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SCHUYLER COLFAX (1823-1885) was born in New York City, but he spent much of his life in Indiana, where he became a prominent member of the Republican Party.
Colfax served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana from 1855 to 1869, and he was elected Speaker of the House in 1863. He was a strong supporter of President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and he worked closely with Lincoln to pass the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery.
In 1868, Colfax was elected Vice President of the United States under President Ulysses S. Grant. He served in this role from 1869 to 1873. During his time as Vice President, Colfax worked to promote civil rights for African Americans and to rebuild the South after the Civil War.
Scandal marred Colfax’s political career. In 1872, it was revealed that he had accepted payments from the Crédit Mobilier of America, a construction company that was involved in building the transcontinental railroad. Although Colfax denied any wrongdoing, the scandal damaged his reputation. and he was not renominated for Vice President in 1872.
After leaving office, Colfax remained active in politics and continued to advocate for civil rights and other causes. He also wrote a memoir, which was published in 1876. Colfax died in 1885 and is buried in South Bend, Indiana. Despite the scandal that overshadowed the end of his political career, Schuyler Colfax is remembered for his efforts to promote civil rights and broker peace between the United States and its defeated Southern foes.
CHARLES W. FAIRBANKS was an American politician who lived from 1852 to 1918. He was born in Ohio and later moved to Indiana, where he became involved in politics as a member of the Republican Party.
Fairbanks served Indiana in the U.S. Senate from 1897 to 1905, where he was known for his support of protective tariffs and pro-business policies. In 1904, he was nominated as the running mate of President Theodore Roosevelt and served as Vice President from 1905 to 1909.
Fairbanks’ diplomatic skills and efforts to promote American interests abroad served Roosevelt’s goals for foreign expansion well. He played a key role in negotiating a treaty with Japan to ease tensions between the two countries. He also worked to improve relations with other nations, including Canada and Mexico.
After leaving office, Fairbanks continued to be active in politics and public life. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 1908 but lost to William Howard Taft. He also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention several times and was considered for the party’s nomination for President in 1916.
In addition to his political career, Fairbanks was also involved in business and was a successful lawyer. He was a member of several prominent organizations, including the Freemasons and the Sons of the American Revolution.
THOMAS HENDRICKS (1819-1885) was a Hoosier politician born in Ohio and later moved to Indiana, where he became involved in politics as a member of the Democratic Party.
Hendricks served Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1851 to 1855 and was later elected Governor of Indiana in 1873. He served as Governor for only a few months, however, before he was elected to and served in the Senate from 1877 to 1885.
In 1884, Hendricks was nominated as the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Grover Cleveland. The two won and Hendricks was elected Vice President of the United States. Sadly, he served for only a few months before he died from a heart attack in November, 1885.
As Vice President, Hendricks committed himself to civil service reform and greater transparency and accountability in government. He also fought tirelessly for the rights of African Americans and Native Americans. His legacy has continued to inspire generations of politicians and activists who work to build a more just and equitable society.
Born in North Manchester, Indiana, THOMAS R. MARSHALL (1854-1925) was a lawyer and newspaper editor before entering politics. Marshall served as the mayor of Columbia City before being elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1898. He later served as the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana before being elected Governor in 1908. During his tenure, Marshall worked hard to promote education, social welfare, and labor rights.
In 1913, Marshall served President Woodrow Wilson as Vice President, maintaining this role from 1913 to 1921, during which time he played a key role in shaping the country’s involvement in World War I. He was also a strong advocate for women’s suffrage and helped pass the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote.
Marshall was known for his wit and humor, and his speeches were often filled with clever one-liners and memorable quotes. Perhaps his most famous remark came during a speech to the U.S. Senate, when he said, “What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar.“
After leaving office, the Hoosier politician returned to his law practice in Indiana. He died in 1925 and is buried in Indianapolis. Thomas R. Marshall is remembered as an important figure in progressive American history and politics, particularly for his work to promote education, social welfare, and labor rights, as well as his advocacy for women’s suffrage. His quick wit and humor helped make him a beloved figure in American politics.
Born in Indianapolis in 1947, DAN QUAYLE served as the Vice President of the United States under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993.
Quayle began his political career in the 1970s, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1981, and as a U.S. Senator from 1981 to 1989. In 1988, George H.W. Bush chose Quayle to be his running mate, and the two were elected to the White House that same year.
As Vice President, Quayle spearheaded several key initiatives, including the administration’s efforts to combat drug abuse and reduce teen pregnancy. He also served as the Chairman of the National Space Council, where he played a key role in modernizing America’s space policy. Media outlets often criticized Quayle for his youth and perceived lack of experience and for several high-profile gaffes, including the infamous misspelling of potato during a school spelling bee in 1992.
After leaving office in 1993, Quayle returned to private life and continued to be involved in Republican politics. He founded the Quayle Institute, which aimed to promote conservative values and policies, and continues working in the private sector.
Columbus-native MIKE PENCE was born in 1959 and served as the 48th Vice President of the United States under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021.
Pence began his political career in the 1990s, first as a radio host and then as a Congressman from 2001 to 2013. He then served as the Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017, focusing on Hoosier economic development, education reform, and infrastructure improvements.
In 2016, then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump chose Pence as his running mate. As Vice President, Pence helped expand the American military, tax reform, and immigration reform. He also played a key role in the administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
After leaving office in 2021, Pence has continued to be active in Republican politics, and there has been speculation that he may run for president in the future.
Despite today’s heavily partisan public, Mike Pence is recognized as an important figure for his role in shaping the Trump Administration’s policies on healthcare, tax reform, and immigration, as well as for his leadership of the White House Coronavirus Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic.
