Those of us that have been blessed to grow up in Owen County know what a positive influence this must of had on Samuel as he worked his way up the political ladder. There is something special about growing up here, you cant put your finger on it...its just a feeling.
There is something special about growing up in Sweet Owen County. Many before us raised here have gone on to do great things and help progress our state and country into the world we know today. One such person was Samuel M Ralston, former Indiana Governor and State Senator. Samuel was born December 1, 1857 in Ohio. by the age of 8, his family had moved to a farm in northwestern Owen County near Poland. Here Samuel attended school and worked on the family farm with his three brothers and four sisters. In 1873, after the family suffered a finacial hardship, they lost the farm in Owen County and moved to Fontanent, Indiana. Samuel worked in a butcher shop and a coal mine to help the family finacially. Later his father open his own butcher shop. Samuel decided to take work as a school teacher while going to Central Indiana Normal College. After obtaining a science degree, he decided he wanted to study law and was admitted to the bar on January 1, 1886. Later that year he opened his own practice in Lebanon, Indiana with partner John Abbott. Samuel ran for Governor in 1912 and was elected to the office on January 13, 1913 and served until January 8, 1917. Samuel was elected to State Senator and held that office from March 4, 1923 until October 14, 1925 when he passed away. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana.
Those of us that have been blessed to grow up in Owen County know what a positive influence this must of had on Samuel as he worked his way up the political ladder. There is something special about growing up here, you cant put your finger on it...its just a feeling.
2 Comments
Cindy Coleman
9/20/2013 08:27:51 pm
Thank you John! Another fine article to read! You find some very interesting stuff!!!! Thank you for putting it out there for us to read.
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Jana
9/20/2013 10:07:35 pm
Thank you for posting another great story about Sweet Owen County's History! They've had a lot of people grow up here and do something great with their lives. I'm glad to see it recognized!
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AuthorMy name is John Maxwell and I am a Co-Founder of Headstone Healers of Indiana and a Find-A-Grave Volunteer who enjoys working with old headstones. Many tell a story of days past and the people who lived then. Archives
May 2014
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