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 32

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 32

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EAD, JOHN F., counselor-at-law, etc., of Jeffer- sonville, is a member of a family which has been identified more or less with the history of the state since it emerged from its territorial condi- tion.

On both sides he is descended from Kentuckians who emigrated to Indiana at an early date. He was born on Indiana soil October 4, 1822, and is the eldest of four children of James G. and Mary (Mahan) Read. His father represented his district in the state Legislature for over twenty years. In 1828 he received the Dem- ocratic nomination for Governor, against the Whig can- didate, and was defeated by a small majority. In 1834 he was again the candidate of his party for the gover- norship, and again suffered a defeat at the hands of the then dominant party; but it could well be said by his opponents, "A few more such victories and we are lost." He was the editor and proprietor of the first newspaper published at Vincennes, Indiana, which

naturally reflected his politics in an eminent degree. Uncompromisingly Democratic in his convictions, he conducted his paper with an eye single to the interests of his party, while dealing firmly but courteously with his opponents. He was well known as a ready writer and fluent and graceful speaker. He laid out the city of Washington, Daviess County, where he resided for many years. In early life he had been engaged in the mercantile business, and had succeeded in accumulating a competence. John F. Read was educated at Hanover College, Indiana, from which he graduated in the class of 1845, under the presidency of Professor McMasters. In 1846 he commenced the practice of law at Jefferson- ville, where he has been for more than thirty years actively engaged in his profession. His present law partner, Hon. Jonas G. Howard, is a former pupil of Mr. Read, and the firm enjoys the finest practice in Clarke County, while none in the state has a higher rep- utation for the ability and professional integrity as well as the personal popularity of the partners. Although burdened with the cares of professional and other busi- ness, Mr. Read has served one term in the state Legis- lature, and eight years in the land office of the state- four years under the administration of James K. Polk, and four under Franklin Pierce. These positions were filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the pub- lic. But it is not alone in professional or public life that Mr. Read has influenced the development of his city and state. He has always been a truly public- spirited citizen, not given to the encouragement of visionary schemes, but aiding every thing that in his judgment had a tendency to enliven or improve the business interests of the community. He is now pres- ident of the Ford Plate-glass Company, of Jefferson- ville, and is vice-president of the Citizens' National Bank, of that city. In 1846 Mr. Read married Miss Eliza Kegwin. She died in 1852, leaving a daughter, who is now the wife of Mr. Sage, secretary of the Ford Plate-glass Company. In 1855 Mr. Read married Miss Eliza Pratt, daughter of Joseph R. Pratt, of George- town, Kentucky. They have a family of eight children.

CHEFOLD, FRANK, civil and mechanical engi- neer, New Albany, is a native of the little king- dom of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was born April 23, 1846. His parents were Edward and Caroline Schefold. His father was an advocate of law before the king. Frank Schefold's educational ad- vantages were good. At school he obtained a thorough knowledge of his own language, and had also made some progress in French and Latin, when he was ap- prenticed to one of the best mechanical schools of his country, at Biberach, where he remained until he had at-

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tained his eighteenth year. He then entered the Poly- technic school at Stuttgart, where he spent three years in the study of chemistry, hydraulics, civil engineering, and the Greek and English languages. He reads and translates French and English with ease, as well as the classic tongues of Greece and Rome. In 1866 he emi- grated to this country, and was employed for about a year in the Philadelphia patent office as draughtsman. After two years more in that city he went to Cincinnati, and was assistant civil engineer of the Cincinnati water-works from 1870 to 1875, with the exception of some eight months spent in Europe; during which time he visited and inspected the great water-works of London, Vienna, Hamburg, Berlin, Leipsic, etc. In 1875 he was called to New Albany, Indiana, to superintend the drafting and construction of the water-works of that place. IIe is now superintendent and civil engineer of the water- works in that city, and also has charge of those at Bow- ling Green, Kentucky. He has « reputation as a civil engineer second to none in the state. In 1875 he married Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of William Smith, of Campbell County, Kentucky; they have one child. Mr. and Mrs. Schefold are both members of the Uni- versalist Church, of New Albany.

