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 4

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 4

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).

tember, 1874, he married Araminta W. Vance, of Craw- fordsville, who died February 2, 1875. Throughout his entire life he has strictly adhered to his resolution to follow the law, and make a success of his profession. He has been engaged in some of the most important cases that have been tried in the state since his admis- sion to the bar. Among the early cases which created excitement throughout the state was The State versus Sidney Owens. The defendant was charged with murder by poison. The prosecution was conducted by Judge Gregory, of Lafayette, and Lew Wallace, of Crawfords- ville, aided by a strong public prejudice. The case was successfully defended, much to the surprise of the entire bar. He was of counsel for the defendants in the cele- brated case of the United States versus Bowles, Milligan, and Horsey, tried for conspiracy and treason, by a mili- tary commission at Indianapolis, and sentenced to be hung. The case was taken to the Supreme Court of the United States, where several important constitutional questions arose as to the relation of the general govern- ment to the states, the war power of the government, and the rights of the citizen. The defendants were re- leased by the Supreme Court. He was of counsel for defendants in the noted case of Becbe versus the State, in which the Supreme Court decided that the enactment which was known as the Maine Liquor Law was unconsti- tutional. He was also in the widely known case of The State versus Abrams, charged with complicity in the hor- rible "Cold Springs" murder, tried in the Marion County Criminal Court. He was one of the attorneys for the parties who assailed the constitutionality of what was known as the Baxter Liquor Law. In the Supreme Court of the state and the Federal Court he has taken an active part in many important cases; one of the most important being the case of The Pittsburgh, Cin- cinnati and St. Louis Railroad Company versus The Colum- bus, Chicago and Indiana Central Railway Company, in which were involved a net-work of railroad interests and large sums of money, depending upon the validity and construction of a ninety-nine years' lease. He made the principal argument for the objectors in the count of the electoral vote of Louisiana, before the Electoral Commission appointed to determine the result of the presidential election of 1876. Mr. McDonald thinks that the creation of this commission was the ex- ercise of a doubtful power in a case of apparent neces- sity. Joseph Ewing McDonald was elected to the United States Senate for six years, to succeed Daniel D. Pratt, and took his seat March 5, 1875. He is chair- man of the Committee on Public Lands, and the second member of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, and ranks as one of the best lawyers of that body. He is, and has always been, a firm, consistent Democrat, of the Jeffersonian school, as personified in the political life of Andrew Jackson. He believes the true idea of

149

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

7th Dist. ]

American Democracy is to preserve, unimpaired, all the | The litter received his preliminary education in the rights reserved to the states respectively and to the peo- ple without infringing upon any of the powers dele- gated to the general government by the Constitution ; and that constitutional government is of the first im- portance and a necessity to the perpetuity of the Amer- ican Union. He believes in the virtue of the people, and in their ability and purpose to maintain their insti- tutions inviolate against the assaults of designing men. He was a member of the Senate committee which visited New Orleans to investigate the count of the vote of Louisiana in the contest of 1876. He was also on the Teller-Wallace committee to investigate frauds in elections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He was chairman of the Democratic State Convention in 1868, and of the Democratic state central committee during the campaigns of 1868 and 1874. As an orator, both at the bar and on the hustings, he is cool, logical, and forcible; as a citizen, he has the confidence and respect of all who know him, regardless of political creeds. He has traveled extensively in his own country, and is thoroughly acquainted with its institutions and people. In religion he is a Christian, and a member of the Epis- copal Church. He is regarded by all parties as a statesman of acknowledged merit. His views are broad and comprehensive on all questions of public interest ; not a man of expedients, but stating his views clearly and boldly, leaving the result to the candid judgment of the people. The opinions of his most bitter oppo- nents are never treated with disdain. Few men have enjoyed the uniform confidence of their fellow-citizens to the extent that he has. His steadfastness of purpose, his honest desire of accomplishing what was best for the people, have given him a home in their hearts and won for him the greatest honors they had to bestow. Their confidence has never been betrayed or sacrificed for personal aggrandizement. The writer of this brief sketch has had evidence of this constantly forced upon him, during an intimate knowledge of the subject for many years. It must, in truth, be said that his marked characteristic is his uniform sincerity, which inspires universal confidence. Confucius recognized the worth of such a man when he said : " Faithfulness and sin- cerity are the highest things." Carlyle wrote of one with such virtues : " I should say sincerity, a great gen- uine sincerity, is the first characteristic of all men in any way heroic."

