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 26

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 26

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).

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

3d Dist.]

upright, his word being regarded as good as a written contract. Hon. M. C. Kerr, speaker of the House of Representatives, in a letter to a friend, said of Mr. Bradley : "He is one of the best of men, and a citizen of high personal, social, and Christian character, worthy of the respect and confidence of all. I have known him well over twenty years, in most of the relations of life and business, and I can safely say he has to this day maintained a character without blemish." At the age of twenty-five Mr. Bradley married Miss Sarah A. Leyden, daughter of Patrick and Mary Leyden. Mrs. Bradley is a most estimable lady, an honored member of society, a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a leader in almost every enterprise to alleviate the sufferings of the human race. She is the honored presi- dent of the New Albany Orphans' Home, and a zealous, energetic, and successful worker in whatever she under- takes. Her influence has been greatly felt in the tem- perance movement, working hand in hand with her hus- band, whose efforts have been united with hers in every undertaking. They have lived in New Albany nearly all their lives, and have few, if any, enemies. Though long since having earned the right to withdraw from active business life, Mr. Bradley still believes in putting his shoulder to the wheel, and is now as full of life and business energy as in his younger days. He is at pres- ent engaged in conducting a flour-mill, in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. Isaac P. Leyden. They also do a large trade in general produce, and the firm is widely and favorably known throughout Southern Indiana.

ROWN, CAPTAIN ALLEN W., treasurer of Jen- nings County, Vernon, Indiana, was born in Jen- nings County, Indiana, November 27, 1827, and was the eldest son of John M. and Jane (McGill) Brown. His grandfather Brown served both in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. His uncle, John McGill, was in the War of 1812, and his grand- father McGill spent seven years in the Revolutionary army. Captain Brown was brought up on his father's farm, and employed his time in agricultural labor and assisting his father in his saw-mill until he was twenty- one years of age, in this time having been only a part of three months at school. He has, however, since ob- tained a good English education. When a good-sized boy, he worked for some time at twelve and one-half cents per day. In 1848 he built a saw-mill, which he operated one year. He then sold it, and, after spending some time in the South, worked in the ship-yards at Madison. In 1850 he returned to Jennings County, re- purchased his mill, and carried it on for about four years. He also built a flour-mill at Scipio, in which he had a one-third interest, which he conducted for a year

or two. He then sold his mill property, and for a short time was in no regular business. In 1856 he purchased another saw-mill, and operated it until August, 1862, when he sold out and enlisted as a private in Company B, 82d Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was soon after commissioned second lieutenant, and then rose to the rank of captain. Hle was with his regiment during all its important actions, from the battle of Chattanooga to that of Atlanta, except the battle of Murfreesboro, when he was on sick leave in Indiana. Owing to ill-health he resigned in November, 1864, and returned home. He soon after purchased an interest in a store at Scipio, which he carried on two years; then, selling out, he returned to his farm, which he has since continued to manage. He was elected treasurer of Jennings County in 1876, and re-elected in 1878. In politics he is an earnest Republican, and has been an energetic worker, contributing much to the success of his party. He is a member of the Baptist Church. In July, 1853, he mar- ried Miss Euphemia Wilkins, daughter of a farmer of Jennings County. They have four children living, three sons and one daughter. Captain Brown is a genial and social gentleman, and is esteemed by all who know him.

ROWN, JASON B., was born February 26, 1839, in Dearborn County, Indiana. His father, Robert D. Brown, a lawyer of ability, and at one time state librarian, is still living ; his mother, Mary (Hubbard) Brown, died when he was but nine months old. Both were devout Methodists. The subject of this sketch obtained the rudiments of his education at Wilmington, and, upon leaving school in 1857, spent one year in a dry-goods store at Maysville, Kentucky, and then went to Indianapolis, where he entered as a student the office of Hon. Cyrus L. Dunham, at that time Secretary of State. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1860, and immediately engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at Brownstown, Jackson County, Indiana. March 5, 1866, on motion of Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, of Pennsylvania, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1862 he was elected to the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1864. In 1868 he was one of the Democratic electors for the state at large. In 1370 he represented his dis- trict in the state Senate. On the 26th of March, 1873, he was appointed secretary of the territory of Wyoming, which position he held until his resignation, May I, 1875. During that time he was elected to assist in the prosecution of Peter P. Wintermute, at Yankton, Dakota Territory, for the murder of General Edwin S. McCook ; and, for the masterly argument made in behalf of the people in this celebrated case, Mr. Brown received the encomiums of the entire legal fraternity, of the press, and

REPRÉSENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[3d Dist.

of the people. From that time he was acknowledged | as one of the leading members of the bar in the West. On his return from Wyoming, Mr. Brown settled in Seymour, Indiana, in the year 1875, and married Anna E. Shiel. In 1862 he became known in Indiana poli- tics, and to-day is a prominent member of the Demo- cratic party of the state, and is widely known else- where. During the campaign in Ohio between Brough and Vallandigham he stumped that state in the interest of the Democratic party, but was not a supporter of Horace Greeley for the presidency, as he considered this nomination inconsistent with his views as a Demo- crat. Mr. Brown is well known all over the country, and as one of the leading members of the Indiana bar is constantly engaged on important cases. He is much esteemed by those who know him.

URRELL, BARTHOLOMEW H., attorney, of Brownstown, was born in Jackson County, Indi -. ana, March 13, 1841, and is the second son of John H. and Mary (Findley) Burrell. His father, a well-known and highly respected farmer, has been for years commissioner of Jackson County. He was a sol- dier in the Black Hawk War, and also captain of Com- pany G, Fifth Indiana Regiment, in the late Civil War. The subject of this sketch remained on the farm till he was twenty-one years of age, when he entered the State University of Bloomington, Indiana, having borrowed the money to carry him through a collegiate course, which he promptly repaid from his first earnings after graduation. He graduated in the scientific department in 1864, and in the same year was drafted into the army. He furnished a substitute, however, and then taught school, employing his leisure time in the study of law with Judge Frank Emerson. Having thus paved the way for the comple- tion of his studies, he returned to the State University, where he graduated from the law department in 1866. Upon admission to the bar, he commenced practice in partnership with Judge Emerson. This partnership was dissolved in 1868, but was renewed in 1873, under the firm name of Burrell & Emerson, and still continues. In 1875 Mr. Burrell was elected one of the town trus- tees for the town of Brownstown, and, in 1876, state Senator for four years. In the Senate he at once assumed a prominent position, being appointed chairman of the Committee on Claims, also of that on Congressional Apportionment, and a member of the Committees on Elections and Judiciary. He has been an active mem- ber of the Democratic party from his youth, and is now chairman of the County Central Committee. He has been many times a delegate to the state conventions ; and by reason of his ability and energy has come to be regarded as one of the leaders of the Democracy, and

the rising man of his party in the county. Mr. Burrell is an active and useful member of the Presbyterian Church. He was married, in October, 1864, to Maggie F. Throop, of Bloomington, Indiana, by whom he has had three children, but only one daughter is now living. In social life, Mr. Burrell is noted for his courteous and agreeable manners, and is regarded as a man of strong character and marked individuality. As a politician he is a model organizer and a natural leader among his fellows; and as a lawyer he is a man of ability and power.

