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 6

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 6

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farm hand, at others taught school, and thus persever- ing, by the most rigid economy, he obtained a fair academical education. He then turned his attention to the study of medicine, and, after a full course of read- ing, contrived to accumulate enough means to enable him to attend the Cleveland Homœopathic Hospital Medical College. There he graduated with honor, and received his diploma. He immediately began the prac- tice of medicine in his native county, where he attained such proficiency and was so successful that he was in- vited by many friends to settle in Evansville, Indiana, where he now lives, and is engaged in a very lucrative practice. Since his removal to Evansville he has be- come a member of the American Institute of Homœop- athy. He is a good writer, and an able exponent of the principles and practice of the school of medicine to which he belongs. Dr. Davis was married to Miss Jane Taylor, of Warrick County, Indiana, on the seventeenth day of April, 1855. Standing in the front rank among his brethren of the medical profession, in the prime of life and manhood, surrounded by many friends, and moving in the best circles of society, there is probably no physician in Evansville who occupies a more enviable position than does Dr. F. L. Davis.

ENBY, CHARLES, of Evansville, an eminent law- yer, was born at Mt. Joy, the residence of his grand- father, Matthew Harvey, in Botetourt County, Vir- ginia, on the 16th of June, 1830. Matthew Harvey was a Revolutionary patriot, and with all his brothers served under arms in the war for independence. Na- thaniel Denby and Sarah J. Denby, the parents of Charles Denby, resided at Richmond, Virginia, where Mr. Denby was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. Charles went to a school under the government of Mr. Thomas Fox, at Taylorsville, Hanover County, Virginia, thence to Georgetown College, in the District of Colum- bia, and subsequently graduated at the Virginia Military Institute in 1850. After receiving his degree he taught school at Selma, Alabama, for a period of nearly three years, being a professor in the Masonic University. In June, 1853, he took up his residence at Evansville, In- diana, and became assistant editor of the daily En- quirer, owned by John B. Hall, a Democratic paper, just started. At an early age he determined that his fu- ture profession should be that of the law, and, in pursu- ance of that idea, he had, at all times, when not teach- ing, read the ancient authors. After a short residence at Evansville he made arrangements by which he could read law during the day in the office of Messrs. Baker & Garvin, who were then the leading lawyers at Evans- ville, but still retaining his editorial connection and writing for the paper at night. He was admitted to the A-3

bar in 1855, upon the report of an examining commit- tee, consisting of Conrad Baker, James Lockhart, and John Law. A partnership was immediately formed with the Hon. James Lockhart, which lasted for three years, until Judge Lockhart's death. In 1856 he was elected to the Legislature, on the Democratic ticket ; Lockhart, at the same time, was chosen a member of Congress. After Judge Lockhart's death he formed a partnership with Jacob Lunkenheimer, which lasted for two years, until the death of Mr. Lunkenheimer. When the late Civil War broke out he was practicing his profession at Evansville, and in September, 1861, together with James G. Jones and James M. Shanklin, he formed a regiment, with the understanding that Jones was to be colonel, Shanklin the major, and Denby the lieutenant-colonel. So strenuous were their efforts that within two weeks after the call was made there were sixteen companies quartered at the fair grounds, a few miles from the city. The regiment was called the 42d Indiana, with the field officers above named, and shortly after moved to Kentucky, in Buell's command, marching to Huntsville with General Mitchell. They were engaged in some skirmishes and in the battle of Perryville, where the young lieutenant-colonel had his horse killed under him and was himself slightly wounded. Immediately after the battle he was pro- moted to the rank of colonel of the 80th Indiana Volun- teers, which he commanded until March, 1863, when he resigned on a surgeon's certificate of disability. He had received an injury to his left leg, which riding greatly aggravated. Returning to Evansville, he re- sumed the practice of his profession and formed a part- nership with Conrad Baker, then Lieutenant-governor of the state. But this alliance, however, was of short duration, as Governor Morton, being in ill-health, went abroad, and Baker was called to the capital to take his place. For the last nine years he has been in partner- ship with Mr. D. B. Kumler, under the name of Denby & Kumler. Colonel Denby has refused all political preferment and nominations for office since 1856, when he served a term in the Legislature, being appointed on the Judiciary Committee, and chairman of the Commit- tee on Elections. He was designated as surveyor of the port by President Buchanan, and served until Mr. Lin- coln's administration commenced. Although not an avowed politician, Colonel Denby has always been a stanch Democrat, and a useful member of the party and community. He has voluntarily, and without compensa- tion, served the city of Evansville in various capacities. He started the plan of holding the United States Courts at Evansville, going to Washington in that interest, and was instrumental in securing the erection of the gov- ernment building at Evansville, the passage of the law authorizing United States Courts to be held there, the making of the city a port of entry, the appointment of

