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 3

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 3

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office and warerooms of his father, who was carrying on a furniture factory at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and who was one of the first men to introduce steam power to propel furniture machinery. At the close of this time he felt a longing desire to engage in business for himself. Having heard considerable of Evansville, In- diana, as being a good point for manufacturing interests, he concluded to remove there. He procured a stock of furniture from a Cincinnati house to sell on commission, and with a few hundred dollars which he borrowed of his father he purchased a flat-boat, and in March, 1854, arrived in Evansville. He rented the old Wash- ington House, which stood on the grounds now occu- pied by the extensive warerooms of the Armstrong Fur- niture Company. This undertaking proved successful for four years, and at the expiration of this time he was prevailed upon to extend his operations and build a fac- tory. This extra outlay and the hard times of 1857 to 1859 so crippled him in business that his property was sold at sheriff's sale to pay off his liabilities. But even in this, which seemed his darkest day, he did not lose courage or hope, but immediately wrote to his father, soon prevailing upon him to come to Evansville and open a factory there. The old building, which has been remodeled and is now occupied by the Southern Chair Works, was rented, and soon a flourishing business was built up. In 1872 Mr. Uel W. Armstrong became a partner in the firm of C. Armstrong & Company. In 1874 the Armstrong Furniture Company was or- ganized with Mr. U. W. Armstrong as president; and the same year the large factory which they now oc- cupy was built, consisting of six stories of brick, sixty feet in width and two hundred and fifty feet in length. With Mr. Armstrong at the head the busi- ness has gradually extended until their factories, ware- houses, stables, etc., cover an area of over five acres. Their wareroom, situated on Main Street-and other warehouses-consists of over one hundred and fifty thousand square feet of flooring. It is one of the sights of the city. From the small commission busi- ness established by the subject of our sketch in Evans- ville over a quarter of a century ago, when a young man of twenty-two years, has grown this immense corporation, doing a business of over three hundred thousand dollars per annum. They are also connected with the Southern Chair Works, which make a spe- cialty of manufacturing chairs. He is also the in- ventor of several furniture specialties which have a very extensive sale throughout the United States. As may be readily inferred from this brief record, Mr. Armstrong is a man whose enterprise no difficulties can discourage. With a tenacity of purpose as rare as it is admirable, he seems to possess the pecul- iar faculty of molding circumstances to suit his ends, rather than being molded by them. Truly self-

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made, in every sense of the term, he depreciates his own abilities, and is unassuming in his demeanor, as well as persevering in a course which he decides to be right. Personally superintending every detail of this extensive manufactory, he has never found time to take an active part in politics. In presidential campaigns he supports the Republican party, while in municipal affairs he is independent, casting his vote for the man he con- siders best fitted for the office. This brief but imper- fect outline of the leading traits of Mr. Armstrong's character and business career is given because the world claims a certain property in the lives of all its people, and biography is the lamp of experience to guide and encourage others in the paths of success. Mr. Arm- strong was married, in March, 1856, to Miss Sarah Du Bois, daughter of Peter Du Bois, Esq., who for many years was prominently connected with the New York City Gas Works, having entered the office of that cor- poration when a boy. Five children were born to them, four of whom survive.

ABCOCK, ELISHA S., one of the early and suc- cessful business men of Evansville, was born August 10, 1814, in Utica, New York. He was the son of Oliver and Ann Babcock, the latter's maiden name being Heartt. His father was a native of Rhode Island, and was descended from three brothers who came from England at a very early day and settled in that state. From these three brothers have sprung all who bear the name of Babcock in America. His father was a wagon manufacturer up to the year 1822, at which time he moved to Troy, New York, and em- barked in the hotel business and carrying on a stage line, which engaged his attention up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1828. When his. son had reached his fourteenth year Mrs. Babcock continued to carry on the hotel, and the stage line being offered for „ sale, at her solicitation he concluded to buy it at its appraisement value. This was undertaking a great re- sponsibility for a lad of fourteen, but at this time he manifested the energy and pluck that have characterized him through life, and was found equal to the position. He continued to manage the stage line for eight years, when he was offered a position as bookkeeper and sales- man in a wholesale grocery establishment kept by his brother-in-law in New York City. He put the pro- ceeds of his sale out on interest and took up his abode in that place. Two years after he concluded to try his fortune in the West. He gave notice of his intention to his employer, who furnished him with a number of accounts for collection in Northern Ohio and Indiana, thus affording him an opportunity of seeing the country and choosing a desirable place for locating. Among