UTLER, JOHN H., of New Albany, is a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was born, October 17, 1812. His father, Jonathan Butler, removed with his family to Indiana, and settled in Hanover, Jefferson County, in the year 1819. His mother, Nancy (Hopkins) Butler, was a daughter of John Hopkins, whose family were among the early set- tlers of the state of Maryland. John H. Butler was ed- ucated in the schools of his native village, and later at Hanover, Indiana, where he received a college training. He commenced the study of law at Hanover, in the office of Judge Eggleston, then the most prominent law- yer of that county, and Judge of the Circuit Court. He was admitted to the bar in 1839, and removed to Salem, the county seat of Washington County, where he opened an office and commenced the practice of his profession. Here he met with success from the begin- ning, and was soon known as a rising young lawyer. For nearly thirty years he pursued his professional career in the same place, achieving a brilliant reputation, and be- coming known not only in his county but throughout the state. In 1866 he removed to New Albany, and formed a partnership with W. Gresham, now United States Dis- trict Judge. In 1868 he was appointed, by Governor Baker, Judge of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District of Indiana. He was a delegate to represent his district in the Republican convention at Chicago which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, in 1860. He has always been a Republican, but never a professional poli- tician. On the 3d of January, 1843, he married Miss Mary Chase, daughter of Isaac and Ruth Chase, of Sa- lem. They have a family of two sons. The elder, No- ble C., studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1867, and the following year was appointed regis- ter in bankruptcy, which position he still holds. The other son, Charles H., is a bank teller. Mrs. Butler is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which her husband is an occasional attendant. Now, in his sixty- seventh year, the cares of life have left their marks upon his brow. But his silvery hairs have never been whitened by dishonor, and his life has been such as to commend him to the esteem of his fellow-men.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

3d Dist.]

.ARESS, JAMES M., county superintendent of schools, of Salem, was born in Washington County, January 3, 1848, and is the sixth son of Peter and Rachel (Worrall) Caress. His father was a far- mer, who died when James M. Caress was but a small child. The Worralls were very prominent in the Pres- byterian Church, one of them being at present pastor of the Eighth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Mr. Caress remained on the farm until he was twenty, attending the common schools during the winter. He then attended May's High School, at Salem, and during the winters of several following years taught school, working on the farm in summer. He devoted every moment of his spare time to his books, and by hard study acquired a fine En- glish education. In 1874 he entered the State University at Bloomington, and graduated from the law department in 1875. In the fall of that year he was elected county superintendent of schools, and still occupies the same position, to the entire satisfaction of the people. He married, November 11, 1874, Miss Laura Newland, daughter of Doctor B. Newland, of Bedford, by whom he has two children. Mr. Caress is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In political matters he is one of the active workers of the Democratic party, doing every thing in his power to increase their large majority in Washington County. He is highly respected and es- teemed by all classes of citizens, and has filled the im- portant trust to which the people have elected him in an honest, impartial manner. He is widely and favora- bly known as a thorough gentleman.

ANNON, GREENBERRY C., retired merchant, of New Albany, was born at Georgetown, Kentucky, October 28, IS20. He is the son of John and Lu- rena Cannon, his mother's family being among the early settlers of Maryland. His parents removed to Bloomington, Indiana, when he was still a child, but afterward returned to Kentucky, residing at Shelbyville, and again at Georgetown, where they remained until their son reached his twenty-first year. In 1840 Mr. Cannon came to New Albany and engaged in the whole- sale fancy dry-goods trade. Here he has since contin- ued to reside and do business, with the exception of about two years at Heltonville, Indiana. He has been eminently successful in all his undertakings. In 1852, after eleven years of business life in New Albany, his stock in trade was probably the largest and finest, in his line, of any in Southern Indiana. In 1875 he retired from active business, having accumulated a handsome fortune. During his long residence in New Albany, brought into the most intimate social and business rela- tions with his fellow-citizens, he won for himself a high place in their esteem, and has contributed in no small A-9

degree to the prosperity of the place, being always ready to engage in any enterprise for its good. His do- mestic relations have always been of the pleasantest na- ture. He married, in 1851, Miss Mary Elizabeth Austin, of New Albany. They have had seven children, of whom five are still living. Although a believer in Christianity, he is not a member of any Church. His wife has been a Methodist from childhood, her father having been one of the founders of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cannon is a member of the Masons. In politics he takes no active part, but is one of those men who believe in Democracy, and is a constant worker for his party. In 1868 he was chosen by the voters of his ward to represent them in the city council, filling that of- fice for two terms. Mr. Cannon was one of the founders of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, and a director in it during its existence. He was also a director in the New Albany Insurance Company. For the last four years he has been a director in the New Albany Banking Company, and has held the same office in the Water- works Company since its organization. The Air-line Railroad found a most earnest advocate in him. He was elected by the directors of the road president of the company, an office he filled for some time, now holding that of vice-president. He was also one of the projectors of the Music Hall, in which he has been a director for fifteen years past. He has filled all these positions with the utmost satisfaction to the people; and now, sur- rounded by a happy family, and by all that makes life pleasant, he enjoys the legitimate fruits of a well-spent life.

