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 79

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 79

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Hamilton S. NE Ral.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

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fused. The genealogist cited maintains that the Mac- Kensies, the MacRas, and the MacLains were of the same people in Ireland. He gives as an evidence, to which the manners of that time would give force, the fact that a MacKensie, a MacRa, and a MacLain had a tomb in the same place. He also maintains that the Campbells of Scotland were of the same stock, a MacRa having married the heiress of Craignish, and changed his name to Campbell. He seems to be proud of the fact that this MacRa in changing his name did not change his blood, the Campbells and the MacRas maintaining a close intimacy throughout successive gen- erations. Whatever may have been the degree of re- lationship, or the comparative prominence of the four clans, they were all brave in battle, constant in friend- ship, and true to public trusts. A large portion of the McRas in the United States of America are descend- ants from those who landed at Wilmington, North Carolina, before the Revolution. Others are descended from an Episcopal minister sent to Virginia by the British Crown. At an early period one McRae is known to have emigrated to New York. From these progenitors have sprung many families of local promi- nence, and not a few of wider distinction. Their chief merit, however, does not consist in the fact that they have furnished heroic soldiers, prosperous farmers, suc- cessful merchants, able professionals, and wise legis- lators, but rather in the fact that their law-abiding habits are such that their names do not appear in the lists of convicts. The subject of this sketch is descended from the North Carolina McRaes. The maiden name of one of his ancestors was Margaret McKensie, who was descended from a Laird McKensie. In her youth she diligently improved what were then, in Scotland, considered rare opportunities for culture. Her husband was a person whom the Scotch would call a pretty man. There was a touch of romance in their courtship, inci- dent to the assumed superiority of her family; but she had a will of her own-one strong enough to aid in prolonging the life of her delicate organization to the age of one hundred and five years. Although her form was bent low with age, she walked about the yard on the day previous to her death, which happened in Richmond County. Her son Alexander, with whom she lived after her husband's death, took part in the Revolution. He was the father of a large family of sons and daughters. Each of these had a fine body, a massive brain, and a clear conscience. The same may be said of nearly all of their descendants. One of Alexander's sons, Alexander Bain McRae, married Mary, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Chance. The fact that this Chance was a Quaker did not prevent him from aiding the patriotic cause. In a fight with the British his side was defeated, and he was too severely wounded to escape. A Tory neighbor who

had betrayed the patriots gave his body a kick, and said to another: "Here is Chance. He has got what he deserved." He said this, supposing Chance to be dead. In referring to this matter Chance said : "Quaker as I was, I wanted to kill him. Afterwards he went with some of us on a deer hunt. He never came back." The names of Alexander Bain McRae's children were Nancy, Franklin, Hamilton, Abigail, and Calvin. These names of the boys emphasized his philosophy, politics, and religion. He was known as Esquire Alex- ander, and, besides discharging the duties of a Justice of the Peace, kept a store. Impoverished by the approach of the War of 1812, he left with his wife what little money he could, and, taking a surveyor's compass and chain and provisions for the journey, he, with the old- est three children and a sister, came to Harrison County, Indiana. He engaged in the war, and acted an honor- able part. He afterwards taught school in Crawford County, and again served as a Justice of the Peace. He had expected with his compass to earn enough to establish a permanent home, but the other settlers, like himself, were poor, and only a few had money with which to buy lands or pay surveyor's fees. He was re- garded as an excellent teacher, and, although pupils walked four miles to attend his school, the population was so sparse that the attendance did not exceed twenty. The customary price of tuition was one dollar and fifty cents for a quarter, of thirteen weeks, mostly payable in corn-meal, maple molasses, buckskin, and linen. The parents claimed deduction for each half day's ab- sence. This custom obtained in Indiana later than 1850. His wife, who did not feel strong enough to en- dure the fatigues of a journey to the West, did not make the journey with him, but afterwards with the two children came with her brother to Wayne County. A friendly correspondence was maintained, but the sep- aration was protracted by hard conditions until, at the time they had arranged to reunite the family, death came to him and bereavement to her. Her serenity of soul and kindness of spirit characterize her descendants in an eminent degree. Franklin, the son of Alexander Bain, and the father of Hamilton S. McRae, taught school in early life, and always manifested an active zeal in the cause of education. He often said that whatever is worth printing is worth reading, and read on both sides of questions. He served as a Justice of the Peace, member of the Legislature, and captain in the Mexican War, and for many years was a school trus- tee. His son, beginning at five, was sent to school steadily for three years. The plan of the teacher then was to teach spelling and little else, until the pu- pil could pass a good examination in the columns of Webster's Speller. The mother, in her eager- ness for the son's advancement, supplemented the work of the instructor by teaching the reading les-