the places he visited was Evansville, and, being pleased with its situation and advantages, he decided to make it his future home. He returned to New York, bought a stock of goods, and shipped them by way of New Or- leans to his new home. After a tedious journey of thirty days, he arrived there on the 15th of November, 1838. He carried on the grocery business alone for a number of years, but subsequently took his two brothers into partnership, extending his premises and embracing the hardware and queensware trade. After the lapse of a number of years this connection was dissolved, each brother taking a branch. Elisha S. Babcock continued the grocery business up to the year 1858, when he re- tired from active commercial pursuits. Shortly after the breaking out of the Rebellion he entered the quarter- master's department, and was thus employed until the close of the war. He then directed his attention to fur- nishing building materials to contractors and builders, etc., and in 1872 embarked in the grain, produce, and commission trade, taking his son Oliver into partnership. This firm, known as E. S. Babcock & Son, is one of the largest concerns of its kind in Evansville, and has a wide-spread reputation for its promptness, its straight- forward manner of doing business, its practical experi- ence, and its remarkable success. In his public rela- tions Mr. Babcock is recognized as possessing a strong sense of truth and justice, and as endeavoring to shape his life in accordance with these principles. He is a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, of Evansville, and in it has held the office of deacon for a num- ber of years. In all his relations he discharges his du- ties with energy and fidelity, and is a man of acknowl- edged acquirements and irreproachable character. In politics he was first an old-line Whig, and cast his maiden vote for Henry Clay. When the Republican party came into power he joined their ranks, and has ever since been an active and influential member of that body. He is sixty-six years old, enjoying perfect health, and is still fit for a long period of usefulness. He was married, May 28, 1844, to Miss Agnes Sutherland Da- vidson, a lady of Scotch parentage. Eight children were born to them, four sons surviving.

ARKER, WILLIAM L., a practitioner of medi- cine in Boonville, and a man widely known throughout this portion of the state, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1818. His father moved to Vanderburg County in 1832, and became a farmer, but was more generally known on account of his services as a public man. He was county commis- sioner of Vanderburg County for several years, and was a good Methodist, being strong in the faith until the day

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of his death, which occurred in the year 1837, when he was about sixty-one years old. Both grand-parents were Revolutionary soldiers, while his own father was in the War of 1812, and he himself was surgeon of the 120th Indiana Volunteers, being mustered into the service in Indianapolis. At Atlanta, Georgia, his horse fell, caus- ing a rupture, on account of which he was compelled to resign, returning home and being confined to his bed for about four months. In 1847 Doctor Barker was married to Miss Mary Williams, of Pennsylvania, and from this union had four children. Two now are dead. The only son is connected with the bank in Boonville, and an only daughter, Katie, was married to John Tay- lor, a lawyer in Boonville-at the time of her union a member of the state Legislature. Doctor Barker has been a strong man in the ranks of the Republican party. This section of the country has always been largely Democratic, and, in consequence, the Doctor has been two or three times defeated; but he has stumped the whole of Southern Indiana, and his efforts have, in late years, been instrumental in changing the political com- plexion of his district. He always ran ahead of his party two or three hundred votes. The Republicans are largely indebted to the Doctor for the growth of their doctrines, probably as much as to any one man. His party has stood by him and pressed him into service at two different times for the state Legislature and once for state Senator, in the hope that so good a candidate might overcome the odds against their organization. Doctor Barker aspires but little after political favors, and for the last thirty-three years has devoted his ener- gies to his profession, in which he has been very success- ful, building up for himself a large practice. He is a man of more than ordinary ability, and has, in conse- quence, made an indelible mark in the history of his state. He is now sixty years of age, but possesses vigor in body and mind. He is not only regarded very highly as a citizen, but stands high as a Mason, being Master of the Masonic lodge in Boonville. He is also a mem- ber in excellent repute in the Odd-fellows and in the Knights of Pythias. Prominent men in Boonville are warm in their praises of the Doctor's noble-hearted and patriotic spirit shown during the late Civil War. They say no soldier's wife, nor family, nor poor man, suffered for want of food, or clothing, or medicine when in his power to relieve them. In this way he did much for the war. He was a friend to the destitute, and sym- pathizes with them in their adverse circumstances. He always carried a warm feeling for every one, and was found foremost among those who were trying to do good. His political opponents, who beat him on two occasions, admire him as a Christian man, as a truthful, honest, and upright citizen, and as a speaker of no indifferent ability. When he first came to this congressional dis- trict there were but few others of his party, but he took

