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{{short description|American politician}}
⚫
{{Infobox Politician

⚫
|name =James A. Mount
⚫
{{Infobox officeholder
|image =Gov james atwell mount of indiana.gif
⚫
|name = James A. Mount
|image = James Atwell Mount, 1899.jpg
|caption =
|caption =
|office1 =Governor of Indiana
|office1 = Governor of Indiana
|order1 =[[List of Governors of Indiana|24th]]
|order1 = 24th
|term_start1 =January 11, 1897
|term_start1 = January 11, 1897
|term_end1 =January 14, 1901
|term_end1 = January 14, 1901
|lieutenant1 =[[William S. Haggard]]
|lieutenant1 = [[William S. Haggard]]
|predecessor1 =[[Claude Matthews]]
|predecessor1 = [[Claude Matthews]]
|successor1 =[[Winfield T. Durbin]]
|successor1 = [[Winfield T. Durbin]]
|office2 =Member of the [[Indiana State Senate]]
|office2 = Member of the [[Indiana State Senate]]
|term_start2 =1888
|term_start2 = 1888
|term_end2 =1892
|term_end2 = 1892
|birth_date= March 24, 1843
|birth_date = March 24, 1843
|birth_place= [[Montgomery County, Indiana]]
|birth_place = [[Montgomery County, Indiana]], U.S.
|death_date= January 16, 1901 (aged 57)
|death_date = January 16, 1901 (aged 57)
|death_place= [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
|death_place = [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], U.S.
|religion = [[Presbyterian]]
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse = Catherine Boyd
|spouse = Catherine Boyd
|allegiance = [[United States of America]]
|allegiance = United States
|branch = [[United States Army]]
|branch = [[United States Army]]
|serviceyears =1862–1865
|serviceyears = 1862–1865
|rank = [[Sergeant]]
|rank = [[Sergeant]]
|commands =
|commands =
|unit = [[72nd Regiment Indiana Infantry]]
|unit = [[72nd Regiment Indiana Infantry]]
|battles = [[American Civil War]]
|battles = [[American Civil War]]
*[[Battle of Chickamauga]]
*[[Battle of Chickamauga]]
*[[Siege of Atlanta]]
*[[Siege of Atlanta]]
Line 32: Line 33:
}}
}}


'''James Atwell Mount''' (March 24, 1843 – January 16, 1901) was the 24th [[Governor of Indiana]] from 1897 to 1901. His term coincided with the economic recovery following the [[Panic of 1893]], and focused primarily on industrial regulations and advancement of agriculture. As governor during the [[Spanish-American War]], he oversaw the formation as dispatch of the state levies and played an important role in changing national policy to permit [[African-Americans]] serve as army officers.
'''James Atwell Mount''' (March 24, 1843 – January 16, 1901) was an American politician serving as the 24th [[governor of Indiana]] from 1897 to 1901. His term coincided with the economic recovery following the [[Panic of 1893]], and focused primarily on industrial regulations and advancement of agriculture. As governor during the [[Spanish–American War]], he oversaw the formation as dispatch of the state levies and played an important role in changing national policy to allow [[African-Americans]] to serve as army officers.


==Early life==
==Early life==
James Atwell Mount was born in [[Montgomery County, Indiana]] on March 24, 1843, one of the twelve children of Atwell and Lucinda Fullenwider Mount. He received little formal education during the winter months when no farming could be conducted, and spent most of his youth working on his family's farm, and clearing land for use as pasture and fields.<ref name = g211>Gugin, p. 211</ref>
James Atwell Mount was born in [[Montgomery County, Indiana]], on March 24, 1843, one of the twelve children of Atwell and Lucinda Fullenwider Mount. He received little formal education during the winter months when no farming could be conducted, and spent most of his youth working on his family's farm, and clearing land for use as pasture and fields.<ref name=g211>Gugin, p. 211</ref>


