Allen William Thurman (May 1847 – November 15, 1922) was an American politician and baseball executive from Ohio. He ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Ohio in 1889 with eugenicist ideas.

Allen W. Thurman
Born
Allen William Thurman

May 1847
Died (aged 74)
near Linden, Ohio, U.S.
Resting placeGreen Lawn Cemetery
Occupations
  • Politician
  • baseball executive
  • writer
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseHarriet Webb
Children6
FatherAllen G. Thurman

Early life

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Allen William Thurman was born in May 1847 in Chillicothe, Ohio,[citation needed] to Mary A. (née Dun) and Allen G. Thurman. His father was a U.S. senator.[1][2] At a young age, he worked as a secretary to his father.[3]

Career

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In 1875, Thurman was a trustee of Deer Creek Township, Madison County, Ohio.[4] In 1889, he sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Ohio.[1] As a eugenicist he argued that "unless Ohio takes prompt measures to stop the production of imbeciles, within ten years it will be bankrupted by the cost of maintaining this part of its population."[5]

He was president of the American Association in 1890 and 1891 where he was known as "The White Winged Angel of Peace", so called because he helped negotiate the end of the labor strife that had resulted in the formation of the Players' League and the weakening of the finances of organized baseball.[3][6][7] He was replaced by Louis Kramer.[citation needed]

In 1896, Thurman was a leader of the free silver movement.[1][3] Under Governor George K. Nash, he was a member of the state canal commission. Under Governor Judson Harmon, he was one of the original members of the Ohio Board of Administration.[1] He served as president of the body in 1912.[5]

Thurman wrote in journals and periodicals about the free silver movement and economic ideas.[1] He purchased 1,000 acres (400 ha) (including 500 acres (200 ha) of timber) of land in Madison County, Ohio, after his mother's death.[2] In Madison County, he owned farmland, and a stable that he used to train racehorses.[1][3]

Personal life

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In 1872, Thurman had his left hand amputated following an accident with a corn husker.[8]

Thurman married Harriet Webb of Baltimore. They had four sons and two daughters, A. Lee, Allen G., Tod Deford, Sterling, Katherine De Ford and Mrs. Virginia Cole.[1][3] His daughter Katherine married Frederick Nicholas Sinks, attorney and private secretary to Governor George K. Nash.[9]

Thurman died following a fall on November 15, 1922, aged 74, at the home of his daughter at Sunbury Pike near Linden, Ohio.[1] He was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Allen W. Thurman". The Lancaster Daily Eagle. 1922-11-17. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-03-13 – via Newspapers.com. 
  2. ^ a b Bryan, Chester E., ed. (1915). History of Madison County, Ohio. B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc. p. 776,820. Retrieved 2024-03-13 – via Archive.org. 
  3. ^ a b c d e "Thurman Noted in Sport and Politics". The Dayton Daily News. 1922-11-16. p. 29. Retrieved 2024-03-13 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ History of Madison County, Ohio. W. H. Beers & Co. 1883. p. 652. Retrieved 2024-03-13 – via Archive.org. 
  5. ^ a b "Topics of the Times" (PDF). The New York Times. September 26, 1912. Retrieved 2009-07-29. According to Allan [sic] W. Thurman, President of the Ohio Board of Administration, unless that State takes prompt measures to stop the production of imbeciles, within ten years it will be bankrupted by the cost of maintaining this part of its population.
  6. ^ Encyclopedia of major league baseball teams. HarperCollins. 1993. ISBN 0-06-270049-9. The most talked about possibility came from Allan W. Thurman, a Columbus director and president of the AA who was dubbed The White Winged Angel of Peace for ...
  7. ^ "The Baseball Situation. What Allen W. Thurman Says About The New Deal" (PDF). The New York Times. October 12, 1890. Retrieved 2009-07-29. Allen W. Thurman, who is acting the part of the mediator in the baseball conference, left for Columbus, his home, last night. He will return next week to preside at the meeting to be held in this city. It was learned yesterday that Mr. Thurman was elected Chairman and Charles H. Byrne Secretary of the conference committee.
  8. ^ "Accident to Allen W. Thurman". The Marysville Tribune. 1872-03-13. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-03-13 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ The Book of Ohio. Vol. 2. Queen City Publishing Company. 1912. p. 1087. Retrieved 2024-03-13 – via Archive.org. 
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