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 42

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 42

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expired, it lasting for six years. He has been a coun- cilman and a school trustee for several years, and a county examiner for two or three years. He is a Democrat in his political views, and his standing is very high in his party, as was shown by his nomination for elector on the Tilden ticket in 1876, a position which is esteemed a most honorable one; but he has never been a wire-puller or enthusiast. He frequently speaks from the stump, and is considered an able and effective orator. He was married, on the 17th of October, 1866, to Miss Mary Martin, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, but whose family resides in Dearborn County. They have four children, two boys and two girls.

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ILLESPIE, WILLIAM, M. D., of Rising Sun, Indiana, was born in Ohio (formerly Dearborn) County, Indiana, June 17, 1821. He is of pure Scotch descent. His parents were Robert and Margaret (Robertson) Gillespie, the former a native of Leith, Scotland, where he was born in 1793; Mrs. Gil- lespie being born at Falkirk, near Edinburgh, in 1799. They emigrated to America in 1819, and settled in Cass Township, Ohio County, Indiana, where Mr. Gillespie practiced medicine until his death, in 1846, He was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, having re- ceived the degree of Ch. M. (Master of Surgery) ; was considered the leading physician and surgeon in Ohio and the adjoining counties, and enjoyed an enviable reputation, both professionally and socially. William Gillespie spent his youth in Cass Township, where he studied medicine under his father's tuition. He gradu- ated at Evansville in 1850, and commenced practice in Rising Sun. In 1856 he took a second medical course, at Jefferson College, and in 1861 entered the army as sur- geon's mate of the 7th Indiana Three Months' Volun- teer Infantry, under General Dumont. On the organi- zation of the 7th Indiana for the three years' service, he was appointed assistant surgeon, and, with his regi- ment, took part in the first battle of Winchester, under General Shields. A few days after he was appointed post surgeon at Strasburg, Virginia, and, after the re- treat of General Banks from the valley, was captured by Stonewall Jackson while on duty at the hospital there. He remained for eight days in the enemy's lines on pa- role, and, after the retreat of the Confederates on the advance of General Fremont, went to Washington and Alexandria, Virginia. From there he was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, to take charge of the Union encampment of paroled men. On September, 1862, he was dis- charged from the 7th Regiment, and commissioned medical inspector of the 83d Indiana, at Lawrenceburg, with the rank of first assistant surgeon. He was with his regiment on the Coldwater march; went thence to

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Vicksburg, and participated in the first attack on | Haines Bluff, under General Sherman. About January 1, 1863, he was detached for special service on the hos- pital boat "Adriatic ;" a month later was placed on duty at the officers' hospital at Milliken's Bend; soon afterwards was ordered to assist in the small-pox hos- pital at the same place; and, subsequently, was sta- tioned at the small-pox hospital on Paw Paw Island, above Vicksburg. In the fall of 1863 he was sent by General Grant to take charge of a contraband hospital, where his duties were of the most arduous kind. He was then promoted to the rank of surgeon of the 83d Indiana, and ordered to join his regiment at Corinth, Mississippi. The regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, under General Sherman, and took part in the battle of Chatta- nooga. After that battle it went into winter-quarters at Larkinsville, Alabama ; and, in March, 1864, Doctor Gillespie received his discharge from the service, on ac- count of disability. He had been engaged almost in- cessantly in exhaustive labors; had performed nearly every operation known to surgical art; had been ex- posed to extreme privations, as well as to the contagion of small-pox hospitals; and even his vigorous constitu- tion gave way under the strain. It was nearly a year be- fore he had recovered sufficiently to resume his practice. He is imbued with an intense love for his profession, especially the surgical branch; and his reputation as a physician and surgeon is excelled by none in the county. Doctor Gillespie is a stanch Republican, but not an of- fice-seeker. He has served three terms as mayor of Rising Sun, and takes a lively interest in the prosperity and good government of the city. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd-fellows. In 1850 he married Miss Margaret Boyle, of Ohio County, a lady of Scotch descent. They have a family of three sons and three daughters. In his religious opinions he is inclined to Unitarianism. His practice is not confined to Ohio County, but ex- tends for a long distance into the counties adjoining. He takes his father's place in the esteem of the com- munity, and does full credit to his sturdy ancestry. His constitution is hale and vigorous, and his form of a ro- bust type. Few men of his age are more active and energetic than Doctor Gillespie.

