Ohio History Journal

HON. DAVID TOD.

 

BIOGRAPHY AND PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.

 

BY GEORGE B. WRIGHT.

 

"Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime;

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time."

"Footprints, that perhaps another

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother

Seeing, shall take heart again."

- Longfellow.

PART I.

 

BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID TOD.

David Tod, second of the Civil War Governors of Ohio,

was born at Youngstown, Trumbull (now Mahoning) County,

Ohio, on the 22nd of February, A. D. 1805.

His father, the Honorable George Tod, settled in Ohio in

1800, having left his native state, Connecticut, with many others

of the early pioneers who settled the Western Reserve. Ohio

was then a territory, and the same year of his advent George

Tod was called on by Governor St. Clair to act as Secretary

in 1802. The same year, when Ohio was admitted into the

Union as a state, Mr. Tod was elected as one of the Justices

of the Supreme Court, and held that office seven years in suc-

cession.

He was after that re-elected to the same position, but on

the breaking out of the war of 1812 with Great Britain he re-

signed his seat on the bench and tendered his services to the

Government, and was commissioned Major, and afterwards pro-

moted to the Colonelcy of the Twelfth Regiment.

During this struggle he won laurels for his coolness, cour-

age and heroism, especially at Sackett's Harbor and Fort Meigs.

At the close of the war he resigned his commission and re-

turned to Trumbull County. Soon after this he was elected

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108      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, having for his district

the whole northern part of the state.

He was a very generous, liberal-minded man, and in the

old pioneer times when small salaries were paid to all officials,

with a large family to maintain, he did not accumulate any

surplus, but fell behind and was compelled to mortgage his Brier

Hill farm. But he left to his children a "good name, which is

better than riches."

His wife, Sallie Isaac, the mother of David Tod, was a

very beautiful woman, a most excellent wife and mother, wor-

shipped by her children and beloved by every one who knew

her. She was the sister of Mrs. Ingersoll, the wife of Governor

Ingersoll, of Connecticut. To his mother, as well as his father,

David Tod owed a large share of his native talent and good-

ness.

Judge Tod remained on the Common Pleas bench for four-

teen years, retiring in 1829 at the age of fifty-five. For the

remainder of his life he pursued his profession of law, attended

to the management of his Brier Hill farm, near Youngstown,

and cared for his family. He died in 1841 at the age of sixty-

seven, esteemed and revered by every one.

David Tod, reared as a farmer boy at the old Brier Hill

farm, and being among the youngest of his father's children,

had, with his father's limited means at that early period in Ohio,

none of the educational advantages or opportunities enjoyed by

the youth of the present day. His only early education was

obtained at the day schools, which were held for only a short

portion of the year. He received his further education at the

old Burton Academy in Geauga County, Ohio. He paid for

his school expenses after he became of age. He had great

native talent, and most excellent judgment of men and things

material, and his active life and experience afforded him the

greater part of his education, and he might fairly be said to

have been self-educated. Although a self-made man, he was

well fitted to fill any place or position to which he might be

called.

He studied law in the office of Colonel Powell Stone, at

Warren, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1827, at the age

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Hon. David Tod.                  109

of twenty-two. He was then in debt for his tuition, and other

expenses about one thousand dollars. He commenced practice

with the Hon. Mathew Burchard. The bar of Trumbull County

was attended in those days by such able and distinguished prac-

titioners as the Hons. Elisha Whittlesey, Ebon Martin, Joshua

R. Giddings, Rufus T. Spaulding, Calvin Pease, Powell Stone,

Mathew Burchard, John Crowell, Andrew Loomis, Thomas D.

Webb, and later Benjamin F. Mills, Reuben Hitchcock and

others. It was regarded as one of the ablest and most dis-

tinguished bars in Ohio.

David Tod soon became eminent as a jury lawyer, and

was very popular, being regarded as one of the strongest in the

profession. He had a deep-toned, musical voice. He was mag-

nanimous and genial, of commanding appearance, great socia-

bility, and was always listened to with delight, and was the life

and charm of society.

His practice soon became large and extended, and enabled

him not only to pay off the debts he had incurred, but also to

repurchase the old Brier Hill farm, which had been mortgaged

and sold. This he cherished as his sacred home until the day

of his death, and he kept it as a home for his father and mother

while they lived, replacing the old log cabin thereon with a

good, commodious frame house.

On June 4, 1832, at the age of twenty-seven, he married

Maria Smith, daughter of Justice Smith, of Warren, Ohio, one

of the early settlers there, who built the first grist and saw

mill in that section of the state. There was then no grist mill

within sixty miles of Warren.

From this marriage seven children were born, four boys

and three girls -  Charlotte, John, Henry, George, William,

Grace and Sallie. The oldest daughter, Charlotte, married Gen-

eral August V. Kautz, of the regular army in 1866. She died

in 1868 and her husband, the General, fifteen or eighteen years

later.

John Tod, the oldest son, died suddenly at Columbus, Ohio,

on the 4th of December, 1896, while attending a meeting of

the State House Commission, of which he was a member. David

Tod's widow and five children are still living, residing at

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110      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

Youngstown, Ohio. The old Brier Hill farm and homestead

still remains, kept and cared for as in the life of its owner.

In the days of Andrew Jackson, David Tod became his

ardent admirer, and supported him for the Presidency, and

attached himself to the Democratic party, although his father

was a devoted Whig.

He continued with the Democratic party until its rupture

at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1860, at the Democratic Na-

tional Convention, where he figured as First Vice-President,

and subsequently as President at the meeting of the delegates

at Baltimore, Maryland. These two conventions, no doubt,

had a strong influence in enlisting him in the cause of the

Union.

