Allen G. Thurman, presidential candidate for the vice-presidency of
the United States on the Democratic ticket in 1888, is one of the most
thorough scholars in public life in this country. Always a student, he
became early in life a great lawyer, and since then has devoted much time
ot lighter study. He is a fine French scholar, and his favorite books are
the works of the earlier French dramatists, which he reads in the original.
He has an unusually large and well selected library, and there are few
books in the range of polite literature that he is not familiar with.
Mr. Thurman has a literal genius for mathematics, and frequently occupies
himself in working out the most abstruse and intricate problems. He says
that he is prouder of his knowledge of mathematics than he is of anything
else. He had no collegiate training, and has no diploma save the certificate
of a grammar school. He was born at Lynchburg, in the state of Virginia.
His grandfather fought in the revolution, and his mother came of very distinguished
revolutionary stock. When but six years of age his parents removed to Ohio,
where he now holds the highest esteem of both political parties, being
a statesman of learning, experience and lofty character. He studied law
with ex-Gov. Allen and Judge Swayne, and was admitted to the bar when but
twenty-two years of age.
After having practiced law for some years at Columbus, Ohio, he was
returned as representative to the twenty-ninth congress. He was put on
the judiciary committee of the house, and soon became distinguished as
a great lawyer. Declining a re-election at the close of his term, he retired,
as he thought, to private life for good and all.
But in 1851, when the new constitution of Ohio was adopted, he was pressed
into the race for a supreme court judgeship and was elected. He sat upon
the bench for four years, the last two years serving as chief justice.
In 1867, after a season of rest, he was put forward as the democratic
candidate for the governorship against Rutherford B. Hayes. There was clearly
no chance for a domocratic victory, the republican majority the year before
having been forty-three thousand. Under Judge Thurman's sledge-hammer blows,
however, this enormous majority was beaten down to a trifle less than three
thousand; and the legislature was captured by a decisive majority, insuring
the defeat of Ben Wade, and Judge Thurman was elected in Mr. Wade's stead,
and took his seat in the senate in 1869, and received the re-election in
1874.
As a representative of the American government in the international
congress at Paris in 1881, he visited France; afterward he visited Switzerland,
the Rhine, Belgium, England and Scotland. His health was very much improved
by his European trip, and he was delighted with his journey, which had
lasted about six months.
This fine old statesman has several times been strongly supported as
a democratic candidate for the presidency. It was not, therefore, surprising
that he was nominated for vice-president. He is well known throughout the
United States as a great lawyer, jurist and statesman.
Source: Prominent Men and Women of the Day
Copyright: 1888 A. B. Gehman & Co. Author/Editor Thos. W. Herringshaw
NOTE
Father is the Reverand Pleasant THURMAN (Born: 23 Oct 1783 in Pittsylvania,Virginia - Died: 13 Feb 1856 Chillicothe,Ross,Ohio and is Buried in the Grandview Cem,,Highland,Ohio.
Mother is Mary Granberry ALLEN (Born Bef 1790 in Edenton,Chowan,North Carolina - Died Unknown)
Wife is Mary Anderson DUN (Born: 2 May 1812 in Blandford,Prince George,Virginia - Died 8 Nov 1835) who married 1st, 8 Sep 1835, Gwynne R TOMPKINS and married 2nd, 14 Nov 1844, Allen Granberry THURMAN.
Children are: Allen W. THURMAN (Born Abt 1835/1840 in Chillicothe,Ross,Ohio - Died abt 1870) Married abt 1855 Mary P T HALLIDAY.
Children of Allen W. THURMAN are: 1. A. Lee THURMAN; 2. Virginia THURMAN; 3. Katherine THURMAN; 4. Allen G. THURMAN; 5. Todd THURMAN and 6. Starling THURMAN.
This family is located in the THURMFAM database on the THURMAN's Quest Homepage.
