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 30

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 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"Gentlemen, I will not do it. If it were in your power to give me a seat in Congress for life, I would not do it."

He was nominated on the Democratic ticket in 1850 for delegate in the convention which was elected that year to revise the state Constitution. That party was at that time almost clean gone over to the Free-soil plat- form, and promised at an early day to become the leader of the anti-slavery people of the Union. It suc- ceeded in forming a union in many parts of the state with the old Liberty party. There were, however, Dem- ocrats enough in the county who still preferred slavery to freedom, and slave soil to free, to defeat his election. His colleague on the ticket, Colonel Thomas Smith, was elected; but Mr. Cravens was defeated by Doctor Henry J. Bowers, a coarse and entirely pro-slavery Whig, who, when the Democratic party became the advocate of

sion of a single human being. He was nominated in 1852 by the Free-soil Convention of the state of Indiana for Governor, but in the existing state of parties could only serve as a rallying point for the men who realized the dangers of slavery to the free institutions of Amer- ica, and nobly labored to prepare the people to meet them when they should burst upon them in the fierce fanaticism of crime. Defeat was inevitable from the first, but he never lost his confidence nor ceased to give his best labors to the cause of universal freedom. In 1856 he was chosen by the Republican State Conven- tion as the candidate of the party for Attorney-general, and made a brilliant and able canvass for the young party in its first battle with the Democracy. It was his last political contest ; but, though not elected, he was yet not defeated. He realized that that conflict was the beginning of the end; that the pro-slavery Democracy would never win another national battle. At the next ensuing election Lincoln was chosen President, and the War of the Rebellion, already prepared, burst like a thunder-storm upon the new administration, in the morning of its power. True to his convictions of duty in peace, his fidelity and zeal rose to the fervor of a re- ligious enthusiasm. Although nearly threescore years old, he entered the military service of the country, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 83d Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under the heroic Colonel Benjamin J. Spooner. His age, however, did

266

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[ 7th Dist.

not permit him to remain long in the service; but, | while he stayed, he evinced a courage and heroism worthy of his whole life, and the cause of justice, freedom, and patriotism to which he had from the first dedicated it. He retired from the army on account of ill-health, that disqualified him for its hard duties. But though out of the service, he never missed an opportunity to help his country as long as a foe was in the field against it. When the fact that General John Morgan had invaded Indiana, and was advancing eastward along the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad was announced, he ral- lied his fellow-citizens to resist the progress of the rebels, as fast and far as possible, at Versailles. But before an HANKLIN, JOHN GILBERT, of Evansville, Sec- retary of State of Indiana, was born at Evansville on the third day of May, 1841, and until the date of his induction into the responsible office which he now holds, has continued to reside in the place of his nativity, although having sojourned for temporary purposes at other points, as will be herein set forth, during several years of his life. Mr. Shanklin is the second son and third child of John and Philura Shank- lin, who were among the pioneers of the city of Evans- ville, and aided materially in giving tone and sentiment to the society of the village, and towards the develop- ment of the moral, religious, and educational interests of the town almost from the date of its beginning until it became the second city of the state. John Shanklin was a native of the County Donegal, Ireland, where he was born near the close of the last century. He came to America when a young man, and, after occupying a clerkship for a short time in some of the Eastern cities, he made his way to the Great West, where he engaged for a while in the work of school teaching. He began his business life as a general retail merchant at Hardins- burg, Kentucky, where he remained about two years. He then removed to Cynthiana, Posey County, Indiana, and continued the same business for a time, establish- ing an excellent reputation and gathering around him a business acquaintance, that was closely attached to him organization could be effected the arrival of Morgan in force put an end to Mr. Cravens's efforts. He and his men were mostly captured by the rebels, but it is said that his cool indifference to the situation, and spirited answers to Morgan's questions and threats, procured bet- ter terms both for himself and men than might other- wise have been looked for. It is said that Morgan told him that he understood that he was one of the original Abolitionists who had gotten up the trouble between the North and South, and asked him if he had been rightly informed ? Colonel Cravens promptly answered, "Yes." Thereupon Morgan said, "Suppose I should hang you for it?" "Well," said Cravens, "suppose you should ; you would n't cheat me out of many days. And I should die satisfied in having about lived out my time, and had a good time, while I did live." Then said Morgan, "They tell me you live in the little town of Osgood, up here on the railroad. I have a notion to burn it for you." "Burn it, and be d-d. It isn't much of a town any how." After other talk of the same kind, Morgan let his prisoners have their lib- erty, if they would not organize and follow him. The terms were the more readily agreed to on account of the lack of all necessary means to make pursuit avail- able to any hostile end. He lived more than ten years after the close of the great war, and saw the Constitu- tion so amended as to establish freedom throughout the ; during the whole of his long and honorable career. whole country, and to confer citizenship upon all per- sons born in the United States, or naturalized under its laws, and an equal suffrage upon all, without distinc- tion of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. He lived to see the states, after their terrible separation and strife, all again restored to the Union, and the peo- ple all seemingly glad of the restoration. And, finally, he saw the first great Centennial jubilee of his native land, witnessed the friendly greetings of all the nations of the earth to its government and flag, and knew that in a hundred years under its free government and insti- tutions it had accomplished more for the advancement of popular education, development, and happiness than all other nations had done in the same time. He had grown old with the century, and the weariness and suf-

