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 23

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 23

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"ORLEANS, INDIANA, February 26, 1877. " HON. O. P. MORTON, Washington, D. C.

"Honored Sir-Permit me to trespass upon your valu- able time for a few moments in order to call your atten- tion to our common friend, Captain Samuel M. Smith, who is now presenting himself to your favorable notice

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for the first time, and asking for the appointment as postmaster at Washington. Captain Smith was an of- ficer in Company D, 24th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, during the entire service of three years. He re-enlisted with the veterans, and when the 24th and 67th were consolidated he was still retained in the service as one of the most valued officers of his regiment. During the entire service he suffered no man or officer to go before or beyond him in the strict performance of duty, and kept his company during the whole time up to the work, both in drill, discipline, and efficiency. He was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and in the memorable battle of Champion Hills, where the 24th lost so heavily, he bore himself like a brave officer and soldier, and in this engagement was again wounded. I can say that in all the important marches, battles, and skirmishes he was always with his command doing his duty. In fact I do not know of any line officer of my regiment that contributed more time and labor in our cause than Captain Smith. When the last roll was called dissolving the organization of that grand old reg- iment, Captain Smith was still retained as one of her best officers, and was mustered into the battalion of vet- erans and recruits, and served with the same until mili- tary service was no longer required. As a good and skillful officer he received his discharge and returned to his home. Since then he has evinced and maintained upon all occasions his loyalty to the government, never flinching, never faltering upon any occasion .when his services were demanded or sacrifices required in order that the true interests of our country might be sustained. Since the close of the war he has occupied a prominence among the Republicans that is hardly ever awarded to those of the do-nothing kind. He has spent his money and time freely. He was appointed a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, and there showed, as he has at all times, that he is a man fit to be trusted. It is not often I thrust myself into your presence, and seldom ask for favors, but in this instance I beg that you will give the Captain's claims your favorable consideration. He is honest, capable, and well qualified, and as a Union man he is as true as steel, and will not compromise his fellows or friends in any way. I know him as a soldier, officer, and citizen, and can cheerfully recommend him for the position to which he now aspires. We live in the benighted Blue Jeans district, and we had in the last campaign to contend with fearful odds, but this did not deter us from doing a good and faithful work. Captain Smith worked night and day for success in the late gubernatorial campaign, and on this account de- serves something at the hands of those for whom he so faithfully labored. Pardon me for thus writing so long a letter, and ever keep in mind that I am still, as ever, with you and all others in upholding the right and con- demning the wrong.

" Yours respectfully, W. T. SPICELY."

At the battle of Grand Prairie, Arkansas, Captain Smith led the advance, and was complimented in the offi- cial reports for gallantry. At the storming of Fort Blakely, he, in command of two companies, led the advance, and was the second man inside the fort. On another occa- sion, when the regiment was going down the Mississippi on Admiral Porter's flag-ship, General Grant being aboard, a rebel scout was seen watching the movement of the vessel. The general requested Colonel Spicely to detail a man to seize the spy, and Captain Smith, be-

ing selected, succeeded in effecting his capture and bringing him aboard. While lying at Helena, the Cap- tain was detailed to carry dispatches to General Sher- man, and participated in the engagement at Chickasaw Bluff. He was present at the surrender of Kirby Smith, at Galveston. He was appointed provost-marshal, and organized the custom-house, post-office, and Freedmen's Bureau at that place. General Kent, upon relieving him of this position, to be mustered out with his regiment, says :

"It affords me great pleasure to commend you for the prompt, industrious, and faithful manner that has characterized your official course while on duty here. It has given me full satisfaction."

The regiment was mustered out December 10, 1865, and January 17, following, he formed a partnership in the hardware trade with William Trantor. January I, 1878, he bought out his partner's interest, and entered into a business alliance with an old war comrade, the firm name being Smith & Carnahan. He was married, February 15, 1864, to Miss Sarah J. Solomon, who died February 17, 1868. On the thirtieth day of November, 1876, he married Miss Dora Trantor, a niece of his for- mer partner. Captain Smith is noted for his energy and industry. In his early youth he started out with the de- termination of making life a success, and his position in society and standing among the mercantile community are proof that he has not failed. He has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Washing- ton, has done much to advance her interests, and is re- garded as an upright, honorable citizen. IIe is known far and near as a genial, courteous gentleman. Captain Smith is a leader in the Republican party. He has often presided over county conventions, and has been chair- man of the central committee of that party.

