Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-12-03
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Brief Sketch of Gov. Hendricks Long ant
Busy Life,

Busy Life,
Thomas Andrews Hendricks was born near
GAINESVILLE Ohio, Sept. 7, 1919 On the maternal
side he was of Scotch descent His mother Jane
Thompson, was granddaughter of John
Thompson, who emigrated from Scotland to
Pennsylvania before the revolution, and, by his
representations Of the advantages OF the coun-
try, induced a large following OF Scotchmen,
by whom Cumberland was chiefly set
tied. Thomas grandfather was one OF
the pioneer settlers OF Westmoreland County,
Pa, and held various township and county
offices, and was member of the State Legis-
lature, John Hendricks, the father OF Thomas,
was born in Ligonier Valley and not long after
hismarriage moved to GAINESVILLE, Ohio, and on
a farm near that place Thomas was born.
When he was six months old his parents res
moved to Madison, Ind, then the residence OF
his uncle William Hendricks who was success
sively member of Congress, Governor OF the
State, and United States Senator. In 1882 he
| removed again, and located q homestead in the
then sparsey settled county Of Shelby, and the
county town, Shelbyville. is on part OF the old
Hendricks farm.
In this home Thomas A. Hendricks passed his
boyhood till 1887, when he entered Hanover Col
lege at Hanover, Ind, from which he was grad
uated in 1871, His brother, Abram Hendricks,
went through the course at the University OF
Ohio and at Hanover, and became Presoyteri-
an clergyman. Thomas went to Chambersburg
Pa, studied law in the Office Of his uncle, Judge
Thomson, was admitted to the bar in lS43, and
returned to Shelbyville to practice: His success
in his profession was phenomenal. In lo45 ne
married Eliza Q. Morgan, and their only child,
son, died in infancy. In the same year, at the
age Of twenty-six he was sent to the State Leg
islature, where he served one term, but he
would not accept q reelection. In 1851 he
was elected without opposition mem
Der OF the convention that was called TO
revise and amend the State consti-
tuition Of Indiana, and was prominent and etfi-
cient in that work. In 1851 and again in 1858 he
was a member Of Congress from the Fifth District
of Indiana At the close Of his second term he
intended to return to his law practice, but Presi-
dent Pierce appointed him Commissioner OF the
General Land Office, and he served in that ca
pacity for four years, administering the anairs
of the office with great ability.
In 1860 he was nominated as Democratic cam
didate for the Governorship of Indiana, but was
d@te9ted. vtha-R -Renuhlj jcPL candidat Henry >:
In the same year Mr.. Hendricks removed from
| Shelbyville to indianapolis, where, in 1862, he
| formed law partnership with Oscar b. Hord,
extended in 1866 to Mr. Hendricks cousin, Col. A.
w. Hendricks, under the firm title of Hendricks,
| Hord e. Hendricks.
From 1863 to March, 1862 Mr.. Hendricks was
| member OF the United States Senate from In
diana He served efficiently on the Committee
| on Claims, the Judiciary, Public Lands, and
Naval Affairs.
In the Democratic National Convention Of
| 1868 in New York. on the twenty-first ballot he
received 132 votes as candidate for the Presi-
| dency, standing next to Gen. Hancock, who re-
ceived 1851 but the final ballot Horatio
| Seymour was nominated. In the autumn Of
| that year he was again n candidate for the Gov
ernorship Of Indiana, but was defeated by 341
IN ajority by the Republican candidate, Conrad
| Baker, who afterward became law partner Of
| Mr.. Hendricks
At the close Of his Senatorial term he re-
| tnrned to Indianapolis, and resumed the prac-
! tice of his profession. In 1872 he was elected
Governor of Indiana, defeating the Republican
candidate, Thomas NJ. Brown, by a majority Of
], ,l4S. In July, 1874 he was made permanent
Chairman of the State Democratic Convention
! at indianapolis. In the National Democratic
Convention at st. Louis in June, 1876, he re-
ceived 1887 votes for the Presidential nomina-
| tion and when Samuel J. Tilden was nominated
he received 730 out Of 73s votes as candidate for
the Vice Presidency.
In 1877, and again in 1888, accompanied by
Mrs. Hendricks, he made u brief tour of Europe
as relaxation from his arduous professional
pursuits. He was member of the National
Democratic Convention at Chicago in July, 1884,
and in behalf Of the Indiana delegation nomi-
| mated Joseph f. Mcdonald for the Presidency.
After the nomination Of Grover Cleveland, VIII
liam A. Wallace, of Pennsylvania, nominated
Thomas A. Hendricks for the Vice Presidency,
and the entire SIG votes cast for him made him
the unanimous nominee Of the convention.
Mr.. Hendricks was five feet nine inches in
height, weighed 1856 pounds, and from his ire
proachable habits through life possessed q
strong and vigorous constitution. He was con-
sstent member Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. and his private life was without stain