayor.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Young Woolley was a student at schools local to Long Branch, and in 1892 began a long career as a banker, joining the Long Branch Trust Co. He retired from his duties there in 1920, and upon his father's death in 1917 <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109359542/the-daily-record/" target="_blank">assumed the presidency of the Atlantic Engine and Truck Co.</a>, serving in that capacity until his death forty years later. During young adulthood Woolley <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Manual_of_the_Legislature_of_New_Jersey/geIGAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22drummond+woolley%22+assembly&pg=PA277&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">was a volunteer fireman</a> with the aforementioned engine company, initially serving as its secretary. He was later a second assistant and first assistant foreman, and at the time of his first term in the assembly was company foreman.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In April 1896 B. Drummond Woolley<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109364797/marriage-of-kurrus-woolleys/" target="_blank"> married Emma Kurrus</a>, to whom he was wed for sixty years. Following their marriage, the couple undertook a three-week trip through the midwest, and after returning to Long Branch had a family that produced three daughters. In 1897 Woolley's name began circulating as a potential candidate for the state assembly, and that October was formally nominated at the Monmouth County Democratic Convention. In November Woolley <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109365478/the-monmouth-press/" target="_blank">won his legislative seat, polling 2,774 votes</a>, and after taking his seat in January 1898, was named <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Minutes_of_Votes_and_Proceedings/7btKAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=woolley%20committee" target="_blank">to the committee on Rules</a>. Just 21 years old at the time of his election, Woolley was remarked as the youngest man to serve in the legislature <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/496572942/?clipping_id=109359542&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjQ5NjU3Mjk0MiwiaWF0IjoxNjYyOTE4MTczLCJleHAiOjE2NjMwMDQ1NzN9.lcMmuDRmfYnNrft_gYdqwYi0Gms75GQp8166_hAnuVY" target="_blank">in the state's history</a>. He won a second term in November 1898 and served on the committee on Game and Fisheries during that session. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A candidate for a third term in 1899, Woolley was profiled in the Asbury Park Shore Press, where it was <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109367300/asbury-park-press/" target="_blank">predicted that he would be reelected</a> by a large majority:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"The fact that Mr. Woolley has been elected twice to the legislature speaks volumes...He is popular with the young men of Long Branch, and will receive the support of many Republicans. Mr. Woolley's ancestors were of the Jeffersonian type of Democracy. Assemblyman Woolley entered the political arena before he became a voter. His friends predict his re-election by an increased majority."</i></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ooyX4iCU8F96wutTBOe94vRcdvzs2S--wI_bg2zJBe-C86eZzYD8y0uZlVQzZanWue6M6sZ6UKlzjdz_1relznRAibjtdJ2GKBSsJlUM6MvUMm1NEAg_CjOcXL1bc-fjoYU12DK20ID7UvV4Odmf2Kf9-w9sqy-NRIoK-jbU--Byiqyd6zEwRtR/s885/BLOOMFIELD%20DRUMMOND%20WOOLLEY%20LBDR%20Apr%2024%201950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="546" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ooyX4iCU8F96wutTBOe94vRcdvzs2S--wI_bg2zJBe-C86eZzYD8y0uZlVQzZanWue6M6sZ6UKlzjdz_1relznRAibjtdJ2GKBSsJlUM6MvUMm1NEAg_CjOcXL1bc-fjoYU12DK20ID7UvV4Odmf2Kf9-w9sqy-NRIoK-jbU--Byiqyd6zEwRtR/w246-h400/BLOOMFIELD%20DRUMMOND%20WOOLLEY%20LBDR%20Apr%2024%201950.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Drummond Woolley in old age, from the Long Branche Daily Recorder, Apr. 24, 1950.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When the polls closed in November 1899 it appeared that Woolley had won a third term, but as the night wore on it was revealed that he and other Democratic assemblymen <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109367623/asbury-park-press/" target="_blank">had been overcome by a Republican majority.</a> Three years after his defeat Woolley was named to the Long Branch board of health, and in 1904 was talked of as a possible nominee for Congress, but withdrew his name <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109359542/the-daily-record/" target="_blank">due to health concerns.</a> He would serve several terms as a member of the Monmouth County Republican committee between 1920 and 1957, and in the former year retired from his duties with the Long Branch Trust Co.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1916 Woolley was returned to another stint on the city board of health, where he served until 1922. He began a thirty-two-year tenure as Long Branch city assessor in 1925, and his long period was profiled in the April 24, 1950 edition of the Long Branch Daily Recorder, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109359808/the-daily-record/" target="_blank">where he spoke on the possibility</a> of a full reassessment of all city property that year. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The latter portion of Woolley's life saw him continue with his duties as city assessor and was active in several fraternal organizations, including time as Exalted Ruler of the local Elks Lodge, and as a member of the Long Branch Rotary Club. After decades of service to Long Branch, B. Drummond Woolley died at his Long Branch home on May 30, 1957, aged 81, He was survived by his wife Emma, who, following her death at age 91 in 1967 was interred alongside him <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5010509/bloomfield-drummond-woolley" target="_blank">at the Old First Methodist Church Cemetery</a> in West Long Branch.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvuxdcRpQCHK4QHPsQQ3M2nT8j7WDyH9EJvp5euVCjA70wa2Tte5njIxTT9vupfWvoqeXTKNNnbEm2nisR6u5xspbcUkYhow-PGCMB3xMLbK75Y9vzK3i5xC9qwIcmJ230tzE_L9bIrcKGrGeUDhXM4bhMYeBJss5T4G4kX226RmcGBOu0BAlKaHP/s417/BLOOMFIELD%20DRUMMOND%20WOOLLEY%201957.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvuxdcRpQCHK4QHPsQQ3M2nT8j7WDyH9EJvp5euVCjA70wa2Tte5njIxTT9vupfWvoqeXTKNNnbEm2nisR6u5xspbcUkYhow-PGCMB3xMLbK75Y9vzK3i5xC9qwIcmJ230tzE_L9bIrcKGrGeUDhXM4bhMYeBJss5T4G4kX226RmcGBOu0BAlKaHP/s16000/BLOOMFIELD%20DRUMMOND%20WOOLLEY%201957.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUVGncYi8kRkFuXqm29Zz_RpHe12eqAeaPPhXOH6fIrhE0UTt2F6qPXa53MiP2iaYGP4vlKrpqovmZrnQ4nN7KhZOlSAV-q8cWRPlsPM0qXP4id9F2Vjm2N5QKuiSbYnTgytizg2IIh7_DhLU_EaADfCMKTbf-dqVSU_jZJ8J2F06u0KrcNt_d6Oy/s773/Wooley%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUVGncYi8kRkFuXqm29Zz_RpHe12eqAeaPPhXOH6fIrhE0UTt2F6qPXa53MiP2iaYGP4vlKrpqovmZrnQ4nN7KhZOlSAV-q8cWRPlsPM0qXP4id9F2Vjm2N5QKuiSbYnTgytizg2IIh7_DhLU_EaADfCMKTbf-dqVSU_jZJ8J2F06u0KrcNt_d6Oy/s16000/Wooley%20obit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Asbury Park Press, May 31, 1957.</span></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtaHRemRAMddm0DQaVm1RK_FHFKWNFyqvvW7idDfjbCU6NKxyPv6DpcuR3E03xLmbQ4dDV-5_-MgGkP2VzcjaKmB_WMorCFXmjkXkBgO2G77QV92iLwe04CwPqcoTWYNddXt__4aicv5YvddtQgN_ictEe-jw6c_lpk2vRH_BjgfXOsE38jupkF-0/s382/BLOOMFIELD%20HOLMES%20MINCH%20Bridgton%20Pioneer%20Nov%205%201896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="275" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtaHRemRAMddm0DQaVm1RK_FHFKWNFyqvvW7idDfjbCU6NKxyPv6DpcuR3E03xLmbQ4dDV-5_-MgGkP2VzcjaKmB_WMorCFXmjkXkBgO2G77QV92iLwe04CwPqcoTWYNddXt__4aicv5YvddtQgN_ictEe-jw6c_lpk2vRH_BjgfXOsE38jupkF-0/w288-h400/BLOOMFIELD%20HOLMES%20MINCH%20Bridgton%20Pioneer%20Nov%205%201896.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Bridgton Pioneer, November 5, 1895.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> As Bloomfield Drummond Woolley was beginning his first term in the New Jersey assembly in 1898, another Bloomfield had concluded his third term in the legislature a year prior. That man was <b>Bloomfield Holmes Minch</b>. Sporting a fine example of a 19th-century mustache, Bloomfield Minch was one of the most prominent citizens of Bridgton, where he was a fertilizer dealer, banker, and politician. Elected to his first term in the state assembly in 1894, Minch served multiple terms in both houses of the state legislature. The <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Biographical_Genealogical_and_Descriptiv/btUwAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bloomfield+minch&pg=PA580&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">second of three children born to Francis and Elizabeth (Tice) Minch</a>, Bloomfield Holmes Minch was born in Hopewell, New Jersey on October 10, 1864.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Minch's early education was obtained in Hopewell and later attended the South Jersey Institute. He graduated in 1883, and then took courses in business at the Bryant and Stratton College in Philadelphia, finishing in 1884. Settling in Bridgton following his return to New Jersey, Minch partnered<a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Biographical_Genealogical_and_Descriptiv/btUwAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bloomfield+minch&pg=PA580&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank"> with William Garrison in the firm of Minch and Garrison</a>, soon to become prosperous in the sales of fertilizers, farming implements, coal, wood, and "agricultural produce." Additionally, both Garrison and Minch were incorporators in the Cumberland Construction Company, of which Minch served as vice president.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In December 1886 he married Nellie Rabeau, to who he was wed until her </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">death in 1896. The couple <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Scannell_s_New_Jersey_s_First_Citizens_a/cNgDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bloomfield+h.