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 21

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 21

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tice, which has become large, he being considered one of the leading physicians of Daviess County. He has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the city of his adoption, and is highly respected and esteemed as one of its useful citizens. In political mat- ters he has always been an active Republican.

CINTIRE, DOCTOR ELIHU S., editor and pro- prietor of the Mitchell Commercial, of Mitchell, Indiana, was born at Marietta, Ohio, January 9, 1832, being a son of Charles and Isabelle (Daily) McIntire. The McIntire family were refugees from Ireland, and, emigrating to the United States during the Revolution of 1798, settled in Pennsylvania. The Dailys were one of the old families of Virginia. Doctor Mc- Intire's father, who is still living, was a farmer, and on leaving Pennsylvania settled at Marietta, Ohio. In the year 1816 he purchased and brought into the state the first steam-engine ever used in Indiana. It was oper- ated in a corn-mill at New Harmony. Elihu S. was reared on the farm, assisting his father, and attending the schools of Spencer County whenever possible, his father having removed to that county in 1839. At the age of nineteen he taught school, having, by close at- tention to study, fitted himself for that occupation. The money earned in this way he expended in advancing his medical studies, which he began in 1853 with Doc- tor De Bruler, of Rockport, Indiana. In 1855 he entered the Iowa State University, and graduated from the medical department in 1857, immediately com. mencing practice at Dallas City, Illinois. Remaining here until 1862, he was appointed first assistant sur- geon of the 78th Illinois Regiment Volunteer Infantry, which position, together with an appointment in hos- pital service as contract surgeon, he retained until 1863, when, owing to ill-health, he was compelled to resign. On leaving his place in the army, he im- mediately began his labors in the county of Craw- ford, Indiana, and, in the year 1865, removed to Mitchell, where he has ever since resided, and where he continued discharging the duties of his profession until 1872. Having a suitable opportunity, he then purchased the Mitchell Commercial, editing and pub- lishing that newspaper ever since in the interests of the Republican party, to which he is warmly attached. It is an able and progressive newspaper. He was united in marriage, on the twelfth day of November, 1856, to Miss Margaret Bowers, the daughter of a farmer, of Spencer County, Indiana. Six children have been born to them. Doctor McIntire has been solicitous to do every thing that was possible for him to do to promote the best interests of the place of his residence, and has been closely identified

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with the growth and prosperity of the town of Mitchell and of Lawrence County, having done all in his power, by the liberal use of his paper, to forward her many interests. He is regarded as a useful citizen, and es- teemed as a clever, genial gentleman. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EWLAND, DOCTOR BENJAMIN, of Bedford, Indiana, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, July 19, 1821. He is a son of William and Susan C. (Harrell) Newland. His father, who was a farmer, emigrated to Indiana from North Carolina in 1816. Until arriving at the age of twelve the lad Ben- jamin remained at home, going to school during the win- ter months. At that age he was appointed mail-carrier between Orleans and Indianapolis, and Bedford and Versailles. For three years, both winter and summer, he followed this occupation on horseback. In the win- ter of 1839-40 he cut and split ten thousand rails, and in the winter of 1840-41 taught school. In January I, 1842, he entered the office of Doctor Elijah Newland, and began the study of medicine. In 1844-45, he at- tended lectures in the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of Louisville. April 7, 1845, he opened an office in Bedford, Indiana, and practiced his profession during 1845-46, when he returned to Louisville, where he grad- uated in 1847. He then returned to Bedford, where he has continued his practice ever since. In 1849 he was commissioned captain of cavalry in the state militia, and in 1852 was appointed brigadier-general of militia. In the same year he was elected to the state Senate to rep- resent Lawrence County. During 1854-55 he was pres- ident of the Bedford branch of the Bank of the state, and in 1856 was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Cincinnati which nominated James Bu- chanan. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion the Doctor tendered his services to Governor Morton, and was commissioned surgeon of the 22d Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and with the regiment was ordered to Mis- souri. September 6, 1861, he was appointed medical director of the central district of Missouri, with head- quarters at Jefferson City, where he established a hos- pital of four thousand beds. On General Fremont's removal he was assigned to duty with the division of General Jefferson C. Davis, in the Army of the South, Curtis's army corps, and one week before the battle of Pea Ridge was assigned as medical director of his divis- ion, and had charge during that memorable battle. At Iuka, Mississippi, the Doctor also established a hospital of five thousand beds, and, when the division was or- dered to Kentucky, asked to be relieved, and came north with it to Louisville. He was present at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and remained on the