He was appointed postmaster at Warren, Ohio, under Jack-

son's or Van Buren's administration, and continued in that posi-

tion until 1838, when he was elected, in the strong Whig County

of Trumbull, over his opponent, Hon. John Crowell, as Sena-

tor to the Ohio Legislature, where he served two years with

marked ability.

He continued to practice law until about 1844, when he

moved to his Brier Hill farm, the old home, to which he was

so much attached. He then started the project of developing

the coal in that section, and after long and persistent effort in-

troducing it into Cleveland, and other lake markets by way of

the Ohio and Pennsylvania Canal. He was one of the prin-

cipal agents in carrying forward the scheme of constructing the

Canal. He was a director of the company for a long time, and

one of the pioneers in coal shipments from the Brier Hill and

Girard Mines. In this way he laid the foundation for his fu-

ture success in amassing wealth, and gave the impetus to the

great development of the coal and iron trade, and other busi-

ness of the Mahoning Valley. He was also one of the chief

and efficient actors and managers in promoting the construc-

tion of the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad, of which

company Jacob Perkins was the first President, and David Tod

one of the Directors, and after the decease of Mr. Perkins he

was made the President, and so continued until his death.

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Hon. David Tod.                 111

 

These enterprises brought Mr. Tod in close touch with the

laboring classes, and he became their friend and helper, many

of whom, through his aid and encouragement, became pros-

perous, and acquired remunerative positions, and thus many

homes were made comfortable and happy. The railroad from

Cleveland to Youngstown was opened in 1856, and Mr. Tod,

not many years afterwards, when the road passed into the con-

trol of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway Company, had

the satisfaction of seeing the company relieved of a large and

embarrassing load of floating debt, which imperiled his entire

fortune. This was accomplished by his personal efforts and wise

management, and the value of the stock of the company was

brought up from thirty per cent. below, to above par. The in-

habitants of the Mahoning Valley owe to David Tod, more than

to any other man, the great wealth of that prosperous mining

and iron manufacturing region.

To his talents, geniality and goodness of heart may be at-

tributed his popularity as a speaker, and they will account for his

nomination by the Democratic party for Governor in 1844, and

in the then strong Whig state he was defeated by his opponent,

Mordecai Bartley, by only about twelve hundred votes.

In the winter or early spring of 1847, Mr. Tod was ap-

pointed by President Polk, Minister to Brazil to succeed Henry

A. Wise, of Virginia, who was recalled at the request of Brazil

in consequence of his arbitrary course which threatened to in-

volve our country in war with that empire. With the feeling

existing in that government, the difficulty created by Wise,

and the total lack of experience on the part of Mr. Tod in the

matter of diplomacy and court etiquette, made it a very deli-

cate and trying position. Nevertheless, he accepted the appoint-

ment and embarked for Rio in June, 1847, with his wife and

some of his younger children, and remained there about four

and a half years, returning home in December, 1851.

His native talent and large endowment of common sense,

with his experience and knowledge of men, enabled him to

fulfill his mission to the satisfaction of our government and the

delight of his friends at home. He succeeded while there, not

only in healing all troubles and difficulties, but in concluding

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112      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

a negotiation by which he obtained about $300,000 from that

government on claims which had been, for more than thirty

years, the subject of international dispute. He was largely

instrumental in inducing the government to break up the in-

famous slave trade. He placed the government of Brazil on

a solid and firm footing of friendship with the United States. He

so far secured the good will and esteem of the Emperor of Brazil

as to receive letters addressed to this government of the highest

commendation.

He often lent his kind aid and purse to our countrymen

and sailors residing in Rio, or passing through, and on his

leaving they presented him with a valuable silver memorial of

their great esteem and friendship.

His relations, whether with that empire or with the rep-

resentatives of other governments there, as well as his efforts in

behalf of his countrymen, were an entire success. And it may

safely be said that no representative from this government to a

foreign court ever surpassed Mr. Tod in diplomatic influence,

tact and favor.

On his return home his friends and neighbors, without

distinction of party, gave him a most cordial ovation, and a

greeting and welcome of which any one might be proud. Not

the least gratifying was the heartfelt manner in which all his

employees met and welcomed him in a body. Having been

attached so long to the fortunes of the Democratic party; be-

ing the idol of his Democratic friends in his section of the

state; having received positions of honor and trust at their

hands, and reluctant to change to any new organization, or

position, politically, he adhered to that old party until 1860 in

spite of all the assaults upon it, and upon its pro-slavery wing

at the South, made by the growing Republican party.

He was a delegate to the Charleston convention in 1860;

was the First Vice-President while Caleb Cushing was Pres-

sident. He was strongly in favor of the nomination of Stephen

A. Douglas, and against yielding to the pro-slavery demands

of the South, and bid defiance to their threat of seceding from

the Union if their demands were not complied with; and when

they adjourned to Baltimore and the southern delegation left

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Hon. David Tod.                  113

