The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1913-06-27
LIFE SKETCH
Of new COM.
Cato Sells Is Now In
Office
In Former Article This Paper AM
nounoed His Appointment


sioner Of Indian Affairs at Washington D.
C. and his work will be watched with
more or less interest byjall Indian bands in
the United States. This Office which is
now filled by Mr.. Sells, of Texas, is an
Office of much importance to all Indians
and we hope that Mr.. Sells will not mis-
place the confidence thus placed insIim BY
the party of which he is a member. Under
former administrations the commissioners
of Indian Affairs have put hardship upon
hardship on the Indian with the single ex-
ception of Acting Commissioner Abbott,
who was liberal with the Indian in more
ways than one and we sincerely hope Mr..
Cato will see his way clear to give the
Indians as much. The following from an
exchange gives brief history of his life.
Cato Sells the new Indian Commissioner
was born aud brought up in a western state,
the son of civil war veteran and only a
few years ago was transplanted into a
southern state. He is broad gauged in every
way and a worthy representative Of the
progressive young men who are going out
and taking an active part in national affairs.
MIR. Sells was born in the village OF La
porte City, Iowa, about half a century ago
the son of Captain Sells civil war veteran.
He was educated in the common schools OF
Laporte City, and atten ded school at Cor
nell University in Iowa for time. His fa-
tier, Douglas Democrat was loyal to his
party but more loyal to the union. He had
splendid civil war record. Very early III
life, Cato decided that he would be De-
mocrat. He bought biography of Thomas
Jefferson and studied it thoroughly, and
has been constant follower and teacher of
Jefersonion principles. When he was bare
Fly Of age he was elected mayor Of Lapolte
city, the only elective Office he has ever
held. A few years later he ran for secretary
of state, and in succeeding campaign for
governor, but like John P. Irish, ,sthat other
brilliant Iowan, his democracy failed to
take with the conservative Iowa farmers
and he could never be- elected. Irish went
to California where his true work was re-
cognized; Sells was obliged to emigrate to
Texas before he came into his own. Dur
ing one of the Cleveland administrations,
he landed the Office of district attorney fol-
northern Iowa, and made good as an officer.
He moved from Laporte City to Vinton,
Iowa and practiced law there between cam
paigns for nearly twenty years. No politi-
cal campaign went by in Iowa that he. did
not stump the state. A few years ago he
removed to Texas and is now democrat in
| National Committeeman and member. oi
the Executive committee of the National
committee. Mr.. Sells is an original pro-
gressive democrat He was early in the
field as an opponent of the predatory forces
| that lately organized themselves into trusts
and combination. He is as radical as Bryan
but also has good level head to temper his
radicalism. He is splencid public speaker
a man absolutely free from bad habits, stri-
city honest and decidedly ambitious. He
probably never drank drop of liquor in his
life. He is in the prime of life and will
prove to be one of most capable officials of
the Wilson administration. His wife, a
former schoolmate, is women of charming
personality, and has always shown deep
interest in her husbands political aspiration
Although Mr., Sells is credited to the dem
ocracy of the state of Texas, he is in reality
a western boy, a native son and one of the
most brilliant products of the state OF Iowa.