The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-10-07


HON JOHN t. RICH.
he has not only succeeded in develop
ing his broad acres, "laying up a penny
for rainy day." but he has risen step
by step in the estimation of his neigh
bors and the people of the state until
to-day as for many years past he stands
as representative farmer and man of
Michigan.
ONCE Has Sought Him.
Mr.. Rich has been a frequent office
holder, but it is a fact that in nearly
every instance the place has sought the
man, and not the man the place.
Honors have been conferred upon him
without solicitation. When still a
young man his neighbors manifested
their appreciation of his sterling worth
by electing him for four successive
years to represent them on the county
board of supervisors, an office of no
financial profit but of considerable re-
sponsibility. His colleagues discovered
the existence of that good judgment
and sense of fairness which character
lied his later public life and for
the last two years of his connection
with the board-in 1871 and 1s72-made
him their chairman. In 1872 he was
elected to the lower house of the state
legislature from the First district of
Lapeer county. During his member
ship of the house, covering an unusual
ly long period of six years, he served
on some of the most important commit
tees. He was chairman of the COM
mittee on Agricultural college, a recog-
milton of his prominence among the
farmers; chairman of the very impor-
tant committee on state affairs and
member of the committees on engross-
ment and enrolment and state public
school During the session of 1877 and
1879 he occupied the exceedingly honor
able and responsible position of speaker
of the house. He achieved an enviable
reputation both as legislator and par
Humanitarian, making his mark as we'll
for his sound common sense as for his
ability as presiding officer, in which
capDity none of his decisions were
ever overruled. In the chair he was
affable, agreeable and courteous, and
easily and completely commanded the
respect of all for his ability, prompt
ness in making decisions and his fair
ness.
In the republican state convention of
1880 Mr.. Rich, in common with Hon.
Thomas w. Palmer, Hon. Francis b.
tockbridge, Rice A. Beal, of Wash
tenaw; Hon. Charles L. German, of
I1
inaw, was candidate for guberna-
torial honors. But Mr. Jerome, being
chosen on the tenth ballot, had no
warmer supporter or harder fighter for
his election than Mr.. Rich, who was
always true to his party, has invariably
been found in the thickest of the fight,
no matter who the nominee was. In
the fall of 1880 Mr. Rich was elected
to the state senate, and here again his
reputation for efficiency and conscien-
tiousness in the performance of every
duty was seen in his appointment to
the craftsmanship of the committee on
finance and appropriations, most inn
portant committee in that it is called
upon to scrutinize the expenditures of
public funds. With such man as
John T. Rich on guard in that position
little danger would there be that ex-
travagance would be known. He was
also a member OF the committee on
state house of correction.
His Career In Congress.
His congressional career was char
acterized by the same faithfulness and
assiduity in the performance of every
duty that distinguished him at Lam
sing. Although member for only one
term, and consequently with no oppor-
tunity to make himself especially prom
inent, his career at Washington was
nevertheless honorable and intelligent.
He came to the front as an advocate
of the agricultural interests of the
coun try.
Returning home Mr.. Rich settled
down to farm life again, devoting him
self to his occupation and to the va
rious phases of farm life, sheep rails
ing, etc, in which he had always been
active. He has been and is still vice
president of the National Wool Grow
ers' association, president of the Mich
igan Merino Sheep Breeders associa-
ton, and as such was appointed as
delegate to appear before the commit
tee on ways and means of congress in
behalf of the wool-growing industry.
He is also president of the Farmers
Mutual Fire Insurance company of La
peer county He was elected presi-
dent of the State Agricultural society
In 1890 and his splendid management
caused his reelection in 1891.
He has also been treasurer
of the Northeastern Agricul-
tural society from its organiza-
ton to the present time. All these
positions of honor have fallen to him
without solicitation and solely because
of his prominence in the fields repre-
sented. He was chairman of the re-
publican state conventions in the
spring of 1879 and the spring of 1891,
and chairman of the senatorial caucus
In 1881, when Mr.. Conger was elected
United States senator.
Filled Responsible Positions.
In 1890 Secretary of the Treasury
Foster, recognizing Mr.. Rich as an au-
tbority on wool matters, appointed him
. member of a commission to revise
the standard wool samples of the gov
eminent, work in which he is still
engaged. He has recently been APP
pointed as q member of committee to