Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-26
ms NEAR RELATIVES.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Ills Eariy Life. Essesues. and Pubsie SER
vices

vices
Thomas Andrews Hendricks, late
Vice President, was born near lanes
vile, in Muskingum county, Ohio, Sep
TENDER I, 1919. On the maternal side
be was Of Scotch descent. John Hen
bricks. the father OF Thomas, Was born
in Ligonier Valley, Pennsylvania, and
not long after bis marriage to Jane
Thompson moved to GAINESVILLE, Ohio,
where, on q farm near that place,
Thomas first saw the light Of day.
When six months old his parents re-
moved to Madison, Ind. then the resi-
denee Of his uncle, William Hendricks,
who was successfully q member Of Con-
gress, Governor Of the State, and
United States senator. Under appoint
ment Of President Jackson John Hen
bricks long served IS surveyor OF the
public lands in his section Of the coun-
try. In 1882 he moved to Shelby
county, Indiana, and the present coun-
ty town Of Shelbyville is located upon
a part of the old Hendricks farm. In
this home Thomas A. Hendricks passed
his boyhood till 1887, when he entered
Hanover College, Indiana. graduating
in lS4l. He studied law in the Office
Of his uncle, Judge Thompson, at Cham
bersburg, Pa, and in ls43 was admit
ted to the bar, returning to Shelbyville
to practice, where his success in the
line Of his chosen profession was ever
thereafter phenomenal. In 1915 he
married Eliza C. Morgan. Their only
son died in infaney&
His FIRST prominent appearance IN
the political arena was in le4s. when
he was chosen . member Of the State
Legislature. In 1850 he served IN the
State Constitutional Convention. Du-
ring the next five years he represented
the Indianapolis district IN Congress,
and for four years afterwards was Com
missioner Of the General Land Office.
In the memorable campaign Of ls60 be
ran for Governor against Henry 5. Lane
and was defeated. Lane was chosen
United States senator Immediately after
his Inauguration, and Oliver P. Morton
succeeded to the goyernorship. In the
election OF 1862 there was political
reyulsion. and Indiana elected a Demo-
cratic Legislature. Mr.. Hendricks Was
then chosen senator for the term end
ing in March, 1869. He served in the
| Committees on Claims, Public Build
ings and Grounds, the Judiciary, Pub
lie Lands. and Naval Affairs.
In the Senate Mr.. Hendricks at once
took the lead among the Democrats,
and made for himself q national repu-
tation. He was active in opposition to
the measure oyerturning the State gov
eruments, the imposition Of test-oaths'
the civil rights bill, the Preedmen's
I Bureau bill, and kindred legislation.
( In the memorable episode Of the
Presidents Impeachment be played an
important part, and added greatly to
his reputation as an able lawyer and
constitutional adviser.
/ 1t is sufficient proof Of the ability
and success Of Mr. Hendricks in the
Senate that towards the close ola sin
gle term be had placed himself among
the foremost men of his party aud be-
come q prominent candidate for the
presidency. In the Convention Of ls6e
be was brought forward, and at one
time led all other candidates, receiving
the solid vote Of New York and the
Northwest. Ohio, however, which had
been compelled to abandon its own can
didaie. was determined to defeat all
other western men, and the delegates
from that State threw their votes for
Horatio Seymour, Of New York, per-
sistently. and finally produced STAN
pede Of the whole convention to his sup
port.
The same year Mr.. Hendricks ran
for Governor q second time, and Was a
second time defeated. His opponent
was Governor Conrad Baker. and SO
close was the contest that Mr.. Hen
bricks only fell col votes behind.
After his retirement from the Senate
in 1869 Mr.. Hendricks returned to the
practice of his profession at lndianapo-
lis. Mr.. Hendricks scquiesced in what
appeared to be the popular will in the
Greeley movement, and gave his hearty
approval TO the new departure. lie
was not allowed to remain idle during
the canvass. Against his earnest pro-
test he was again nominated for the gov
ernorship. The Republicans carried
the Legislature and elected all Of theii
State ticket except the Governor and
Superintendent Of Public Instruction
The msjorities were very small, bui
they were enough. The personal popu-
larity Of Governor Hendricks Carried
him through.
The fact that q Republican Lieuten.
ant Governor would succeed him in cas-
of . vacancy kept Mr.. Hendricks from
any thought Of the senstorship tive
years Afterwards and chained him Il
bis post until the end Of his term.
In 1876 he was chosen Vice-Presiden'
on the ticket with Hon. Samuel j
Tilden, but the Republican candidate
was seated. although Mr.. Hendricks
had a popular majority Of 252, 900.
Vice-President Hendricks was maj
of medium height and symmetrical form
He was erect, active. and vigorous. Hi
face WAS manly and handsome. His dis
position was as sunny as his complex
ion, and in social life he was 4 grea
fayorite. To aequaintanees he was Al
fable and easy; to close friends warn
and lovable /; to political partisaus cour
teous but cautious. His habits wer
such that he found O., 900 year ampl
for his expenditures during his senate
rial term ut Washington. Mr.. Hen
bricks was an Episcopalian in religion
belief.
In 1877 and again in 1883, accom-
panied by Mrs Hendricks, decease
made q brief tour in Europe Is re
taxation from his arduous professions
pursuits. He Was . member Of th
National Democratic Convention ct Oh
csgo in July, 1854, and in behalf Of th
Indiana delegation nominated Hon. il
seph Z. Mcdonald. Of that State, ia
the presidency. After the nominstio