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 87

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 87

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JACOB.H.WYSOR.

Fach the Major

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

6th Dist.]

druggist; and Carrie L., who is still at home. Doctor Winton's ability to trace the devious paths of disease through the system, and to remove it with its effects, is recognized in the successful results of his practice, and the enviable reputation he has gained. Those qualities of mind and heart that do not pertain to the mere knowledge of medical science, but greatly enhance the true worth of a family physician, are not wanting in him. In social and religious circles he is justly es- teemed, and his influence in the community is that of a man of culture and moral refinement.

YSOR, JACOB H., capitalist, miller, and farmer, is one of the earliest pioneers and most promi- nent business men of Muncie. His parents, Jacob and Margaret (Miller) Wysor, were of German descent, and were born in Virginia. His pa- ternal grandfather was a commissioned officer in the War for American Independence. All the Wysors' an- cestors engaged, more or less, in tilling the soil, and were honest, hard-working people, endowed with that strength of body and mind characteristic of the Teu- tonic race. As a valued heirloom, Mr. Wysor preserves a quaint old wine chest made in Germany one hundred and eighty years ago. Mr. Wysor was born in Mont- gomery (now Pulaski) County, Virginia, December 6, 1819. He was the only child of his father, who died before his birth. His mother married again. She re- mained in Montgomery County, and there her son grew to boyhood. In 1835 he removed with the family to Dela- ware County, Indiana, an event for a boy who had scarcely been out of his native county. In his new home he attended school, but only for two winter terms; and after five years he returned to Virginia, and there studied diligently for one year. Having acquired a good knowl- edge of the English branches, Mr. Wysor was ready to carry out his long cherished purpose of becoming a busi- ness man. Accordingly, in the following year (1841), he returned to this state, and engaged in the grocery and dry-goods trade in Muncie. He felt in some degree conscious of the abilities that have since marked his career and won him success, and he anticipated imme- diate prosperity. His way to fortune, however, lay through loss, for only a few months had passed when nearly all his property was burned. In March, 1843, he made another venture, by renting what was known as the Gilbert Mills; and, after two years, in partnership with John Jack and James L. Russey, he bought the mills, and conducted the business as one of the firm of Russey, Jack & Co. In 1849 Mr. Wysor joined the throng of gold-seekers that hurried toward California. His course was down the Mississippi, across the Gulf of Mexico to the Isthmus, thence over to Panama, where,

owing to the rush for berths, he was compelled to wait five weeks before a passage up the coast could be se- cured. At length he embarked in a sailing vessel, which was thirty-four days in making the voyage to San Francisco. After he had been there about two months, Mr. Russey followed by the same route, but was killed by the Indians in the summer of 1850. Mr. Wysor engaged successfully as miner, teamster, and stock-trader, until May, 1852, when he returned to Muncie. In 1854, with the remaining partner, Mr. Jack, he began building the large grist-mill, which he still owns, known as the Muncie Mills. It was com- pleted in 1850. It contains six run of stone, is pro- vided with every needed facility, and is considered at least equal to any mill of like capacity in the state. The firm was Wysor & Jack until the death of the latter, in October, 1859. In 1858 William B. Kline had been admitted as a partner, and on the death of Mr. Jack the firm became Wysor & Kline. In 1872 Mr. Wysor built the Wysor Opera-house, one of the finest buildings in the city, and said to be the best hall of its size in Indiana. Through the crisis of 1857, and the depression of trade that resulted from the late war, he steadily and safely conducted his increasing business. He dealt largely in land, and availed himself of his early experience by engaging also in farming. As wealth increased, it was employed in useful enterprises- the building of railroads, turnpikes, and other improve- ments. He has been the president of the Muncie and Granville Turnpike Company ever since its organization. Mr. Wysor is a Democrat, but has never aspired to political honors, nor taken an active interest in politics. He married, April 5, 1854, Miss Sarah Richardson, daughter of John and Martha Richardson. She was born in Virginia, and comes of a long line of worthy English ancestors. She is a lady of refined taste and true Chris- tian graces, and, with her husband, takes great pride in the education of their children-Harry, Mattie, and William. The first named, their eldest, is a young man of culture, whom ill-health has caused to relinquish a professional for a business life. The daughter early evinced artistic talent, painting with skill at the age of twelve; she is now devoting herself to that art. Will- iam, the youngest, is attending the Muncie high school. Mr. Wysor has succeeded through natural adaptation to business rather than by acquired ability. In trade he acts intuitively, and every enterprise is attended with prosperity. He has gained his wealth by honorable means, sharing its benefits with others, in promoting the growth of Muncie and the surrounding country. He is a silent, thoughtful man, possessing genuine worth of character, which is fully revealed only to inti- mate friends. To know him well is to respect him, and he holds a high place in the esteem of the people of Delaware County.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[ 6th Dist.

