The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-07-14
HON. FRANKLIN LANDERS.
A Graphic Sketch of One Of Our Most Dis
tinguished 0itizsns.
His BOyhood and Early Struggles for q
Start I'm the World-His Success as
aFarmer and Merchant, and
His Career N Public
Han-Etc., Etc.

[American Biographical History of Eminent
and Self-made Men, now in press, by the
Western Biographical Company.1
q HON. FRANKLIN LANDERs.
! Among the most notable of the self-made
men Of Indiana is Franklin Llnders, OF In
disnspolis. He is a native of the State,
having been born in Morgan County, March
%, 1925. His father, the late William Lam
ders was one of the pioneers of Central
Indians, having located In Morgan County,
some twelve miles from Indianapolis, in
1920. The subject of this sketch grew to
manhood on his fathers farm. He followed
the pillow in the spring and summer, assisted
in gathering the crops in the autumn, and
in the winter attended the country school,
When he reached his me jority he became a
teacher. During the winter months he
impaired to the youths of his neighborhood
something of the knowledge he had gained
himself, and the remainder OF the year be
worked as a farm hand for hire. In this
manner he accumulated a few hundred dol
lars, which he invested in merchandise, and,
in connection with his brother Washington,
opened a country store at Waverly, a town
situated near where he was born,
For four years the Lenders Brothers sold
goods TO their neighbors. At the end of this
tune Washington retired from the firm. The
remaining partner continued the business
for awhile, and then bought section of land
and laid out the town OF Brooklyn. He re.
moved his stock from Waverly to Brooklyn,
and for several years conducted a profitable
business there. But selling goods was not
his only employment for he was largely en-
gagged in farming and stock raising. HIS store
made him money; his farm added to his
estate, and his stock dealings were profitable,
and before he had reached middle life he
was one of the wealthiest men in his County.
He did not hug his money 10 his breast like
a miser, nor use it solely for the qualification
of his tastes and desires, but he employed it
in paying laborers for their work, in build
ing school houses and churches, like phil
anthropist and q Christian. He established
no less than Eve churches of different
denomina atoms upon his lands, and then
contributed largely to their support. During
the late war be was noted for his benevolence
to soldiers and their families. He was active
in procuring substitutes for such OF his
neighbors as were drafted and were unable
to leave their homes, and he gave literally
of his means to render comfortable the
wives and children of those who shoul-
field.
In 1860 Mr.. Landers was nominated by the
Democracy OF his District for the State
Senate. His competitor was Hon. Samuel
p. Oyler, of Johnson County, whom ne de-
teated by majority of 374 votes. In the
Senate he occupied a leading position, and
this will be considered no mean compliment
when it is remembered that amog his asso-
cistes were Martin M. Ray and John r
Cravens, men well known in the political
history of Indiana. 1t was while he was in
the Senate that the country was convulsed
by the great civil war. He favored all legit-
innate measures that were introduced TO
uphold the authority of the Federal Gov
ernment and suppress the rebellion, but he
opposed all propositions to override the civil
Law and render insecure the liberty of the
citizen. He believed military law proper
and right In Districts and States where the
civil law was overthrown; but he opposed its
establishment in Indiana, where the Courts
were open for the redress of grievances and
where no rebellion against the authority of
the Federal Government existed.
In 1864 Mr.. Lsnders removed to Indian
apolis,a nd in connection with several other
gentlemen established a wholesale dry goods
house. He has continued in the dry goods
business to the present time, being now a
member OF the well known firm of HibbeD,
Pattison & Co. Several years ago he COM
menced the killing and packing of hogs, and
is at this time the head of the pork and COM
mission house of Landers & Co. With the
care OF these great establishments on mis-
hands, he still finds time to manage and
conduct his farms, From these farms he
annually sends to market hundreds OF mules
hundreds of cattle, and thousands of hogs
Thus, with his dry goods house, his pork
house and his farms, 1t would seem that he
has enough to do, but these large interests
a w.<~&o ell = = A. =.
Is devote d to the study OF finance and DO
liucal economy, and it is questionable if
there is in Indiana man so well versed In
these abstruse subjects 4s he.
In 1864 Mr.. Landers was on the Democratic
electoral ticket, ard canvassed his District
for Mcclellan. In 1874 he was the Dsmo.
cratic candidate for Cor gcess in the Capital
District, and although his party was In q
minority of over 2 600, he was elected
His opponent was General John Coburn,
man OF much popularity and large expert
ence in public affairs, but Mr. Lsnders, after
making a thorough canvass, defeated HIM
by a large majority. In Congress Mr. Land
ers took high rank. There never has been a
man in Congress from Indiana, with proba-
bly, the exception OF the late Judge Hughes,
who became 50 prominent in so short time.
He was noted for the persistency with which
he advocated the making CT the greenbsck
a full legal tender for all public dues and
for the remonet ,tion OF silver. He has
given the money question much thought.
and his speeches, both in Congress and upon
the hastings, are among the abest dIsquisi-
tons upon the financial problem ever made
in this country. His course in Congress was
such as to draw to his support the National
or Green back party, ana when that party
ives In State Convention in the winter of
1856, it nominated him for Governor.
Soon after this the Democratic State Con-
yention met, and the name of Mr.. Lsnders
was submitted to it for the Gubernatorial
nomination. His friends and those OF Mr..
Holman, who was also candidate, became
90 warmly enlisted for their respective favor
ties that it was feared the party could not
harmonize on either of them, 30 they were
both withdrawn, and Mr.. Williams nominat-
ed without opposition.
Mr.. Lancers did not desire reelection
to Congress in 1876 His private interests
had suffered by his absence from home, and
he made mp his. mind to accept no public
office that would take him from them. But
bis political friends demanded that he again
make the race. They met in Convention at
Greencastle and unanimously nominated
him. He could not Withstand the pressure
thus brought to bear, SO he accepted the
l. IL l.