The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-17
Wayne COunty'S MuStri0uS Son
Oliver Perry Norton Indiana's Great War Governc
Was Born at Centerville-Hs Career.


snst 4th. 1923, as Salisbury. the first
county.seat Of Wayne county. The
town 10 now extinct. Both bis par
ents dying when he was quite young.
the care Of him devolved upon his
grandmother and two aunts. Very
early In life. he was put to the hating
trade. with his brother. but never did
much at the business. In 1887 he was
sent to Centervi;le to attend the
Wayne County Seminary, under Prof.
g. X. Hoshour. After leaving the
high school OF Prof. Hoshour. he ne.
tered Miami University. at Oxford.
Ohio. In the university he made
great progress In his studies. and de-
veloped those rare talents that have
distinguished him as a debator. and
contributed 30 largely to his success
IN public life. He left the University
without graduating. returned to Cen.
terville. and commenced the study Of
law, giving all his energies to the task
Of preparing to enter upon the prac.
tice OF his profession. He was mar
ried May IS, 1S45. to Miss Lucinda
Burbank. Of Centerville. In 1886 he
was admitted to practice. and by his
untiring industry and perseverance,.
together with his convincing elo-
Quence. he rose rapidly In his profes.
sion. and soon acquired lucretive
practice. In 1852 he was appointed
Judge OF this Judicial District for one
year. being the unexpired term OF his
predecessor.
In 1856 he was a candidate for Gov
~rnor on the Republican on the Re-
publican ticket. and made a thorough
and vigorous canvass Of the state, In
opposition to Ashel p. Willard, the
Democratic candidate: and. although
he failed to be elected. he came out Of
the contest with well-consolidated
party. In 1860 he was nominated for
Lieutenant-G on the ticket
with Henry 8. Lane for Governor. and
was overwhelmingly elected in Novem.
Der Of that year. On the 18th of Jan.
nary, 1861, Mr.. Morton was duly quail
flied. and entered upon the discharge
Of his duties as Lieutenant Governor.
He held the office but two days. when
he became Governor of the state, in
consequence of the legislature. In
Joint session, having elected Governor
Lane to the office Of United States
Senator for six years. At this time
the Southern leaders were marshal.
ing their hosts for the impending con-
ilict. Governor Morton saw the whole
situation at glance. He knew that
they were diabolically In earnest and
he visited Washington for the purpose
OF impressing his convictions upon
the authorities there. and counselling
them to prepare for the worst, and 1t
b believed that his visit was not void
Of good results. Having returned to
the capital Of his own state before
he attack on Fort Sumpter. he was
y his post to give command when the
ale Of treason struck the ship OF
Btate. Six regiments. the quota Of
Indiana on the call for $4,000 men.
were raised In an incredibly short
time and were armed and equipped.
and moving for the scene of action
before those OF any other Western
state. Newspapers OF other states
We'd with each other In eulogizing the
Governor of Indiana for his energy In
bringing soldiers into the field. The
Idea Of sending state agents to look
after the welfare of the soldiers. orig
mated with Governor Morton: and
although others initiated his example,
the agents OF Indiana invariably dis.
lanced all others. Among his first
acts after the attack on Sumpter. was
10 call the legislature to assemble on
the 26th of April. In his message to