field one week after the fight, directing the care of the wounded. On November 4, 1862, the Doctor resigned his commission, and returned to Bedford, where he re- sumed his practice. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis, which nominated Tilden for the presidency. The Doctor has been chairman of the county central committee many times, and has been a delegate in many of the party conventions in county and state. He was made a Mason in 1849, filling many prominent positions, and taking all the degrees to Knight Templar. For twenty years he has been a member of the American Medical Society, and for twenty-seven years a member of the State Med- ical Society, a member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, and also a member of the Mitchell District Medical Society. In 1879 he was president of the State Medical Society, and at the close of the session deliv- ered the annual address, which was highly commended by the press, and received with unbounded satisfaction by the society. The Doctor was married, December 28, 1846, to Louisa A. Curry, of Salem, Indiana, to whom four daughters have been born-Helen, Laura, Mary, and Kate-the youngest the wife of Hon. James Willard. The Doctor has, by close attention to the wants of the public, and by hard study, succeeded in becoming the leading physician and surgeon of the county, and enjoys the most lucrative practice of any of the physicians in this section. He is a genial, court- eous gentleman, a respected and useful citizen, and is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Bedford and Lawrence County.

TORVELL, HORACE V., M. D., of Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, July 20, 1839. He is the son of Ralph G. Norvell, M. D., and Amanda H. Norvell. He attended the common school of Spring- ville, Lawrence County, until his eighteenth year, when he went to Bloomfield and entered the dry-goods store of E. West as clerk. He remained in that capacity a few months and then engaged in the stove and tin- ware business, which he continued some eight months. In 1860 he sold out and entered the county treasurer's office as a deputy under John B. Stropes, then treasurer of Greene County. He was engaged in the drug-store of John B. Stropes as a partner from 1861 to 1866, when he took a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. He then returned to Bloomfield and commenced the practice of medicine as a partner with Doctor J. W. Gray. At the expiration of a year the partnership was dissolved and Doctor Norvell con- tinued to practice his profession alone. In 1869 he was appointed United States examining surgeon for Greene

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County, and in the same year was elected chairman of | it was dissolved by Judge Burton's removal from Wash- the Democratic central committee of Greene County. ington, and since that time Mr. Ogdon has practiced alone. He is engaged in nearly all the prominent cases in the county, and is to-day acknowledged to be the leading criminal lawyer at the Daviess County bar. In the fall of 1878 he defended Peter L. Stevenson, of Da- viess County, for the murder of Newton Dodd, near Flora, Illinois, and succeeded, by his skill and an elo- quent appeal to the jury, in securing his acquittal. In political matters he is an active Democrat, and is at this time the nominee of that party for mayor of Washing- ton. He was married, November 30, 1876, to Miss Emma Wilson, daughter of William Wilson, of Wash- ington, Indiana, but was so unfortunate as to lose his wife in the April following-four months and twenty- 'one days after marriage. Although quite a young man, he is fast winning his way to a position of prominence as a lawyer. As a citizen he is highly respected and esteemed. He is known all over the country as an hon- orable, courteous, genial gentleman. He held the office of county physician for a number of years. In 1874 he received the Democratic nomination for county treasurer, and after a hotly contested canvass received his election by a flattering majority. In 1876 he was re-elected to the same office by the largest ma- jority ever received by any man in the county, holding the office from September 7, 1875, to September 7, 1879, and making the most popular officer ever hold- ing official position in the county. In 1878 he was elected a member of the Democratic state central com- mittee, an office which he still holds. Doctor Norvell has always been a prominent and public-spirited citizen, lending his aid to every progressive enterprise. He is genial and popular with all classes, and is well and favorably known all over the entire state. He is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd-fellows, Knights of Pythias, and a Royal Arch Mason. He is not a member of any Church, but is orthodox in his belief. He has always been a Demo- crat, having occupied a prominent position in the de- liberations of his party. He was married to Miss Emma Smydth, daughter of Doctor W. C. Smydth, of Worthington, Indiana, October 25, 1871. He is the father of two sons-Ralph N. and Max Norvell. Doc- tor Norvell possesses an imposing personal appearance, and is justly considered one of Greene County's first citizens.

