A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume I, Part 18

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > Indiana > A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume I > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

your Indy ) WH Edwards

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

2d Dist.]

County, Indiana. He is the father of eight children, five of whom are living. Mr. Cobb is a gentleman of rare legal attainments, and a public speaker of great force. As an advocate at the bar, or as an expounder of the principles of civil government, he has few equals anywhere. He has already been of great service to his district and state, and it is to be hoped that his labors may long be continued. Personally, he is portly and dig- nified, with a courteous and affable bearing, which has won for him the admiration and esteem of a large circle of personal friends, irrespective of politics or other dif- ferences of opinion.

RANE, CHARLES E., farmer and stock-dealer, Sandborn, was born in Palmyra, Wayne County, New York, February 14, 1836. He is the son of Edwin D. and Sarah B. Crane. His mother was born at Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was the de- scendant of a family that came over in the " May- flower." When Charles E. was only two years old his father emigrated to Washtenaw County, Michigan, then almost a wilderness, and, purchasing some land, began clearing it, preparatory to raising a crop. In 1842 he removed to Lenawee County, getting a new farm near the county seat. The son received little education in the school-room, but he was so assiduous in his devo- tion to his studies that he was soon prepared to enter a higher institution of learning, which he did by taking a literary course at the high school at Adrian, Michigan, and subsequently in the state normal college at Ypsi- lanti. A marked characteristic of Mr. Crane's early life was his great fondness for books-a fondness amounting almost to a passion, which found its strongest expression in literature and history. At seventeen he began teach- ing at Blissfield, Michigan, and although so young was successful. He next took charge of the union school at Hudson as principal, filling the position with much dignity and giving perfect satisfaction. In 1855 he went South and assumed control of the academy at Liberty, De Kalb County, Tennessee, where he remained two years. Changing to Cannon County, he took charge of Auburn Academy, at Auburn, where he stayed two years more. In 1860 he relinquished the profession of teaching, and, in company with Professor Harry S. Joy and William H. Mott, began the study of law. The War of the Rebellion beginning soon after, he left Ten- nessee and returned to Michigan. In 1862 he entered the army of the Union as quartermaster in the 26th Regiment of Michigan Volunteers. In 1863 he returned from the army and located at Palmyra, Michigan, in the lumber trade. At this he continued for about six years, and was successful beyond his most sanguine ex- pectations. In the years 1866 and 1867 Mr. Crane was the Democratic candidate for the state Senate; but, as

his party was hopelessly in the minority, he was, of course, defeated. In 1874, having in the mean time re- moved to this state, he received a nomination for Rep- resentative to the Indiana state Legislature, being elected by a large majority. In the General Assembly of which he was a member he filled several important positions, being a member of the Committees on Prisons and Temperance, and chairman of the Committee on Railroads. As a legislator he distinguished himself by his clear-headed treatment of the questions to which he paid attention. At Palmyra, Michigan, in 1869, he joined the Masons, and is yet an honored and respected member of that fraternity. In religion he is orthodox, but belongs to no Church. He is now, and always has been, a steadfast member of the Democratic party, cast- ing his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He was married, on the 2d of May, 1861, to Miss Amanda E. Seay, daughter of Major B. W. Seay, of Alexandria, Tennessee. He is the father of one son, Charles Julian Crane, noted for his gentlemanly demeanor and intel- lectual acquirements. Mr. Crane is a gentleman of fine social qualities. Beginning life without means or fam- ily influence, he has been so persistent in his search for knowledge that there are few who have a more general acquaintance with science, literature, art, and current news than he. He is a literary man of no small pre- tensions, and a writer of considerable note. His pro- ductions are pointed, versatile, and witty, and abound in fertile imagination and profundity of thought. His public life, though short, was brilliant and aggressive ; and although a thorough and outspoken Democrat, he never allows politics to stand in the way of personal friendships. He is easily aroused to compassion or pity, and his generous nature has been greatly in the way of his monetary advancement. He never fails to give aid and encouragement to new enterprises calculated to ben- efit the town. He has lived a private life without blemish, and his public character is above reproach. He has many friends. He is hospitable and obliging, frank and kind.

