Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1895 — "BLUE JEANS.” [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"BLUE JEANS.”

The Political Career of James D. Wil' llama, Late Governor of Indiana.

FIVE miles south of Monroe City, Ind-, in Walnut Grove Oenfetery, sleeps all that is mortal °f "Blue Jeans”

Williams, a man who rose from poverty and obscurity to the Governor’s chair of the great i State of Indiana. 'He was known as the farmer Governor of Indiana, and defeated Benjamin Harrison for the Governorship o f

the State in 1876. “Blue Jeans” Williams, as he was called by everybody, was pre-emi-nently a self-made man, being trained in the severe school of AVestern pioneer life. He belonged to a class of men who qre rapidly passing away from our midst. The arduous conditions in which they art bom and reared can never be reproduced. James D. Williams was a Buckeye, being born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1808. His parents were very poor, and hence his educational advantages were somewhat meager. What education he had was obtained outside the schoolroom. He was reared in the stern school of adversity. In after life the career of Governor Williams, was distinctly marked by the virtues which grew out of the surroundings of his early life. At the age of 10 years the future Congressman and Governor moved to Knox County, this State, with Ms father’s family. He resided here until his death. He grew to man’s estate upon his farther’s farm, and bore 1 his full share of the tolls incident to 1 the 1 ’fanning life of that period. When a young man Governor Williams showed those sterling qualities that marked hiswhole life. He was honest, industrious and upright. Tn the midst of his early labors he 1 soon began to take an active Interest iin politics, and at 30 was elected to be 1 justice of the Peace. His neighbors' always held him in high regard, and he 1 was looked upon as the leader of his-, party In Ms locality. He resigned as Justice of the Peace to take his seat in the lower hotrse of the Indiana Legislature in 1843- From that time he was almost continually in office. He did not make' a brilliant record as a legislator, yet he ted the respect of his colleagues- and approval of his constituents. He served his county in the Legislature, either as Representative or Sena-

tor, untile 1874. In. 1874 the- Democrats of the- Second Indiana Congressional District sent him. to Congress, and he served one term. We now come to She climax of Governor Williams’ life —his elevation to- the Governorship of -Indiana over Benj. Harrison, afterwards a President of the United States. Beyond ail question the State campaign in' Indiana in 1876 was the most exciting; in. all her history. It resembled on a smaller scale the great national campaign of 1840, when William Henry Harrison defeated Martin Van Buren for the PresidencyGovernor Williams died Nov. 20,1880, before his term: of office expired. His funeral was. attended by thousands. His- grave i® on a knoll to sight of the old homestead. The mnaument that marks- the last resting pfa.ee of “Blue Jeans” WiHfiians is a beautiful granite structure 40 feet high and 7 by 7 at the base, Engraraed on it we- find the fob 'owihgr »*»'**»» ». • « • • * JAMES D. WILLIAMS, • * Bom January 20, 1808, * * EMetl November 20, 1880. * * A representative * * ©f the- People for Many Years. * * Was term in Congress. * 1 • Governor of Indiana from 1877 * ' * until his death. ♦ * Always a faithful public offi- * * eer, and an honest man. * * Indiana honored him in life, * * and. e&erishes his memory in * * death- * * * • »•»***»* ** In appearance Governor Williams was somewhat awkward and uncouth. He wa®fully six feet high, and slightly stooped. He was a consistent reader of the Bible, yet belonged to no church.

“BLUE JEANS.”

GOV. WILLIAMS' HOME.