===American Civil War===
===American Civil War===
He enlisted in the [[Union Army]] in 1862, during the height of the [[American Civil War]], and was assigned to the [[72nd Regiment Indiana Infantry|72nd Indiana Infantry]]. His regiment was part of the famous [[Lightning Brigade]] commanded by [[John T. Wilder]]. Mount gained a reputation for valor and bravery, and twice volunteered for charges against superior forces during the [[Battle of Chickamauga]] during September 1863.<ref name = g211/>
He enlisted in the [[Union Army]] on 22 July 1862, during the height of the [[American Civil War]], and was assigned to D Company of the [[72nd Regiment Indiana Infantry|72nd Indiana Infantry]].{{sfnp|''Adj. Gen Indiana.Report'', Vol. 6| p = 169||loc={{sp}}|ps=<br />D Company was recruited and organized in Mount's then residence of Thorntown, IN.}} His regiment was part of the famous [[Lightning Brigade]] commanded by [[John T. Wilder]]. Mount gained a reputation for leadership, valor, and bravery, and twice volunteered for charges against superior forces during the [[Battle of Chickamauga]] during September 1863.<ref name=g211 />


He remained in the service for the duration of the war and served primarily as a scout and skirmisher. During [[Sherman's march to the sea]] he was one of the leading scouts of the army, and was the first Union soldier to enter [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. He remained with the army throughout its destructive march across the state, and participated in the widespread [[scorched earth]] tactics of the campaign.<ref name = g212>Gugin, p. 212</ref>
He remained in the service for the duration of the war and served primarily as a scout and skirmisher. During [[Sherman's march to the sea]] he was one of the leading scouts of the army, and was the first Union soldier to enter [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. He remained with the army throughout its destructive march across the state, and participated in the widespread [[scorched earth]] tactics of the campaign.<ref name=g212>Gugin, p. 212</ref> He was promoted during his service for his demonstrated leadership and mustered out as a sergeant in D Company on 24 July 1865.{{sfnp|''Adj. Gen Indiana.Report'', Vol. 6| p = 169 }}


===Farming===
===Farming===
After the war ended, mount returned to Indiana in 1865 were he used the money he had earned as a soldier to pay for schooling. He attend the Presbyterian Academy in [[Boone County, Indiana|Boone County]] and received a classical education. While in school he met Kate Byrd, who became one of his closest friends. He only had funds to complete one year at the university, and returned to his family's farm. Kate and Mount continued their relationship and fell in love, marrying after she graduated in 1867. The couple rented a small run-down house and farm in Montgomery County and began to work it. After working the farm for several years they were able to save enough to purchase it and all of its equipment. They soon had three children who grew to help them on the growing farm. They purchased neighboring land, eventually owning over {{convert|500|acre|ha}} and building a new large home. He called the estate Willow Brook.<ref name = g212/>
After the war ended, Mount returned to Indiana in 1865 where he used the money he had earned as a soldier to pay for schooling. He attend the Presbyterian Academy in [[Boone County, Indiana|Boone County]] and received a classical education. While in school he met Kate Byrd, who became one of his closest friends. He only had funds to complete one year at the university, and returned to his family's farm. Kate and Mount continued their relationship and fell in love, marrying after she graduated in 1867. The couple rented a small run-down house and farm in Montgomery County and began to work it. After working the farm for several years they were able to save enough to purchase it and all of its equipment. They soon had three children who grew to help them on the growing farm. They purchased neighboring land, eventually owning over {{convert|500|acre|ha}} and building a new large home. He called the estate Willow Brook.<ref name=g212 />


Mount was known for his business acumen in the community and was very good at predicting the most profitable times to sell crops. In his spare time, he would lecture and teach at a county agricultural school to help other farmers learn advanced farming techniques and methods to get the greatest income from their crop sales, primarily through marketing timing and group negotiations. Mount became instrumental in the formation of several farming co-ops and became well known in the region.<ref name = g212/>
Mount was known for his business acumen in the community and was very good at predicting the most profitable times to sell crops. In his spare time, he would lecture and teach at a county agricultural school to help other farmers learn advanced farming techniques and methods to get the greatest income from their crop sales, primarily through marketing timing and group negotiations. Mount became instrumental in the formation of several farming co-ops and became well known in the region.<ref name=g212 />


