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 II, Part 113

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1006

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 II > Part 113

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on both sides, until the ammunition with which the Colonel's men had been supplied was nearly exhausted ; the teamsters of the ammunition wagons had moved to the rear, and when the ammunition should have been brought forward they turned and fled. At this junc- ture the troops on Colonel Miller's right retired; and soon after a heavy force advanced upon General Palmer's division, immediately to the left of Colonel Miller's brigade, and a hard contest ensued. General Palmer's division held their ground for a short time, and then began to retire, leaving Colonel Miller's left flank and rear uncovered. Just at this time the latter received orders to retire slowly into the woods. His troops had obtained a small supply of ammunition from the car- tridge-boxes of the dead and wounded: The enemy were advancing on both his left and right flanks, and the fire in front was as destructive as ever. The retreat, how- ever, was executed in good order, and, on reaching the wood, he halted his command and delivered several well-directed volleys into the enemy's ranks. Receiving fire in three directions, Colonel Miller's troops withdrew into the wood, firing in the rear as they marched at the overwhelming column which pressed upon them. Re- ceiving still another destructive fire, which obliged them to turn to the right, Colonel Miller's troops finally reached the pike, carrying with them their wounded comrades. Here they were halted by Colonel Miller, who rejoined his fearfully weakened lines and obtained a fresh supply of ammunition. During this entire en- gagement, and under these appalling circumstances, Colonel Miller displayed the most admirable coolness and bravery, setting an example of courage that has seldom been equaled and never surpassed, and could not but meet a response in the hearts of his gallant men. Though severely wounded, he persisted in remaining on the field in spite of the surgeon's remonstrances. Had his resistance to the enemy been less obstinate, and had they succeeded in forcing a passage through his line, the whole right wing of the army would have been cut off from all support, and either captured or dispersed; but they were enabled by his fierce, protracted, and gallant struggle to gain the rear of the army and their shattered lines. On the evening of the 31st Colonel Miller was ordered to the support of some batteries on the Nash- ville Pike, where he remained until the next day. He then took a position as a reserve to General Haskell's division, and afterwards supported the right of General McCook's corps, remaining all night in the open field. On the 2d of January, 1863, Colonel Miller was ordered to the support of General Crittenden, and took a posi- tion in a field in the rear of a battery on the left of the railroad, near the bank of Stone River. About four o'clock P. M., a furious attack was made by the enemy on General Van Cleve's division, across the river. The fire was returned with spirit for a time ; but finally the

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troops retired across the river and retreated through the lines of Colonel Miller, then formed near the banks and partly concealed behind the crest of a small hill. As soon as General Van Cleve's division had retired entirely from view, Colonel Miller ordered his command forward, and advanced, under cover of the hill, along the river bank. The enemy following Van Cleve's division soon gained the opposite bank, when Colonel Miller opened fire, and caused them to halt and waver. He then ordered his troops forward to a rail fence on the bank of the river, and although the enemy's forces were vastly superior, and supported by two batteries in their rear on the hills, they began to retreat. Colonel Miller deemed this an opportune moment for crossing and following up his success, and he ordered his troops to charge across the stream, which they did with great gallantry, under a heavy fire. Although twice ordered back by General Palmer, Colonel Miller persisted in crossing, pressed close upon the flying heels of the rebel columns, and repelled at the same time an attack on his right flank. He ordered a charge upon the infantry supporting the enemy's batteries, which, posted on an eminence, had kept up a severe fire. They retreated in great confusion before his victorious advance, leaving the ground cov- ered with the dead and wounded. When within a hun- dred and fifty yards of the battery he swung his hat in the air, and, followed by his men, rushed up to the mouth of the blazing cannon. His troops hurled them- selves with irresistible force on the rebels, bayoneting gunners at their pieces, and putting the support of the battery to flight. The battery, which consisted of four guns, known as the Worthington White Horse Battery, from the city of New Orleans, and the stand of rebel colors belonging to the 26th Tennessee, were captured and carried off the field by the troops under his com- mand. Colonel Miller maintained his ground until the enemy had retired from sight and he was relieved by fresh troops. He then re-crossed the river, reformed his lines, and obtained a fresh supply of ammunition. It is conceded that this dashing bayonet charge into the very heart of the enemy's lines, which was led by Col- onel Miller on his own responsibility, was the great event of the battle, and tended more than any other to dishearten the enemy and crown our standard with vic- tory. The skill and ability of Colonel Miller and the gallantry of his men were duly appreciated by the com- mander-in-chief, General Rosecrans. He gave the Sev- enth Brigade the post of honor, it being the first to enter Murfreesboro, and telegraphed to President Lincoln on the battle-field, recommending Colonel Miller for pro- motion. The Seventh Brigade lost in this battle six hundred and forty-nine men, or one-third of the whole number engaged. After the battle of Murfreesboro Col- onel Miller was assigned to the command of Brigadier- general Johnson's division, in McCook's corps, and was

