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 88

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 88

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AVIS, T. HENRY, M. D., Richmond, Indiana, was born on the Island of Nantucket, Massachu- 96 setts, September 29, 1836. He is the oldest son of Henry W. and Lydia Cartwright Davis. Born in rugged New England and reared on her stormy coast, he inherited a robust constitution and imbibed the energizing influence of his early surroundings. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated under the public school system of his native island. An apt scholar, he found no difficulty in maintaining his rank in his class; his special taste, however, was for mathematical studies, in which he excelled. Having completed his school life at the early age of 17, he commenced the study of medi- cine with William P. Cross, M. D., of Nantucket. For three years this was continued, during which time he attended two courses of lectures at the Cleveland Med- ical College, subsequently graduating at the Homœo- pathic Medical College of Missouri, St. Louis During the year 1857 a few months were spent in the South, where, finding no satisfactory location, he again turned

toward the New England states, but on his way was arrested by the thought that to return was no evidence of success. Suddenly he determined to try the West, and without any particular point in view he drifted to Richmond, Indiana (his present residence), where the evidences of thrift and prosperity arrested his course and determined his future. The following year he was married to Louisa G. McDonald, of Oxford, Ohio, and to her rare endowments he attributes much of his subse- quent success in life. Having no aspirations except to succeed in his profession, twenty years of fixed residence, with hardly a month's respite, have resulted in a com- petency that is satisfactory and a professional reputation that is unquestioned. Buoyant of disposition and of untiring energy, he has overridden many obstacles in life and resolved what would otherwise have been failures into success. Enthused with local pride he has served since 1869, except a brief interval, as a member of the City Council, and for a similar period as Presi- dent of the Board of Health, sacrificing much time to promote the city's interests. He is a member of the Knight Templars and the Masonic Order. He is also a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. Of unblemished personal character, he still lives one among the many examples of what energy and applica- tion will accomplish.

TORRISON, JOHN IRWIN, a native of Pennsyl- vania, was born in 1806, and emigrated to In- diana in 1826. He settled in Washington County, where he taught school the first winter on Walnut Ridge. The next spring he was elected to take charge of the Salem Grammar School. His school prospered so much that a larger house was de- manded. A commodious county seminary was built, of which he was chosen Principal. This school was liberally patronized and was eminently successful. Its fame was not confined to state limits, but extended throughout the whole West. He was twice elected Treasurer of Washington County, and also served in both branches of the General Assembly of the state of Indiana. He was the Senatorial Delegate from Wash- ington County to the Constitutional Convention in 1850, and was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Edu- cation. He was the sole author of the section that provides for the election of a state superintendent of public instruction. For three years, from 1840 to 1843, he was a professor in the State University, and was president of the Board of Trustees, both before and after he acted as professor. He was appointed by Pres- ident Lincoln a Commissioner of Enrollment during the Rebellion. While serving on this board in 1864, Mr. Morrison was nominated by the Union Republican Con- vention to the office of Treasurer of State, and was

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elected, removing to Indianapolis in 1865. In 1873 he went to Knightstown, Henry County, where he was soon afterwards appointed by the city council a mem- ber of the School Board. He took an active part in the erection of the new academy, and holds the office of Township Trustee at the present time.