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sons. The father performed a similar service as to the fundamental processes of arithmetic, and furnished him with " Peter Parley's History of the World," as a reader in school. The author of that book and his early teachers, Farmer Barnes, Leonard Evans, and Hamilton Pfrimmer, were enshrined in the boy's mem -. ory as objects of profound reverence. At eight years of age he received a small volume as a prize for being the best speller in the highest class in school. In the inscription the teacher, Leonard Evans, expressed the wish that he "may become an ornament to the learned world." These words have been an exhaustless stimu- lant to his ambitious hopes. Afterward he attended Friendship Seminary, at Elizabeth, then the nearest vil- lage. His teacher there was John Spurrier Sandbach, who had an accurate rather than extended scholarship, but whose power of inspiration was of more value than great learning. " What man has done man can do," was a maxim enforced by fitting illustrations. From the age of sixteen to twenty, young McRae taught school in winter and worked on the farm in summer. In 1852 he spent two months at Corydon Seminary, in the study of algebra and physics. His character for temperance, kindness, and truthfulness was already formed, by a wise and loving mother, without a severe blow or a harsh word. The brothers and sisters have similar characters, as the result of similar influence. With one exception, all of them who lived to the requisite age taught school. Thus prepared as to knowledge and character, in May, 1853, he entered the preparatory de- partment of the Indiana University at Bloomington, and August 5, 1857, he graduated, delivering the valedic- tory. While in college he gave little attention to general society. Time not needed for study or exercise was given to reading the best works. In early life biography and the newspapers were more entertaining to him than fic- tion. In college Milton, Pope, Scott, and Carlyle were his favorites, but Prescott, Hume, and Gibbon did not escape close attention. After a year's successful teach- ing at Maple Grove Academy, near Vincennes, he read law in the office of Hon. William A. Porter, a thor- ough instructor, at Corydon. Soon after entering the office he was unanimously nominated and elected dis- trict attorney of the Common Pleas Court. He located at Salem to begin practice, and attained fair success at the bar, but his mind was mainly bent in the direction of constitutional law and general literature. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he joined a cavalry com- pany, which was not accepted. He had been unan- imously elected in 1861 to the Legislature, to fill a vacancy. His services were not called for. Ob- serving that "it is easier to fill the halls of legisla- tion than the ranks of the Union army," he declined to permit his name to go before the nominating conven- tion as a candidate for re-election. He volunteered as a