engaged in several severe battles and skirmishes. At , Liberty Gap he was severely wounded, and lost his left eye. Afterwards he returned to Nashville and again commanded that post. Later, he was assigned to the district of Mobile, and subsequently became collector of the port at San Francisco, California. He was pro- moted to brigadier-general in January, 1864, and after- ward breveted major-general of volunteers. But few officers were so fortunate as Colonel Miller in securing at once the confidence and love of their troops.

ILLER, WILLIAM, South Bend, was born April 1809, in Franklin County, Virginia. His grandfather, Jacob Miller, was a noted German Baptist preacher. He removed from Virginia to Maryland, and finally to Ohio, near Dayton, where he died. His son, Tobias Miller, married Sarah Hender- son, whose grandfather came from Ireland and settled in Virginia at an early day. They had thirteen children born to them, of whom William Miller, the subject of this sketch, was the sixth. In 1811 he removed with his parents to Franklin (now Union) County, Indiana, where he remained until he was twenty-four years of age. He then removed to St. Joseph County, in the same state, and settled on Portage Prairie. Here he engaged in farming, which he continued for about twenty-five years, after which he purchased property and removed to South Bend, where he lately resided. In 1844 Mr. Mil- ler was elected to the state Legislature, and served ac- ceptably for three successive terms. During this time the deaf, dumb, and blind asylums, and the insane asy- lum were established; for these institutions Mr. Miller always had a friendly interest. He served for a num- ber of years in the city council, and was instrumental in having the Singer Sewing-machine Manufactory established in South Bend. Every public enterprise which had for its object the improvement of the city met with his approval and support. Mr. Miller mar- ried Miss Mary Miller, daughter of Colonel John Mil- ler, of Union County, Indiana. They have had ten children. The eldest son, born November 21, 1831, is a lawyer, and was elected to the state Senate in 1861. He served one session, and, at the breaking out of the Civil War, resigned, in order to enter the army. He raised a regiment, of which he was appointed colonel, and served until the close of the war. At Stone River he was shot through the neck, and at Liberty Gap he lost his left eye. After having been appointed briga- dier-general, and breveted major-general in the army, he was commissioned post collector at San Francisco, California. He held the position four years, when he resigned, and became a stockholder and president of the Alaska Fur Company. David, the second son, died

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at the age of six. The third son, Isaac Newton, born | and comprehensive mind, of generous impulses and November 3, 1835, is a farmer, residing near New Carlisle. The fourth son, William, born August 31, 1838, is a man- ufacturer, residing in South Bend. The fifth child, Mar- tha E., born December 6, 1841, married Moses E. Butter- worth, of Kingsbury. Henry Clay, the fifth son, born May 20, 1844, is cashier in the custom-house at San Fran- cisco. Mary Ellen died in infancy. Horace Greeley, born November 4, 1849, is a merchant of South Bend. Edmund Irving died in infancy. All of Mr. Miller's surviving children are married. His death occurred May 2, 1879, after an illness of eleven months.