+minch%22+assembly&pg=PA364&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">had three children</a>, Robert Francis (1887-1930), Mary (birthdate unknown), Oleta (born 1891), and Alberta, who died in infancy in 1895. Following his wife's death, he <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Scannell_s_New_Jersey_s_First_Citizens_a/cNgDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bloomfield+h.+minch%22+assembly&pg=PA364&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">married Marion Kenney</a> (1881-1955) in 1906, who survived him. This second union would be childless.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> By the mid-1890s Minch's name had become one of the most prominent in Bridgeton, with he and his partner's business receiving glowing press in the <i>Bridgeton Evening News</i>. Some background on the history of their firm was given, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109390032/bridgeton-evening-news/" target="_blank">with the News noting</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The business in coal and fertilizers grew rapidly and soon they began the manufacture of fertilizers, the first of the kind in South Jersey. This branch of the business has increased now more than a hundred fold and their brands of fertilizers are sold are known all over South Jersey. The coal business increased to such magnitude that it became necessary to erect a monster coal elevator, with automatic machinery for unloading coal barges and for loading their coal delivery wagons."</span></i></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> With their business booming, Garrison and Minch's firm also milled grain and later dealt in seeds, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109390032/bridgeton-evening-news/" target="_blank">while also selling wagons and bicycles</a>. Following his terms in the assembly Minch left this firm in 1898 to concentrate on his personal affairs, with Garrison continuing business alone.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIacN_8rDW_DI50Dr56yuqBM5bHTY2OYxz1LWaRVNmgun4ifVhM0uH83a37k3wSdkL3JOAJiuT7FFUdYLWx1_AcKoXU1nVDGJG97zTM8Los3FmAH2c2v5T5LNv6YhYcdy7FXim1l6yg8IeyQoPaCvYTiWkZznoZpnt2aZODrxmL-qB9zBgTsS3d4Is/s364/Minchy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIacN_8rDW_DI50Dr56yuqBM5bHTY2OYxz1LWaRVNmgun4ifVhM0uH83a37k3wSdkL3JOAJiuT7FFUdYLWx1_AcKoXU1nVDGJG97zTM8Los3FmAH2c2v5T5LNv6YhYcdy7FXim1l6yg8IeyQoPaCvYTiWkZznoZpnt2aZODrxmL-qB9zBgTsS3d4Is/s16000/Minchy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Bridgeton Evening News, January 18, 1898.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Minch's political career began in the late 1880s with his time as an election official and in 1891 he served as Republican chairman for Bridgeton's third ward. His business successes and activity in Republican circles saw his name bolstered for a possible assembly nomination. With his friends in Bridgeton urging his candidacy, Minch consented to run and formally announced his candidacy in July 1894, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109391033/bridgeton-pioneer/" target="_blank">with the Bridgeton Pioneer reporting</a>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Mr. Minch is one of the bravest of the young businessmen of this city and has made a success of his magnificent enterprises, which have added greatly to the value and importance of the city. Ever since Mr. Minch has been a voter he has been closely identified with Republican politics and has been an able and valuable worker for the cause of his party."</i></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In November 1894 Minch coasted to an easy victory, polling "<i>a remarkable majority of 2,554</i>." He was renominated for his second and third terms in 1895 and 1896, respectively, and after winning re-election <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Trenton_New_Jersey/J-BEAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bloomfield+minch+%22assembly%22&pg=RA1-PA51&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">served on the following committees</a>: Banks and Insurance, Commerce and Navigation, Printing, the State Prison, and Stationary. He would also chair the committees on State Hospitals and Municipal Corporations. He was not a candidate for renomination in November 1897.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3arcQYOpdzBYBC7W-_yUzOlHVuZHbR8kjjNOQsTNnUGVLwLmUuK2KguwIeQChDk31Dl36Kzh-9dDIZbv8abLY4Ant1M2s4dEQq4qCMjkLPlUgPoPF9fuWhjWCsQljQinYXS9aR03z6bTIzZn5sIXABZ1QWn8ikLS38cchjUCOjhMlQTbQrvAttKdk/s348/Bloomfield%20Minch%201895.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3arcQYOpdzBYBC7W-_yUzOlHVuZHbR8kjjNOQsTNnUGVLwLmUuK2KguwIeQChDk31Dl36Kzh-9dDIZbv8abLY4Ant1M2s4dEQq4qCMjkLPlUgPoPF9fuWhjWCsQljQinYXS9aR03z6bTIzZn5sIXABZ1QWn8ikLS38cchjUCOjhMlQTbQrvAttKdk/s16000/Bloomfield%20Minch%201895.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>From the History of Trenton, New Jersey, 1895.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Bloomfield Minch was called once again to public life in 1901 when he received the nomination for state senator from Cumberland County. The nod was widely lauded in newspapers of the period, with the Bridgeton Pioneer noting Minch's popularity was so that <i>"not a ward or township sent a delegate in opposition to him</i>" at the county Republican convention. Elected that November, Minch's first senate term began in January 1901, and he was soon named to the committees on Agriculture, Commerce and Navigation, and Game and Fisheries. All told Minch served consecutive senate terms until 1910 and later served as chair of the committee on Corporations. He was President of the Senate in the session of 1907, and his long senate tenure was noted <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Scannell_s_New_Jersey_s_First_Citizens_a/cNgDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bloomfield+h.+minch%22+assembly&pg=PA364&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">for his devotion to conservation and natural resources</a>, with Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens noting:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Minch was the pioneer in championing and presenting legislation in 1902 which laid the foundation for the legislation that followed, creating the various conservation boards that have since taken up the work of conserving the timber lands and water sheds of the state. He was also author of the legislation which provided the fire lines for the protection of timber lands along all railroad tracks, which has had the effect of preventing the vast waste that had previously been created by the fires caused by locomotive sparks."</i></span></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBk5zevz_IQbfRhBiqx_ysOAwDqMsI9YWd4o68hMH7xB07ceMRa-a3AkHgq0BOV_eeOfRiq7KFhW7N8PPUXK4b4KbCBoHJB5aDBiJGSflpud9F9w3NzfIqx4YcDPICECvd0ItBuaN7ZM-4nXWd2WfmlLkuW8it7zgrObsd2AnaEGysH_qIsscnDUs/s435/BLOOMFIELD%20HOLMES%20MINCH%20Bridgton%20Pioneer%20Nov%207%201901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBk5zevz_IQbfRhBiqx_ysOAwDqMsI9YWd4o68hMH7xB07ceMRa-a3AkHgq0BOV_eeOfRiq7KFhW7N8PPUXK4b4KbCBoHJB5aDBiJGSflpud9F9w3NzfIqx4YcDPICECvd0ItBuaN7ZM-4nXWd2WfmlLkuW8it7zgrObsd2AnaEGysH_qIsscnDUs/w264-h400/BLOOMFIELD%20HOLMES%20MINCH%20Bridgton%20Pioneer%20Nov%207%201901.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the Bridgeton Pioneer, November 7, 1901.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Early in his senate service Minch pulled political double duty in 1904 with his service as a delegate to the Republican National Convention that year, and in 1916 served as an alternate delegate. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1910 <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Scannell_s_New_Jersey_s_First_Citizens_a/cNgDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bloomfield+h.+minch%22+assembly&pg=PA364&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">due to his appointment</a> to the state board of equalization and taxes that year, his service extending until 1916. During the First World War Minch, despite being too old to serve, joined in the ongoing war effort by <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46070477/obituary-for-senator-bloomfield-h-minch/" target="_blank">serving as a fuel administrator</a> for the counties of Salem and Cumberland. The latter portion of Minch's life saw him holding prominent posts in a variety of New Jersey businesses, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Scannell_s_New_Jersey_s_First_Citizens_a/cNgDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bloomfield+h.+minch%22+assembly&pg=PA364&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">including the following</a>: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">President of the Bridgeton Glass and Light Company.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">President of the Parker Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">President of the North Bridgeton Land Company.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">President of the Cumberland Building and Loan Association.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vice-President of the Bridgeton National Bank.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Additionally, Minch was active in several fraternal organizations, holding memberships in the Union League Club of Philadelphia, the Elks Lodge, the Cohansey County Club of Bridgeton, the International Order of Odd Fellows Cohansey Lodge, the Brearley Lodge of Masons, the Seaview Golf Club, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Both Minch and his wife were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeton. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After decades of prominence in New Jersey, Bloomfield Holmes Minch died unexpectedly at the dinner table of his home in Bridgeton on June 25, 1929, aged 64. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at t<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156934954/bloomfield-holmes-minch" target="_blank">he Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church Cemetery</a> in Bridgeton.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWk3PgvUi9mKV7Sj9FLMDvvQawJPD3YiSHG_fCiGLJ5JCbaVyt8eCRg4CxY_5bhdkqsJIfhHSIE1adJLgOAhTll4gASSzaiK5Q6EtOGxPSlGWQJRyZlYnaVNFw8SFGpMfbhOCxB1I8sS_ac87Mq6qNx5yNxufHdESEZgOTM0S9hkB0bgyjd6ZuBFD/s364/BLOOMFIELD%20MINCH%201917.