private, and on August 19, 1862, was mustered in as sergeant of Company B, 66th Indiana Volunteer In- fantry. May 25, 1363, he was detailed to act as second lieutenant, and June 8, 1863, he received a commission as captain of the company. He was honorably en- gaged in action at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1862; Colliersville, Tennessee, October II, 1863; Snake Creek Gap, Georgia, May 10, 1864; Resaca, Georgia, May 15, 1864; and Dallas, Georgia, May 27, 1864. In this last action he was severely wounded. At the ex- piration of a furlough he was received into Hospital No. 6, New Albany, Indiana, transferred to Officers' Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, and assigned to court- martial duty at Detroit, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio. On the dissolution of the court he rejoined his regiment at Alexandria, Virginia, and a few days afterward, May 31, 1865, received a discharge on ac- count of the wound. Before he was wounded he was almost constantly with his company, except for a brief period when he was on the staff of Brigadier- general Sweeney, as judge advocate and aide. In 1865 he was appointed principal of the third ward school, Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1866 he was ap- pointed superintendent of schools at Vevay, and school examiner of Switzerland County. In the latter ca- pacity he held the first township institute in the state. In 1867 he became superintendent of the Muncie schools. His administration of schools is based on the idea of equal rights to all. Special pains are taken to avoid offense to any party or any sect. In 1853 he joined the Philomathean Society of the university, and became its president ; in 1856 a member of the Beta Theta Pi; in 1866 the Indiana State Teachers' Association, of which he was chairman of the executive committee; in 1866 the National Educational Association, being a life member; in 1871 the Amer- ican Association for the Advancement of Science, of which he is a fellow; in 1877 the American Metric Bureau; and in 1877 the Spelling Reform Association. The most important public enterprise in which he has been engaged is the public library of Muncie, of whose board he has been president since its establishment, in 1875. He joined the Presbyterian Church in 1857. His wife is a Methodist, and their child attends the Methodist Sunday-school, thus indicating the congrega- tion preferred by the parents ; they are not strictly ortho- dox, but believe that other than Evangelical Churches should be regarded as Christian. He voted for Bu- chanan in 1856, Douglas in 1860, and Lincoln in 1864, and has since been a radical Republican. He frankly admits that his first views as to the powers and du- ties of the national government were not correct. He believes now in a liberal construction of the Constitu- tion, with a view to the protection of industry, the pro- motion of education, and the security of equal suffrage

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without regard to race, sex, or creed. Although he has strong convictions he has not often taken public part in politics, but in 1868 he consented to address the Grant Club at Muncie, and the effort was accredited as the best speech of the campaign. He has been an occasional contributor to the school periodicals and to the newspapers. The most important of these articles were a contribution to the Indianapolis Journal in 1867, on " The Great Need of the Schools;" and one which ap- peared in the Cincinnati Commercial, December 25, 1876, entitled, " The Election of President and Vice-pres- ident, December 6, 1876." August 6, 1868, he married Mary Emma, daughter of William and Anna (Newlove) Montgomery. She is a lady of superior accomplish- ments, and as principal of the Muncie high school she has deservedly won a high reputation. She was the first president of the Women's Club of Muncie, and is a member of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Women. Her father was an able and devoted minister of the Methodist Church. Her mother was a worthy coadjutor in the holy work of a noble husband. Mrs. McRae's grandfathers were both preachers. She herself is an eloquent speaker. Bertha Montgomery, the first child, was born November 28, 1873, and died August 8, 1874. Charline Montgomery was born Feb- ruary 10, 1876. She goes to the kindergarten, which her parents actively aided to establish.

ELLETT, JUDGE JOSHUA H., of New Castle, is an example of what may be accomplished by steady application to one pursuit without change of residence. His temperament, physical and mental, is the happy result of a union of the blood of the impulsive Frenchman and the sturdy Scot; his father, John Mellett, having come of a family originally from France, and his mother, Mary Ann Hickman, of one whose ancestors were from Scotland. He was born in Monongahela County, Virginia, April 9, 1824, and, seven years later, removed with his parents to Henry County, Indiana. There he made a good use of the opportunities offered by a common school and the county academy, and at the age of eighteen began the study of law. He soon evinced an aptness for legal study, and before the age of twenty-one was admitted to the bar. Such precocity did not escape notice; for, by special favor, he was immediately licensed to practice, notwith- standing his minority. The way to distinction seemed easy to him, so steady was his progress therein. In 1848, less than four years after he commenced practice, he was elected, by the Whigs, to the office of prosecut- ing attorney, which he held two terms. His powers continued to develop with experience, and his influence to extend, until he gained a hold upon the esteem of the A-24

people which has grown stronger with every trial. When the Republican party was organized, he gave it his firm support, and in 1858 was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature, and in 1860 to the Senate. While in the latter body, he served on the Judiciary and Finance Committees, and his record as a legislator is in keeping with his success at the bar. Ten years later, Mr. Mellett was elected Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of Henry, Hancock, Grant, and Delaware. To this responsible office he brought a profound and logical mind, enriched with legal lore, and performed its duties with dignity and a high regard for justice. Judge Mellett prepares a case with unusual care, studying it from his opponent's stand-point as well as his own, and many a lawyer has found him a formidable antagonist. He has acuteness and breadth of thought, is strong and self-reliant, and has a fund of mental resources that never fails, however sudden or great the demand. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a highly respected and public-spirited citizen. He married, November 16, 1847, Miss Catharine, daughter of John Shroyer, a mer- chant of New Castle, and has three children.