RADY, GENERAL THOMAS J. In the corps of active, able, intelligent, and sagacious young men which that born leader of men, Oliver Perry Morton, called around him during the stormy scenes of the late bloody Rebellion, there was not one who obtained and retained his confidence and respect in a higher degree than the subject of this brief sketch, Thomas J. Brady. While the great chieftain and patriot lay dying, his thoughts frequently reverted to his young friend, and many messages of love and esteem passed between them. Senator Morton had good reason to place implicit confidence in his ardent admirer, for never had a great chieftain a truer or more devoted, unselfish friend. During all the varying vicissitudes of the Rebellion, and amid all the assaults of his political opponents after peace had returned, General Brady stood unflinchingly and devotedly by his great leader, executing his commands with unshrinking firmness, and repelling the vicious attacks made upon him with de- voted courage. And, to the very last, Governor Morton confided implicitly in General Brady, and leaned more and more upon him as the burden of physical infirmities and public duties grew more and more onerous and crushing. General Thomas J. Brady was born in the city of Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, on the twelfth day of February, 1840, just in the opening scenes of the great Harrison-Van Buren campaign. His father, Hon. John Brady, was born in Lebanon, the shire-town, of Warren County, Ohio. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Wright, was born in Queen Anne County, eastern shore of Maryland. They were married in the city of Richmond, Indiana, settling in the now city of Muncie (then village of Muncietown) soon after their marriage, where Judge Brady opened a saddlery and harness shop, that being his trade. By his honesty, industry, and integrity, he soon built up a flourishing business, thus securing an honored and respected position in society. He soon became one of the Democratic leaders of the county, and was appointed postmaster of the place by President Polk in 1845, a position he held uninterruptedly until 1861, Fillmore's Whig administration not deeming it advisable to make any change. He was also elected Associate Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Delaware County for sev- eral terms under the old Constitution of Indiana, and served to the entire satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He was also elected trustee of Center Township, an important position under the Indiana township organ- ization, being, in fact, the treasurer, and handling large sums of money annually. He was also, in 1865, chosen the first mayor of Muncie under its city charter. All these positions he filled with honor to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of the people. Although a de- cided Democrat, yet, when the war broke out, he promptly took ground against the Rebellion, and, during

