The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-26
John w. BOoKWALTER.
Rrief Sketch of the Life of the Ohio
Democratic GubernatOrial Candi-

Brief Sketch OF tne Lllo VI Inc OnLo
Democratic GubernatOrial Candi-
date.
COLUMBUS, O., July 13 3-John W.
Book walter Vas born in 1887, and is
therefore now In the forty.lhird year Of
his age, In the full prime OF manhood, .
younger man than most of those who
have been called TO the chief executive
authority in this STATE. His parents
we're people responsibility and integ.
rity and strong religious convictions,
and though in very humble circumstances
were highly esteemed by the community
in which they liv,d. The early years OF
Mr. Bookwalter's life were passed In the
labors of the farm, which were but
slightly interrupted by educational pur'
suits, facilities OF that kind being but
scanty and Of an inferior order at 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 investigating
turn Of mind, which led him into studies
and pursuits qniet. outside Of tue range
Of the ordinary district school, he laid
the foundation of better and wider cul-
ture and Of that candor and indepen-
dence Of views which are one OF his
marked characteristics. An early de
veloped preference for mechanical en-
ployments led Mr. Book walter on reach.
ing mans estate to engage in manafac-
turing enterprises, and he and his BROTH
er became ] 'int proprietors Of a mill.
Mr.. Bookwaller located himself perm,-
nentIy in Springfield, Ohio, and subse.
q1ently became partner in the firm ol
James LefIel 4 Co, manufacturers oi
the Lsffel water wheel, at which house
he is now the chief and sole-proprietor
In addition TO the numerous improve
ments upon the wheel he invented what
is known as the Bookwalter engine, and
from the sale of both wheel and engine
he has acquired an ample and still in.
creaslng fortune. He is also proprietor
of the Mechanical News, an illustrated
Journal devoted to scientific and indus
trial topics, which was established BY
him-iu 1871, and has attained a large
circulation. Mr.. Bookwalter was mar
ried to Miss Eliza Leffel, daughter O
the late James Leffel, Springfield, Ohio
Mrs Bookwalter accompanied her hus
hand on his tour to the Sand which Is
lands ir 1872, an account OF which wa.
published by him in an elegantly illus
trated volume, which, however, was no
offered for sale, bat privately distributed
among his friends. Tue death OF Mrs
Book walter, lovely and accomplished
lady, took place in 1880, and cast th,
tirst shadow over her husbands hitherto
uninterrupted career OF prosperity ant
success. The city OF Springfield, il
which he lives. owes to Mr.. Bookwalte
some Of its most substantial structures
his latest contribution to its adornmen
being an elegant opera-house. which vii
be finished aad opened to the publ,
during the coming autumn. Physically
as we'll as intellectually and politically
Mr.. Bookwalter is tminently fitted t
grace the gubernatorlal chair. He i
slightly above the medium height, o
spare but erect. well-knit and muscula
figure; has regular features, a dark, pene
irating and pleasantly expressive eye
Though not public speaker by habit
he has an extraordinary command o
language, and his conversation is grace
ful fluent and fascinating in an unusua
degree. In addition to his varied ant
thorough culture and sel!.acquired edu
cation, he is wide and constant reader
and liberal patron OF the arts. Up Il
the Greeley campaign of 1872 Mr
Bookwalter had uniformly acted will
the Republican party, but in the memor
able struggle he cast his lot with th
Democracy, and, unlike many others
I has remained steadfast to bis c6nnec
tions ever since. Ii is not doubted II
we!l-informed quarters that he will lea'
his party in this State to triumphaD
victory in this o O,tober,