Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1902 — A MAN OF THE PEOPLE. [ARTICLE]

A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.

Democratic Candidate for Joint Rep—reaentative a Man to Whom Public Office la a Public Trust. The Democrat takes pleasure this week in presenting a halftone picture of the democratic candidate for joint-representa-tive of Jasper and Lake counties and the following sketch from one of his home papers, showing the esteem in which he is held by those who know him best: Arther K. Whitelrw, democratic candidate for joint representive for the counties of Lake and Jasper, was born in Cobourg, Ontario, March 21. 1867. He is the seventh son in a family of twelve children, 8 of whom are still living. Both parents came from Scotland, the land of pluck, resolution and determination. After completing his education in the Grammar Schools of Cobourg, at the age of eighteen, Mr. Whitelaw left the land of his nativity and sought the home of patriotism and liberty in the United States of America. From his earliest recollection he became a reader of such heros as Francis Marion, General Putnam, Patrick Henry and others that tended to fire his mind with the spirit of Americanism; and later, when Horace Greely’s advise “Go West, Young Man,” came to Young Whitelaw’s mind, no time was lost in accepting the great statesman’s proposition. He found employment for the first few years on cattle ranches in Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. Tiring of this rugged outdoor life he next studied pharmacy and became a regularly registered pharmacist, but finding opportunities in the drug business limited he gave up this pursuit and engaged himself to the Standard Oil Co., in Whiting inlnd., 1893. Beginning at the lowest round of the ladder, he advanced steadily to one of the most responsible positions in the works. Outside his daily pursuit Mr. Whitelaw has made his influence felt in the community in which he lives. He stands for morals of the highest grade and is in favor of education, taking special interest in the schooling of the workingman’s children. It was because of his interest in schools, and the diffusion of learning amongst the poor, that led to his selection on the board of education by the Hammond city council. At the expiration of his term last June, a republican council came into power and reappointed Mr. Whitelaw as school trustee, superior merit being considered above partisan politics.

Mr. Whitelaw, though a democrat, is conservative and liberal minded, always respecting the opinions of others who differ from him in politics. He has never sought political honors though many times urged to accept them. His own inbred Scotish character makes him a man too independent to become a mere politician. This spirit of independence and political fairness has won him many republican friends who will give him an enthusiastic support in the coming election. He is a Mason, member of Owl Club of Whiting, and is interested in several business enterprises within and around the town. To know Mr. Whitelaw best one must visit him in his home life. It is here that Mrs. Whitelaw presides and welcomes all visitors that come to his home. They live in Robertsdale and have one child, a boy, which they send to the kindergarten of that town. Briefly. Mr. Whitelaw possessess all those qualities so necessary to good citizenship, he is honest, scholarly, and every inch a gentleman. He is industrious, affable, and at the same time independent. He is a firm believer in the saying, “ education is the bulwark of the nation’’ and that the “common schools is the nop n of our country.” He believes in keeping up with the times in business and religion. His judgment can be relied upon under all circumstances. In view of all these he is surely a safe man to represent Lake and Jasper in the general assembly of Indiana