enduring friendship. His industry and energy, his good sense and sound judgment, have insured him financial success in the business pursuits of life, and secured him a comfortable competence. Latterly, he has retired from an active, laborious life, devoting his time and attention more to the general supervision of his interests. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, ardent and firm in the support and defense of his polit- ical convictions. He has generally taken an active part in political campaigns, first, in endeavoring to secure at his party conventions the nomination of suitable men for positions to be filled, and then in being zealous to secure their election. He usually represents his town, county, and district as delegate to party conven- tions. Mr. Moffatt has for many years been an honored member of the United Brethren Church, and has by his liberality aided much, in its prosperity, and by his Christian example contributed largely to its spiritual and social advancement. He is a practical temperance man, and in sympathy with all matters tending to pro- mote the best social and moral condition of society. He was married, October 23, 1839, to Miss Minerva Scraggs, of Fayette County, a native of Greene County, Tennessee, and daughter of Captain W. Scraggs, who was an officer under General Jackson in the protracted war with the Creek Indians. Among the battles in which he served with much distinction was that of the Horseshoe, with the Muscogee tribe. Mrs. Moffatt at an early age united with the Church of the United Brethren, and is a very worthy and valued member. Through her life she has been a conscientious and devoted follower of Christ, her faith never wavering. Her trusts as wife and mother have ever been regarded as sacred duties, and discharged with self-sacrificing devotion. They have a family of four daughters. In person Mr. Moffatt is above the medium height, with apparently a strong and rugged constitution and well preserved faculties, both physical and mental. He is a clear and independent thinker, and of prompt and decided action. His moral and business character stands above reproach. As a citizen he is highly respected by all who know him, and is loved and esteemed by his family and intimate friends.

TOFFATT, JOHN F., farmer, of Bourbon, Mar- shall County, Indiana, was born January 22, 1816, in Granger County, East Tennessee, and is the son of Samuel Moffatt and Mary (Donald- son) Moffatt, who were natives of Ireland, and emigrated to America and settled in Granger County, Tennessee, in the year 1802, where they purchased a farm and be- gan the work of improving and tilling it. Owing to the natural formation of the county, which is divided and broken alternately by mountains and valleys, neigh- bors were necessarily so much separated as to render the support of common schools a matter of considerable expense and inconvenience ; and, as a consequence, Mr. Moffatt received but limited educational advantages in early life, much of his going to school requiring a walk of three miles daily each way. Like all new countries in America in those days, the means of education for the young were provided through the subscriptions of those to be benefited by it; and, as a consequence, a school was very expensive in a sparsely settled county, and three months each year was about the time spent in attendance by children. When at the age of ten years, John F., with his father's family, moved from Tennessee to Harrison Township, Fayette County, Indi- ana, where they bought a farm, John attending common school irregularly during the winter season and devoting the remainder of his time to hard work on the farm until 1839, when he went to Delaware County and lo- cated a tract of wild land, upon which he at once settled, and began the work of improving and tilling, remaining there until 1849, when he removed to Miami County ; but in 1861 failing health admonished him that he must abandon agricultural labor, and he accordingly ONTGOMERY, ROBERT, president of the Mish- awaka Wagon Company, Mishawaka, was born February 15, 1816, at Fort Edward, on the Hudson, in the state of New York, his parents, John and Elizabeth (Moore) Montgomery, being old settlers at that place. Robert is one of a family of thirteen, his eldest brother and sister being still living at disposed of his property and purchased a grist-mill, which he conducted successfully for four years, when he sold it, and in 1865 came to Bourbon, purchasing a farm one mile west of Bourbon village, upon which he is still residing, surrounded with wealth and blessed by an intelligent, devoted, and happy family. Mr. Moffatt is a man of strong character, possessing an active | the advanced ages of eighty-four and eighty-six. He

