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 73

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 73

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LLIOTT, JEHU TINDALL, was born near Rich- mond, Wayne County, Indiana, February 7, 1813, and died, at his home in New Castle, on the 12th of February, 1876, having just entered upon the sixty-fourth year of his age. His death was sudden and caused by apoplexy, but was not wholly unexpected either to his family or friends, who knew that he had suffered from previous attacks of that complaint, and that his existence was likely to be suddenly terminated. His father, Abraham Elliott, came to Henry County in 1824, and settled on a farm one and a half miles from New Castle, which had just been laid out and made the county seat, and, with a large family to support, it was necessary that all should contribute by labor to aid in their maintenance. They were, in fact, a model family, universally beloved and respected by their friends and acquaintances, and all rendered a cheerful obedience to the requirements of the situation. The education of the youth was limited to the means which the country at that time afforded, but he learned rapidly, and soon he had made such proficiency that by the time he was eighteen years of age he was engaged in teaching a school, which he continued for about two years. The father of the young man, himself a lawyer in good standing, had intended his son for the legal profes- sion, and, when he reached the age of twenty, placed him in the office of Martin M. Ray, then a law- yer of large practice at Centerville, Wayne County, where he remained about one year, and was then ad- mitted to practice. Having completed his studies, he returned to New Castle and opened an office, and a lucrative business soon came to him. He was married, October 24, 1833, to Hannah Branson, who survives him. The first office he ever held was that of assistant secretary of the House of Representatives of the In- diana Legislature, a position to which he was re-elected, and in 1837 he was made principal secretary of that body. In 1838 he was elected prosecuting attorney for a new circuit, extending to and embracing the counties of Blackford and Wells, in which no courts had previ- ously been held, which position he held until August, 1839, when he was elected to the state Senate, the term then being three years. In 1844 he was elected by the Legislature Circuit Judge, his circuit embracing eight of the most populous counties, and he was re-elected in 1851 for another term of seven years, but in 1852 he re- signed the office and accepted the presidency of a rail- road then being built from Richmond to Chicago. This he resigned in 1854, and the following year, 1855, he was elected by the people Circuit Judge, holding the place until 1864, when he was elected one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. The bar over which he had so long presided was one of great ability, embracing such eminent lawyers as James Rariden, John S. Newman, Charles H. Test, Caleb B. Smith, Samuel W. Parker,

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and James Perry, with many others scarcely inferior to them. It was the opinion of these gentlemen and other competent judges that, as a Circuit Judge, his ability was of the highest order, and it is certain that no judge ever gave greater satisfaction than he. His popularity was such that no one ever opposed him for the place successfully, and when it was known that he was a can- didate an election followed, of course. The opinions he delivered during the six years he occupied a seat on the Supreme Bench bear evidence of great industry and a thorough knowledge of the law, and stand deservedly high with the profession. On retiring from the Su- preme Bench he resumed the practice of the law, and was thus engaged when death overtook him. The com- munity in which the Judge so long resided placed a very high estimate on his ability and integrity. He was the friend and counselor of the young men who embarked in the profession, and as such these esteemed him very highly. The litigant always felt that in the decision of his case the Judge would bring to his aid thorough knowledge of the law and impartiality, and if he lost his suit it was because the law and facts com- pelled a decision the other way, and therefore lawyers and their clients submitted cheerfully to adverse decis- ions. It was by this means that he won the title of the "model judge." He served eighteen years as Cir- cuit Judge and six years on the Supreme Bench, mak- ing twenty-four years in all, and from 1835 to 1871 he was continually in the public service. Few men who die at the age of sixty-three have served the public so long and with such universal commendation as Judge Elliott. To the community in which he had so long resided, as well as to his personal friends and his family, his death seemed an irreparable loss, which found as full an expression as words could convey in a set of resolutions passed by the Henry County bar, which, through lack of space, we are unable to publish.