common schools of his locality, which he attended at intervals until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered Farmers' College, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Here he pursued his studies for a time, but finally went to Bloomington, Indiana, and began a literary course of study in the state university, where he had the reputa- tion of a careful and industrious student. When he had progressed through the junior year he quitted the uni- versity for a time, and, returning to Brownsville, his native town, taught two terms of school in that place, serving by election at the same time in the capacity of county surveyor for Union County. He studied law with Hon. John S. Reid, of Connersville, Indiana, for a time, and then, returning to Bloomington, re-entered the university, and studied for one term in the law de- partment. He subsequently taught at Abington, Wayne County, Indiana, and afterward removed to Greenfield, Hancock County, where he was principal of the public schools up to 1857. During all this time he had assidu- ously pursued his legal course, and at the close of his engagement he entered the office of Hon. Thomas D. Walpole, a noted lawyer of Greenfield, where he prose- cuted his reading with vigor, soon after beginning the practice of his chosen profession, in which he dis- tinguished himself as an apt and accurate student and skillful barrister. His connection with the legal busi- ness of the county and its surroundings enlarged his sphere of acquaintance, and made him many warm and influential friends, and in 1862 he was elected joint Representative of Hancock and Shelby Counties in the state Legislature, over his opponent, George W. Hat- field, a very popular gentleman, by seven hundred and fifty votes, where he served with honor and dignity, and to the complete satisfaction of his constituency, as was evidenced by his subsequent election to the state Senate in 1864, over Hon. Eden H. Davis, a prominent attorney at Shelbyville, by eight hundred votes. Here he still further distinguished himself as a legislator, serving on the judiciary and other important commit- tees of that body with rare ability. Nor did he during this time neglect the home interests of his adopted county, but in many ways contributed to its advance- ment and pro-perity. He took great interest in its agri- cultural advancement, and was one of four public- spirited men who canvassed the county and secured the organization of the Hancock Agricultural Society. Mr. Mason is an honored member of the Masonic Frater- nity, having joined that order in 1853, and for a long time served as secretary of his lodge. He is of Presby- terian proclivities, but belongs to no Church organiza- tion, though he is always found in his pew on Sundays. He has given liberal aid and encouragement to Churches, schools, and all worthy enterprises of his

ASON, JAMES L., lawyer, Greenfield, Hancock County, was born near Brownsville, Union County, Indiana, April 3, 1834. His father, Robert Mason was a native of Scotland, emi- grating to this country, and settling on a farm in Union County, the same year his son, James L., was born, adopted home. Mr. Mason has always been a steadfast

150

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[7th Dist.

Democrat, and an efficient worker for the interests of his party. In 1866, in the congressional convention composed of the counties of Hancock, Shelby, Marion, Johnson, and Morgan, he received the unanimous indorsement of his county for Congress, but declined the honor thus tendered. August 12, 1861, he was married to Miss Emma R. Millikan, daughter of Samuel R. Millikan, of Washington, Ohio, but suffered her loss by death in six weeks thereafter. On the twelfth day of December, 1867, he was married to Miss Rebecca Julian, daughter of Judge Jacob B. Julian, of Indian- apolis, but was again bereft of his companion, October 22, 1877. Mr. Mason's career has been one of promi- nence and probity. He has been eminently successful in all the branches of his profession, and has a large and increasing law practice. His manly exertions have met with a merited reward, both in the esteem of his fellow-citizens and in financial success. He is the owner of some two thousand acres of land, and is one of the wealthiest men in the county. He is a man of fine social qualities and gentlemanly deportment, and it may be said of him, what can be said of few, that those who know him best are his most enthusiastic admirers and his firmest friends.

ICHENER, LOUIS THEODORE, lawyer, of Shelbyville, was born near Connersville, Indiana, December 21, 1848. His father, William Miche- ner, was of German Quaker descent, and his mother, Mary A., of English. He has, therefore, in his veins the blood of the two hardiest European races, the effect of which is plainly indicated in his physical and mental energy. His educational training was limited to the common schools of his county, except one year at the college at Brookville, Indiana, although in early youth he had developed an unusual fondness for read- ing, so that he was really educated far in advance of his classmates. Leaving school he spent one year in the store of Leonard & Brother, at Connersville. Al- though assured by friends that he possessed more than ordinary capacity for mercantile business, he felt com- pelled to go into the field of his chosen profession. Accordingly, he began the study of law in March, 1870, with the late James C. McIntosh, at Connersville. He studied until May, 1871, when he began practice in Brookville, Indiana. He removed to Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, in 1873, where he practiced his pro- fession successfully until August, 1874, when he re- turned to this state to form a partnership with Thomas B. Adams. The firm began in Shelbyville on the Ist of October, 1874, and has been unusually successful in every branch of business. It is recognized as the first one at the Shelby County bar. On the 26th of April, 1870, Mr. Michener became a member of the Independ-

