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 23

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 23

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INTON, ALMUS E., late of Indianapolis, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 9, 1821. His parents were Roswell Merrick and Hannah (Davis) Vinton. They were natives of Stafford, Connecti- cut, but came West at an early day. His father, by edu- cation a civil engineer, was for a time engaged in the shipping of produce to the New Orleans market. From Cincinnati he removed to Miamisburg, Ohio, where he superintended the construction of the locks in the Little Miami Canal and many of the internal im- provements in that part of the state, and where he died of small-pox in 1835. Mrs. Vinton, the mother of Al- mus E., was subsequently married to Mr. Joseph Hub- ler, a founder and machinist. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Miamisburg, and in his younger days he had but the meager opportunities for an education afforded by the country schools. The early death of his father and his mother's subsequent marriage left him little choice as to his avocation in life. He went into his step-father's foundry to learn the trade of machinist, and, upon his removal to Lafayette, In- diana, in 1840, Mr. Vinton also changed his location, continuing his connection with the foundry. When about sixteen years old he received from an early friend of his father the offer of a college scholarship, but, his mother having several years previous been stricken with paralysis, and being in consequence a confirmed invalid, he was obliged to decline the generous offer. In after life, although Mr. Vinton never ceased to re- gret the loss of a collegiate education, by extensive reading and observation he became as well informed on the leading topics and literature of the day as many of higher educational advantages, and his opinions were always listened to with deference and respect by men of acknowledged ability, whose friendship he enjoyed. Theresa C. Stallo, a companion from early childhood. apolis. For a short time Mr. Vinton engaged in the

" Mr. and Mrs. Tyner, it is my pleasing duty also, in behalf of your children, to present a few testimonials | milling business at St. Mary's, Ohio, but, finding the

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occupation highly injurious to his health, he the more readily accepted the suggestion of his early friend, Mr. L. W. Hasselman, to remove to Indianapolis. Together they purchased what was known as the Washington Foundry, and embarked in the foundry and machine business, under the firm name of Hasselman & Vinton. They carried on a highly successful business until 1853, when the building was destroyed by fire and Mr. Vinton was well-nigh ruined. Soon afterward they pur- chased the ground upon which the Eagle Machine Works now stand, put up a shop, and in a wonderfully short time had recovered from the severe blow to their trade. In 1865 Mr. Vinton sold out his interest to the Eagle Machine Works Company and retired from active business. He was a partner in the wholesale drug house of Kiefer & Vinton, and also part owner of the Indianapolis Paper-mill, in which his son, Merrick E., still retains a large interest. Until Mr. Vinton's failing health compelled him to succumb, his activity in busi- ness was almost phenomenal ; he was emphatically a busy man; a man of perseverance and energy, and of the highest integrity. With Judge Martindale, Mr. Vinton originated the idea of buying up parcels of land and dividing them into building lots; these they then sold at public auction, and realized considerable money by the transaction. The bulk of Mr. Vinton's property was invested in fine business locations. For many years the family residence was on the ground now occupied by the "Vinton Block," one of the best business sites in the city of Indianapolis, and now the property of his second daughter. Like most men deeply immersed in business, Mr. Vinton was not a politician in the ordi- nary sense of the word. He was a strong Union man and a Republican, and in life an intimate friend and counselor of the late Oliver P. Morton. He frequently proved a valuable assistant to the distinguished Governor, whom he aided with advice and money on several occa- sions. He was a member of the hundred days' cavalry organized during Morgan's raid, but never saw any further service during the war. He was not a mem- ber of any religious society, although he and his family attended the services at the Second Presbyterian Church, and he was a liberal contributor to all worthy objects. Mr. Vinton was a man of peculiar and marked traits of character. Prompt and punctual himself, he exacted the same service from others, but was always governed by a strict sense of justice and honor. If amidst the cares and anxieties of business he spoke harshly or unkindly to the humblest man in his em- ployment, he never failed to acknowledge the error. He has left an impress upon the history of Indianapolis, and his name will live in the records of the active, en- ergetic business men of the city long after the present generation has passed away. He was truly the architect of his own fortunes. He did not accumulate his prop-

