#60 Michael DiSalle

Michael DiSalle

Born: January 6, 1908

Died September 14, 1981

Political Party: Democrat

Term of Office: January 12, 1959- January 14, 1963

Buried: Calvary Cemetery Toledo, Ohio

No. 32 of 58

   Michael DiSalle was born in New York City. His family moved to Toledo, Ohio when he was 3 years old. He attended Georgetown University and later got his law degree.

   In 1937 he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives. Over the coming years he would run for both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, losing every time. In 1950 President Harry S. Truman appointed him to be director of the Office of Price Stabilization during the Korean War. He spent 12 years working in Toledo area politics, serving one term as Mayor of Toledo along the way.  In 1956, DiSalle was the Democratic Nominee for Governor of Ohio but lost to C. William O'Neill. In 1958 he ran for Governor again and this time he won. DiSalle was the first Governor to serve a 4 year term without having to win reelection. Before this time Ohio elected a new Governor every 2 years.

  In 1960, DiSalle ran as a "favorite son" candidate in Ohio for the Democratic Presidential nomination. This method was used so that a candidate with no chance can have a say in the party platform by shifting their delegates to a candidate who does have a shot. DiSalle gave his support to John F. Kennedy. He would remain a loyal ally of the Kennedy's until his death. In 1968 he lead a draft movement to get Ted Kennedy to run for President but withdrew upon Kennedy's request. Then in 1980 he was an honorary chairman of Ted Kennedy's Presidential campaign. 

   As Governor, DiSalle signed the bill making Ohio's official motto"With God, all things are possible". He was so opposed to the death penalty that he made a point to hire convicted murders to serve on his household staff, to demonstrate his faith in rehabilitation. In spite of this, he did allow 6 executions to happen during his term as Governor. He was a very hard working Governor, committing himself to 16 hour work days.

   After loosing reelection he returned home to continue his law practice. He died in 1981.


    I visited the gravesite of Governor DiSalle in October of 2016. My son and I went to Toledo to see former President Clinton at a rally for his wife. After which we went and found Governor DiSalle's gravesite pretty easy. It was right next to the gate as we pulled into the cemetery.

      

President Kennedy applauding Governor DiSalle at his birthday party on the Ohio State fairgrounds on January 6, 1962

Governor DiSalle and President Kennedy at the Army Navy football game in 1962

DiSalle family marker

My son Nicky

Governor DiSalle and I

#40 Asa S. Bushnell

Asa S. Bushnell

Born: September 16, 1834

Died: January 15, 1904

Political Party: Republican

Term of Office: January 13, 1896 - January 8, 1900

Buried: Ferncliff Cemetery Springfield, Ohio

No. 31 of 58

    Asa Smith Bushnell was born in Rome, New York in 1834. His family moved to Ohio when he was 11, then he moved to Springfield when he was 17. In Springfield, Bushnell married and became a partner in his father in laws drug store. He joined the war effort in 1864 by being the Captain of a "hundred day infantry" in the Shenandoah Valley. After the war he returned home to become a popular and successful businessman. He had a lot of jobs serving as a President of the First National Bank to President of the Springfield Gas Company. 

    He got involved in Republican politics and helped Joseph Foraker get elected Governor in 1885. His efforts paid off when Foraker helped get him elected to the Governorship in 1895 after William McKinley left to pursue the Presidency.

     Bushnell served 2- 2 year terms as Governor. It was a great time of transition. It was the dawn of Progressivism. Legislation was passed to improve women's working conditions and limit child labor. In 1898 the Spanish American War broke out and Bushnell was proud to of gotten the first volunteers organized to fight in that war. 

  After leaving the Governorship Bushnell resumed his business affairs. In January 1904 he went to Columbus to attend the Inauguration of Governor Myron T. Herrick. Afterwords he struck sick on the way to the train station and died in Columbus 4 days later. 

   Bushnell was the 2nd of 2 Governor gravesites that I visited on the Saturday before Labor Day 2016. I was taking the kids down to the Air Force Museum in Dayton and decided to pick up a couple of Governor's along the way. The first Governor was Joseph Vance in Urbana. That was the hardest Governor gravesite to find so far. It took about an hour. As you can see. Governor Bushnell's tomb was much easier to find.