OODWIN, JOHN R., M. D., of Brookville, In- diana, late president of the Brookville Bank, un- der the title of J. R. Goodwin & Son, was born in that town July 15, 1820, and was at the time of his death the oldest person born there who had main- tained an uninterrupted citizenship in the precinct. He was the son of Samuel Goodwin, who came to Brook-

ville from Warren County, Ohio, in the spring of 1816. He was a natural leader of men, and had a strong and penetrating intellect. The grandfather, Thomas Good- win, was originally from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and was one of the pioneers of civilization in the Miami Valley. John R. Goodwin passed his early life about the farm and in the tannery which his father carried on. He was early deprived by death of paternal care, but resolutely began laboring for himself. He left home in his twenty-first year to attend college, and en- tered Asbury University, at Greencastle, where he was a classmate with Senator Harlan, of Iowa, graduating with distinction in 1845. Thence he went to Cincinnati, joining the Ohio Medical College, and receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1847. He returned to the neighborhood of Brookville and settled down, and not long after married Miss Rachel Goudi , daughter of Joseph Goudie, one of the earliest residents of that section of the state. Their married life was long and happy, although Mrs. Goodwin has never been in strong health. During the years from his graduation until the breaking out of the war he lived on a farm, four miles east of Brookville, and with his father-in-law conducted the business of farming, while at the same time he practiced medicine, and had the editorial charge of the agricultural department of the Indiana American. He was successful in his profession as a physician ; his ac- quirements in the schools were joined to a native sa- gacity that made him much sought after at the bed- side. He filled many stations of trust, and discharged their obligations acceptably. When the war broke out he knew that his duty called him to the conflict, and raised a company, of which he was elected captain. It was Company G, 37th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Within an hour, however, of his election he received a commission from Governor Morton as surgeon to the 3d Indiana Cavalry. Desiring to go into the service with the company he had raised, he exchanged his offered position for that of assistant surgeon of the 37th Regiment, and served in that capacity during the war with credit and distinction. Much of the time he was in charge of one of the principal hos- pitals at Nashville. At the close of the contest Doctor Goodwin returned home, but was soon ap- pointed disbursing clerk to the Department of the Interior at Washington City, a position in which he remained until July, 1871, when his private interests at home required that he should resign the position. Dur- ing the six years of that service he drew from the treasury and disbursed money to the amount of many millions of dollars, without error or complaint. Within two weeks from the time of his resignation he settled his accounts without the discrepancy of one cent. At the Republican State Convention of 1872 he was chosen elector for the Fourth Congressional District, and had

Martin R Green

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the honor of casting the vote of his district for Gen- eral Grant. After the fall of 1872 he was connected with the banking business in Brookville. For several . years he was cashier of the Brookville National Bank, and when that institution closed he became the founder of the Brookville Bank, its president, and its principal owner. He was a trustee of the university from which he graduated, having been elected by the South-east In- diana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which body he belonged. He was an ardent and en- during Christian ; his whole heart was in his work, and he had been chosen by his associate laymen to represent them in the great parliament of Methodism, the Quad- rennial General Conference. Its first meeting was held in Cincinnati on the Ist of May of the present year, and at that session he had been present. He returned home for Sunday, the 2d, and was preparing to return the next day, when he was struck down by the hand of an assassin. Doctor Goodwin was a man of the kindest disposition, a friend to the poor, a help to the widow and the fatherless, an upholder of Christianity, and a man with a strong love of humanity. He was a well- known temperance speaker. His social standing was very high, and his friends were agitating his name as that of a candidate for Governor this year. His abilities were thought to be equal to any position. He leaves a widow, a lady who has for thirty years borne him com- panionship; and one son, Charles, part owner of the Brookville Bank.

