The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-24
GUBERNAToRIAL SUCCESSION.
Rev. Ira j. Chase Is Now Governor-Brief
Sketch of His Career.

Rev. Ira j. Chase Is Now Governor-Brief
Sketch of His Career.
The demise of Governor Hovey causes
the succession Of Lieutenant governor Ira
J. Chase to the high Office left vacant. ii IL
ing out the unexpired term, which ends
Jan. IA, 1893. Gov. Chase was at Bowling
Green. o., yesterday, where he was notified
by wire of the Governors death last even
ing. He is a man In whom the people have
the utmost confidence. and the general
grief over the death of the heroic Gov.
Hovey is not augmented by any apprehen-
sion that the administration OF State af-
fairs will not be conducted with conserve
tive ability and dignity.
Ira j. Chase was born An the village Of
Clarkson, Monroe county. New York, Dec.
z. 1884. Three months later his parents re-
moved TO Medina. n. Y. He had an honor
able lineage. One of his ancestors, Samuel
Chase. was sIgner of the Declaration of
Independence. His early life had its full
share of struggles and privations. While
he was still q mere lad the failure of his
fathers health threw the responsibility of
supporting the family mainly upon his
mother and himself. His aged mother
speaks with affectionate enthusiasm of the
heroic manner in which the boy grappled
with his destiny.
When he was twelve years of age the
family moved TO Milan, o., where ira at
tended school three years, at the end OF
which time the family returned 10 Medina.
The youth continued his efforts TO obtain
an education, and, entering the Medina
Academy. he worked his way through. In
1855 the family removed to Illinois. locating
first on a small farm near harrington.
thirty miles from Chicago. where they
struggled along with only tolerable success.
In the meantime the youth began teaching
school. the delicate condition of hls health
forbIdding manual labor. While engaged
in this work. on March "A. 1859. he married
Miss Rhoda j. Castle. of PalatIne. Ill. who,
like himself, was engaged in teaching.
The beginning of the war found them as
1t found thousands of other young couples
and happy little families, and with like re-
suits. Heenlisted in Company c. Nineteenth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. on the 18th of
June, 1861. The regiment was commanded
by Col. j. Is. Turchin, later known better as
General Trrchin, by promotion. The Nine
teenth joined Fremont's expedition TO
Birds Point in July, 1861. and two weeks
later was sent to intercept General Pill
low. moving toward Ironton, but met
with no engagement Private Chase's
military aspirations were, however, destined
to end in disappointment. His health,
which had never been rugged. declined
after his first years service. and be was
finally sent 10 the hospital for treatment
This occurred while he was with his reei-
ment at Huntsville, Ala. While in
the hospital there he was gwen
MP to die by his surgeon: Dr. X. q:
Bogue. but he afterwaTd recovered
sufficiently 10 bear removal TO Nashville,
When lt became apparent that Mr.. Chase
was physically unit for army service his
surgeon advised him 10 retire from the
army or he would soon be q dead man. Ac-
cepting the enevItsble. he received his dis
charge papers Nov. z. 1862.
Returning to Darlington. Ill. he joined
his wife. and as soon as he was able 10 at
tend TO business stocked n hardware store.
A year or two later his wife was prostrated
with small-po and as she was the cnly
| victim in the town their house was summed
by all their neighb0rs, and Mr.. Chase's
business was ruined. He attended upon
his wife constantly. and after terrible
| experience. lasting five months. she arose
| from the bed blind and crippled. One of
| her eyes has since been partially restored,
but the other was totally lost After this
failure of Mr.. Chase's business prospects
| he studied for the ministry. He began
| preaching in the Christian Church twenty
| one years ago. and has followed that profes-
sion with great credit 10 himself ever since.
| AS q minister he is widely known
| throughout the West. His first charge was
| at Mishawska. Ind. subsequently his ap-
| pointments were as follows: 1867. LaPortc;
| 1869. Pittsburg. Pa; 1871, Peoria. ILL.,: 1880.
| Wabash; 1854 and afterward. Danyille,
| where he now resides. Eight years ago he
moved TO DanvIlle, Ind, and took charge
| of the Christian Church there. In Febru-
airy, 1886, he was unanimously chosen by
| his Grand Army comrades assembled at
Indianapolis. as chaplain of the Departments
| of Indiana. Five months later he received
the nomination as Republican candidate
for Congress from the Fifth district of In
| diana. He made thorough canvass against
| Col. L. 4. Matson. and succeeded IN reduc-
J ing that gentleman's gerrymandered ma
jority from 800 10 532. In February, 1881,
| he vas elected at the Grand Encampment
| of the G.. A. X. as department commander,
with a W hirl of enthusiasm.
In June. 1855. he was given the Republic
/ an nomination for Lieutenant governor by
acclamatlon, and was elected after the
| memorable campaign of 1855. Since then
his duty as presiding officer of the Senate
has been done fairly. fearlessly and we'll.