OLE, C. B., of Seymour, superintendent of the Cin- cinnati and Vincennes Division of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, was born July 17, 1833, in Caledonia County, Vermont, and is a son of Ziba and Rebecca (Ford) Cole. He acquired the rudiments of an English education at the common schools of his native county, and assisted his father on the farm until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he left his parents and started out in the world for himself. Upon leaving home he went to the northern part of New Hampshire, and engaged to drive an ox team during the construction of the Grand Trunk Railroad from Portland to Montreal. Upon the completion of this road he worked for the Northern New Hampshire Rail- road on repairs. In 1858 he came West, settled at Sey- mour, Indiana, and, beginning work on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad as a bridge carpenter, was pro- moted to the position of roadmaster, and appointed conductor of freight and passenger trains. He con- tinued working for that company ten years, and was then employed by the Union Pacific, running a passen- ger train from Rawley's Springs to Wahsatch, on that

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[3d Dist ..

line. After eight months on this road, he was engaged . by the Vandalia line as yardmaster and freight con- ductor, and remained one year. We next find him in the employment of the Missouri Pacific Road, as freight conductor, which position he held for one year and a half. He then resigned and returned to Seymour, In- «liana, in 1872, and was appointed train-master of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. Soon after, he was made superintendent of the two divisions of this road between Cincinnati and Vincennes, Indiana, which posi- tion he now holds. He has been twice married; first, in 1855, to Lydia Brooks, of Lebanon, New Hampshire. They had one child, a daughter, who lived to the age of nineteen. In 1862 he married Fannie Yeatman, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to whom two children have been born, only one of them now living. Mr. Cole commenced life with no means and comparatively little education, and has worked his way to the prominent position he now holds by his own energy and industry. He is regarded by railroad men as an efficient and en- ergetic officer, and is highly respected by his employers all along the line. He has been identified with the in- terests of Seymour, where he now resides, and has done much towards advancing the interests of the city.

ROWE, COLONEL SAMUEL S., attorney, Scotts- burg, Scott County, Indiana, was born at Shelby- ville, Kentucky, July 23, 1819, being the oldest son of John F. and Esther ( Alexander) Crowe. Mr. Crowe was a Presbyterian minister, and his father was a colonel in the Revolutionary War. John F. Crowe moved to Indiana in 1823, and soon after established the college at Hanover, remaining with it until his death, which occurred in January, 1860. He was a very promi- nent school man, and did much to further the educa- tional interests of the state. The Colonel attended col- lege at Hanover, and graduated there October, 1839, and for the next eleven years taught school ; the first place being at Carlisle, Sullivan County, where he had charge of the high school for two years. He then was the teacher of the high school at New Washington, Clarke County, for two years, and afterwards gave instruction in the high school at Hanover, in connection with his father. During this time the college was removed from Hanover to Madison, and on its return to Hanover he left the school, going to Madison and studying law with the Hon. Wilberforce Lyle. He was with him about one year. Ile then moved to Lexington, Scott County, and had charge of the seminary, and also pur- sued the study of law with Hon. George A. Bicknell. In the spring of 1858 he became clerk in the land office at Washington, District of Columbia, and in 1859 was ippointed chief clerk of Ward B. Burnett, surveyor-