a stand which was admired by his opponents even, and not only won for himself laurels, but for his party hun- dreds of votes.

AKER, WILLIAM, late of Evansville, was born in Hamilton, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 11, 1813. His father, Conrad Baker, an enter- prising and public-spirited farmer, died when he was about five years old. His early education was ob- tained while attending a log school-house for a few years only. In his thirteenth year he went to Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, where he became clerk in the store of George Eyster, and served with him three years. Feeling the necessity of a better education, he attended a Latin school at Chambersburg for six months. He subsequently went to the village of Bridgeport, in his native county, where he was employed as clerk in the store of Martin Hoover. He remained there about three years, during which time he formed the acquaint- ance of Miss Nancy Beam, whom he married in 1833, a few months before he was twenty-one years of age. While a clerk at Bridgeport he improved his leisure time by studying surveying and civil engineering, with Major James McDowell as his instructor, and succeeded in be- coming a good, practical surveyor. In 1834 he removed to the old homestead and cultivated the farm, teaching the neighboring school during the following winter. In the fall of 1835 he sold his land and opened a general store at St. Thomas, in the same county. In 1837 he moved to the village of Loudon, in the same county, and, in company with Daniel Mowrer, his brother-in-law, con- 'ducted a woolen mill and store for about four years. He then formed a partnership with John Beaver, in the manufacturing of iron, and managed a furnace and forge for nearly two years. During this time he established the Loudon Fund Association, and was its treasurer un- til his removal to Evansville. In 1839, while actively engaged in business, Mr. Baker devoted his spare time to the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and soon acquired a large and lucrative practice. In 1847 he was elected to represent his native county in the Lower House of the Pennsylvania Legislature, of which he was a member for three successive years, becoming one of the leading and most influential Representatives. He practiced law at Loudon until 1853, when he re- moved to Evansville, Indiana, where his brother Conrad had taken his residence in 1841. Soon after his arrival he was chiefly instrumental in organizing the Crescent City Bank, of which he was elected cashier. A large portion of the stock was taken by his old neighbors in ' Pennsylvania, with the assurance that he was to be its cashier. Owing to the defective free-banking system, the business of the bank was closed in IS58 or 1859, but the affairs were settled without loss to the stockholders.

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In April, 1859, William Baker was elected mayor of Evansville for a term of three years, and held the office for three consecutive terms. In 1868 he was defeated for the same office by the late Hon. William H. Walker, who, however, died in office, and Mr. Baker was elected the following November to fill the vacancy. In 1871 he was again chosen by a large majority to a full term of three years, showing that his fidelity to the city's inter- ests and his own business capacity were appreciated by his fellow-citizens. His official career was terminated by his death, which occurred May 23, 1872.

