Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 27, Number 18, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 October 1896 — Page 3

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WILLI AH R. flcKEEN. The most popular citizen of Vigo county, irrespective of party, the most public spirited, the most 'approachable, at all times and under all circumstances, is Wil liam R. McKeen, who has the unanimous endorsement of his party in this district for the position of United States senator, in the event of Republican success in the effort to capture the legislature next month. There is every reason why Mr, McKeen should be a popular man in this community. He has never been called upon in any cause, public or private, that he has not been prominent in the effort to promote that for which his aid has been invited. Never has he been called upon for aid in any public enterprise that his generous showing has not assisted the

cause, and so profuse has been his giving that he has been enabled to follow the scriptural injunction closely, that is to say, his right hand has not known of the giving of hi« left. It would be hard to name a public or private institution in this city that Mr. McKeen's generosity has not been connected with, and so it is that when one is asked who is the most popular man in the county.of Vigo, the answer comes, whether from Democrat or Republican, "Riley" McKeen. .....

Always a true and consistent Republican, Mr. McKeen's political acts have not been such as to offend those who have differed from him in politics, and hence it is, that some of the strongest adherents he has in bis own county are Democrats who recognize his merits and his claims. It is notable in this connection that this is the first time Mr. McKeen has ever asked thte people of the State for any public office.

Mr. McKeen is not only a Hoosier bred and born, but he is a native of Vigo county. He was born in Prairie Creek township, October 12, 1829, and when election day rolls around, it is expected by those who have made a most careful canvas of the matter, that Prairie Creek township, on account of having one of her sons a candidate for senator, will roll up the largest majority this old reliable Republican community has ever shown. He will not only be the senator from Indiana, and from Vigo county, but he will be the senator from Prairie Creek township, and that is enough to enthuse not only the loyal Republicans from that township, but the Democrats, equally as loyal, to the distinction that will be conferred on them by his selection to the position to which he aspires. It has been a great many years since the proud state of Indiana was represented in the highest deliberative body in the world by one of her own sons, and when W. R. McKeen takes his seat there the graud old Hoosier state will have a representative who will lie a credit to her, and to every one who oasts his vote for the legislative candidate who stands for Mr. McKeen.

William R. McKeen was born in Prairie Creek township, Vigo co ^ty, Indiana, as said before, on the 12th of October, 1839. He

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the son of Benjamin and Leathy

(Paddock) McKeen, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. His father, who was a farmer and pork packer, settled in Vigo county in 1833. After a busy, prosperous life in this community, he passed away December 23,1806. At the time of his death Mr. McKeen was a member of the board of county commissioners of Vigo county.

W. R. McKeen, who was the eldest of a family of five children, was reared on his father's farm, assisting in the usuj\l«ior8 of the same, and attending thv, Sbnntry schools. At the age of seventeen he became a deputy In the office of the county clerk, 4rhere he was employed for two years. He then became a cleric in the old state bank here, and after a number of promotions became cashier of that institution. In 1855 he established a private bank, known as McKeen Bros, bank, which institution, under the title of McKeen & Co., is still one of the most substantial and reliable of Torre Haute's banking establishments. He became a stockholder in the old T. H. & I. road, then of the Vandal ia, and was for many years president of that company, retiring a few months ago from active business when the road was taken charge of by the Pennsylvania company. No more popular railroad official ever lived than President McKeen during all the years of his incumbency of that important office. Warm-hearted, generous and approachable. not a man on the road, from those in the highest positions, to those in the humblest, bnt felt that he had a personal friend in Mr. McKeen, and a friend U)*t would Me that justice was always done. There were many expressions of regret from the old employes when it was announced that Mr. McKeen had re* tired from active business life, and he waa followed in bis retirement by the good wishes of thousands of men who had been associated, in one form or another, with him for many years.

