Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-01
JOHN BROUGH.
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.


A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
The telegraph has announced the pain
full intelligence of the death Of Hon.
John Brough, Governor Of the State of
Ohio. he has long occupied q promi-
nent position before the public, and his
efforts while Governor toward the sup
preston tof the rebellion were so con-
spicuous, and 80 honorable, as to de-
mand q detailed account of bis life.
8 His Birth and Education.
John Brough was born at Marietta, on
the 18th September, 1911. His father,
John Brough, an Englishman by birth,
came to this country in 1905, in the
same ship with Blennerhasset, with
whom he Afterward remained on the
most friendly. relations until bis unfortu-
nate connection with the Burr conspi-
racy. Mr. Brough's mother was a ma
tive Of Pennsylvania, and was q woman
Of great force of character, and it Was
from her that John inherited the sirong
mental characteristics for which he was
80 remarkable. He was the oldest of
three sone, but second in q family Of
Eve children. his two sisters still sur
vive him.
The Governor received q good common
school education, bat his father died in
1922, leaving him, as well as other mem,
bers of the family, to depend upon their
own exertions for support. John went
into the printing Office Of Royal Prem
ties of Marietta, setting type but q few
months, when he entered the Ohio Uni
versity at Athens, where he pursued a
scientific course with the addition of
Latin While here he worked nights
and mornings at bis trade and attended
to his studies during the day.
During this time be is said to have
put as much type every week as q
hand constantly employed, and kept at
the head Of every department OF study
in the college He was feet of foot
and the best ball player at college In
short he displayed the great energy Of
character which has made him so prom
insnta public man. lie acquired good
English and classical education.
He studied law in the same manner
with whom we are unable TO learn.
Enters the Editorial Profession.
In 1882 he went to Parkersburg, Va,
where, for several months, be edited the
Gazette of that place. He then moved
to Marietta, where he edited and pub
lished the Washington County RepubIi-
can, q Democratic paper. In 1888 he
removed to Lancaster, and purchased
the Ohio Eagls, which he continued to
edit with marked ability until 1888,
spending almost every winter in Colum-
bus, during which time he acted "a
Clerk to the Upper House of the Gen
eral Assembly.
wf Exposes Corruption.
1t was during this time that be ex,
hibited great capacity for 6nancia
affairs, and be was taken into the conf
dence Of the old and wsll-tried leaders
of both political parties. He saw
through the corruption of the Auditor
Office, and the tendency Of the domi
nant party toward Reputation, securing
the information which enable him 10 de
nounce the whole system so effectuallJ
when a member of the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes in 1882.
Elected auditor.
This bold, honorable aud manly coursl
made him State Auditor in 1889, al
though fereely opposed and threatened
by Medary and Bill Allen, who coulC
not understand how q man could take
ground against corrupt measures Of hi
own party, even where the public inter
ests were at stake. But the best AM
purest members Of the Legislature c
the Whig party voted for John Brougl
aud he was elected. Ever afterward
Medary and Allen we're bis bitter, ms
lignant and Incorporating enemies
: Brongh continued to act as Auditor fo
six years, in that time perfectly revolu
! tioniEing the manner Of doing busines
in that office, and building up an env
d able reputation for Executive abiEt
aud prooity of character.
WAGt he Effected
!, The annual reports of Auditor Broug
| are among the most interesting histor
cal papers of the State. They disclos
the confused and irresponsibiiity of Il
/ business transactions OF the departm ent
and the fearful mismAnagement, IL nj
corruption, of the finances. Soon aft,
taking possession of his Office, Brous
set to work to correct the general sy
TEN of plunder practiced- in sewers
counties of the State By dishonest ar
inefficient officials, which was encon
aged by the system of special legislatiC
then in vogue. he soon had 30O,O On
acres of canal lands which had be-
dodging taxation replaced on the dup
cate, and recommended TO the. Legisl
ture that the owners be required TO pi
the taxes for the years they had elud
the officers Of the Law. He reconmen
ed the resuryey Of the Virginia militia
lands, showing that in . single iustan'
in one county, that resurvey Of wa
(. rant of 5000 acres had produced near
1900 acres He showed that in /
counties of Highland and Fayette aloE
not less than SO. 600 acres Of land We
N not upon the duplicates which of rig
should be there He denounced /
o. loose character of legislation upon /
AZ subject Of school and ministerial leas
lands. A striking illustration was off
m ed, which may net be unintsresting
Cincinnatians. Under the broad pow
of the act of 1921. g new lease v
n given to the lessee Of tract OF land
'n- fractional section %, in the 4th tow
I.s lls ship, lss fractional ranSe4 Of HsmiA
a county (the tract lies Immediately bel
J 10 the mouth of Mill Creek, and adyoIni
IN n. the city of Cincinnatil, subject to r.
on of forty dollars per annnm, and q
., peHsing srith all future Tsrdluatto
at In IS40, when Mr.. Brough was Audit
Of that land was still held under the le'
11,a 1ss Of forty dollars per annum, when it =
' is estimated 70 be worth not less than c
49, kundrs5 thoazaad 6ollArs Here va
double wrong. The ministerial to-
ship was dsfrapaed OF itE Iast rights,
gas eeiging bare pitt&ncs Ct soFtY doll