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWk3PgvUi9mKV7Sj9FLMDvvQawJPD3YiSHG_fCiGLJ5JCbaVyt8eCRg4CxY_5bhdkqsJIfhHSIE1adJLgOAhTll4gASSzaiK5Q6EtOGxPSlGWQJRyZlYnaVNFw8SFGpMfbhOCxB1I8sS_ac87Mq6qNx5yNxufHdESEZgOTM0S9hkB0bgyjd6ZuBFD/s16000/BLOOMFIELD%20MINCH%201917.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens, 1917.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwCZpcFWkUrQz57jWIsF3xxO3cr8XASJtYi966t00p9yD8yd9gc5UjU8tpDGE-DqUN-kHo2kaA8rFylYf8NTM_HdPN5hwOkPRFQgoWLkzHIgyZ6sOxGW2vfOFHreGlnpc2CvVt4JcLSDa6bLwk-4AsFlCraPeH_WJolzM5pMUWSg7fnn-UUNt9wbr/s552/Minch%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwCZpcFWkUrQz57jWIsF3xxO3cr8XASJtYi966t00p9yD8yd9gc5UjU8tpDGE-DqUN-kHo2kaA8rFylYf8NTM_HdPN5hwOkPRFQgoWLkzHIgyZ6sOxGW2vfOFHreGlnpc2CvVt4JcLSDa6bLwk-4AsFlCraPeH_WJolzM5pMUWSg7fnn-UUNt9wbr/s16000/Minch%20obit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Camden Morning Post, June 26, 1929.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKDTavWYUDaXYk2Cs3U0FIkA49C1gjBehbnivd3foVfMuxFvehFKZzwri1-EtBY0g2iOyzqe1a7EOrWLVZGThfs06MfqJTKDQORtX5XS570AZOsxpeG_uhA2841o8oiC2UG7a0bgVapk6c9GrOTfuV5nP_tyjyzpZM_lGT0oIf-pKzN9YmnaE8KVq/s560/BLOOMFIELD%20J.%20BEACH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKDTavWYUDaXYk2Cs3U0FIkA49C1gjBehbnivd3foVfMuxFvehFKZzwri1-EtBY0g2iOyzqe1a7EOrWLVZGThfs06MfqJTKDQORtX5XS570AZOsxpeG_uhA2841o8oiC2UG7a0bgVapk6c9GrOTfuV5nP_tyjyzpZM_lGT0oIf-pKzN9YmnaE8KVq/s16000/BLOOMFIELD%20J.%20BEACH.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">From the History of Oneida County, New York, 1912.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A leading lawyer in Oneida County, New York, <b>Bloomfield Jervis Beach</b> also served one term in the state assembly from that county. Born on June 27, 1820, in Taberg, New York, Beach attended schools local to Rome, New York, and attended Hamilton College in the mid-1830s. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofoneidac11cook/page/n339/mode/2up?q=bloomfield&view=theater" target="_blank">He later enrolled at Princeton</a>, and following graduation worked on the Erie Canal as a civil engineer. Beach decided to pursue a career in law by the early 1840s and undertook study with Calvin B. Gay of Rome, and after his admittance to the bar in 1843 joined him in his law practice.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After three years with Calvin Gay Beach left that firm and joined the firm of Stryker, Comstock, and Beach. In 1847 he was elected to the New York State Assembly, and during the 1848 term <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=chi.74650370&view=1up&seq=72&skin=2021&q1=beach" target="_blank">was a member of the committees on Grievances and the Judiciary</a>. Beach also served Rome as its village president from 1853-54, and in 1863 Following his term, he formed the law firm of Beach and Bailey, which continued into 1874 and gained further distinction in a variety of civic endeavors in Rome. A trustee of the Rome Savings Bank and the Water Works Company, Beach served as president of the Central New York Institute For Deaf Mutes and was director of the Fort Stanwix National Bank, the First National Bank of Rome, and the Rome and Clinton Railroad.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Bloomfield J. Beach died at his home in Rome on March 22, 1894, aged 73. He was survived by his wife Caroline and <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13473360/bloomfield-jervis-beach" target="_blank">was interred at the Rome Cemetery in Oneida County</a>.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-4332538656482311582022-10-25T11:39:00.000-07:002022-10-25T11:39:25.265-07:00Desoto Shelton Hollowell (1870-1951)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU5mzhWCuEJQCr--lq_2Y8j6XJImK6u290d4Dk06eqzkeWVIkFkGCsFjPCo2dbrtYLcT67_EibS1OKMIyoabGecP_Q2yzVOerDef-xCovhZLPTgxahbmJbgx-wFJf3PteyHGWrpmQbEQdkBccxsJyiHsBT32iC7HP11sg_OrwB_5fETO0L6pDuLuB/s394/DESOTO%20SHELTON%20HOLLOWELL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU5mzhWCuEJQCr--lq_2Y8j6XJImK6u290d4Dk06eqzkeWVIkFkGCsFjPCo2dbrtYLcT67_EibS1OKMIyoabGecP_Q2yzVOerDef-xCovhZLPTgxahbmJbgx-wFJf3PteyHGWrpmQbEQdkBccxsJyiHsBT32iC7HP11sg_OrwB_5fETO0L6pDuLuB/s16000/DESOTO%20SHELTON%20HOLLOWELL.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Portrait courtesy of the Texas Legislative Reference Library. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> One of a number of oddly named Texas state representatives to be profiled here on the site, Desoto Shelton Hollowell briefly represented Milam County in the state legislature, and prior to his election was affiliated with a Farm Labor Union in his region. Born in Mississippi on January 14, 1870 (or 1871, depending on the source), Desoto "D.S." Hollowell <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CK-Q3F" target="_blank">was the son of Henry Harrison and Sarah (Foust) Hollowell.</a> Removing to Texas during his youth, Hollowell <a href="https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth694470/m1/8/zoom/?q=hollowell&resolution=3&lat=1560.635135135135&lon=1877.4999999999998" target="_blank">resided in Davilla</a> and later settled in Salty in Milam County. Hollowell married there in 1894 to Alice Safronia Williams (1878-1955), who survived him upon his death. The couple <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76365773/desoto-shelton-hollowell" target="_blank">had three daughters</a>, Annie (1898-1957), Ruth (1902-1979), and Myrtle (1906-1979).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After a period in Salty Hollowell and his family relocated to Rockdale, where "D.S." spent the remainder of his life. A longtime farmer in that region, Hollowell was active in forming the Farmer-Labor Union of Milam County in the 1920s. He <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109662427/the-cameron-herald/" target="_blank">was elected as the union's secretary in 1922</a>, and was influential in the "<i>building and operating of the Farmer's Union Warehouse</i>."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Elected from Rockdale to the Texas house of representatives in November 1924, Hollowell took his seat in January 1925 and <a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/memberdisplay.cfm?memberID=2314" target="_blank">was named to the committees on</a> Agriculture, Examination of the Comptroller's and Treasurer's Accounts, Labor, and Livestock and Stock Raising. Hollowell served less than a year, having resigned in December 1925, and was later succeeded by Sam Hefley, in a special election to fill the vacancy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hollowell continued to farm in Milam County until health concerns compelled him to retire. He died at his home in Rockdale on March 2, 1951, aged 81, and was survived by his wife and daughters. Hollowell was interred at the Salty Cemetery in Milam County.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0V6WoKpyg8J3pjuk2wNW3sacshC7Z90LqGF3Wamh2TWQKp2c2Y7uDECGrKj3nIUKq76NLxTcnIKd_xrGbXNt3WaM3blnntcICtqrzSIie8xfIbrEMwttHcDvAEaxQ_DNhogVbqNJJSyMerpZweGBSBagxly1Zzjg4pJ4Vew2dG4ATQIMmpYYkv7r/s635/Hollowell%20obit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0V6WoKpyg8J3pjuk2wNW3sacshC7Z90LqGF3Wamh2TWQKp2c2Y7uDECGrKj3nIUKq76NLxTcnIKd_xrGbXNt3WaM3blnntcICtqrzSIie8xfIbrEMwttHcDvAEaxQ_DNhogVbqNJJSyMerpZweGBSBagxly1Zzjg4pJ4Vew2dG4ATQIMmpYYkv7r/s16000/Hollowell%20obit.png" /></a></div><p></p>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-29095492552157995482022-10-22T14:39:00.001-07:002023-11-25T08:33:53.830-08:00Javan Fox Clark (1852-1938)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNcb3xq8whi4CFF8sGkIXSnhZWv8rQYsinTOKCuQyKHFhcQUBQkSAld4LbA-XK50dGXHobf3ub54KPTjM0wKeOVhcblIEmdZhqMMAX6nPPemwa3Bv1HgeqvJkkwNoD258WxH8ahtYqPYhX5fe4WHrGAKoo_ykQ_G-zhNKYctmOYNezkwyYf6Rd1AC/s541/JAVAN%20FOX%20CLARK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNcb3xq8whi4CFF8sGkIXSnhZWv8rQYsinTOKCuQyKHFhcQUBQkSAld4LbA-XK50dGXHobf3ub54KPTjM0wKeOVhcblIEmdZhqMMAX6nPPemwa3Bv1HgeqvJkkwNoD258WxH8ahtYqPYhX5fe4WHrGAKoo_ykQ_G-zhNKYctmOYNezkwyYf6Rd1AC/s16000/JAVAN%20FOX%20CLARK.jpg" /></span></i></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i> Portrait courtesy of the Lucy Bensley Center/Concord Historical Society.</i></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Possessing a unique first name, Javan Fox Clark was for many years at the forefront of political and business doings in his native village of Springville in Erie County, New York. A local sawmill operator, Clark was a church deacon and board of trustees member and entered politics with his service as superintendent of highways and village assessor. He earns placement here on the site for his time as village president of Springville, which he held for one term. Credit goes out to the Lucy Bensley Center and the Concord Historical Society for their aid in yielding further information on Clark, as well as the photos of both he and his wife shown in this write-up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A native of Ashford, Erie County, New York, Javan Fox Clark was born on August 31, 1852, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108560813/springville-journal/" target="_blank">the second of eight children of Frederick (1826-1906) and Corinna (Fox) Clark (1830-1913)</a>. He removed to Springville with his family at age 17, and in the early 1870s <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108671107/springville-journal/" target="_blank">enrolled at the Griffith Institute </a>in that village, where he excelled in arithmetic. Following graduation, he </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108670256/springville-journal/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">married on June 3, 1874, to Ann Elizabeth "Libbie" Churchill (1853-1925)</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, and the couple's fifty-one-year union produced two daughters, Jessie (1877-1893) and Jennie Mabel (Clark) Glass (1879-1954). In that same year, Clark was named an overseer of highways for the town of Concord; his first public office.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the late 1870s Clark operated a sawmill at Morton's Corners, and in 1882 <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108671391/springville-journal/" target="_blank">sold his property to Nicholas Bolender</a>. Prior to its sale, Clark</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> suffered a health scare in 1881 </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108670822/springville-journal/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">when he underwent surgery to remove </a><span style="font-family: georgia;">a cancerous growth from his nose. