Samuel M. Ralston card
Collection — Folder: S1782
Identifier: S1782
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of a thank you notecard from Samuel Moffett Ralston to his supporters after his election as governor of Indiana.
Dates
- 1912
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Samuel Moffett Ralston was born on December 1, 1857, near New Cumberland, Ohio, to John and Sarah (Scott) Ralston. In 1865, his family moved to Owen County, Indiana, where they established a large farm. They moved several more times, finally settling in Spencer, Indiana. Ralston was a schoolteacher before he began studying law in 1884. Ralston married Mary Josephine Backus on December 25, 1881, but Mary died only six months later. In 1889, he remarried Jennie Cravens with whom he had three children: Emmet Grattan, Julius Graven, and Ruth. He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1886 and set up a practice in Lebanon, Indiana, where he continued until his election as Governor of Indiana in 1912. He served as Governor for one term until 1917. He was able to win election to the Indiana State Senator position on the back of support from the Indiana Ku Klux Klan in 1923 and moved to enact anti-Catholic reforms. He was a Democratic front runner for the presidential election of 1924, but failing health led to his dropping out. Ralston died on October 14, 1925, and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana.
Sources:
Chalmers, David Mark. “ Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan. ” Raleigh, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1984.
Find A Grave. “Samuel Moffett Ralston.” Memorials. Accessed on 2024/11/12. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8389/samuel-moffett-ralston
Monks, Leander. “Courts and Lawyers of Indiana, Volume III.” Indianapolis: Federal Publishing Co., 1916.
Taylor, Charles W. “Biographical Sketches and Review of the Bench and Bar of Indiana.” Indianapolis: Bench and Bar Publishing Co., 1895.
Sources:
Chalmers, David Mark. “ Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan. ” Raleigh, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1984.
Find A Grave. “Samuel Moffett Ralston.” Memorials. Accessed on 2024/11/12. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8389/samuel-moffett-ralston
Monks, Leander. “Courts and Lawyers of Indiana, Volume III.” Indianapolis: Federal Publishing Co., 1916.
Taylor, Charles W. “Biographical Sketches and Review of the Bench and Bar of Indiana.” Indianapolis: Bench and Bar Publishing Co., 1895.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2005/12 by Christina Baich. Finding aid revised 2015/10/30 by Bethany Fiechter. EAD finding aid created 2018/06/07 by Lauren Patton. EAD updated 2024/11/12 by A.J. Chrapliwy.
Creator
- Title
- Samuel M. Ralston card
- Status
- Under Revision
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