VANS, CAPTAIN OWEN, of the 2d United States Sharp-shooters, was born in Henry County, Indiana, August 11, 1826. He is of Quaker par- entage, the second of six children born to George and Mary (Haskett) Evans. He was reared on a farm, but had better educational opportunities than most boys in that section. He fully appreciated these advantages and made great progress in his studies. Under the direc- tion of a teacher who was a thorough classical scholar, Captain Evans learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew ; he was a great reader, and seemed literally to devour every thing in the way of books that came within reach, particularly works on history and theology. Having naturally an inquiring, logical mind, his searching ques- tions on the latter subject proved troublesome to his

parents and friends, for in those days knowledge of science and philosophy was not wide-spread. At the age of nineteen his mental acquirements were such that he passed an examination as a teacher; and for three years continued that calling. In March, 1855, he went to Iowa, and'the year following removed to Minnesota, and entered one hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Anoka County. While a resident of this state he was commissioned sheriff of Isanti County, serving two years, when he was elected one of the board of county supervisors of Anoka County. He was appointed chair- man of the board, and had the disbursement of all moneys drawn for county purposes. He also organized Anoka Lodge of Freemasons, and filled the chair of Worshipful Master. He was afterward elected first Master, under the chartered lodge, and appointed Senior Grand Warden of the state. At the breaking out of the war Captain Evans was occupied in farming. A true American citizen, he resolved to sacrifice personal com- fort and interest in upholding the honor of his country; and, accordingly, in the fall of 1861 he enlisted for three years as a private soldier in Company A, 2d United States Sharp-shooters. This company, which in time became celebrated for its bravery and efficiency, was, during its term of service, attached to nearly every corps in the Army of the Potomac, and was generally called upon to flank charges, to lead in advance, and to cover retreat. Captain Evans was engaged in the battles of Falmouth, Orange Court House, and a number of others, including the second battle of Bull Run, where he was taken prisoner. Paroled by order of General Lee, he was sent to Co- lumbus, Ohio, where he remained until exchanged. Passing through Pennsylvania, while en route to rejoin his command, the train was thrown from the track, and Captain Evans's shoulder was broken. This acci- dent sent him to the hospital at York for six months, and he was unable to join his company until the eve of the battle of Chancellorsville. At the battle of Gettys- burg his company was deployed as skirmishers in Gen- eral Sickles's front, and received the charge, on Big and Little Round Top, of the advance line of Ewell's and Longstreet's divisions. On the third day of the fight they were called to the assistance of the Second Corps to resist the Confederate charge on Cemetery Hill. Here they again encountered the flower of the Southern army, which was broken and scattered before them. Thus far Captain Evans had escaped unscathed ; but, just before the decisive charges, he received a slight wound in the face from a minie ball. Upon the reor- ganization of the army under General Grant, Captain Evans's company was attached to Hancock's corps, and with that command began the march to Richmond through the Wilderness. Here they were engaged in a succession of fights for fifteen days; and in that at Po

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River Captain Evans was wounded in the arm by a shell. During the battle of Petersburg he narrowly es- caped having his head blown from his shoulders by a cannon ball, which came so close as to carry away the brim of his hat, and cause paralysis of the frontal brain. Such, in brief, is an outline of Captain Evans's military career. He entered the army a private, and for merito- rious conduct was elevated through successive grades to the captaincy of his company. While yet a lieutenant, in addition to his own command, he had charge of two New Hampshire companies. Such was his renown as an officer and a gentleman that he was subsequently tendered the colonelcy of a new regiment of Granite State troops, but declined the honor, preferring, for ob- vious reasons, to remain with his own men. Previous to the disbandment of volunteers Captain Evans refused the position of mustering officer on General Humphrey's staff. He returned to Indiana, where his family, who had been driven from Minnesota by the Indian massa- cres, awaited him. In 1869 he was appointed deputy auditor of the county, the duties of which office he still performs. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a consistent Christian, a gallant soldier, and a true gentleman.