 My boys and I at the Bushnell Tomb

#13 Joseph Vance

Joseph Vance

Born: March 21, 1786

Died: August 24, 1852

Political Party: Whig

Term of Office: December 12, 1836 - December 13, 1838

Buried: Oak Dale Cemetery Urbana, Ohio

No. 30 of 58

   On previous posts the total number of Ohio Governor gravesites that we were counting up to was 56. But since 2 more have passed away our number that we are aiming for is now 58. 

   Joseph Vance was born in Pennsylvania. His family moved to Kentucky for a few years before finally settling in Ohio in 1805. He was a salt peddler and farmer. During the War of 1812 he rose to the rank of Major General. His military career lead to his entering politics. He served a few terms in the Ohio House of Representatives before being elected in 1820 to the U.S. House of Representatives. After 7 terms in the House he lost reelection to an 8th term. He came back 2 years later and became the first Whig to become Governor of Ohio, where he served one, uneventful 2 year term before loosing reelection in 1838. 

     As Governor, Vance tried to abolish the death penalty, supported canal construction and supported state funding of schools. After being Governor he returned to politics by serving a term in the Ohio State Senate and 2 more terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as a delegate to the 1848 Whig National Convention and was elected to the Ohio Constitutional Convention in 1850. He passed away at his Urbana, Ohio home in 1852. 

   When I visited Oak Dale Cemetery in Urbana I had 2 stops in mind. Governor Joseph Vance's grave and also the grave of frontiersman Simon Kenton. When I got there signs lead me to Kenton's grave very easily. But it actually took me about an hour of looking before I found Governor Vance. I had some pictures to go off of, but there were literally hundreds of tombstone that looked like the one marking Governor Vance's final resting place.

 Governor Vance and I

Getting Back at It

     For nearly 4 years I've had this project on the back burner. In my spare travel time I've been focused on my primary hobby of visiting Presidential sites.

     I haven't visited a new Governors grave since I visited Chilicothe in October 2012. I got 4 of them that day. But I just got around to posting about 2 of them earlier this week, after about a 3.5 year hiatus of posting.

   During this hiatus there was been 2 more Governors pass away. 62nd Governor John J. Gilligan passed away in 2013. And most recently 65th Governor George Voinovich passed away earlier this year (2016). Voinovich was buried in the Cleveland area. As a matter of fact a couple weeks after he passed away I was up by Cleveland and spent the night at a hotel about 20 minutes from the cemetery in which he was buried. I thought about sneaking over there, to pay my respects, but since we were up there as a little getaway for our Wedding Anniversary, my wife insisted that we wouldn't be seeing any "history stuff". So I'll need to go up there another time. Governor Gilligan on the other hand, from what I can tell, donated his body to science upon his death. More specifically to the University of Cincinatti Medical Center. So I'm not sure what I will do there but I will figure out someway of honoring him. 

#1 Edward Tiffin

Edward Tiffin

Born: June 19, 1766

Died: August 9, 1829

Political Party: Democratic Republican

Term of Office: March 3, 1803 - March 4, 1807

Buried: Grandview Cemetery Chillicothe, Ohio

                                                                       No. 29 of 56

   Edward Tiffin was born in England in 1766. As a teenager, he studied medicine in England. In 1783, he moved with his family to America and settled in Virginia. In Charles Town, Virginia he set up a medical practice. Meanwhile, he his involvement in the local Methodist church led him to become a lay minister in 1792.

     He married Mary Worthington, the sister of Thomas Worthington, who would later be one of Ohio's first US Senators  and later Governor of Ohio. When Worthington acquired land in Chillicothe, Ohio, the Tiffin's moved with the Worthington's to Ohio in 1798. Both men became active in the political climate of the Northwest Territory. Territorial Governor Arthur St. Clair appointed Tiffin to be chief clerk of the Northwest Territories court of  Common Pleas. Tiffin was chosen to serve in the legislature of the Northwest Territory in 1799, and was then picked to serve as Speaker of the House of the NW Territories. As Ohio moved closer to statehood, Tiffin served as president of the Ohio Constitutional Convention in 1802. Just like his brother in law Thomas Worthington, Tiffin was often at odds with Territorial Governor Arthur St. Clair, who opposed Ohio's statehood. St. Clair, a Federalist, knew that the state of Ohio would become a stronghold for the Democratic Republican party. Thankfully, due to the efforts of Tiffin, Worthington, President Jefferson and others, Ohio became the 17th State on March 3, 1803. And Edward Tiffin became it's 1st Governor. Tiffin's brother in law Thomas Worthington was chosen at the same time to be one of Ohio's first 2, US Senators.