==Political career==
==Political career==
⚫
===State Senator===


⚫
===State senator===
Mount had been approached several times to run for public office by the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], to which he belonged, but had always refused. In 1888 he was nominated to run for the [[Indiana State Senate]], despite his protests. The party at that time was losing farming votes to the [[People's Party (United States)|Populist Party]], and bringing farmers to the ticket was seen as a way to reverse the trend. He reluctantly accepted the nomination expecting to lose, but won the election in an ordinarily Democrat controlled district. In the Democrat controlled Senate he submitted no legislation of his own, but did support several measures he believed would benefit the farming community, including increasing funding for state agricultural programs.<ref name = g212/>
Mount had been approached several times to run for public office by the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], to which he belonged, but had always refused. In 1888 he was nominated to run for the [[Indiana State Senate]], despite his protests. The party at that time was losing farming votes to the [[People's Party (United States)|Populist Party]], and bringing farmers to the ticket was seen as a way to reverse the trend. He reluctantly accepted the nomination expecting to lose, but won the election in an ordinarily Democratic-controlled district. In the Democratic-controlled Senate he submitted no legislation of his own, but did support several measures he believed would benefit the farming community, including increasing funding for state agricultural programs.<ref name=g212 />


In 1890, his party nominated him to run for Congress, again against his wishes. He again reluctantly accepting, believing he would be defeated and not have to serve in the office. He was overwhelmingly defeated in the election, finished out his two remaining years as a state senator, and returned to his farm in 1892. The following year the nation was adversely affected by the [[Panic of 1893]], leading to a collapse of farm and produce value. Across the state, farmers began to lose their land to their lenders. The following year in the 1894 mid-term elections the Republicans swept to power in the statehouse, and took control of the [[Indiana General Assembly]]. As a farmer, Mount was also affected by the economic downturn and decided a return to politics was the best way he could help the situation.<ref name = g213>Gugin, p. 213</ref>
In 1890, his party nominated him to run for Congress, again against his wishes. He again reluctantly accepting, believing he would be defeated and not have to serve in the office. He was overwhelmingly defeated in the election, finished out his two remaining years as a state senator, and returned to his farm in 1892. The following year the nation was adversely affected by the [[Panic of 1893]], leading to a collapse of farm and produce value. Across the state, farmers began to lose their land to their lenders. The following year in the 1894 mid-term elections the Republicans swept to power in the statehouse, and took control of the [[Indiana General Assembly]]. As a farmer, Mount was also affected by the economic downturn and decided a return to politics was the best way he could help the situation.<ref name=g213>Gugin, p. 213</ref>


===Governor===
===Governor===
⚫
Mount sought his party's nomination for governor, and won, being aided by his farming background which was believed to give him an edge in the campaign. The primary issue of the campaign was national, the unlimited coinage of silver money, which would cause inflation, which farmers believed would alleviate their financial problems. Although the issue could only be resolved at the federal level, it dominated the state campaign as well, and Mount openly supported the measure. Mount won the election by plurality, defeating the Democratic candidate Benjamin by over 26,000 votes.<ref name=g213 />


⚫
Mount had become president of the State Horse Thief Detective Association in 1892. It was a vigilante group that privately defended country farmers, leading him to change the policy of recent Governors who were attempting to suppress such [[whitecapping|white cap]] groups. Although he actively sought the governor's seat, he soon came to dislike it and wanted to leave office. Mount's primary dislike from the job arose from the constant lobbying of individuals for patronage jobs and party leaders' demands. Several progressive agenda items were enacted during his term, including compulsive school attendance laws, requiring all children between age eight and fourteen attend school. Anti-trust laws, a number of industry regulations on worker health and safety, and food and drug quality were also passed during his term.<ref name=g213 />
⚫
Mount sought his party's nomination for governor, and won, being aided by his farming background which was believed to give him an edge in the campaign. The primary issue of the campaign was national, the unlimited coinage of silver money, which would cause inflation, which farmers believed would alleviate their financial problems. Although the issue could only be resolved at the federal level, it dominated the state campaign as well, and Mount openly supported the measure. Mount won the election by plurality, defeating the Democrat candidate Benjamin by over 26,000 votes.<ref name = g213/>