AYARD, SAMUEL, president of the Evansville National Bank, Evansville, was born in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana. He was the son of John F. Bayard, a native of France, who came to Indiana at a very early day and settled in Vincennes, where he afterwards married Mary Ann Boneau, a lady of French descent. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of his native place, and, being an apt scholar and a good penman, he was qualified to accept the position of deputy clerk of the Circuit and Probate Courts of Knox County, which was tendered to him. This place he filled with distinction for the space of three years, when he relin- quished it to accept a clerkship in the State Bank of Indiana, located at Evansville. It was not long before his genius for banking began to manifest itself, and the traits of business courtesy, punctuality, and strict integ- rity, so well recognized in the mature man, were out- lined from his first entrance upon his chosen life. In November, 1851, just two months after his previous ap -* pointment, he was promoted to the position of teller. He performed the duties of this responsible position un- til the final close of the bank, in 1858. In 1857, upon the organization of the branch at Evansville of the Bank of the State of Indiana, he was appointed its cashier, a position he occupied until the close of the bank, in 1865. This corporation was immediately succeeded by the Evansville National Bank, and Mr. Bayard's services were found indispensable to the success of the new en- terprise, and at its organization he was appointed its cashier. Two years later he was elected vice-president, but virtually filled the position of president until he was elected to that position, in 1876. This is one of the largest banking institutions in the state, having a capital and surplus of over one million dollars, which is largely due to the financial acumen of Mr. Bayard. In the early part of the year 1873 he aided in organizing the German National Bank of Evansville, of which he is at present a director and one of the largest stockholders. In June, 1870, Mr. Bayard was elected a director of the Evansville, Carmi and Paducah Railroad Company, which corporation was subsequently consolidated with the St.

Louis and South-eastern Railway, and is now known as the St. Louis and Nashville division of the St. Louis, Evansville and Nashville Railway consolidated. He was, during the existence of the St. Louis and South- eastern Railway Company, appointed by the board of directors a member of the executive committee, to whom was confided the management of the general business of the company. He is also a director of the Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad, and is one of six who hold a controlling interest. Mr. Bayard has always taken a lively interest in the prosperity and growth of the city of Evansville. He was one of the most influential citizens in establishing the Evansville Library Associa- tion, having subscribed liberally towards its fund. He was elected its first treasurer, did a great deal of work in its behalf, and subsequently became its president. In all corporations with which Mr. Bayard is connected he is an influential member, and his judgment is of great weight with his colleagues in all monetary affairs. Exceedingly careful and even conservative in arriving at conclusions, he is modest but manly in maintaining them, and is more of a practical than a showy man-a man of deeds rather than words.' He has never stepped aside from his chosen field of labor to mingle much in political circles, although adhering to the fundamental principles of the Republican party. In his religious af- filiation he attends the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination his wife is a member. In personal appear- ance Mr. Bayard is above the average height, of strong physique, sharply cut features, with a decidedly intel- lectual cast of countenance. His life forcibly illustrates what can be accomplished by concentration of purpose, together with indomitable perseverance and pluck. No one can read this short biographical sketch without gaining additional respect for the man, and being stimu- lated to greater action. He still lives, in the prime of life, with the prospect of many years of usefulness and the consciousness of a well-spent life. His character is marked by integrity, geniality, and true benevolence. He is a fine representative of the self-made men of the day. He married, March 6, 1867, Miss Mattie J. Orr, daughter of Samuel Orr, Esq., a prominent and influen- tial citizen of Evansville. (See sketch elsewhere in this volume.)

EMENT, CHARLES R., president of the Mer- chants' National Bank, of Evansville, Indiana, was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, March 4, 1829. He received his education in a private academy at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and at the age of eighteen years started for the West, arriving at Evansville in the year 1847. There he began his mer- cantile career as a clerk in the store of Bement & Viele, the senior partner being his older brother. The firm

5, Jours.

truth John Y. Blas.