erty without the early struggles and trials which mark the history of successful business men almost without exception. In his closing days, when he had made up his mind that death was at hand, he calmly resigned himself to the fact, and at once set his house in order and arranged his business affairs. He expressed the desire to die at peace with all men, and all differences he wished forgotten and forgiven. Though for some time in feeble health, his last illness was of only two weeks' duration. He died at his home in Indianapolis, on the twenty-first day of June, 1870, and his remains rest in Crown Hill Cemetery, of which he was one of the incorporators and first lot-holders. To his family he left an ample property, and the more precious legacy of an unblemished character as a kind-hearted man, a good citizen, a generous husband and father, and a useful member of society. Besides his wife, Mr. Vinton left a family of five children, three sons and two daugh- ters. The latter are now Mrs. James H. Ruddell and Mrs. Henry D. Pierce, both residents of Indianapolis. The oldest son, Merrick E. Vinton, is engaged in the loan and insurance business in Indianapolis, and is also interested in the Salsbury & Vinton Paper Company, as above stated. His brother, Lindley Vinton, is now (1880) practicing law in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of Amherst College with the class of 1875, and of Co- lumbia Law School, New York City, of 1879. A younger brother, David, was accidentally drowned, at the age of sixteen years, while traveling in Florida.

ALKER, JUDGE JOHN W., of Greenfield, was born in Monroe County, Virginia, July 22, 1812. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather having been born and brought up in the northern part of Ireland. His parents, George and Clarinda Walker, were among the pioneers of the Blue Ridge Mountains. His father owning an extensive tract of land in that region-then an almost unbroken wilder- ness-Mr. Walker early learned the use of the wood- man's ax and the hunter's rifle. The only educational advantages within his reach were those afforded at the distant log school-house, where he was taught the rudi- ments of the English branches. October 12, 1831, he married Miss Nancy B. Cook, daughter of Rev. Jacob Cook, and niece of the celebrated divine, Rev. Valen- tine Cook. Two years later, Mr. Walker left the home of his boyhood and settled on a farm near Pendleton, Indiana, in and about which place he lived for the next fourteen years. During this period he was engaged, at different times, in farming, the blacksmith's trade, mer- cantile pursuits, and, finally, in the grain and produce business. An unfortunate venture in the last reduced his property to a few hundred dollars, and he removed

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to Greenfield, his present home. In IS5S he opened a ! in his class, and, in 1821, graduating among the first. store in partnership with his brother and son, under the firm name of G. H. Walker & Co. This continued six years, when Mr. Walker's brother sold out his interest to the other members of the firm. In 1869 Mr. Ed- wards purchased a share in the business, which was conducted by Walker & Edwards until 1872. The store was then sold, and for three years Mr. Walker was not actively engaged in any occupation. At the end of that time, he, with several other gentlemen, organized the Greenfield Banking Company, which is still a pros- perous institution. Mr. Walker is a quiet, unassuming man, and no seeker for public office ; yet he has been several times chosen to positions of trust and honor. During the first years of his residence in Pendleton he served as constable of Fall Creek Township, and after- wards as Justice of the Peace. At the expiration of his term as Justice, he was elected Associate Judge of Mad- ison County. After his removal to Greenfield, Judge Walker was trustee of Center Township during the years 1862, 1863, and 1864. He has been an earnest advo- cate of all enterprises to advance the interests of Han- cock County, aiding in building railroads, turnpikes, school-houses, and churches. In 1860 he took a trip to the Rocky Mountains, and visited Denver and the gold mines on the Platte River. Although not a member of any religious denomination, Judge Walker's inclinations are toward the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Whig in the days of that party, and has since been a Re- publican. He is firm in his convictions, outspoken, clear- headed, and accurate. He is a good conversationalist, well informed on current topics, and his uniformly kind and social disposition has endeared him to a large circle of friends. At the age of sixty-seven, Judge Walker retains much of his original vigor, and it is to be hoped that his career of usefulness may be prolonged many years.

