History of Salem, (Union County) Indiana United States of America

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Biographies:

Newton Booth, senator, was born at Salem, Ind., Dec. 25, 1825; was graduated from the Asbury university in 1846, and four years later was admitted to the bar, when he removed to California, where he engaged in business in Sacramento. He returned to his native state in 1857 and settled in Terre Haute, where for three years he practised the law, but preferring California as a residence he removed to that state, and soon attained prominence in politics as an opponent of the railroad monopoly. In 1863 he was elected a state senator, and from 1871 to 1875 was governor of the state. In the latter year he was elected to the United States senate, and during his term he opposed Chinese emigration, but favored full protection to those already admitted. The last years of his life were spent in travel. He died at Sacramento, July 14, 1892.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Thomas Jefferson Rodman, ordnance officer, was born in Salem, Ind., July 30, 1815. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy in 1841 and was breveted 2d lieutenant, and assigned to the ordnance department July 1, 1841. He served at the Allegheny, Pa., arsenal, 1841?48; was promoted 1st lieutenant, March 8, 1847, and supervised the manufacture of cannon at Fort Pitt foundry, Pittsburg, Pa., in 1847. He was ordnance officer stationed at the depots at Camargo and Point Isabel, Mexico, 1847; at Allegheny arsenal, 1848?54; was in command of the Allegheny arsenal, 1854?55; of Baton Rouge arsenal, La., 1855?56, and was promoted captain July 1, 1855, for fourteen years continuous service. He was stationed at Allegheny arsenal, 1857?59; commanded the Watertown arsenal, Mass., 1859?65; superintended the casting of the first 15?inch Columbiad, the 12?inch rifled Rodman gun, and the 20?inch smooth bore, and supervised the casting of all projectiles and ordnance, after an invention of his own, 1864?65. He was promoted major, June 1, 1863, and brevetted lieutenant-colonel, colonel and brigadier general, U.S.A., March 13, 1865, for faithful, meritorious and distinguished services in the ordnance department. He was in command of Rock Island arsenal, Ill., of which he superintended the construction, 1865?71; was promoted lieutenant-colonel, May 7, 1867, and was a member of ordnance and artillery boards, 1865?67. He died in Rock Island, Ill., June 7, 1871.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor