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 85

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 85

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the editor of the Knickerbocker Magazine. Mr. Surface is unassuming and courteous; but in political strife his opponents find him vigorous, pungent, and severe. Mr. Surface married, December 24, 1867, Miss Kate Kumler, of Butler County, Ohio, daughter of John Kumler.

AYLOR, JAMES ELI, M. D., of Richmond, was born in Sewellsville, Ohio, April 5, 1843. His parents were Barnett and Letitia (McPherson) Tay- lor, both of Ohio. He first attended the village primary school, then the Fairview High School. Hav- ing finished the preparatory course, he entered college ; but soon the sounds of war called him from the class- room to the camp. October 15, 1861, he enlisted in the 5th Ohio Cavalry, in General Wallace's division. The first important service performed by his regiment was tearing up the track of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, probably the first destroyed in the West. Mr. Taylor rose by meritorious service to the positions of orderly sergeant, first lieutenant, captain, acting assistant adju- tant-general, and assistant adjutant-general on the staff of General Thomas T. Heath. He had enlisted at the age of eighteen, as a private, and was not twenty-one when he received a captain's commission. He was in the army over four years, participating in the following en- gagements: Shiloh, Tennessee; siege of Corinth, Cold Water, Mississippi; Hernando, Mississippi; Matamora, Tennessee; Grant's campaign in Mississippi; Cherokee Station, Alabama; Resaca, Georgia; Dallas, Georgia; Allatoona Mountain; Atlanta, Georgia; Jonesborough, Lovejoy Station, Georgia; Bear Creek Station, Georgia ; Macon, Georgia ; Buck Head Creek; Savannah, Georgia; Altamaha River, Georgia; Blackwell, South Carolina; Aiken, South Carolina; Monroe Cross Roads, North Car- olina; Averysborough, North Carolina; Bentonville, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina. The regiment took part in many skirmishes. After the triumphant march to the sea and into North Carolina, Captain Taylor was mustered out of the service at Charlotte, in that state, October 30, 1865. In December he entered the Iron City Commercial College, in Pittsburgh, staying until May, 1866. He then commenced the study of medi- cine, to which his tastes had inclined from boyhood. Soon afterward he engaged in the drug business in Bay City, Michigan, continuing his medical studies, and began practice there. In 1869 he attended a course of lectures at the Miami Medical College, graduating in 1871 from the College of Medicine and Surgery in Cincinnati. He then removed to Richmond, where he has ever since actively practiced his profession. He joined the Masons in September, 1867, and has held every station below that of Master, and taken the degrees of Chapter and Commandery. From 1873 to

1875 he was Captain-general of the Richmond Com- mandery, and next year was elected Eminent Com- mander. He is now a Past Eminent Commander. He is a Republican, and was formerly very prominent. In 1869 he bore an active part in the Republican conven- tion of the Sixth Congressional District of Michigan, one of the most important and exciting political assem- blies ever held in that state. While a member of the council of Portsmouth-now incoraported with Bay City- he was instrumental in saving that township seventy thousand dollars by his ingenious and able efforts. He married, November 8, 1871, Miss Sarah H. Snell, of Fort Plain, New York. Doctor Taylor is one of the most genial of men. He is noted for his shrewdness, energy, and perseverance. In his profession he is dili- gent in study, and judicious and skillful in treatment. He has a sympathetic and benevolent nature, often at- tending gratuitously the destitute sick. He possesses those qualities by which men acquire popularity, and in politics might have won a high degree of distinction. His war record is a worthy one. During four years of hard service he proved efficient in every situation; he was resolute and brave in battle, and correct, even to the smallest details, in the duties of assistant adjutant- general. In perfect health and having good mental powers, the better part of his career undoubtedly lies in the future.