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government inspectors, and various other matters of local interest. In 1858 he was married to Martha Fitch, daughter of Hon. G. N. Fitch, of Logansport, In- diana. Eight children have been born to them, of whom five boys and one girl are living. He attends the Episcopal Church with his family, and is a member of the vestry, and president of the Missionary Society of the parish.

OWNEY, WILLIAM D., merchant, of Princeton, was born March 18, 1834, ten miles south-west of Princeton. His father, Rev. A. R. Downey, a min- ister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother of North Carolina. They went from Kentucky to Gibson County, Indiana, about 1830, in 1836 removing to Dubois County. William D. Downey, having spent his boyhood on a farm, attended common school during the winter, until at thirteen he was sent to a school in Newburg. Remaining there three years, he returned to the farm, and at seventeen entered mercantile life, engaging as clerk in a store at Petersburg, Pike County, Indiana. After serving there some four or five years, he went to the city of Evansville, where he also clerked for several years. In 1861 he went to Princeton, Indiana, and engaged in mercantile business for himself, and has continued therein ever since. He now owns one of the largest general stores in Princeton. Giving his whole time and attention to his business, he has become a very successful merchant. He has never held or sought office, but is a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen, anxious to promote the growth and pros- perity of the city of Princeton. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Octavia Hall, daughter of Judge S. Hall, and two children are the fruits of this marriage. -

OWNS, THOMAS J., of Boonville, was born April 13, 1834, in Ohio County, Kentucky, where his grandfather, Thomas Downs, was an early settler. He was a minister in the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his rounds had traveled over large por- tions of Indiana and Kentucky. He was generally considered a man of more than mere ordinary abil- ity. He was one of two brothers of English de- scent, from which stock sprung all those bearing that name in this country. He died in 1850, in the seventy- sixth year of his age. His son William, the father of Thomas J., died two years previous. He was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, an honest, upright citizen, plain and simple in his manner, a man of few words, but tenacious of opinions where he believed himself in the right. By the death of his father, which occurred when Thomas J. Downs, the immediate subject of this

sketch, was but fourteen years of age, he was withdrawn from school, and cheerfully assumed, until he attained his majority, almost the sole responsibility of providing for the family. In 1855 he removed to Warrick County, and worked at his trade as a carpenter. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he joined the 42d Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a musician, but by general or- ders was mustered out of service six months afterwards. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted a number of men for the 120th Indiana Regiment, and was unanimously elected captain. This body participated in the Atlanta cam- paign and in the hard-fought battles at Nashville and Franklin. They were then transferred to North Caro- lina, where, at the battle of Wise Fork, he was wounded in the back of the head, and was mustered out of the service at Newbern in May, 1865. Soon after his return to Boonville he was elected county auditor, and served five years. The next five years he spent in selling goods and farming. In 1874 he purchased a half interest in the Boonville flouring-mill, in which business he is still engaged. He was married, January 1, 1857, to Miss Lydia M. Williams. His mother, who was a King, is still living, and now in her old age retains all her men- tal powers to a wonderful degree. She possesses a mas- ter mind, and has lived a consistent Christian life, leav- ing to others a worthy example for emulation. She is a member, of many years' standing, in the Missionary Baptist Church. From this brief outline of a busy life, furnished with commendable modesty by Mr. Downs, a useful lesson may be drawn. Commencing the battle of life friendless and poor, at an age when most chil- dren are still in the nursery, he has lived to see him- self a power for good in the community where he dwells. Believing at the outset that a good name is better than riches, with no ambition for public office, he has been governed since youth by those fixed princi- ples of honor and rectitude which stamp him to-day as an honest man, an exemplary citizen, and a kind husband.