MSWILER, GEORGE P., capitalist and broker, of Richmond, was born in the town of York, York County, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1830. . He was the eldest of ten children, and, his father being in straitened circumstances, young George's op- portunities for acquiring an education were by no means flattering, but being energetic and studious he was not long in mastering the rudiments, and that too mostly without the assistance of a teacher. He was early im- pressed with the influence and position in society which wealth could give, and he had an especial dread of de- pendence on others. In 1842, when but twelve years of age, he went to Harrisburg, and engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store, where he remained for four years, when, in company with his parents, he removed to Edinburg, Indiana. Although so young, he had so improved his opportunities by study after business hours that he taught school for twelve months, to the general satisfaction of all concerned. The following year he removed with his father's family to German- town, in Wayne County, where he continued teaching for six months longer. In December of the same year he removed to Richmond, Indiana, his present home, and engaged as clerk for Stratton & Wright (afterwards Benjamin Stratton), where he remained five years, and where by close economy he acquired his first five hun- dred dollars, when his salary was but one hundred and eighty dollars a year. Here he illustrated the two strong points of his business character, industry and

economy ; to which, when acting for himself a few years later, he added the third, namely, good financier- ing ability. Add to these qualities an excellent judg- ment of human nature, granted good moral principles, and we have a character that could hardly fail of success. In the employment of Thaddeus Wright he remained un- til the spring of 1855, when he was offered a position in the Citizens' Bank, under Morrison, Blanchard & Co., and continued with them until March, 1857. At this time he engaged in the wholesale and retail notion trade with Mr. Christian Zimmer, under the firm name of Zimmer & Emswiler. Three years later Mr. Zimmer retired, and he chose Alvin E. Crocker as his partner. This firm was continued for six years with unusual success. Although Mr. Emswiler was possessed of a limited amount of property, their total cash capital was only ninety dollars, with which to purchase horses, wagon, and a stock of goods, all of which they did on a credit of six months. Selling their wares for cash, and to prompt-paying customers on thirty days, they were enabled, by collecting closely every month, to meet every obligation against the firm before maturity, be- sides making considerable sums each year in discounts. So admirably were the finances managed by Mr. Ems- wiler that, though tens of thousands of dollars were involved in their trade, the total losses incurred by them during these six years were less than fifty dollars. Soon after the dissolution of this firm, Mr. Emswiler sold out the establishment and retired from business, and now leads the quiet and independent life of a gen- tleman of fortune. He married Miss Martha A. Finley, February 14, 1855, a niece of John Finley, well remem- bered by the older citizens as mayor of the city for many years. They have a family of two children, and are highly respected in the community.

ETTA, CHRISTIAN, manufacturer, of Richmond, was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, June 15, 1831, and came to this country with his parents when he was fourteen years of age. By his aptness and diligence in study he acquired a good primary education in his native place, and afterwards attended, during three winter terms, a private school in his new home. He left school at the age of seven- teen, and began to learn the miller's trade, but, finding that it injured his health, in 1849 he engaged to work in a brick-yard. After one year's service he was made super- intendent of the yard, and, with slight interruptions, has continued in this business until the present time. In 1851 he began the manufacture of bricks on his own ac- count, and by his energy, judgment, and quick perception, he established a prosperous business and acquired consid- erable wealth. In after years his success was checked by

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the failure of a man for whom he had indorsed heavily, but his industrious habits and perseverance served him so well in this hour of trial that he emerged from the difficulty uncrushed and undaunted. In 1870 he bought a tract of land in Randolph County, and with a part- ner went into the lumber business, under the firm name of Fetta & Hawkins. Mr. Fetta had no taste for either military or political honors. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, having served as Master of his lodge for about ten years, and during the years 1873-74 was Grand Master of the state. He is an Odd-fellow and a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Mr. Fetta was reared in the Lutheran Church, but at present is not connected with any religious de- nomination. He married in 1853, and has several sons and daughters.

