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 19

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 19

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United States by all the tribes north of the Ohio, re- ceiving for this purpose the strongest assistance from his brother, commonly known as the Prophet, a mystic who, under other circumstances, might have founded a new religion, as did Mohammed. The warrior affected to pay the highest respect to his brother, whose voice was accepted by the savages as that of an oracle. Te- cumseh visited nation after nation ; he pointed out the injuries they had received from the white men, and those which would most likely be inflicted upon them in the future. The hunting grounds were theirs; if they were men they would strike and recover them. Upon the weakness of each tribe he played with a masterly hand. Governor Harrison determined to break up the conspiracy, and to this end was furnished with troops by Kentucky and Ohio. Among the former was the gallant Jo Daviess, soon to die on the battle-field, but never to be forgotten. The troops marched up the Wabash till they reached the prophet's town, encamp- ing a little short of it. Before daybreak the In- dians attacked, and a bloody and murderous battle followed. Governor Harrison's precautions were so well taken that, although his pickets were seized with a panic, the advance was repulsed, and the day finally remained with the men of Indiana and Kentucky. By the Legislatures of both of these he was publicly thanked. This destroyed the power of the Indians tem- porarily; but Tecumseh soon succeeded in arousing their feelings again, and they fought during the War of 1812 with the British through the entire campaign. In the victory of the Thames, and the defense of Fort Meigs, Harrison, who had been appointed to the command of the North-west army by President Monroe, with the rank of major-general, highly distinguished himself, but he resigned before the close of the war, in consequence of differences with General Armstrong, Secretary of War. In 1816 he was elected from the Cincinnati District as a member of Congress, in 1824 United States Senator from Ohio, and in 1828 was appointed Minister to the Republic of Columbia by Mr. Adams, but was almost immediately recalled by General Jackson. After ceasing to be Governor of Indiana he had taken up his residence in Ohio, and was for twelve years clerk of a County Court. In 1836 he was nominated for President of the United States in opposition to Martin Van Buren, and was defeated. The financial panic which followed Gen- eral Jackson's onslaught upon the United States Bank took place in Mr. Van Buren's term, and made him very unpopular. This was the condition of the Whigs when Harrison was renominated in 1840. The contest was exceedingly animated. General Harrison, although of good family, lived very simply, and was accessible to every one. His opponents originated a story that he lived in a log-cabin, and drank nothing but hard cider. His friends adopted the narrative, as showing that he

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was a man of the people; log-cabins were built in every town of the United States, as emblems of General Har- rison, and hard cider was inscribed upon the banners of the Whig party. Verse lent him its aid, and he was triumphantly elected. The excitement of the campaign, however, proved too much for him. His nerves were continually in tension, and on his inauguration his ex- ertions to keep pace with the public business and to please his friends were redoubled. A month after that event, before any distinctive features of his administra- tion could be seen, a cold brought on a violent fit of sickness, and he died eight days after, on the 4th of April, 1841. He was an honest and patriotic man, and rendered his party great services. It has always been regretted that he did not live to display his abilities as President. Mrs. Harrison long survived him, and he left one son and three daughters.

AYNES, ROBERT PATTERSON, was born De- cember 9, 1821, at Harper's Ferry, Jefferson County, Virginia, in the shadow of Jefferson rock, near the confluence of the Potomac and Shenan- doah Rivers. It is mentioned by Thomas Jefferson in his Notes on Virginia. The scene was later added to history as commemorating the exploits and capture of John Brown. Mr. Haynes is the son of Jacob J. and Mary (Patterson) Haynes, both of Pennsylvania, his father being of German and his mother of Irish descent. His father was employed by the United States govern- ment for a period of twenty-seven years in the manu- facture of fire-arms at the arsenal, which was captured and partially destroyed by the secessionists during the late war. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1837 he removed with his family, consisting of four chil- dren whose mother had died in 1828, three sons and one daughter, and a second wife and her daughter, to Greene County, Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-eight years, retaining to his last moment full possession of his mental faculties. When the dread hour approached he called his children to his bedside in the order of their ages and bade them an affectionate farewell. His last words were, "My work is finished," and then his spirit passed peacefully away. The subject of this sketch at- tended the schools of Harper's Ferry until the age of sixteen years. Upon the removal of his father to Ohio, he was sent to the academy in Dayton, spending a year at that institution of learning He then returned to Greene County, remaining with his father and assisting in the cultivation of the soil until he arrived at years of maturity. In 1843 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Darst, of Greene County, the daughter of Jacob Darst, one of the pioneers and active citizens of