PINK, JAMES C., insurance agent, of Washington, Indiana, was born in Daviess County, Indiana, De- cember 24, 1824. He is the second son of Francis X. and Susan (Cooper) Spink. His father was a farmer, and one of the pioneers of the county, having emigrated from Kentucky in 1822. He attended the common schools in the winter months and assisted his father on the farm during the summer months until 1849, when he was employed as a civil engineer on the Wabash and Erie Canal, having acquired his knowledge of engineering by studying at night and on rainy days while at home. After remaining in this position until 1852, he was employed by the Evansville and Craw- fordsville Railroad Company in the same capacity. In 1855 he built a flour-mill on the Wabash and Erie Ca- nal, near Washington. Shortly after, he sold out, and, in connection with Stephen D. Wright, built a steam

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flour-mill in Washington. They added a foundry and machine shop, and a general store, and also built a woolen factory, all of which they carried on from 1860 until 1876, at which time Mr. Spink retired from the business. In 1876 he opened an insurance office, and is still engaged in that business. In political matters he sympathizes with the Democratic party, and in religion is an adherent of the Church of Rome. In October, 1862, he was married to Elizabeth Wright, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has one son, now living. Washington, Indiana, is greatly indebted to the untir- ing industry and energy of Mr. Spink, who is the founder of the many industries of the city. He was one of the originators of the now extensive coal operations which have made the place known all over the state. He is a gentleman of manners and ability.

TUCKER, JAMES F., proprietor of the Paoli Flour and Woolen Mills, was born in Harrison County, Indiana, March 20, 1831, and is the second son of David W. and Anne Stucker. His father is a minister of the Methodist Church, and is the oldest living minister of that denomination in the state of In- diana, having occupied the pulpit for more than sixty years. His means of education were very limited in his early years, but after he was grown he acquired, by his own energy and industry, an education sufficient to en- able him to teach; and the money obtained this way was spent in attending the seminary at Corydon, Indiana, where he remained nearly two years. Previous to this period he had served his time at the carpenter's trade. In 1858 he purchased a farm in Harrison County, and carried it on until the breaking out of the Rebellion, in 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company K, 23d Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted time after time, until he became orderly-ser- geant of the company, and, at the fall of Vicksburg, , was promoted to the captaincy over the lieutenants, be- ing mustered in as such in August, 1863. He remained in active service, participating in all the battles of the Seventeenth Army Corps, until July, 1865, when the army was disbanded. On returning home he sold his farm, and purchased an interest with Frank King in the Blue River Mills, in Washington County, Indiana, and has ever since been in business with Mr. King, under the firm name of King & Stucker. In 1866 they purchased the Paoli Mills, which they have since operated. Mr. Stucker is also engaged in farming. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Orange County, and in the fall of 1878 was chosen to represent Orange and Crawford Counties in the Legislature, being elected by a large majority, while the rest of the ticket was defeated. He was a mem- ber of the Committee on County and Township Business, A-8

chairman of the Committee on Roads, and a member of several special committees, one of which was on the in- vestigation of the attorney-general's office. March 19, 1870, he was married to Jane Jordan, daughter of a farmer. They have had four children, none of whom are living. He holds to the Methodist Episcopal Church in faith, and in politics is an uncompromising Democrat, and a party leader in this portion of the country. He employs a large number of hands in his business, and has assisted very materially in developing the in- dustries of the county. He is universally respected as an honorable, upright citizen and a gentleman.

