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 46

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 46

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

fifths of her voters could not read; and always taking a deep interest in education, believing that free schools, where God's Word, the infallible guide to individuals, families, and nations, is read daily, are essential to the prosperity of a state or nation, he wrote seven letters for a Madison paper, urging the authorities to establish graded schools. He gave many lectures in other parts of the state upon the subject, and in the Indiana Cen- tennial School Report his name is given as the principal originator of the first "graded school" of the state. A fuller history of a man who has had so much to do with the wonderful changes and improvements since he first saw Indiana, in 1830, would present some incidents of most striking interest, but could not be expected in this sketch. We close with a part of a letter written in 1867 for the New York Evangelist, by Doctor Tuttle, of Wabash College. He says of Doctor Little :

" During a brief pastorate scores were converted, and some of them fill places of great usefulness in Church and state. There is no labor he shuns in pros- ecuting his work as a sort of home missionary bishop. Along the Miami, the Scioto, the Muskingum, the White, and the Wabash Rivers, in the heats of sum- mer and the tremendous discomforts of a Western winter, he pushes his work, now in the grand old woods, now in the log school-house and private man- sion, or in the humble meeting-house, telling men of Christ. He has ridden four continuous days on horse- back, in mud and rain, to reach an appointment. From Marietta to Evansville, from Cleveland to Laporte, this man has gone, planting Churches, building up waste places, encouraging home missionaries, searching out the scattered sheep, holding protracted meetings, every- where welcomed, honored, and loved. Thirty-six years has he been at this work, until he has publicly addressed more audiences, visited more Churches, worked directly in more revivals, in Ohio and Indiana, talked to more people, seen more changes in communities and persons, than any other man that can be named. Go where he will, he meets those who owe every thing to him as God's instrument, those who have been encouraged by him, those who have caught the best impulses of life from him; and now, in this year 1867, this blessed man has preached fourteen times in eight days in one pulpit, placing the gospel in such a cheerful light that his hearers exclaim, 'Would to God we could love as he does !' "

IVINGS, THEODORE, attorney-at-law, Vevay, was born in Switzerland County, September 15, 1839. His parents, Everson and Lucy (Norton) Livings, are still living, on a farm at Allensville, Switzerland County. His father's family is of Penn- sylvanian origin, but his mother is of English descent, and is from Martha's Vineyard. His early education was in the common schools; and he taught for some time, until he decided to enter college. Lacking the necessary means, he resolved, nevertheless, to overcome that difficulty, and in 1859 went to Wabash Uni-

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[ 4th Dist.

versity at Crawfordsville. Here he pursued his studies for four years, paying his way by his own labor. He was, at the same time, janitor of the college building, sexton of a Methodist Church, and for three hours each day waited at a hotel table for his board. Notwith- standing the encroachments made upon his time and at- tention by these duties, he not only kept up with his class, but always stood at the head of the roll of honor, and was considered worthy of the distinction of a mem- bership in the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He thus succeeded not only in meeting his necessary college ex- penses, but had a little money to spare after educating and clothing himself. In 1862 he left college to enter the army, was active in raising a company, and ob- tained the first lieutenancy of Company D, 93d Regi- ment Indiana Volunteers. He was appointed post adjutant of the regiment at Madison, where they ren- dezvoused. From Madison they went to Memphis, where he was detailed on staff duty, acting as brigade aide-de-camp and adjutant during almost his entire term of service, and for some time as inspector gen- eral of division, under General Buckland. In 1864 he was commissioned as adjutant of his regiment, with which he was engaged at the siege of Vicksburg, and in the battles of Jackson, Guntown, Tupelo, Nash- ville, Mobile, and Blakely, besides several skirmishes. The 93d Indiana Regiment was in the same bri- gade during its whole term of service. At Nashville this brigade, on the afternoon of the second day's fight- ing, was led out to storm the enemy's works, and, while the rest of the command lay watching the result with fearful anxiety, this little band of soldiers broke Hood's lines for the first time that day, capturing sixteen can- non, and more prisoners than the brigade had men. The whole Union line, charging immediately afterward, routed Hood's forces, and followed him most of the night. His term of service expired in August, 1865, and he returned to his home, spent another year at college, and commenced the study of law with IIon. O. M. Wilson, of Indianapolis. He was ad- mitted to the bar at Vevay in March, 1868, and has been engaged in the practice of law in that place ever since. He was for two years school trustee of Vevay, for six years deputy United States collector of the county, and for five years deputy prosecuting attorney for the county. While engaged in the last capacity, he conducted several important trials, in every instance proving himself an able and skilful lawyer and a suc- cessful prosecutor. In his law practice he was for five years associated with the late W. H. Atkinson. Since 1878, he has been in partnership with Colonel W. D. Ward, under the firm name of Ward & Livings. In addition to his practice, which is reputed the most ex- tensive in the county, Captain Livings does a large business as agent for a number of prominent insurance