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received his education at the school at Fort Edward, and at the age of sixteen removed to Silver Creek, Chautauqua County, in the same state, where he re- mained eleven years, being most of the time engaged in the lumber business. He there married Laura Thorn- dyke, of Rutland, Vermont, and removed to Bristol, Indiana, where he remained some eighteen months, when he went to Mishawaka and engaged in the manu- facture of furniture, becoming president of the Mish- awaka Furniture Company, a company which employed from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men, and whose pay-roll amounted to from four thousand to six thousand dollars a month, He afterwards identified himself with the wagon company, of which he is now president. At the age of twenty-three he held a com- mission from Martin Van Buren, then Governor of the state, as ensign in Silver Creek Company, which he re- signed on account of removal. Mr. Montgomery has been a member of the temperance society for many years. He is a man of liberal religious views, and in politics a Republican. He was married May 2, 1839, his wife, who is still living, being an orphan. He has two daughters, one the wife of Joseph Warden, of South Bend, and the other the wife of Lewy Harvey, of Kansas City. Mr. Montgomery is a man of indomita- ble perseverance. At one time he had lost every thing he possessed but about one hundred dollars. To-day he is one of the solid men of the town, showing what an unblemished character, together with tact, energy, and industry, may achieve for a man.

TOREHOUS, PHILO, of Elkhart, was born in Broome County, New York, March 7, 1812. When he was eight years old his father, Philo More- hous, senior, moved to Pennsylvania, twenty miles from Pittsburgh, living there four years, when he re- moved to Hartland, Niagara County, New York. Philo was the tenth of thirteen children, and his edu- cation was limited to such knowledge as could be ob- tained in the common schools of that day; and even this ceased at the early age of fifteen, when he was placed by his father in charge of a hotel. This he managed with remarkable ability, although but a boy, and won the respect and admiration of those with whom he came in contact. At nineteen he was elected con- stable and collector by the citizens of Hartland. These offices he filled with entire satisfaction for two years. At this time he resolved to " go West." He traveled through the western states, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, with the intention of seeking and making a new home in a new country. This was during the year 1833, at the time of the Black Hawk War, and railroads being then unknown his mode of travel was

by horseback. The country was full of Indians, and in his travels he frequently came among them, sometimes meeting them in the lonely paths of the forest ; but no hostile demonstrations were ever offered. In the fol- lowing June he came to Adamsville, Michigan-then a town of some promise-bought and completed a hotel then in process of erection, and took the charge of it for one year, at which time he exchanged it for a farm. Here he lived two years, then he resolved to enter the mercantile business at Elkhart, Indiana. At the time of leaving Hartland, his whole fortune consisted of one hundred and seventy dollars. By active industry and economy, in three years he had accumulated three or four thousand dollars. This, however, was all lost by indorsing papers for other parties. Honesty and integ- rity was his rule, and he paid every cent for which his word was pledged, and then found himself again finan- cially at the foot of the ladder. It taught him caution for the future. Previous to settling in Elkhart, in December 25, 1836, he was married to Catharine Wine- gar, of Clarkson, N. Y., to whose good judgment and assistance he attributes largely his success in after life. Five children were born to them. The two eldest, a son and daughter, died in infancy; three are still liv- ing, a son and two daughters. He continued in the mercantile business seventeen years, also doing an ex- change business in the same building most of that time. When the free-banking law of Indiana passed, he at once established a bank of issue, called the Bank of Elkhart, with a circulation of seventy thousand dollars. This he owned and managed nine years, until the na- tional banking law was passed, when he closed up his state institution and organized the "First National Bank of Elkhart." Of this he was president for several years. In the year 1859 he was elected one of the di- rectors of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indi- ana Railroad, which position he held for twelve years, continuing to look after the interests of that road up to the present time. The citizens of Elkhart give him the credit of securing to them the machine shops, foundry, and all the main buildings of the road, which gave the first great impetus to the prosperity of the town, awakening a new life and interest in the place, doub- ling in a short time the population, and causing to be brought forward and improved a large manufacturing business, all of which are certain to make it the promi- nent city of Northern Indiana. A man with so much financial ability would naturally enlarge his powers when opportunities presented themselves. At one time he was largely engaged in the pine land and lumber business in Chicago, Michigan, and Wisconsin, owning one-fourth of seventy thousand acres of pine lands. During this time he also became interested in real es- tate in Chicago, where he purchased and still owns a considerable amount of very valuable property. For