Greene County, who afterwards retired from business and removed to Dayton, where he died. Six children were the result of his marriage, five sons and one daughter, all of whom are grown. Mr. Haynes and his young wife with the aid of their parents purchased a farm in Greene County, and were thus early installed as house- holders. Here for nearly a quarter of a century he was engaged in stock-growing and agricultural pursuits, meeting with great success. In his twenty-third year he was elected a Justice of the Peace in a strong Repub- lican district, while he affiliated with the Democratic party. After his election he declined to serve, turning the office over to his opponent, who was an old man, and had taken his defeat very much to heart. In 1867 Mr. Haynes, being greatly influenced by the difference of prices in lands in the Miami and White River Valleys, removed to Daviess County, Indiana, where he purchased a large farm, engaging in stock-growing and in the growth of cereals, continuing this pursuit until the pres- ent time. He now owns the model farm of that section of the country, and is known as one of the leading agriculturists of the state. Mr. Haynes not only takes interest in the production of the largest crops, but in procuring and propagating the greatest variety of farm products, using the best methods and adopting the new- est improvements in implements or buildings for farm purposes ; thus he is looked up to by his neighbors as a leader and innovator. In the year 1871 Mr. Haynes was elected to represent Daviess County in the state Leg- islature, which he did with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. He was, shortly after the expira- tion of his term, elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture, which position he has held ever since, working actively and efficiently for its interests. In 1878 Mr. Haynes was elected clerk of the state-house commissioners, but resigned his position some few months later, when the board, in acknowledgment of his integrity, passed a resolution to that effect, commend- ing him highly for faithful and honest services. The clerical work is brought up to date. All letters are filed away; correspondence in regard to stone, architecture, proposals of contractors, and all the different subjects demanding official attention, is so kept, and arranged in such an orderly manner, as to be forthcoming at a mo- ment's notice. Mr. Haynes has been solicited by resi- dents of Greene and Daviess Counties to accept the Dem- ocratic nomination for state Senator. No better man for the position could be selected. He has. by his gentle- manly bearing won many friends. In 1874 Mr. Haynes was elected a trustee of Purdue University, since devot- ing much time and attention to this great public enter -* prise. He is interested heart and soul in its success. In connection with Hon. John Sutherland, of Laporte, and Colonel John E. Williams, as a committee of that board, Mr. Haynes has direction of the state fund ap-

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propriated for Purdue, and the superintending of the farm. Since 1853 Mr. Haynes has belonged to the Or- der of Odd-fellows, and since 1839 has been an exem- . plary and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is also a member. He has always been a Democrat. Appreciating the benefit of knowledge, Mr. Haynes has educated his children. The eldest son, J. M. Haynes, was a graduate from Cleveland College, Ohio, and is now a master machinist, foreman of a large establishment at Washington, Indiana. The second son, John, is a scientific agriculturist, and has charge of the Purdue University farm. The third son, Samuel, spent four years at Asbury College, Greencastle. The fourth son, Joseph, was educated at Washington, and taught school for a time, but is now, with his next older brother, engaged in the purchase and sale of live stock. Robert E., the youngest, is pursuing a college course at Purdue. Mollie, the daughter, spent two years at the female school at Xenia, Ohio, and is now at home with her parents.

