Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-07-05
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE
a DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
FOR CONGRESS.

Blacksmith, Soldier and Statesman.
The following biographical sketch of the
Democratic nominee for Congress is from
the Van Vert Times, the organ of the Van
Vert Democracy:
Gaylard Miller Saltzgaber was born at
Shelby, Richland county, Ohio, on March IA,
1916, but with his parents came to Van Vert
county in February, 1858. In 1860, big,
stout boy. but desiring thus early to become
useful, he went to Elmore, Ottawa county,
Ohio, where he worked at the blacksmith
trade until August, 1861. At this time his
patriotic instincts induced him to enter the
Union army in defense of his country, and
accordingly he enlisted in the Sd Ohio Cav
airy. Never sick day, always at his post of
duty, in every battle in which his regiment
was engaged, escaping with slight flesh
wound but receiving seven bullet holes in his
clothing, while with his regiment leading a
gallant charge at Pennington, Tennessee, he
was finally discharged at the close of the civi
war, in August, 1856. 1t is not the purpose
here to recount the experience of those four
long years Of arduous service and suffering;
it is enough toknow that it entities him to
the gratitude Of his countrymen. ... .. ..,
Immediately upon returning home, his
experience out in the world having given him
realizing sense of the yalueof an education,
he devoted years to!school and study, finally
being admitted to the practice of law in Sep
tember, 1867, since which time, first in part
nership with Col. I. N. Alexander and then
with 81. @. Glenn, Esq, he has been success
full lawyer, and now ranks unquestionaly
among the best of his profession in North
western Ohio.
In politics. raised a Republican he was in.
duced to activity upon his return from his
school and made speeches in this, county be
fore he arrived at age. Shortly afterward he
became a Liberal Republican, and then went
over entirely to the Democratic party finding
that he was opposed to the policy of his party
in respect to all the questions of reconstruc-
ton. He was honest enough to say that the
people Of the south were deserving Of fair
treatment and consequently he had no sympa-
WY WAbh tuO iuOuo VI IdulCtAk lodu6Eb WuO
would perpetually relegate the southern
citizens to condition of political slavery in
order to insure the future supremacy Of the
Republican party. His letters on that sub
iect aroused enthusiasm among Democrats
in this section and they looked hopefully to a
bright future for this young champion of fair
play and honest government.
Almost every school house in Van Vert
county has since resounded with his app eals
for the right, and the Democratic party which
suffered defeat after defeat during and fol-
lowing The war, at length rallied with renew.
cd hope until In 1885 when the county was
carried the first time for many years. IN
1877 with his name, on the ticket for State
Senator the' Democrats won the county by
the largest majority ever obtained and elect.
cd their entire ticket. s-p ,i.. a.t.s .5o ,.rtl
From 1877 to 1881 Ne served in the Ohio
Senate As the Representative of this large
districts, and although one of the youngest
members il, that body he soon was recogniz.
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