COTT, CAPTAIN JOHN, of Brownstown, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 9, 1830, and is a son of Adam and Harriet (McElfresh) Scott. His father was a farmer, and the son of a Scotch Highlander. John Scott acquired the rudiments of an education at the common school of the county; and in the spring of 1846, was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker. Completing his apprenticeship in 1850, he continued working at his trade, and in 1851 he opened a shop in Belmont County. In November, 1855, he moved to Houston, Jackson County, Indiana, where he followed his trade, and succeeded in building up a good business. In the fall of 1861 he raised a company for the 50th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, from Jackson and Brown Counties. For a long time he was on detached service ; in 1863 he was with the Army of the Tennessee in its campaign until fall, and was then transferred to the department of Arkansas, where he did valuable service until the close of the war. During the summer of 1864 he served on the staff of Major-general Solomon, and in the fall of the same year, his time having ex- pired, he was honorably discharged, and returned to Jackson County. Two years later he was elected sheriff of the county for the term of two years, and was re- elected in 1868. On first taking possession of the office, he moved to Brownstown. At that time it required a man of iron will to execute the duties of this position, as the notorious Renos were then in the height of their

| glory. In 1870 he was elected clerk of the Jackson Circuit Court, and was re-elected in 1874, having filled the office eight years, to the entire satisfaction of the citizens. On the 29th of April, 1851, he was married to Alcina Collins Smith, a native of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, with whom he has lived happily. Their union has not been blessed with children. Mr. Scott was brought up under the teachings of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and is now an active member of that society at Brownstown. He has always been a member of the Democratic party, and is looked upon as one of its leaders in the county. He has been an enterprising business man, and Jackson County is greatly indebted to him for its growth and prosperity.

CRIBNER, GENERAL B. F., of New Albany, was born September 20, 1825, in that city, which his father, Abner Scribner, with two brothers, laid out in the year 1813. General Scribner is by pro- fession a chemist and druggist, having been for many years proprietor of the largest drug house in the city. Early in life he manifested strong military tastes; and while still a mere youth became a member of the Spencer Grays, a military company composed of the young men of New Albany. By their superior drill and soldierly appearance, the Spencer Grays won an enviable reputation at home and abroad, and bore off the honors on all occasions of competition with other companies. At the military encampment near Louis- ville, Kentucky, in July, 1845, they were awarded a gold-mounted sword. Upon the breaking out of the Mexican War, when, after the battle of Palo Alto, the country feared for the safety of General Taylor, they tendered their services to the Governor; and after the call was made on Indiana for troops they were accepted, and formed Company A, 2d Indiana Volunteers. A little volume, entitled, "Camp Life of a Volunteer," published by Gregg, Elliott & Co., of Philadelphia, contains extracts from General Scribner's private jour- nal, giving a vivid description of the battle of Buena Vista and many incidents of the war. During his year of service he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, which was the highest vacancy that occurred in his company. Having a decided taste for military life, his duties were performed with alacrity and pleasure. He was never reprimanded by a superior officer, never missed drill or guard duty, and never failed to march with his company. General Lane publicly commended him on the field for his conduct at the battle of Buena Vista. Early on the morning of February 23d his reg- iment was thrown to the front, and was opposed by three thousand infantry and twelve hundred lancers, flanked on the left by a battery of five Mexican guns.

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Here they stubbornly maintained their position until they had fired twenty-one rounds, and were ordered to fall back. In the retreat, with others of the company, Mr. Scribner joined the Ist Mississippi-Colonel Jeff. Davis's regiment-which, with General Taylor, was just arriving on the field from Saltillo. With this regiment they shared the varied fortunes of the day. Their gal- lantry was specially noted, and Colonel Jeff. Davis afterward sent to their company for the names of the few who had behaved so nobly; but they declined to give them, honorably refusing to gain a reputation at the expense of equally brave comrades, who had been placed in other positions. When the nation was awakened by the guns of Sumter, General Scribner's patriotism aroused his military spirit, and military books and tactics occupied his attention during all his leisure moments. He entered a company enrolled for home defense, and, feeling himself bound by a large and com- plicated business to remain at home, tried to content himself with doing all that he could by forming and drilling companies. He was promoted from grade to grade until he was made colonel of the 7th Regiment Indiana organized militia. As the war progressed, however, he yielded to the conviction that his duty was in the field. He was offered commands by many officers in different parts of the state, but declined; and, hav- ing been authorized by the Governor, raised a regiment, and went into camp at New Albany, August 22, 1861. In September General Buckner advanced on Louisville, and Rosecrans was ordered out to meet him. Colonel Scribner's regiment, the 38th Indiana Volunteers, was then without arms or accouterments; but, on being asked by General Anderson if they could go to the rescue, Colonel Scribner promptly assented. They were partially armed and equipped September 21, 1861, and joined the gallant Rousseau, who, under Sher- man, was moving on Muldros Hill and Elizabeth- town. Without blankets or tents, and almost without food for four days, the brave fellows entered the service, inspired by the hope of meeting and crushing the en- emy. They were first assigned to Wood's brigade, Mc- Cook's division, but before crossing Green River were transferred to Negley's brigade, in the same division. During the spring and summer the command was em- ployed to keep open the communication with Mitchell, at Huntsville, and Buell, at Corinth. In May, 1862, the 38th marched to Florence, Alabama, and back-a distance of two hundred miles-in ten days. Imme- diately after their return, Negley's demonstration agamst Chattanooga was made, and Colonel Scribner com- manded the brigade. This expedition was a success as far as it went, and, had the advantage then gained been followed up by a sufficient force, important results would have ensued. The enemy's artillery was silenced, and they were driven from their works on the river. They