the convention, and Caleb Cushing with them, he took the chair and the nomination of Douglas was made by the remaining delegates of the party. He gave his support to Douglas with all his force and voice during that campaign. The withdrawal of the southern delegates, the nomination by them of Breckenridge, the defeat of Douglas and the threat of secession, made him resolve to stand firmly by the govern- ment. As soon as the south began to show war, and fired on Ft. Sumter, David Tod immediately bent his energies to sus- tain the Government, and counseled union of all patriots. On the first call for troops he telegraphed President Lincoln, advising a call of three hundred thousand volunteers instead of seventy- five thousand, and gave his most earnest support to Mr. Lin- coln. He immediately subscribed one thousand dollars to the Township War Fund, and raised and equipped at his own ex- pense the first company of volunteers raised in Youngstown. Thenceforward, until the war ended, he sustained the adminis- tration of Lincoln with all his power and influence. The country being thus in deadly peril, and its unity in danger, the patriots of Ohio, including all Republicans, and many war Democrats, moved without regard to party to unite for the support of the Union, nominated David Tod for Gov- ernor, and elected him in October, 1861, by over eighty-five thousand majority.  Clement L. Vallandigham, and men of his spirit, who were in sympathy with the South, and those who feared that the Democratic party might be broken up, still stood aloof, and did not support this patriotic nomination, and in the end became virtual supporters of the South and a great em- barrassment to the Government. During 1862 and 1863, two of the stormiest years of the war, when matters were still somewhat in chaos, and proper sys- tem and organization had not been effected, when supplies of men, means, surgeons and nurses were lacking; when large numbers of troops were being called for; when distress and discouragement prevailed, and Ohio was threatened with in- vasion by Kirby Smith, a Confederate General; then it was that David Tod, with his large heart, his good sense, unbounded pa- Vol. VIII-8

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114        Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

triotism and energy, proved to be the right man in the right

place. He performed an enormous amount of labor, and gave

most efficient aid to the country in his very responsible position.

The care of the soldiers, the sick, wounded and afflicted,

their wives, dependents and friends, have all good cause to re-

member Governor Tod. His excellent knowledge and judg-

ment of men and great care in the appointment of officers, gave

excellent commanders to the troops of Ohio, with very few ex-

ceptions, and he made as few mistakes in this respect as was pos-

sible in the great multiplicity of appointments and promotions

to be made.

He made comparatively few requests of Secretary of War

Stanton, or President Lincoln, and those he did make were

maturely considered, and were always found important, and

therefore promptly granted.

On his retirement from the Executive Office, the Legis-

lature of Ohio, then in session, passed and published in the vol-

ume of Ohio Laws for that year, the following most beautiful

and appropriate joint resolution and vote of thanks:

WHEREAS, The executive term of Governor Tod has been a period

of unexampled trial to the state and nation, involving the existence of

the government, and demanding devoted loyalty and extraordinary ex-

ecutive ability; and

WHEREAS, In our opinion these demands have been met by him in

a manner eliciting the approbation of all loyal men,

Therefore, the general assembly of the State of Ohio, in the name

and behalf of the people of Ohio, feel constrained to award to Governor

David Tod, upon his retirement from office, this public testimony of our

approbation and esteem.

Resolved, That the thanks of the general assembly of the state of

Ohio are hereby tendered to him for the able, self-sacrificing and de-

voted manner in which he has discharged all the duties of chief magistrate

of the state; for his devotion in ministering to the sick and wounded

soldiers; for his kindness, courtesy and assistance to the friends and

families of the soldiers in their anxious inquiries for those exposed in

camp, upon the battle-fields and in hospitals; for his pecuniary sacri-

fices for the soldiers' encouragement and comfort; for his patriotic ad-

dresses made to the regiments, from time to time, when going into ser-

vice; for his well-arranged system of half-fare tickets, by which the

relatives of the soldiers were enabled to visit the hospitals and battle-

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Hon. David Tod.                        115

 

fields to convey relief, or bring to their last resting place amid the homes

of the loyal north, the remains of those who have given their lives for

their country's protection; for the enduring memorials to the dead of

the rank and file in the cemeteries of Spring Grove and Gettysburg;

for the preservation of peace and order of the state; for the speedy sup-

pression of disloyalty and resistance to laws; for untiring industry in

the business of the state; for deep-toned loyalty; for the full and faithful

discharge of the trust which two years ago was entrusted to him by a

loyal people; for all this he takes with him into his retirement our

thanks, our approval, and our desire for his future welfare and happi-

ness. And when the terrible drama of this infamous rebellion shall

have closed, his official discharge of duty will remain a proud monument

to his memory, and a rich legacy to his children."

JAMES R. HUBBELL,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

CHARLES ANDERSON,

President of the Senate.

Governor Tod, much worn with the great labor he had

performed, gladly sought the Brier Hill farm to devote some

care to his personal affairs needing his attention.

During his relations with President Lincoln, although some-

what prejudiced at first, he became his warm friend and ad-

mirer. He heartily accepted the proclamation to abolish slavery

as an appropriate means of crushing the rebellion.

On the retirement of Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the

Treasury, President Lincoln, wholly without solicitation of Gov-

ernor Tod or any intimation of it beforehand, tendered him by

telegraph that Cabinet position. But being much worn and

exhausted in his very arduous labor as Executive of Ohio, need-

ing rest at his age, and desirous of looking to his private af-

fairs, he promptly declined with suitable thanks the honorable

position so generously tendered him.

Governor Tod thenceforward devoted his time, care and

attention to his interesting family of wife and seven children;

to the coal and iron works, and the Cleveland and Mahon-

ing Valley Railroad, of which company he remained President

until his decease, on November 13, 1868, at the age of sixty-

three years, eight months and twenty-three days. In Novem-

ber, 1868, he was elected by the Republicans one of the pres-

idential electors at large.  At the meeting of the Electoral Col-

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116        Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

lege held at Columbus on December 1st, 1868, seventeen days

after his death, the following gentlemen were appointed to re-

port resolutions expressive of the sense of the College in re-

gard to his death: Stanley Matthews, E. F. Schneider and F.