companies. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd-fellows societies, and is Past Master of the Masonic Lodge. He is also a member of the Baptist Church at Vevay. As a lawyer he has the reputation of being shrewd, clear-headed, painstaking, and industrious. He is a close student, and few men conduct a case with better defined ideas of the points of law bearing on the subject. Mr. Livings is a Republican, and, while never himself a candidate for office, has done active service in speaking for others, both in national and local cam- paigns. April 7, 1870, he married Miss Mary A. Jack- man, daughter of Josiah Jackman. Mr. Jackman, who was for many years a prominent citizen of Vevay, was a founder and machinist by trade, and enjoyed the rep- utation of being one of the most singularly ingenious mechanics of his day. He had a rare talent for the sciences, and the construction of scientific instruments; and there are still in possession of the family rare and curious models of his contrivance, including microscopic and telescopic appliances, etc. Mr. Livings has a fam- ily of two children, a son and a daughter. He has erected a pleasant residence in Vevay, occupying one- fourth of a square, and has collected many of the com- forts of life around his home, where he will probably spend the remainder of his life. Personally, he is a man of fine appearance and good address, a fluent speaker, and popular in his profession and in the com- munity.

OVETT, DAVID, merchant and banker, Greens- burg, was born in Dayton, Ohio, November 22, 1809. His parents, Elias and Sarah (Chenoweth) Lovett, both natives of Virginia, were of German and English ancestry. They came to Ohio in 1806, and settling near Dayton engaged in farming. When he was but six months old David Lovett's father died, leaving him to the care of his widowed mother, who after five years removed with him to Pendleton County, Ken- tucky, where she soon after married Henry Wicoff, a farmer. With a very limited common-school education, Mr. Lovett was industriously employed on the farm at home until he was eighteen years of age, when with the consent of his mother he started out to make his own living. His first engagement was with a farmer two miles away, where he remained six months engaged in common farm labor with the slaves, receiving as his wages six dollars and twenty-five cents per month. He continued at farm labor until he reached his twenty-first year, when, in 1830, he went to Marion County, Indi- ana, near Indianapolis, and entered forty acres of land. After making suitable improvements he brought his mother and step-father from Kentucky, where they had lost their property, and settled them upon this farm. He then purchased eighty acres of land in the same

Joseph G. Averhall.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

4th Dist.]