AAR, ABRAM, president of Gaar, Scott & Co., manufacturers of steam-engines and threshers, saw-mills, etc., was born in Wayne County, In- diana, November 14, 1819. His father, Jonas Gaar, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Sarah (Watson) Gaar, was born in Kentucky. They were married in Indiana in 1818. Abram was the oldest of eight children, seven of whom are yet living. His father moved to the then small village of Richmond when this eldest son was one year old, and followed his trade as cabinet-maker. During his youth and boyhood his opportunities for school education were very limited. Subscription schools for a few months only each year were all that could be afforded. When fourteen years of age he began to learn the trade with his father, and two years afterwards, in 1835, his father went into the foundry and machine business, on the site where the county jail now stands. Abram at that time was an apprentice, but, being a natural mechanic, he worked at pattern-making, building woolen machinery, etc., though but about eighteen years of age. After three or four years this firm broke up, and he worked with Ellis Nordyke as a millwright in the years 1839 and 1840. Very hard times coming on, he gave up mechanics for the time being, and turned his attention to the improve- ment of his mind. He attended school for some time, and, finally, closed his last session in 1842, with James M. Poe as teacher. In 1843 he returned and worked for J. M. & J. H. Hutton, in the old Spring Foundry Machine-shops. Here he continued till 1849, when he and his father, brother, and brother-in-law, bought out the firm, and started under the familiar firm name of "A. Gaar & Co." Here was the foundation laid for their future extensive shops. The principal members of the firm at that time consisted of Mr. Gaar's father, himself, his brother, J. M. Gaar, and his brother-in-law, W. G. Scott, all of them having a genius for mechanics;

and being of industrious habits they continued to ex- tend their business and their reputation year after year, till April 1, 1870, when the name was changed to Gaar, Scott & Co., and a company was incorporated, with a paid-up capital stock of four hundred thousand dollars. Up to this time Abram Gaar was superintendent of the pattern and wood-working department of the works, and in 1870 was elected president, and continued actively in business till 1873, when he ceased to attend the works regularly, but still continued as president. The estab- lishment of Gaar, Scott & Co. has grown to large pro- portions. The machine-shop, built in 1856, was burned down in January, 1858, but was immediately rebuilt, and other buildings have been added from time to time, and at present the shops, with warehouses and necessary yard room, cover five acres of ground. They are among the most extensive boiler and engine builders in the world. They used in 1878 more than three hundred and sixty tons of boiler iron, over three hundred and fifty tons of wrought iron, and eight hundred tons of pig iron, besides one million seven hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber in the construction of grain- threshers, saw-mills, etc., and employ on an average about four hundred men. The value of their manufac- tured goods exceeded five hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Their goods are sent to all of the states and territories. Their trade on the Pacific Slope last year, principally in California, exceeded eighty thousand dol- lars. Another large shop has lately been put up to meet their growing business. In 1873 Mr. Garr, with his family, took a trip to California, returning in 1874. Soon after he removed to his farm, two miles north- east of Richmond, where he now lives. He had no taste nor ambition for military honors, though in 1842 he belonged to a military company, under Captain Sinex, and continued for about five years. He was a member of the city council from 1857 to 1861. Mr. Gaar had no aspirations for political offices, and never asked or accepted one. He belongs to no secret orders, but at one time was a member of the Good Templars. His sympathies and practice have always been on the side of temperance, never having been addicted to drink- ing, neither chewing or smoking tobacco. The result of such habits is a sound mind in a sound body in ad- vanced age. In 1840 he was anxious to cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison as a candidate for President of the United States, but, not having reached his majority by twelve days, that privilege was denied him. As his father was a Democrat, Abraham changed over, voted for Polk in 1844, and continued to act with that party till the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, when he left the party and became a Republican from that time forward. He also paid liberally for the sup- port of the war. In 1867 Mr. Gaar became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife

FS'em Bragt Pub. Co

Abram Gaar

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and one son belong. He has long been noted for his liberality and kindness to the poor and unfortunate, though these noble deeds of charity have been done in privacy, and with a desire to avoid display. On March 26, 1851, he married Agnes Adams, and has a family of four children. In 1876 he built a very superior dwelling on his farm, where he now lives, surrounded by the com- forts and pleasures of home, respected and esteemed by the community in which he dwells. In 1868 he was elected one of the trustees of the Home for Friendless Women, an institution of Richmond, where he served about nine years without remuneration, and his name now heads the list with a very liberal subscription to pay off an incumbrance on that institution.