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">After the sale of his mill, Clark assisted his father Frederick on the latter's farm, and in the mid-1880s is noted as dealing in "</span><i style="font-family: georgia;">runners for log boats</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">" on Main Street in Springville. In 1901 he was a candidate for highway commissioner for Concord and won the election that November. He served in that capacity until at least 1903 when he garnered </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108672093/springville-journal/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">the Republican nomination for village assessor</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Described as a man "</span><i style="font-family: georgia;">well qualified to estimate the value of property</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">", Clark was one of three assessors elected that November, and in the year following Clark and his wife </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108672485/springville-journal/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">were gifted a new couch</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> on the occasion of their thirtieth wedding anniversary. A gift from friends, the couch was followed by an ice cream and cake social.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Javan Fox Clark was reelected as village assessor in November 1905 and continued in that post into 1909. In that year he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108691344/springville-journal/" target="_blank">was elected as superintendent of highways</a>, where he served until 1911. In March 1915 he was elected as village president of Springville, and soon afterward saw a proposition voted on that saw $2000 appropriated for the "<i>purpose of purchasing and installing a new pump in the pump station of the village waterworks</i>."</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwg54r8f9EXuM5ixb2wb9KnPJbr4r85C5DSgDlOtTFFJRGagpmZdWLLFReg8fXhDEV8pFKW20YEtVHbSYfJr03eVCK7t_ySCZNX5S7i9opRQZz0zDR7vmS8GkTgc5bAQ5gUE-rYL2UbaYMaiMtBR1S-Kr6TBCvoffJ4HLvmJxGBwv83sPWnBnQRqw/s311/Javan%20Clark%20president.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="297" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwg54r8f9EXuM5ixb2wb9KnPJbr4r85C5DSgDlOtTFFJRGagpmZdWLLFReg8fXhDEV8pFKW20YEtVHbSYfJr03eVCK7t_ySCZNX5S7i9opRQZz0zDR7vmS8GkTgc5bAQ5gUE-rYL2UbaYMaiMtBR1S-Kr6TBCvoffJ4HLvmJxGBwv83sPWnBnQRqw/s1600/Javan%20Clark%20president.png" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Buffalo Evening News, March 17, 1915.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxzpgqUw3864TfYOq04pI8YACHR1A3hNsIm9TlDJl3-GVyEq6xOiGoLPaXPMVYQvDuC2mG50E4rc0XXDAcJpGIjCn0QFMkWZr_31V5NS0V8DOcEQPmXxX0uv52rAZbKTcvrBvI4TKoKVUf_Q8RJ8wUvRSYAaowr0ylUet1pJhrjgFnVU1Kuv9Yli3/s411/301348646_1431907260615161_6929143558504271582_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxzpgqUw3864TfYOq04pI8YACHR1A3hNsIm9TlDJl3-GVyEq6xOiGoLPaXPMVYQvDuC2mG50E4rc0XXDAcJpGIjCn0QFMkWZr_31V5NS0V8DOcEQPmXxX0uv52rAZbKTcvrBvI4TKoKVUf_Q8RJ8wUvRSYAaowr0ylUet1pJhrjgFnVU1Kuv9Yli3/s320/301348646_1431907260615161_6929143558504271582_n%20(1).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Libbie Clark (1853-1925), wife of Javan F. Clark. Courtesy of the Lucy Bensley Center.</i></span></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his term, Javan Clark is mentioned as an employee at the sawmill of L.J. Shuttleworth, and in 1917 watched as his employer's building <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108693500/springville-journal/" target="_blank">was destroyed by fire</a>. Also destroyed was the company's planing mill "<i>and all the tools and machinery</i>." No lives were lost in the fire, and through the actions of the Borden Fire Company, adjacent buildings and lumber were saved.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In June 1924 Clark and his wife Libbie <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108693818/springville-journal/" target="_blank">celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary</a>, a gathering that was attended by over sixty relatives and friends. The couple was gifted $100 in gold and were serenaded by piano and vocal accompaniment. Libbie Clark <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108670256/springville-journal/" target="_blank">died one year later on August 27, 1924</a>, and Javan never remarried following her death. The latter portion of Clark's life was spent devoted to working with the local Free Baptist Church, serving as chairman of its board of trustees. He was a church deacon for over thirty years and had first joined that church during his youth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Javan Fox Clark died in Springville on June 18, 1938, at age 86. He was survived by his daughter Jennie and was interred alongside his wife and daughter Jessie <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204522276/javan-fox-clark" target="_blank">at the Maplewood Cemetery in Springville</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2zn8sxT7W12jHnkbE4f8CB7Mz-77fx-Qjs9J0sINzBkFuegRzAvb2NiYzUn4LkH9WxlR7MZzBXM8vN-25kWKGTPe0BW1Utdj37eVEFinOQUz2jovf2bzgGp1C19aE_iIR75lJrV5EsEOAk_doO50wfWItCXxscx-3tVxzVoNSPQFz4EFt5zM6AoG/s378/Javan%20Fox%20Clark%20obit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="378" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2zn8sxT7W12jHnkbE4f8CB7Mz-77fx-Qjs9J0sINzBkFuegRzAvb2NiYzUn4LkH9WxlR7MZzBXM8vN-25kWKGTPe0BW1Utdj37eVEFinOQUz2jovf2bzgGp1C19aE_iIR75lJrV5EsEOAk_doO50wfWItCXxscx-3tVxzVoNSPQFz4EFt5zM6AoG/w400-h396/Javan%20Fox%20Clark%20obit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Springville Journal, June 30, 1938.</span></i></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-3316895943694009622022-10-20T14:35:00.005-07:002022-10-20T14:40:56.240-07:00Ladurna Ballard (1836-1908)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxnuj9J-YHMME64VvsfSxYLZuTw8VT_PlLmSa0lQiPZL69mgWKlDRy39n9RUhgLysatim-BOJytkndWDFA8BgBJwcNoGMky8A341jKhEin3NgNxy3Ujiti2Pg29TyM-f5OaqSlGnC7vuU-qHacFRscVZ2v0CVvx15CxjSeKUYalx7u8y3EDpZ38us/s437/LADURNA%20BALLARD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxnuj9J-YHMME64VvsfSxYLZuTw8VT_PlLmSa0lQiPZL69mgWKlDRy39n9RUhgLysatim-BOJytkndWDFA8BgBJwcNoGMky8A341jKhEin3NgNxy3Ujiti2Pg29TyM-f5OaqSlGnC7vuU-qHacFRscVZ2v0CVvx15CxjSeKUYalx7u8y3EDpZ38us/s16000/LADURNA%20BALLARD.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Ladurna Ballard during his assembly term, 1882.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Another in a long line of oddly named men who peopled the halls of the New York state assembly in the 19th century, Ladurna Ballard represented the town of Lebanon in that body for one term. A lifelong resident of Madison County, New York, Ballard was born in Lebanon on March 16, 1836, <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%252000333.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D5c8be8e4%26DocId%3D1027218%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3Dc96%2Bc97%2Bcb1%2Bcb2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%252000333.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D5c8be8e4%26DocId%3D1027218%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3Dc96%2Bc97%2Bcb1%2Bcb2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false" target="_blank">the son of Aylmer and Lydia (Utter) Ballard</a>. Bestowed the curious name Ladurna upon his birth, Ballard was a farmer in Lebanon for the majority of his life and <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%252000333.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D5c8be8e4%26DocId%3D1027218%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3Dc96%2Bc97%2Bcb1%2Bcb2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%252000333.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D5c8be8e4%26DocId%3D1027218%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3Dc96%2Bc97%2Bcb1%2Bcb2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false" target="_blank">married in September 1882</a> to Fallie C. Hitchcock (1846-1916). The couple would be childless.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A local political office holder in Lebanon, Ballard served that town as its supervisor on several occasions, was a justice of the peace, and served on the town board. In 1881 he was elected as a representative from Madison County to the state assembly, and during the 1882 session was a member of the<a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Journal_of_the_Assembly_of_the_State_of/_iMwAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22standing%20committees%22" target="_blank"> committees on Agriculture and Roads and Bridges</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his term, Ballard continued to reside on his farm until <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%252000333.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D5c8be8e4%26DocId%3D1027218%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3Dc96%2Bc97%2Bcb1%2Bcb2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%2FEarlville%2520NY%2520Standard%25201907-1908%252000333.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D5c8be8e4%26DocId%3D1027218%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3Dc96%2Bc97%2Bcb1%2Bcb2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false" target="_blank">removing to another home in Lebanon</a>, where he died on July 9, 1908, aged 72. He was survived by his wife Fallie, who, following her death in 1916, was interred alongside her husband at the Lebanon Village Cemetery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7qd7UQqDgWIT1EZAag97b05vEoOdiogmVsJy_oURlbnE66x4tzFKAQ6S0Xt1-XeMCYqilVsVibEV7mll2wz8XSPjuZR2-g5egTPsPNKmGNBPUXszt6kCQp7SS_gPWKGB28MidYe3byVv5wHIh72Qm-3naisMVIVeWNydElvey_LG-SKfueMyq05V/s592/Ladunr%20Ballard%20obit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7qd7UQqDgWIT1EZAag97b05vEoOdiogmVsJy_oURlbnE66x4tzFKAQ6S0Xt1-XeMCYqilVsVibEV7mll2wz8XSPjuZR2-g5egTPsPNKmGNBPUXszt6kCQp7SS_gPWKGB28MidYe3byVv5wHIh72Qm-3naisMVIVeWNydElvey_LG-SKfueMyq05V/s16000/Ladunr%20Ballard%20obit.