ferings of old age were upon him. He had suffered much during the last two preceding years, and felt that he needed rest. He was willing to die, and fearless of the dread secrets that lie beyond. He had never feared man here, and dreaded nothing in the unknown. A brave, upright, manly spirit bore him grandly to the abyss of death, and he entered it in peace December 4, 1876. It was becoming and beautiful so to pass from the conflicts of earth, to abiding peace and eternal rewards.

He located at Evansville about the year 1824, when the town was in its infancy, and remained an active and prominent citizen till the time of his death. Here he was married about the year 1835 to Miss Philura French, an estimable lady who was a native of Vermont, and of patriotic genealogy, her parents, on both sides, hav- ing been of the best Revolutionary stock. The fruits of this union were four sons and one daughter. James Maynard Shanklin, the eldest son, lived to manhood, and became one of the marked young men of Indiana. His magnetic eloquence electrified many an audience, both before the bar and upon the hustings. At the breaking out of the great Civil War, in 1861, he was made major of the 42d Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and during his brief career acquired meritori-

267

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

7th Dist.]

ous distinction, having risen to the rank of lieutenant- colonel. At the battle of Stone River he was taken prisoner by the Confederates and incarcerated at Libby Prison several months. In May, 1863, he was exchanged, and visited his parents at Evansville, when he was seized with illness and died very suddenly. The second child and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shanklin is the wife of Hon. John M. Harlan, of Kentucky, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. Mrs. Harlan is a highly accomplished and very charming lady, and is greatly beloved by a wide circle of acquaintances of the best society. The second son is the subject of this sketch. The third son, George W. Shanklin, Esq., is well known as the managing editor and political writer of the Evansville Courier. The youngest son, Henry Shanklin, died in infancy. John Shanklin was a leading merchant of Evansville for more than half a century. He was intimately con- nected with all the enterprises that inured to the wealth and progress of the city, and by prudent and timely assistance to settlers contributed largely to the develop- ment of the agricultural wealth of the surrounding country. He died in 1877, aged eighty-two years, uni- versally respected and sincerely lamented by a host of friends. His excellent helpmate preceded him to the grave about three years. In her day she was a leader in all good works, abounding in benevolence and char- ity, and went finally to her rest, mourned not only by those intimate with her in private life, but by many de- serving persons who had been the recipients of her bounty and love. The early life of John Gilbert Shank- lin was passed in Evansville, where he received the rudiments of his education in the best schools the town at that time possessed. In 1857, at the age of sixteen years, he was sent to a seminary at Frankfort, Ken- tucky, to undergo a preparatory course of study before entering college. He began his collegiate career as a member of the sophomore class of Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, entering at the opening of the Septem- ber term, 1859. He pursued his studies at this institu- tion until the middle of his junior year, when he re- turned to Frankfort and read law in the office of his brother-in-law, Hon. John M. Harlan. He subsequently completed his legal studies in the office of Judge Will- iam F. Parrett, at Evansville, where he was admitted to the bar upon attaining his majority in 1862. During the winter of 1865 he served in the capacity of an as- sistant secretary of the Indiana state Senate. In the month of May following Mr. Shanklin visited Europe, and traveled extensively through the cities and countries of the continent and in Great Britain, including the home of his father's childhood in Ireland. After spend- ing about a year in sight-seeing, Mr. Shanklin began the study of the German language at Brunswick, and completed his course at the University of Berlin. He