As a biographer has well said of him, "In the city of his home he is known as a leader in all public enterprises tending to the growth and glory of Terre Haute and the surrounding country—a man of action

and power in politics, finances, public improvements, education and social life." Certainly the people of his native county, with whose material interests he has ever been identified, feel kindly towards him, and will do all in their power to elect members of the legislature committed to his candidacy. The legislative ticket in this county and joint district is an unusually strong one, as will readily be seen.

How to Vote for (J. 5. Senator. The lack of information concerning the manner of the election of a senator of the United States is something astonishing. Every day the candidates for legislative positions on the Republican ticket tfre met with the inquiry as to how to vote for senator, many persons tninking Mr. McKeen's name will appear on the ticket to be voted for. The only way to cast a vote for W. R. McKeen for United States senator is to vote for the legislative candidates on the Republican ticket, Senator, Joint Representative and Representatives, Early, Davis, Berry and Morgan. A vote for these gentlemen, or any of them, is a vote for Mr. McKeen.

JACOB D. EARLY.

Jacob D. Early, Republican nominee for State Senator, is one of the most popular and best known lawyers of this city. He was born in Terre Haute, Nov. 4, 1859, within 100 yards of where he lives to-day. After being prepared for college at a private school in Baltimore, he entered Wabash College in the Sophomore year, from which well known institution he went to Kenyon College, where he graduated in 1879, at the head of his class. He studied law at the

University of Virginia and was admitted to the bar in this city in 1883 and has been in the practice of his profession ever since. He is one of the most thoroughly educated and best read men in the city. He belongs to numerous college and patriotic societies, is a Mason of high rank and a K. of P. He was also the first exalted ruler of the original lodge of Elks. Mr. Early has been an active politician, in local, state and national politics. While he has been often mentioned for Congressional honors he has declined. With his wide acquaintance among well known people of the state, and the leaders of his party, Mr. Early as State Senator will wield an influence during the meeting of the next legislature that cannot he overestimated. He will add to the office a dignity which its importance welldeserves, and no man who votes for Jacob D. Early for State Senator will ever have occasion to regret it.

Of the twenty-five hold-over members of the state senate, nineteen are Republicans, and it will be seen that the Republicans need to elect but seven senators in the coming election to continue in control of that body. The most sanguine Democrat does not believe it possible to gain control of the senate. It will be seen therefore that those seeking important legislation in the Senate at the next meeting of the legislature, must do so through the Republican majority in that body. It will therefore be to their interests to see a Republican senator elected, not only in this district but in all districts.

ORA D. DAVIS.

Ora D. Davis is a son of S. B. Davis, editor of the Hoosier State, of Newport, where the subject of this sketch was born November 30, 1870. He attended the schools of his native place and entered the law department of the University of Michigan, was graduated therefrom in June, 1891. In December of that year he was admitted to the Vigo county bar, with which he has since been identified. In the general election of 1804 he waa elected to represent Vigo, Vermillion and Sullivan counties as joint representative in the state legislature, receiving a majority of 715, overcoming a previous majority of 1,580 in the three counties. In the legislature he served with credit, being a member of the committees on judiciary, legislative apportionment and education, all bring important positions. and he was also chairman of the committee on phraseology of Mils. It was his first experience as a member of the legislature, and from the favorable stowing

he made it may be safely said for him that he has a bright future before him in the deliberations of his party. He kept in touch with the unions, supporting the labor bills. Be was especially active in

TERKE HATTTB SATURDAY EVENING MAIL, OCTOBER 24, 1896.

his support of the railway labor bills. His party has endorsed his action in the legislature by re-nominating him. Mr. Davis is now in business alone at No. 511 Ohio mwsww