ORRALL, ALBION, postmaster of Washington, Daviess County, was born in Daviess County, In- diana, February 24, 1854. He is the son of Spil- lard F. and Jane (Crabb) Horrall. His father is an editor, who served through the war, and after its ter- mination returned to journalism, and now edits the Vincennes Commercial, at Vincennes, the leading Repub- lican paper of the county. His ancestors, for generations back, were Americans. After receiving instruction in the public schools of Daviess County, he went to Evans- ville, for the purpose of completing his education, on account of its greater advantages, as he desired to be fully equipped for the active duties of life. Having completed his schooling at the age of seventeen, he was for a year engaged as mailing clerk on the Evansville Courier. His father then removed to Terre Haute with his family, and young Albion obtained a similar position on the Evening Gazette, at Terre Haute, holding the position' for about a year, when he and his parents re- moved to Washington, where his father published the Washington Gazette. He then worked at case and did general newspaper work until the age of twenty-one, when he became a partner with his father, and so con- tinued until he was appointed postmaster of Washing- ton. He received his appointment from the President in May, 1877, and entered upon his duties June 11 of the same year. This appointment was confirmed October 31, 1877, during the extra session of the Senate, and he still occupies the position. He has been a mem- ber of the Order of Odd-fellows for about four years, and has taken all the degrees up to and in the Grand Lodge. His family are all Methodists, and he has been a constant attendant of the Methodist Church all his

| life. He was married, February 22, 1878, to Mamie Harris, the most estimable daughter of William P. Harris, hotel proprietor, of Washington. They have one infant daughter. Mr. Horrall is one of the prominent and in- fluential Republican politicians of Washington, and one who exerts considerable influence. His Republican and Whig faith is hereditary. Mr. Horrall is a man of ster- ling integrity, honor, and uprightness, and is assiduous, methodical, and scrupulously correct in the discharge of his official duties. The manner of regulating and maintaining his office is characteristic of the man. Every thing is in its place, and every thing is in order ; all his business is attended to with promptness and dis- patch. He is a man of fine capacity and punctuality. No complaints are ever heard of his office, it being con- ducted in so admirable a manner as not to permit of any ; and hence he is in his official capacity, as well as in his private life, admired by men of both political parties. He is a man of good personal appearance, above the medium height, a bright, clear eye, and an intelligent countenance. He is highly qualified in every way for the position he occupies. Though compara- tively young in years, he is ripe in experience, his pre- vious connection with the newspaper business having afforded him an admirable schooling in the business and political world. He is an active worker in the Repub- lican party in, we may add, a strongly Democratic dis- trict. Such is the man whose character we have thus briefly attempted to portray. He is one of the " repre- sentative men " of Daviess County.

UFF, THOMPSON D., merchant, of Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, was born in Washington County, Indiana, on the 14th of March, 1837. He is the son of Stephen and Elizabeth Huff. His father was a native of West Virginia, and his mother was a Kentuckian. Mr. Huff received a common school education while working on his father's farm, and spent the early portion of his life in agricultural pursuits until his twentieth year, when he taught a district school in his home neighborhood, and after- ward was engaged in teaching in the village of Pal- myra. In 1859, in his twenty-second year, Mr. Huff began mercantile life in the town of Martinsburg, Washington County, Indiana, selling goods for five con- secutive years in that town, and closing in 1864. Feb- ruary 26, 1864, he located in Bloomfield, his present home; here Mr. Huff again engaged in mercantile pur- suits, in which business he yet continues, having the largest and finest dry-goods establishment in the county seat of Greene County. Mr. Huff has never been a candidate or office-seeker during the whole of his busy life, and never held an office of trust and profit during

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all that time. He is public-spirited, liberal, and gener- ous in all things; his hand and heart have always been open to the demands and appeals of charity, and his purse has contributed largely and freely to the build- ing of churches, school-houses, and public edifices. Mr. Huff has never been a member of any secret soci- ety or organization of like character, but has been an honored and respected member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church since the year 1866, at which time he made a profession of religion, and ever since has been prominent and active in the affairs of his Church. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, being one of the charter members of the party and casting his first vote for President for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. On the 22d of September, 1859, he was married to Miss Caroline Andrews, daughter of W. K. Andrews, Esq., of Freder- icksburg, Indiana. To this happy union were born four children, three boys and one girl-Miss Ada, a young lady of many accomplishments. Mr. Huff is justly con- sidered one of the foremost men of the county ; his well- known integrity and business ability have won him an enviable place in the affections and minds of those who know him best; his business house is a model of system and neatness; and his whole life is an exemplification of what honesty, goodness, and perseverance will give to those who follow those paths of life which always lead upward.