OCKHART, HORATIO J., a prominent citizen of Muncie, was the son of Randal and Elizabeth (Waln) Lockhart, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His paternal ancestry were of Scotch and English extraction, while on his mother's side they came from Germany and England. His grandfather, H. J. Lockhart, after whom the subject of this sketch was named, was a brave and patriotic soldier during the Revolutionary War. He entered the ranks as a private in his sixteenth year, and was finally promoted to the rank of captain. He participated with his com- mand in many of the hard-fought battles, and was wounded several times. Randal Lockhart was a man highly esteemed for his many noble traits of character. He was quiet and unassuming in his demeanor, and carved a way through adverse circumstances to a posi- tion of usefulness and distinction. In the year 1827 he migrated to Highland County, Ohio, where Horatio was born, on the twenty-fifth day of May, 1833. In those primitive days the country lads had very meager opportunities for learning. They were allowed the winter months for study, and the summers were spent in preparing the soil for cultivation, it then being in a wild and unbroken state. He was studiously inclined, however, and his spare moments were spent to ad- vantage. By the aid of hickory-bark light he prepared himself to teach by the time he had reached his seven- teenth year. In 1847 the family removed to Jay County, Indiana, and bought another farm of unim- proved land. Here his attention was again directed to clearing and renovating the soil, to which he industri- ously applied himself until the year 1855. His earliest inclinations were to be a good scholar, and with this motive in view he started for Fayette County, Ohio, there to prepare for college, though he had now reached his twenty-second year. He procured a scholarship with money which he earned during the summer by working on a farm, and the following winter by teach- ing, and was about to enter when the sad intelligence came that his brother had died, and that some members of the family were sick. He hastened home, and until the year following the duty of caring for the family de- volved upon him. He then became a partner in a store situated in Fairview, Randolph County, Indiana, where he remained until March, 1858. From there he moved to Albany, Delaware County, and was employed as

clerk in a "general store" until 1863. He then be- came an equal partner in the firm of Maynard & Lock- hart, which was favorably known in Albany until 1867, when it became Lockhart & Brother, which existed until 1872. In the following year he moved to Muncie, the county seat of Delaware County, where he has since re- sided, principally engaged in the insurance business, and superintending two good farms which he owns, not far distant from the city limits. He has always been active in advancing the best interests of humanity, and of the community. He has been a stanch temperance man, and for some time has filled the position of presi- dent of the County Temperance Union, and has been a delegate to several state organizations. He was the second son in a family of nine children, six of whom were boys. Five of them reached the estate of man- hood without having used tobacco or strong drink, or indulged in profanity. Mr. Lockhart was brought up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united when he had reached his eighteenth year. He has held the positions of class-leader and steward for more than twenty years, and has always taken a deep interest in Sunday-school work. He has ever manifested a generous, intelligent interest in edu- cational and public enterprises. Being truly patriotic, he has been active in politics since casting his first vote for J. C. Fremont. He has been a delegate to all the Republican state conventions since 1860, and was elected by that party as Representative to the state Legislature in 1877, and served on important committees. When he had reached his majority he was made a member of the Independent Order of Odd-fellows. He passed all the chairs in both branches, and was made a member of the Grand Lodge in 1858, and the Encampment in 1872. He discharges his duty with energy and fidelity, and is a man of acknowledged substantial acquirements and irreproachable character. In social and domestic life he is a genial companion and a courteous gentle- man; in business transactions he is scrupulously honest and honorable ; in all respects his character stands high with those who know him. He was married, on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1857, to Miss Ruth Brotherton, daughter of John Brotherton, and sister to Hon. William Brotherton, a prominent lawyer of Muncie. Three children have been born to them, two surviving : Mary E., an accomplished young lady, a graduate of the Muncie high school; and John Will- iam, a young man of fourteen years. Mr. Lockhart possesses a warm and generous heart, and is a kind husband, tender parent, and true friend, and has ac- cumulated a fair competence while yet in the prime of life. He has afforded an example to the youth of Indiana, showing them how industry, care, and strict probity can win distinction and honor. He is much esteemed by those who know him.

