The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-09-08
"reminiscences Of the late Governor
John Brough.

| JUN oIOuSn.
from the Cincinnati Commercial, Aug. .3ol
| A DoYIsH ATHLETE.
In youth he was famed in athletic feats.
No boy was better at base OF foot ball:
and, in after life, he referred TO his yicto.
ries gained in this line with more zest
than those achieved in the political arena.
No doubt these exercises formed the
muscle and developed the powers OF his
frame, which gave him such peculiar EN-.
inence as long.winded and loud-voiced
speaker, which was as much character.
istic with him as his forcible logic, clear.
headed and convincing arguments.
MS FINANCIAL TALENT AS AUDITOR.
His political friends, by tinkering
with the currency and finances Of the
State had pretty we'll exhausted both and
the State Stocks were seliing-dull-at
80 and 60 cents on the dollar. He
boldly faced the difficulty. First de.
manding and securing from the Legsla.
ture sound revenue measures OF legisla.
ton, and taxation and security TO the
creditors. he then went himself to New
York, TO negotiate needed loans. and 10
place Ohio, where she has ever since
been considered, among the safest and
most substantial specie-paying States Of
the Union. Her stocks were soon above
par; and 10 John Brough all men Of ell
parties unanimously awarded the credit.
lie himself was wont, in alter times, to
divide this honor between the late Jacob
Little and the house OF Winslow g. Co.
ADMITTED TO the EAR.
On leaving Columbus for Cincinnati, at
the expiration, Of his term as Auditor,
John Brough WAS admitted to the bar in
the spring Of l845. The Examining Com
mittee, headed by the late Judge Hart,
took the candidate for admission to the
fence that surrounded the old Cour, House,
and, "sittin' on rail-" after q few plain
questions to the future Governor. pro.
nounced him qualified. 't'.. : .a.
BRoUGH AS A STUMP SPEAKER.
During all these times, mixed with au.
citorial, editorial and legal duties, John
Brough was an active politician. and an.
swered the numerous calls OF his political
friends to take the stump in their behalf.
10 the gubernatorial contest resulting 10
the election OF Governor Shannon, he was
pisted against Governor Tom. Corwin.-
Old citizens still delight to recite the
events OF this campaign, when political
Greek met political Greek. He spoke
for President Polk throughout the West,
and that functIonary, in his Journey to
the capital, invited John Brough 10
Washington, with an intimation that at
least the head Of q bureau should be the
reward for his good services and better
abilities. But those were the days Of
politicians, and the Medills Aliens. &C..
were jealous Of his rising reputation, and
had themselves substituted. He was no
man TO catch at the skirts Of greatness,
and he sbided bis time for more honored
positions. .a... ..... .....
During the Polk compaign Brough
was addressing large audience on the
landing in Cincinnati. Opposite the Ohio
below the mouth of Licking, bar ex.
tended into the river at low water, which
then being the case. a Kentucky audienc.
had gathered there to hear. 1t was a
moonlight night, and the speakers atten-
ton was drawn 10 ''s,ir" in his Coving.
ton auditory. He stopped a moment
"Go on! man disturbed the meeting and
we dunked him!'' was the response from
across the waters. So powerful was Gov.
ernor Brongh's voice at that time, that
his speaking was distinctly heard across
the river.
[From the Cincinnati Gazette, Aug 30.] |
pARENTAGE OF GOVERNOR BRouGH.
John Brough was born at Marietta, on
the l7lh September, 1911. His father,
John Brongh, an Englsbman by birth,
came TO this country in 1906, in the same
ship with Blennerhassett, with whom he
afterward remained on the most friendly
relation until his unfortunate connection
with the Burr conspiracy. Mr.. Brough's
mother was native of Pennsylvania. and
was woman Of great force Of character,
and it was from her that John inherited
the strong mental characteristics for which
be was so remarkable. He was the old
est of three sons, but second in a family
Of FIVE children. His two sisters still sur.
vive him.
MS FAMILY.
On the 18th of November. 1882, Mr..
Brough married Miss Achsah P. Pruden,
OF Athens, Ohio. By her he had three
chiidren--two boys and a daughter.--
One Of his sons died in 1914. The moth
er died September 8, 1888. in the TWEEN.
ty.fifth year of her age. On the 7th day
OF September. 1843, be married, at Lew.
iston, Pa, Miss Caroline A. Nelson, Of
Columbus, O., by whom he had two sons
and two daughters. Both Ct the sons
have dieG.
he BEcoMEs DISGUISED WITH POLITICS.
While Mr. Rrouuh was still Auditor of