YATT, ELISHA, capitalist and farmer, of Wash- ington, Indiana, was born in Mason County, Ken- tucky, in the year 1809, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (McTerren) Hyatt. She was of Irish descent, while his father was of German origin, and was known as an energetic, thrifty, and indus- trious farmer, and served as a volunteer in the War of 1812. He was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, and with his parents settled near May's Lick, in Kentucky, when quite a small boy. Upon his return from the War of 1812, after the ratification of peace, Mr. Hyatt re- mained in Kentucky, farming on rented ground, not being able to purchase. In 1823 he removed with his family, and settled in or near Washington, Daviess County, Indiana, and bought one hundred acres of im- proved land, for one thousand dollars, and forty acres of unimproved land adjoining, raising a sufficient quan- tity of grain the first season to carry them through the coming year. The father cut wood, and Elisha hauled it to town, receiving fifty cents per four-horse load. The family at this time consisted of seven children, four boys and three girls, who are all living with the excep- tion of one sister, who died in 1841. She had married Mr. Veale, and had two sons, one of whom, John, re- moved to California, while James is an extensive farmer and stock-raiser in Daviess County. When a young

man, Elisha Hyatt was very backward in his manner, lacking self-confidence; and he remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, devoting all his energy to the assistance of his father. He then hired as a flat-boat hand, at thirty dollars per month, to go to New Orleans, and on his return home had saved twelve dollars. This he lent to a neighbor at six per cent, and made another trip in the same capacity, being careful to save his earnings. This small beginning formed the corner-stone upon which he has built, adding little by little, until to-day he is reputed to be the wealthiest man in Daviess County, and, in fact, in that portion of the state. His father induced him to kill a ·few hogs he had to spare, and purchase a few more, and try his fortune as a trader. With seventy hogs loaded in a boat which was waiting for part of a load, he pro- ceeded down the river, and coasted along the Missis- sippi; but, finding this slow work, he proceeded to Bayou Lafourche, seventy miles above New Orleans, and at Tebedoreville sold out at a small profit. The next sea- son they packed about two hundred hogs and loaded a boat, adding corn and barrels of flour to fill out. Having made this trip with some profit, he helped his father to buy some more land adjoining the first pur- chase. The next spring they made another venture at a considerable profit, and, having now a capital of four hun- dred dollars, concluded to start a grocery-store in Wash- ington, the principal stock of which consisted in liquors. The following winter he made up a small boat load and went South, where he sold out. While there he pur- chased the remnant of a boat-load of bacon and hams of Thomas B. Graham, selling part of them at Port Gibson and the remainder at New Orleans, at' a loss of all the profit realized on his own venture. He then returned to Washington, and, after paying expenses, having five hundred dollars left, purchased, in conjunc- tion with Mr. Graham, an old stock of dry-goods. They bought boots, shoes, hats, etc., at Louisville, running in debt fourteen thousand dollars, and opened a general store. They carried on an immense credit business, re- ceiving in exchange for goods all kinds of produce, which, as fast as they procured a boat-load, they shipped South. The credit of the firm was unlimited, and they continued in business until 1842, making a considerable amount of money and acquiring a vast amount of prop- erty. Upon the dissolution of the partnership, Mr. Hyatt carried on business on his own account for a year, and then took in a partner named Helphistone, under the firm name of Hyatt & Helphistone. This partner- ship continued for six years, after which Mr. Hyatt conducted the business alone. He was married, in December, 1839, to Mrs. Martha McJunkin, widow of Doctor Marion McJunkin, to whom seven children have been born. Four are now living. The oldest son, Thomas, and the second son, Theodore, volunteered in