⚫
The economy began to recover shortly after his term began, increasing state revenues and taking pressure off of the government. A coal miners strike was still continuing when his term began, so he dispatched two commissioners to determine the problems who successfully ended the strike with promises of regulatory reform. Mount's primary concern remained to be the farming community. He advocated granting more power to the state agricultural department. Among the authority it was granted was the ability to enforce quarantines on diseased farm animals, the ability to inspect farms for disease, and promotion of fruit crops.<ref name=g214>Gugin, p. 214</ref>
⚫
Mount had become president of the State Horse Thief Detective Association in 1892. It was a vigilante group that privately defended country farmers, leading him to change the policy of recent Governors who were attempting to suppress such white cap groups. Although he actively sought the governor's seat, he soon came to dislike it and wanted to leave office. Mount's primary dislike from the job arose from the constant lobbying of individuals for patronage jobs and party leaders' demands. Several progressive agenda items were enacted during his term, including compulsive school attendance laws, requiring all children between age eight and fourteen attend school. Anti-trust laws, a number of industry regulations on worker health and safey, and food and drug quality were also passed during his term.<ref name = g213/>


⚫
The [[Spanish–American War]] began during the second half of Mount's term, and he was responsible for preparing the Indiana's levies. Indiana had maintained regiments of black troops since the Civil War, and Mount activated two of their companies to serve in the new conflict. The [[United States War Department]] refused to accept them unless they were commanded by white officers, leading to a dispute with Mount. Most blacks in Indiana were Republican at the time, and the party did not want to alienate them given the recent string of close elections. Mount objected strongly to the War Department demand and enlisted the support of Indiana's senator, [[Charles W. Fairbanks]]. Mount and Fairbanks both spoke with President McKinley to demand that he allow the blacks companies to be commanded by black officers. McKinley complied, making the first steps towards the racial equality and integration of the [[United States Army]].<ref name=g214 />
⚫
The economy began to recover shortly after his term began, increasing state revenues and taking pressure of the government. A coal miners strike was still continuing when his term began, so he dispatched two commissioners to determine the problems who successfully ended the strike with promises of regulatory reform. Mount's primary concern remained to be the farming community. He advocated granting more power to the state agricultural department. Among the authority it was granted was the ability to enforce quarantines on diseased farm animals, the ability to inspect farms for disease, and promotion of fruit crops.<ref name = g214>Gugin, p. 214</ref>


⚫
Mount received national attention in the last year of his term when he refused to extradite [[William S. Taylor (Kentucky politician)|William S. Taylor]] to Kentucky. Taylor was a Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky in the 1899 election, and was believed to have been involved in the murder of his Democratic opponent after making accusations of vote fraud. Mount ordered state police to protect Taylor who remained in Indiana for the rest of his life.<ref name=g214 />
⚫
The [[Spanish-American War]] began during the second half of Mount's term, and he was responsible for preparing the Indiana's levies. Indiana had maintained regiments of black troops since the Civil War, and Mount activated two of their companies to serve in the new conflict. The [[United States War Department]] refused to accept them unless they were commanded by white officers, leading to a dispute with Mount. Most blacks in Indiana were Republican at the time, and the party did not want to alienate them given the recent string of close elections. Mount objected strongly to the War Department demand and enlisted the support of Indiana's senator, [[Charles W. Fairbanks]]. Mount and Fairbanks both spoke with President McKinley to demand that he allow the blacks companies to be commanded by black officers. McKinley complied, making the first steps towards the racial equality and integration of the [[United States Army]].<ref name = g214/>


⚫
Mount left office on January 14, 1901, and was relieved and happy to return to his farm. In his farewell speech he called it the happiest day of his life. Two days later, January 16, as he was preparing to leave the capitol and return home, he died of a heart attack in his Indianapolis apartment. His body lay in state for three days before he was returned to be buried in [[Oak Hill Cemetery (Crawfordsville, Indiana)|Oak Hill Cemetery]] in [[Crawfordsville, Indiana]].<ref>Gugin, p. 215</ref>
⚫
Mount received national attention in the last year of his term when he refused to extradite [[William S. Taylor]] to Kentucky. Taylor was a Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky in the 1899 election, and was believed to have been involved in the murder of his Democrat opponent after making accusations of vote fraud. Mount ordered state police to protect Taylor who remained in Indiana for the rest of his life.<ref name = g214/>

⚫
Mount left office on January 14, 1901, and was relieved and happy to return to his farm. In his farewell speech he called it the happiest day of his life. Two days later, January 16, as he was preparing to leave the capitol and return home, he died of a heart attack in his Indianapolis apartment. His body lay in state for three days before he was returned to be buried in [[Oak Hill Cemetery]]{{disambiguation needed|date=September 2011}} in [[Crawfordsville, Indiana]].<ref>Gugin, p. 215</ref>


