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 35

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 35

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REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[3d Dist.

nois delegation to withdraw the name of Judge Douglas. When the extreme men of the South ascertained that such a move was on foot, they, to avoid its success, withdrew from the convention, which left the scheme wholly impracticable. While he was absent at Balti- more, in 1860, the Democratic parties of Harrison and Washington Counties gave Mr. Wolfe a unanimous nom- ination for state Senator, to which office he was elected the following October, by a majority of nearly six hun- dred. As state Senator Mr. Wolfe served with ability and distinction four years, covering the stormy and important period of the war. In that body he gave the war policy his support, but endeavored to have measures adopted that in his judgment would lead to a speedy and hon- orable conclusion of bloodshed and to the preservation of the Union; but always contended that while the war lasted it should be vigorously prosecuted and supported. In 1864 Mr. Wolfe was selected as a candidate for presidential elector for the state at large, on the McClel- lan ticket. In 1872 Mr. Wolfe received the nomination of his party for a seat in the Forty-third Congress. He was elected by a majority of nearly six thousand over his Republican opponent. In May, 1873, he was a mem- ber of the Commercial Congress, which assembled at St. Louis, in the interest of improvements in inter-state commerce. He took great interest in that subject when in Congress; and, being a member of the Committee on Railroads and Canals, had the opportunity of making himself familiar with the subject of inter-state commerce, as well as the facilities that were needed to open up the avenues and outlets to foreign commerce. And in that connection he took an active and prominent part in ma- turing, perfecting, and passing the bill known as the " Eads Jetty Bill," for the improvement of the south pass of the mouth of the Mississippi River. And since that time he has watched with great interest the evi- dences of triumph of that great scheme. He is satisfied that the success of that work will add many millions annually to the productive industry of the West, whose natural and cheapest outlet to foreign ports is through the mouth of that great highway. Another subject to which Mr. Wolfe gave his untiring attention while a member of Congress was that of the finances and cur- rency. In the controversies, both in Congress and since his retirement, in regard to the hard and soft money the- ories, he has always been an open and bold advocate of the policy of maintaining the volume of the currency in the same condition as to quantity that it was when the debts of the country were contracted. On the 28th of February, 1874, he made an elaborate speech in the House of Representatives, in which occurs the following extract, and which is here given as a sample of his style of argument on that subject :

labor and the productions of labor remain the same, then the value of a given sum of money as a medium of exchange is regulated by its proportion to the whole amount in circulation. This rule is demonstrated by a simple illustration. Suppose the whole amount of money in circulation, of all kinds, is $800,000,000-and that is not far from the amount with which this country is now carrying on business, though a part of that is not actu- ally employed. Then suppose that any one individual is the owner of $1,000,000 in cash. In such case he would be the owner of one eight-hundredth of all the money in the country. But then, again, suppose the amount of the circulating medium should be reduced to $400,000,000. Now, the individual with his million would own one four-hundredth part of the whole, which would be practically doubling the value of each one of his dollars. So, if the amount of the circulating me- dium should be increased to $1,600,000,000, the man with his million would own only one sixteen-hundredth part of the whole, and by the same rule his wealth would be depreciated one-half in value. The result follows clearly, that as you diminish the amount of money in circulation, you in the same ratio increase the relative value of the money owned by the capitalists; and, on the other hand, as you increase the amount of money in circulation, you practically diminish the value of that which is owned by them. If these deductions are true-and I think they can not be successfully over- thrown-we ought to be at no loss in understanding why the capitalists are opposed to what they are pleased to term 'inflation.' But it must be remembered that a proper increase is not inflation, any more than to eat a sufficient quantity to satisfy the demands of the body is gluttony, or any more than zwei lager, to a German, is drunkenness. And from the same deductions it will appear equally clear why the capital classes-those who have their coffers filled, or have stiff bank accounts standing to their credit-are in favor of a reduction in the amount in circulation, or at least to be let alone under the present decreased condition of the currency. In each case it is simply a question of self-interest."