would have capitulated, but the Union force was insuffi- cient to hold the place, and surrender was not de- manded. On the return march, Colonel Scribner was left with his brigade to bring up the rear, a task fraught with danger and difficulty. This he did with credit to himself and safety to his charge. On their return they encamped at Shelbyville, Kentucky, making the march of over three hundred miles in fifteen days. In July the regiment was ordered to Battle Creek, and re- mained until Buell abandoned the Tennessee River, when Colonel Scribner was ordered to advance and take com- mand of the post and fortifications at Ducherd. When the army came up he moved on with it to Louisville. The hardships of this terrible march from Alabama to Louisville, and the subsequent pursuit of Bragg in Ken- tucky, with the terrible struggle at Chaplain Hills, are vividly portrayed in the history of the 38th Regiment. The brunt of the battle fell upon Rousseau's division, in which Colonel Scribner was placed at Battle Creek. Jackson's and Terrill's forces, being new levies, and unable to withstand the fearful odds against them, soon melted away before the flower of the Confederate army. Not so, however, with Rousseau's veterans, who, in one thin line, fought with a determination hardly paralleled in the annals of the war. Here Colonel Scribner ex- hibited his fitness to command; cool and self-possessed, noticing every detail of the movements of his own regi- ment, he was ever on the alert to discover the move- ments of the enemy. The assistance rendered by his constant advice is acknowledged in the official reports. Here he began to reap the reward of his patient labors in instructing the officers and men in their duties under all contingencies, and here the importance of discipline and drill became apparent. These brave men, besides the 10th Wisconsin, for two hours and a half held their ground before the dense masses of the enemy, under the most destructive fire. Leaden hail from small arms, and grape, canister, and shell, cut up their ranks, but not a man was seen to falter. Their colors were riddled; the staff was shot in two places; six of the color guard were killed and two wounded, leaving only one unhurt. Out of four hundred men they lost one hundred and fifty- seven killed and wounded. Having exhausted their own ammunition, they used that of their killed and wounded comrades; and then, with fixed bayonets, resolved to die rather than retreat until the order was given. Their colonel had told them that the safety of the Seventeenth Brigade depended on their holding their position. When at last orders came, they fell back with a coolness not exceeded on battalion drill. While lying down waiting for ammunition, they were trampled upon by Hood's new recruits, who in terror were flying from the field with the enemy at their heels. Without a round of ammunition, but with fixed bayonets, the noble 38th yielded not an inch, resolved to try the virtue of cold