TALLACE, GOVERNOR DAVID, the subject of this sketch, was one of those whose memory In- Masy diana delights to honor. He readily won the re- LO. spect and esteem of all who knew him, by his ability, his candid mien, his generous heart, and his free- dom from duplicity or deceit. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-fourth day of April, 1799. While he was yet very young his parents moved westward, settling in Ohio, near Cincinnati. At the age of fifteen he was sent to New Orleans to engage in business, but at the end of one year his father and friends, through General Harrison, then Representative from the Cincinnati district, procured his appointment as a cadet in the military school at West Point, the general withdrawing the claims of his own son. He was successful there as a student, taking a high rank

He was subsequently retained for a time as tutor in the institution. After one year's service in the army, he began the study of law at Brookville, Indiana, where in 1823 he opened a general practice, a very short time sufficing for him to secure a lucrative business. The memory of his brilliant successes in that circuit is as fresh with the older men of that region as if they had been achieved yesterday. Having practiced there eight years, he moved to Covington, Fountain County, in IS31, where he lived until 1837, in which year he was elected Governor. He removed now to Indianapolis, where he afterwards resided. While living in Franklin County, he was elected to the Legislature in 1828, 1829, and 1830. He was chosen Lieutenant-governor in 1831, and again in 1834, which office he held till 1837. He was at the head of the ticket of the party advocating internal improvements, and afterward, when his scheme proved a failure, he was often twitted by his friends for his expressions of false prophecy ; as he had said during the canvass that an extra hen and chickens would be sufficient to pay all the additional tax that would need to be levied for the purposes of internal improvement. Governor Wallace's first wife was the daughter of the Hon. John Test, and a sister of Judge Charles H. Test, of Indianapolis. Of this marriage werc three children, all of whom are yet living. The oldest, William Wallace, is a highly respected citizen and tal- ented lawyer of Indianapolis; the second son is General Lew. Wallace, whose history is familiar, not only to the state, but throughout the nation. He lives in Craw- fordsville, as does also the third son, Edward. The wife of his second marriage was the daughter of Doctor John H. Sanders, a leading physician. By her he had three children : a daughter, the wife of William W. Leathers, a lawyer of Indianapolis, now dead; an- other daughter, Agnes, married to Mr. J. H. Steiner ; and a son, a namesake. He died in September, 1859, in the sixty-first year of his age. This was not only to many a private bereavement, but it was also a public calamity. On the fifth day of September of that year, at 3 P. M., the members of the bar and officers of the Court of Common Pleas, of which he was Judge, met to do the last sad rites to one who had for a whole life been an ornament to his profession. His stand was draped in mourning, fitly symbolizing the grief of the assembled audience. Remarks were made by the young and old, alike testifying, as with one voice, to the great regard had for him who had gone to another land-one of perfect law and liberty. On the 26th Mr. John Coburn presented to the Circuit Court resolutions expressive of their deep sorrow, on which occasion he delivered the following eulogy, which, for its merit of composition and fidelity to truth, we quote nearly entire:

" May it please the Court: Having been chosen to pre-

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sent to the court the resolutions expressive of the estimate of the bar of Indianapolis of the worth and character of the Hon. David Wallace, lately deceased, and of the pro- found sense of their loss, I am reminded of his long, hon- orable, and useful career, of his many public services, of his many private virtues, of the eloquent tongue, the brilliant eye, the impressive mien, of the attractive and noble whole, which for so many years drew the atten- tion commanded the respect, and won the admiration of his fellow-citizens. I am reminded of the keen, ardent student at West Point, mastering the abstruse and in- tricate science of mathematics ; of the young, ambitious lawyer, with his struggles for bread, and his harvest of fame; of the politician, enthusiastic, active, working for the public good, resting alone upon the merit of his measures; of the man, gentle, modest, kind, affable, winning. It is proper that here, in the Court-house, we should commemorate his life and perpetuate his memory, in this the scene of his earthly triumphs, the scene of his latest earthly labors. It is proper that the bar should recount his achievements and emulate his virtues. It is proper that the great and good should live in the memories and hearts of their friends, when their forms have departed and the light of their per- sonal presence has gone out forever. We meet to-day to commemorate the good qualities and good deeds of one who has long stood in the front rank of the men of our state; at the bar, on the bench, in high official station as a legislator and Governor; who has taken no doubtful part in the contests which have agitated the public, but who often in his earlier years wore the plume that was the focus of all eyes in the thickest of the fight, and wielded the sword that scattered the foe with deadliest force. And yet his was not the rugged, stern, overbearing nature, which made him delight in such scenes. He was a man of the gentlest and kind- liest, of even temper, of quiet habits, of modest de- meanor, of genial and friendly temper. It is an easy task to sketch the character that is marked by strong peculiarities, by eccentric traits, and forcible or rude features; but to exhibit to view such a one as Governor Wallace, so well balanced, so fully and so generally de- veloped, so finely and so delicately proportioned, is the task of a skillful writer, and one which, I fear, will be but poorly performed by myself. While Lieutenant- governor he took an active part in the politics of the state, and earned a wide reputation as a debater. In the contest upon the question of establishing a state bank, in the years 1833 and 1834, he was a leader among the advocates of the bank, and to his zeal, eloquence, and adroitness do we owe in part the adoption of the old charter of the State Bank of Indiana. Immediately after the adoption of the bank charter the state became aroused to the importance of internal improvements, and, as the embodiment of this sentiment, Mr. Wallace