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Earlville Standard, July 1908.</span></i></div></div><p></p>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-68539365086050546972022-10-15T12:07:00.003-07:002022-10-15T20:20:05.926-07:00Severyn Bruyn Sharpe (1857-1929)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxWoUcPSbgTHurbfn2FiYNUpU-iv7JgBST4JBNzxMJI-ud5YHzyq_Dt_P7RtToBn4iRPWWlq5omz4aBQiDb4fJgR-iv1I69ZfGPwbw3kcsvnZOVRhh3NuyDo-llVMoP81slJpEnvADzcjFZorSbeT0zJ4d6Bvci3xAvJ3afFzs3Xdv_8tfc6P8bBe/s533/SEVERYN%20BRUYN%20SHARPE%201915.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxWoUcPSbgTHurbfn2FiYNUpU-iv7JgBST4JBNzxMJI-ud5YHzyq_Dt_P7RtToBn4iRPWWlq5omz4aBQiDb4fJgR-iv1I69ZfGPwbw3kcsvnZOVRhh3NuyDo-llVMoP81slJpEnvADzcjFZorSbeT0zJ4d6Bvci3xAvJ3afFzs3Xdv_8tfc6P8bBe/s16000/SEVERYN%20BRUYN%20SHARPE%201915.png" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>From the 1915 Manual of the New York Constitutional Convention.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A leading lawmaker in Ulster County, New York in the late 19th and early 20th century, Severyn Bruyn Sharp served briefly as Ulster County judge and in 1914 was elected as a delegate to the New York state constitutional convention. The<a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_History_of_the_Class_of_79/eiQEAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22severyn+bruyn+sharpe%22&pg=PA372&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank"> son of George Henry and Caroline (Hasbrouck) Sharp</a>, Severyn Bruyn Sharp was born on New Year's Day 1857 in Kingston. A distinguished figure in his own right, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_History_of_the_Class_of_79/eiQEAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22severyn+bruyn+sharpe%22&pg=PA372&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">George Henry Sharp (1828-1900)</a> was a Civil War Brigadier General, a former state assemblyman and Speaker of the House from Ulster County, a U.S. Marshal, Surveyor of Customs of the Port of New York from 1873-78, and from 1884-85 was a U.S. Commissioner to the South American Republic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Being the son of a prominent New York family, Sharpe had the benefit of an excellent education, studying at the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He would enroll at Yale University in the late 1870s, and graduated in 1879. Deciding to pursue a law degree, Sharpe enrolled at the Columbia University Law School and was admitted to practice in 1881. He soon returned to Kingston to join his father's law practice, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_History_of_the_Class_of_79/eiQEAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22severyn+bruyn+sharpe%22&pg=PA372&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">and in 1883 joined the New York City law firm of Alexander and Green</a>. He practiced there several years and later removed back to his hometown of Kingston, where he established his law practice. In addition to private practice, Sharpe served as the attorney for the Ulster County Savings Institution for an indeterminate period.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Sharpe married in February 1897 to fellow Kingston native Frances Payntar (1868-1949), to who he was wed until his death. The couple <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_History_of_the_Class_of_79/eiQEAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22severyn+bruyn+sharpe%22&pg=PA372&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">had one daughter, Katherine</a> (born 1901). A former chairman of the Ulster County Republican Committee for three years, Sharpe was selected by Governor Frank S. Black <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FAlbany%2520NY%2520Argus%2FAlbany%2520NY%2520Argus%25201898%2FAlbany%2520NY%2520Argus%25201898%252000040_1.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dfffffffff3226502%26DocId%3D6587927%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D2%26hits%3Df24%2Bf26%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FAlbany%2520NY%2520Argus%2FAlbany%2520NY%2520Argus%25201898%2FAlbany%2520NY%2520Argus%25201898%252000040_1.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dfffffffff3226502%26DocId%3D6587927%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520O%26HitCount%3D2%26hits%3Df24%2Bf26%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false" target="_blank">to succeed Alphonso T. Clearwater as Ulster County judge</a> in January 1898. This appointment, occasioned by Clearwater's appointment to the state supreme court, saw Sharpe serve briefly on the bench, and in November 1898 was defeated for reelection by John G. Van Etten,<a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_History_of_Ulster_County_New_York_VO/cXqFClC7ehkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22john+g.+van+etten%22+judge&pg=PA698&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank"> the latter's six-year term beginning in January 1899</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Returning to his law practice in Kingston, Sharpe resided there until 1904, when he removed his practice back to New York City, where he specialized in "the legal interests of banking and railroad corporations." In 1914 he was elected from the 27th senatorial district as a delegate to the 1915 state constitutional convention, and during the proceedings <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Journal_of_the_Constitutional_Convention/1PAJAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=sharpe" target="_blank">sat on the committees on Contingent Expenses and Counties, Towns, and Villages</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrJjBFJqLAQmDZ6hmbpOMs_v49f1odbJGNr6PRP1nkKGDv9aq_GX8DDUduwWympFRZaBfU-q1Vxc3ncrFG1U70ywPQVvv4JBujhjWaSx5GFUKpWKO4HpwaNdG-aI562bqLg0DzobTRSIEqJ923mFRRu9yXduPhQZ1fr3tKrkesg2PC4u_-pET0TGP/s406/SEVERYN%20BRUYN%20SHARPE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrJjBFJqLAQmDZ6hmbpOMs_v49f1odbJGNr6PRP1nkKGDv9aq_GX8DDUduwWympFRZaBfU-q1Vxc3ncrFG1U70ywPQVvv4JBujhjWaSx5GFUKpWKO4HpwaNdG-aI562bqLg0DzobTRSIEqJ923mFRRu9yXduPhQZ1fr3tKrkesg2PC4u_-pET0TGP/s16000/SEVERYN%20BRUYN%20SHARPE.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the History of the Class of '79, 1906.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his convention service, Sharpe continued with his law practice in New York City, where he died on November 24, 1929, aged 72. He was survived by his wife Frances and was returned to Ulster County for burial <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55865353/severyn-bruyn-sharpe" target="_blank">at the Wiltwyck Cemetery in Kingston</a>.</span></div></div><p></p>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-78299899295500737712022-10-12T14:11:00.000-07:002023-11-25T08:39:36.873-08:00Syver Ellefson Brimi (1856-1936)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lV0tKTRG02X5TaLUex24_xEQi__s41k1kY0FdrDGJsQSJueYpkh4rSjswHg-sv9e6dZqQmObiLglC__dQq5NnA-3yf61zyfj8_6deoSHkyc4cNEThlWxVjgIThGTCdD_ff4omo8xhx4JbOoXeehmhu2lH5KqHEU5Z4B8S4Ht0vGsOY_kmSIFMbiA/s396/SYVER%20ELLEFSON%20BRIMI%20Weekly%20Wisconsin%20Oct%2011%201890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lV0tKTRG02X5TaLUex24_xEQi__s41k1kY0FdrDGJsQSJueYpkh4rSjswHg-sv9e6dZqQmObiLglC__dQq5NnA-3yf61zyfj8_6deoSHkyc4cNEThlWxVjgIThGTCdD_ff4omo8xhx4JbOoXeehmhu2lH5KqHEU5Z4B8S4Ht0vGsOY_kmSIFMbiA/s16000/SYVER%20ELLEFSON%20BRIMI%20Weekly%20Wisconsin%20Oct%2011%201890.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Weekly Wisconsin, October 11, 1890.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Joining a short list of Norwegian-born political figures featured here, Syver Ellefson Brimi etched his name into Wisconsin history books in 1887 when he introduced legislation that would protect birds in his state, the first bill of its kind to be presented in the Wisconsin legislature. In addition to his one term in the house of representatives Brimi was an unsuccessful candidate for state railroad commissioner and in 1888 served as a Republican presidential elector. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">Born in Lom, Norway on December 27, 1853</a>, Syver Ellefson Brimi is recorded as having "<i>an excellent education in his native land</i>" prior to immigrating to the United States in 1869.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Now in the Land of Opportunity alone, Brimi is mentioned as residing in Illinois for fourteen months, his places of residence given as both <a href="http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wi/county/clark/5data/103/128.htm" target="_blank">Chicago</a> and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">Naperville</a>. Around 187o he removed to Eau Clair, Wisconsin, and after resettling there furthered his education under the tutelage of Prof. Thomas F. Frawley. After becoming proficient in English, Brimi took work in the <a href="http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wi/county/clark/5data/103/128.htm" target="_blank">Northwestern Lumber Company</a>, where he was a bookkeeper, and married in Eau Claire in September 1875 to Lena Larson, to who he was wed until her death in 1896. The couple <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141768514/syver-elefsen-brimi" target="_blank">had nine children</a>: Carl Linne, Louie (1877-1883), Freddie, Marie, Anna (died in infancy in 1886), Anna (died in infancy in 1888), Ella, Louis, and Freda.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After several years with the Northwestern Lumber Co. Brimi formed a partnership with Christian Larson, <a href="http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wi/county/clark/5data/103/128.htm" target="_blank">dealing in men's clothing, hats, caps, boots, and shoes</a>. Their firm continued until at least 1881, and by 1884 was employed as a clothier in Eau Clair. In that profession Brimi achieved prominence and in November of that year <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109444672/leader-telegram/" target="_blank">received</a> "<i>the largest stock of seal skin caps ever brought to the city</i>." Later, Brimi would be a partner in the firms of Brimi and Demorest, Brimi and Shervey, the Edsvold Clark and Co, and Jacob Bye and Co. Brimi also entered into publishing in the 1880s, being <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">president of the Arbeideren Publishing Co.