Iroquois Township near Brook in Newton County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Taft Rally at Ade Estate
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 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. Marker 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.
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 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.)
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 49 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 20, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.