REEN, EDWARD H., mayor of Aurora, was born March 1, 1837, and is the youngest son of Stephen and Martha J. Green. His father was a native of G Kentucky, and removed to Indiana at an early period. He was for many years treasurer of the city of Aurora, and held various official positions for a great part of his life. He was never but once defeated for office. Edward H. Green took a scientific course of study in Franklin College, Indiana, under President Silas Bailey. Ile then read law with Judges Holman and Haynes, and commenced practice in Aurora. In 1861 he enlisted for one year in Company I, 16th Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and was appointed orderly sergeant. He was with his regiment in Virginia and Maryland, and was located for a time at Harper's Ferry. On the day after the disastrous battle of Ball's Bluff, the 16th covered the retreat of the Union forces ; and in the spring cam- paign of 1862 marched up the Shenandoah Valley to Manassas, Centerville, and the Rappahannock River. The regiment was mustered out at Washington, District of Columbia, in June, 1862, and Mr. Green immediately assisted in raising a company of cavalry, which was tendered to Governor Morton, but was refused unless it should be used in filling depleted companies of regi-

ments already in the field. The company was then ac- cepted by the Governor of Kentucky; and, armed with Spencer carbines, was assigned to the 11th Kentucky Cavalry as Company E. Sergeant Green was commis- sioned second lieutenant of Cavalry Volunteers, and afterward captain. He was with Burnside at the siege of Knoxville, with Sherman at Atlanta and its ap- proaches; and was engaged at Resaca, Dalton, Dallas, Big Savannah, and Kenesaw Mountain, where the men, following the example of their leader, bore themselves nobly. His company for a time formed the escort of Major-general J. J. Reynolds. After the battle of Stone River he pursued Morgan through Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and assisted in his capture. Upon the close of the war he resumed the practice of law, and in 1866-7 served in the Lower House of the state Legis- lature, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. In 1877 he was elected mayor of Aurora, the place of his nativity. Upon the expiration of his first term as mayor, so popular had his administration of the office rendered him, that he was re-elected for two more years without opposition. In 1862 he married Miss Lizzie Shirley, of Jeffersonville, Indiana. They have had four children ; but only one, a promising daughter, is living. Mr. Green has done some very efficient service for his party. During the last campaign he spoke at various places in the state with acknowledged ability. He is clear, logical, and forcible in his style of delivery, and has been eulogized by the press as one of the most elo- quent speakers in the state.

REEN, MARTIN R., of Patriot, Indiana, was born in Enfield, New Hampshire, September 27, 1809. His father was Rev. John Green, and his mother was Pallas Ruter, a sister of the late Calvin W. Ruter, so widely known in Indiana as one of the ablest and most earnest of the pioneer clergymen of the Method- ist Episcopal Church; as also of Rev. Martin Ruter, a pious, devoted, and eloquent divine of the same Church, who fell while engaged in the missionary work in Texas, before its annexation as a state of the Union. Mr. Green's parents left New Hampshire the year after his birth for Marietta, Ohio, one of the principal points to which emigration was directed in the then "Far West." In 1822 they removed to Quercus Grove, Switzerland County, Indiana. In 1828 his father died, and Mr. Green took upon himself the responsible task of provid- ing for the family. Although a young man, he per- formed his self-imposed duty well-as, indeed, he did every thing he undertook. In 1834 Martin R. Green was elected a Justice of the Peace, which office he held until May 2, 1837, when he resigned. Jacob R. Harris and Henry Waite were his sureties, and his is the first