</a>, which published a newspaper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Brimi began his political career at the local level, being elected to the Eau Claire North Side school board, and in 1882-83 served on the city council. In 1886 he received the Republican nomination for the Wisconsin state assembly, and in November defeated Democrat George Daniels <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">by a vote of 2,263 to 1,784</a>. Taking his seat in January 1887, Brimi was <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">named to the committees</a> on Banks and Banking, Insurance, Lumber and Manufactures, and Lumber and Mining.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Early in his term Brimi achieved lasting distinction when he introduced a piece of legislation that would protect birds in Wisconsin. The <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">first bill of its kind to be introduced in the assembly</a>, Brimi's bill would fine persons between $5 and $100 if they shot, trapped, or netted various state birds for "<i>millinery purposes</i>." Further particulars of his term saw Brimi introduce articles of incorporation for the city of Altoona, Wisconsin, and towards the end of his term was <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109426528/syver-ellefson-brimi/" target="_blank">voted a Republican presidential elector in 1888</a>, casting his ballot for the Harrison and Morton ticket.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his assembly term, Brimi was a partner in <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109624268/leader-telegram/" target="_blank">the firm of Brimi and Demorest</a>, "<i>the Leading Clothier</i>" in Eau Claire. In 1890 he was urged again to seek political office, and that summer<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109624497/portage-daily-democrat/" target="_blank"> was boomed for secretary of state in columns featured</a> in the Eau Claire Press and the Portage Daily Democrat. By the end of July, Brimi's name was no longer considered for that post but was instead bolstered for state railroad commissioner. In August 1890 he was officially nominated at the state republican convention, being acknowledged as:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"A skillful and practical correspondent, a thoroughly self made man of affairs, well skilled in all that goes to make up a useful and valuable citizen."</i></span></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1rQX5RXfYIjGdnf39NiqiAMfAt6TT7BdqsavZxflDMtxbU8YGxwpI2HpShjq7OuanWlMcHT4LqeeytjjATnf0T16V-l6v3utcbOTXgBp_18JGu2kjplAdnFqzGKlR-fSf2ftsSP1to-5EYR84om5yZx3MjR6Wn-35Ah0856pkQitDjTM0nXF-62F/s926/Syver%20Brimi%20notice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="546" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1rQX5RXfYIjGdnf39NiqiAMfAt6TT7BdqsavZxflDMtxbU8YGxwpI2HpShjq7OuanWlMcHT4LqeeytjjATnf0T16V-l6v3utcbOTXgBp_18JGu2kjplAdnFqzGKlR-fSf2ftsSP1to-5EYR84om5yZx3MjR6Wn-35Ah0856pkQitDjTM0nXF-62F/w236-h400/Syver%20Brimi%20notice.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Waukesha Daily Freeman, July 28, 1890.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When the votes were tallied after the general election it was Syver Brimi who lost out, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109625805/wisconsin-state-journal/" target="_blank">polling 124,140 votes</a> to winning Democrat Thomas Thompson's total of 158,293. Tragedy struck Brimi in March 1896 when his wife of twenty years, Lena, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109644769/the-daily-telegram/" target="_blank">took her own life while under mental duress</a>. Despite this tragic loss, Brimi persevered and later remarried in 1910 Ellen Hanson (1868-1945), who survived him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his time in politics, Brimi continued with his clothing business and in 1901 took work <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109645157/the-weekly-telegram/" target="_blank">as a traveling salesman with the Kahn Bros. clothing firm of Chicago</a>. Around 1919 Brimi settled in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he spent the rest of his life, and died in that city on July 12, 1936, aged 80. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141768514/syver-elefsen-brimi" target="_blank">at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire</a>.</span></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-42300078555541425742022-10-09T13:37:00.001-07:002023-11-25T08:40:43.215-08:00Florondo Schweitzer (1877-1953)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkXon8d66qH_wQ639r6FhU0V8KJhI6MTGcfjMBNHs6jvT-fexwtDC71mtBWGizxgdPrPlZzkbGTP7d4Hhqg2BszaflE1BryK4i85j-Y1BbJnthCafNUTLxhirNhNDDWMloO4hF1603zMu16j8Lrwz6GoRLvXhoitacaeYfxw2zRE8ZYhHy4TJUybA/s521/Florondo%20Schweitzer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkXon8d66qH_wQ639r6FhU0V8KJhI6MTGcfjMBNHs6jvT-fexwtDC71mtBWGizxgdPrPlZzkbGTP7d4Hhqg2BszaflE1BryK4i85j-Y1BbJnthCafNUTLxhirNhNDDWMloO4hF1603zMu16j8Lrwz6GoRLvXhoitacaeYfxw2zRE8ZYhHy4TJUybA/s16000/Florondo%20Schweitzer.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Sebewaing Blade, October 16, 1953.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> There were few men more prominent in Sebewaing, Michigan in the first half of the 20th century than Florondo Schweitzer, a leading business figure and politician in his region. Mayor of Sebewaing for nine years, Schweitzer was the founder of the Sebewaing Lumber Company, was a village councilman for three decades, and was active in church work and the local Masonic fraternity. A native of Canada, Florondo Schweitzer was born <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108704669/florondo-schweitzer/" target="_blank">in Crediton, Ontario</a> on September 14, 1877, <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N38T-DWK" target="_blank">the son of Charles and Christiana Schweitzer</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Removing to Michigan at age five, his early education was obtained in that state, and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">married on New Year's Day 1903 to Esther Davis (1882-1965), to who he was wed for fifty years. The couple would have one son, Paul. Several years after his marriage he was appointed as a<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108930266/the-sebewaing-blade/" target="_blank"> deputy sheriff for Sebewaing</a>, and in 1913 served as a circuit court juror. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> By 1926 he had established himself in the lumber business, being an owner of the Sebewaing Lumber Co., as well as the <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108930588/the-pigeon-progress/" target="_blank">manager of the Pigeon Lumber & Supply Co</a>., the latter dealing in "<i>Building Supplies of All Kinds and Paints and Hardware</i>." In 1936 Schweitzer became sole owner of both the Pigeon Lumber and Sebewaing Lumber properties and for two years served as company president. He sold the Pigeon Lumber and Supply Company in 1938 <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108931123/the-sebewaing-blade/" target="_blank">but continued ownership</a> of the Sebewaing Lumber Co. until a few years prior to his death, operating under the name Sebewaing Lumber and Supply Co. In addition to the above, Schweitzer was a member of the board of directors of the Sebewaing Gas and Oil Company, and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108932639/the-sebewaing-blade/" target="_blank">in 1930 was elected its president</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxSWlKmfodTKlXl1L75Mwx5Xsil07xt1e4XRvHIs5zJoNRrIXIb9Y7Q-XU_uB-WaywSfELVfV6ONVKUs7KYXGp-m_5fnaD0jAzIUWGFf5EWi8KAPmLS67gKAfXH2EktrqQGhPh4vMQAalrxbsOodHdZlAl3Sk6Ugxhvog1FkGIxZT5JW4NaRgbsc7/s613/Florondo%20Schweitzer%20plant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxSWlKmfodTKlXl1L75Mwx5Xsil07xt1e4XRvHIs5zJoNRrIXIb9Y7Q-XU_uB-WaywSfELVfV6ONVKUs7KYXGp-m_5fnaD0jAzIUWGFf5EWi8KAPmLS67gKAfXH2EktrqQGhPh4vMQAalrxbsOodHdZlAl3Sk6Ugxhvog1FkGIxZT5JW4NaRgbsc7/s16000/Florondo%20Schweitzer%20plant.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Sebewaing Blade, July 24, 1936.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Active in the churchwork and in the fraternal life of his community, Florondo Schweitzer </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">was for thirteen years secretary in the local church and was a member of the Wallace Lodge, No. 434 of Free and Accepted Masons. Additionally, both he and his wife held memberships in the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic-affiliated body. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Schweitzer made his first move into local politics with his election as a councilman in 1911, where <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108934932/the-sebewaing-blade/" target="_blank">he held a seat for nearly thirty years</a>. In 1931 he was elected as trustee for a two-year term, and in 1933 was nominated for village president, a post similar to that of mayor. He was elected that March and, all told, served nine years in office, his final term ending in 1942. During his tenure, Sebewaing passed an ordinance in 1936 to "<i>regulate the operation of public dances and public dance halls, in the village of Sebewaing</i>" and in 1939 proclaimed the week of April 24th "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108934686/florondo-schweitzer-notice/" target="_blank">Fire Prevention Clean Up Week</a>", which called upon:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"All departments of the city, the Chamber of Commerce, civic clubs, schools, all other clubs or associations, and our people in general to take active part in the constructive program planned to make our city Clean, Healthful, Thrifty, Safe, and Beautiful."