The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-03
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Brief Sketch of Gov. Hendricks Long and
Busy Life.


Thomas Andrews Hendricks was born near
GAINESVILLE, Ohio Sept. z, 1919. On the maternal
side heswas orScotch descent. His mother. Jane
Thompson, a granddaughter OF John
Thompson, who emigrated from Scotland to
Pennsylvania before the revolution and by his
representations Of the advantages of the coun-
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 a member of the State Legis-
lature. John Hendricks, the father of Thomas,
was born in Lgonier Valley. and not long after
a farm near that place Thomas was born.
When he was six months old his parents re-
moved to Madison, Ind, then the residence OF
sively a member Of Congress- Governor OF the
State, and United States Senator. In 1873. he
removed again, and located a homestead in the
then sparsely 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 1897, 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 a Presbyteri-
an clergyman. Thomas went to Ohambersburg
Pa, studied law in the office Of his uncle, Judge
Thomson, was admitted to the bar in 1643, and
returned to Shelbyville to practice. His success
in his profession was phenomenal. In 1S45 he
married Eliza G. 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 reelection. In 1851 he
Der of the convention that called to
revise and amend the State const-
tuition OF Indiana, and was prominent and efh-
cient in that work. In 1851 and again in 1853 he
was n 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 affairs
of the office with great ability.
In 1860 he was nominated Democratic cam
didate for the iovernorshp Of Indiana, but was
defeated by the Republican candidate, Henry 8.
Lane, who became Governor by 8 1857 majority.
In the same year Mr.. Hendricks removed from
Shelbyville to Indianapolis, where, insl862 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 & Hendricks
From 1863 to March, 1869, 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.
1868, in New York, on the twenty-hrst ballot be
received 1872 votes as candidate for Sthe Presi-
dency, standing next to Gen. Hancock, who re-
ceived 1850 but on the final ballot Horatio
Seymour nominated. In the autumn Of
that year he was again n candidate for the Gov
ernorship Of Indiana. but was defeated by 3i1
IN ajority by therRepublican candidate Conrad
Baker, who afterward became a 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 majority Of
], 148. In July, 1874, he made permanent
Chairman OF the State Democratic Convention
ut indianapolis. In the National Democratic
Convention at st. Louis in 'June, 1876. he re-
ceived 1880 votes for the Presidential nomina-
ton, and when Samuel j. Tilden was nominated
he received $50 out of 73S votes candidate for
the Vice Presidency.
In 1877 and again in 1888, accompanied by
Mrs. Hendricks, he made brief tour of Europe,
n 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 l.. 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 SIC 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
proGchable habits through life possessed q
strong and vigorous constitution. He was con-
sistent member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. and his private life was without a STAIN