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OMMONS, WILLIAM, M. D., was born at White Water, Wayne County, Indiana, September 26, 1836. His parents were American born Irish, and both were natives of Wayne County, Indiana. His father was a farmer, and the son was kept on a farm until 18 years of age, attending the district school. The father died in May, 1851, and the mother in Oc- tober, 1854, when the farm was sold, and the family separated. He taught school the following winter and summer. In October, 1855, he began clerking in a store at White Water, and continued until the spring of 1858. In the fall of 1858, he commenced attending a select school at White Water, kept by Milton Hollings- worth, studying the higher mathematics and beginning Latin. In February, 1860, he entered the scientific course of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio; but after six months his presence was found to be incompatible with the good of that institution, and he was suddenly gra- duated, i. e., withdrew to avoid expulsion. He then went South, intending to teach in Tennessee, but found the probabilities of war between North and South so great that he decided not to remain. Returning North, he entered the Medical Department of Michigan Univer- sity, at Ann Arbor, as a student of R. G. Branden, M. D., of White Water, Indiana. He attended one full term of lectures, giving special attention to practical anatomy, and working four months in the dissecting room. He returned home the first of April, 1861, and com- menced reading medicine in Doctor Branden's office. He volunteered in the army, April 16, 1861, but was not mustered until July, as private in Company I, 16th Indiana Volunteers. He was detailed for special duty in the regimental hospital, and served in the capacity of med- ical cadet until the regiment was mustered out of serv- ice, in May, 1862. Then he returned to his preceptor's office, and continued reading medicine until March, 1863, when he entered the Medical College of Ohio, where he graduated July 6th following. Prior to this he was resident physician of "St. John's Hotel for Invalids," a hospital kept by the sisters of charity, of which the cele- brated Sister Anthony was superior. After graduating, he entered the "Commercial," now the Cincinnati, hospital as house surgeon, being appointed to that position from the graduating class. At the same time he entered the hospital he made an application to Governor Morton for appointment as assistant surgeon of Indiana Volunteers, but not receiving the position soon enough, he wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, and received permission from him to appear before a medical examining board for appointment as assistant surgeon in the United States Navy. He resigned his position in the hospital after a service of two months, and reported to the Board of Medical Examiners, at the Naval Asylum, Philadelphia, September 10, 1863, and was dismissed by them, Oc- tober 26th. He was appointed an assistant surgeon in

the United States Navy, October 26, 1863, and reported to Admiral Paulding, commanding Brooklyn Navy Yard, for duty on board the receiving ship "North Carolina," at that place. January 1, 1864, he was transferred to United States flag-ship " Hartford," and saw his first sea service with Farragut. He was assistant surgeon of the "Hartford " during 1864, participating in the battle of Mobile Bay, being on duty on the berth deck, and though his nurses and assistants were all killed, and twice during the battle being the only one left able to keep his feet, he came off unhurt. The "Hartford " re- turned North in December, 1864, and was put out of commission, and Assistant Surgeon Commons was given two weeks' leave of absence, from December 20th. He returned home, and at the expiration of his leave was ordered to New York, to take passage for Port Royal, South Carolina, for duty on board United States steamer " Patapsco," a single turret monitor. On the way from Richmond, Indiana, to New York, a railroad accident delayed his arrival twelve hours, and he lost his pas- sage in the steamer. This detained him one week, during which time the " Patapsco" ran on a torpedo, and was lost, with all on board. His orders were changed to the "Passaic," which he joined February, 1865, and in May following he was ordered to the Pacific squadron, for duty on board the flag-ship " Lan- caster," in June, 1865, and soon after was detached for special duty to the "Saginaw," to cruise in search of the privateer " Florida," which was destroying our whaling fleet in the North Pacific. He was ordered to Panama in November, 1865, to rejoin the "Lancaster," but the office of United States consul for that port having become vacant, he was detailed to special duty in the consul's office, and as special inspector of customs, ad interim, for that place. . During this time he witnessed a revolution in the local government. Upon the arrival of the new consul he served on the "St. Mary's," in Panama Bay, and was then ordered to Callao, in Peru, to take charge of the United States hospital ship " Fredonia." During this period he wit- nessed the bombardment of Callao by the Spanish fleet. In June, 1866, he was transferred to United States steamer "Suwanee," and with her remained cruising on the coast of South and Central America, and Mexico, until May, 1867, when he was detached and ordered to the United States. He landed in New York June 2d, and reached home two days later. Four days thereafter he received orders from the Navy Department to repair to Philadelphia and prepare for a three years' cruise in the Asiatic squadron. Upon this he proceeded to Phila- delphia and tendered his resignation, which was ac- cepted, July 24, 1867. He settled in the practice of his profession in his native town of White Water, and re- mained until January, 1870, when he moved to Brad- ford, Ohio, there continuing until May, 1873, when he

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removed to Union City, Randolph County, Indiana, of | favorable. He is deservedly popular, with a high social which place he is still a resident, practicing medicine and business standing in the community in which he lives. and surgery. He was married January 1, 1865, to Miss Lydia J. Starbuck, a school-mate and daughter of his guardian. They have two children.