TUCKER, DAVID F., auditor of Orange County, was born in Harrison County, Indiana, January 8, 1848, and was the youngest son of David W. and Anne ( Lister) Stucker. His father was born in Frank- lin County, Kentucky, in 1802. He moved to Harrison County, Indiana, in 1810, joined the Church of the United Brethren in 1819, and in 1824 was licensed to preach. He traveled on the Washington circuit, in Ohio, until 1825; on the Cincinnati circuit in 1825 and 1826; in 1827 on the Corydon circuit, in Indiana; in 1828 on the Flat Rock circuit. In 1829 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1833 he entered its ministry, being assigned to the Corydon circuit; in 1834 the Bradford circuit, in 1835 Paoli and Orleans, in 1836 Roan mission, and in 1837 Boonsville circuit. In 1838 he ceased to travel, and purchased a farm in Harrison County, where he resided until 1844. He then removed to a farm on the Blue River, near Freder- icksburg, and in 1860 went to New Albany. His grand- father was born in North Carolina, near the Yadkin River, March 15, 1773, and was killed by the Indians in their attack upon Bryant's Station, Kentucky. David F. in his early youth lost his mother, and, when he was twelve years of age, his father married again. He then left home, and from this period until he was twenty-one his life was a very checkered one. He spent a portion of his time on farms as a common hand, and worked at all the odd jobs he could pick up. For nearly three years he lived in the city of Louisville, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In the winter of 1870 and the fall of 1871 he attended a select school-Or- leans Academy-near Paoli, and the next winter him- self gave instruction. From that time until 1876 he went to a school in the spring, taught during the win- ter, and worked in the Paoli Woolen Mills during the summer months; also, attending the Paoli normal school and high school. In the fall of 1876 he was elected auditor of Orange County, for a term of four years, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the citizens of the county.

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He was married on the seventeenth day of October, 1 party. His position as an editor, and his experience in 1878, to Miss Nancy B. Walker, of Flora, Illinois, politics, give him a perfect knowledge of the inner daughter of William S. Walker, a merchant of that affairs of a political canvass. On the tenth day of June, 1856, Mr. Stropes was married to Miss Sarah E. Talbott, place. Mrs. Stucker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in August, 1879. He was much esteemed and respected as an honest, upright, genial gentleman.

TROPES, WILLIAM POSTON, editor and attor- ney-at-law, was born in Montezuma, Parke County, Indiana, March 21, 1832. He is the son of Adam and Penelope Stropes. His father, of German and French descent, was a native of East Tennessee; and his mother, of English extraction, was born in the state of New York. Mr. Stropes received the benefit of a com- mon school education, but his early habits and tastes were always of a literary character, and all the leisure moments of his youth were employed in reading instruc- tive books and papers. In his fifteenth year he entered the United States army, then serving in Mexico, as waiter-boy to his father, who was first lieutenant in Company E, of the 2d Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He remained in this service until September, 1846, when he returned home, and in 1849 began a mercantile life as a clerk in the store of Mason & Stropes, which place he held until 1856, when he began business for himself. In 1857 he formed a partnership with his brother, which continued for six years, when Mr. Stropes retired, after thirteen years' continuous service as a merchant. In 1860 he became the proprietor of a hotel, in which ca- pacity he continued until 1867, when, having received the Democratic nomination for county auditor, he ac- cepted the candidacy, but was defeated by forty-two votes. He returned to his former business after this brief experience in politics, and catered to the public in the capacity of a landlord until the year 1873, when he purchased the office and good-will of the Bloomfield Democrat, and began a successful editorial career, which yet continues. In 1874 he again received the Demo- cratic nomination for county auditor, and after a hotly contested canvass was elected by a majority of one hun- cred and fifteen votes. He held this office from No- vember, 1875, to November, 1879. In 1878, being a candidate for re-election, he suffered defeat by a small majority. Mr. Stropes joined the Bloomfield Lodge, No. 84, Free and Accepted Masons, in 1853, in which society he held the office of secretary several terms. He has no particular religious belief. He was brought up under the influence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is inclined to a liberal view in such matters. Mr. Stropes has always been a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, in 1856, and has been prominent and foremost in the councils of his

-. the oldest daughter of James Talbott, junior, of Green- castle, Indiana. They have had eight children, six of whom are yet living, four sons and two daughters. Mr. Stropes has always been liberal and public-spirited in his life, giving generously to every thing tending to im- prove and build up the country and community. His life has been a busy one, and the different enterprises in which he has been engaged have all'received the stamp of his energy and progressive spirit. As a citizen he holds a high place in the community in which he lives, and is well and favorably known throughout the state.