CASSIUS HOMER MORGAN. Cassius H. Morgan, better known as Homer Morgan, is one of the best known farmers of Vigo county. He was born in this county, and has resided Tn it for fifty one years. His father was one of the pio neer settlers of the county, coming to the county when he was nine years old. This was in 1828. Mr. Morgan is a resident of Prairie Creek township, where his father settled.. He owns 140 acres of as fine land as there is in Hoosierdom. Mr. Morgan while a life-long Republican, has never asspired to office. He has been prominent in, politics, and was for several years Rfepub-J lican committeman from his township, but never before was a candidate for the suffrages of the people. Farmersgenerally, no matter what their politics maybe, agree that there is no more practical farmer, or more honest, upright man than Homer Morgan. The next representative is the father of seven sons, everyone a staunch Republican. Mr. Morgan is a director of the Vigo Fair Association. He has made a careful through canvass of the county, and that he will receive the hearty support of the farmers is an assured fact. He is well known to all of them as a c&reful, reliable citizen in whom the utmost confi dence can be reposed. He is the*only practical farmer on either of the legislative tickets.

WM. H. BERRY.

Wm. H. Berry, nominee for representative on the. Republican ticket, was born in 1848 in West Virginia. At the age of 21 he left his birth place and located in Belmont county, Ohio, where he accepted a position with the Baltimore & Ohio railway com pany, which position he held for three years. He came to this city in 1874, and on the 16th day of August, 1874, accepted a position with the Vandalia railroad company, where he is now a foreman of a department. He is a workiiigman in the true sense of the term and a staunch friend of organized labor. He has once before been honored by the Republicans with a legislative office. Mr. Berry is one of the best known railroad men in the city. He knows almost every employe of the Vandalia personally. He believes the solution of the labor problem lies in a shorter hour workday is married and is the father of three children.

GEORGE W. FARIS.

George W. Faris, Congressman for this district and candidate for re-election, is a member of the law firm of Faris &Hamill, which was formed in 1883, and since its organization has held a prominent position in the legal profession of this country. Mr. Faris was born on a farm in Jasper County, Ind., Jnne8,1854 his early life was spent on a farm in Pulaski County, Ind., where he worked until 18 years of age in 1872 he

entered Asbury University, and graduated with his class in 1877 his father having met with financial reverses, the son was obliged to make his own way at college, which be did by teaching school, keeping up with his college studies in the meantime, and spending part of each year with his class read law, was admitted to the bar, and has since practiced his profession was elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress as

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JAMES E. PIETY.

James E. Piety, Republican candidate for judge of the Circuit court, is a native of Prairie Creek township, Vigo county. He was born on a farm on the 6th day of June, 1857, and is 39 years of age. The subject of this sketch lived on the farm with his parents in this county attending the country schools until 1869, when, at at the age of 12, his parents took up their residence on a farm in Clark county, Illi nois, where Mr. Piety spent six years working as farmer during the summer and attending schoo during the winter. At the age of 18 he commenced teaching in the

schools of his district, earning the money wherewith he was enabled to attend college at Valparaiso two years, and to prepare himself for the profession of his choice, that of an attorney. He read law in the office of the law firm of Golden & Wilkin, of Marshall, 111., for several years when he was admitted to practice at the bar by the Supreme court of Illinois. In 1883 Mr. Piety took up his residence in this city, taking a prominent part among the attorneys of Terre Haute, and holding the office of prosecuting attorney from 1888 to 1890, and at present is connected with his brother, under the law firm of Piety & Piety, in conducting a large and lucrative business. In fact it may be said of him that he is a self-made man in more senses than one, and if elected will discharge the duties of the office with ability.

WILLIAM TICHENOR. jjf William Tichenor is a self-made jman in the best sense of that term, he having worked his way up from the bottom to an honorable position in his profession. Com ing to this city in 1892 he has made rapid strides in his profession. Mr. Tichenor has always been a Republican, and he is in politics what he is in everything else, hustler. His party honored him with the nomination for county prosecutor at its late convention. He was born in Cen terville, in this county, in 1859, and was left fatherless at the age of three years. He lived on the farm until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he left home to begin for him&elf. The first two years