==Electoral history==
==Electoral history==
⚫
{{Election box begin no change |title=Indiana election, 1896<ref name="g212" />}}

⚫
{{Election box begin no change |title=Indiana gubernatorial election, 1896<ref name="g212" />}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| |party = Republican Party (United States)
| |party = Republican Party (United States)
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{{Election box candidate with party link no change
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| |party = Prohibition Party
| |party = Prohibition Party
|candidate = Leonard M. Christ
|candidate = Riley F. Hicks
|votes = 2,996
|votes = 2,996
|percentage = 0.5
|percentage = 0.5
Line 99: Line 98:
==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Indiana}}
{{Portal|Indiana}}
*[[List of Governors of Indiana]]
*[[List of governors of Indiana]]
*[[Indiana White Caps]]


==References==
==Notes==
⚫
{{Reflist}}
'''Notes'''
⚫
{{Reflist|2}}


'''Bibliography'''
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|editor=Gugin, Linda C. & St. Clair, James E|title=The Governors of Indiana|publisher=Indiana Historical Society Press|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|year=2006|isbn=0-87195-196-7}}
*{{cite book|editor=Gugin, Linda C.|editor2=St. Clair, James E|title=The Governors of Indiana|publisher=Indiana Historical Society Press|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|year=2006|isbn=0-87195-196-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780871951960}}
* {{Cite book | last = Terrell| first = William Henry Harrison, ''Adjutant General''| title = Roster of Enlisted Men [incl.] Indiana Regiments Sixtieth to One Hundred and Tenth 1861-1865| publisher = Samuel R. Douglas, State Printer| place = Indianapolis, IN| volume = VI| series =Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana| year = 1866| oclc =558004259| url = https://archive.org/details/reportindiana06dougrich| format = PDF| access-date = 2020-04-19| ref={{sfnref|''Adj. Gen Indiana.Report'', Vol. 6}} | page = 169 }}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/ihb/govportraits/mount.html Indiana Historical Bureau: Biography and portrait]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051202021437/http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/ihb/govportraits/mount.html Indiana Historical Bureau: Biography and portrait]
* {{cite news
* {{cite news
⚫
|title=EX-GOV. MOUNT DIES SUDDENLY; Stricken by Heart Disease in an Indianapolis Hotel – Retired from Office Last Monday
|author=
⚫
|title=EX-GOV. MOUNT DIES SUDDENLY; Stricken by Heart Disease in an Indianapolis Hotel{{spaced ndash}}Retired from Office Last Monday
|date=January 17, 1901
|date=January 17, 1901
|work=[[New York Times]]
|work=[[New York Times]]
|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9901E4DC1330E132A25754C1A9679C946097D6CF
|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9901E4DC1330E132A25754C1A9679C946097D6CF
|accessdate=2008-08-06
|access-date=2008-08-06
}}] Obituary]
}} [Obituary]
*[http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=afbc224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Governors Association]
*[http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=afbc224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Governors Association]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8478/james-atwell-mount James Mount at FindAGrave]


{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ira Joy Chase]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Governor of Indiana]]|years=[[1896 Indiana gubernatorial election|1896]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Winfield T. Durbin]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{Succession box
{{Succession box
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{{Governors of Indiana}}
{{Governors of Indiana}}
{{Indiana history}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Mount, James A.
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American politician
| DATE OF BIRTH =March 24, 1843
| PLACE OF BIRTH =[[Montgomery County, Indiana]]
| DATE OF DEATH =January 16, 1901
| PLACE OF DEATH =[[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mount, James A.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mount, James A.}}
[[Category:1843 births]]
[[Category:1843 births]]
Line 148: Line 143:
[[Category:Governors of Indiana]]
[[Category:Governors of Indiana]]
[[Category:Indiana Republicans]]
[[Category:Indiana Republicans]]
[[Category:Indiana State Senators]]
[[Category:Republican Party governors of Indiana]]
[[Category:Republican Party Indiana state senators]]
[[Category:People of Indiana in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of Indiana in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People from Indiana in the Spanish–American War]]
[[Category:American people of the Spanish–American War]]
[[Category:Republican Party state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:19th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]

