Iroquois Township near Brook in Newton County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Taft Rally at Ade Estate

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2023

1. Taft Rally at Ade Estate Marker, Side One

Inscription. Republican presidential candidate William Taft toured the country by train in 1908, a change in strategy from earlier “front porch” campaigns. The tour began with a September 23 stop at the “Hazelden” estate of journalist and playwright George Ade, who was active in local politics and served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated Taft.

Fireworks, music, local politicians, and a crowd of thousands greeted Taft upon his afternoon arrival at the Ade estate. Taft spoke on the important issues of the Republican platform and appealed especially to farmers. Campaigning directly to the voters proved successful; Taft carried Indiana and was inaugurated as twenty-seventh President of the United States in 1909.

Erected 2019 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Iroquois-Washington Preservation Committee • Newton County Economic Development Commission. (Marker Number 56.2019.3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, and the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers

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series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1908.

Location. 40° 51.852′ N, 87° 19.331′ W. Marker is near Brook, Indiana, in Newton County. It is in Iroquois Township. It can be reached from State Road 16 0.3 miles east of South 335 East when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3690 IN-16, Brook IN 47922, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: George Ade (within shouting distance of this marker); Foster Park (approx. 7 miles away); First Church in Newton County (approx. 7.2 miles away); Site of Original "Pun'kin Vine Fair" (approx. 7.6 miles away); Newton County Home (approx. 7.6 miles away); Edgar Charles “Sam” Rice (approx. 8.7 miles

Taft Rally at Ade Estate Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2023

2. Taft Rally at Ade Estate Marker, Side Two

away); Warren T. McCray (approx. 8.7 miles away); Blacksmith Shop (approx. 8.9 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. The Road to George Ade’s Farm: Origins of Taft’s First Campaign Rally, September, 1908 (PDF). Taft spoke there because he thought that a rally already planned for Ade’s farm by the Indiana Republican committee offered a convenient opportunity to publicize the national ticket in a state beset by factional difficulties. (Howard F. McMains, Indiana Magazine of History, December, 1971) (Submitted on August 20, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Republican Game-Changer: 1908 Taft Rally in Indiana. Today, we expect presidential candidates to come to us. This was not always the case, however. In fact, for much of U.S. history, such active campaigning was seen as power hungry, uncouth, and beneath the dignity of the office. (Jill Weiss Simins, Indiana History Blog, April 23, 2019) (Submitted on August 20, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Taft Rally at Ade Estate Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2023

3. Taft Rally at Ade Estate Marker

Taft at Cheyenne, Wyoming image. Click for full size.

Bain News Service via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), 1908

4. Taft at Cheyenne, Wyoming

William Howard Taft's novel strategy of campaigning in person across the United States paid off: He carried 29 of 46 states to defeat Democrat William Jennings Bryan for the presidency in 1908.

George Ade (1866-1944) image. Click for full size.

from The Theatre Magazine via New York Public Library Digital Collections (Public Domain), November 1904

5. George Ade (1866-1944)

The author, humorist and playwright, a political conservative, often hosted Republican party and candidate events at his estate.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 20, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.