OFFETT, JOHN, M. D., of Rushville, is the son of William and Isabel (Reed) Moffett, both na- tives of Virginia. Their ancestors were Scotch, who, because of religious persecution, fled from the land of their birth to Ireland. The father was an extensive farmer, widely respected as a man of integ- rity and sound business ability. He died in 1859, the possessor of an honestly gained fortune. His progen- itors in the paternal line engaged in the same peaceful occupation, yet were men of military tastes; his grand- father, William Moffett, was a captain in the Revolu- tionary army, and killed at the storming of Stony Point. John Moffett was born near Abingdon, Virginia, October 23, 1822. The following year the family moved to Rush County, Indiana, and settled on a farm two and a half miles north-east of Rushville, which his mother, aged eighty-two, still owns. About one-third of a century ago Dr. Moffett, then a young man just past his major- ity, became a student of medicine in the office of Doctor William H. Martin, a prominent practitioner of Rush- ville. His literary training had been obtained in a log school-house, and by attendance one year at a seminary. But even from the age of ten, while conning his lessons or helping his father clear the farm, his boyish fancy had pictured scenes in the life of a physician, and led him to form vague plans of entering upon that profes- sion. During five years he applied himself zealously to his studies, which embraced three courses of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, where he graduated, March

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4, 1849. Such was the confidence already placed in him, because of his thorough and rapid progress, that immediately after graduation Doctor Moffett was elected house physician of the Commercial Hospital in Cincin- nati. After remaining in that position one year, he returned to Rushville and entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery with his first preceptor, April 15, 1850. At the end of three years, he bought his partner's office and dwelling, both of which he still occupies. Soon after Doctor Moffett commenced prac- tice, it was discovered that the thoroughness with which he appropriated medical knowledge while a student was equaled by his ability in applying it as a physician. The cases submitted to his charge soon became numer- ous, and he was not long in taking rank among the best practitioners of Rush County. Though his time had been wholly devoted to his profession, he was thought to be naturally fitted to lead in municipal affairs, and, accordingly, was elected president of the village. The citizens soon perceived the wisdom of their choice, and retained him in that position for ten years. Under his administration the fine public school building was erected, and the bonds for that purpose issued and re- deemed. On retiring from office he declined a renom- ination. He was then chosen school trustee, in which capacity he still acts, manifesting much interest in the cause of education. Doctor Moffett is also a trustee in the Baptist Church, which he joined June 24, 1850. He is positive in both his religious and political convic- tions. He read and conversed intelligently on politics in youth, and, at the age of twenty-one, being among the best informed in the township, took a prominent part at the polls as a judge of the election. He voted on that occasion for James K. Polk, and has ever since been a Democrat.' He married, in Alleghany City, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1851, Miss Elizabeth J. A. Harris, daughter of Isaac Harris, of Pittsburgh, an energetic business man and journalist. Their wedded compan- ionship, after existing nearly twenty-seven years, was broken by the death of Mrs. Moffett, April 12, 1878. Their children are William H. and Mary Daisy. Doctor Moffett keeps pace with the advancement of medical science, but is not entirely controlled by the theories and conclusions of others, for he is an investigator and a reasoner. His success is due to his original experi- ments, as well as to his extensive reading. He has a very retentive memory, and all his mental faculties are cast in a capacious mold. He is a prominent member of the following bodies: The Rush Medical Society, of Rush County (of which he was secretary for seventeen consecutive years, during which he made a complete set of records); the Union District Medical Society; the Indiana State Medical Society; and the American Med- ical Association. He has been a contributor to their "Transactions," and, in 1877, was a delegate from the

Rush Medical Society of Rush County to the American Medical Association. As a citizen Doctor Moffett has been active in encouraging every utility, and as a man none stands higher in moral character, or is more gen- erally respected.