ADWALLADER, NATHAN, president of the Citizens Bank, Union City, Indiana, was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 12, 1826. His father, Abner Cadwallader, was born in Virginia, and his mother, Mary (Thomas) Cadwallader, was a native of South Carolina. Nathan was the eldest and only son of five children. His father died, leaving him an orphan, when but fourteen years of age. Thus left, as it were, at the head of the family, his responsibilities at so young an age had a tendency to develop the latent energies within him. His opportunities for education were limited to the common schools, except one term in the Winchester Seminary. He began business about the age of four- teen, and at first worked on a farm. When about twenty-one years of age he entered the store of F. F. Needham, at Newport (now Fountain City), Indiana, as a clerk. Afterwards he was employed by D. J. Manzy, of Spartanburg, in a country store. After three or four years he bought out his employer, and after a time bought the stock of his first employer at. Newport, where he continued in the mercantile business till De- cember, 1859. During that year he, with his family, moved to Union City, Indiana, where he has since re- sided. Here, with the exception of a few months, he continued his business till 1864. In 1865, in connec- tion with Colonel I. P. Gray, he started the "Citizens, Bank." It continued as a private institution till the year 1873, when it was incorporated under the old name, and Mr. Cadwallader was made president, a posi- tion he yet holds. He was elected to the state Senate in 1876 for four years. In politics he was a Whig with strong anti-slavery preferences, and has been a Repub- lican since the organization of that party. In religious belief he holds more nearly with the Society of Friends than with any other denomination, while his wife and two daughters belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His only son, Charles H., was born in March, 1851. Mr. Cadwallader was first married in March, 1850, to Elizabeth C. Manzy, the daughter of his second em- ployer, the Hon. David J. Manzy, of Union City, who soon afterwards died, and in December, 1854, he mar- ried Sarah A. Griffis, his present wife, and mother of his three children. Mr. Cadwallader is possessed of an ample fortune, and .such has been his judgment, benevolence, and good character, that he has acquired this without engendering jealousies and envy in the minds of those whose circumstances have been less

ONVERSE, JOEL NEWTON, M. D., was born in Madison County, Ohio, December 13, 1820. He is the grandson of Rev. Jeremiah Converse, formerly of Massachusetts, in which state the father of the subject of this sketch, Lathrop Converse, was born on June 6, 1788. The mother of Doctor Converse, Laura A. Newton, of Hartford, Connecticut, was born February 26, 1795. As young people they came to Madison County, Ohio, a part of a colony who settled on Darby Plains in that county in the year 1814 and 1815, and were married at that place on January 20, 1816. They had four children, all sons, of whom Joel New- ton was the third. His father died October 3, 1823, leaving him a young child, but his mother having mar- ried again, he received very great advantages from the counsel and discretion of a kind step-father. By him the latent energies that were destined to make the man were developed and wisely directed. The mother of Doctor Converse died August 18, 1872, in her seventy- eighth year. The difficulties of obtaining an education in those early times in that new wild country were many and formidable. Poor log-houses, puncheon floors, and greased paper as window lights, were the best that could be afforded, while the style of teaching was in keeping with the surroundings. Notwithstanding all these obstacles this third son acquired more than an or- dinary education under the circumstances, and began teaching school at about the age of seventeen. He taught in the winter, worked on the farm in summer for three or four years, and also, during this time, ob- tained a medical education under the direction of Doc- tor John A. Skinner, of West Jefferson, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he began the practice of medicine in Union County, and in 1845 he graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio. He attended the regular lectures at that institution for the next three years. He continued his practice in Union County until 1852, when he virtually abandoned the profession and, with his family, moved to Union City, Indiana, which has since been his home. Here he appears in a new rôle, as farmer, real estate agent, and general pro- moter of common schools and of higher education in its wider sense as applied to the development of the phys- ical, the mental, and the moral powers of the human race. He has ever been a great friend and advocate of free schools, having been a director in the school board fourteen years since moving to his Indiana home. In school government Doctor Converse is an advocate of kind, firm discipline, but opposed to corporal punishment. He has been actively engaged during this time in build-