acquired a fine command of the German language, which he speaks and writes with precision and correct- ness. In the fall of 1868 he returned home highly pleased and benefited by his foreign travel and studies. During his absence in Europe his younger brother, Mr. George W. Shanklin, had become the proprietor of the Evansville Daily Courier, and Mr. Shanklin at once be- came associated with him in the publication of this paper. The brothers sold the Courier establishment the following year to other parties, but repurchased it again in 1873, and continue the publication at the present time. As an editor Mr. Shanklin evinced great versa- tility of talent, and demonstrated the fact that in the field of journalism he possessed a power that commanded attention and influence. To this chosen profession he will probably devote the best of his days, the pen be- ing his especial accomplishment. In 1870 Mr. Shanklin was nominated by the Democratic party of Vander- burg County for a seat in the state Legislature. He made a vigorous canvass, highly pleasing to his party friends, but suffered a defeat at the election in common with the entire Democratic ticket in that county, al- though he polled a vote far in excess of his colleagues of the same political opinions; his apparent defeat being in reality a fine personal triumph. At the Democratic State Convention held in Indianapolis on the 20th of February, 1878, Mr. Shanklin was nominated for the office of Secretary of State, against several of the oldest and ablest Democratic politicians who were his compet- itors. During the next summer he devoted his personal attention to the canvass, addressing the people day after day through nearly two-thirds of the counties of the state. He at once took a high rank as a political de- bater and as a popular orator. At the election in Octo- ber he was chosen by a majority of more than fourteen thousand votes. He entered upon his official duties on the seventeenth day of January, 1879, and has made a competent and popular official. Mr. Shanklin was reared in the Presbyterian faith, his parents having been devoted members of that orthodox Church; but he is not per- sonally connected with any religious organization. He is liberal in his views and tolerant of the opinions of others in matters appertaining to religious creeds. On the 14th of June, 1879, Mr. Shanklin was married at " Hillside," Wyoming County, New York, country-seat of B. F. Avery, Esq., of Louisville, Kentucky, to the lat- ter's second daughter, Gertrude A. Avery. Mrs. Shank- lin is a lady of distinguished presence, and has enjoyed unusual advantages of education and travel. Of pleas- ing address and charming manners, she is an ornament to society and the light of the domestic circle. In June, ISSo, a child was born to them, a lovely, healthy cherub, around whom cluster their fondest hopes. In personal appearance Mr. Shanklin is a fine specimen of physical manhood. He is six feet two inches in height

268

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[7th Dist.

and finely proportioned. He has a frank, open expres- sion of countenance, which makes friends wherever he goes. His only physical ailment is near-sightedness, with which he has always been troubled. In society Mr. Shanklin is especially attractive, possessing a mind well stored by years of study and travel, coupled with rare conversational powers. He is ready in repartee, apt at quotation, and pleasant in his manner of expression. A useful and successful career is open to him, for he is one of the influential men of the state, and his future promises yet greater distinction.