DWARDS, WILLIAM H., attorney-at-law, of Mitchell, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, November 30, 1841, and is a son of John and Lucy (Burton) Edwards. His father was a well- to-do farmer. He held many township offices, and was highly respected by all with whom he had dealings. His mother was a granddaughter of Cody Burton, one of the pioneers of Lawrence County, and whose family was a leading one in that section. William H. Ed- wards lived on the farm with his father until 1862, attending such schools as the country afforded, and in August of that year enlisted as a private in the 67th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He served until August,

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[ad Dist.

1863, when he was discharged on account of sickness, and returned home. In November, 1864, he was elected township assessor, which position he held for two years, and during the time attended Wabash College, at Craw- fordsville, Indiana, for one year. In 1867 he entered the Law Department of the State University at Bloom- ington, Indiana, for one term, and in the fall of 1868 was admitted to the bar. He immediately commenced practice at Mitchell, Indiana, which he has continued ever since. In 1869 he was elected town clerk and treasurer of Mitchell. In the fall of 1870 he was de- feated in the convention for Representative, but in 1872 was elected to represent Lawrence County in the Legis- lature, and served during the regular and special ses- sions. While a member of the Legislature he was chairman of the Committee on Elections, and also a member of the Committee on Courts. In political mat- ters he sympathizes with the Republican party, and is regarded as the leading Republican in this part of the county. He was married, December 8, 1868, to Miss Cornelia A. McCoy, of Mitchell, daughter of a merchant of that place. Mr. Edwards has by his honest and straightforward manner of conducting his business won the esteem of the entire community, and is highly re- spected and valued as a citizen.

RIEDLEY, COLONEL GEORGE W., attorney- at-law, Bedford, Lawrence County, was born in Harrison County, Indiana, January 1, 1840. He is the son of John M. and Sophia (Thestand) Friedley. His father was a farmer of German descent, and emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in 1816. George W. received his early education at the com- mon schools of Harrison County, and afterward at the Hartsville University, from which he graduated at the age of twenty, after taking a full scientific course. On leaving the university he commenced reading law with Judge John R. Morrledge, of Clarinda, Iowa. After studying two years, the war breaking out, he entered the army as a private in Company K, 4th Iowa In- fantry. He was immediately elected first lieutenant and served one year, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill-health, returning to Indiana. In May, 1862, his health having considerably improved, he entered in the 67th Indiana Infantry, was elected captain of Company I of that regiment, and from that time was actively engaged until the close of the war, serving with distinction throughout. He participated in the battles of Pca Ridge, Mumfordsville, Kentucky ; the attack on Vicksburg by Sherman, from Chickasaw Bayou, in December, 1862; capture of Arkansas Post January 11, 1863; through the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion

Hills, and Black River Bridge. During the forty-seven days' siege of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg campaign, he served on the staff of General Burbridge, of Ken- tucky. After the fall of Vicksburg he was at the cap- ture of Jackson. The Thirteenth Army Corps, to which he belonged, was then transferred to the Army of the Gulf. At the close of the Vicksburg campaign the colonel of the regiment was mustered out on account of absence, and Captain Friedley, although the youngest captain in the regiment, was elected in his place. The colonel, afterward returning, however, was reinstated. He was then in the Gulf, in the Red River campaign, at the siege and capture of Fort Gaines and Fort Mor- gan, Alabama, and at the storming of the works at Fort Blakely, the last pitched battle of the war, April 9, 1865. A consequence of its fall was the capture of Mobile. He then with the regiment marched to Texas, and was mustered out at the close of the war, in August following. He returned to Indiana in the fall and set- tled at Bedford in the practice of law, where he still remains in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative busi- ness, being one of the most celebrated criminal lawyers in the state. He is a man who has received many hon- ors at the hands of the people, of which he has proved himself worthy. As a lawyer he is eminent, as a man he is beyond reproach ; a gentleman of courteous man- ners, and of the strictest honor, integrity, and upright- ness, he enjoys the confidence of his fellow-citizens. In 1870 he was elected to the Lower House of the Leg- islature, and served on the Judicial Committee of the House during that session. With others he induced thirty-four members to resign, thereby frustrating a meas- ure brought by the Democratic party to defeat Governor Morton. In 1872 he was elected to the Senate, over Judge Frank Wilson, for Monroe and Lawrence Coun- ties, designated " the University District." At the special sessions of the Legislature convened in the No- vember following, there being a vacancy in the office of lieutenant-governor, he was elected president of the Senate. He served through a term of four years as Senator. In the campaign of 1876 he was chairman of the Republican state central committee, and in 1880 delegate at large to the Chicago Convention. In pol- itics he is an ardent Republican. His religious views are liberal. He was one of the active spirits in secur- ing to Bedford the fine graded school of which the town is so justly proud. In person he presents a most imposing appearance, being six feet three inches in height, and well built and proportioned. He is a ready speaker. He was married, January 16, 1867, to Edith M. Kelly, a most estimable lady, daughter of one of the oldest and most prominent merchants of Bedford. They have four young daughters, who are now attend- ing school. Such is the brief record of one of Indi- ana's truly representative men.