county, and after making some improvements sold it and bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he remained two years. Selling this he removed to Shelby County, where he bought a farm of one hundred acres, and remained until 1837. He then sold his land, and engaged in the mercantile business at Middletown, in the same county. After two years he sold out, and removed to St. Omer, Decatur County, where he carried on a successful dry-goods trade until 1850. He then disposed of his stock, and in company with Richard Robbins entered into the wholesale grocery business at 68 West Pearl Street, Cincinnati. After one year's experience he sold out, and removed to Greensburg, Decatur County, Indiana, and again engaged in the dry-goods trade, having a prosper- ous business until 1865, when he again sold out. One year after, with Levi P. Lathrop and Samuel Christy, he organized the Citizens' Bank of Greensburg, which after five years of successful business was reorganized as the Citizens' National Bank : David Lovett, presi- dent ; L. P. Lathrop, vice-president; Samuel Christy, cashier; and Daniel W. Lovett, bookkeeper. This bank has been very prosperous, and the fact that it has not lost one thousand dollars since its organization is an evi- dence of its officers' skillful management and judicious investments. David Lovett has occupied many impor- tant positions of trust and responsibility. His ·varied and useful life has been characterized by honesty and integrity, and is a striking illustration of what can be accomplished by industry, energy, and perseverance. He is emphatically a self-made man ; having arisen from comparative obscurity to wealth, refinement, and influ- ence in society. He is a kind and indulgent father, a good citizen, and a devoted Christian. He has for many years given the closest attention to business, has been prompt to meet his promises, honest and straight- forward in his dealings, and has been deservedly success- ful. He has accumulated a comfortable fortune, which he enjoys with his family and friends. He gives boun- tifully of his means to sustain the Church. In politics Mr. Lovett is a Republican. He is a modest man, rarely taking any part in public discussions on any ques- tion, but is always found with a clear conviction of what is right and best to be done. David Lovett mar- ried, January 10, 1833, Matilda Conner, of Shelby County, Indiana. She died September 1, 1839, leaving three children to his care; one of them, the widow of the late Levi P. Lathrop, is still living. October I, 1840, he married his present wife, Hannah Wood, of Rush County, Indiana, a lady of superior excellence of character, in every way worthy of the high position she holds in the affection of her family, and in the es- teem of a large circle of friends. They have had three children, of whom two sons are now living. At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Lovett united with the Baptist Church in Kentucky, and remained an active

member until after his second marriage; he then with his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been an official member to the present time.

POVETT, DANIEL W., vice-president of the Cit- izens' National Bank, was born at St. Omer, De- catur County, Indiana, March 15, 1845. He was educated at Asbury University, Greencastle, and soon afterwards engaged as bookkeeper in the Citizens' Bank of Greensburg. There he remained until 1873, when he resigned his position and formed a partner- ship with W. W. Lowe, in the St. Paul and Greens- burg stone-quarries. After two years of very successful business he sold his interest to Mr. Lowe, was chosen vice-president of the Citizens' National Bank, and has since been engaged in banking. He is an active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and assisted in the organization of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion of Greensburg, of which he is the corresponding secretary, and one of the most active members. He takes a deep interest in all important enterprises of a public nature, either in Church or state. He is a mer- ber of the Republican party. November 16, 1871 he married Caroline S. Sharon, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two children.

ARSHALL, JOSEPH GLASS, of Madison, Jef- ferson County, was born in Fayette County, Ken- tucky, January 18, 1800. He was the son of the Rev. Robert Marshall, a Presbyterian min- ister of that state-born in Ireland, a man noted for his power of oratory-and of Elizabeth Glass Marshall, born in Virginia. It was under his father's instruction that Mr. Marshall was prepared for the junior class in col- lege. In 1823 he graduated from Transylvania Univer- sity, Lexington, Kentucky, receiving his second degree, M. A., in 1826. In 1828 he entered upon the practice of law, locating at Madison, Indiana. His position as a lawyer became in time one of strength, power, and success, and placed him in the first rank of his pro- fession. He was remarkably gifted with what is called "a legal mind," and although he comprehensively and profoundly understood the law, not only in its humbler relations, but in its higher departments, it was an intu- ition of what a law must be, independent of the books, more than the learning of his profession, which made him the great lawyer that he was. That he was in pos- session of this power was the testimony of Judge Black- ford, of the Supreme Court of Indiana. On one occa- sion he was urged for his opinion of the law in a suit of unusual importance, but declined giving it, for the reason he had not time to examine his books. "But,"

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[4th Dist.