GDON, JAMES W., attorney-at-law, of Washing- ton, Indiana, was born October 6, 1846, at Mil- ford, Kentucky, his parents being John and Fran- ces (Threlkeld) Ogdon. His father was a merchant and tobacco dealer. His ancestry on his grandmother Ogdon's side were men of prominence in political af- fairs in Kentucky, one of them having been the Gov- ernor of the state and a Representative in Congress. The family were originally from Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky when it was a vast wilderness. James W. attended the common schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, and also assisted his father. In 1866 he entered the Agricul- tural and Mechanical College at Lexington, Kentucky. Leaving it in 1869, he spent the summer of that year in handling tobacco at Milford, Kentucky. In the fall he entered the Law Department of the Michigan Uni- versity at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in the spring of 1871. He then went to Little Rock, Arkan- sas, and remained a short time looking over the coun- try, with the view of practicing law at that point, but in June of that year he returned east and settled in Washington, Indiana. There he began the practice of his profession, forming a partnership with Judge Jesse W. Burton. After this had been continued three years

'NEAL, JOHN H., attorney-at-law, Washington, Indiana, was born in Newberry District, South Carolina, October 30, 1838, being the son of Henry M. and Elizabeth (Edmundson) O'Neal. The O'Neal family were among the early settlers of that state, having gone there in the year 1730, and they have been represented in Congress. The Hon. John O'Neal, of Columbus, Ohio, is a member of the family. The Edmundsons were wealthy planters in the same state. His father and mother died of fever when he was but five years of age, and during the same summer his grandfather, a resident of Indiana, visited South Carolina and took him to live with him in Indiana. There he lived and worked on the farm until arriving at the age of eighteen, at which time he entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana. Graduating in 1862, he immediately entered the law office of Hon. William Mock, Terre Haute, and began the study of law. In the fall of the same year he entered Michigan University, and graduated in the law department in the spring of 1864. In June he opened an office in Wash- ington and began the practice of his profession. Previ- ous to this, in the fall of 1866, he was elected to repre- sent Daviess County in the Legislature, serving one term, and refusing a renomination. In 1873 he was ap- pointed prosecuting attorney, and elected to that po- sition in 1874. In 1876 he resigned, and has since been wholly engaged in law. He is regarded among the legal fraternity of Daviess County as a lawyer of marked ability, and one who is fast winning his way to a prominent position in the state. In political matters he is a thorough, active, and earnest Democrat, and a

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man who can be relied upon by the Democracy of the | county. He was brought up in the Methodist Episco- pal faith. July 5, 1866, he married Miss Alice A. Bar- ton, daughter of Doctor Barton, one of the leading physicians of Washington. They have had six children, all of whom are living. Mr. O'Neal is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Washington, and is regarded as one of her most useful and trustworthy citizens.

IERCE, JUDGE J. T., attorney-at-law, of Wash- ington, Indiana, was born in Russell County, Kentucky, October 30, 1835, and is a son of Doc- tor J. S. and Eveline (Moore) Pierce. His father, a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical College, was one of the most prominent physicians of Kentucky. He represented Wayne and Russell Counties in the Ken- tucky Legislature when Henry Clay was a member of that body, and in 1854 was the Sixth District nominee of the Whig party for Congress, in opposition to Judge Elliott. The contest was a spirited and memorable one, but the doctor was defeated, owing chiefly to the known fact of his entertaining views favorable to a gradual emancipation of slaves. J. T. Pierce graduated at Center College in the class of 1856, and entered the office of Major Tanner, of Richmond, Kentucky, as a law student, where a fellow-student was Governor. McCreery, of Kentucky. In 1859 he was admitted to practice, and in the spring of 1860 removed to Indiana, settling at Washington, where he entered upon the duties of his profession. In October, 1864, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Knox, Daviess, Pike, and Martin Counties, and was re-elected in 1866. In October, 1867, he was elected to complete the unexpired term of Judge Clements for the second judicial Court of Common Pleas. In October, 1868, he was chosen for a full term, and again in 1872. William P. Pierce, a younger brother, was commissioned captain of Com- pany A, IIth Kentucky Cavalry, and during the fight between Burnside and Longstreet, near Knoxville, while in the advance in charge of five men, he sur- prised and captured a Georgia major with sixteen men, and turned them over to his superior officers as prison- ers of war. On the very next day he was himself cap- tured and sent as a prisoner to Libby, where he remained six months, and, being released on a special exchange, was with General Stoneman when that officer and his command were captured. He induced his col- onel (Adams) to obtain permission of the general to cut their way out, which they did successfully. The cap- tain was with General Sherman in his raids around At- lanta and on the march to the sea. He was also pres- ent at the capture of Morgan's command in Ohio, and was honorably mentioned in the official reports. He is