TAYLOR, SAMUEL H., attorney-at-law, of Wash- ington, Indiana, was born at Cumberland, Mary- land, January 25, 1837, and is the second son of William and Lavinia (Hill) Taylor. His father was engaged in various business pursuits, and was at one time Judge of the Orphan's Court. His oldest brother, William A. Taylor, was a colonel in the Con- federate army, and is now one of the leading men of Texas, having done much to advance the interests of that state, where he is largely engaged in railroad enter- prises. He attended private schools, and then entered the Alleghany Institute, at Cumberland, Maryland, from which he graduated in 1855. Ile immediately entered the office of Hon. J. H. Gordon, of Cumberland, and in due time was admitted to the bar. In 1857 he was appointed postmaster at Cumberland, by President Bu- chanan, retaining the place until 1861. In 1864 he re- moved to Washington, Indiana, and began the practice of his profession. He was twice elected common pleas prosecutor for the Vincennes district, and in 1872 repre- sented the Second District in the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore. In 1876 he represented the same district in the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1872 Mr. Taylor was elected prosecutor of the Circuit Court. He resigned in 1873, to take charge of the Washington National Bank-of which he was one of the founders-as vice-president and cashier. In 1876 he retired from the bank and resumed legal practice. In 1878 he was elected to represent Da- viess County in the state Legislature, and was appointed chairman of the Committee on Corporations, and also a member of the Committees on Judiciary, Prison Affairs, Mines and Mining, and the Redistricting of the State for congressional and legislative purposes. In politics he is a Democrat; he is regarded as one of the party leaders in this portion of the state, and was for some time chairman of the central committee. Mr. Taylor

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- is Presbyterian in his religious views. He was married, | April 7, 1857, to Josette E. Johnson, of Cumberland, Maryland, daughter of Joshua Johnson, one of the lead- ing business men of that city. Edith, Mr. Johnson's eld- est daughter, is the wife of Thomas F. Candler, attor- ney-at-law, of Washington, Indiana, formerly a resident at Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Taylor's ancestors, on both sides, date back many generations, to the oldest families in Maryland. He is fast winning his way to a prominent position at the Indiana bar, and is regarded as one of the useful citizens of Washington, being closely identified with her growth and prosperity. He is highly respected by all classes of the community as a thoroughly honorable gentleman.

AYLOR, WALLER, a Senator in Congress, was a native of Lunenburg County, Virginia, where he was born, August 26, 1826. He held offices of trust in the territory of Indiana, such as territorial judge, in 1806; served as aide-de-camp to General Harri- son at the battle of Tippecanoe, and was a man of high literary attainments.

EALE, JAMES C., farmer, of Washington, Indi- ana, was born in Daviess County, December 25, 1828, and is a son of John T. and Lucinda ( Hyatt) Veale. His father was a farmer, and his grand- father was the third white settler in Daviess County, having emigrated from South Carolina and settled here as early as 1807. He attended the common schools during the winter months, and through the summer season assisted his father on the farm, remaining at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He then was employed on the Wabash and Erie Canal at ninety cents a day. After working a year he returned, and drove a team for John Hyatt to Louisville, and soon after was appointed his clerk. In less than a year. he was taken in as a partner, under the firm name of Hyatt & Veale, in keeping a store, pork-packing, boating, grain dealing, and general trading through Southern Indiana and the South. The firm dissolved in 1861, Mr. Veale forming a partnership with James C. Spink, under the firm name of Spink & Veale. They pur- chased the Washington Mills, and soon after built the woolen mills. They also built and operated a large foundry, opened a bank of deposit, and added to their business a large and general store. During this time Mr. Veale was extensively engaged in farming and stock- raising, having been the first importer of blooded stock to this county. To-day he has the finest selection of fine stock in this portion of the state. Mr. Veale's credit during his mercantile life was unlimited among