</i></span></blockquote></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108934932/the-sebewaing-blade/" target="_blank">Refusing to be a candidate for village president in 1942</a>, Schweitzer returned to politics the following year when he was appointed to the village council to fill a vacancy and served for the remainder of 1943. Later he would win election as village supervisor and assessor, serving in the latter post until his death in 1953. Shortly before his passing Sebewaing celebrated its centennial, and in the summer of 1953 Schweitzer and his wife were <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108704669/florondo-schweitzer/" target="_blank">named Centennial King and Queen, taking part in a Fourth of July float parade</a>. Just months later Schweitzer died unexpectedly at age 76, and following his death on October 8, 1953, was mourned as one of the village's "<i>best-known citizens</i>." He was survived by his wife Esther, and both were interred at the Memorial Cemetery in Sebewaing.</span></p></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-44541642110923367612022-10-07T11:05:00.002-07:002023-11-25T08:42:04.149-08:00Albae Haywood Nelson (1897-1944)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu8KvY3M1RkGQeIEfMWZsk8OcE5ih6nTAtPx-GpAmoccfKMsrtVs95ME2lpMg-Pn_0ddUoYS1OsUoOPdezwyDdLqAqsgtWPYCabaufhrb06F-wv_eqBGUHctcFqp_HNRjzs_wCD0pSrAYlUvDaqZWBqLeIgm1Z2_YJ2bb7xTpVTQBgq5aWTW5l3Q1/s484/ALBAE%20HAYWOOD%20NELSON.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu8KvY3M1RkGQeIEfMWZsk8OcE5ih6nTAtPx-GpAmoccfKMsrtVs95ME2lpMg-Pn_0ddUoYS1OsUoOPdezwyDdLqAqsgtWPYCabaufhrb06F-wv_eqBGUHctcFqp_HNRjzs_wCD0pSrAYlUvDaqZWBqLeIgm1Z2_YJ2bb7xTpVTQBgq5aWTW5l3Q1/s16000/ALBAE%20HAYWOOD%20NELSON.png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> From the Blair Pilot-Tribune, May 18, 1944.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Strangest Names In American Political History make a rare stop in Nebraska to examine the life of Albae Haywood Nelson, who briefly served as Washington County Judge. A lifelong Nebraskan, Nelson was born in Washington County on May 3, 1897, <a href="https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/9VSK-HHR/judge-albae-h-nelson-1897-1944" target="_blank">the son of Charles (1868-1948) and Elizabeth Sutton Nelson</a>. His schooling was obtained at Blair High School, and after deciding upon a career in law, enrolled at the University of Nebraska's Law School.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following graduation from the university in 1930, Nelson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109707810/the-pilot-tribune/" target="_blank">practiced law in Omaha</a> for a number of years and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">married Jennie Joy Fellows (1909-2006) in the 1930s. The couple had two daughters, Audrey Lee, and Judy Ann. Nelson moved back to Blair in April 1942, having been appointed as Washington County judge, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109707810/the-pilot-tribune/" target="_blank">the appointment being occasioned</a> by the enlistment of Judge John Carrigan in the Army Air Corps. Nelson was sworn in as judge and served in that capacity until his death in May 1944. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In his final months in office, Nelson entered into the race for district court judge from Nebraska's 4th judicial district, which comprised Burt, Douglass, and Washington counties. In that year's Republican primary Nelson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109707854/herman-record/" target="_blank">emerged victorious, polling 575 votes to his opponent's 554</a>, and his name went on the ballot for the general election in the fall. Despite his victory, Nelson's health began to fail due to a gallbladder ailment, and in May 1944 was transferred to Fremont for surgery. After his surgery on May 10, Nelson appeared to rally, only for gangrene to set in, and on May 17 died at that hospital, just two weeks after his 47th birthday. He was survived by his wife and children and following funeral arrangements <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109736233/albae-h-nelson" target="_blank">was interred at the Blair Cemetery</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipknSfofOGNXDz9tKrOIFcIBTHQgYCIwPh0_58YMmyNRLesgPOxny7ruQJpwqLzuPDyZxnAbhJWbxEl8LLBa4x-dJ_nBc776tW7LgtZIo1ww7X3BAsC-QUCT6vxrSCZ_d7V5SLETbRIvgZN6r6V7ZWgt7o23Uzpq_5rABeCzd6hB33nem9AevNd5E2/s355/Albae%20Nelson%20notice.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="355" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipknSfofOGNXDz9tKrOIFcIBTHQgYCIwPh0_58YMmyNRLesgPOxny7ruQJpwqLzuPDyZxnAbhJWbxEl8LLBa4x-dJ_nBc776tW7LgtZIo1ww7X3BAsC-QUCT6vxrSCZ_d7V5SLETbRIvgZN6r6V7ZWgt7o23Uzpq_5rABeCzd6hB33nem9AevNd5E2/w400-h225/Albae%20Nelson%20notice.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Arlington Review Herald, April 6, 1944.</span></i></div></div><p></p>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-11837654902295907022022-10-05T16:06:00.004-07:002023-11-25T08:43:00.371-08:00Mintle Emmett Hostetter (1891-1961)<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOCFcweOFHzWCMyUTvKTcUiy2l9Cwhhf9iZZv6RAJMTlAHdmmUpKJShCA6J1yxmGx3gOpyrTVCJtvCwA-BuZpmGHLJrgIILvHMuRIPQAL3O250w27FbjtYE-qiTgGjOdRGk9-E0nhJ3gQDUsStLU6NKoCZxy9Ihh_9qZ3rdGtfAoenQA1yhqoDQZp/s420/MINTLE%20EMMETT%20HOSTETTER.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOCFcweOFHzWCMyUTvKTcUiy2l9Cwhhf9iZZv6RAJMTlAHdmmUpKJShCA6J1yxmGx3gOpyrTVCJtvCwA-BuZpmGHLJrgIILvHMuRIPQAL3O250w27FbjtYE-qiTgGjOdRGk9-E0nhJ3gQDUsStLU6NKoCZxy9Ihh_9qZ3rdGtfAoenQA1yhqoDQZp/s16000/MINTLE%20EMMETT%20HOSTETTER.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From the Napanee Advance News, March 2, 1961.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A two-term mayor and city councilman in Nappanee, Indiana, Mintle Emmett Hostetter had earlier attained prominence in the American Legion, being the commander of two lodges, and was an active Mason, Kiwanis Club president, and Shriner. The <a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=NAN19610302.1.1&srpos=13&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank">son of Emmett and Jennie Lee Hostetter</a>, Mintle "Mint" Hostetter was born on August 11, 1891, in Indiana. His education occurred in the state of his birth and in 1913 entered into his first business venture, purchasing an interest <a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=SBNT19131010.1.16&srpos=1&e=------191-en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank">in the Shirley restaurant in Walkerton, Indiana</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hostetter's residency in Walkerton saw him run for his first political office in 1913, being an unsuccessful candidate<a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=SBNT19151103.1.16&srpos=2&e=------191-en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank"> for township trustee</a>. A veteran of WWI, the duration and particulars of his service remain largely unknown, except notice of his<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91557381/mintle-e-hostetter" target="_blank"> being a sergeant</a> in the 159th Depot Brigade. After the war's end, Hostetter would be<a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=NAN19610302.1.1&srpos=13&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank"> active in the American Legion in Indiana</a>, being the commander of the Elkhart County 40 and 8, commander of the World War I Veteran's Barracks 399 of Nappanee, and was a member of the Napanee American Legion post #154. Hostetter also served as district commander of the state American Legion and was past vice commander for the Northern Indiana district.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> On the business front, Hostetter was a partner <a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=NAN19830119.1.5&srpos=19&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank">in the clothing company Hatfield and Hostetter of Nappanee</a>, which also employed his wife Jane. The company later added a tailoring business, and some years after the death of his partner Hostetter sold the company to Warren and Rosemarie Rosbrugh. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hostetter entered Napanee politics in the 1940s with his election to the city council, where he served for two terms. In 1947 he announced his candidacy for mayor, and that November was elected, </span><a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19471105.1.5&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">besting Citizens Party candidate William Wedmoyer, 591 votes to 479.</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> He served two four-year terms (1948-56) and one year into his term proclaimed "Kids Day" in the city on November 19, 1949. In connection with the Kiwanis Club (of which he was a member), Hostetter's decree saw:</span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Duly chosen children of our community shall briefly serve as officials of our city government. That we shall honor our most prized possessions and be ever ready to help those in need."</span></i></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In November 1955 Hostetter was defeated in his bid for a third term by Democrat J. Maxwell Close in a close race, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/514946078/?terms=mayor%20mintle%20hostetter&match=1" target="_blank"> 617 votes to 640.</a> In addition to his business and political doings, Hostetter held memberships in a number of <a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=NAN19610302.1.1&srpos=13&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank">fraternal groups in Elkhart County</a>, including the </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">presidency of the Napanee Kiwanis Club, president of the Napanee Chamber of Commerce, Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge of Walkertown, member of the Nappanee Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, the Nappanee Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and was a member of the Shriners of Hammond. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Mintle E. Hostetter's final years were marred by ill health, and he <a href="https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=NAN19610302.1.1&srpos=13&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-mintle+hostetter------" target="_blank">died at a veterans hospital</a> in Fort Wayne on February 25, 1961, at age 69. His wife Mary Jane survived him by four years, and following her death in 1965 was interred alongside him <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91557381/mintle-e-hostetter" target="_blank">at Nappanee's South Union Cemetery</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m1a_Mh4W_8n9_UpBJqsZq9U3iWw0fejuKpAY_SUlSv6opyfRB4b98KRJCfU00L9dQ8nYDM16SkhnH4B84pd7iwzQRT7_AlZSWlGiza5oJttcronfEz6lDzTUx2gt0h0TSkFzm6Z-t3NrwlZsLa2KKjcB2KszTRsao_neJjYs4vHGZkIt1T4OclTY/s429/Mintle%20Hostetter%201947.