BIOGRAPHY. 487 



In 1847 he was commissioned, by Governor Whitcomb, member of the Indiana State 

 Board of Agriculture. In this position he awisted in putting into operation the 

 State Board proper, and was himself a member of the Board for several years, 

 during three of which he Avas its honored President. In this position his charac- 

 ter, ability and energy gave him high rank as a thinker, organizer and friend of 

 agriculture. It was while he was a member of the Board that the plans were ma- 

 tured, and action taken, which have enabled that body and its agencies to accom- 

 plish so much for the stock breeding, agricultural, mechanical and mineral inter- 

 ests of Indiana. And in these labors he assumed his share of responsibility, doing 

 his full portion of the work. 



The field opened to his observation in this position impressed more fully upon 

 his mind the importance to Indiana interests of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. 

 In 1853, at his own instance and cost, he went to England, inspected the principal 

 Shorthorn herds of that kingdom, bought for himself a small hei-d of the best, and 

 brought them to Putnam county ; and this was the first importation of Shorthorns 

 direct from England into Indiana. The result of this venture was profit to him- 

 self and great benefit to the stock-breeding interests of Indiana. His promi- 

 nence as a stock grower caused him to become prime mover in calling the 

 Indiana Shorthorn Breeders' Convention, which assembled at Indianapolis, May 

 21, 1872. He was made President of the convention, and on taking the chair 

 said: 



" Gentlemen, you constitute probably the first Shorthorn Cattle Breeders' Con- 

 vention ever assembled, but doubtless the assembling of such conventions here- 

 after will be frequent." At this convention he read his remarkable paper on 

 " Points of Cattle and Their Rationale." This document created much interest, 

 and is a model in manner, matter and comprehensiveness. This convention created 

 the Indiana State Shorthorn Breeders' Association, which association made him 

 its president, and kept him in that position so long as he would consent to fill the 

 same. The aforementioned convention suggested the idea of an American Short- 

 horn Breeders' Convention. A call was issued by a committee appointed for that 

 purpose, and the first " American Shorthorn Convention" assembled at Indianapolis 

 in December, 1872. It was largely attended by Shorthorn breeders from the States 

 and the Dominion of Canada, and great interest was manifested in its delibera- 

 tions. This convention created the " American Shorthorn Breeders' Association," 

 and it has since bought, and now controls, the publication of the American Short- 

 horn Herd Book. The Doctor was made President of both the convention and 

 association, in which latter position he served as long as health permitted. The 

 eflfect of the action thus taken has been such that the States generally, and Mother 

 England, have fallen into line and maintain like associations. 



The Doctor's efforts have not been confined to stock growing. He organized 

 and built in 1867 the first gravel road in Putnam county. The line was nineteen 

 miles long, and is yet operated, though its success was originally doubtful. Now 

 in the county is maintained over one hundred and fifty miles of improved roads. 



From 1840 until about 1880 the Doctor was a man of wealth, but, wishing to 

 administer on his own estate, he divided his lands and goods among his twelve 