were spent in hard work on the farm and the next three years he lived at Centerville, Where he attended school in winter and worked out to earn his way. He then received license to teach and taught ten years in the schools of this and Sullivan counties, teaching, however, the greater part of the time in this connty. He was very successful in his school work. Deciding to make the law his profession he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in October of 1801, and was graduated with high honor With the class of 1803. During his course in college he earned all credits by his class record and never had to take an examination. He is now engaged in giving a portion of his time as lecturer on commercial law at Garvin & Akers' commercial college in this city. He was married in 1884, and has two interesting children. Mr. Tichenor belongs to Social Lodge No. 86, F. & A. M., and Hymera Lodge No. 008, O. O. F., and has been a member of both orders since 1884. Mr. Tichenor worked at coal mining for some time and was president of a miners' union. He is a hard and conscientious worker at whatever he undertakes. To this is due his success in life. Mr. Tichenor has one of the largest law libraries in the city.

ALARIC T. PAYNE.

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a Republican, receiving 23,238votes, against 30,660 votes for EL. V. Brookshire, Democrat, 3,675 votes for Ranken, Populist, and 856 votes for Jackson, Prohibitionist. Mr. Faris was inade a member of the committees on Manufactures and Pacific Railroads at the last session of congress. He filled them satisfactorily and made a reputation as a hard-working, pains-taking member of the Hpuse. His experience will be of vast service during the next congress to which he hopes to be elected. He has made a very thorough canvass of this district and everywhere %trengthened the previous good impression formed of him.

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Alarfc T. Payne was born at Rocsville, Ind., and was brought up on a farm. After the usual course in the common schools.

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he entered Asbury (now DePauw) university. He left college in 1871 and began the study of medicine at Kokomo, with Dr. R. Q. Wilson." He taught school during the winters while studying medicine, and then

attended lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, from which he graduated in March, 1875. He praQticed his profession at Transitville, Tippecanoe county, for eight years, Russiaville, Howard county, for seven years, and located here in October, 1890. His standing in the profession brought him into prominence, and last year he was nominated by the Republicans for the responsible position of coroner, to which he was elected by a large plurality. He has shown by his official actions that he is alive to the best interests of the tax-payers and will permit none of the abuses to creep into that office that have marked its occupancy in many other parts of the state. Dr. Payne was a member of the medical society of every county in which he practiced, Tippecanoe, Howard, Grant and Delaware counties, and is prominently identified with the Vigo Medical Society. He has always affiliated with the profession, in which his high standing is unquestioned. Dr. Payne is physician to the woman's ward at St. Anthony's hospital.

WILTON T. SANFORD. Wilton T. Sanford, county treasurer, and candidate for re-electiou was born at Youngstown, this county, in 1856. He received his education in the common schools, and at the commercial college of this city, and had a most successful career as a teacher, following that profession for

twelve years. He taught in nearly every township in the county, and in every community where thus engaged he made a most favorable record. After retiring from teaching he engaged in the grocery business on Second street. He is a shrewd politician, as was evidenced in the Repub lican county convention of 1894, when he was successful in landing the nomination against afield of unusually strong competitors. He was successful in the election as well, defeated John L. Walsh, who was a candidate for re-election, and who was conceded by all to be the strongest man on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Sanford is a member of the Odd Fellows, K. of P. and A. O. U. W. He is energetic and obliging, and has performed the duties of his office with credit to himself and to the satisfac tion of all. Accommodating to an extreme he has never forgotten the fact that he is a public servant, and as such has fulfilled the duties of his responsible office in the most competent manner,

JOHN BUTLER.

John Butler, sheriff of Vigo county, and candidate--for-re-eleetkn, was born in Fleming connty, Kentucky, December 19, 1846. He has been a resident of Vigo county since 1855. He was raised on a farm, and followed farming until he was 26 years of age. He was deputy sheriff for two years under Sheriff Stepp, and while filling that position he made an efficient official. He was a member of the police

force for nearly eight years, and earned the reputation of being one of the coolest and most reliable members of the force. He resigned his position in 1802, when the Republicans nominated him for sheriff, and although he made a creditable race, he went down in the landslide of that year so disastrous to the Republicans. In 1804 he was again honored by his party by the nomination for the same office, and although pitted against an unusually strong man, Mr. Butler was successful by the decisive