Kinsman.    The Committee reported the following resolutions,

which were unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, David Tod, formerly governor of Ohio, who departed this

life on the 13th of November, 1868, had been chosen a member of the

Electoral College for the state, at large; and

WHEREAS, It is peculiarly appropriate that we give expression to our

feelings in regard to his decease, be it therefore

Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss that the State and Nation

have sustained in the death of this distinguished citizen; that his public

career and services, especially his patriotic course at the outbreak of the

rebellion, and his distinguished and invaluable labor as Executive of

Ohio during one of the most critical periods of the war, have earned for

him the lasting gratitude of the people, and made his name precious to

every lover of his country.

Resolved, That while we cherish with pride the public reputation of

the deceased, we remember also his exalted character and sterling worth

as a man; his noble and generous qualities as a friend; his genial man-

ners, which adorned alike the Executive Chamber and the social circle

and which combined to win for him the universal respect and affection

with which his memory will always be associated.

Resolved, That Hon. Samuel Galloway, one of the members of this

body, be requested to deliver this evening before the College and the

public, an eulogy upon the life and character of the deceased.

Resolved, That the following named gentlemen be requested to of-

ficiate at the meeting for that purpose: As President, Governor R. B.

Hayes; as Vice-Presidents, Hon. James L. Bates and General George B.

Wright; as Chaplain, Rev. A. G. Byers; as Secretaries. Morton E.

Brazee and W. R. Thrall.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions and a copy of the pro-

ceedings of the meeting, this evening, be furnished to the family of the

deceased.

The meeting in the evening was largely attended, Mr. Gal-

loway delivering a most eloquent eulogy on the life and char-

acter of Mr. Tod; a most truthful and fitting tribute, full of

evidence of Mr. Galloway's intimate acquaintance and sincere

regard for his friend and neighbor. The eulogy was delivered

at the request of the Electors, who ordered it printed in pamph-

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Hon. David Tod.                 117

 

let form, and thousands of copies of the proceedings and eulogy

were distributed through the state and country.

Such was the respect for him and feeling entertained to-

ward him, that his funeral was attended by a number esti-

mated at twenty thousand people.

The people of the Mahoning Valley of all classes have long

mourned his loss as their great friend, adviser and benefactor.

 

PART II.

 

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF DAVID TOD.

 

My first acquaintance with David Tod was a few days after

his election as Governor of Ohio, in 1861. I was then Quar-

termaster General of Ohio, in the midst of active duties equip-

ping and sending to the field volunteers for the Federal Army

who were being called by the President to suppress the rebel-

lion. He came into the office with Governor Dennison, who

introduced him to me as his successor. I was struck with his

handsome, smooth-shaven face, and genial, cordial manner. He

was about five feet, ten inches in height, stoutly built, and

weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds; a fine shaped

head, with a prominent forehead; bright, dark-brown eyes, with

dark hair slightly tinged with gray.

I was not only favorably impressed with his appearance and

genial manner, but surprised at his request that I become a

member of his staff and continue in my present position. I had

known of him as a prominent Democratic politician, while I

had always been a Whig and a Republican, and presumed, of

course, that he would select his staff from his own party friends.

I had known of Mr. Tod's election to the Legislature as

State Senator from Trumbull county in 1839. I was familiar

with his campaign for governor in 1844 on the Democratic

ticket, and had taken part against him, and in favor of his

Whig opponent, Mordecai Bartley. That was a very vigorous

campaign on both sides in which great processions with flags

and emblems, song singing, and displays of all kinds were in

vogue. The custom of song singing in political campaigns had

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been introduced four years before when General Harrison and

Martin Van Buren were opposing candidates for the presidency

in 1840. John Greiner, of Columbus, was the Whig poet, and

composed many songs satirizing the candidates from the Pres-

ident to the candidate for the humblest position. One verse of

a popular Whig song of 1840 will be remembered by those now

living who were voters at that time:

 

"Oh what has caused this great commotion

Motion, motion - our country through?

It is the ball a-rolling on

For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too,

For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too,

And with them we'll beat little Van,

Van, Van is a used up man

And with them we'll beat little Van."

The songs of 1844 were more prolific, and those of John

Greiner were very popular. The following will serve as ex-

amples:

"At Lindenwold the fox was holed,

And the coons all laughed

When they heard it told

Ha, ha, ha what a nominee

Is James K. Polk of Tennessee."

 

These are the first of a number of verses of the popular

songs.

"Soon after the great nomination

Was held at Columbus so odd,

There was quite a jollification

At the residence of Governor Tod."

"His mother, good, pious old lady,

Her spectacles threw on the sod;

Good gracious! Who would have thought, Davy

Would ever be Governor Tod?"

 

Mr. Tod was a hard money man, and in one of his stump

speeches said he would "prefer pot metal money to shin-plas-

ters." This saying gave him the name of "Pot Metal Tod." I

remember in one of the processions of that year, a large wagon,

drawn by eight horses, was laden with a cupola in full blast

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Hon. David Tod.                  119

 

molding "Tod Dollars," which were about two and one-half

inches in diameter and half an inch thick; on one side were

the words "Tod Dollar." They were thrown into the street as

fast as molded, and quickly gathered up by the crowd. I saw

one of these dollars in Mr. Tod's office at Brier Hill as late as

1866, where it was used as a paper weight. Notwithstanding

the state was largely Whig at that time, Mr. Tod was beaten

by his Whig opponent, Mordecai Bartley, by less than twelve

hundred votes.

As minister to Brazil from 1847 to 1851, he won great credit

as a diplomat. His energy and success in developing the coal

and other interests in the Mahoning Valley; his career as First

Vice-President at the Democratic National Convention at

Charleston, South Carolina, and subsequently at Baltimore in

1860, are all referred to in the preceding biography and need

not be repeated here.