(EMPLER, JAMES N., lawyer, of Muncie, was born near Xenia, Ohio, February 8, 1836. He is the eldest son, in a family of eight children, of George W. and Hannah S. (Medsker) Templer, all living. His ancestors emigrated from England in 1685, settling in Loudon and Prince William Counties, Vir- ginia, where, and in England, representatives of the fam- ily yet remain. The original name was Temple, and the final "r" was affixed about the year 1750 by the Virgin- ian branch. They were industrious, enterprising people, at once becoming planters; and most of their descendants have engaged in agriculture. In 1838 his father removed to Jay County, Indiana, and pre-empted some wild land. The region was an unbroken wilderness, and the clearing the farm continued until 1843. Then the father was elected to a county office, and removed to Portland, where he and most of the family yet reside. Mr. Templer ac- quired a fair education in Liber College, and at eighteen began the study of law, under the instruction of Judge Jacob M. Haynes, of Portland. By teaching school at intervals, he continued his studies, and in April, 1857, was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Portland, but soon afterward formed an equal part- nership with Hon. John P. C. Shanks, then a leading lawyer. He remained in that connection for ten years, enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. In 1861

James'Ne Templer

David Thompson

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Mr. Templer was elected prosecuting attorney of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and held the office three consecutive terms of two years each, seldom failing to sustain his cases, and never having a judgment reversed by the Supreme Court because of errors or inefficiency on his part. His successes were usually the result of hotly contested trials, of which the opposing counsel were the ablest criminal lawyers of the state. In 1871 he removed to Muncie, and, with Ralph S. Gregory, Esq., formed the present successful law firm of Tem- pler & Gregory, which has long been in the front rank at the bar. In 1868, Mr. Templer was nominated for contingent presidential elector for the Eleventh District, in which he then lived, and made a canvass of the same that contributed not a little in giving the electoral vote of Indiana to General Grant. In 1876 he was again put in nomination for presidential elector for the Sixth District, of which he also made a thorough canvass, and secured thereby a majority of about two thousand in the district; but, as the result is determined by the entire vote of the state, his opponent was elected. Mr. Templer was a Democrat until 1861, when, following the example of such Democratic statesmen as Stephen A. Douglas, he took strong grounds against the asserted right of a state to secede, and in favor of a vigorous pros- ecution of the war for the suppression of the Rebellion and the preservation of the Union. This course identi- fied him with the Republican party, with which he is still connected. He has taken an active part in every political campaign, in conventions, on the stump, and with his pen; though he has not sought office, nor held any, except that of prosecuting attorney, above men- tioned. He has declined to be a candidate for Congress, although often solicited to serve. Mr. Templer fosters educational interests to the extent of his ability, and favors a system of compulsory instruction. He is not identified with any branch of the Church, but is friendly to all; a firm believer in the orthodox doctrines of Christianity as taught in the New Testament, and vio- lently opposed to sectarianism, he desires a union of all the Churches. A selfish indifference to the public good has no place in his nature, and schools, religious insti- tutions, and all movements looking to the advancement of the city, county, or state, receive his cordial support. He has long been connected with the Masonic Fra- ternity, has been High-priest of the Chapter, and now is a Knight Templar. In Odd-fellowship he is a mem- ber of the Encampment. His name is also enrolled on the records of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, and the Murphy Temperance Club. Mr. Templer married, October 4, 1857, Ann, eldest daughter of John J. and Mary A. Adair. They have had five children, three of whom are living: Edward Rutledge, a student in Holbrook Military Academy, Sing Sing, New York, a youth of much promise, who

has chosen the profession of law; Miss Flora, who re- sides with her father; and Emma, wife of Thomas J. Slinger, of Muncie, a portrait painter of much ability. Mrs. Templer died in the spring of 1874, of consump- tion. Mr. Templer was again married July 9, 1876; his second wife being Mrs. Susan Kilgore, widow of the late Hon. Alfred Kilgore, an account of whose life ap- pears in this volume. James N. Templer is the peer of his fellows as an advocate, and has few equals and no superiors in the preparation and management of cases. As a writer he is terse, racy, and fluent; and, as a speaker, clear and concise in statement, logical and con- vincing in argument, rising at times to impassioned elo- quence. He is all this from natural endowments and self-culture, and has attained his present position solely through the impelling force of his own genius. He possesses not only those powers that render men efficient in court and the political arena, but also those gentler traits that mark refined social intercourse. In all his daily affairs he manifests a generous regard for others, and a strict allegiance to principles of honesty and honor, and no man in Delaware County more fully merits and commands the hearty good will of the people.