the merchants of New Orleans, Memphis, and other Southern cities, and the utmost reliance was placed upon his business integrity by all classes of people with whom he came in contact. In 1875, owing to the floods of that summer, in which they lost sixty thousand dol- lars' worth of stock and grain, he became embarrassed and suffered many reverses; but, with an amount of en- ergy and industry truly remarkable, he engaged exten- sively in farming, and expects to retrieve his shattered fortunes. The coming season he will plant over eight hundred acres of corn, besides being extensively en- gaged in raising blooded stock. He was married, No- vember 22, 1858, to Nancy Wilkins, daughter of a mer- chant of Washington, Indiana. November 18, 1868, he married his present wife, Mary E. Ragsdale, daughter of a wealthy farmer of the county. They have three children. In political matters he sympathizes with the Greenback party. Mr. Veale has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Daviess County, having done as much as any other man in developing many and various institutions. He is a gentleman and a useful citizen.

ATSON, LEWIS L., proprietor of the Union Depot Hotel, at Vincennes, Indiana, was born April 13, 1809, in Vincennes, and is a son of Robert G. and Genevieve (Cornoyer) Watson. His father, of Scotch descent, was a merchant and fur- trader; his ancestors on his mother's side were among the earliest settlers in this country, having emigrated here in 1704. His means of education were very lim- ited, as school terms were few and far between. He spent six months in school at St. Louis, and since attain- ing the age of manhood has acquired a fair English education by his own efforts. In 1826 his father's fam- ily removed to St. Louis, where he learned the tailor's trade, at which he served five years. In 1832 he returned to Vincennes and opened a tailor's shop. In less than a year, however, he went back to St. Louis and again worked at his trade. In 1834 he removed to Vincennes, where he has since resided. Immediately on his arrival he opened a tailoring establishment, and after carrying it on three years sold out, and purchased a grocery store. This he carried on for four years, when he re- turned to his trade, working at it until 1849. He was then appointed postmaster by General Taylor, and, be- ing confirmed under Fillmore's administration, held the position until the spring of 1853. At that time he was appointed receiver of toll at the lock and dam at Grand Rapids, on the Wabash River, and remained two years. In the spring of 1855 he resigned, and accepted a posi- tion as passenger conductor on the Evansville and Craw- fordsville Railroad, holding it for one year, being then appointed agent for the road at Vincennes. He also at

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the time opened a lumber yard in partnership with Charles Daws, which he continued for four years. He sold out this interest and resigned his position as agent, and in the fall of 1859 was appointed paymaster and supply agent for the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, which position he filled to the satisfaction of the com- pany until 1871. He then resigned, and took an active part in the management of the Union Depot Hotel, in conjunction with Captain Mass, which business they still continue. He was married, November 6, 1832, to Lydia E. Fellows, daughter of Willis Fellows, a prom- inent wheelwright and builder, well known in Southern Indiana and St. Louis, where he built several mills. They have had twelve children, of whom four boys and three girls are now living. Samuel W. is cashier of the Harrison Bank, at Indianapolis; Edward is manager of the Union Depot Hotel ; Willis H., at the age of nine- teen, was a captain in the 80th Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and now resides in Aurora, Illinois, where he carries on a book-store; and Robert G. is a partner in the National Hotel, at Terre Haute. Jane E. married James Reynolds, a farmer and ex-county treasurer; Ruth O'Boyle is the widow of a boot and shoe merchant, of Terre Haute; and Ida M. is still single. Mr. Watson is an active member of the Church of Rome. In pol- itics he was reared a Whig, and remained with that party until 1856, when it indorsed Know-Nothingism, at which time he joined the Democracy, and is still a strong, active Democrat. Mr. Watson has been more closely identified in the building up of the city of Vin- cennes than almost any other of her citizens, having erected many houses and aided materially in the con- struction of the bridge over the Wabash River, and the city is largely indebted to him for the numerous railroads crossing at this point. Mr. Watson is well known all over this section of the country as a gentleman of energy and force, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his city and county.

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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 23

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