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on the county register of official bonds. In 1838 Mr. Green was elected to the state Senate on the Democratic ticket, and served with credit to himself and satisfac- tion to his constituents. In 1848 he was again elected a member of the Indiana state Senate for a term of three years, the length of the term before the adoption of the new Constitution. In his political career Mr. Green gained a popularity which he retained until the day of his death, and his counsel was sought and listened to with that respect which his age, experience, and well known fidelity to principle so justly demanded. He obtained great notoriety during his last term in the state Senate, as the original purchaser from the state of the famous Georgia swamp lands, which afterward passed into the hands of wealthy New York speculators, and became the subject of much litigation and special legis- lation. In 1856 Mr. Green was a delegate to the Na- tional Democratic Convention, which assembled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he voted fifty-four times for the nomination of James Buchanan for the presidency. June 11, 1843, Mr. Green married Mary Harris, by whom he had four sons and one daughter. In the same year he removed to Donahue's Deadening, in Mexico Bot- toms, above Patriot, where he resided about two years, when he removed to Patriot, where he engaged in the business of selling dry-goods. In 1853 he removed to his farm, one mile above Patriot, where he resided until three years before his death, when he again removed to Patriot. His wife died September 25, 1868. Mr. Green had always enjoyed good health until March, 1878, when he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he par- tially recovered, and seemed to be continually improv- ing in health until September 25, 1879. On the evening of that day he retired, feeling even more comfortable than usual. The next morning he arose at half past five and came down into the sitting-room, dressed as usual. He was first noticed by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. William M. Green, kneeling as if in prayer, from which position he arose and seated himself, and was then suddenly attacked by disease. His son William was called, who attempted to relieve him by bathing his head, but without success, as he in a few minutes slipped from his chair to the floor and immediately ex- pired, September 26, 1879, exactly eleven years after the death of his wife, and within one day of being sev- enty years of age. Three sisters, one brother, and four sons are left to moúrn their loss. Mr. Green, early in life, became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in that faith; he was also a mem- ber of the Masonic Fraternity, and his funeral was largely attended by members of that order, Judge A. C. Downey reading their beautiful burial service at the grave. Thus closed the ripe life of one, who, by ster- ling integrity and industry, had acquired much means and high position, and left a noble example.

RISARD, CAPTAIN FREDERICK L., of Vevay, Switzerland County, was born in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, August 14, 1808, and is the son of Frederick and Mary A. Grisard. When he was ten years of age his parents left their native land, and set sail for the United States. After a voyage of forty-four days from Havre de Grace they arrived in New York. Remaining one month in Philadelphia, they then went to Pittsburgh, the next stage of their westward journey. From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh Frederick Grisard and his mother were weighed as merchandise, and made the journey under those novel conditions. From Pittsburgh they worked their way down the Ohio River in small boats, and arrived at the Swiss settlement at Vevay December 15, 1818, about four years after the town was laid out. Here they built a log-cabin in the woods, and the father worked at his trade of blacksmith, and cleared some land in the vicin- ity of his home. Amid such surroundings, and under such circumstances, Mr. Grisard spent his boyhood, sharing in the vicissitudes incidental to pioneer life, and educating himself as best he might. In 1825 he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade in Cincin- nati, and served three years. He worked at the trade in Vevay until 1845, at first in connection with his fa- ther, and after the death of the latter in 1838 remained alone until 1845. He then went into the general hard- ware business on the site of his present store in the city of Vevay. While engaged at his trade he also manufactured agricultural implements. He made the first steel plow ever used in Switzerland County, and helped to build the first steam-engine ever used in Vevay. He has always been successful in his business, which has been large and flourishing. In the days of flat-boat trading on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers he was very active in that line, and accumulated a compe- tence. His name has been identified with every enter- prise for the improvement of the city of Vevay, and he has never been backward in furthering any thing that commended itself to his deliberate judgment. He was elected first treasurer of the county, under the new organization, in 1840, and has been for several years school trustee. He has been a director in the First National Bank of Vevay since its organization ; and since 1850 has been president of the Vevay, Mount Sterling and Versailles Turnpike. Almost from his boyhood, Mr. Grisard was captain of an artillery com- pany organized at Vevay, and when the Civil War broke out he was appointed by Governor Oliver P. Morton captain of a company of artillery mounting three pieces. This connection was the immediate cause of his suffering a serious loss. His large ware- rooms and store-rooms, supposed to contain government supplies, but containing only private property, were burned to the ground by Confederates or Confederate