The writer of this sketch inquired of Mr. Wolfe why it was that he was not elected for a second term to Congress, and he received the following answer: " Well, I had no special desire to be elected, for the reason that I had plenty of business of my own to attend to; be- sides, I knew I could not get a nomination without much labor and large expenditures of money. So cor- rupt has politics become, that I had no inclination to to engage in such a contest. The thing was n't, in my estimation, worth what it would cost." Since his re- tirement from Congress he has devoted his time to his private affairs. Having by close attention to business amassed a competence of this world's goods to make him comfortable, he has been dividing his time between the practice of the law and horticultural and agricul- cultural pursuits. He has lately erected a fine residence on a high eminence in the suburbs of New Albany, which has a commanding view of as fine scenery as can be found anywhere on the American continent, taking in the three cities, Louisville, New Albany, and Jeffer- sonville, the falls of the Ohio River, and the great

" The value of money is measured by its purchasing power, and, assuming that the supply and demand for | bridge, which is the longest on the continent, except

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

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only the Victoria Bridge, over the St. Lawrence, at Montreal. At this beautiful country seat he intends to spend a part of his time, as he expresses it, in "industri- ous idleness." In personal appearance and tempera- ment, Mr. Wolfe has many of the marked peculiarities of his ancestors. Nearly six feet in height; neither heavily nor slightly built; in weight about one hundred and sixty pounds; eyes bright yellowish brown; nose very slightly aquiline; hair and beard a silvery gray ; complexion fair, in which the ruddy hues of health and active life are plainly marked; of a sociable disposition, and in conversation impressing the hearer with the fact that he has read and traveled much, and is thoroughly versed in all the practical affairs of life. From his youth up, he has been a student and lover of books, and especially the great book of nature, which he wor- ships with a poetic devotion. In fact, he is one of those rare individuals who have a keen relish for the good and the beautiful things of this world, and seem to know how to obtain and enjoy them.

ORK, WILLIAM FOUTS, M. D., was born in Clarke County, Indiana, in the year 1851. Will- iam Henry Work, his father, was a busy and prosperous farmer in the eastern part of the county. Mary Fouts, his wife, was the daughter of Jacob Fouts, who came to this county in 1806 from North Carolina, settling on the head waters of Fourteen- mile Creek when there were but few settlers in that part of the country. The mother sought by every means in her power to educate her children, and, being a great reader herself, soon impressed their minds with the necessity of close application to good books which she placed in their hands. There were three children. Henry Francis, the eldest, is living with the parents on the old homestead. He is a notary public, and is an assistant census supervisor this year. He is much re- spected in the county. Mary Elizabeth, the sister, mar- ried a gentleman from Henry County, Kentucky, Will- iam H. McIlvain, who belongs to one of the oldest and most respected families of that great commonwealth. The history of the Work family dates back for more than three centuries. John Work, the great-great-grand- father of William F., was the son of Andrew Work, for many years the sheriff of Lancaster County, Pennsylva- nia. Ile with two brothers, Joseph and Alexander, em- igrated from the north of Ireland about the year 1720. They were not native Irish, but Scotch Presbyterians, their ancestors having been driven from Scotland by re- Igious persecutions. These three brothers were gentle- men of property, who wore cocked hats and carried swords, as befitted people of good birth in the reign of George I. Joseph, the eldest, chartered a vessel and