Truly yours I.h. Converse

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ing school-houses, hiring and paying teachers and look- ing after the general interests of education. As a rail- road builder and manager, Doctor Converse excels, and fourteen years' experience in this business proves his ability. In 1864 he began the building of the road from Union City to Logansport, Indiana, which was completed in 1865. Of this line he was president and general superintendent until he resigned in 1870, and is now a director in the consolidated line (C. C. & I. C.). Within five days after his release by the di- rectors from this responsible position, he was in the state of Nebraska, and began the contract of building the Midland Pacific Railway, extending from Nebraska City via Lincoln to some point on the Union Pacific. Up to 1877 two hundred miles of this road had been made ready, and the iron laid on one hundred and fifty miles, extending from Brownsville to York City. Dur- ing this time Doctor Converse was vice-president and general superintendent, and was the life and soul of the corporation. He was relieved of this responsibility by the leasing of the road to the Burlington and Missouri River Road in Nebraska, this latter being a part of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad. After an active life of fourteen years among the railroads, where large sums of money and far-reaching interests have been intrusted to him, we now find him withdrawing somewhat from the bustle of business to the influences of home and family. He has been a Master Mason for near twenty years, and is now a Royal Arch Mason; and in Odd-fellowship he has been a member for thirty years. He has passed all the degrees within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of the state. He is not a member of any Church, but is quite liberal in his religious belief, while he discards the idea of end- less punishment. He has contributed to the building and sustenance of all the churches at his home, regard- less of denomination. Doctor Converse has always been an ardent temperance man, both in practice and theory, and has frequently been called before public audiences to instruct and entertain them on this subject. He is the owner of several fine farms, and it should be noticed that his love for agricultural pursuits has been shown by him in his community in a practical way, by under- draining, deep plowing, and in improved methods of farming, while the beautiful grounds surrounding his ample home show taste in horticulture and landscape gardening. On November 5, 1840, he married Miss Ann Eliza Phillips, a native of Vermont. Mrs. Con- verse is the daughter of Seth Phillips, who was born in New Hampshire, July 19, 1795, and who died May 14, 1875, her mother having died on April 28, 1840. She is the oldest of ten children, nine of whom are daugh- ters, and with one exception are all living. She has led an active life, and her great love of flowers and plants, by which their beautiful home is surrounded, has

taken her much into the open air. To her we may apply the words of Solomon: "She openeth her mouth in wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. . . . Her children rise up and call her blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her." The family of Doctor Con- verse consists of two daughters. The eldest, Laura A., wife of David H. Reeder, of Union City, Indiana, and Lois R., the wife of Doctor J. R. Flowers, of Colum- bus, Ohio. As daughters they are obedient and affec- tionate, and as wives they are faithful and efficient, and are honored members of society. The former has two sons, Harry G. and George L. Reeder. Harry was born March 25, 1860. In complexion and bodily con- formation he resembles his father's family, is very steady and reliable, and is depended on as a regular hand in the mill of which his father has charge. He is an artist by nature, and two beautiful crayon copies on the walls show the skill in his handiwork. George was born July 17, 1861, and conforms in personal ap- pearance to his mother and grandfather. He is a natural mechanic, and finds work congenial to his tastes in running and taking care of the engine and machinery of the mill. The salutary counsels of the grand-parents and the careful training of the parents have borne their good fruit in their descendants, and these young men we heartily commend to the rising generation for steadi- ness of habits and industry. Three generations here have two representatives each in this household, and we trust many more years may pass over their heads before the happy union is broken. Mrs. Flowers, his other daughter, was unfortunate enough to lose her only child, May, on the 17th of June, 1873, aged eight years, eight months, and thirteen days. She was a brilliant and precocious little girl.

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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 88

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