Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-09-07

Sketch Of the Life Of the Republican
Candidate for Governor.
As 4 nov.


that most picturesque OF Ohio streams--lies
the pretty little farming village OF Rainsboro.
IT is the larger Of the two voting precincts OF
Paint Township, Highland County; and out
OF its three hundred votes casts Republican
majority of from sixty-fve TO eighty at every
election. But that majority will be doubled
the present fall for at the head of this years
Republican ticket stands name which all
Highland County, and especially all Paint
Township delights to honor--JosEPH BEN
son FORAKER. 10 the people thereabout he
is not "Judge Foraker nor even Mister"
but just plain Ben, and they speak the ia
miliar title with an evident emphasis OF lik-
ing and appreciation. Not that they are at all
insensible to the honors so brayely and SO
early won, but first and foremost they es-
TEEN the individuality OF the man whom
they have watched and loved from infancy
up, and whose record stands before them
without blot. He has host OF relatives
all through the county, and everybody is his
friend besides.
A third OF mile north OF Rainsboro, a
lane leads from the New Petersburg pike
back into the woods. Hall mile in, amid
cosy frame house, now occupied by Henry
Foraker, second cousin OF the Judge. The
older part OF this building was the later adj
dition 10 large log cabin--now demolished
which the elder Foraker built when he
came from the State of Delaware, and in
which Ben was horn in July, 1876.
In April, lsAs, the family removed to
Reece's saw and grist mill--the most west
erly OF the three mills upon Rocky Fork,
and situated about four miles above Rains.
boro--there remaining for twenty-three
yenrs. Here Ben passed his boyhood, and
began TO develop the admirable traits
which have marked, and, indeed,
have largely shaped his whole
career. He was noted, from the start, for
remarkable energy, push and perseverance.
Never content TO be merely among the best,
the boy strove to be fhe best. 1t was so in
his lessons, in his childish sports, in every
thing. There was no envy IN his ambition,
no desire TO push others down, but manly
determination 10 work for all he was
worth" He did not plan to rest on any sue
cess so long as higher success was attain
able.
Sam. Newell longtime miller on the Fork,
was Bens prime favorite In those early days
a great reader OF the newspapers, and man
well informed on all the questions OF the
day. he never tired OF answering the count
less questions put to him by the boy, who
Ben's interest in politics began almost with
his infancy and as a boy he acquired n most
unusual knowledge OF this complicated sub
iect.
Mr.. Newell has a double interest in the
approaching election. Not only is he nnX
ious for the success of his former protege
but his reputation as prophet is at stake
When Ben was five or six Years old, Newell
was one day engaged in q hot political dis
cnssson with Mr.. Delaplane, n rabid Demo
crat, who contended that his party would
soon crush out all opposition, and reign SUI
preme "No, sir" said Mr.. Newell with
heat, won can't do it. We're going to bea
yon all to pieces, and this boy here (catch
ing mp Ben in his brawny hands and hold
ing him in Delaphane's iace) is going to bt
our Governor one OF these days"
The prediction so unthinkingly made
thirty wears ago, is now on the verge oil ful
fillment
AS SOLDIER.
When he was fifteen the war OF the Re
bellon broke out, and his elder brother tn,
lamented Captain Birch Foraker, went int
the army. Ben wanted to go, too. His par
ents very naturally objected. He was to
young besides one son was already gone
and might never return. But Ben chafe'
under the restraint and finally, fearing tha
he would go anyhow, his parents gave re
luctant consent. BY this time the secon'
wear OF the war had rolled round. Th
Eighty-ninth o. Y. /. was being recruited il
Clermont, Ross and Highland Counties, an'
Captain (afterward Colonel w. FL. Glen
was raising company al Hillsboro for hi
regiment. In this company, which becam
Company A, Ben Foraker volunteered. TIL
commissioned officers OF the company wer
then selected, but those who first put dow
their names were informed that tn
man who brought in the most recruit
for the company would be tirs
or orderly sergeant, the next second sci
geant, and so on through the list cf nor
commissioned officers. Foraker brought i
be orderly sergeant lie was hut boy si,
teen years old, and knew nothing whateve
about soldering, as he said, and voluntaril
gave up that place 10 the man who was mex
to him in the number Of recruits, and VIII
Ind some experience as soldier, and too
the second sergeantcy. The Eighty-nint
went immediately into active and sever
service. Its terrible marches and camp pr
vatons, as well as losses in battle, rapid
thinned the ranks, and made way for prc
motion by loss OF commissioned officer
Ben Foraker had taken part in all this Sc
vice, and had become successively orderl
sergeant, Second and First Lieutenant, ,whel
late in the summer OF 1868, he was ser
home on recruiting duty, and was so el
took place. The result OF that battle wit
the Eighty-ninth is thus stated in Whitela
Reids "Ohio in the War"
calling back on Chattanooga, our arm
went into intrenchments. Monday NOR
ing, at 9 o'clock, Surgeon Crew, OF I'll
Eighty-ninth, sick with jaundice, and ju
able to ride on horseback, found himself ha
mile in front of our line of battle with fort
wounded twenty sick, and seventy-five we
men. all that was left OF tho Eighty-ninth
No other commissioned officer who WEI
into the fight was lett. All We're eth,
killed, wounded, or prisoners.
Captain jolly, who had been at hon
recruiting, arrived at Chattanooga the da
after the battle with the sick who had r
covered. He was promoted to Major, al
took command. The Eighty-ninth soc
mustered two hundred men. For six weel
il lay in the marble quarry at Chattanooi
with shell bursting over its can
from Lookout Mountain, subsisting {
half rations, scantily clothed, and bravii
the rigors OF winter. II witnessed Hooker
and joined in the shout Of victory as Il
enemy gave way and fled. The next da
when the charge was made on Missic
Ridge, Major Jolly, at tho head of his lit
band OF two hundred men, led them to vi
tory in the front OF the attacking column
Foraker had reached Chattanooga II
night before Mission Ridge. He had l
ceived no orders there, and got to his rel
inent just as it was going into battle. i
instantly took command OF his compan
led il in the charge, and WAS the first mi
OF the regiment over tho enemy's worl
lie was then seventeen years old.
After this the Eighty-ninth was in h
demonstration on Dalton, Ga. In char
Mt Rocky Facp on Eahrnarv OK II had 4,