[ONKS, JUDGE LEANDER J., son of George W. and Mary A. (Irvin) Monks, was born at Winchester, Randolph. County, Indiana, July 10, 1843, and is one of a family of six living children. His father was elected clerk of Randolph County in 1839, re-elected in 1846, and served in that capacity for fourteen years. He was also a member of the House of Representatives in 1854-55. He was noted for his deeds of charity, and for his love and good-will for the unfortunate. Mr. Monks's mother died in September, 1864, and his father in 1865. The primary education of Leander was obtained in his native town. He after- wards attended the State University at Bloomington in 1861, 1862, and 1863, but left while a member of the junior class. He began the practice of law in Septem- ber, 1865, and has successfully prosecuted it since that time. He has never asked for office, but, his ability and fitness being generally admitted, he was, in October, 1878, elected to the position of Judge of the Twenty- fifth Judicial Circuit by a unanimous vote -- a handsome compliment, worthily bestowed. His religious prefer- ences are in favor of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he has always been a Republican. He mar- ried Elizabeth W. Teal in 1865, by whom he has two children. He has a good personal appearance and un- blemished character, and is a man of weight and standing.

MOORE, JAMES W., clerk of the court of Wayne County, was born in Centerville, Indiana, Sep- tember 2, 1844. He is the son of David and Catherine (Fisher) Moore, and the third of four children. He was educated in the common school of his native town, and at what was then known as White- water College. He was left an orphan at the age of seven years by the death of his father. At first he worked on a farm, and afterwards in a grocery. But neither of these occupations suited his tastes, for he had an ambition to learn a trade, and gave his mother no rest on the subject until she consented to let him become a tiņner. Franklin says: "He that hath a trade hath an estate, and he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor." On completing his apprenticeship he entered in business for himself, but after a few years of experience he entered the office of the clerk of the court, as deputy, and in October, 1876, he was elected as clerk, which position he now holds satisfactorily.

T.S.NEFLY.

3. 4. The ely.

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On November 29, 1866, he married Miss Louisa J. Rupe, daughter of Rev. Henry B. Rupe, minister of the Baptist Church, and ex-treasurer of the county. Concerning her we may appropriately employ the words of Solomon: "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life." As a politician, Mr. Moore has no special am- bition, but prefers the more quiet walks of life. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is an unpre- tentious member of society, of persevering and industri- ous habits, and is respected by the neighborhood in which he lives. -

EELY, THOMAS S., of Muncie, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1811. His parents, Moses and Jane (Smith) Neely, were also natives of Adams County. His grandfather, on the father's side, was one of the earliest pioneers of that region. He died at the age of eighty-eight, in Miami County, Ohio, to which his son Moses had re- moved. The early instruction which Thomas received was limited, yet equal to that of most young men in that country in those early days. In the year 1828 he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, and followed it until 1831, when he went with his parents to Miami County, Ohio. There he resumed work at his trade. In 1833 he married Miss Matilda Wierman, of Adams County, Pennsylvania. Six years later he removed to Muncie, Indiana, where he continued his occupation, with the exception of about nine months of mercantile business, merging it after a time into the manufacture of wagons, plows, etc. He ironed the first wagon made in Delaware County. In 1855 he changed his occu- pation of mechanic to that of photographer, a business in which he continued until 1865. Mr. Neely, hav- ing gained a competence as the result of long years of industry and economy, then retired from active life. While engaged in manufactures he had to transport all his iron in wagons from Cincinnati, and accordingly he conceived the idea of connecting Muncie with Eastern cities by rail, and to this end advertised for a railroad meeting. It was largely attended, he being appointed corresponding secretary. After communicating with Governor Bebb, of Ohio, Hon. Oliver H. Smith, of In- dianapolis, and others, the route was finally agreed upon. Mr. Smith was elected president of the com- pany. This was the origin of the Bee-line Railroad, due, in great measure, to the enterprise of Mr. Neely. We discover in this successful project that far-sighted- ness and decision which were so characteristic of him. His fellow-citizens expressed their appreciation of his abilities, in 1845, by electing him county commissioner, retaining him in that office six years, or until 1851.

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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 79

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