now a resident of the state of Georgia, and is a clerk in the appointment bureau of the Postmaster- general at Washington City. Captain Pierce, in his first race for Congress, in October, 1868, attempted to make an address in Camilla, Georgia, but was there met by an armed band of men, who, vowing that no Republican should ever speak there, fired upon him and his party. Several of the balls pen- etrated his clothing, and he escaped only by rare coolness and courage. Fifty persons were there killed and many more wounded of both sexes. The "Ca- milla Massacre " inflamed the whole country, and es- pecially South-western Georgia. Immediately on the receipt of the news, his brother, J. P. Pierce, hastened to the spot, and, by his timely presence and efforts, es- pecially in a speech made from the balcony of the hotel, where he was serenaded by the Democracy, succeeded, in a great degree, in allaying the excitement and deadly animosity existing between the parties and races. Governor Bramlette, of Kentucky, nobly volunteered a letter to the executive of Georgia, saying: "I have known Captain Pierce from his infancy, and no young man bears a better character than he. His father, Doc- tor Pierce, was, during many years of his life, my inti- mate personal friend, an eminent physician, and one of our first-class citizens." Judge Pierce is now residing with his mother, in Washington, Indiana, and is still engaged in the practice of his profession. He is one of the leading attorneys at the Daviess County bar, and, during his judgeship, filled the position acceptably, being known as a moral, honest, and upright judge, whose integrity was beyond question. He is to-day an honored citizen. In 1858 he was selected by his college to deliver to the graduates their society diplomas, and to address them, in conjunction with Hon. John C. Breckinridge, on Commencement.

EARSON, JUDGE E. D., of Bedford, Indiana, was born in Springville, Lawrence County, Indi- ana, December 18, 1829. He is a son of Eliph- alet and Amelia (Lemon) Pearson. His father was a native of Massachusetts, emigrating to Indiana in 1819, and locating at Jeffersonville. He was the owner of the ferry between Jeffersonville and Louisville, which in 1828 he exchanged for a stock of merchandise, and, removing to Lawrence County, began mercantile life. He was one of the well known and respected citizens of Lawrence County. He died in 1863. The Judge, his son, attended the common schools of the country, and at the age of seventeen entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated in the law department in 1850. In the same year he was admitted to the bar, under Judges Otto and McDonald, and im-

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mediately began the practice of his profession at the town of Bedford, in Lawrence County, and at the same time was editing the White River Standard, an enter- prise which he continued for three years. He was then elected prosecuting attorney of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and served one term, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the bar and the citizens. In 1873 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and is at this time occupying that position. As a dispenser of justice Judge Pearson is widely and favorably known; and it is a noted fact that the affairs of minor heirs are guarded with jealous care, no gap being left open by which an entrance could be made to impair their inter- ests or impoverish them, and in all his rulings and charges to the jury he is conspicuous as an honest, upright, and impartial man. He was married, Oc- tober, 1853, to Miss Caroline T. Parker, daughter of Woodbridge Parker, of Salem, Indiana, to whom ten children have been born. The Judge is regarded as one of the leading Republicans of Lawrence County, and has often been chairman of the county central com- mittee. He is a member of no religious denomination, but is one of the most highly respected and best known of the citizens of Lawrence County. He possesses a genial and courteous disposition.

EARSON, DOCTOR JAMES C., physician and surgeon, of Mitchell, Indiana, was born at Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, February 27, 1824, and is a son of James and Margaret Ann (True- blood) Pearson. His father, a native of Virginia, was a merchant, and his mother was from North Carolina. Ilis means of education were limited, as he was com- pelled to leave school when he was fourteen. At that time he bound himself for two years to a cabinet-maker, and at the expiration of this period worked for his em- ployer at journeyman's wages, supporting himself and his mother out of his earnings. At the age of seven- teen years, through the persuasion of Doctor Tolbert and other physicians of Louisville, Kentucky, he was induced to study medicine with his brother, Doctor Charles D. Pearson ; and during the winter of 1845 and 1846 he attended a course of lectures at the University of Louisville. In March, 1853, he graduated at the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, Indianapolis. Doctor Pearson is a member of the American Medical, Tri-state Medical, State Medical, and Mitchell District Medical As- sociations. He first began the practice of medicine with his brother, at Livonia, Washington County, Indiana, and afterwards settled at Orleans, in Orange County, where he remained many years, being constantly en- gaged in the labors of his profession. In 1874 he re- moved to Mitchell, Indiana, where he has since re-

sided. In 1853 he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Thornton, daughter of Major Henry P. Thornton, of Bedford, Indiana, to whom six children have been born. All are still living. The oldest daughter is mar- ried to Doctor M. P. Tolliver, a practicing physician of Louisville, Illinois. Doctor Pearson was brought up in the Presbyterian faith, to which he still adheres, and was for a long time a deacon in the Church. In pol- itics he is a Republican. By strict attention to business, Doctor Pearson has built up an extensive practice, and is regarded as one of the leading physicians of the county. He is highly respected and beloved as a citizen.

