From Rick B
Saturday, October 28, 2005
HISTORY OF INDIANA FROM ITS EXPLORATION TO 1922 BY LOGAN ESAREY, Ph. D., ALSO AN ACCOUNT
OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY FROM ITS ORGANIZATION EDITED BY JOHN B. STOLL (Volume III).
"Some Prominent Figures in St. Joseph County History", published in Dayton, Ohio
by Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923, pages 181-183.
Benjamin F. Shivley, United States senator, was a native of St. Joseph county,
Indiana, where he resided all his life. His father was Rev. Joel Shivley and both his
father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania, settling in Indiana in 1854. Benjamin F.
Shivley was born March 20, 1857. His early experiences were those of the average farm
lad. After completing his course in the common schools of his neighborhood, he attended
the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, also graduating subsequently from the
law department of the University of Michigan. He taught school from 1875 to 1880, after
which he engaged in newspaper work.
In 1889 he married Miss Laura Jenks, daughter of Hon. George A. Jenks of Brookville,
Pennsylvania, who was solicitor-general of the United States under the first
administration of Grover Cleveland.
In redistricting the state for congressional representations in 1881, the Republican
majority in the general assembly formed the 13th Indiana District to be "reliably
Republican." When, in 1884, Major William H. Caulkins received the Republican
nomination for Governor and resigned his seat in Congress to make the race, Mr. Shivley
was nominated for the unexpired term in the Congress and as the Democratic candidate
carried the district by a majority of 2,275. He again carried his district in 1886 by
1,046, in 1888 by 355, and in 1890 by 2,705.
In each of these campaigns the district was considered safely Republican. In all his
contests his opponents were strong men and some of them men of rare force and ability. In
his memorable series of joint meetings with Gen. Jasper Packard, Mr. Shivley splendidly
vindicated the record and policies of his party, and inspired the rank and file with his
courage and enthusiasm.
In 1892 he declined further congressional honors. However, the memory of his wise,
capable and aggressive leadership was never dimmed. In 1896, in face of the overwhelming
defeat of the Democratic party in Indiana two years before, confronted with widespread
commercial panic and business depression, facing apparently hopeless division in his own
party, Mr. Shivley accepted the nomination for Governor, and conducted a canvass which for
courage, dignity, ability and brilliant aggressiveness recalled the best traditions of the
old party leaders.
He was defeated, but his party recovered four congressional districts, nearly tripled
its representation in the legislature and recovered over twenty counties which had been
lost two years before.
In 1904, the Thirteenth Congressional District recorded a Republican majority of
7,000. In 1906, Mr. Shivley was prevailed upon again to take the congressional nomination
for what seemed a hopeless race, and he succeeded in reducing the district Republican
majority from 7,000 to 216, carry Kosciusko county for the first time in its history, and
made possible the recovery of the district by the Democrats in the election which
followed.
In his first two terms in Congress he was the youngest member of that body. In the
first week he addressed the house on an important measure of general legislation and at
once commanded the respectful attention of that body. His capability, forceful and
attractive manner in handling the subject enabled him to receive applause, breaking the
precedent which demanded that "new members keep quiet." As evidence of the
confidence and good will inspired from the beginning in his first term, he was elected
secretary of the congressional committee, a position he held for succeeding terms.
He was elected to accompany Allan G. Thurman on his first speaking tour as candidate
for Vice-President in 1888, and in all campaigns while in Washington he was called upon by
different states to campaign for the Democratic party. Whether in the committee room, in
the executive departments, in legislative work, on the floor of the house or in party,
council, he was always strong and effective.
He rose to membership on the committee on Ways and Means at a time when the tariff
question was paramount, and at once became conspicuous in shaping the tariff policy of the
52d Congress. At the Speaker's request, near the close of the first session of that
Congress, he prepared tariff arguments which were used during the campaign in all the
states. Mr. Shivley's addresses in Congress on the tariff were of such a character as
to challenge comparison with the best standard treatment of the subject within fifty
years. The record itself justifies this statement.
In all his life Mr. Shivley never conducted a defensive campaign. His campaigns were
always aggressive. He never misstated the position of an opponent. His analysis of any
subject treated was most complete and convincing. His knowledge of science and philosophy
was profound. His advocacy was always dignified and strengthened the cause of Democracy.
He was never known in any speech to make a special appeal for votes for himself. He put
his party and party principles first, and took his chances with the humblest man on the
ticket.
When elected to the United States Senate in the legislative session of January, 1909,
the tariff and kindred questions were paramount. He proved to be a thorough student of
these subjects and he was recognized upon his entrance into the Senate as the best
equipped man in that body to handle these questions from the Democratic standpoint. He
had a vast fund of information. Immediately upon his entrance into the Senate he was
selected to lead in tariff debates. His speeches were circulated as the strongest
Democratic doctrine obtainable.
Unfortunately Senator Shivley's health failed while he was serving as Senator,
and he was unable to participate in many debates. Had his health not failed and his death
followed, while he was yet Senator, his political career appeared by no means ended. He
was freely spoken of by members of the Senate as presidential timber, his mental ability
being sustained and enforced by a spendid presence before the people. His death,
occurring shortly after taking his seat at the opening of his second term, to which he was
elected by popular vote, was a serious loss to the state and to the nation as well.