[[de:James Mount]]

Latest revision as of 03:31, 26 August 2024

James A. Mount
24th Governor of Indiana
In office
January 11, 1897 – January 14, 1901
LieutenantWilliam S. Haggard
Preceded byClaude Matthews
Succeeded byWinfield T. Durbin
Member of the Indiana State Senate
In office
1888–1892
Personal details
BornMarch 24, 1843
Montgomery County, Indiana, U.S.
DiedJanuary 16, 1901 (aged 57)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCatherine Boyd
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1862–1865
RankSergeant
Unit72nd Regiment Indiana Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

James Atwell Mount (March 24, 1843 – January 16, 1901) was an American politician serving as the 24th governor of Indiana from 1897 to 1901. His term coincided with the economic recovery following the Panic of 1893, and focused primarily on industrial regulations and advancement of agriculture. As governor during the Spanish–American War, he oversaw the formation as dispatch of the state levies and played an important role in changing national policy to allow African-Americans to serve as army officers.

Early life

[edit]

James Atwell Mount was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, on March 24, 1843, one of the twelve children of Atwell and Lucinda Fullenwider Mount. He received little formal education during the winter months when no farming could be conducted, and spent most of his youth working on his family's farm, and clearing land for use as pasture and fields.[1]

American Civil War

[edit]

He enlisted in the Union Army on 22 July 1862, during the height of the American Civil War, and was assigned to D Company of the 72nd Indiana Infantry.[2] His regiment was part of the famous Lightning Brigade commanded by John T. Wilder. Mount gained a reputation for leadership, valor, and bravery, and twice volunteered for charges against superior forces during the Battle of Chickamauga during September 1863.[1]

He remained in the service for the duration of the war and served primarily as a scout and skirmisher. During Sherman's march to the sea he was one of the leading scouts of the army, and was the first Union soldier to enter Georgia. He remained with the army throughout its destructive march across the state, and participated in the widespread scorched earth tactics of the campaign.[3] He was promoted during his service for his demonstrated leadership and mustered out as a sergeant in D Company on 24 July 1865.[4]

Farming

[edit]

After the war ended, Mount returned to Indiana in 1865 where he used the money he had earned as a soldier to pay for schooling. He attend the Presbyterian Academy in Boone County and received a classical education. While in school he met Kate Byrd, who became one of his closest friends. He only had funds to complete one year at the university, and returned to his family's farm. Kate and Mount continued their relationship and fell in love, marrying after she graduated in 1867. The couple rented a small run-down house and farm in Montgomery County and began to work it. After working the farm for several years they were able to save enough to purchase it and all of its equipment. They soon had three children who grew to help them on the growing farm. They purchased neighboring land, eventually owning over 500 acres (200 ha) and building a new large home. He called the estate Willow Brook.[3]

Mount was known for his business acumen in the community and was very good at predicting the most profitable times to sell crops. In his spare time, he would lecture and teach at a county agricultural school to help other farmers learn advanced farming techniques and methods to get the greatest income from their crop sales, primarily through marketing timing and group negotiations. Mount became instrumental in the formation of several farming co-ops and became well known in the region.[3]

Political career

[edit]

State senator

[edit]

Mount had been approached several times to run for public office by the Republican Party, to which he belonged, but had always refused. In 1888 he was nominated to run for the Indiana State Senate, despite his protests. The party at that time was losing farming votes to the Populist Party, and bringing farmers to the ticket was seen as a way to reverse the trend. He reluctantly accepted the nomination expecting to lose, but won the election in an ordinarily Democratic-controlled district. In the Democratic-controlled Senate he submitted no legislation of his own, but did support several measures he believed would benefit the farming community, including increasing funding for state agricultural programs.[3]

In 1890, his party nominated him to run for Congress, again against his wishes. He again reluctantly accepting, believing he would be defeated and not have to serve in the office. He was overwhelmingly defeated in the election, finished out his two remaining years as a state senator, and returned to his farm in 1892. The following year the nation was adversely affected by the Panic of 1893, leading to a collapse of farm and produce value. Across the state, farmers began to lose their land to their lenders. The following year in the 1894 mid-term elections the Republicans swept to power in the statehouse, and took control of the Indiana General Assembly. As a farmer, Mount was also affected by the economic downturn and decided a return to politics was the best way he could help the situation.[5]