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steel. A soldier's bravery can be put to no severer test. In this engagement Colonel Scribner was wounded in the leg, and his horse was shot under him. Soon after the battle he was placed in command of the brigade- Colonel Harris, its former gallant commander, being forced by ill-health to resign. The First Brigade, for- merly the Ninth, composed of the 38th Indiana, 10th Wisconsin, 2d, 33d, and 94th Ohio, under the command of Colonel Scribner, bore an important part in the battle of Stone River. With the rest of Rousseau's di- vision, they were sent into the cedars to support Mc- Cook, who was being driven back by the enemy. Here, as usual, it fell to Scribner's command to bear the brunt of the battle. Two of his regiments, the 2d and 33d Ohio, had been ordered to support the batteries on the pike, and bore a conspicuous part in the repulse of the Confederates as they charged upon these batteries. In the mean time, Colonel Scribner, with the three other regiments, maneuvered through the cedars as the move- ments of the enemy made it necessary, and was or- dered back to the pike. His leading regiment, the 94th Ohio, had just emerged from the thicket into the field on the left of the Nashville Pike, when they came upon the enemy retreating after their repulse in the attack on the batteries, and pursued them into the cedars, com- pletely routing them. He soon after met a column of Union forces retiring before the enemy. Opening his line, Colonel Scribner permitted them to pass, when, elated by success, the Confederates came down in dense masses to within twenty-five paces of his line. Here they were checked by a galling fire, and here occurred the most desperate struggle of the day. For a time Colonel Scribner appeared surrounded, but, by slightly retiring his left regiment, he obtained a cross-fire. For twenty minutes the command stood firm, although fear- fully diminished in numbers, and only retired reluctantly when ordered to fall back. Colonel Scribner com- manded the brigade through the Tennessee campaign and through Alabama, until they arrived at Chatta- nooga, when, by the reorganization of the army by General Grant, he again assumed command of his regi- ment, which was transferred to the First Brigade, First Division, and Fourteenth Army Corps, under Brigadier- general Carlin. In the battles around and upon Look- out Mountain, including the assault upon Mission Ridge, the regiment rendered gallant service. In De- cember, 1863, Colonel Scribner succeeded in re-enlisting the majority of his regiment as veterans, at Rossville, Georgia, and January 3, 1864, started with them for New Albany on furlough. With his officers he imme- diately commenced recruiting, and shortly afterward re- turned to the field with a number of new recruits. Prior to the summer campaign of 1864, the 38th Regi- ment was transferred from the First to the Third Bri- gade, same division, and the command of the brigade

was assigned to Colonel Scribner. He commanded in all skirmishes and engagements until after the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, when he became ill, and the command devolved upon Colonel Givin, of the 7th Ohio. This ended Colonel Scribner's active and brill- iant military career. His name had been frequently sent to the Senate, for confirmation as a brigadier- general, by the lamented President Lincoln, but failed from non-action by that body and from the assigned cause of no vacancy. Whatever prevented a just recognition of his distinguished services, it can not be said that he neglected his duties in the field to come home and "log roll" among politicians for his promotion. At length, on the 8th of August, 1864, he was appointed and confirmed brevet briga- dier-general. On the 21st of August, finding his health much impaired from continued exposure and over-exertion, he offered his resignation, which was accepted. Nothing but patriotic ardor sent him into the field. He took up his sword in vindication of his principles ; and now that the war is over, the Union pre- served, he resumed his usual business, asking and expecting nothing at the hands of his countrymen but their respect and esteem. He is no schemer, and used no undue means to compass his promotion, conscious of his own merit, and content with whatever position the government saw fit to grant him. He did his duty without faltering, and was always at the head of his regiment. No com- mander has won more esteem from his subordinates than General Scribner, or retired from military life with a brighter record. In January, 1865, General Scribner was appointed by President Lincoln collector of internal revenue for the Second Collecting District of Indiana, in which position he served six years, to the satisfac- tion of the government and the public. Notwithstand- ing the abuse and accusations made against officers in this difficult and responsible service, no charge was ever made against the integrity and efficiency of General Scrib- ner. He retained his interest in the drug business, which was conducted by his partner, until February, 1878, and then established in New York City a drug brokerage office. This he abandoned the following August to accept the appointment of United States treasury agent at Alaska. He was assigned to duty on the Island of St. Paul, a seal and whale fishing station of considerable importance in the North Pacific. General Scribner was married, December 20, 1849, to Miss Anna Martha Maginness, daughter of Doctor E. A. Maginness. She was born at

West Chester, Pennsylvania. Having lost her mother in infancy, she found care and love with her mother's sisters and brother, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The brother referred to was John Maginness, who for more than thirty years held an important position in the Treasury Department at Washington, District of Columbia, having been chief clerk and assistant secre-

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tary of the treasury. He took his little niece to Wash- ington at twelve years of age, and lavished upon her all that affection and money could give. The thorough- ness of her education, the mental discipline and the social advantages here received, have borne their legiti- mate fruit in her useful life. Her father married again, and removed to New Albany, Indiana, and it was while visiting him in 1849 that she met General Scrib-

ner. They have had ten children, seven being now liv-

ing-five sons and two daughters. One son and one daughter graduated from college with honor, and all are indebted to their mother for their success and pro- ficiency in school. She has preserved to an unusual degree the remembrance of her school exercises, de- lighting in mathematics and abstract subjects, and has consequently been able to render her children much as- sistance in their studies. The charms of her person and mind have endeared her not only to her own family, but to a large circle of friends.