   As Governor, Tiffin dealt with a number of issues. Among these were the rise of the American Indian Confederacy, organized by Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh traveled throughout the Northwest Territory and formed a large alliance of American Indian tribes to fight the United States. This issue was made worse by British forces coming through Canada, providing aid and weapons to Tecumseh and his men. Edward Tiffin won reelection in 1805. He served as Governor until January 1, 1807, at which time Tiffin was chosen to replace his brother in law Thomas Worthington in the US  Senate. In this, Tiffin set a precedent of many future Governor's who would represent Ohio in the US Senate after there time as Governor had ended.

    Tiffin resigned from the US Senate in 1809 to return to his medical practice. Not long after returning home he was elected into the Ohio House of Representatives, where he was chosen to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House. In 1812, President James Madison appointed Tiffin to be chief commissioner of the United States Land Office. It was while serving in this position that Tiffin found himself in Washington DC in 1814 as the invading British Army was en route to burn the Capital. Tiffin saw to it that the British Army would not get there hands on the records held in his office.

   He spent his final years, closer to home, serving as Surveyor of the Northwest territory. He died in 1829.
 
    As I have gotten back into this hobby in early 2017, I had been updating these pages with more information. When I updated the Thomas Worthington page, for some reason that post was updated as a new post and places as a more recent addition. So to set the record straight, Worthington was the 28th Governor gravesite that I visited, 3rd in this cemetery. And Tiffin is the 29th overall and the 4th in this cemetery.

Edward Tiffin and I

#11 Duncan McArthur

Duncan McArthur

Born: June 14, 1772

Died: April 29, 1839

Political Party: Federalist / National Republican

Term of Office: December 18, 1830 - December 7, 1832

Buried: Grandview Cemetery Chillicothe, Ohio

No. 27 of 56 

    Duncan McArthur was born in New York State in 1772 to a poor farming family. His family moved to western Pennsylvania when he was still very young. He was the oldest of 11 children. Life on the frontier was tough and while growing up, McArthur never had a formal education, since he was needed to work most of the time. 

   In 1790, McArthur joined the Pennsylvania Volunteers. Before long he was in the Northwest Territories fighting Native Americans. In the military he earned recognition for bravery and good leadership. 

    In 1793, he joined a surveying expedition of the Northwest Territories led by Nathaniel Massie. Three years later, he joined Massie again on another surveying job. This time laying out the new town of Chillicothe, Ohio. McArthur likes the area so much that he acquired some land in the area. He found a way to make a lot of money on land speculation in the Northwest Territory. So he built a really nice house on the land that he had gotten in Chillicothe and called it "Fruit Hill". McArthur earned a reputation for his hospitality at Fruit Hill. Chillicothe became the first Capital of Ohio when it obtained statehood in 1803. 

    McArthur first entered politics in 1805 when he was elected to the Ohio State Senate. Then in 1809, he became Speaker of the State Senate. In this position he supported moving the State Capital in Columbus. 

    When the War of 1812 broke out, McArthur had joined the state militia and was quickly promoted to Major General. McArthur served as second in command to General William Hull in the state militia at Fort Detriot. He was captured by the British near Detroit when Hull surrendered to British forces. After being paroled he joined the U.S. Army and became a Brigadier General under the command of future President and General William Henry Harrison. Shortly after the fall of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh in 1814, Harrison resigned, leaving McArthur in command of the army in the Northwest. 

   After the war, McArthur was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives 1815, where he managed a few treaties with American Indian tribes. He lost reelection to a 3rd term in the Ohio House in 1819. However, throughout the 1820's he would serve in a number of elected offices. From 1821-1823 he served in the State Senate again. Then from 1823-1825 he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. After losing reelection in 1825, he served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1826-1827 and again from 1829-1830. 

   McArthur ran for Governor in 1830, beating future Governor Robert Lucas. As Governor, the Ohio and Erie Canal was completed. Also the National road made it as far a Zanesville. Other then that he served one uneventful term as Ohio's Governor and did not seek re election.