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sympathizers, involving a loss to him of about fourteen thousand dollars. He has been a Democrat all his life, but a strong Union man, and never a bitter partisan or an aspirant for political honors. April 24, 1828, Cap- tain Grisard married Miss Zella C. Simon, a native of the canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland, and a lady of rare accomplishments. She still survives, after a happy married life of more than half a century. Her father was a college professor, and left Switzerland to join the Swiss colony on the Red River, South; but, by an un- fortunate mistake, the party were taken to the Red River, North, and landed near Hudson's Bay, at Lord Selkirk's settlement, thousands of miles from their des- tination. During the long and tedious voyage they were several times ice-bound, spending weeks at a time fastened to icebergs, occasionally visited by polar bears, and the native Esquimaux. The trials and vicissitudes of the long journey from that region to Southern In- diana will never be forgotten by the family of Mrs. Grisard. Her mother and herself were the first white women who ever traversed the wild waste of country between the British settlements and the United States, and they had many hair-breadth escapes and numerous adventures among the Indians. They were obliged to subsist for weeks together upon what the hunters of the party provided for them. They arrived in Switzer- land County in August, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Grisard have had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Two sons and three daughters survive. Frederick is as- sociated with his father in business; James S. Grisard is with the Meader Furniture Company, of Cincinnati. The eldest son, Perret J., died in infancy. Rudolph F. lost his life in December, 1877, while saving a little girl from a runaway horse. The daughters are, Louisa A., wife of F. L. Dubacs, of Hannibal, Missouri ; Zella, wife of A. P. Dufour, of Vevay ; and Lucilla, wife of Mr. Jagers, who resides with her parents. Captain Grisard is essentially a self-made, self-educated man. Coming from a robust race, he enjoys a strong consti- tution, is upright in his bearing, and though past three- score and ten is still hale and vigorous. No one in Switzerland County bears a better reputation for sterling worth ; few men have been more faithful and energetic in business; and few are more happily situated. His residence in Vevay is considered one of the finest in Switzerland County.

ALL, WILLIAM, cashier of the First National Bank of Vevay, is a native of the county of Down, Ireland, where he was born, March 31, 1817. His education was obtained in the public schools of Ireland, whence he emigrated in June, 1837, being then in his twenty-first year. His history, like that of a great majority of the self-made men of our

country, repeats the story of the triumph of industry, perseverance, and indomitable energy over the disad- vantages of early poverty and limited opportunities for culture. His first start in life, after his arrival at Vevay, was as deputy clerk in the court-house, the county clerk being his distant relative. This position he occupied --- and a part of the time that of deputy recorder and dep- uty sheriff-four years; and in 1842 he was appointed county treasurer, to fill a vacancy in that office. In 1844 he was elected on the Democratic ticket for a term of three years, and in 1847 was re-elected for three years, making a continuous term of eight years during which he served in that capacity. He then engaged in wharf- boating and dealing in produce, at first on a small scale, but gradually increased in business until it as- sumed large proportions, and he had acquired a very comfortable income. In 1864 the First National Bank of Vevay was organized, and he was elected cashier, which position he has held ever since. He is also the senior partner of the mercantile firm of Hall & Lewis, at Vevay, and is interested in the Union Furniture Man- ufacturing Company. He is also a stockholder in the Vevay, Mount Sterling, and Versailles Turnpike. On July 27, 1842, Mr. Hall married Miss Sallie Singer, of Vevay, whose family were among the old settlers of Switzerland County. They have no children living. Mr. Hall is a gentleman of agreeable manners and fine social qualities. He is a careful and methodical busi- ness man, rather conservative in his views, and not inclined to be carried away by visionary schemes; but, where his head approves, his heart is always ready to engage in any enterprise for the benefit of his commu- nity. He is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Switzerland County.

ARRIS, JACOB R., one of the earliest pioneers of Switzerland County, was born in Kortright, Delaware County, New York, May 20, 1802. He was the son of Robert and Lucretia (Kennedy) Harris, who were well known for their industry and frugality in the neighborhood in which they lived. His father, who was born in 1766, was a gallant soldier for three years of the Revolution, and after his discharge was appointed major of the home militia. He con- tinued to reside in the place of his nativity until 1782, when he removed to Delaware County, New York. The family continued to make New York state their home until the year 1817, when they emigrated to what were then the wilds of Indiana, settling in Switzer- land County. Robert Harris was a man of more than ordinary ability, and received the advantages of a good education. But with a large family of children he was kept in indigent circumstances, and often found it diffi-

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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 42

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