It was at this interesting and prosperous period that the

civil war broke out and fired the hearts of every lover of the

Union at the North. William Dennison was then Governor of

the State, and with patriotic zeal was doing all in his power

under the greatest difficulties, to organize and place the State

on a war footing to aid the Federal government in sustaining

the Union. As the time drew near for the nomination of a

Republican candidate for Governor in 1861, while many friends

of Governor Dennison desired and advocated his re-nomina-

tion, many eyes were turned with interest toward David Tod

- a lifelong Democrat, but now recognized as a staunch Union

man - as a suitable candidate for nomination. His previous

record as a business man and high character for integrity and

honor made him a popular candidate, and in October, 1861,

he was elected as the Republican candidate by over eighty-five

thousand majority. He had already shown his zeal in the cause

of the Union by telegraphing the President, when the first call

for volunteers was made, advising the call of three hundred

thousand instead of seventy-five thousand. He had raised and

equipped, at his own expense, the first company of volunteers

in Youngstown, and subscribed one thousand dollars to the

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120      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

war fund of his own township. He thus entered upon his ad-

ministration as Governor in January, 1862, with a mind and

heart well fitted for the work.

In his inaugural address before the Senate and House of

Representatives on the 13th of January, 1862, he said, among

other things: "On the great and absorbing question of the day

-  the war for the maintenance of our National existence -

I am indebted to the friends of the Union for their generous

selection, from the well-known fact that I was willing to sur-

render everything but honor to quell the unholy rebellion. The

more I reflect upon this important matter the more thoroughly

am I convinced that the future welfare of ourselves, our chil-

dren and our children's children depends upon preserving at

all hazards the integrity of our National Union."

It was during the civil war that I learned to know and es-

teem Mr. Tod. For two years we were neighbors and were in

daily association, going to and from our homes to the State

House.   We visited Washington and the hospitals at Cincin-

nati and Camp Dennison together, and when in the city, we

visited Camp Chase nearly every week. Regiments were being

organized there and thousands of Rebel prisoners were held.

From the first call for volunteers to the end of his term he was

ready with his counsel and purse in every way to aid the Ad-

ministration in maintaining the Government.

He was the intimate friend, co-worker and adviser of Pres-

ident Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton, and in daily com-

munication with them. Mr. Lincoln once said of him, "Gover-

nor Tod has aided me more and troubled me less than any

other Governor." This was doubtless for the reason that the

Governor never asked for anything that was not, in his judg-

ment, necessary and of vital importance to the welfare of the

Ohio troops. By order of the Governor, I went to Wash-

ington and spent a week with Secretary Stanton, asking for im-

proved arms, equipments and other supplies for the Ohio sol-

diers. Mr. Stanton said to me, "If you will be patient with us,

the Ohio soldiers shall have the best arms and equipments the

Government can procure." Such was the feeling of the Pres-

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Hon. David Tod.                                                121

ident and Secretary Stanton -  who was an Ohio man -                                   to- wards Governor Tod and the Ohio soldiers. As soon as he entered upon his duties as Governor, he examined carefully the different departments of the State Gov- ernment and wherever he found it ncessary to introduce re- forms, adopted careful business methods. He exhibited rare ability for the duties imposed upon him and never sought to avoid responsibility. He ignored partisan politics and said to every one applying to him for civil or military appointments, "This is no political warfare, but a hand-to-hand struggle for the life of the Nation, and it is the duty of every citizen of Ohio to devote his best energies for that object." On this pa- triotic idea he strove to administer the duties of his office. Of the thousands of appointments which he was called upon to make, he adopted, as far as possible, the Jeffersonian rule of "honesty, capability and faithfulness to the constitution." He was an excellent judge of men and possessed the rare com- bination of talent, tact and human sympathy, seldom erring in his selection of men to fill responsible positions. To aid him in this and other important duties, he advised and secured the appointment of a military board of citizens in most of the con- gressional districts of the State, chosen by the loyal citizens themselves. With these committees he was constantly in com- munication, thus learning the character of the men seeking ser- vice, also the general feeling throughout the State towards the administration at Washington and the conduct of the war. He was anxious to enlist his Democratic friends in the cause of the Union. He soon learned, however, that many of his old political friends and associates were in sympathy with the South and would not be enlisted actively in support of the war. He be- came more and more convinced of this as time went on, but this only bound him closer to Mr. Lincoln and the administra- tion and carried him farther and farther away from his old Dem- ocratic allies until he became notorious as a hater of copper- heads, as those persons were called who opposed the war and its prosecution.  He was accused of being arbitrary and des- potic, but he was always kind and conciliatory and strove in all

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122     Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

cases to be just, even to those whom he knew were opposed

to the administration, but he never hesitated in carrying out

the orders of the War Department, even if it involved the ar-

rest of persons accused of treason.

He never faltered in his support of Mr. Lincoln, and when

it was known that the proclamation of freedom to the slaves

would be issued as a war measure, while many good men doubted

its policy and not a few pronounced it unconstitutional and

tyrannical, Governor Tod never for a moment wavered, but

both publicly and privately endorsed and approved it. When

Vallandigham was tried and convicted of treason by a court-

martial, he advised the President to send him into the rebel

territory instead of executing the sentence against him. In

the darkest periods of the war, when the Federal armies were

meeting with defeat, he often said to me, "We must stand by

Mr. Lincoln; he knows better than any of us what is best, and

this accursed rebellion must and will be put down." "Then it

was that Governor Tod began to ascend from the eminence of

party leader to the mountain height of loftiest patriotism." He

exhibited, in a marked degree, the attributes of firmness, tem-

pered with justice, benevolence and kindness to the unfortun-

ate; sagacity and tact combined with unflinching integrity, and

with all, a remarkable endowment of common sense were marked

features of this character. To these must be added his social

qualities and his ready wit and humor. He was sometimes

grave and thoughtful, but never morose or out of temper. He

endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact, and to

the sorrowful and afflicted he always had a kind and cheerful

word.

