The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-14

was the resolution condemning the action
OF the Reformatory discharging ex-soldiers
because they were over forty years of age.
The resolution separating the offices of as
Sistaut adJutant general and qUartermaster
general did not receive two score votes.
Resolutions favoring military instruction
in the schools and the Improvement Of
school histories were adopted
The chief interest centered in the election
OF department commander. the first ballot
resulting as follows: Mccullough. 81; Rob-
BINS. S., H~eadington. "a. Swoveland, l0l
Campbell, i27; Dodge. $50. There being no
choice, 2 second ballot was taken which
resulted In the election of James S. Dodge.
of Elkhart. who received 3f votes out of
6eS. Robbins got 81, Campbell, 1870; Swove-
land, 40, and H~eadington, 10. or the last
ballot. Commander Dodge enlisted in the
Third Ohio Cavalry when sixteen years of
age, and served to the end in the ranks.
lie Is nearly ffty-one years of age, a man
of commanding appearance and an attract
i've speaker. All are satisfied that the choice
has fallen upon an excellent man.
SKETCH OF NEW COMMANDER.
James S. Dodge was born in Morrow
county Ohio. OF Scotch ancestors, Aug. 20,
1916. Two years later his parents removed
to Elkhart county. Indiana, and located on
a farm. In 1850, when but four years old,
his mother died, and six years later death
deprived him of his father. He was then
cast entirely on his own resources, and
passed the next seven years of his life on
"A farm. In June. 1863, he enlisted as a re-
cruit in the Third Ohio Cavalry. when but
sixteen years old, and served to the end of
the war. He was with his regiment at
Snake Creek Gap, BuZzard's Roost, Chick
amauga. Resaca. Peach Tree creek, At
lanta and other historic fields. He was with
fitzpatrick on the latter's famous raid, and
with Pap" Thomas at the battle of Nash
Vile. He was al Selma, Ala, and Column
bus, Ga, and was present and took part in
ltberating the last of the Union prisoners
at Andersonville. He also assisted in the
capture Of jeff Davis when the latter was
fleeing in dizo1fiGp. Mr. Dodge WAS mus
tered out of the service at the end of the
war with the rank of orderly sergeant.
In 1867 he entered the medical department
of Michigan University, took the medical
course, and continued in the practice OF
that profession until 1884. when, On account
of the encroachmentS of rheumatism and
having prepared himself by two years of
assiduous application to the study of the
law, he was admitted TO the bar of Elkhart
county and entered on the active practice
of law. Hard work and natural ability
soon placed him in the front rank of his
calling and one of the leading advocates of
the State. Mr.. Dodge has ever been an ag-
gressive and uncompromising Republican,
and for the last twelve years has done much
service for his party in the field. on several
occasions stumpin the northern half of the
State. AS a political orator he has few
equals, and during campaign years is con-
stantly in demand by the state Republican
committee. In 1892 he was the candidate
for Congress. and although he reduced his
opponents majority one thousand votes, he
was caught in the landslide that engulfed
his party. Perhaps no one in the State is
more in demand for Fourth of July and
Decoration day o|rations, and he is a fire.
duent speaker at G.. A. r. reunions and
various other celebrations. He was for sew
eral years commander of the G. A. r. post
at Bristol, Ind. and is at present COM
mander of Elmer Post, No. 81, of Elkhart.
He is a member of the Century Club, a So
cial and commercial organization at his
home, and is a member of st. Johns Epis-
copal Church. He is thoroughly domestic
in his taste, and leads a pleasant home life
with his wife and two children, a son and a
daughter.
The other officers elected are as follows:
Senior Vice Commander-J. N. Tingle, of
Richmond.
Junior Vice.. d. White. of Lafayette.
ChRplain-Rev. A. Murphy.
Council of Administration Benjamin
Starr, Richmond; Elder Cooper, Evansville;
Lee Marks, Button; Nicholas Filbeck,
Tcrre Haute: J. II. Mitchell. Lafayette.
This afternoon at 1880 o'clock, in the cor
ridors of the Westcott. the new Grand Ar
my officers were publicly installed. Gen.
w. N. Foster. of Fort Wayne, who was the
first department commander in this State,
was the installing officer, and A. r. Tucker.
who was chief of staff under Commander
Caylor, was the officer of the Gay. The of
GERS installed were commander. senior and
Junior vice commanders. chaplain, medical
director and assistant adjutant general and
assistant duartermaSter general. The lat
ter two offices are again 70 be filled by r..
Nj. Smock, whose appointment to the place
was at once announced by the new COM
mander. Commander Dodge made a brief
speech in response to calls from the as
sembly.