the entire struggle, he did all in his power to uphold the Government and crush out the Rebellion. He was the father of four sons, the third one being the sub- ject of this sketch. General Brady received a good English education at the Muncie Academy, then one of the best educational institutions of Eastern Indiana. After graduating therefrom he entered the law office of the late Hon. Thomas J. Sample, a leading member of the Muncie bar. During the winter of 1858-59 he served as clerk to the Judiciary Committee of the Indi- ana state Senate, Hon. Walter March, of Muncie, being its chairman. Being admitted to the bar, he removed to Bethany, Missouri, and entered into partnership with Hon. D. J. Heaston, of that place, which connection lasted about one year. Returning to Muncie thereafter, he took the census, in 1860, of five townships in Dela- ware County. He was superintendent of the Muncie schools during the winter of 1860 and 1861, and in April, 1861, under the call for seventy-five thousand three months' troops, he enlisted the first company raised in Delaware County, and one of the first companies to enter the capital of the state. He was commissioned its captain April 16, 1861. He was attached to a pro- visional regiment, organized by Governor Morton from the first ten companies that reached Indianapolis, with Lew Wallace as colonel, to hurry to the defense of Washington City. This idea being found impracticable, General Brady and his company were made Company C, 8th Indiana Infantry, William P. Benton colonel. He served with his regiment through the campaigns of McClellan and Rosecrans in West Virginia. The reg- iment was in the battle of Rich Mountain, and captured a rebel battery at that pass. Upon the reorganization of the 8th as a three-year regiment, he reorganized his company, which became Company A. It was ordered to the Department of the Missouri, serving gallantly un- der General Fremont till sent to General Curtis. It par- ticipated in the bloody battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and he was soon after promoted to the majority of the regiment. It marched across to Helena, in 1862; moved up the river to St. Louis with Davidson, and then started, under orders, for Arkansas again, but before reaching its destination was sent to the Mississippi River, at Cape Girardeau, and thence to Grant, in Mississippi, being there attached to McClernand's Corps. He was selected by his division commander, General Carr, to take four companies of the 8th and cover, as skirmishers, the landing of the division at Grand Gulf. The rebel water batteries could not be silenced, and the landing was not effected. A landing was finally made at Bruins- burg, General Brady, with his four selected companies of the 8th Regiment, being the first to gain the bluffs. In the battle of Port Gibson he bravely led his men into the thickest of the fight, having his horse shot under him. He took an active part in Grant's grand strategy

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

6th Dast.]

in the Black River and Champion Hills campaign, which eventuated in Pemberton's being shut up in Vicksburg. He was in various charges during the cel- ebrated siege of that rebel stronghold, and was highly complimented, by both Generals Carr and Benton, for gallant conduct in the field. On the 19th of September, 1863, General Brady was promoted by Governor Morton for gallant and meritorious conduct in the field, and was commissioned as colonel of the 117th Indiana In- fantry, six months' troops. With his new command, he was ordered to East Tennessee. After doing duty at various points in that section of Tennessee, he, with his command, was finally stationed at Bean's Station. Dur- ing Longstreet's attack on General Hascall's command the 117th was stationed at Clinch Mountain Gap, three miles from the former point. From Bean's Station a road ran to and through the Gap, and another road ran north along the side of the mountain to its top, inter- secting the first road at a point between General Brady's command and the force under General Wilcox. Along these two roads Longstreet sent a brigade, to intercept General Brady before he could unite with General Wil- cox. This movement completely isolated the 117th and its commander, and friend and foe alike sup- posed their capture was inevitable, as there seemed no possible way of getting out of the trap save by a sur- render. Surrender was the last thought of General Brady and his gallant regiment. Ordering all baggage, stores, and camp equipage to be destroyed, he then, by unfrequented paths and by-roads, and down seemingly impassable precipices, led his regiment out of the trap, thus winning the plaudits of the whole Union army of the West. This retreat is still talked of by all who understood its difficulties as one of the brilliant feats performed in East Tennessee during the war. October 20, 1864, General Brady, after the expiration of the en- listment of the 117th, was commissioned as colonel of the 140th Indiana Infantry, one-half of which he had raised during the summer months in the counties com- prising the "Old Burnt District." November 15 he, with his command, left for Nashville, and then for Murfrees- boro, and was in garrison at Fort Rosecrans during the siege of Nashville. During this General Brady and his command participated in all the fighting around Murfrees- boro, doing their full share of the bloody work. Then the command was ordered to Columbia, Tennessee, where it was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, General Cox commanding. January 16, 1865, it embarked for Cincinnati, via the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, and thence to Washing- ton City. February 3 it took steamer at Alexandria, to join the expedition against Fort Fisher, North Caro- lina. On the 8th it landed, crossed Cape Fear River on the 16th, and on the 17th started for Wilmington. It took part in the storming of Fort Anderson, the