Western Bing! Pub Co

Elisha Hy all

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the army of 1861. Thomas was wounded in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, and died after reaching Evans- ville on his way back. Theodore returned home near the close of the war, and while gumming a saw was fatally injured by the bursting of an emery-wheel. Hiram Hyatt, the third son, is a banker in Washing- ton, and a member of the firm of Hyatt, Levings & Co. He was born in Washington, Indiana, June 6, 1847, attended school at that place, and also at Vincennes and Louisville, and has always remained with his father. He was married, February II, 1873, to Miss Emma Van Trees, a native of Washington, and daughter of Colonel Van Trees, one of the pioneers of Daviess County. In politics he sympathizes with the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is highly respected and esteemed, and is known all over this coun- try as an upright, honorable, and courteous gentleman. Richard, the fourth, and Elisha, the fifth son, are engaged in farming in the country. Of the daughters, Elizabeth is the wife of Isaac Parsons, of Vincennes; and Lydia is the wife of Mr. Rogers, the leading hardware merchant of Washington. Mr. Hyatt says that a great measure of his success in life must be attributed to his beloved wife, who was economical and industrious, always watch- ing her husband's interests with jealous care, and one of his chief advisers. He has owned and built many steam- mills, steam and canal boats and barges, and has traded largely in land. He will this season plant and cultivate four thousand acres of corn, and has eight hundred acres of growing wheat. On White River, near Wash- ington, he has constructed an elevator for the handling of grain in large quantities, which is connected by a switch with the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. In Washington, and all over Daviess and adjoining counties, Mr. Hyatt is justly regarded as the man who has done more than any other towards developing the various in- dustries of the country. He is beloved and respected by every person in the community, as a gentleman of strict integrity ; and his character stands above reproach.

ONES, CHARLES W., city treasurer of Vincennes, Indiana, was born October 18, 1842, being the son of Edwin M. and Susan (McCall) Jones. His father was a Virginian. He removed to Knox County, Indiana, when young, and was there married. His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Christopher Wyant, was a very prominent man in the early days of Vincennes. He built the first jail in the county, and was the first county sheriff. He held many other prom- inent positions, and was also a large land-owner. Charles W. attended the common schools of the city, afterwards the Vincennes University, and finally entered the Flu- vanna Institute, in Fluvanna County, East Virginia. A-7

During his last year at this school the institute was given up on account of the breaking out of the Rebell- ion, and he returned to Knox County, Indiana, going to work on his father's farm. There he remained until 1871, when he went to the city of Vincennes and en- gaged in the coal trade, which he is still carrying on. Subsequently, he added wood and ice interests to his business, and he is also operating in the grain trade. In 1873 he was appointed city clerk, and served the term. Upon the death of the city treasurer, in 1875, he was appointed to fill the vacancy. In the spring of the same year he was elected to the office, and was re- elected in 1877. In political matters Mr. Jones has al- ways acted with the Democracy, and he is regarded as one of the leading Democrats of the city. He was brought up a Methodist, but in early manhood became a Baptist, and is now a member of the First Baptist Church of Vincennes. He was married, October 18, 1870, at Oakland, Nelson County, Virginia, to Mary C. Thomas, daughter of Captain George T. Thomas, a wealthy tobacco planter of Virginia. He is the father of two children, one boy and one girl. Although com- paratively a young man, he is regarded as one of the most useful in the city, and is noted for his genial man- ners. No young man in the city can count more true friends than Mr. Jones.

UDAH, SAMUEL, deceased, of Vincennes, Indi- ana, was born in New York City in 1798. He is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Hart) Judah. His father was a merchant, and was one of those who furnished General Washington with supplies during the terrible winter at Valley Forge. On account of his sympathy for the colonists the British, on their occupa- tion of New York City, ruined him in a financial point of view. The Judah family were among the warmest friends of the army, and did every thing in their power to make the Revolution a success. Mr. Judah's mother was the daughter of the Mr. Hart who was an officer on the staff of Governor Allemand, of Canada, the Hart family having settled in Canada in very early days. Mr. Judah fitted for college in the schools of New York, and entered Rutgers College, New Bruns- wick, New Jersey, graduating in the summer of 1816, and immediately commenced the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in New Jersey, and in 1818 emigrated to the West, and located at Vincennes, Indiana, and July 15, 1819, was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the state, being one of the first attorneys whose names were enrolled by that court. Upon his arrival in Vincennes he began the labors of his profes- sion, which he followed all of his life. January 30, | 1840, he was admitted as a counselor in the Supreme

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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 19

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