added he, " see Mr. Marshall, he can give you the law without turning a leaf ; he is the embodiment of law." And upon another occasion he remarked of him, "He is one whose difference of opinion I always felt bound to respect. If he differed from the books, the books were usually in the wrong." Politically, Mr. Marshall was a Whig, and for years was the recognized leader of his party in Indiana. He continued his public speak- ing when necessary, from 1832 to 1854, often faithfully defending his party's principles in its darkest hours. In 1830 he was appointed Judge of the Probate Court of Jefferson County. Subsequently, he served several terms in both branches of the state Legislature. He was the opposing candidate in 1856 to Governor Whitcomb, for Governor of the state. In 1852 he was a candidate for Representative in Congress, but was de- feated on both occasions in consequence of the views he maintained in opposition to slavery. He declined an appointment as Governor of Oregon, offered by Pres- ident Taylor in 1849. In 1836, 1840, 1844, he was pres- idential elector at large, and he represented his party in various other high and important positions. He was twice his party's candidate for United States Senator, but he was defeated both times (1843 and 1354) by a postponement of the elections, and, consequently, never gained the position where, unquestionably, with his large capacity and superior powers of oratory, he would have ranked among the foremost. It was the opinion of many of his contemporaries (amongst whom were Justice McLean, of the United States Supreme Court, and Henry Clay himself), who knew many of the pub- lic men of the country, that if opportunity had been afforded him, Mr. Marshall would have proved him- self the peer of Webster, Clay, Pinckney, Wirt, or Calhoun. It is a cause for regret that so many of our greatest men have never had an opportunity of distin- guishing themselves in national affairs, as that renown is more likely to endure than that gained in the service of the state. While in the Legislature he served with ability and acceptance, always being one of its lead- ing members, and occupying the highest stations. It was to his influence that the internal improvement system of Indiana owed its inspiration. Personally, Mr. Marshall stood high, and few had more warm and de- voted friends and fewer enemies than he. He was eminently warm-hearted and generous, and discharged his duties in all the relations of life with fidelity and zeal. He was married, in 1832, to Sarah Sering, daugh- ter of John and Ruth T. Sering, of Madison. In per- son he was more than six feet in stature, and large and vigorous in proportion, being a man of commanding presence. His hair was of a light reddish color, his forehead broad and square, his eyes blue and penetrat- ing. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was a man who was considered worthy of holding

the highest offices of the state, one who was an orna- ment to his profession, and in its employment never for- got his character as a man and citizen. He was a man whom even his political opponents eulogized, and one who left no stain of dishonor to sully his memory. He owed much in life to the early training of a most ex- cellent mother, and the religious culture of a pious father. He died April 8, 1855, leaving a family and a host of friends to mourn his loss. His disease was con- sumption, and his demise sudden and unexpected. He was cut off in the height of his glory and usefulness. " He died for his party and his principles," remarked Colonel Thompson, afterward Secretary of the Navy, " for his death was hastened many years by too much political speaking out of doors. He began in 1832 and never ceased talking, when occasion demanded, until his health completely broke down in the campaign of 1854." He possessed a most remarkable memory, and was gifted with the most glorious powers of oratory. He would hold an audience spell-bound, or bring them to tears. Many are the stories told illustrating his great influence over a jury or upon a crowd. His defense of Delia Webster is cited as one of the most wonderful displays of this power to turn a . court-room full of spectators into a violent mob. Delia was a Massa- chusetts Abolitionist, who had established her head- quarters on the Kentucky side of the Ohio, directly op- posite Madison. Her mission was to assist runaway slaves into Canada by the underground railway. Of course she was arrested, and for convenience she was temporarily lodged in the Madison jail. But when the officers came to take her to the "sacred soil," Mr. Marshall came to her assistance with a writ of habeas corpus. Instantly the news flashed over the city, and in twenty minutes the court-house, yard, and adjacent streets were thronged with men and women. The great advocate bowed to the court, but in his most vigorous manner addressed his fellow-citizens. They heard him for half an hour, until, overcome with sym- pathy, they demanded the men who purposed " drag- ging a poor defenseless woman into a Kentucky dun- geon because she loved humanity for humanity's sake." Meanwhile the officers, scenting the coming storm of indignation, had taken flight through alleys and back streets to their boats, leaving Delia and Marshall mas- ters of the situation. Such is the brief record of one of Indiana's greatest men. To some future historian must be the honor, and duty, of writing that fuller and more complete biography the life of so great a man de- serves, that his memory, his life, and its lessons may remain with us, embodied in the annals of our coun- try; for

" Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Foot-prints in the sands of time."

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

4th Dist.]