THOMPSON, DAVID, a pioneer of Delaware County, was born in Butler County, Ohio, Octo- ber 27, 1817. His parents, David and Mary (Swope) Thompson, were natives of Virginia. The following article of interest we copy from the Muncie Times, published December 27, IS79. The David Thompson referred to was the father of the sub- ject of our sketch :

"The bearer hereof, David Thompson, has served as a corporal in my company of riflemen in the army of the United States, from which he has obtained an hon- orable discharge. But in justice to the said corporal, for many services he has rendered the public, I consider it my duty, and am fully warranted to say, that his conduct has uniformly met with my approbation, as well as with that of all other officers who had an oppor- tunity to know him. Corporal Thompson was employed in reconnoitering the Indian country, and paths leading to and from their several towns and villages, as well as being constantly in advance of the army during the campaign. While thus engaged, he assisted in taking seven Indian prisoners-all warriors except one -- from their towns and villages, in order to gain information for our army. In accomplishing this great object sev- eral skirmishes ensued, in which he behaved in a brave and soldier-like manner; and when the garrison of Fort Recovery, which I had the honor to command, was at- tacked, and surrounded by nearly two thousand savages, this Corporal Thompson made an escape through them with intelligence to the commander-in-chief, who was twenty-four miles distant from the place. For this serv- ice I now beg leave to return him my sincere thanks, and hope that all good people who are friends to their

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country may receive and treat with respect the said David Thompson, a reward which he has merited.

" Certified under my hand and seal, at Staunton, in the state of Virginia, this twenty-ninth day of Octo- ber, 1795. ALEX. GIBSON,

" Captain in the Tenth Legion."

There is also another letter approved by General Wayne, who was at that time in command :

" By his Excellency, ANTHONY WAYNE, ESQ., Major- general and Commander-in-chief of the Legion of the United States :

"These are to certify that the bearer thereof, David Thompson, a corporal in the Fourth Sub. Legion, has served in the above Legion, and in Captain Gibson's company, for the space of three years, and is for the reasons below mentioned discharged from the said Legion, he having received his pay up to the first day of January, 1795, clothing of all kinds, and all other just demands, from the time of his enlisting in the Legion to the day of his discharge, as appears by the fol- lowing receipt. He is discharged, having faithfully served the full term of time for which he engaged. To prevent any ill use that may be made of his discharge by its fall- ing into the hands of any other person whatsoever, here follows the description of said David Thompson: He is twenty years of age, five feet eleven inches tall, dark com- plexion, black hair and black eyes; born in the county of Amherst, in the state of Virginia; a farmer.

" Given under my hand and seal, at headquarters, this nineteenth day of August, 1795.

" WILLIAM CLARK,

" Lieutenant, Acting Sub. Legion Major and Inspector to the Fourth Sub. Legion.

" ANT'Y WAYNE.

" To whom it may concern, civil and military."

David Thompson continued to reside in Virginia until 1816; he then emigrated with his family, consisting of his wife and ten children, to Butler County, Ohio, where, in the year following, his son David, the subject of this biography, was born. Here they remained until about the year 1824, when they again started westward and located in Henry County, Indiana. Mr. Thompson labored on his father's farm, and attended school as op- portunity offered, until 1837, when he married, and with his newly made wife removed to Delaware County. After two years, during which time he was employed upon a farm, he purchased a tract of wild land, consist- ing of eighty acres, which he cleared and prepared for cultivation. In 1840 he sold this land and bought one hundred and sixty acres in the north-western part of the county. Here he resided until 1871, when he re- moved to Muncie, the county seat. He has added to his farm until it now contains three hundred and seventy-two acres of land, most of which is under culti- vation. Since his residence in Muncie he has devoted his time chiefly to buying and selling stock and land. Mr. Thompson has held no public office, never having taken an active part in politics, but has devoted his ener- gies to every enterprise undertaken to benefit the city of Muncie, He was originally an old-line Whig, and

cast his first vote for General Harrison. When the Re- publican party was organized he associated himself with it until 1872, when he supported Horace Greeley for the presidency, and since that time he has been inde- pendent in politics. His religious convictions are in accordance with the teachings of the Church of the United Brethren. He married Miss Malinda Davis, August 24, 1837. They have had six children, five of whom survive. Mr. Thompson is now sixty-two years of age and enjoys good health. From early manhood he has relied entirely upon his own resources, and by industry, perseverance, and integrity has acquired his present handsome competence, and established a reputa- tion among his fellow-citizens of which he may be justly proud.