DSON, WILLIAM PALEY, of Mount Vernon, attorney and counselor at law, was born at Mount Vernon, Indiana, May 14, 1834. His father, Eben D. Edson, a native of Otsego County, New York, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of New England, was a lawyer, and one of the pioneers of Mount Vernon, where he practiced his profession until his death, in the year 1846. His mother, Sarah L. Edson, whose maiden name was Phelps, was a native of Connecticut. William P. Edson received his education at Mount Vernon, first attending the common schools, and afterwards spending four years at a private academy under the tuition of a teacher of superior qualifications. Upon leaving this institution, he began the study of

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law, was admitted to the bar in 1855, and immediately thereafter entered upon the practice of his profession at Mount Vernon. In the fall of 1856 he was elected a member of the Indiana Legislature, being then but twenty-two years of age, and one of the youngest mem- bers of that body. In 1858 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the Common Pleas Court of the circuit embracing the counties of Posey, Vanderburg, Warrick, and Gibson, and held this office for two years. In the year 1871 he was appointed, by Governor Baker, Judge of the Common Pleas Court, but resigned the office at the end of the year, because of the meager compen- sation. In 1876 he was placed in nomination by the Republican state convention for the office of Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana, but, with the rest of the Republican ticket of that year, was defeated. Judge Edson has been an earnest student in his pro- fession. He is regarded as one of the most emi- nent lawyers in the state, and now enjoys a large practice at Mount Vernon. Judge Edson was mar- ried, January 1, 1862, to Ruphenie Lockwood, daugh- ter of John M. Lockwood, of Mount Vernon. Five children, two sons and three daughters, are the result of this union-Eben D., Sarah P., John M., Charlotte Edson, and Caroline.

DSON, JOSEPH PHELPS, brother of Judge Wm. P. Edson, was born at Mount Vernon, Indiana, in 1831; was educated to the profession of law, and entered upon its practice in Mount Vernon in 1854. He became very successful, acquiring a large and lucrative practice, and taking a very prominent position among the younger members of the bar in his section of the state. He was elected a Representative in the Indiana state Legislature from Posey and Vanderburg Counties in the fall of 1860, and died while a member of that body in 1862.

MBREE, ELISHA, attorney-at-law, of Princeton, Indiana, and ex-member of Congress, was born on the 28th of September, 1801, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, and was the son of Joshua and Eliza- beth Embree. When he was a small child his parents moved to the southern part of Kentucky, and in the year 181I went to Indiana, encamping for the first night in Indiana about three miles from Princeton. Here they settled, and began the work of preparing to culti- vate a farm. A year afterwards his father died, leaving a widow and six children, and Elisha was obliged to work hard, summer and winter, toward the support of himself and the family. Not having had an opportu-

