Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-01-06
Hon. IL. vaa spusscndeuttii.
Our CANDIDATE FOR Z. >. SENA-
Tor; lis CHARACTER AND
PUDLlC SERVICES.

| Thirfy-two prominent gentlemen
| have been proposed by the press OF
Iowa. as candidates for United States
Senator
The newspapers Of Jasper County
have SO far taken little interest in
this discussion, but the time has
come for us to speak ont; and we call
upon our local editorial associates to
stand by Us. and come out boldly for
the "New Man,
Hon. Herod Van Spuytendeuvill
was born, when mere infant, on
Polecat creek, in this County. He is
now forty-two years old-in the very
| meridian of noble life. AS re-
| marked by himself in recent inter
view with the editor Of this paper,
he has been successfully President Of
the Polecat Creek Debating Society,
Judge Of Election, Chairman Of Dis
trict School Board, Supervisor Of
roads. Commissioner on various pub
lie works, and sub-deputy Provost
Marshal during the late war. He
has ornamented every public posi-
ton; often eloquent, and always
chasteiy brilliant in the discussions
which cheer the intelligent circle
which surrounds the stove in the
cross-road store on winter evenings.
! While it is needless here to inform
the public concerning gentleman
who has been fifty years in public
life, yet it may not be amiss to re-
mind our readers Of some of the lead
ing points i'm Mr.. Van Spuytendeu-
Wills career. He early identified
himself with the Polecat Creek Val
ley Railroad, that great enterprise
which, though never completed, will
remain a lasting monument to his
imaginative genius.
Although the road was not built,
yet the usual land grant was secured;
and in the profits arising from their
sale Mr.. Van Spuytendeuvill found
the foundation of his fortune. lie is
still in favor Of granting lands to
railroad companies, as the best means
of securing their development and
cultivation.
During the war, Mr.. Van Spuyten-
deu ,iII's efforts as substitute broker
won for him the highest regard from
drafted men, and did much to uphold
the glorious flag Of our country.
Politically, his record is unim-
peachable. Ife has always been a |
of the current Administra-
ton. His devotion to Buchanan
secured his brother an appointment
under the O. p. +. His fidelity to
Lincoln made him sub-deputy Pro-
vost Marshal, and prevented the
severity Of actual military service.
lie was also an admircr of Mr.. John
son, who flung his cousin Post
Office; but on the accession Of Grant
he became conscious Of the error OF
his previous course, and he is now an
"original Grant man."
Regarding tho press as the safe
guard of our liberties, he remarked
to us that he thought every editor
should have Post Office or Revenue
appointment, in which our brethren
of the press will generally concur
with him.
Socially, Mr.. Van Spuytendeuvill
is All example to tho rising genera
ton. A more devoted husband and
father docs not exist. He Is now
living with his third wife, n gentle
and refined woman. Both of his
former wives are now living, having
been formerly divorced, and are now
supporting themselves quite happily,
by daily labor. On the sad occasion
when the former husband Of Mrs.
Van spuytendeuvilli was shot from
a pistol, in tho hands of Mr.. Van
Spuytendeuvill, the latter acted with
a chivalrous courage, worthy of all
| honor. And when the marriage Of
the noble pair was celebrated IAN
event which they contemplated dur
ing two years Of theirformer separate
matrimonial experiences) the Rev.
Henry Ward Speecher forwarded
gilt-edged note which is carefully
preserved by Col. Van Spuytendeu-
will:
"MY DEAR SIR:--I regret that ]
cannot be present to solemnize your
long anticipated marriage. You
have now found youraffinity; cherish
her, my dear boy, till somebody
sends you after her former husband"
Space forbids our further dwelling
upon theme Of which we could
never tire--tho integrity, the ability,
and the chivalry of Hon. Herod Van
Observation-Disclosures Record.
The Late LEADERS I'm tho