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having a branch store at Bowling Green, Mr. Bement was sent there to take charge. After remaining two years, he returned to Evansville, and was admitted as a partner in the above-mentioned firm, with which he continued until its dissolution, in 1867. In 1865 Mr. Bement organized the Merchants' National Bank, of Evansville, of which he was chosen the president, and with the exception of two years has ever since occu- pied that office. In consequence of impaired health, he was obliged to leave Evansville, and resided for four years at Bridgeport, Connecticut. Mr. Bement was one of the originators of the Evansville Street Railway, and has ever since been one of its directors ; is a member of the board of directors of the Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad Company, and is one of the directors of the Evansville Cotton Manufacturing Company. While re- siding in Connecticut he was president of the Wood Distilling Company, of Bridgeport. Mr. Bement has been one of Evansville's most prosperous business men ; he has devoted himself entirely to his business, and in every enterprise in which he has been engaged he has been successful. He is regarded as one of the many public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Evansville, and is foremost in every project for advancing the mate- rial interests of that city. While he takes but little part in political matters, his sympathies are with the Republican party.

LACK, MILTON, of Mount Vernon, Indiana, was born about a mile from the present city, January 2, 1809, when Indiana was still one of the western territories, and contained scarcely as many white inhabitants as does now any one of its most sparsely set- tled counties. Hisfather, James Black, a native of North Carolina, removed to Indiana about the year 1806, and lived for several years where he first settled-about a mile from Mount Vernon-where he carried on a small grist-mill by horse power. Some eight or ten years later he removed several miles north and built a mill on Big Creek, about midway between Mount Vernon and New Harmony, which he ran by water power. As his was the pioneer mill in that section, people came from a distance of many miles, through an almost unbroken wil- derness, with their wheat and corn to be ground into flour and meal. James Black continued in the mill busi- ness until his death, which occurred in 1838. The father of James Black and his family accompanied him from North Carolina to Indiana, as did also his wife's family. Three of James Black's brothers and two of his wife's brothers participated in the battle of Tippe- canoe, and one of his brothers, John Black, uncle of Milton Black, was killed. Milton, having been reared on the frontier, when the territory was too thinly settled to give much support to the country schoolmaster, re-

ceived but limited school advantages, but, by the study and reading of such books as he could get possession of, acquired as he grew to manhood a fair education. He conducted the milling business and also farming for a number of years, and in 1849, when the California gold fever was at its height, he started on an overland trip for that section. The party with whom he traveled numbered about one hundred and thirty, and occupied about four months on the trip. Upon arriving in Cali- fornia he went into the gold diggings, worked there for little more than a year with good success, then returned home, by steamer, by the way of Panama. After his return he was engaged principally in cultivating his farm ; of late years, however, he has leased it, and now lives in retirement. He was county commissioner for several years, and has been a trustee for a number of years in the township of Black, which received its name from his family. He is now a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Mount Vernon, Indiana. In politics he has been a Whig and Republican. He was married, in 1842, to Miss Mary J. Jones, who died in 1859; three daughters, now living, were born of this union.

LOSS, JOHN M., superintendent of the Evans- ville public schools, was born in Washington County, Indiana, on the 21st of January, 1839. His father was a tanner, and John's time was mostly spent when a boy in assisting in the work. A few months in each year he was permitted to attend school, but his early educational advantages seem to have been limited. With indomitable energy, however, he made his way, and at the age of sixteen we find him teaching, which was the beginning of the grand work of his life. In the year 1854 he entered upon a college course, and six years of his time were spent at Hanover, teaching his way when necessary to defray expenses. During the last two years he was tutor in mathematics. He graduated in 1860 in a class of twelve, taking the degree of A. B., and at once entered upon the regular work of his life, as principal of the public schools in Livonia, Indiana. This position he held until the country made a call for soldiers in 1861, when he resigned, raised a company of volunteers, and started for the seat of disturbances. At Indianapolis, much to his chagrin, Captain Bloss was sent home, the Governor stating that sixty-five companies had reported for duty over and above the number needed. Captain Bloss again took charge of the public schools in Livo- nia. In the following summer he again went into serv- ice, but this time only as a private in the 27th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company F. He was sworn in on the 9th of August, 1861, and went directly to the Potomac, and was placed in Mcclellan's army. He took

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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 3

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