Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1914 — JOHN ADE EXPIRED AT DISTRICT CONVENTION [ARTICLE]

JOHN ADE EXPIRED AT DISTRICT CONVENTION

One of the Founders of Republican Party and Father of George Ade, Well Known Author.

The sudden death of John Ade, of Kentland, in the tenth district convention at Valparaiso Tuesday afternoon, cast a shadow of gloom over the delegates and brought the proceedings to a tragic ending. Mr. Ade had been-chairman of the committee on resolutions and it was during the reading of the platform, into Whieh he had written his ideals of republicanism, that death came. Mr. Ade was sitting on one of the front seats, with Abner E. Werkhoff, of lafayette. When the resolution committee was called for a report, Mr. Are arose, took a copy of the platform from his pocket and with the explanation that his voice was too f eeble to be heard ‘by all the delegates, he asked that George P. Haywood, of Lafayette, read the document Mr. Haywood was in the midst of the platform when Mr. Ade was seen to be in physical distress. Those near him offered assistance but almost instantly his head fell backward, a gutteral gasp escaped his lips and his body relaxed, lifeless.

Intense excitement followed the collapse of Mr. Ade and delegates rushed to his side. The reading of the platform stopped.' Delegates were shouting orders as to what Should be done and there was great confusion. Several attempted to lift Mr. Ade, but failed. Suddenly a tall form came down the aisle and a man bearing a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln pushed bis way to the dying man. This tall man with the strength of a giant and the gentleness of a woman stooped over, took Mr. Ade in his arms and carried him to the entrance way of the theatre where a resting place was provided. It was hoped that the fresh air would bring a return to consciousness. The man who carried Mr. Ade from the theatre is 8. B. Swetz, of Lake county, who is known in the north of the district as Old Abe, because of his resemblance to Lincoln. Physicians in attendance made an examination and applied restoratives but John Ade was beyond medical help. Within the theatre the delegates, ignorant of Mr. Ade’s death, were applauding and cheering and completing the work of the afternoon. Senator Wood was speaking when announcement of Mr. Ade’s death was handed to Judge Crumpacker, chairman of the meeting. When Mr. Wood finished, Judge Crumpacker, in broken voice, an nouneed the end of the man who was beloved by every republican of the district. Then at the suggestion of Judge Grumpacker, .the delegates arose and with bowed heads stood in reverence to the memory of John Ada The tribute was more eloquent than words could have made it. Following this impressive silence K. T. Sills, of Monticello, added the explanation that Mr. Ade had taken great interest in the making" of the platform and that the plank relating to the Mexican war was presented exactly as he had written it

Mr. Ade’s body was taken to the home of Judge Crumpacker, where it awaits the arrival of relatives tomorrow. A number of (Mr, Ade’s friends remained in Valparaiso to await the coining of relatives.

John Ade was born in Sussex county, England, on Sept. 18, 1828, and was the son ot John and Esther Wood Ade, both of whom were natives of that same county. His father was a matlster in England and with the family sailed for America in June, 1840, landing in New York after a 45 days’ voyage. He possessed but little of this world’s goods. He settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, Where he subsequently purchased a small farm and resided there until the close of the civil war, when he sold out and removed to Scott county, lowa, and bought a small farm near Davenport, where he died in the fiftieth year of his marriage. He was the only member of the family to come to this country. John Ade, Jr, attended the district schools in his youth and learned the rudiments of farming, At the age of 18 he took up the blacksmith trade, at which he worked about four years. After his marriage in 1851, he had charge of a toll-gate, near Cincinnati, working in that capacity until 1853, when he went to Morocco, Jasper county, and for two years conducted a general store’ for Ayers & Co., afterward becoming the village blacksmith of that place. In iB6O Newton -county was organized and Mr. Ade was made his party’s candidate for recorder of deeds and he was elected, he being the only successful candidate on the republican party. Removing to Kentland he fulfilled the duties of his office for four years, and was then, in 1864, elected county auditor, in which capacity he also served tour years. At the expiration of his term he took up farming, traded in real estate and was also in the grain business with €. B. Cone and Elmer McCray. In 1872 he entered the banking house of Mr. Cone, at Kentland, as cashier. In 1875, Mr. Ade became associated with Greenburry W. McCray and E. Littell Urmston. They purchased the bank of C. B. Cone, The firm

hame befng Ade, McCray & Ob. Mr' Ade was cashier many years and was seldom absent from 'his desk. On May 20,1851, Mr. Ade was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Busk, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret Busk. Mr. Ade became the father of sevem children, Anna Eliza, Mary Alice, Emma, who died in 1865, Joseph, William H., Ella N., and George Ade. ~ Mr. Ade was proud he had voted the republican ticket since the organization of the party and besides the offices mentioned, he served six years as a member of the school board of Kentland. He was a Royal Arch Mason and was past master of Newton Lodge, No. 361, F. & A. M. He was a member of the Christian ehuch and was conscientiously devoted to the interests of that religious institution for over forty years. In 1911, Mr. Ade published a history of Newton county, from 1853 to 1911 He dedicated the volume -to the memory of his wife, in the following few words: To the memory of Adaline W. Ade, my wife, in sunshine and storm; for nearly years, who, I think, knew me far better than l knew myself.” ' •/ M’ ' '