Gro. W. Friedley

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

2d Dist.]

ARDNER, ELBRIDGE G., undertaker and fur- niture dealer, of Vincennes, was born April I, 1820, in Vincennes. His father, Andrew Gard- ner, from Massachusetts, was a cabinet-maker; his mother, Hannah Swift, was a native of New Jersey. His father emigrated from Massachusetts to the West, and settled in Cincinnati in 1812. After remaining in that city until 1816, he removed to Vincennes, Indiana, and became engaged in the furniture trade. Elbridge E. Gardner's means of education were very limited. At the age of fourteen years he began to help his father in the furniture and undertaking business, remaining at home until he was twenty-one. He was married, in 1840, to Dorcas Fellols, a native of Vincennes, to whom six children, now living, have been born, three sons and three daughters. Two of the sons are now assisting their father in business. Mr. Gardner was married within one hundred yards of where he was born, and since 1816 the family have been in business, without interruption, on the same street in Vincennes. In politics he is a liberal Democrat, and believes it is a man's duty to vote for the person who is best qualified for the position. He was reared a Meth- odist, attending that Church with regularity. His father's house was known far and near as the home of the ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and its doors were always open, and its hospitality un- bounded. Mr. Gardner is regarded as one of the lead- ing merchants of Vincennes, and is highly respected and esteemed by the entire community. He has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of that city, his memory running back to the time when it was a very small town.

IBSON, JOHN, secretary of the territory of Indi- ana, and acting Governor, was a general in the French and Indian and the Revolutionary Wars. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in May, 1740, and was well educated. In his youth he served under General Forbes, who commanded an expedition against Fort Du Quesne, on the site of the present city of Pittsburgh, which resulted in its reduction. This be- came the first settlement west of the main ridge of the Alleghanies, and away from the seaboard, and he re- mained in the infant town as an Indian trader. In 1763 he was captured by the Indians, and was adopted by an Indian squaw whose son he had slain in battle. With them he had an opportunity to learn their customs, and to acquire several languages, which afterwards became of great utility to him, both as a trader and as a gov- ernment official. He was released, after some time spent in captivity, and resumed his business at Pittsburgh. Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, organized an expedi- tion against the Indians in 1774, and he rendered the

officers important services in the negotiation of their treaties with the savages. The speech of Logan on this occasion, which was cited by Jefferson as one of the masterpieces of eloquence of all times, owes its English version to the skill of Colonel Gibson. He was made colonel of a Virginia regiment on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, remaining in command till the close, when he again went to Pittsburgh. That district elected him a member of the Pennsylvania Con- stitutional Convention ; he became also a major-general of the militia, and an associate judge. In 1800 he was appointed secretary of the territory of Indiana, then newly created, and held the office for many years, until 1816. At the breaking out of the second war against Great Britain, he was left in charge of affairs as acting Governor, while General Harrison was engaged at the front. In his old age he became afflicted with an in- curable cataract, which compelled his retirement from his office, and he ended his days with his son-in-law, George Wallace, at Braddock's Fields, near Vincennes. He died in May, 1822.