He retired to his Fruit Hill home in Chillicothe, Ohio. After he died in 1839, his son in law, Future Governor William Allen inherited his home.

McArthurs Fruit Hill home. Since I couldn't find any recent pictures I am guessing the house no longer exist.

McArthurs gravesite

McArthur Allen Gravesite

My little Nicky explores the McArthur gravesite

Governor McArthur and I



#31 William Allen

William Allen

Born: December 1803
Died: July 11, 1879
Political Party: Democrat
Term of Office: January 12, 1874 - January 10, 1876
Buried: Grandview Cemetery Chillicothe, Ohio
No. 26 of 56


    William Allen was born in North Carolina in 1803. He was orphaned at a very young age and was taken in by his half sister and her husband Reverend Pleasant Thurman. He moved to Chillicothe, Ohio in 1819 to be close to his sister's family. After 3 years of studying law, he was admitted to the Ohio bar at the age of 21. As a lawyer he gained a reputation for his speaking a debating skills.

   In 1832, William Allen became the Democratic parties candidate for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. His opponent was outgoing Governor of Ohio Duncan McArthur. Allen beat McArthur in a tight race. Allen eventually married McArthur's daughter. After 1-2 year term in congress, Allen lost reelection and returned to his law practice in Chillicothe.

   In 1837, Allen was chosen to be a U.S. Senator. He served 2- 6 year terms in the Senate before losing reelection to a 3rd term in 1849. In the Senate, Allen became an ally of President James K. Polk and his western expansion efforts. Some credit him for coining the term "Fifty fore forty for fight". This was the slogan for people who wanted to annex the entire Oregon Territory. And the northern border of the Oregon Territory was the 54 degrees 40 minutes latitude line.

   At the 1848 Democratic national convention, the front runners for the Presidential nomination were former President Martin Van Buren and former Secretary of War Lewis Cass. Many encouraged Allen to run as a compromise candidate, but he refused. Instead he put his support behind Cass, who then secured the nomination, but lost in the general election to Zachary Taylor. After his second term as Senator was over, Allen returned to his "Fruit Hill" farm that he had inherited from his father in law Duncan McArthur, seemingly retired from politics.


     By 1873, the corruption of the Grant administration left a good possibility for a Democrat to win the Ohio Governorship.  William Allen's nephew (sister's son), then U. S. Senator Allen G. Thurman suggested that his Uncle become the nominee. Allen won the election against incumbent Governor Edward M. Noyes. He was a strong Governor, cutting taxes and at times settling labor disputes by calling in the state militia. Ultimately, it was his support of green back (money with no gold or silver backing it) that lost him public support. He lost his re election in 1875 to former Governor and future President Rutherford B. Hayes.

    His nephew Allen Thurman would become President Grover Cleveland's VP running mate in his failed re election bid in 1888.

  Allen died at his Fruit Hill home in Chillicothe in 1879. 

  After picking up a couple Ohio Governors buried out of state on one of my President sites trips in March 2012, I didn't get around to gravehunting for Ohio Governors for several months. Finally an opportunity presented itself in October 2012 when my sister in law, who lives in southern Ohio was having a baby shower. She lives about an hour away from Chillicothe. So I dropped off my wife and daughter Khloe at the shower, while my son Nicky and I headed to Chillicothe. It was a beautiful fall day at the peak of fall foliage. In Chillicothe is Grandview Cemetery final resting place of 4 of Ohio's earlier Governors. Of the 4, 2 are brother in laws (Edward Tiffin and Thomas Worthington) and 2 are father - son in laws (Duncan McArthur and William Allen).

    Now I already knew the Tiffin - Worthington connection, but did not know that McArthur and Allen were in laws. But when I finally stumbled upon Allens grave, and immediately found McArthur right next to him. I figured there had to be some sort of family connection. In Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery, there are a couple of Governors who happen to be 20 or 30 feet away from each other. These 2 have them beat considering that their individual headstones are less then 5 ft. apart.

Fruit Hill in Chillicothe, Ohio was William Allens home that he inherited from his father in law Duncan McArthur

Governor Allen

Notice the close proximity between Governor Allen on the left and Governor McArthur on the right. The flag markes McArthurs individual gravesite and 2 small stones over in Allen.

Governor Allen and me