URCELL, ROYAL E., editor and proprietor of the Vincennes daily and weekly Western Sun, was born at Purcell Station, Knox County, Indiana, July 26, 1849, and was a son of William and So- phia (Beckes) Purcell. His father, a farmer, died when the subject of this sketch was only one year old. The uncles of Mr. Purcell's mother were prominent men in the early history of this part of the state, one of them having been a captain in the Black Hawk War; his grandfather Purcell was a soldier in the Revolution. His means of education during his early years were confined to the common schools, which he attended, spending the summer months in working on the farm. The loss of his father compelled him early to make his own way. In the spring of 1870 he entered Hanover College, from which he graduated in 1874, having pro- cured means necessary to defray his expenses by teach- ing country schools, whenever and wherever he could obtain them. In 1874 he removed to Vincennes, and began the study of law; and, in October, 1876, pur- chased the Western Sun office, of Vincennes, Indiana. He is still publishing this paper, having established in connection with the weekly edition the daily Vincennes Sun. In politics he is a Democrat. He is now chair- man of the central committee, and is regarded as one of the leaders of the Democracy of the county. He has never been a candidate for political preferment, and has no aspirations for it. Mr. Purcell is liked in the city of his adoption as a genial and upright gentleman, and has the esteem of the entire community. He was reared a Presbyterian, and is now a member of that de- nomination.

OSE, CAPTAIN ELIHU E., attorney and coun- selor at law, Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, on May 25, 1825. He is a son of John and Mary Rose, of Scotch lineage, his father being a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Tennessee. For

Varmes & Pearson MD

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many years his father was engaged in the Embree Iron Works, of Tennessee, but in 1832 removed to Indiana and settled on a farm in Clay County, near the town of Bowling Green. Elihu received an academic educa- tion in the schools at Bowling Green, at the same time performing severe labor on a farm during the summer season, and in autumn working in a brick-yard, or team- ing with oxen, in the management of which he took great pride, far excelling the average teamster. His especial amusement when a boy consisted in catching the salmon and perch from the waters of the classic Eel River, which ran near by the old homestead of the Rose family. Aside from this interesting pastime, Captain Rose took little part in the sports of the period. His love for home and good books was a characteristic trait, and was the beginning of a course of self-culture which continued through life. At the age of twenty years he entered the law office of his brother, Allen T. Rose, and began a course of law reading. This, however, continued but a few months, when he left the office and went to Grand Prairie, Illinois, where he was employed for a time in buying and herding cattle. In the winter of 1846 he returned to Bowling Green, and began reading. medicine with Doctor William Shields. This continued until May of the following year. In 1848 Mr. Rose was admitted to the Clay County bar, at Bowling Green. In the same year he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at once began studying for the ministry, at the same time engaging in teaching school. In 1850 he entered the ministry, and began preaching in his Church. Subsequently, he preached frequently at the following places in Indiana, viz .: Bloomfield, Sulli- van, Carlisle, Paoli, and Worthington. In 1860 he located at Bloomfield, his present home, and entered for the second time upon the practice of law. At the same time he edited and published the Greene County Times, the Democratic organ of the county, in which he strongly advocated the election of Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency. He continued in this capacity until the be- ginning of the Civil War, when, in June, 1861, he en- tered the Union army as captain of Battery C, Ist Indiana Heavy Artillery, enlisting for three years. He then re- turned to Bloomfield and resumed the practice of law. The principal engagements in which Captain Rose partic- ipated were those of Teche, Louisiana; Donaldsonville, siege at Port Hudson, and numerous other smaller en- gagements and skirmishes. In 1868 Captain Rose was chosen presidential elector in his congressional district, and was subsequently a member of the Electoral College which elected General Grant President of the United States. He joined the Free and Accepted Masons in 1851, and Independent Order of Odd-fellows in IS54, and has been a faithful member of nearly all the temperance so- cieties which have been organized in the state. Captain Rose was brought up a Calvinist, but joined the Method-

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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 21

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