TINGLEY, BENJAMIN F., of Rushville, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, August 26, 1823. He is of English-Welsh descent. His father, Benja- min J. Tingley, was a native of New Jersey, and the son of Levi Tingley, who emigrated to that state from England at the outbreak of the Revolution, in which he rendered active service. His mother, whose maiden name was Susannah Brown, was descended from ancestors who emigrated from Wales to Virginia. One of them, George Brown (father of Professor R. T. Brown, of Indianapolis), afterward removed to Lewis County, Kentucky; thence to Clermont County, Ohio, and thence to Indiana Territory. Benjamin Tingley ac- companied the family to Indiana in October, 1837, where they located on a farm within one mile of Rush- ville. He was then fourteen years of age, and able to assist his father in the field. He had attended a com- mon school in Ohio, and during as much time as could be spared from work he continued his studies in a sim- ilar school near his new home. Year followed year and he did his part of the hard toil cheerfully and well. In the spring of 1847, at the age of twenty-three, hav- ing just married, and preferring mercantile pursuits to agriculture, he removed to Ashland, Wabash County, and there engaged in trade. He soon gained the re- spect of the citizens, and obtained the appointment of postmaster, which position he occupied until the fall of 1848, when he removed to Wabash, the county seat. There he continued the sale of merchandise for a time, but in 1851, soon after the death of his father, he re- turned to the farm, which he carried on about six years. At the end of that period he became a clerk and book- keeper in Rushville, where he located permanently. In August, 1863, while engaged in his business, he was nominated, without his solicitation, for the position of clerk of the Rush Circuit Court. This office, which he accepted with reluctance, he held for two terms of four years each. In 1872 he was elected to represent Rush

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County in the Legislature, and served in the special and regular sessions of 1872-73. He was a member of several important committees, among which were the Committee on Ways and Means, and that on Benevo- lent Institutions. During the past five years he has been engaged in farming, and in managing his brother's estate. Mr. Tingley rendered the Jefferson, Madison and Indianapolis, and the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Indianapolis Railway, efficient aid by his own contribu- tions, and in obtaining subscriptions for stock. In 1865 he joined the Free and Accepted Masons, and for four years was treasurer of the Blue Lodge. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but his re- ligious opinions are not restricted to the creed of any one denomination-his support being extended to all alike. In his younger days Mr. Tingley was ardently attached to the Whig party, and cast his first ballot for Henry Clay. In keeping with those early political con- nections, he has been since 1854 a stanch Republican. His marriage occurred November 12, 1846. Mrs. Ting- ley's maiden name was Susannah M. Cassady ; she is the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Crawford) Cassady- the former one of the pioneers of Rush County, and the latter a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tingley's chil- i dren, two in number, died when young. Mr. Tingley has readily adapted himself to the various kinds of business in which he has engaged, and to the official positions he has held, always acquitting himself with credit. His life has been one of industry and just deal- ing ; and, as implied by the unsought political favors conferred upon him, he has a strong hold upon public regard, and is deemed a capable and trustworthy citizen.

[HOMPSON, WILLIAM M., treasurer of Wayne County, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, October 6, 1838, and is the son of Montgomery and Piety (Horne) Thompson. His educational advantages in youth were quite limited; for, upon the death of his father, which occurred when Mr. Thomp- son was sixteen years old, he was obliged to employ his time upon the farm. In 1864, at the age of twenty- three, he removed to Richmond, in this state, and be- came a grocer's clerk. Active, honest, and efficient in these duties, he was advanced, at length, to the posi- tion of traveling salesman, in which he was very suc- cessful. He remained in this business until 1876, when he was elected to the office he now holds, that of treas- urer of Wayne County. Mr. Thompson joined the Order of Free and Accepted Masons in 1860, and has since taken all the degrees to and including that of Knight Templar. He is a Republican and an active worker in that party. He is not a member of any re- ligious society, but his family are connected with the | cipal street is now located, and was the first supervisor

Presbyterian Church. He married, February 2, 1859, Miss Lucinda Vannuies, of Wayne County, by whom he has had two children, a son and a daughter. As a salesman, Mr. Thompson was one of the best, and in the office of county treasurer he has acquitted himself so well that he has been renominated without opposi- tion. In person and manner he is well fitted to impress others favorably. He has what might be termed a Cæsarian memory of names, and in genuine kindliness he recognizes every casual acquaintance and wins his re- gard. By his sterling worth of character Mr. Thompson has won the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and a popu- larity in the county that he richly deserves.

