The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-18
DEATH OF j. A. WILDMAN
HE WAS ONE OF THE wELL-kNOwN
MEN OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Colonel Wfldman Had Been Auditor OF
State, Postmaster of This City
and Had Held Other Offices.

James Alexander Wildman, one of the
best-known citizens of Indianapolis and In
diana, died at his home. SIS North Penn
sylvania street, at $50 last night OF tu-
berculosis. He had been in i'll health since
he suffered an attack Of la grippe in Feb
ruary, 1899, when he contracted the dis
ease that proved fatal For some time he
has been very low, but his death came I'M
expectedly. Mrs. Wildman and their
daughter, Mrs. ]. Z. Parker, of Eaton, o.,
were at his bedside. and Mr.. Parker ar
rived shortly after the sad hour.
James a. Wildman was born in jefferson
county. Indiana, May % 1884, and was the
eldest son of Enos and Jane Wildman. His
father came from West Virginia and was
of English descent, and his mother came
from Ohio and came of Scotch-Irish an
cestors. They were both Presbyterians,
and reared their family in that denomina-
ton. Having seen the light on a farm, Mr..
Wildman did not have the educational ad-
vantages Of the city lad. and until he was
eighteen years old his opportunities were
confined TO three-month terms OF winter
school. Much of this valuable time was
spent in performing necessary duties about
the farm for his father. AT nineteen years
of age he entered Hanover College with
the intention of taking three-years
course He spent the first year in college
relying almost entirely upon his own. re-
sources, and when the term ended he be-
gan teaching school with the intention of
securing money TO return the following
year. When the next term began he found
that he was unable to return and the one
year in Hanover covered his college educa-
| ton, but by diligent research in profitable
books he gained what had been denied him
in collegiate course
IN HOWARD COUNTY.
In 1885 he went to Des Moines, Ia, and
engaged in teaching and farming, return
ing to Indiana in 1856. He then went to
Kokomo and began teaching. but after
ward became clerk in the county audi
tors office. In 1859 he was elected auditor
of Howard county and was reelected in
1863. His deep interest in schools, churches
and public affairs soon made him very pop
ular with all classes and gained for him
prestige that afterward raised him to
| political affluence. He was always inter-
| ested in agriculture, and formed the first
y.
During the war he was very close to
Governor Morton and for his efficient serv-
| ice with the Home Guards he was commits
| stoned colonel, but on account of his being
| in office and because of a unanimous re-
guest that he retain his position he never
served in the army. He was elected a mem
Der of the Legislature in 1865 and was in
strumental in securing the repeal of the
law creating annual elections.
From that time on his political infu-
ence began to be felt over the State and in
1872 he was elected auditor of state. While
| In off1ce he recommended change in the
State Constitution limiting county and mu-
nicipal Indebtedness, which is now part of
| the Constitution. 1t was on his recommen-
dation that state statistical bureau was
established. In 1874 he was candidate for
reelection, but was defeated with his
| party. Later he served several years as
a member of the State Board of Agricul-
ture. He became a resident of Indiana polls
after retiring as state auditor. After his
| retirement from Office he engaged in pri-
vate banking business and was one of the
! men who established the Central Bank.
! which failed and much of his property
went to secure the indebtedness.
WAS POSTMASTER HERE.
President Garfield appointed him post
master in this city in 1881. He served four
| years and after his retirement engaged
| in the real estate business and agriculture,
| in which he was interested up to the time
| of his death.
During Mayor Dennys administration
| Colonel Wildp,an served as a member of
| the Board of Public Works. He assisted
| i'm organizing the Board of Trade, was
| member of the Board of Governors and
| once was president of the organization. He
| was active member of the Grand Lodge
| I. .. o. E., and was elected Grand Master
| in 1869. Twice he was sent as representa-
| tive to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. In
| 1893 he was elected treasurer of the Grand
| Lodge, a position he retained till his
| death.
| His political career has always been ac-
| tive and as an ardent Republican he was
| known in all parts of the State. He had
4 few political enemies and none or
| personal nature, and his opponents in po-
| litical faith were usually his warm friends
| He was married to Miss Helen Hadey
| at kokomo in 1861 and to them were born
| two daughters, Edna, who became Mrs
| w. A. Balloon, of Denver, Col. and died
seven years ago, and Anna. now Mrs. j. A.
| Parker, of Eaton, o., who survives with
| the widow. He also leaves two sisters,
| Mrs. John Thorn, of this city, and Mrs
/ Nettie Rutlidge, who now lives on the old
| homestead in Jefferson county. The one
| brother who survives is Major John f.
| Wildman, who lives in Muncie and is one
| of the proprietors of the Muncie Times.
| He formerly collector of internal
| revenue for the Eleventh district. He was
| a soldier during the civil war. For merfto-
| rious services at the battle of Gettysburg
he was commissioned adjutant of the
One-hundred-and-th irtieth Indiana 1nfan-
| try and again for gallantry in the battle of
| Nashville he was made major of the One
| hundred and fifty-third Indiana Infantry
| Volunteers, though but twenty-five years
| of age. After leaving the army Major Wild
man obtained a position in the Treasury
Department at Washington and on April
| 3, 1867. he was appointed collector of in
| ternal revenue for the Eleventh district