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some years the family home has been in that city, in an elegant residence, fitted and adorned in luxurious style, yet his desire has always been for the pros- perity of Elkhart; and in pursuance of this object he established, in 1871, the gas works there, then owning a third interest, and now possessing all but one-fifth. His railroad interest has led him to deal in stock and bond transactions more or less largely for years, and usually with success. In politics he was Democratic until the nomination for President of Mr. Lincoln, to whom he gave his vote and influence, as also he did to Grant. In charities he is always unostentatious, but many homes have been brightened through his means. In summing up this brief sketch we find the battle of life to have been well fought by this self-made man. That he was endowed with superior financial ability must be ad- mitted, yet there was added to this an honest determi- nation of purpose and a kind heart, which has helped others, while at the same time he was making a path to prosperity for himself. From the early age of fifteen his desire and determination was to earn every cent he used. He has always lived up to that principle; and now, as age creeps on apace, with the ambition to ac- cumulate no longer a necessity or desire, with no debts, and a wholly unincumbered property, he perhaps stands at the head of the list of the wealthy men of Northern Indiana. He is plain and unassuming in manner, and for his nobleness of character is sought for as guide, counselor, and friend.

ORRISON, EZEKIEL, president of the First National Bank, Laporte, was born at Peters- borough, New Hampshire, October 8, 1801, and is the son of Ezekiel and Hannah (Ames) Mor-

rison. Their ancestors came from Ireland. Many of the family have become quite noted in American history. After receiving his education in the common school, Windsor County, Vermont, whither his parents had re- moved, he took to farming, his inclination leaning that way. One of the first things he did on acquiring some means was to pay off his father's debts. After remain- ing there for some years he sold his property, and in 1836 he removed to Laporte, where he again engaged in farming, and also went into the buying and selling of lands, settling up estates, etc., continuing in this until 1851, when he bought shares in the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad, becoming a director of : the road, which position he held till 1861. He took a very active interest in its construction, and still holds a large quantity of stock. Since that time he has been engaged in the banking business and is now president of the First National Bank. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in religion an Episcopalian. Mr. Morrison has

been twice married ; first, on the 13th of October, 1334, to Almira Bridge, daughter of Judge Bridge, of Wood- stock, Vermont, who died June 2, 1856, leaving five children, three boys and two girls, all now grown up, married, and doing well in life. His eldest son, Robert S., is cashier of the bank. His second marriage was on October 25, 1859, to Mary E. Carson, of Albany, New York, who died September 9, 1876. Mr. Morrison still enjoys good health, is active and energetic, and attends to his business with promptness and dispatch. He stands six feet high and is of manly appearance. Old age has changed his hair and whiskers white. His manners are agreeable, and he is as full of business as in his younger days. Having been highly successful, he now enjoys a most comfortable competence, and the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lives.

TOURY, DAVID, superintendent of public schools of Elkhart County, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Dayton, June 30, 1837, and remained there until he was fourteen years of age. He aided his father on the farm, and went at in- tervals to school. ' From this period he was left to take care of himself, and for a while was employed in a livery stable. He subsequently worked on a farm by the month, attending school in the winter. This was con- tinued till he was eighteen. He suffered severely, when fifteen years of age, from the measles. He was employed in clearing land for four years, being frequently sub- jected to great exposure, as he was often obliged to pile and burn brush until ten o'clock at night. During this period he saved a few hundred dollars, and then engaged in learning the photographic art, at Bellefon- taine, Ohio. This being completed, he went to Wiscon- sin, with a view of opening a gallery and securing lands, which, at that early day, were to be had at government price. After following the business through prosperity and adversity, he was completely broken up by the land agent with whom he had been associated. He re- turned to Ohio in the fall of 1857 penniless, and again began working on a farm, cutting corn, splitting rails, etc., until he had sufficient money to buy a decent suit of clothes. While in Wisconsin he had planned to go to Kansas and make a permanent investment; but his projects were thwarted by the adverse turn of affairs, and he concluded that, in order to take care of himself and his earnings, a good education was an absolute necessity. He accordingly made arrangements at a dis- trict school to assist in teaching, for the privilege of reciting in the advanced classes. At the close of this term, not having sufficient funds to continue as he de- sired, he engaged to work for a farmer, at fourteen dol- lars per month, for six months. He did not lose a day

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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 II, Part 113

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1006

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Cincinnati, Ohio : Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1006