general of Nebraska and Kansas, where he spent over, one year in the city of Nebraska. Ile continued read- ing until 1860, when he was admitted to the bar, and immediately began the practice of his profession with Judge P. H. Jewett, which he continued until August, 1862, when he raised a company for the war, and was commissioned captain of Company B, of the 93d Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry. He was picket officer for the brigade on the staff of General Ralph Buckland, which he held for one year, when he was appointed major, and afterwards lieutenant-colonel. He was in active service all of the time, and was always to be found at the front. In that position he was during the siege of Vicksburg, and was there also in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi. During the latter part of the war he was provost guard of Memphis, and was also in the battles of Nashville and of Gainesville, Alabama, at the close of the war, being mustered out of the service, August 10, 1865. After his return home he resumed the prac- tice of law in Lexington, but in 1874 moved to Scotts- burg, where he now resides. In 1857 he was elected to the Legislature, and again in 1867. In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the leaders of the party in the county. He attends the Presbyterian Church. He was married to his first wife, Mary B. Fouts, April, 1840, by whom he has two children, one boy and one girl. The son, John F., is an attorney in Giddings, Texas. The (laughter, Susan E. A. Griffith, lives at Jeffersonville, Indiana. IIe married his present wife, Amanda N. Warnell, February, 1849, by whom he has four sons and one daughter. Ilis second son, Samuel S., is farming in Texas; Mary C. married Clarence L. Fouts, who is an architect in San Francisco, California; William C., Thomas O., and George A. are all at home. The Colonel is a genial gentleman of the old school, and has the respect of the entire community.

AVISON, ALEXANDER A., merchant, of Sey- mour, Indiana, was born at Dupont's Powder & Mills, near Wilmington, Delaware, June 28, 1836, and is the oldest child of Ezekiel and Catherine (McFall) Davison. His father was a farmer, who, in the spring of 1844, removed to Jackson County, Indi- ana; there Alexander Davison attended the county and district schools in winter, and worked on the farm in summer, until he attained his majority. In 1856 he was employed for a short time as clerk in a store, and in 1857-58, attended the State University at Blooming- ton, Indiana. Hle then returned to the farm in Jen- nings County, Indiana, where his father had removed in 1854. In the spring of 1860 he became clerk in a general store in Seymour, holding the position until the summer of 1861. In this year his father died, and he

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

3d Dist.]

returned to the farm; but, at the end of twelve months, he resumed work in the same store in Seymour. In the fall of 1863 he was nominated by the Democracy as clerk of Jennings County. Ile made a canvass of the county, but was defeated, and again went to the home farm. In the fall of 1864 he entered, for the third time, the store in Seymour and remained until 1868. During this period he held the offices of clerk, council- man, and mayor of the city of Seymour. In the fall of 1868 he was elected treasurer of Jackson County, and, being re-elected in 1870, served the county four years. In 1873 he purchased an interest in a hardware store in Seymour, Indiana, and is now conducting the business under the firm name of Davison & Kessler. In 1872, while serving as treasurer of the county, he became sole proprietor and editor of the Seymour weekly Democrat, continuing to publish the paper until 1875, when he was elected to the Legislature to represent Jackson County. He was defeated in the convention for a re- nomination on account of his hard-money views. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, leading the party in many of its campaigns, ably editing its journal, and serving as chairman of the county central committee. He was reared a Presbyterian, but belongs to no Church. He married Louisa C. Wilkerson, daughter of a mer- chant of Scipio, Jennings County, Indiana. Three daughters have been born to them, two of whom died of scarlet fever in the fall of 1878. Mr. Davison has acquired an ample fortune by his own industry and energy ; he has done much to advance the interests of Seymour, and is highly respected by his fellow-citizens.

AVIS, JOHN STEELE, of New Albany, was born in Dayton, Ohio, November 14, 1814. His father, John Davis, was a merchant, and for many years magistrate of the county in which he resided. He was one of the few strictly temperate men of his time. He married Elizabeth Calcier, daughter of a farmer near Princeton, New Jersey. They had six sons and five daughters, most of whom grew to maturity. Emigrat- ing westward, he settled in Montgomery County, Ohio. Ile took an active part with General Wayne in the Indian War, after the defeat of General St. Clair. He died aged sixty-six years. Judge Davis's grandfather, Captain Joseph Davis, emigrated from Wales, and set- tled near Princeton, New Jersey. lle participated in the struggle for independence, and was with General Washington at the battles of Monmouth and Princeton, at the latter of which he lost a leg. John Steele Davis, the subject of this sketch, early gave his attention to study, and entered Miami University at the age of six- teen. A short time afterwards his father failed in busi- ness, which necessitated his return home. He was now

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 26

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