shbel Parsons Willard was born October 31, 1820, at Vernon, Oneida County, New York, the son of Col. Erastus Willard, at one time sheriff of Onedia County. He pursued his preparatory studies in the Oneida Liberal institute, and when eighteen years of age entered Hamilton College in the class of 1842. After graduating from that institution, he studied law for some time with Judge Baker, of his native county, and later immigrated to Michigan, locating for over a year. He then made a trip to Texas on horseback, and on his return stopped at Carrollton, Kentucky, and there taught school. After this, the taught for some time at Louisville, but subsequently left the schoolroom for the political arena. In the contest for the presidency in 1844, between Clay and Polk, young Willard began stumping for the latter, and during the campaign made a speech in New Albany, Indiana, which made such a favorable impression that many of the first men of the town solicited him to come and settle among them. He soon afterward located in New Albany which place remained his home until his death. He at once opened a law office, but was compelled to encounter a very able bar, in consequence of which his practice for some time was by no means lucrative. The first office he held was that of common councilman. He took pride in the place and won the good opinion of the people irrespective of party. In 1850, he was elected to the state legislature, and from that time until his death, he occupied a conspicuous place in the public mind. Such was his career in the legislature that when the Democratic convention of 1852 convened the delegates were met by an overwhelming public sentiment demanding the nomination of Willard for lieutenant governor. The demand was recognized and the nomination made. He filled this office until 1856, when he was elected governor, after a very bigger and exciting political contest. In the summer of 1860, his health gave way, and he went to Minnesota in quest of health, which he did not find, but died there on October 4th that year. Governor Willard was the first governor of Indiana to die in office. The people, without respect to party, paid homage to his remains, and a general feeling of the most profound sorrow were felt at his untimely taking off. "In person Governor Willard was very prepossessing. His head and face were cast in finest molds; his eyes were blue, his hair auburn and his complexion florid. A more magnetic and attractive man could nowhere be found, and had he lived to the allotted age of mankind he must have reached still higher honors."