loaded it with his personal property, having with him a number of servants or retainers. The ship was captured by pirates, who robbed him of every thing except his hat full of English shillings, which he had in a water- cask. After a very dangerous and difficult voyage he landed on the coast of Maine, at that time a part of the province of Massachusetts. 'These brothers were the sons of Andrew, who was the son of Joseph, the son of Henry, the first of whom we have any knowledge. John R. Work came to this county in 1804 from Fay- ette County, Pennsylvania, and settled on Fourteen- mile Creek, where, finding a head suitable to his purpose, he perforated the solid limestone rock three hundred and fourteen feet, making the first tunnel west of the Alleghanies, giving a horizontal race six feet high, five feet wide, ninety-four feet below the summit of the ridge, and getting a fall of twenty-seven feet. This work was performed by five men in two years and a half, in which they consumed six hundred and fifty pounds of gunpowder, which they themselves manu- factured; digging the saltpeter from the caves in the neighborhood, and burning the charcoal; the ingredients were mixed by machinery made by Mr. Work himself. The whole expense was about thirty-three hundred dol- lars. On this mill seat, besides a fine saw-mill, there were erected a marble saw-mill and a merchant mill, capable of manufacturing one hundred barrels of flour per day. Besides these structures Mr. Work built a stone block-house, which was used as a fort during the Indian troubles, and at the time of the Pigeon Roost massacre, which occurred within twelve miles of his set- tlement. Samuel Work, the grandfather of the subject of our sketch, with his brother Henry and their father, came to Clarke County at an early period of its history. They started from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1804, and, after a dangerous voyage down the Ohio, they reached the falls in the autumn of the same year. There they remained until the year 1806, when the father died of malignant remittent fever. Ow- ing to the malarious condition of the country, they moved to the high bluff sixteen miles above the falls. Louisville at that time contained a few log houses. Henry Work never married; he died a few years ago at the home of his nephew, Samuel M. Work, M. D. Samuel Work, the brother of Henry, married the daugh- ter of Jesse Henley, and a sister of the Hon. Thomas J. Henley, of Clarke County, who for many years repre- sented the county in the state Senate and House. He was also a member of Congress for many years from his district, was appointed postmaster at San Francisco in 1850, and also Indian agent for California and the terri- tories. He was contractor for the western section of the Union Pacific Railroad. He died but a few years ago. Ilis sons, Thomas J. and Barclay, were Representatives from California in 1874. The sons of Samuel and Eliz-

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

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abeth are William H., Andrew, Jesse R., Alexander C., and Samuel M., who was a prominent physician in this county for many years, located at Hot Spring. William Fouts Work, M. D., attended a common school until arriving at the age of fifteen, when his father sent him to Hanover College, where he remained three years, although not graduating at that institution. The classics were his peculiar delight at college. He mas- tered Latin and Greek with ease, but had an abhorrence for mathematics. Books of fiction, poetry, history, and biography were an especial delight. After leaving col- lege he entered the office of his uncle, Samuel M. Work, M. D., and after three years of reading and three courses of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute he graduated from that school, January 26, 1875. In 1876 he pur- chased the house and office from his uncle and engaged actively in the practice of medicine and surgery. On the 27th of September, 1876, he was married to Ella Dedrich, of Jeffersonville, Clarke County; and on their wedding tour they visited the Centennial Exposition and all the principal cities of the East. Rube Dedrich, Mrs. Work's father, was a resident of Jeffersonville, engaged in the mercantile business, in which he had been very successful, amassing a handsome fortune. Her mother was a daughter of David Lutz, who belongs to one of the largest and most influential families in the county. Mr. Lutz was born in Clarke County in 1808, near the place where he now resides, his father moving into this county from North Carolina in 1802. Mr. Dedrich died in 1869 of malignant sore throat. His wife, Mary E., and two children sleep beside him in the beautiful Western Cemetery, near the city of Jeffersonville.' In 1876 Doctor Work assisted in organizing a lodge of the Knights of Honor, in which he was dictator for two terms. He represented it at Indianapolis at the opening of the third grand lodge of the state, in 1878. He was raised to the degree of Master Mason, 1879; elected secretary January, 1880, a position he now fills; assisted in organizing the lodge of Foresters at Charlestown, 1878; helped to organize their Grand Encampment at Jeffersonville, 1879, and was appointed deputy high state ranger. The Work family have been Democrats in political belief from time immemorial-or since that name was assumed by a political organization. Andrew Work, son of Samuel, was elected sheriff of Clarke

County in 1852, serving four years. Doctor Work still adheres to the belief of his father ; being a delegate to the Democratic state convention held June 9, 1880. Doctor Work's religious opinions have always been lib- eral. In 1876 he joined the so-called Christian Church, but, being convinced of the error under which he con- cluded the Churches were laboring, he withdrew his membership. He has declared himself an infidel ac- cording to Webster's definition of the term. Although taking the position he does, he is willing to accord to each individual the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. His personal appearance indicates strength of will and body. He is about five feet nine and a half inches high, weighing about one hundred and eighty pounds; black hair, smooth face, high forehead, and Roman nose.

