
oah Noble, Governor of Indiana,
was born in Clark County, Virginia, January 15, 1794. When a small boy he
was taken by his parents to Kentucky, in which state he grew to manhood.
About the time Indiana was admitted into the Union, Mr. Noble came to the
state and located at Brookville, where, a few years later, he was elected
sheriff of Franklin County. In 1824, he was chosen a representative to the
state legislature from Franklin County, in which body he soon became quite
popular and gained a state reputation. In 1826 he was appointed receiver
of public moneys to succeed his brother, Lazarus Noble, who died while moving
the office from Brookville to Indianapolis, in which capacity he continued
with great acceptability until his removal, in 1829, by President Jackson.
In 1830, he was appointed one of the commissioners to locate and lay out
the Michigan road. In 1831, he was a candidate for governor, and although
a Whig, and the democrecy had a large majority in the state, he was elected
by a majority of 2,791. This was remarkable, for Milton Stapp, also a Whig,
was a candidate, and polled 4,422 votes. In 1834, Governor Noble was a candidate
for re-election, when he was also successful, defeating his competitor, James
G. Reed, by 7, 662 votes. In 1839, after his gubernatorial term had expired,
he was elected a member of the board of internal improvements. In 1841, he
was chosen a fund commissioner, and the same year was offered by the president
of the United States the office of general land commissioner, which he declined.
Governor Noble died at his home, near Indianapolis, February 8, 1844. Governor
Noble had a laudable ambition to go to the United States Senate, and in 1836
was a candidate to succeed William Hendricks, but was defeated by Oliver
H. Smith. In 1839, he was again a candidate to succeed General John Tipton,
but was defeated by Albert S. White on the thirty-sixth ballot. Oliver H.
Smith says that Governor Noble "was one of the most popular men with the
masses of the state. His person was tall and slim, and his constitution delicate,
his smile winning, his voice feeble, and the pressure of his hand irresistible.
He spoke plainly and well, but made no pretense to oratory. As governor he
was very popular, and his social entertainments will long be remembered."
![]() |
||