was proposed as the candidate for Governor. John Dumont, an able and ingenious lawyer, was his oppo- nent, taking a position in favor of classifying the public works, and completing them a part at a time. The re- sult is known. The state was peculiarly unfortunate in procuring loans, was defrauded out of millions by Eastern speculators; and this, added to the general pressure in the money market, discouraged the people, and in a short time broke down the system, leaving the state largely in debt, with a vast amount of un- finished improvements, yielding no tolls, affording no facilities to business and travel, and adding nothing to the value of real estate. Thus it was in 1840, when his term for Governor expired, he, although the favorite of his party, was not nominated, for fear of the odium of the internal improvement system. Samuel Bigger, an excellent man, was selected as candidate. So it often happens that the soldier, who has borne the bur- then and heat of the day, is supplanted by him who had no share in the danger of battle, and bore no wounds as marks of the hot contest that is over. Quietly and patiently he stepped aside for his successor; no word of murmuring, no term of reproach, was heard from his lips; with hearty good will he indorsed the action of the con- vention, and retired to private life, as he came from it, an honest man, without a dollar of public money in his purse, without an imputation of dishonor upon his character. Hle resumed the practice of the law, but in less than a year was elected to Congress, and served one term as Representative of the Sixth District. He was a lead- ing member, and one of the Committee of Ways and Means, during the stormy period of the extra ses- sion, and the sessions of 1841 and 1842, when the Whig party, from the very summit of success and political power, became demoralized and disorganized, never again to renew its strength or enforce its principles. Governor Wallace labored ardently and successfully for the perfection of the tariff measures of 1842, and his best speech in Congress was made in their favor. Dur- ing this session he voted for the bill making an appro- priation to enable Professor Morse, then indigent, to complete his magnetic telegraph. The fate of this meas- ure was determined in committee, and there the prop- osition was carried by the vote of Mr. Wallace, it being equally divided without him. For this vote he received severe censure from his friends, who, unlike him, could see no good in the experiment. He lost votes by it at the succeeding election, and it, combined with other influences of a partisan nature, contributed to his defeat. At this day the entire and wonderful success of the telegraph is the best vindication of his sagacity and independence. Perhaps in a legislator nothing is re- quired in a stronger degree than independence, a readi- ness to support a good measure even if its popularity is doubtful. No doubt the proudest moment of Governor