Governor

[edit]

Mount sought his party's nomination for governor, and won, being aided by his farming background which was believed to give him an edge in the campaign. The primary issue of the campaign was national, the unlimited coinage of silver money, which would cause inflation, which farmers believed would alleviate their financial problems. Although the issue could only be resolved at the federal level, it dominated the state campaign as well, and Mount openly supported the measure. Mount won the election by plurality, defeating the Democratic candidate Benjamin by over 26,000 votes.[5]

Mount had become president of the State Horse Thief Detective Association in 1892. It was a vigilante group that privately defended country farmers, leading him to change the policy of recent Governors who were attempting to suppress such white cap groups. Although he actively sought the governor's seat, he soon came to dislike it and wanted to leave office. Mount's primary dislike from the job arose from the constant lobbying of individuals for patronage jobs and party leaders' demands. Several progressive agenda items were enacted during his term, including compulsive school attendance laws, requiring all children between age eight and fourteen attend school. Anti-trust laws, a number of industry regulations on worker health and safety, and food and drug quality were also passed during his term.[5]

The economy began to recover shortly after his term began, increasing state revenues and taking pressure off of the government. A coal miners strike was still continuing when his term began, so he dispatched two commissioners to determine the problems who successfully ended the strike with promises of regulatory reform. Mount's primary concern remained to be the farming community. He advocated granting more power to the state agricultural department. Among the authority it was granted was the ability to enforce quarantines on diseased farm animals, the ability to inspect farms for disease, and promotion of fruit crops.[6]

The Spanish–American War began during the second half of Mount's term, and he was responsible for preparing the Indiana's levies. Indiana had maintained regiments of black troops since the Civil War, and Mount activated two of their companies to serve in the new conflict. The United States War Department refused to accept them unless they were commanded by white officers, leading to a dispute with Mount. Most blacks in Indiana were Republican at the time, and the party did not want to alienate them given the recent string of close elections. Mount objected strongly to the War Department demand and enlisted the support of Indiana's senator, Charles W. Fairbanks. Mount and Fairbanks both spoke with President McKinley to demand that he allow the blacks companies to be commanded by black officers. McKinley complied, making the first steps towards the racial equality and integration of the United States Army.[6]

Mount received national attention in the last year of his term when he refused to extradite William S. Taylor to Kentucky. Taylor was a Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky in the 1899 election, and was believed to have been involved in the murder of his Democratic opponent after making accusations of vote fraud. Mount ordered state police to protect Taylor who remained in Indiana for the rest of his life.[6]

Mount left office on January 14, 1901, and was relieved and happy to return to his farm. In his farewell speech he called it the happiest day of his life. Two days later, January 16, as he was preparing to leave the capitol and return home, he died of a heart attack in his Indianapolis apartment. His body lay in state for three days before he was returned to be buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Crawfordsville, Indiana.[7]

Electoral history

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Indiana election, 1896[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Mount 321,032 47.7
Democratic Benjamin F. Shively 294,855 47.0
Populist Thomas Wadsworth 8,525 1.4
Prohibition Riley F. Hicks 2,996 0.5

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Gugin, p. 211
  2. ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 6, p. 169,
    D Company was recruited and organized in Mount's then residence of Thorntown, IN.
  3. ^ a b c d e Gugin, p. 212
  4. ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 6, p. 169.
  5. ^ a b c Gugin, p. 213
  6. ^ a b c Gugin, p. 214
  7. ^ Gugin, p. 215

Bibliography

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  • Gugin, Linda C.; St. Clair, James E, eds. (2006). The Governors of Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87195-196-7.
  • Terrell, William Henry Harrison, Adjutant General (1866). Roster of Enlisted Men [incl.] Indiana Regiments Sixtieth to One Hundred and Tenth 1861-1865 (PDF). Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana. Vol. VI. Indianapolis, IN: Samuel R. Douglas, State Printer. p. 169. OCLC 558004259. Retrieved 2020-04-19.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Indiana
1896 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Indiana
January 11, 1897 – January 14, 1901 		Succeeded by
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