FORTH, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN, late of Rising | the Fifth District, composed of the counties of Clarke, Sun, a citizen and a public man of the highest reputation, was born in a house which stood near the site of his late residence at North's Landing, in Ohio County, February 7, 1830. He was the son of Levi North, a native of that section which has produced many of the best men in the West, New England, and came to Ohio County at a very early day, settling in the south-east corner, on the shores of the Ohio River, in what is now the town of Randolph. To him a family of nine children was born, six of whom are still living. Benjamin North was the third in order. He was brought up as a farmer, and carried on this occupation more or less all his life, although he was an owner of boats upon the river, and for a while sold dry-goods. This last was shortly after his marriage to Miss I. H. Harris, a most estimable lady, second daughter of Jacob R. Har- ris, of Switzerland County, a widely known citizen of South-eastern Indiana. Her union was celebrated on the 19th of May, 1852. The following year, on the 30th of December, he joined the society of Masons as an Entered Apprentice; on the 28th of January, 1854, he was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, and on Feb- ruary 4 was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He paid particular attention to the obligations he then entered into, was punctual at meetings, and zealous in the defense of the principles of the order. He was but little more than of age when the Repub- lican party was created from the ruins of the Whig organization, and had joined their ranks when the Civil War broke out. He became a member of the Union army as first lieutenant of Company C, of the 83d Indiana Volunteers. This was in the autumn of 1862, and he was promoted to the position of captain on the death of Captain Calvert, which occurred May 19, 1863. He took an active part in all the duties of his position, was liked by his men and esteemed by his superior of- ficers ; but, unfortunately, he was compelled to retire in September, 1864, on account of ill-health. When he became a soldier he was a strong and vigorous man, full of health and vigor, but the exposure of camp life reduced his flesh and weakened his frame. He appeared wan and pale, and his leaving the army was an absolute necessity. From the hardships he then experienced he contracted the seeds of the disease which resulted in his death twelve years later. On his return he resumed his usual avocations, and was thus employed until 1872, when he was elected to represent the counties of Ohio and Switzerland in the state Legislature. He served during that winter and an extra session of the subsequent year. His constituents were well pleased with his course, and so expressed themselves. He was known as . an intelligent and thorough farmer; and it was, there- fore, no surprise to his friends when he was nominated as a member of the State Board of Agriculture from

Jefferson, Switzerland, Jennings, Ripley, and Ohio. He rendered most valuable service to the rural portions of the state during his term of office, which lasted from 1867 to 1872, and would not then have resigned except on account of his other business, which prevented him from attending the board meetings. His father-in-law, Jacob R. Harris, was a member when the board was chartered, in 1850. Captain North also was a director of the National Bank of Rising Sun from its organiza- tion. By his assiduous attention to business he gained considerable property, which he dispensed liberally to the poor and afflicted of his town and county, and his death was deeply regretted by them. He was interested in the progress of his neighborhood; he devised plans for its improvement, and put his own shoulder to the wheel to put them into effect. In personal appearance he was commanding. His conversation was pleasing, and his manners were those of a gentleman. He died on the twelfth day of January, 1877, of diabetes mellitus. The funeral was largely attended, and he was buried with Masonic honors. One month later their beautiful and highly accomplished daughter Grace died, aged twenty-one years, and was placed, by her bereaved mother, beneath the sod which had been so recently broken for her beloved husband.

ATTISON, CAPTAIN ALEXANDER B., of Aurora, was born May 20, 1835, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He removed with his parents to Dillsbor- ough, Dearborn County, Indiana, in 1841, and to Aurora in 1844. His parents being possessed of little means, he was, at the age of twelve years, thrown almost entirely upon his own resources. He attended the public schools of his county in winter, working in summer to pay for his board and tuition. He also at- tended a select school for about six months. In 1848 he entered the office of his brother at Cincinnati, where he studied surveying and civil engineering, and, through his brother, obtained the position of assistant civil engineer on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. He assisted in making the preliminary survey of that road, and remained with it until its completion, in 1856. He then removed to Nebraska Territory, and settled at a point about eighty miles west of Omaha, at what was then a town only on paper, but, since the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, has grown to a city of some importance. He was a member of the convention chosen to organize the county of Platt, and was elected Probate Judge, being the first judicial officer in the county. He returned to Aurora in 1860, and resumed his occupation of surveying and engineering. On the breaking out of the war between the North and South,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana : with many portrait-illustrations on steel, engraved expressly for this work, Volume I, Part 46

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