His short, but earnest speeches to the regiments and com-

panies about to leave for the battle fields were full of patriotic

sympathy and good advice. He called them his brothers and

boys, and cautioned them to be careful of their health, to be

temperate and always obedient to orders of their officers; to

have coolness, patience and courage under all trying circum-

stances; to save their money and send it to their friends at

home; that they were bound on a glorious mission, the pro-

tection and preservation of the best government in the world,

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Hon. David Tod.                  123

 

and the prayers and best wishes of all loyal people would go

with them; that upon their good service might depend the

future of our glorious Union. He assured them that every

act of courage and bravery would be known at home and re-

warded by a generous government. These addresses were re-

ceived with enthusiastic cheers and responses of: "We will,

we will."

He visited Camp Chase prisoners often and satisfied him-

self that they were well fed and cared for. To the sick pris-

oners he was especially kind, allowing them to see their friends.

Mrs. Thurman, wife of Senator Thurman, a southern lady

by birth and of a most benevolent and kind disposition, was

allowed to visit and minister to sick prisoners at her pleasure.

An order that the prisoners should deposit all their money in

my hands, to be drawn out in small sums, subject to his ap-

proval, was strongly objected to at first, but finally became

popular with the prisoners themselves, as every dollar was sac-

redly kept and any balance remaining at the time of their dis-

charge or exchange was paid over to them.

During his term, many of the best young men of the

South were taken prisoners and sent to Camp Chase prison;

some of these young men were sons or neighbors of his po-

litical friends whom he had known before the war. To these

and all other prisoners he was kind and courteous, granting

them every privilege consistent with orders and regulations of

the War Department.

One of the features of Governor Tod's administration was

his noble and generous charity. To every object for the pro-

motion of Union sentiment, for the aid of societies caring for

sick and wounded soldiers, for the promotion of enlistments

in the army, and in every other charitable movement, he was

a conspicuous and liberal giver. The day he had been Gov-

ernor six months he contributed his entire salary as Gover-

nor, up to that date, to the bounty fund for raising volun-

teers to fill up the depleted regiments in the field. He never

allowed a mother, wife or sister of a sick or wounded soldier

on their way to visit the loved one in camp, or hospital, to

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124       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

leave his office empty handed, or without a kind and cheering

word. He would send an order to me for a ticket of transpor-

tation to the place of destination and return, and would then see

to it that they had sufficient to meet their expenses, supplying

what was necessary from his own purse.

I was in his office one day when a Methodist minister

called who had been made Chaplain to one of the Ohio Reg-

iments. The Governor greeted him cordially. It appeared that

the Chaplain had officiated at the funeral of the Governor's

mother, to whose memory he was devotedly attached. He told

the Chaplain "his mother was an angel in Heaven and her

spirit was constantly watching over him, and that when he left

this world he was certain of being with her again." After a

short interview with the Chaplain he turned to his secretary,

Judge Hoffman, and told him to fill up a check for one hun-

dred dollars, which he handed to the Chaplain as a slight me-

morial to his mother.

He and his family entertained royally at their home in Co-

lumbus, living at the time on Town street in the house now

owned and occupied by Mr. D. S. Gray. The Governor was

a delightful and welcome guest at all social gatherings. He

was quick and responsive in conversation and attracted every

one to him. I spent a delightful afternoon with him on New

Year's Day of 1863, calling on friends and neighbors, for it

was then the custom to make New Year's calls.

As an instance of his quick and ready wit, I recall a din-

ner party given by Mr. and Mrs. William Deshler in honor of

Salmon P. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury of the United

States, who was making a short visit to Columbus. Among the

twenty or thirty guests present was the Rev. Granville Moody,

the "fighting parson," as he was called. He was Colonel of

the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at that time

was in command at Camp Chase. As the guests were assem-

bled around the table, the Rector of the church, where the

family attended, was about to invoke a blessing, when Colonel

Moody, without invitation, arose and commenced praying for

the host, hostees, and family, for the honored guests, for the

President of the United States and members of his Cabinet,

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Hon. David Tod.                  125

 

for the Judges of the United States Supreme Court, for the

Generals of the Union Army, for the Governor of the State,

and so on, until the soup was getting cold and the guests im-

patient, when he finally pronounced "Amen." Immediately the

Governor at the other end of the table called out, "Why

Colonel, you forgot the 74th Regiment." This convulsed those

present with laughter, embarrassment was removed, all were

in good humor, and the dinner proved a great success.

The following anecdote is told of Mr. Lincoln and Gov-

ernor Tod:

One evening while visiting the White House Mr. Lin-

coln said, "Look here, Tod, how is it that you spell your name

with only one d. I married a Todd, but she spelled her name

with two d's. All of her relations do the same. You are the

first Tod I ever knew who spelled his name with so few let-

ters." Mr. Tod, smiling, replied, "Mr. President, God spells

His name with only one d, and what is good enough for God,

is good enough for me." President Lincoln used to repeat this

story to some of his intimate friends with great hilarity.