nity of attending school while a boy, his school educa- tion was not begun until he was eighteen years old, at which time he could only spell a few words in Web- ster's Speller. He then began attending school in the winter months, laboring upon the farm in the summer. His progress at school was rapid, and at an exhibition given by the school he displayed such an aptitude for declamation and oratory that the teacher advised him to become a lawyer, believing that his taste and talents for oratory would best be cultivated in that field. Ac- cepting this advice as soon as he was able to do so, he began the study of law with Hon. Samuel Hall, at Princeton, Indiana, and in 1825 was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon the practice of his profes- sion at Princeton, in which he was eminently successful, and was soon in the possession of a large and lucrative practice. He became an able and eloquent advocate and a sound and practical counselor, and took rank with the ablest members of the bar. In 1833 he was elected a member of the Indiana state Senate, and while a member of that body he almost alone opposed the in- ternal improvement legislation of that period, which subsequently bore such evil fruits. In 1835 he was elected Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Indiana, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. Samuel Hall, and in 1838 was re-elected for a full term of six years, serving ten years in that judicial position. In 1847 he was elected a Representative to Congress from the First Congressional District, defeat- ing the Hon. Robert Dale Owen, and being the first and only Whig ever elected in that district. He served two years in Congress, and was the originator of the proposition to abolish mileage to members of Congress. In 1849 he was a candidate for re-election, but was de- feated by Hon. Nathaniel Albertson. After this he de- voted much of his time to looking after his estate, having a number of farms which needed his personal supervi- sion. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was an earnest advocate of the prosecution of the war for the preservation of the Union. He aided and encouraged the enlistment of troops, and his three sons entered the army-they were all he had. His oldest, James T., was a lieutenant-colonel in the 58th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Much of his time after his sons went into the army was spent at the front, where he devoted his services to the sick and wounded soldiers. His labors and exposures during this period are believed to have been the cause of his death, which occurred at his home, in Princeton, Indiana, on the twenty-eighth day of February, 1863. He united with the Methodist Episco- pal Church in the year 1835, lived thenceforth a con- sistent Christian life, and died in the hope of a blessed immortality. He was eminent both as a lawyer and as a jurist. He was married, in 1827, to Miss Eleanor Robb, daughter of Major David Robb, one of the pio-

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neer farmers of Indiana, who settled in Knox County in 1800, and who was a participant in the battle of Tippecanoe. Six children-three sons and three daugh- ters-were the fruit of this union. Two of the latter died in infancy. His third daughter died in the spring of this year, at Equality, Illinois, where she had resided for fifteen years. Her name was Maria Louisa Ross. Milton P. Embree died in April of this year, 1880. Lieutenant-colonel James T. Embree, the oldest son, died in 1867, and David F., the second son, died in 1877. Both of these were educated to the law, and the latter, David F. Embree, attained a distinguished posi- tion as one of the most brilliant members of the bar of Gibson County.

also, in conjunction with J. W. Jones, purchased the land upon which all Evansville north of the state road (Main Street) is situated, and founded the city which bears his name. He was also the means of its becom- ing the seat of justice. In 1824 General Evans removed to Evansville and remained one year, watching carefully over the city bearing his name. In the following year he removed to Princeton. After this he kept a hotel in New Harmony for one year. In 1828 he returned to Evansville, and there lived until his death, which took place in 1844. Mr. Evans was a noble man, and gener- ous to a fault. His granddaughter has erected to his memory a fine hall in Evansville, which is set apart strictly for the use of temperance societies.