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plurality of 334 votes. He is possessed of the qualities essential to the position he holds, is affable in manner yet firm when duty requires it. -M

WILLIAM H. HARRIS. William H. Harris, county surveyor and candidate for re-election, was born in

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Creek township, August 8,1869. Afteroompleting the work in the common schools he spent two years in the Terre Haute High School, and then entered the Rose Polytechnic, from which he graduated in the department of civil engineering in 1891. During his vacation he worked with Cole, A1xord & Shields, civil engineers of Chicago. After graduating he accepted a position in the shops of the Lassig Bridge Co., of Chicago, and while there he received an offer from Geo. S. Morrison, bridge engineer, which he accepted. This he afterward resigned to accept a position as drangl^iimn

for the American Terra CottaCo.*, which he retained a year and a half. He was the Republican candidate for county surveyor in 1894, and was elected by a rousing majority. He is the youngest of the obunty officials. It is interesting to note that Mr. Harris's father was oounty surveyor from 1880 to 1882. Mr. Harris's work is always carefully and accurately done. He is a man of strong natural ability and intelligence, and his professional training and experience make him extremely well fitted for his position. He is a member of two secret societies, the Red Men and K. of P.

WILLIAM ATHON.

William Athon, candidate for asaeesor, is well known to every Republican in the county. He has always been found working in the interest of the Republican party. He was boru in Springville, Lawrence county, Indiana, in September, 1839. When a small boy he removed with his parents to Paris, Ills., where he lived until 1878, when he removed to this oity and took a position as clerk at the National House, which he held until the hotel closed a few* months ago. He was a candidate for recorder before the Republican convention two years ago, but his defeat did not cool his Republican ardor. He took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and worked ardently for the whole county ticket. Mr. Athon is well qualified for the position to which he aspires, and his long experience in business has given him a practical knowledge of business affairs that will be of vast benefit to the community in general when he takes his office. He is a clever fellow, a good mixer, and with the general favorable chances for the Republican ticket he is sure to be elected by a big majority.

THOMAS W. ADArtS. Thomas W. Adams, commissioner from the First district, and candidate for reelection, is a native of Parke county, but moved to Vigo county when a mere boy, and has for many years resided in Nevins township. So popular is he in that community that although the township is strongly Democratic he was elected township trustee as a Republican in 1888, and filled the office with credit. He had the honor of being the first Republican ever elected to that office. Mr. Adams is regarded as one of the most prosperous farmers in Nevins township. His careful management of his own business affairs is sufficient assurance that he is a safe man in whose hands to entrust the business pf the counry. He is serving his first term as commissioner, and has in every way proved himself worthy of the entire confidence of the people. Careful and economical he has ever shown himself to be a friend to the taxpayers, who certainly are interested in having men in these important positions who will look after their interests. He has added to his already large list of friend* since be assumed the office end it is safe to say that he will be re-elected next month by a largely increased plurality. Mr. Adams has always been an earnest worker for the best interests of his party, and the night was never too dark or the weather too bad to eurb his enthusiasm or decrease his efforts in behalf of the party to whose interests he attaches himself.

ANDREW WISEMAN. Andrew Wiseman, candidate for commissioner from the Second district is a suecessful farmer of Sugar Creek, and one ot the pioneers of the county. He is 64 years of age and has lived on the fine farm he now owns in Sugar Creek township for thirty-one years. Mr. Wiseman is a native Hoosier, having been born in Wabash county in 1832. In the prime of life be came to Vigo eounty, and settled in Sugar Creek township. He has been a hard worker, and is one of Vigo county's most reliable citizens. By good management of his business affairs, and practical economy, he has become the owner of one of the finest farms in the country. He is a man who is held in the highest esteem by those who know him best. His successful management of his own business affairs is evidence that he is a safe man to trust with [concluded ox fourth paok.]

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