RAMELSPACHER, ALOIS, postmaster of Jasper, Dubois County, was born in that town, June 10, 1850. He is the son of Joseph and Sophia (Friedman) Gramelspacher, both from Germany, who came to this country when young. Joseph is a merchant at Jasper. Alois, after receiving a common school education in his native place, attended the St. Meinard College, in Spencer County, for two years, grad- uating in 1870. On leaving college he went as a clerk into a drug-store for the purpose of learning that busi- ness. After five years, having made himself thoroughly acquainted with its details, he engaged in the business on his own account, and in it has been highly success- ful. May 27, 1877, he was, through the influence of Governor Morton, appointed postmaster of Jasper, by Postmaster-general Key, a position which he still holds, and which he is well qualified to occupy. A large por- tion of the people of the town and surrounding county are German ; and his descent, and the fact that he speaks both the English and German languages with ease and fluency, have peculiarly fitted him for the place. He also has in connection a foreign and domestic money-order de- partment, corresponding with all the European countries, which has proved a great advantage to the whole county. He fills his position to the entire satisfaction of the com- munity, with whom he is most justly popular, being very thorough in all his official business. He has gained for himself much honor, and the thanks of the people, not only for the admirable manner in which he conducts his office, but also from his having so considerably in- creased the mail facilities to and from this point. It is due to his influence that the town now receives its Eastern

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[ ad Dist.

mail nearly twenty-four hours in advance of what it did when he took charge of the office. October 25, 1875, he became an Odd-fellow, in which order he has taken five degrees. November 14, 1875, he joined the Masonic body, and has since taken three degrees. He is a Republican in politics, and is a worker in the in- terests of the party, exerting considerable influence not only among the German but also among the American citizens. In religious views he is liberal. He was mar- ried, June 8, 1874, to Caroline Burger, daughter of Jacob Burger, a jeweler, of Ohio. They have three chil- dren, one boy and two girls. He is a man of good per- sonal appearance, and in the enjoyment of excellent health. He possesses fine social and domestic qualities, and is honored and respected by the community, and beloved by his family. Mr. Gramelspacher is an edu- cated, pleasant, and courteous gentleman, and already, though young in life, is one of the leading men of his town.

RAY, JOHN W., physician, Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, was born November 28, 1839, near the town of Springville, Lawrence County,

6 Indiana. He is the son of Ephraim and Phebe Gray, the former of English and the latter of Irish ex- traction. He entered the Indiana State University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he remained two terms, taking a literary course. In 1858 he returned to Spring- ville, and began reading medicine with Doctor W. B. Woodward, continuing until September of the same year, when he entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, where he attended two courses of lectures. Locating at Jonesboro, Greene County, Indiana, he practiced his profession until the fall of 1863, when, desirous of still greater instruction than he had yet received, he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 1864. He then returned to Jonesboro and resumed his rounds as a physician. Here he remained until the autumn of 1866, when he went to New York and entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, where he graduated with honors in the spring of 1867. Returning to Greene County he located at Bloomfield, where he still resides. On the steamship "San Francisco," in which he made a voyage to Central America in 1867, he held the rank of surgeon. Doctor Gray has always been liberal and generous in his life and actions; he has always given largely and freely to public enterprises, and assisted with his purse and influence the building of churches, schools, and other public edifices. He became a mem- ber of Springville Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in the summer of 1861, and was a charter member of Bloomfield Lodge, No. 457, Independent Order of Odd- fellows; has held the office of Worshipful Master in

the Blue Lodge, and High-priest in the Chapter. In religious belief Doctor Gray has no particular creed, but is liberal in his views. He is a Democrat of the most pronounced order, casting his first vote for President for George B. McClellan, in 1864. January 18, 1860, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Gainey, daughter of John P. Gainey, of Springville, Indiana. They have had eight children, seven of whom are yet living. In his profession Doctor Gray ranks among the best of the state, and his skill and success in practice have been almost marvelous; he is genial and social in his inter- course with his fellow-men, and is justly considered an excellent gentleman in the community in which he lives.

