Benjamin Le Fevre, M.C.
This gentleman needs but little introduction to the people of Ohio, less to the people of the 4th Congressional district, and none to the people of Shelby County, where it may be said he is familiarly known to every man, woman, and child. He is one of those large and genial individuals who can adapt himself to almost all the conditions incident to the organization of political forces. Although he lays no claims to ability as a public expounder of the principles of statesmanship or as an orator, he is possessed of that case of manner and agreeableness of address which are calculated to make friends as they come in contact with the people. He belongs to an old family, and was born in Salem Township, October 8, 1838. During youth he worked on his father’s farm, and did his reading largely at night by the light of a burning knot. During the school years he attended the log school-house until thirteen years of age, when he entered the Sidney school, then taught by a Mr. Arnott, in the old Presbyterian Church. After about a year’s study here he worked along at farm labors until 1856, when he began teaching during the winter seasons and working and studying during the summer. He afterwards attended Miami University about three years and read law with Smith & Cummings, of Sidney, and in the mean time taught school to defray his expenses. He entered the army as a private in the Benton Cadets, and served through the Missouri campaign of Generals Fremont and Seigel, and was mustered out of the service at St. Louis in the spring of 1862, the Secretary of War having decided against the regularity of the organization. After the forced march at Springfield, Mo., he was promoted to 6th corporal upon the recommendation of Capt. Thos. L, Young, since Governor of Ohio. He next entered the 99th Ohio at Lima, and at the organization was promoted to adjutant, and served through the Kentucky campaign. At the battle of Stone River, upon recommendation of brigade, division, corps commanders, and General Rosecranz, he was promoted major, and served with the regiment in all its campaigns about Chattanooga. When the 99th and 50th Ohio regiments were consolidated he was retained as major of the consolidated regiment, and was mustered out at Salisbury, S. C., in the summer of 1865, after the surrender of Johnson. Afler final discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, he returned home, and, after a spirited contest, was nominated by the Democrats as representative in the Ohio General Assembly, to which oflice he was elected. While serving in this position he took an active interest in legislation, and devoted his energies to the passage of the free pike bill, which had been introduced by the Hon. James Hall, of Toledo. He was then the youngest member of the 65th and 66th General Assemblies. While serving in the Legislature he was nominated for Secretary of State by the Democrats, but suffered defeat, with his ticket, as the Republicans carried the State by about 40,000 majority. At the close of his House term, he was appointed Governor of Washington Territory by President Johnson, but on account of his youth the appointment was withdrawn, and he was appointed Consul to Neuremberg, Germany, in the spring of 1867. After his return to the United States he spent a few months in various interests, and was finally employed by Col. Thos. A. Scott to look after the revenue cases of that gigantic corporation, the Pennsylvania Railroad. During the period he was with this corporation he organized the First National Bank of Lima, and held the ofllce of vice-president of the institution about six years. His resignation of the position he held with the P. R. R. was caused by his nomination to the 46th Congress by his home district. The contest for this nomination was one of the fiercest ever waged in a mass convention in this State, and lasted three days and three nights. On the 218th ballot Le Fevre was nominated by a majority of one and one-half vote. The contest was embittered and acrimonious, and from it sprang crimination and recrimination. Still Le Fevre was elected at the general election, although by a greatly reduced vote. Entering Congress, he served on the committee on agriculture and the committee on military affairs, and introduced the first House bill for the suppression of contagious diseases among domestic animals. He also introduced the resolution providing for a department of agriculture and was made chairman of the committee. Espousing the cause of the soldiers, he introduced bills for the equalization of soldiers’ bounties. His old district was composed of the counties of Shelby, Darke, Auglaize, Mercer, and Miami; but before the 47th Congress the State was redistricted, throwing him into a district composed of the counties of Auglaize, Allen, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Shelby. and Van Wert. Five of these counties had been representedby Hon. W. D. Hill, and as the two members were thrown into the same district, a contest arose in the nominating convention which was held at Lima. The contest, however, was soon over, as Le Fevre was nominated on the first ballot. He was re elected by a majority of about 8000, although at the previous election his majority was only about 1800. During the 47th Congress he served on the appropriation committee. During this Congress, Ohio was redistricted, and Le Fevre found himself in the 4th district, composed of the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, and Shelby. The Democratic nominating convention was held at Wapakoneta, and such was Le Fevre’s hold upon the party that he was nominated by acclamation and elected to the 48th Congress by a large majority in 1882. In the life of this man we can read the favoritism of fortune, for capricious as she may be, she has smiled upon him at almost every turn in his life. Make all the calculations you may as to probabilities, abilities, and determination, and yet it must be admitted that fate decides the general affairs of life. Le Fevre has been opposed by men of eminent ability and commanding oratory, and yet he has succeeded almost beyond his most sanguine expectations. Once in Congress, it is readily seen how Le Fevre has retained his position, for as a campaigner he is tireless and never sleeps, While at home he mingles with the people so freely and happily that the term mixer acquires a broad significance. While absent at his place in Congress his constituents are kept under continual obligations to him, or at least in constant recollection of him, for that family is not to be found in his district to whom he has not sent out from Washington an occasional report, pamphlet, printed speech, package of garden seeds, or box of bulbs. Besides all this, by some apparent concert or coincidence, he receives more press notices touching his personal appearance, affability, and gallantry than any other member of any Congress. It is fate which favors him, and no one individual will presume to account for the caprices of this destiny.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883