TRAY, COLONEL SAMUEL F., was born in Knox County, Ohio, December 16, 1833. He was the third son and fifth in order of age of the fam- ily of eleven children of Reverend David Gray. who was a pioneer Methodist minister of high standing and extended influence in his time and locality. His mother was Naomi Softland, whose life was devoted to the care and well-being of her large family. Great en- ergy and rare good sense characterized her. The itin- erant calling of his father gave but poor advantages for education in his very early life to the subject of this sketch. He, however, managed to obtain a fair stock of knowledge from the country schools, and attended the " Ashland Ohio Academy," conducted by the late Col. Loring Andrews, afterwards president of Kenyon College, Ohio. Here the greater part of his education was obtained, but at the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to a watchmaker and jeweler at Colum- bus, Ohio, to learn the trade. He succeeded in acquir- ing an excellent knowledge of the art, and at the age of twenty years went into business for himself in the flourishing little- town of Findlay, Ohio, where he re- mained until 1861, having established a good trade, when, on the reception of the news of the defeat of the Union forces at Bull Run, the heart of the young man was hired with patriotism, and he felt it to be his duty to hasten to the defense of his country. He there- fore entered upon the task of raising a company of vol- unteers for the war, furnishing material aid, and aban- doning a prosperous business, like a true patriot, at the call of duty. When the company was full he took the second place, through choice, and was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company A, 49th Ohio Volunteers, and mustered into service August 22, 1861. Septem- ber, 1861, he was promoted to a captaincy. The 49th Ohio Regiment achieved a brilliant reputation for gal- lant service, from the time of its joining Grant's forces at Pittsburg Landing, where it went into battle with its brigade April 7, 1862. The position of the regi- ment was on the left of the brigade, connecting on the right with Crittendon's division, maintaining this posi-

tion under a hot fire until four o'clock in the afternoon. The regiment, with the enemy in full retreat, stacked its arms and lay down to rest. During the battle the regiment twice performed the hazardous movement of changing front under sharp fire. The 49th next was engaged in the siege of Corinth, having a brisk fight at Bridge Creek on the way, reaching Corinth on the 30th of May, 1862. It was sent on in pursuit of the enemy to Tuscumbia and Florence, thence to Battle Creek, Tennessee, where it joined in the movement after Bragg's army, which was then threatening the border cities. This march was made under terrible suffering from intense heat, lack of water, and insufficient rations. Reaching Louisville the 29th of September, on the 7th of October the march was resumed under orders to join the main army. This march to Perrysville was charac- terized by daily skirmishing. At Lawrenceburg and Dog Walk were brisk engagements, in each of which the 49th Ohio was conspicuously active. This regiment and brigade then pursued the enemy to Crab Orchard and Bowling Green, and on the 5th of October was with the advance that raised the siege of Nashville. On the 26th of December the regiment marched forward, and after four days constant skirmishing took position in line of battle on the extreme right of the great army before Murfreesboro, on the evening of December 30, 1862. At six o'clock the next morning Kirk's brigade, to the left and front, on the right, was furiously assaulted by the enemy, and, giving way, was thrown back on the 49th, which at once became engaged and was borne back by overwhelming numbers a mile and a half to the Nashville Turnpike, which it reached after an incessant conflict of nine hours. Friday, January 2, 1863, two days later, the regiment occupied a position in reserve to the center, until late in the afternoon, when, upon the repulse of Van Cleve's division, it was ordered with its brigade to retrieve the fortunes of the day on that part of the field. It joined in a magnificent bayonet charge, which resulted in recovering the lost ground and a severe defeat to the enemy. In all these engage- ments young Captain Gray led his company to the front of the fray. When the battle of Murfreesboro, or "Stone River" began, the entire field and staff of the 49th were present; at its close it was in command of the junior captain, S. F. Gray, who was made major for gallantry on the field of battle. His military his- tory is therefore the history of his regiment, he having participated in all its battles, sieges, and marches, until his muster out-with rank of lieutenant-colonel-Octo- ber 4, 1864. It was mainly due to the personal ef- forts and exertions of Colonel Gray that the regiment was re-enlisted as veterans at Strawberry Plains, near Knoxville, in January, 1864, under the most unfavor- able conditions. He commanded a veteran regiment as major and lieutenant-colonel in nearly all its battles,

269

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

7th Dist.]