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m1a_Mh4W_8n9_UpBJqsZq9U3iWw0fejuKpAY_SUlSv6opyfRB4b98KRJCfU00L9dQ8nYDM16SkhnH4B84pd7iwzQRT7_AlZSWlGiza5oJttcronfEz6lDzTUx2gt0h0TSkFzm6Z-t3NrwlZsLa2KKjcB2KszTRsao_neJjYs4vHGZkIt1T4OclTY/s16000/Mintle%20Hostetter%201947.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>From the Napanee Advance News, October 30, 1947.</i></span></div><p></p>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697913671320216364.post-39359354577194004382022-10-02T13:22:00.002-07:002023-11-25T08:43:58.045-08:00Donatus Aloysius DeCock (1881-1958)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4TVnAShD6g31OQsO4Cf5MYA9Er6M098RWjzLTjLpcibTiRzC1vSbmu4CYf4xxY_IPpbLrlFbSIjpnVye8sSm3mDNl-swJKYALiWMEiYrq8YKUXmMUljsFNjE5Tvq0jghLmQPGkfFYb65Tu7anDBtmHjZ3fOKfBAQa_8SkyBy882ube_oUbRNO0XC/s556/DONATUS%20ALOYSIUS%20DECOCK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4TVnAShD6g31OQsO4Cf5MYA9Er6M098RWjzLTjLpcibTiRzC1vSbmu4CYf4xxY_IPpbLrlFbSIjpnVye8sSm3mDNl-swJKYALiWMEiYrq8YKUXmMUljsFNjE5Tvq0jghLmQPGkfFYb65Tu7anDBtmHjZ3fOKfBAQa_8SkyBy882ube_oUbRNO0XC/s16000/DONATUS%20ALOYSIUS%20DECOCK.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Portrait courtesy of the Central Community Historical Society, De Witt, Iowa.</i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> It's always a pleasure to reach out to others when putting together articles on some of these unusually named folks. The following write-up on De Witt, Iowa mayor Donatus Aloysius DeCock is an excellent example. One of the most unusually named figures elected to a mayoralty in Iowa, DeCock's life was shrouded in obscurity until a chance e-mail to the Central Community Historical Society opened up a myriad of new details on his life and two terms as head of De Witt's government. A special thanks to Sandy Miller of the CCHS for her searching out the many period newspaper articles that were used for this biography of DeCock, as well as for finding the rare portrait of him shown atop this article.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The story of this unusually named Iowan begins with his birth on July 16, 1881, <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLLV-NJNP" target="_blank">in Long Grove, Scott County, Iowa</a>, the son of Belgian immigrants <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67685132/evo-decock" target="_blank">Evo (1830-1903) and Pelagia Eliza (Dhuyvetter) DeCock (1848-1907)</a>. Pronounced "DeCook", his curious name originates in antiquity, Donatus being Latin for "<i>a gift from God</i>", as well as the name of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Arezzo#Veneration" target="_blank">St. Donatus</a>, the Catholic martyr and the patron saint of Arezzo, Italy. Aloysius also has its origins in ancient history, being a translation of "famous warrior" in Latin and<a href="https://nameberry.com/babyname/aloysius" target="_blank"> a Catholic saint</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> DeCock's early education was obtained in the town of his birth, and by 1907 had made his first move into the business life of Long Grove,<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108853042/the-daily-times/" target="_blank"> being a founding organizer</a> of the Stockmen's Saving Bank. In 1910 he had advanced to the advisory board of that bank and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">married in 1911 to Ella Scallan, who preceded him in death in 1948. The couple </span><a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141916191/donatus-aloysius-decock" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">had three daughters</a>, <span style="font-family: georgia;">Elizabeth Margaret (DeCock) Hurley (1914-2002), Mary DeCock Kearney (birthdate unknown), and Helen (Sister Mary Donatus), BVM (1923-2010).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Following his settlement in De Witt, Iowa in the 1910s DeCock entered local politics, winning election as city assessor in 1919. He served uninterrupted terms in the office through 1934, and after his term as mayor was returned to that post, retiring in 1950 after 25 years in office. Additionally, he attended the <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108854370/the-daily-times/" target="_blank">Clinton County Democratic Convention in 1922 and 1928,</a> being one of five delegates from the De Witt vicinity. In the 1920s he established himself in the insurance business, establishing a Fire and Casualty Insurance Agency that he maintained for three decades. In 1953 he sold the agency to A.F. Deke, who continued operations. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Active in the fraternal life of De Witt, Donatus Decock was a longstanding member of the Knights of Columbus, first being elected as </span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108854811/quad-city-times/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">the Archbishop Hennessy council's Grand Knight in 1921</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. He continued in that position into 1922, and in that year attended the Knights of Columbus Convention of Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries in Cedar Rapids.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In February 1934 Donatus Decock announced his candidacy for mayor of De Witt, a formal statement being issued in the Davenport Daily Times on February 15. "<i><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108856536/decock-mayoral-election/" target="_blank">Leading an independent ticket on a New Deal platform</a></i>", Decock won the mayoralty in March, defeating Republican incumbent Edward J. Quigley <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108856994/the-daily-times/" target="_blank">by a vote of 633 to 506</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm0K6hHDCDDE3PiZob5onQz2THypD3OrQ2GmPY6ujOIjG_kaAxqf5LYREjrcd40PTXvV5MqxtOW7b5jzD25M-joi0E73ZviV4DOqFeAKZZscBbxoLcQsjPkl6i-nmIvaVEOpZxIKCCUr0aqTIAkkbDS4Vye0tpapabhfxnv_sXKCVzJ2QwzmJdQHI/s910/Decock%20notice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="546" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm0K6hHDCDDE3PiZob5onQz2THypD3OrQ2GmPY6ujOIjG_kaAxqf5LYREjrcd40PTXvV5MqxtOW7b5jzD25M-joi0E73ZviV4DOqFeAKZZscBbxoLcQsjPkl6i-nmIvaVEOpZxIKCCUr0aqTIAkkbDS4Vye0tpapabhfxnv_sXKCVzJ2QwzmJdQHI/w240-h400/Decock%20notice.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">From the Davenport Daily Times, Feb. 15, 1934.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> DeCock served two terms as mayor (1934-1938), and during those terms, several civic improvements came to De Witt, including the installation of electricity, a self-supporting water system, and the widening of Highways 30 and 61. In the second year of his first term, Decock announced an ordinance <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108857864/the-gazette/" target="_blank">regarding the Farmer's Telephone Co.</a>, which would bring a telephone system to the city. <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108857988/decock-reelection/" target="_blank">He was reelected in March 1936</a>, and in September of that year would be named to the League of Iowa Municipalities fire and protection committee. In March 1938 he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108858754/the-gazette/" target="_blank">was defeated in his bid for a third term</a>, losing out to Republican Charles Muhs (1875-1957).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Following his terms, DeCock continued in the insurance business and was returned to the city assessor's office in the early 1940s. In September 1950 he made headlines of a different sort when he saved the life of a young boy who'd been bitten by a rattlesnake while frog hunting with friends. The incident occurred in Long Grove, where DeCock had been visiting. Struck in the foot by the rattlesnake bite, the boy rode on a bicycle until he reached the home of DeCock's sister. Seeing the boy's state of health he transported him back to De Witt for medical aid and the boy was later transferred to a Davenport hospital where his condition improved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8D_A1XXUyJotzGf2E4c6aigyI_Ea_s8FFLX7xqN8vLEFtRJtGPjNC6oYkr40Kq2d5ktLHXo331YufbzTpksBaIeMVJChOX23T4T0h7EZoTntv1YpyQMTHfB5ALclTYws0DG8FlDOfjJ2ZaHwdYYS9UluKACsYUeFtbr_IuJ-h1R2dKHckUWj9n5s/s2273/decock%20rattlesnake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="709" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8D_A1XXUyJotzGf2E4c6aigyI_Ea_s8FFLX7xqN8vLEFtRJtGPjNC6oYkr40Kq2d5ktLHXo331YufbzTpksBaIeMVJChOX23T4T0h7EZoTntv1YpyQMTHfB5ALclTYws0DG8FlDOfjJ2ZaHwdYYS9UluKACsYUeFtbr_IuJ-h1R2dKHckUWj9n5s/w200-h640/decock%20rattlesnake.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">From the De Witt Observer, Sept. 7, 1950. Courtesy of the CCH Society.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Widowed in 1948, DeCock continued residence in De Witt until several weeks prior to his death, which occurred at the home of his daughter Mary in Monmouth, Illinois on March 1, 1958, aged 76. He was survived by his three daughters and was returned to De Witt for burial alongside his wife Ella <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141916191/donatus-aloysius-decock" target="_blank">at St. Joseph's Cemetery</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7qAOtVqCMQwTH-nXxw6jgHcqNc-FBBS1n0oQvJnisUl04jzyQWkwv5Mt_Gj-WJyutQ5nXx-CAasH-dbZ463S2zTVrIsickrFVLfXdjO_mk9RRqxoPi_v-jbKL8zqoha2JGVZxvR3cWUyMLep8911xXH7XDMtbauh2WyvW4nxSS-tpv8mXnbVcwKN/s950/Decock%20obituary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7qAOtVqCMQwTH-nXxw6jgHcqNc-FBBS1n0oQvJnisUl04jzyQWkwv5Mt_Gj-WJyutQ5nXx-CAasH-dbZ463S2zTVrIsickrFVLfXdjO_mk9RRqxoPi_v-jbKL8zqoha2JGVZxvR3cWUyMLep8911xXH7XDMtbauh2WyvW4nxSS-tpv8mXnbVcwKN/s16000/Decock%20obituary.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">From the De Witt Observer, March 1, 1958. Courtesy of the CCH Society.</span></i></div></span></div></div>Andy Osterdahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435374277196946014noreply@blogger.com0