ORDON, OLIVER C., county treasurer, of Win- chester, was born in Henry County, Indiana, November 14, 1845. His parents were Charles

6 and Lydia (Jessup) Gordon, who emigrated years ago from North Carolina. He received a fair education, at Arba, Randolph County, and gained his first knowl- edge of business as salesman in a store in that village. He entered the army as a private soldier at the age of eighteen, and served during the war. His career in the army was a checkered one. At times he enjoyed pleasure and plenty, more frequently he was exposed to the dangers of the sea, wearied with forced marches, and exhausted with hunger; and, finally, he returned home uninjured. For two years he carried the mail be- tween Richmond and Union City. He then settled in the latter place, in the book and stationery business, and remained until elected to his present position, in 1875. He now has the nomination for a second term, which is about equal to a re-election. His popularity may be shown by the fact of his giving a bond amounting to two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. His bondsmen include a number of the most influential cit- izens of the county, all signing without any solicitation on his part. He is a member of the society of Friends, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Miss Maggie Keever Powers, in 1866, by whom he has three children. Mr. Gordon is a gentleman of fine personal appearance and courte- ous manners. His social position is well defined and secure.

RIFFIS, THEODORE L., merchant, Connersville, Indiana, was born in that place October 10, 1826. He is the son of Robert and Sarah (Swift) Griffis, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New Jersey. Mr. Griffis is by no means a stranger to pioneer life, as Indiana had been a

state but ten years at the time of his birth. His educa- tion was acquired at the common schools of Conners- ville, where he stood well in his classes, excelling in mathematics. With a natural taste for business, he be- came a clerk in a drug-store at the age of ten years. Three years later he resumed his studies at school, which he attended until about nineteen years of age. In 1846 his business life began, and he was employed in the dry-goods establishment of Daniel Hankins as bookkeeper and salesman. Here he continued for six years, acquiring valuable experience in studying human nature and in handling fabrics. In practice Mr. Griffis has acted upon the motto of one of the great philan- thropists of England : " Be a whole man; at one thing at a time." Through all these years of trade he has kept to one course, though often solicited to accept offices of honor and profit. Industry, courtesy, and persistence have been the law of his house, and he now stands at the head of his business in his native town. About the year 1851 he became a partner with Mr. Hankins, and continued with him for eight years. At the end of this time the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Griffis be- gan an independent life as a merchant, in the room immediately north of his present location. On Febru- ary 24, 1853, Mr. Griffis married Miss Rachel M. Rogers, daughter of Doctor J. G. Rogers, of New Rich- mond, Ohio, who is deservedly honored by a sketch in the "Encyclopedia of Eminent Men of Ohio." They had four sons, three of whom are now living. Mrs. Griffis's death occurred on March 25, 1866. While Mr. Griffis has never aspired to office, he has re- mained true to his political faith-first as a Whig and afterward as a member of the Republican party. June 30, 1875, he married Miss Kathleen Reese, of Wilming- ton, Ohio. Mr. Griffis is a gentleman of fine personal appearance and courteous manners, and is highly re- spected by his fellow-citizens.

RAVES, PROFESSOR KERSEY, of Richmond, was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1815, and is descended from the noble family of Stuarts of England. His father was Enos Graves, a man of great force of character, a clear reasoner, and a vigorous, logical writer. IIe was a leading member of the society of Friends, and, in political life, held offices of honor and trust in the county, and might have gained higher positions had not his religious scruples restrained him from seeking or accepting them. The maiden name of the mother of Kersey Graves was Elizabeth Jones, a relative of the noted English scholar, Sir William Jones. His highest educational advantages were those of an academy, in which he studied mathe- matics and the natural sciences, and made some attain-

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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 73

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