I called on Mr. Lincoln with Governor Tod in the fall of

1863. We found Mr. Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward

alone together. After our reception and a short interview on

general matters, Governor Tod asked the following question:

"Mr. President, how many candidates are there in your cabi-

net for President?" There had been much discussion among

Republicans as to the propriety of renominating Mr. Lincoln

for a second term. It was known that Mr. Chase and his

friends were actively engaged in promoting his nomination over

Mr. Lincoln. The friends of Mr. Seward were also hoping that

he might be nominated in case of a contest. In reply to Gov-

ernor Tod's question the President said: "Governor, your ques-

tion reminds me of an experience I once had when practicing

law in Illinois. One day a rather seedy looking man called

at my office with a bundle under his arm, and requested to

see me privately. I took him into my back room, when he

told me he had invented a new augur to turn with a crank

instead of the old-fashioned way, and if I approved of it he

desired me to procure a patent for him. He unfolded his bun-

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126      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

ble and exhibited his model. I procured a plank and told him

to bore a hole in it. He set the augur and began to turn the

crank. But we discovered that he had set the screw the wrong

way, and instead of boring itself in, it bored itself out." It

proved a very apt illustration in the following almost unani-

mous nomination and election of Mr. Lincoln. After this Mr.

Seward and Governor Tod each told an anecdote, and the in-

terview ended.

In visiting the Capitol the next day, while in the hall of

the Senate Chamber, I asked the Governor if he was not go-

ing to enter the Senate. He replied, "No, not until the people

of Ohio send me there." He then had an idea, I think, that

he might be elected to the Senate after the close of his term

as Governor.

While on this visit to Washington an evening reception

was given to the President and his Cabinet, and a few dis-

tinguished guests. In the course of the evening the President

was talking to a circle of friends around him, among whom was

his Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Wells. The President re-

marked that he had made a very interesting visit to the hos-

pital that day. That he found one poor fellow approaching

near his end, and he asked him if he could do anything for

him. The soldier replied, "Mr. President, if you could only

send for my grandmother, I think I could die happy after see-

ing her. She raised me, and I am very fond of her." I asked

him where she lived, and he said in Iowa. I told him it would

be impossible to get his grandmother there. "Oh, well," he

said, "Mr. Lincoln, if you could send Secretary Wells to see

me it would be a great comfort. He looks exactly like my

grandmother."

Governor Tod and I were at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,

together on the 10th of November, 1863, at the dedication of

the National Cemetery, and sat near Mr. Lincoln when he de-

livered that memorable address of less than two hundred and

fifty words, and occupied less than ten minutes, while the ad-

dress of Mr. Everett, the orator of the day, was nearly an hour

in delivery. Whenever reference is made to that memorable

occasion, we recall his words: "We are met on a great battle-

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Hon. David Tod.                  127

 

field of the war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that

field as a final resting place for those who gave their lives that

this Nation might live. * * * But in a larger sense we

cannot dedicate, we cannot commemorate, we cannot hallow

this ground. * * * It is rather for us to be dedicated to

the great task remaining before us, that from these honored

dead we take increased dovtion to that cause for which they

gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly re-

solve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this Nation

under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that gov-

ernment of the people, by the people and for the people shall

not perish from the earth."

Mr. Lincoln congratulated Mr. Everett on his able ora-

tion. In reply Mr. Everett said, "Mr. President, your short

address will be remembered and quoted when I am gone and

my oration long forgotten."

The years of 1862 and '63 were probably the most anxious

period of the war to the loyal people of the North. Our Union

army had met with severe repulse at Arkansas Post and at

Stone River. A large element of the population of the State

was hostile to the policy of the administration, and did not

hesitate to criticise and find fault. It was reported that let-

ters were written to soldiers in the field advising them to de-

sert and come home and they would be protected from ar-

rest. A powerful, secret, disloyal organization existed in this

and other states, whose object was to cripple the administra-

tion and put a stop to the war. Demands were made upon

Mr. Lincoln to withdraw the army from the field and treat

for peace. The Democratic party in its National Convention

solemnly pronounced the war a failure. Clement L. Vallan-

digham had returned to the state and was the favorite of his

party for Governor; he was stumping the state and his meet-

ings were largely attended, much enthusiasm being manifested.

Great fear was felt by many that the next state election might

result unfavorably to the Union cause. It was not until the

surrender of Vicksburg on the ₄th of July, and the terrible

battle of Gettysburg was fought, followed by the battles of Look-

out Mountain, Mission Ridge and Chattanooga, that the tide be-

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128      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

 

gan to turn in favor of the Union cause and patriotic Union

men began to take heart. These victories inspired the hopes

of many, but it did not lessen the zeal and bitterness of the

opponents of the Government.

Some of the men not friendly to Governor Tod began to

discuss the question of his re-nomination for Governor, as had

been done in the case of his predecessor, Governor Dennison.

Governor Tod had, of course, made some enemies, but a large

majority of the Union men in Ohio, and of the Ohio soldiers

in the field, were believed to be friendly to him and desired his

re-nomination. A few disappointed place-seekers opposed this

and began to cast about for a man to succeed him. John Brough

had been a popular and successful Democratic candidate for Au-

ditor of State in 1839. One member of the Legislature from

Washington county, together with a gentleman of this city, who

was a politician and had favored the nomination and election

of Mr. Tod and labored in the campaign, had become offended

at the Government failing to appoint a friend of his to some

position. These two gentlemen conceived the idea of writing

to Mr. Brough, then General Manager of the Bellefontaine

Railway, with headquarters at Indianapolis, but having a resi-

dence in Cleveland. They accordingly united in a letter to Mr.

Brough, asking if he would allow his name to be used as a

nominee for Governor on the Republican ticket. Mr. Brough

replied, modestly, that Tod was a good Governor, but that in

such times as these, every man should be willing to accept any

call to duty for his country, etc.