URNER, MINUS, for half a century a citizen of Muncie, was born in Sussex County, Delaware, May 22, 1807, and is of pure Anglo-Saxon descent. In 1812, when he was about four years of age, the family removed to Lexington, Kentucky, and from that place, in 1817, to Covington, in the same state. In 1823 they came to Randolph County, Indiana, and finally, in 1828, to Muncie. During his residence in Kentucky, Mr. Turner attended the common schools; which were held in rough log school-houses, with oiled paper windows. In winter these buildings were so un- comfortable that it was sometimes necessary to build a fire in the center of the room, in addition to that in the fireplace. The methods of instruction were crude, but Mr. Turner made the most of them during two and a half years. When not in school his time was chiefly employed in brick-laying and plastering, having learned those trades under his father. On his arrival in Muncie, at the age of twenty-one, he possessed only twelve and a half cents, yet he was not discouraged; for, with youth, health, and a determined spirit, he felt confident of winning success. His mother having died, he re- mained with his father five years, when he began life on his own account. The village was improving rapidly and there was employment for all. He soon engaged in the manufacture of brick and lime. Prosperity at- tended his enterprise, and he erected a neat brick resi- dence, which was the first of the kind in the county. About the year 1837 he also built and opened the first brick tavern in the country, known as Turner's Hotel. In 1850 Mr. Turner disposed of the hotel and under- took the dry-goods business; but this was not suited to his tastes, and in less than one year he retired, and en- gaged in building and selling houses. While so em- ployed he constructed twelve good dwellings, five of which he still owns. In many respects Muncie bears the impress of his well directed labors; he was among those who cut the brush from the land where the prin-

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and one of the first school trustees of the place. He has been a stockholder in several turnpikes, and in all the railroads passing through Muncie. Mr. Turner cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, but afterwards joined the Whigs, becoming a Republican on the organization of that party. He is a firm believer in spiritualism, or the Harmonial philosophy. Mr. Turner has ever pur- sued the "even tenor of his way," never seeking noto- riety of any kind, but always taking an active part in advancing the interests of the city of Muncie. His characteristics are prudence, firmness, and frugality, and in his intercourse with others he manifests a spirit that wins many friends. During his long and active life he has amassed considerable wealth, the result of his own honest labor. Though past threescore years and ten, he retains his mental and bodily vigor, and it may yet be many years before the final, and to him undreaded, summons shall come. Mr. Turner married, October 6, 1831, Miss Eliza Courtney Bowen, by whom he had two children, who died in infancy. The mother also died October 1, 1833. The following year he married Miss Fannie Marshall, his present wife. She is still living, and their marriage has been blessed with seven children, of whom three survive: Melissa, wife of N. F. Ethell, editor and proprietor of the daily Muncie News; and L. L. and Charley Turner, successful bankers at Sedan, Kansas.

ATSON, ENOS L., was born in Greene County, Ohio, December 22, 1830. He is the son of James and Nancy (Linsey) Watson. His father died when he was but an infant, and his mother, with her family of seven children, removed to Randolph County, Indiana, in 1832, and settled on a farm in Ward Township. His early education was obtained at such schools as the country districts afforded at that time, but, being ambitious to learn, he attended the county seminary at Winchester, and so well did he im- prove his opportunities that he began teaching at the age of nineteen, and for some time he taught in winter and studied law in summer. In the fall of 1852 he was elected county surveyor on account of his skill in math- ematics. This office he held for four years. In the mean time he pursued the study of law, and in 1856 was elected prosecuting attorney for the counties of Jay and Randolph. This was a great compliment, especially when we consider that he had only been ad- mitted to the bar that year. He was re-elected in 1858 for two years more, when the circuit was enlarged by the addition of Delaware and Blackford Counties. Here he served two years. In 1863 he was appointed United States internal revenue assessor, but resigned in a few months. In 1864 he formed a partnership with Judge Cheney, which continued for eight years. During this !

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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 85

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