The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-12-05

q
JUDGE FORAKER IN 1881. FoRAKER TODAY
ally in the latter as in the former instance,
and it is possible that even tHep he would
not have given up and declared himself
permanently out had it not Dcen that poll
tics Is not u profitable occupation, and he
felt the necessity of making money while
he was young enough to do SO. He has
been practicing law now for about six
years, and it is understood that he has
done very we'll
Joseph Benson Foraker is not yet 30.
He was born in RainsborO. o., in July,
1916. When he was 2 wears old, the family
removed to place about three miles from
that village and in the home thus estab-
lished young Ben, as he was called when q
boy, passed his early years He must have
been q lad Of strong characteristics for
when he was only z years old one Sam
Newell, neighbor OF the Foraker family,
predicted that lone of these days. Ben
would be governor of the state Of Ohio.
In 1885 this prediction came true. Two
years later he was reelected to the guber-
Material chair. In 1889 he was renomi-
mated against his own better Judgment
and defeated. As he ran unsuCcessfully
for the Office in 1888, two years before his
first election, his candidacy in 1889 was
the fourth. But the governorship was
not the first responsible place filled by Mr..
Foraker. He was admitted to the bar in
1869, when 23 years Of age, and speedily
built up booming practice. In 1879 he
was elected judge Of the superior court Of
Cincinnati and remained upon the bench
until 1889, when he resigned because of i'll
health. 1t is not of record that he made
enemies while judge, but every one who
reads the political news Of the day knows
that he made lots Of them while governor.
He has frank, outspokeu way OF saying
things that displeases many people, and
he is such a strong partisan as often to go
farther in his remarks concerning those Of
the other side than is at all agreeable.
He was 10 years old when the civil war
broke out. His elder brother enlisted in
the northern army, and Ben wanted to go
with him dreadfully, but was not allowed
to. The next year, however, he Joined
Company A Of the Elghty-ninth infantry,
Ohio volunteers. A year later, and when
he was only II years old, he was tempo
rarily put in command of his company.
During all the time of his service, which
extended to the close Of hostilities, he
served with much credit. When mustered
son, he was not 10 years of age. His mil
itary record was as follows: Sergeant,
Aug. 20, 1862; first lieutenant March IA,
1861 brevet captain, March 10, 1866; "fOr
efficient services during the campaigns in
North Carolina and Georgia" When
mustered out, he was aid dde-camp to Cen
eral Henry W. SlOcum. Immediately
thereafter he entered Wesleyan university,
otn n,I ba
years, after which he went to Cornell,
where he was graduated in 1869.
There Is not space here to recount all
the lively episodes in Mr.. Foraker's polit-
ical history, and it would be difficult to
speak of them in detail without taking
sides either for or against him. The "un-
shaken hand" episode was perhaps one of
the most picturesque. 1t arose from an
order concerning battlelags put forth by
President Cleveland. Mr.. Foraker did not
approve of this order, and he said SO in q
public manner. Then 1t was claimed that
Mrs. Cleveland refused to shake his hand
ut reception, and Foraker, who was then
governor, retaliated by refusing to recog-
nize President Cleveland when he reviewed
a certain parade in which the governor, as
head of OhiO's militia took part. Mr.
Foraker was also exceedingly prominent
In what was known as the "ballot box
forgery investigation" In 1890. Between
Mr. Foraker and Senator John Sherman
feelings understood to be not at all cordial
have long existed.
Although he is widely known, Mr.. For
aker will be new figure at the national
capital, and 1t is quite on the cards that
he will be an interesting one. Mrs For
aker is an enthusiastic admirer of her hus-
band In politics. She Is an engaging wom-
an and very popular with those who know
her. She is especially we'll liked by the
military organizations Of Ohio, and on
state occasions wears several medals pre-
sented by such or rIanizatlons. One that
she is especially fond Of displaying repre-
sents the tree known as the "buokeye"
growing In its primeyal state. Mrs. For
aker Is fond OF society, and while her hus-
band was governor entertained brilliantly
In the executive mansion at Columbus.