140th winning the honor of capturing the rebel garrison flag. On the 20th it aided in routing the enemy at Town Creek Bridge, two companies of the 140th being the first to enter the rebel works. Camped in vicinity of Wilmington till the 6th of March, it then left for Kingston, marching over seventeen miles per day, over roads that were simply horrible, taking the belt for rapid marching in that army. On the 11th of July, 1865, the 140th was mustered out of the service at Washington, and ordered to Indianapolis for final pay- ment and discharge. A grand ovation was extended to it by the state authorities and citizens at Indianapolis on the 21st of July, 1865, and on the 25th General Brady's gallant command was resolved into its original elements as part of the civic population of the state of Indiana. Subsequently, General Brady was made by the President and Senate a brigadier-general of volun- teers by brevet, an honor well earned and worthily be- stowed; so that he comes by his title of "general" legally and honestly, having earned it by constant de- votion to military duty from the first boom of the can- non in 1861 to the return of peace in 1865. Life and death, peace and war, joy and sorrow, are inextricably commingled in this life. One day shows the wreath of the joyous, happy bride, and the next exhibits the sable plumes of the cortege of the dead. The joyful acclaims which salute the birth of the smiling babe are discord- antly intermingled with the wails for the dying grand- sire. While the cannon were booming, and the shock of contending hosts was making the very earth reel, General Brady, after the muster-out of the 117th, in the winter of 1863-64, was united in wedlock to Miss Eme- line Wolfe, of Muncie, daughter of Adam Wolfe, Esq., a leading capitalist of that city. Scarcely had the happy pair time to realize the joys of home, the sweets of domestic happiness, before the groom was called by stern duty to play a manly part in the drama of "grim-visaged war." From this union have sprung three beautiful children, two girls and one boy, the pride of their parents, around whose future gather all their hopes and bright anticipations. After leaving the army General Brady returned to the practice of his profession in Muncie, having formed a copartnership with Hon. A. C. Mellette, ex-member of the Indiana Senate. Though very successful, General Brady was not satisfied, and in 1868 purchased the Muncie Times, which he so enlarged and improved, both mechanically and intellectually, that it soon became the leading Republican journal in central Eastern Indiana. In fact, his connection with the Times may be consid- ered an epoch in journalism in Eastern Indiana. He purchased an entirely new outfit, enlarged the news- paper to a first-class size, and put in steam power and presses, etc. His enterprise stimulated the publishers in all the neighboring counties to greater efforts in im-

· REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[6th Dist.

proving their respective papers; and the impetus thus given to Indiana journalism is felt to this very day in that section of the state. He continued his connection with the Times till 1870, when, having been appointed United States Consul to the Island of St. Thomas, West Indies, he virtually severed his connection with it, though he remained part proprietor for a year or more afterwards, having first sold one-half interest to his old law partner, Hon. A. C. Mellette, and subse- quently transferred to him the other moiety. He re- tained his consulate till 1875, though he obtained a year's leave of absence in 1874. While at home in 1874 he was appointed chairman of the Republican state central committee of Indiana. Though the canvass was not entirely successful, so far as the Republicans were concerned, yet General Brady did succeed in preventing the opposition from gaining their great point-the con- trol of both branches of the Legislature, and the subse- quent redistricting of the state on an unjust and an offensively partisan basis. Having resigned his con- sulate, on the first day of July, 1875, General Brady was appointed supervisor of internal revenue for Ohio and Indiana. He took charge of his district at a time when the country was filled with rumors of frauds of the most gigantic character at Cincinnati and other points in his jurisdiction. He investigated these rumors thoroughly, following out every clue and seeming clue with unflagging energy, and demonstrated, to his own satisfaction at least, that the rumors were unfounded. A small coterie of interested pretended revenue "sharps" still continued to asseverate that there were great frauds being perpetrated at Cincinnati, and, by assumptions of superior acumen, made such an impres- sion at Washington that General Brady was not, as was intended, made commissioner of internal revenue on the retirement of Hon. D. D. Pratt. Time has vindicated the integrity and sagacity of General Brady in this matter, for, although three years and more have elapsed since the inauguration of President Hayes, yet not a scintilla of evidence has been produced that the gov- ernment has ever been defrauded of a single cent by whisky rings or revenue thieves of any kind at that point. Subsequently, General Brady was transferred to the internal revenue district embracing the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Lou- isiana. While in charge of this district he was emi- nently energetic and successful in unearthing and de- feating schemes for defrauding the revenue. Through his tact and watchfulness the New Orleans end of the great St. Louis whisky swindle was brought to light, the parties thereto arraigned for trial, and forced to disgorge vast sums which they had hoped to divert into their own pockets. By this action the entire scheme, in all its parts and ramifications, was brought to light and defeated, and the whisky thieves so overwhelmed with

