Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-07-15
JOHN w. BOOKWALTER.
A Short Sketch of the Life of
OhiO's Democratic Candidate
for GubernatOrial HOnOrs.

COLUMBUS, July l4.-JOnn w. bOOK-
walter was born in 1887, and is, there
fore, now in the forty.thlrd year OF his
age, in the iull prime OF manhood, a
younger man than most of those who
have been called to the Chief Executive
authority in this State. His parents
were people OF respectability and integ-
rity and strong religious convictions,
and though in very humble circum-
STANCES were highly esteemed by the
community in which they lived. The
Early Years Of Mr. Booswalter's Lifen
were passed in the labors OF the farm,
which were but slightly interrupted by
educational pursuits, facilities of that
kind being but scanty and OF an inferior
order OF that time IN the region OF his
home. Such as they were, however, he
made the most of them, and, by dint OF
persistent individual effort and an in
vestigating turn Of mind, which led him
into studies and pursuits quite outside
of the range uf the ordinary District
School, he
Laid the Foundation of Better and
" lucT SultuEo
and OF that candor and independence OF
views which are one OF his marked char
acteristcs. An early developed prefer
ence ior mechanical empoyments led
Mr.. Bookwalter, on reaching mans es-
tate, to engage in manufacturing enter
prises, and he and his brother became
Joint proprietors of mill. Mr. Book.
lnnntnl Ia 10 in,
Springfield, Ohio, and subsequently be.
came partner IN the firm OF James
Letfel Il Co.. manufacturers OF the Lettel
water wheel, at which house he is now
the chief and sole proprietor. In addi.
ton to numerous improvements upon
the wheel, he
Invented what is Known as the Book
walter Engine.
and from the sale of both wheel and en-.
CINE he has acquired an ample and still
increasing fortune. He is also proprie.
tor OF the Mechanical NetUs, an illustrated
journal, devoted to scientific and indus.
trial topics, which was established by
him in 1871, and has attained large
circulation. Mr. Bookwalter was mar
ried to Miss Eliza Leffel, daughter Of the
late James Letfel, Springfield, Ohio.
band on his tour to the Sandwich ISL
ands in 1872, an account OF which was
Published by Him In an Elegantly Illus
trated Volume
which, however, was not offered Tor sale,
but privately distributed among his
friends. The death OF Mrs. Book walter,
lovely and accomplished lady, took
place in 1880, and cast the first shadow
over her husbands hitherto unInter-
rupted career of prosperity and success.
The city of Springfield, in which he
lives, owes to Mr.. Book walter, some OF
its most substantial structures, his latest
contribution to its adornment being an
elegant opera house, which will be fin
ished and opened to the public during
the coming autumn. Physically, as well
y intellectually and politically, MIR.
z Iokwalter is
Emineutly Fitted to Grace the Guber-
natoral Chair
He is slightly above the medium height,
oi spare but erect, well-knit and muscu-
lar figure; has regular features, dark,
peuetrating and pleasantly expressive
eye. Though not public speaker by
habit, he has an extraordinary COM
mand OF language, and his conversation
is graceful, fluent and fascinating in an
unusual degree. In addition to his
varied and thorough culture and SELF
acquired education, he is wide and
constant reader, and a liberal patron OF
the arts. Up to the Greeley campaign
Of 1872 Mr.. Bookwater had uniformly
acted with the Republican party, but in
that memorable struggle he cast his lot
with the Democracy, and, unlike many
others, has remained steadfast to his
ever since. 1t is not doubt
ed in well informed quarters that he will
lead his party in this State to trium-
phant victory in this Octobre.