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Wallace's life was that in which it was announced that | at West Point, roused the war-broken soldiers of the ocean telegraph had been successfully laid, and the truth of Morse's theory tested upon its broadest field. The satisfaction of such an hour was worth a hundred seats in Congress ; could not be gauged or measured by the standards of power or honor. Again resuming the practice of the law, after his defeat for Congress in 1843, he continued to be actively engaged in it until elected to the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1856, a position he held till his decease, with the respect, confidence, and affectionate regard of the bar and the whole community. In the year 1850 Gov- ernor Wallace was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention, and took a quiet but attentive, punctual, and rather conservative part in the deliberations of that body. His most effective and brilliant efforts at the bar were made in criminal cases, and in them he rose, in point of elegance and naturalness of style, in depth of feeling, and propriety of discussion, to an elevation worthy the emulation of his compeers. As a judge, many of the best qualities of his character shone forth. With an amiability and patience unfaltering, an industry continuous to the last hour of the term, a promptness only equaled by his impartiality and justice, he out- rivaled his fame as an orator and politician, and in the quiet duties of a judge found his crowning glory. As an orator, Governor Wallace had few equals in the nation. With a voice modulated to the finest and nicest precision, an eye sparkling and expressive, a counte- nance and person remarkable for beauty and symmetry, he stepped upon the speaker's stand, in these respects, far in advance of his compeers. His style of delivery was impressive, graceful, and at times impassioned, never rising to a scream or breaking into wild gesticu- lation, and never descending into indistinctness or las- situde. His style of composition was chaste, finished, flowing, and beautiful, often swelling up into the rarest eloquence or melting down into the tenderest pathos. In the contests for Lieutenant-governor and Governor he exhibited remarkable powers as an orator. His

political sentiments were in opposition to the Jackson party, which controlled the state, but in spite of these he was three times elected by the people of the whole state. Such was the interest thrown around state poli- ties by Governor Wallace and others during the period from 1830 to 1840, that national politics were forgotten, in a measure, in the struggle. But it was not alone in enforcing public measures in the Legislature or execu- tive chair, or the courts of justice, that the voice of Governor Wallace was heard with effect. His famous speech at the battle-ground of Tippecanoe thrilled the state with an enthusiasm for General Harrison when as yet his candidacy for the presidency was a problem. It was then that the little black-haired boy, who had been preferred by him to his own son, to a place

1812, and rallied to the flag of their old chieftain. It was then that the flame was kindled upon the western plains which in 1840, with the fury of a tornado, swept beyond the confines of Indiana to the remotest corner of the Union. Here it was, in our own state, that the Harrison campaign of 1840 had its origin, and to Gov- ernor Wallace more than any man, living or dead, was its origin owing. On the 7th of November, 1835, the twenty-fourth anniversary of the battle of Tippecanoe, a great convention met upon the battle-ground. In re- sponse to a toast, Governor Wallace delivered a speech which, for burning and beautiful eloquence, has few parallels in American oratory. In speaking of the spot, he says: ‘ We have been told by the magic genius of our youthful poet that we are standing on one of the proudest battle-fields of our country-the very soil of which has been rendered holy by the blood of heroes ; that some of the noblest of Kentucky's chivalry are sleeping beneath our feet, inclosed in the same grave, mingling their dust with the bravest of the sons of In- diana; that although no monument as yet arises to commemorate their deeds, no inscription to claim the homage of gratitude from the traveler, scarce a vestige to indicate the exact place of their repose, still-still they are not forgotten. Their memories and their whole sacrifices have found an abiding place and sanctuary in the hearts of the living who are here, and of every son and daughter of Indiana who is absent; and there they remain, to be forever fondly and devotedly cherished, while man has a soul to worship at the altar of patriot- ism, or woman a tear to shed at the tomb of the fallen brave.' His speech delivered at the opening of Asbury University, at Greencastle; his eulogy upon John Quincy Adams, delivered at Indianapolis; and his eulogy upon Henry Clay, delivered at Rushville, rank in literary merit with the finished productions of Wirt and Everett and Sumner, and will yet, we trust, be rescued from oblivion, and be placed in an enduring form, the delight of refined taste, models of chaste and beautiful English style. His prepared orations were completed with the severest care. As the sculptor chiseled down and fin- ished his statue, chipping and chipping away the stone to find within his beautiful ideal, so did he elaborate his thoughts till they assumed the shape he would give them, and so will retain it forever. His literary tastes were pure. He read the best books; read them over again. He read the masters of good English- Milton, Shakespeare, Burke, Goldsmith, Chalmers, Wirt, Webster-and never tired of them. He read con- stantly ; almost every night found him reclining, with candle by his bedside, poring over his favorite authors. With such mental associates, who wonders at the sim- plicity, honesty, and general rectitude of his character? In his position as president of the Senate for six years

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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 23

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