"ARING, JOHN A., attorney-at-law, Salem, was born in Scott County, Indiana, October 30, .1848, and is the eldest son of James W., and Sarah (Carlyle) Zaring. He assisted his father in carry- ing on the farm, attending school during the winter, until, by his diligence in his studies, he was enabled, at the age of eighteen, to pass an examination for a teacher's certificate. From that time until he was twenty-two, he worked on the farm during the summer and taught school in winter. In the spring of 1870 he entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he spent three years, graduating from the law department in the spring of 1874. After teaching school one term he settled in Salem, Indiana, and com- menced the practice of law, in which he has since con- tinued. He is now associated in practice with Hon. Horace Heffren, and, by his close attention to business and his upright and gentlemanly bearing, is fast win- ning a way to prominence at the Washington County bar. His father and mother were members of the Methodist Church, and reared their children in that faith. Mr. Zaring is associated with the Republican party, and is an active worker in its interest, having done much to keep the party in a thoroughly organized condition in this, the hot-bed of Democracy. He has not been an aspirant for office.

THE

FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

DAIR, JOHN G., of Brookville, a prominent capitalist of that place, was born on the 6th of March, 1821, in the town in which he resides and has always lived. All through his early life he was delicate in health, but it gradually improved until he is now hale and hearty for one of so many years. His father, John Adair, removed from South Carolina to Brookville at an early day, and opened what was always known as the " Adair Hotel." This house is still standing, and is probably the oldest frame build- ing in the town. It was kept by him until his death, which occurred in 1831. During these years Mr. Adair also traded largely in stock, buying and selling cattle, hogs, and horses; he also carried on two stores, trading in produce, groceries, etc. The Adair Tavern was widely known to shippers and drovers, who went that way from many points north to Cincinnati, and made this place a stopping point over night. In those days, when there were no railroads, hogs and cattle were driven on foot from different parts of the state to the city, and in such numbers that at times Mr. Adair would have two and three thousand in his pens in one single night. In 1812 he served in the war as a soldier. In 1817 he was married to Miss Trusler, of Virginia, a remarkable woman for energy and strength of charac- ter. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. After the death of her hus- band Mrs. Adair herself conducted the tavern for a few years. She was born in 1782 and died at the ripe old age of ninety years. John G. Adair remained with his father in the tavern until his death, and with his mother as long as she had it. In 1850 he took charge of it himself, in connection with a brother-in-law, and carried it on for many years. His early life was one of toil and hard work, while his school advantages were defect- ive, owing to the cares and responsibilities devolving upon him, and his ill-health. He has, however, made a success of his life, having accumulated a fortune in

his time, and having lived, according to the testimony of his neighbors, as a straightforward, honest man. He has held no office, but holds definite views on political questions. During the war he was a stanch supporter of the government, and remains to-day a radical Repub- lican. From the first he has been connected with the Brookville National Bank, first as a director, but for some years past as its president. At one time he had an interest in a large flouring-mill. He owns a part of the Brookville Machine Shops, and besides has much other property. He is a quiet, unobtrusive, and peace- able citizen, and is a pleasant, genial gentleman to meet. In 1853 he was married to Miss Ellen G. John, daughter of Robert John, a very old settler and prom- inent man of Brookville. The family of Johns are re- markable in many respects. They were long-lived, held prominent positions of trust under the government, and were strictly representative people. Mr. John was clerk of the court fourteen years. One son when quite a youth was a company officer at the outbreak of the war, and was killed in the skirmish at Middle Fork Bridge, Virginia, in 1861. He was one of the first to volunteer, and was the first one killed from Ohio or Indiana. John P. D. John is a man of fine education, and of great ability. He was for seven years president of Brookville College, and a while president of Moore's Hill College. He is now in Europe.

LLISON, JAMES YOUNG, of Madison, Judge of the Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court of In- diana, was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, August 20, 1823. He is the son of James and Sarah (Cox) Allison. His father practiced at the Madi- son bar for several years, but subsequently abandoned the law and engaged in milling and mercantile pursuits. He died in 1845, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[4th Dist.