terror that they have been unable to make a rally ever since. Soon after this General Brady resigned this position and retired, to give attention to his private affairs, which had been badly neglected for years. On the 20th of July, 1876, General Brady was tendered the position of Second Assistant Postmaster-general ; Judge Tyner, who had previously filled the position, having been tendered the portfolio of the Post-office Depart- ment. He accepted the post, and, from the moment he entered upon its duties, it was evident that a master's hand was wielding its power. Throughout the entire mail service, embracing in its ramifications almost the entire continent, a new impetus was given to the affairs of the bureau, and the service was soon placed in a condition so efficient as to enlist the commendations of the people of the entire Union. During four years' service his work has been investigated again and again by hostile inquisitors, who were forced to report that they could find nothing whatever worthy of reproba- tion in his administration. During the fiscal year 1879-80 he largely extended what is known as the "star service" of his bureau, which includes every thing outside of the railroad and steamboat service. General Brady took the ground that the enterprising pioneers who left behind them most of the comforts and all of the luxuries of the older states, and who penetrated the wilds of the far West for the purpose of founding new homes for themselves and their descendants, and who were building up new commonwealths, were entitled to the very best mail facilities the department could give them. While such a policy might not immediately pay in dollars and cents, yet he contended that it would pay in the in- creased development of the new states and territories. In pursuance of this enlightened and statesman-like policy, he very largely increased the star service, so much so that it became evident that, if the service was continued on the new basis till the end of the fiscal year, there would be a large deficit in the Post-office Department revenues. General Brady promptly reported the condition of affairs to Postmaster-general Key, who at once transmitted General Brady's report to Congress, asking for an increased appropriation of over two mill- ions of dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. His action at once created a storm in the House of Representatives, and General Brady and his policy were bitterly assailed by Blackburn, Democrat, and Hawley and Cannon, Republicans, of the Committee on Appropriations. For days the fight raged in the House with unmitigated bitterness, the assailants of General Brady and his policy striving to the utmost to defeat that policy, and destroy its projector. His foes were gallantly met at every point, and his friends, hav- ing reason and the facts on their side, overwhelmingly defeated his assailants, and covered them with confu-

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

6th Dist.]

sion. He came out of the fiery ordeal unscathed, and without even a spot on his character. The contest was the most remarkable one that has yet occurred in the Forty-sixth Congress. Party lines entirely disappeared during the fierce onset, and Democrat encountered Democrat, and Republican met Republican, in a hand to hand contest, and not an inch of ground was yielded save as it was won by superior logic and resistless strategy. Truth and right won the victory in the House, and General Brady's triumph was complete. The contest was then transferred to the Senate, where the same ground was fought over again, and with the same result. Victory every-where perched on the ban- ner of progressive mail service, and the triumph was recently clinched by the passage of an annual appro- priation bill for the Post-office Department, which ap- proved most emphatically every principle and measure contended for by General Brady and his friends; so that in the future, as in the past, the hardy pioneer and the dwellers in the remote and sparsely settled sections will have at their command the very best postal facilities the government can possibly afford to give them. General Brady is in the prime of life, and in vigorous health, and, if the past is any criterion of the future, he will be called to still higher positions in the public service. Of spotless character and unflagging energy, he has as fair a prospect before him of eminent success in public life as any young man now in public life. Whatever may be that future, or whatever position he may be called upon to fulfill, one thing is certain : no man will bring to the discharge of his duties more ardent zeal or clearer perceptions of the claims of duty.

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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 87

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