VANS, GENERAL ROBERT M., was born in 1783, in Frederick County, Virginia. While a VANS, WILLIAM L., president of the People's National Bank, of Princeton, was born December 21, 1828, at Princeton, Indiana. He is a son of James Evans, one of the earliest settlers of Gibson County, who was a brother of General Robert M. Evans, the founder of Evansville. James Evans was one of the most prominent men of the county in his day, cultivating a large farm on the edge of Princeton, and owning the only wool-carding machine in that section of the coun- try. He also held the important office of magistrate for a number of years. His death occurred at Princeton, in 1834. William L. Evans, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived a common school education in his native town, and in 1846 began to learn the saddlery trade with John McCoy, of Princeton, Indiana. In September, 1848, he left that business to take a position as clerk in the store of Samuel M. Archer, and remained with him for five years. Mr. Evans then went into partnership in the re- tail dry-goods business with his brother, Jonathan H. Evans, and Dr. Andrew Lewis. This partnership con- tinued until 1863, when the firm dissolved. In 1864 he formed another partnership, with W. D. Downey and Dr. A. Lewis, and the firm conducted a large establish- ment in the same line, known as the New York Store. After three years Dr. Lewis sold out his interest to Messrs. Evans & Downey, who conducted it for five years. Mr. Evans, on account of his health, at the end of that time retired from business, in March, 1873. At that time the People's National Bank, of Princeton, was established, and in May, 1873, Mr. Evans was chosen its president, and holds that office up to the present writing. The only public office held by him has been that of treasurer of the corporation of Princeton, which he has filled for about twelve years in all. In politics he has been a Republican since that party has existed. Mr. Evans has had an honorable career as a merchant, in which he has been successful, and is highly esteemed small boy his parents removed to Botetourt County, where he remained until 1790, and when he was seventeen years old they went to Tazewell County. In this latter place he was deputy clerk while yet but a lad. In 1803 he moved to Paris, Kentucky, and there married Jane Trimble, sister of Judge Robert Trimble, of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1805, with his family, he removed to Indiana Territory, and settled in the woods on a tract of land where Princeton now stands. At the first sale of government lands, in 1807, he purchased the tract he had settled upon, and there continued to reside until 1809. He then removed to Vincennes, where he remained two years, and in a frame house kept a hotel. In the War of 1812 the sur- render of Hull left the north-western frontier exposed to the incursions of the British and Indians. This oc- casioned considerable alarm, and nearly ten thousand volunteers immediately offered themselves to the govern- ment, and, being placed under the command of General W. H. Harrison, marched toward the territory of Mich- igan. General Evans joined Harrison at once, and was appointed one of his aides. In this official capacity he proved so efficient that he was appointed by General Harrison brigadier-general, and placed in command of a large body of militia, both from Indiana and other territories. General Evans participated in the battle of the Thames, Tippecanoe, and other engagements, and had the reputation of being one of the best officers in the army, not only on account of his bravery, but also for his sagacity and ability as a leader. He had the misfortune at this time to lose his brother Jonathan, who was killed by the Indians in one of the skirmishes which preceded Tippecanoe. On his return to Gibson County from the war, he was elected county clerk, but in the following October, 1819, he resigned. He was in- strumental in forming Vanderburg County, named after General Vanderburg, a celebrated Indian fighter. He | by the community in which he has always resided for

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strict integrity in all business transactions. In the set- tlement of his father's estate, Mr. Evans received as his share something less than three hundred dollars in cash, and this is all the capital he had, except what he had earned, upon which to begin business. The real estate left to him has never been touched, and remains to-day intact, it never having been a source of income.

AILING, DOCTOR WALTER, was born in Mont- gomery County, New York, June 7, 1820. He is of German descent, and his paternal grand- mother was the niece of General Herkimer, of Revolutionary fame. He attended the common schools of the period until he was thirteen years of age. He

then gave the next twenty years of his life to the study of medicine and the business of an apothecary, spend- ing a good part of the time in New York City, where he attended lectures in the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York. He is a member of the medical society of that state. He first began the practice of medicine, near Watertown. He was mar- ried to Miss Caroline Holmes, of Ontario County, in 1852, and soon after-some time in 1856-removed to Madison, Wisconsin. After the breaking out of the Rebellion, he returned to New York, entered the serv- ice of the United States, and was mustered into the service as surgeon of the 80th Regiment United States colored troops, which was commanded by the late lamented Colonel Cyrus Hamlin, son of the Vice-pres- ident of the United States. He was detailed for duty on the " Red River Expedition," under General Banks, and afterwards had charge of a hospital boat, where his responsibilities were great and his duties required much skill and executive ability, there being nearly a thou- sand men on board. . This was after the retreat of Gen- eral Banks to Grand Ecore, Louisiana. Great as were the cares and responsibilities of Doctor Failing in this unfortunate expedition, with so vast a number of sick and wounded to look after, he acquitted himself so well that he was twice breveted for meritorious services. In 1865 he returned to Watertown, New York, on fur- lough, to visit his family, expecting to be discharged from the service. But he was recalled, and assigned to duty as medical purveyor at the depot at Shreveport, Louisiana. After turning over the medical stores and property to the proper authorities at New Orleans, he was sent to take charge of the post at Alexandria, Lou- isiana, and was honorably discharged from the service in 1867, after which he removed to Rockport, Indiana. His wife died near Geneva, New York, while on a visit to her parents, on the ninth day of February, 1866, since which time he has lived in Evansville, Indiana, where he is now engaged in discharging the duties of his pro-

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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 6

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