Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-27

MR.. HENDRICKS CAREER.
Conspicuous i'm the Politics Of his state
and Of the Union for Many Years.
Thomas Andrews Hendricks was born ON
| farm near GAINESVILLE, Ohio, on september u
1919. His father was John Hendricks, native
of Pennsylvania, and the son Of one OF the
earliest settlers Of Westmoreland county, VINO
erected q mill In the Ligonter valley fn that
county on stream since known as Hendricks
run. Thomas A. Hendricks mother was Jane
Thompson, granddaughter Of John Thompson
| a Scotchman, who, settling in this country IN
1872. sent back to his native country an adj
dress advocating emigration to America. Will
lam Hendricks, an elder brother Of John, had
moved to Cincinnati, and thence to Indiana, OF
which state he became the second governor,
and later he was elected a United States Sena.
atOr. John Hendricks, with his newly-narrieu
wife, followed In his brothers track and settled
first near GAINESVILLE, where his eldest son,
q months old John Hendricks moved to Indl-
ana and settled at Madison, on the Ohio river.
Three years later he moved 70 Shelbyvii
where he built substantial brick house, IN
the meeting place for the fresbyterian clergy:
the Presbyterian church In indianapolis, and
Thomas was brought up in the faith OF that
church.
Thomas A. Hendricks attended the village
school at Shelbyxiilc until he was old enough
TO enter South Hanover College At Madison.
1871, when twenty-two years Of age and be-
gan to study law. He attended the law school
In C Cham g, Pa, presided over by his
merly a judge. In 1S43 he was admitted to
the bar at shelbyville where he opened an Of
he had a practice sufficiently large to permit
him to marry: He married on september %.
lsa5 ~. E "a, G Morgan, by whom he had one
In 1S4S Mr.. Hendricks, though not twenty
eight years OLD, was elected to the Indiana leg.
at all at home He did not seek reelection
at the end OF his term in 1850, but was elected
to state constitutional convention called for
William >. Holman, Schuyler COlfax and Rob-
ert Dale Owen. ME-. Hendricks took stand in
each other in credit, yet independent in their
business transactions. His arguments pre-
vailed. and banks were started in the princi-
pal towns of Indiana, with q central bank in
Indianapolis.
Mr.. Hendricks, in 1851, was elected to Con.
gress a democrat from the central district Of
Indiana. defeating his WING opponent BY nearly
1000 votes He was reelected in 1852. During
his second term the question of repeating the
Hendricks supported the repeal. His vote on
that question had much influence In causing
his ,: defeat when he ran for Congress in 1854,
that defeat. Mr.. Hendricks returned to his law
work in Shelbyville, and In August, 1854, was
the general land Office. The appointment came
to him without his solicitation, and at first he
wished to decline IT. After consultation with
the office and came to Washington. He acted as
commissioner during the latter half Of Pierces
administration and the earlier halt Of Buchan-
ans, during which time he signed upward of
100000 land warrants and settled more than
&c, 1000 contested land cases. few of which have
been OVerruled. de resigned the office In 1850,
when he returned to practice his profession In
Shebyville.
He did not remain quiet very long. His party
Dr0DarinQ n AM Mr.
Hendricks was unanimously nominated by the
Indiana democrats as their candidate for gov
The democratic party was divided by the con-
test between Douglas and Breckenridge, and
nrn.d tn hi IS WAS deaeatsd again ne re-
ferred from Shelbyville to Indianapolis. He
entered into partnership there with Oscar B.
At the beginning of the rebellion Mr. Hen
bricks deprecated civil war, and favored an
honorable constitutional compromise to avert
its horrors. At meeting of the Indiana de-
mOcracy, however, held in January, 1861, the
committee on resolutions, of which Mr.. Hen
highest aim and duty of patriotism to preserve
the Union in its integrity and maintain the
federal compact in its spirit.
Early in 1858 Mr.. Hendricks was chosen to
the United States Senate to succeed David s.
Turpin, who had held Office for eighteen days
Mr.: Hendricks took his seat on March 4. 1868,
league of Henry $. Lane and for two years a
colleague OF oliver p. Morton. He early gained
Con.
gress, and served with distinction on the COM
mittees on claims the judiciary public lands
and naval affairs. He was active in opposition
to the imposition of test oaths, the civil rights
| bill, the freedman's bureau bill, and other
similar acts.
In the Impeachment trial of President John.
son, Senator Hendricks took leading part for
the defense. and objected to Senator Wade the
acting Vice President, taking his seat as one of
next in succession in case the President were
found guilty.
While Mr.. Hendricks was stll in the Senate,
the democratic national convention of 1868
was held, at which he was q prominent candi-
date for the Presidency. On the 2lst ballot
Senator Hendricks 1872. The break for Sey-
mOur then began, and he was nominated by ac-
clamation. Senator Hendricks was nominated
In the year OF his retirement from the Senate
for the governorship Of Indiana, but was de-
feated by Conrad Baker by about 500 votes
and resumed his law business with Mr.. Hord
and his cousin, Abram w. Hendricks. In 1872
he was again unanimously nominated for gov
Browne. Mr.. Hendricks was elected by LAS
majority, and, except the superintendent Of
elected to state Office in Indiana
At the democratic national convention In St
Louis in 1875, which nominated Mr.. Tilden for
the office OF Vice President on the first ballot
The campaign which followed ended in q dis.
les TO s and the Of
and Wheeler elected President and Vice Presi.
dent respectively. After this decision Mr.
hendricks returned once more to his law prac-
tce in Indianapolis, his firm now becoming
Baker, Hendricks, Hord Hendricks Conrad
Baker. the Vice Presidents old political oppo-
nent, was member of the firm.
Vice President Hendricks was again candi.
date for the presidency In 1880, but the nomi.
nation was given to Gen. Hancock. Mr.. Hend-
ricks opened the campaign In behalf OF Han
cock and English in Marion, Ind, on August
IL, 1880, and worked actively for them during
the rest OF the cam paign.
In 1854 the democratic national convention
met in Chicago. MIR. Hendricks for the first
time attended 1t as a delegate. He placed the
name OF Senator Mcdonald before the cOnven-
ton as a candidate for the Presidency but on
the second ballot received himself the votes OF
all the Indiana delegates except his own. Gov.
Cleveland, however, had more supporters in
the convention than Mr.. Hendricks, and re-
ceiyed the nomination for President. When
the convention was ready to receive nomina.
tons Tor the Vice-Presidency, Mr.. Wallace OF
pennsylvania, arose and presented Mr. Hen
bricks name. Gov. Waller OF Connecticut
Gov. Hubbard of Texas, and other prominent
., supported the nomination, and upon
the roll call, every vote of every delegation was
cast for him. The enthusiasm Of the convention
passed ail bounds. and finally all present Joined
In singing 'Old Hundred" as the only means OF
giving it expression. Mr.. Hendricks was mott
linotf ny,o Gopo A., IN.