ARRISON, WILLIAM HENRY, first Governor of the territory of Indiana, and ninth President of the United States, was born in Berkeley, Charles City County, Virginia. He was the third and youngest son of Governor Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and a man of great weight of character. William Henry was originally intended for the profession of med- icine, and had pursued his studies for some time at Richmond, having received a classical education at Hampden Sidney College, and at academies in his na- tive state. He left home in 1791 to still further con- tinue his course in Philadelphia, when the intelligence of the death of his father reached him. Although left with a modest competence, he did not regard the amount as sufficient to support him in leisure, and he had a strong predilection for the pursuit of arms. His father's wishes had been the occasion of his studying the healing art, and he considered himself then at liberty to follow his own desires. Robert Morris, the distinguished financier, who was made his guardian, was opposed to his new step; but Harrison, who had strong family connections, found no difficulty in obtaining from General Washing- ton the desired commission of ensign, and he was or- dered to report to General St. Clair, then in command of the North-western army. The settlement of the North-west Territory had begun only three years before at Marietta, and the scattered population were exposed to attacks and depredations from Indians, covertly sup- ported by agents of the British government, which had planted forts upon our soil, in contravention of her treaty obligations. General St. Clair and the other mil- itary commanders had been defeated and harassed by the Miamis and other tribes, and there was very little confidence felt by any of the settlers in the support of the army. To it, however, a commander of another kind, well experienced in border warfare, General An- thony Wayne, was sent the subsequent year; and on the 20th of August, 1792, Lieutenant Harrison showed

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

2d Dist.]

his good qualities in a sanguinary conflict, and was pub- licly thanked by the general. In 1795 he was intrusted with the command of Fort Washington, with the rank of captain, and the same season wooed and won the youngest daughter of John Cleves Symmes, the original owner of the ground on which the site of Cincinnati now stands. It is related that when Mr. Symmes wished to inquire about the means of the young man to support a wife, Captain Harrison placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword and replied, with coolness and as- surance, "This is my means of support." In 1798 he re- signed his commission and retired to his farm at South Bend, from which, however, he was almost immediately called by President Adams, who offered him the posi- tion of secretary of the North-west Territory. By vir- tue of this he was ex officio Lieutenant-governor, and, in the absence of Governor St. Clair, the duties of that office devolved upon him. The year after this he was elected a delegate to Congress, and when there distin- guished himself by the introduction of measures to fa- cilitate the easier acquirement of lands by actual settle- ment. During his term in Congress the North-west Territory was divided into Ohio and Indiana Territories. The latter comprised what are now the states of Indi- ana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, with an area greater than France, but with a white population scarcely exceeding five thousand. It was exposed to great danger from the natives; then there were no roads, and no houses except log structures. Mills had not yet been constructed, the land was unsurveyed and almost unknown. To the position of Governor of this domain Mr. Harrison was appointed-a deserved compliment to his energy and ability-and he immedi- ately removed to Vincennes, which was the seat of gov- ernment. He held the office sixteen years, having been twice reappointed by Jefferson and once by Madison, and during the whole term rendered the most valuable services to the people of his territory. Among the du- ties of his place was that of Commissioner of Indian Affairs. In his relations with these tribes his powers were most completely shown. He negotiated many treaties with them. It was impossible, however, to keep peace continually. The acquisition of lands by the whites rankled in the bosoms of the Indians; their game diminished, and there was a probability that within a few years they would be completely deprived of the soil. This discontent was fomented by officers of the British government in Canada and on the borders. Tecumseh, the renowned warrior, declared that no tribes had the power to divest themselves of their lands, as the ground belonged in common to all the Indians ; but this sophistry was soon disproved by Governor Harrison, in a few pungent sentences. Although worsted in the argument, Tecumseh, with extraordinary ability, prepared the way for a forcible resistance to the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume I, Part 18

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1038

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1038