HIEL, JOHN J., merchant, of Seymour, was born June 25, 1826, in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. His parents were Michael and Mary (O'Ryan) Shiel. Soon after the death of his wife, which oc- curred in 1829, Michael Shiel emigrated to America with his family, consisting of seven children, and settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In 1833 he re- moved to Hamilton County, Indiana, then a wilderness, where John Shiel worked on his father's farm until he was nineteen years of age. His early school privileges were limited, but in after years he obtained a fair En- glish education by his own energy and application. In 1845 he went to Cincinnati and learned the trade of currier, which he followed for some time in most of the Eastern cities. In September, 1847, he returned to Cin- cinnati and married Mary A. Phelan, an orphan. He worked in Indianapolis until 1855, when he went to Mar- tinsville, Morgan County, Indiana, and, purchasing a tannery, carried on business successfully until 1865. Early in the next year he removed to Ewing, Jackson County, Indiana, and, in partnership with John W. Mullen, of Madison, purchased the tannery at this place. They conducted this very successfully for four years, opening branch houses and extending their sales all over the country. In 1871 Mr. Shiel bought the interest of his partner, and in 1872 was burned out, with no insur- ance. He immediately rebuilt, and again, in 1875, suffered total loss by fire, without insurance. The fol- lowing year he removed to Seymour, Indiana, and opened his present leather store. Mr. Shiel is the father of six children, three sons and three daughters. The eldest son, Michael E. Shiel, is the editor and pro- prietor of the Temperance Monitor-Journal, published at

Seymour, Indiana; his eldest daughter, Anna A., is the wife of Hon. Jason B. Brown, of Seymour. Mr. Shiel is a devout Catholic. Politically, his sympathies are with the Greenback party, in which he is an active worker, and a firm believer in its ultimate success. During the time he carried on the tannery, he employed a large number of men, and did much towards the de- velopment of Jackson County.

HIELDS, MEEDEY WHITE, late of Seymour, was born in Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee, July 8, 1805. He was the son of James and Pe- nelope (White) Shields, and a grandson of Stockton Shields, of Virginia, a captain in the Revolutionary War. The subject of this sketch attended school only three months in his life, but by his own energy attained a thorough English education. He removed to Cory- "don, Floyd County, in 1811, using pack-horses in mak- ing the journey. In 1816 the family went to Jackson County, and settled on a farm that is now part of the city of Seymour. At this time there were only six white families in the county. From 1820 to 1832 Mr. Shields was engaged in running a flat-boat from the White River to New Orleans, and in managing his farm. In the early part of 1832 he enlisted in the army, was made first lieutenant, and in the fall of that year was promoted to a captaincy. At the close of the Black Hawk War, in 1833, he returned to Jackson County, where he married Eliza P. Ewing, the daughter of a wealthy farmer of Brownstown, of the same county. He then engaged in farming on the old homestead. In the fall of 1846 he was elected a member of the Legis- lature, and was re-elected in 1848. In October, 1852, he was elected state Senator from the counties of Jackson and Scott. In November of that year he laid out the town (now the city) of Seymour, and in 1853 opened a general store, and also constructed eleven miles of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. He was a lover of fine stock, and manifested a great interest in the improve- ment of the cattle of the county, making the first im- portation of fine stock in the neighborhood. It was mainly through his efforts that the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad passed through the town of Seymour, as the road had been located two miles north-through the town of Rockford. In the fall of 1856 he was again elected to the state Senate from Jackson and Jennings Counties, and there introduced the bill compelling railroad com- panies to bring all trains to a stop at crossings of other railroads. In 1860 he was a delegate to the Democratic Convention at Charleston which nominated Douglas for President. He was the father of eight children, two of whom, Lycurgus and Meedey W., died at the age of fourteen. Bruce T. and Wm. H. are now farming.

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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 32

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