The Allison family in America are of Scotch descent, and trace their lineage to five brothers-James, John, Robert, George, and Thomas-who left their Highland home and emigrated to this county. They served in the War of the Revolution, fighting for their adopted country; John attaining to the rank of colonel, and another of the brothers to that of lieutenant. They were with General Washington in his famous march through New Jersey, and after the war settled in differ- ent parts of the country-James and John in Pennsyl- vania, while Thomas chose New York, and Robert and George North Carolina. Thomas Allison lived and died a bachelor, and from the other four brothers spring the numerous branches of the family in the United States. James Allison, the great-grandfather of Judge Allison, resided near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was for many years an elder in the old Donegal Presbyterian Church at that place, where his name may yet be seen engraved on a marble slab in the church edifice. True to their descent, the Allisons are usually found among the pillars of the Presbyterian Church, and Judge Allison is no exception to this rule. John Allison, whose name adorns the United States Treasury notes, is his second cousin, and belongs to the Pennsylvania branch of the family. James Y. Allison was left moth- erless at the age of thirteen months, and his childhood was spent among strangers. From his boyhood he was obliged to labor hard for his support, at sawing wood or any other kind of work he could find to do. He finally learned the trade of wagon-making, and while thus engaged utilized every spare moment, night and day, in study. He made such rapid progress that he was urged by his friends to enter college, which at last he did, working at his trade to procure the necessary means to defray his expenses. He attended Hanover College several terms, and began the study of law un- der the Hon. Joseph G. Marshall. Walking from Han- over to Madison twice a week, reciting his law lessons, and keeping up with his class in college, taxed his en- ergies to the utmost. He was an apt student, however, and soon attained such proficiency that he was admitted to practice, after a rigid examination. He early distin- guished himself as an advocate, and was selected as prosecuting attorney of the circuit composed of the counties of Ohio, Switzerland, Jefferson, Jennings, Rip- ley, Bartholomew, and Brown. This position he filled with signal ability, and at the expiration of his official term he secured a fine practice, contending most gal- lantly with such men as Marshall, Bright, Sullivan, and Stevens, then the leading members of the Madison bar. In 1873 he was elected Judge of the Fifth Judicial Cir- cuit, and in 1878 he was re-elected for a second term, after a very hotly contested canvass. Judge Allison also served a term as state Senator in 1865. His rulings as a judge have given general satisfaction. Very few | A. B. Armington, who is interested in the Greensburg

cases have been appealed to the Supreme Court, and a majority of those appealed have been affirmed. As a judge he is industrious, painstaking, impartial, clear- headed, and prompt. Having practiced law contin- uously for twenty-six years before going on the bench, and having now six years' experience as judge-making in all thirty-two years of judicial life-he undoubtedly possesses all the qualifications for the high position, and his personal popularity is beyond all question. In poli- tics Judge Allison is a Republican. He has been twice married. His present wife, Rachel Antoinette (Mc- Intyre) Allison, is a member of one of the oldest families in the state; her father was one of the pioneers of the city of Madison, being identified with the plat- ting and laying out of the town.

RMINGTON, WILLIAM, physician and surgeon, of Greensburg, was born in Saratoga County, New York, August 27, 1808. His father, a native of New York, was of English descent ; his mother was of Swiss extraction. Doctor Armington received a good education ; and, after having attended the Medical College at New York, removed to Switzerland County, Indiana, where he soon acquired a very large practice. In 1840, he removed to Greensburg, and there became very successful as a physician, and eminent in his pro- fession. Possessing a clear and comprehensive intellect, he was enabled to apply rational and philosophical methods to the treatment of disease. Few physicians earned and retained the confidence and patronage of so large a portion of the community. To relieve suffering, wherever found, was the leading object of his life; and the rich and poor alike received his sympathy and prompt attention. He never sought prominent posi- tions, but occupied many. His intercourse with the members of his profession was agreeable and sincere. He was a safe counselor, and his advice and opinions were always respected. He was eminently a practical man, and very successful in all his undertakings. We may state, as evidence of the public confidence in his business ability, that he was elected by a large majority, contrary to his wishes, as county commissioner, at a time when the county required the best financial ability. His services in this position were highly satis- factory. When the government appealed to the patriot- ism of the country for aid to suppress the Rebellion, Doctor Armington was one of the first to respond with his means and influence ; and the same spirit inspired his four sons, all of whom entered the Federal army. Doctor Armington was married, October 10, 1833, to Miss Clarissa L. Golay, of Switzerland County, Indiana. She died in 1844, leaving four children :

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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 35

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