This was sufficient encouragement and these gentlemen

went to Cincinnati, enlisted William Henry Smith, then Man-

ager of the Cincinnati Gazette, in favor of Brough's nomina-

tion, and from that time became the manager of the Brough cam-

paign. A meeting was arranged for Mr. Brough at Marietta;

it was largely attended and Mr. Brough made a long and pa-

triotic speech in favor of the Union cause, giving the key-note

for the next Republican campaign. This speech was published

in the Commercial Gazette and other papers, and liberally dis-

tributed. Through Mr. Smith's influence the whole Republi-

can press of the southern part of the state joined in the sup-

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Hon. David Tod.                 129

port of Mr. Brough, while the press of the northern part of the state adhered to Governor Tod for renomination.  The Gazette and other southern papers harped upon the unpopular- ity of Governor Tod with the soldiers (which was not true). His action in securing the summary dismissal of Colonel Ma- son, of the 71st 0. V. Infantry, charged with cowardice, was commented on unfavorably. When the delegates met for the nomination of a candi- date, the friends of Brough were very active and zealous. At the nominating convention only one division of the army in the field was represented, and the soldier vote at the election of Brough was only 41,467, when at the same time we had over 160,000 soldiers in the field entitled to vote.  Who was to blame for the failure of representation of the large num- ber of soldiers, I have never learned. At the nominating con- vention Brough received 216 votes and Tod 193, giving Brough the nomination by twenty-three majority. As soon as the vote was announced, Governor Tod rose on the platform and heartily endorsed the nomination, pledging his earnest sup- port of the ticket, which was given, up to the day of the elec- tion. This was regarded as a wonderful exhibition of mag- nanimity by a candidate who, only a few hours before, felt con- fident of his nomination, as did many others. His speech was warmly applauded, and many who were present were moved to tears by Governor Tod's patriotic and earnest appeal for unity and harmony, and their disappointment at his defeat.  And several who had voted for Brough said publicly, "We have made a mistake, we ought to have voted for Tod." The general feel- ing was then, and has been ever since, that a great injustice had been done to a most worthy citizen in not re-nominating him for a second term. But this was not a time of second term governors; Dennison was only given one term; Brough failed for a second term for precisely the same alleged reasons that had been urged against Governor Tod's re-nomination; and the next Governor, General J. D. Cox, was only given one term; thus, in eight years the state had four governors. Brough was not even named for re-nomination at the Re- publican State Convention in June, 1865, but General J. D. Cox Vol. VIII- 9

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130       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

was nominated by acclamation. Brough died on August 28th,

1865, and Lieutenant-Governor Charles Anderson filled the of-

fice until January, 1866, when General Cox was inaugurated.

After the election and Mr. Brough's inauguration, Gov-

ernor Tod retired to his Brier Hill home, where he was happy

and contented, looking after his large and prosperous business.

I saw him frequently after his executive term closed, and once

enjoyed a delightful visit with him and his family at Brier Hill.

He always bore the same cheerful, buoyant spirit, and gloried

in the preservation of the Union, to which he was so devoted,

notwithstanding the enormous sacrifices involved.

On Mr. Chase's resignation of the office of Secretary of

the Treasury, Mr. Lincoln telegraphed to Mr. Tod tendering

him the place, which he immediately declined, fearing his health

would not enable him to assume the important duties. He had

more than once been threatened with the malady that finally

ended his life.

After the defeat of Mr. Tod for re-nomination for Gover-

nor in 1863, and the election of John Brough, the many friends

of Mr. Tod, anxious to show their appreciation of his ser-

vices as Governor, advocated his election as United States Sen-

ator at the end of Mr. Chase's term, who had resigned in 1861

to become Secretary of the Treasury, and John Sherman had

been elected to fill the vacancy. I know, personally, that Mr.

Tod desired to be a Senator, but he would make no active can-

vass for the position. He said every office he had ever held

came to him unsolicited, and any other must come in the same

way. Besides, the many friends of John Sherman felt that he

would be entitled to re-election after serving out the unexpired

term of Mr. Chase. Mr. Sherman's following was large in the

state, and the Republicans of the Legislature were nearly unani-

mous for him; he was elected Senator and Mr. Tod's name

was not presented. Soon after his defeat for renomination as

Governor, his friends spoke of him as a worthy candidate for

delegate at large for the Electoral College of Ohio, and in Feb-

ruary, 1864, I wrote to Mr. Tod informing him of this. On

February 24, 1864, he replied as follows:

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Hon. David Tod.                       131

 

BRIER HILL, OHIO, February 24, 1864.

GENERAL GEO. B. WRIGHT,

Columbus, Ohio.

MY DEAR GENERAL: - Your favor of the 18th is at hand. I am proud

to know that I have the confidence of so many good men as you name.

It will be inconvenient for me to attend the Convention. Indeed, I would

feel awkward in personally soliciting the position I desire. If the dele-

gates in attendance do not think it for the interest of the cause we have

at heart to place my name upon the ticket, I do not desire to have it

placed there, and in writing you on the subject, I only desired to have

it known that I would feel honored by the position.

Very truly yours,

DAVID TOD.

This letter is characteristic of him; he was not an office

seeker, but was always ready to respond to the call of duty to

his country, of which he was an ardent lover. At the follow-

ing election in November he was elected a presidential elector

at large.  But his death occurring on the 13th of November,

1868, he was not privileged to cast his vote for General Grant,

as he would have done had his life been spared. The action of

the Electoral College on the death of Governor Tod is given

in the foregoing biography.

I attended Mr. Tod's funeral at Brier Hill, which was the

largest assembly of the kind, except that of President Lincoln,

that I have ever witnessed. The number present was estimated

to be over twenty thousand. Governor Hayes, who was present,

made some appropriate remarks as to the life and character of

the deceased.

• 25