and after July 4, 1864, was its highest officer, the : command being below the minimum and not entitled to a full colonel. His regiment rendered distinguished service at Missionary Ridge, Liberty Gap, and Chica- mauga, where Colonel Gray was slightly wounded, but was able to remain on the field till the close of the bat- tle. He was in command of the regiment in this famous battle. At two o'clock P. M. on the Ist of Sep- tember, it became engaged with the enemy's right; a charge was made and the foe retreated. In this charge the 49th captured two guns. On the second day of this battle the regiment was constantly engaged in various parts of the field, and accomplished a brilliant exploit in connection with Goodspeed's battery, the 15th Ohio, and other troops, which, it is claimed, saved Thomas's corps from being swept from the field. The enemy had broken through the national left, and were exultingly charging for the center, when the 49th faced to the rear and poured into the rebels a withering fire. From the other side of the circle Goodspeed's battery and the 15th Ohio delivered their destructive discharges, and the enemy was checked and sent back on his main body. When the national forces withdrew that night the 49th with its brigade was the last to retire. At Mission Ridge the 49th, with conspicuous gallantry,

was among the first to plant its colors on the summit. In the campaign against Atlanta the regiment partici- pated in the engagements at Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, and Atlanta, exhibiting in every emergency its qualities of courage and discipline, and suffering severely in the loss of men killed and wounded. Soon after his muster out, Colonel Gray's record at the state department, Columbus, Ohio, was such that he was offered without solicitation the

colonelcy of a new regiment, with the command of a office; and upon the death of Hon. Wm. Stewart, then

brigade in reserve, but having embarked in the manu- facturing of flax and hemp bagging, he was compelled to decline the offer. He continued in the business only three months, when he disposed of his interest to accept the agency of the through freight business of the Penn- sylvania Railroad at Indianapolis and contiguous terri- tory, remaining in this position fifteen years, or up to the present time. At the age of twenty-three years Colonel Gray was married to Miss Julia Druet, daughter of a physician of Findlay, Ohio. Their family consists of four children. Personally, Colonel Gray is an affable, genial gentleman, earnest and thoughtful, a stanch Republican, and devoted to the best interests of the country. His private record is above reproach, as his military record has been brilliant. He is a good hus- hand, a kind father, and an exemplary and conscien- tious citizen. There are few men in Indiana who are more popular, or on whom the people more instinct- ively lean when an emergency arises. His judgment is excellent, and few errors can arise from following it.

TEW, JOHN C., who has been honored by the posi- tion of Treasurer of the United States, is a native of Indiana, and was born at Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana, on the 6th of July, 1831. His father, John Bowman New, was from Guilford County, North Carolina, and was a pioneer to the Western Re- serve, coming to Indiana in 1816. He was an active citizen, a zealous Christian, and for many years an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He died at Indianapolis in the year 1873, aged eighty years. The mother of John C., who was a native of Gallatin County, Ken- tucky, and named Mariah (Chalfant), survived her hus- band but a short time, attaining the same age. They were universally beloved by a host of dear friends, and respected by the entire community. The subject of this sketch obtained the rudiments of an education at the local schools of the time in Southern Indiana, and then was sent to Bethany College, Virginia, an institu- tion of learning presided over by Rev. Alexander Camp- bell, D. D., the founder of the sect called Christians, one of the most profound scholars and greatest intel- lects of the age. Under the supervision and direction of this eminent instructor young New made rapid and thorough progress, and, after an attendance at the col- lege of four years, he graduated therefrom at the early age of twenty. After leaving college he returned to his home in Indianapolis, and commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. David Wallace, ex-Governor of Indiana. He applied himself with such success that in 1852 he was admitted to the bar. For the purpose of familiarizing himself with the practical knowledge of his chosen profession, he accepted the position of deputy clerk of the Marion Circuit Court, attending to a great deal of the business and routine work of the

clerk of the court, Mr. New was, on the 20th of No- vember, 1856, appointed to fill the vacancy for Mr. Stewart's unexpired term, performing the duties so ac- ceptably that, when the term of his appointment had expired, Mr. New was elected clerk of the courts by several hundred majority, although other Republicans on the same ticket were defeated, and the county was Democratic. After the expiration of his second term as clerk, he declined a re-election. Soon after leaving the clerk's office, the war being then in progress, Gov- ernor Morton appointed Mr. New quartermaster-general of the state of Indiana, and subsequently his financial secretary. This was a most important position, at the time, because of the failure of the Legislature to appro- priate money to carry on the war and the state govern- ment. The funds for these purposes were raised from private sources, and all distribution of moneys and man- agement of business affairs of the state were carried on by the financial bureau established by Governor Morton, and of which Mr. New was secretary. In the year 1862

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 30

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