ent Order of Odd-fellows, and is now Noble Grand of Shelby Lodge, No. 39. In July, 1871, he was ap- pointed deputy district attorney for Franklin County, and had entire charge of the criminal business of that county in the Common Pleas Court until the abolition of the court in 1873, during which period he adminis- tered the duties of the office with great vigor and suc- cess. Republican in politics, he is ever found ready to uphold and expound the doctrines of his party. In the campaigns of 1872 and 1876 he made an active can- vass in behalf of the Republicans. Being entirely de- voted to his profession, he has not desired any political reward. He, in common with his family, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married to Mary E., daughter of Hon. Thomas B. Adams, at Brookville, Indiana, May 30, 1872. Mr. Michener is six feet one inch in height, and his symmetrical physique is such as to command attention every-where. His open and manly countenance is attractive, and marks him as a man of more than ordinary ability. In personal character Mr. Michener is suave, affable, viva- cious, and ingenuous, and is universally recognized as one of the best members of society. Being a young man, the greater part of his career, begun so auspi- ciously, lies before him, but, with such qualifications as he possesses, it can not be other than successful.

ITCHELL, WILLIAM, editor and publisher of the Hancock Democrat, Greenfield, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, August 15, 1823. His father, John F. Mitchell, was born at Wash- ington, Kentucky, in 1791, in a fort built by Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone, and was married to Enfield Ralls, in 1820, by Elder John Smith. William was ed- ucated at Maysville, Kentucky, in the rudimentary branches of knowledge. He had a natural inclination toward the printer's trade, and learned it thoroughly in early life, after which he traveled in various parts of the United States in pursuit of that calling. Occasionally, when tired of travel, he would stop at some place to publish a paper for a time, and then again renew his rambles. During this time he acquired a vast amount of general information, which has been of great service to him in the labors of his after life. In 1849 he lo- cated in Cincinnati, and in 1852 he married Calesty Long, an orphan girl, without a living relative, and who yet presides over his comfortable and well-appointed home. This union resulted in a large family of chil- dren, fifteen in all, six of whom are dead and nine living. In politics, Mr. Mitchell was originally a Whig, but on the demise of that party became a Democrat, to which organization he still adheres, doing earnest and efficient work for its interests through his paper. In

15I

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

7th Dist.]

1855 he removed to Lafayette, and in the spring of 1856 came from that place to Greenfield, where he has ever since resided. In 1860 he began the publication of the Hancock Democrat, which has grown with the population and prosperity of the county. Mr. Mitchell is not only a skillful printer, but a man of excellent taste in all that pertains to his business, and, with laud- able ambition to excel, has acquired one of the largest and best appointed printing establishments in the state outside of a large city ; and, having all the advantages which steam and improved machinery can give, his work is equal to that of any office in Indiana. As an editorial writer, he is terse and vigorous, driving to the point without circumlocution and without fear, and his opponents have long since learned to respect, and his political friends to admire, the caustic efforts of his pen. He has been an earnest advocate of all public im- provements, and a never-failing friend of the schools, with which he has been connected, in one official ca- pacity or another, for many years. He is now secretary of the school board of the city of Greenfield. Socially, he is a genial gentleman ; in business, he is upright, and he enjoys, as a man, the fullest confidence of his neigh- bors and associates.

ITCHELL, JAMES L., of Indianapolis, lawyer, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, Septem- ber 29, 1834. His parents were P. L. D. and Mary A. Mitchell. His father's father, the Rev. Thomas Mitchell, was chaplain in the army of the War of 1812. His mother's father, Colonel John Ketchum, was one of the earliest settlers in Indiana, was wounded by the Indians, and took many Indian scalps in retalia- tion therefor. The parents of J. L. Mitchell removed to Monroe County, Indiana, when he was seven or eight years old. James L. Mitchell was brought up on a farm, working during the summer and attending the country school in the winter. He subsequently entered the In- diana State University, and graduated therefrom in 1858, after a five years' term, and afterwards attended the law school in the same institution. He adopted the profession of law, was admitted to the bar, located at Indianapolis, December 29, 1859, and has been engaged in the practice ever since at the same place, excepting when in the public service. When the late war began he was commissioned, on July 16, 1862, adjutant of the 70th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, served in the De- partment of the Cumberland under General George H. Thomas, and was with General Sherman's army in the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta. After the taking of Atlanta, he was, at the request of General Lovell H. Rousseau, assigned to duty on his staff, where he served until the close of the war. Major Mitchell was elected mayor of Indianapolis, May 6, 1873, over Cap-

tain W. D. Wiles, by a majority of seven hundred and seventy-eight votes, his nomination having been un- sought, and tendered to him while absent from the city on business. He served as mayor two years. When in college Major Mitchell was a member of the Philo- mathian Society of that institution, and was its anni- versary speaker in 1858. He delivered the address to the Alumni of the university in 1861, and is now a member of the Phi Delta Theta Society. In religious matters, Major Mitchell is of the Old-school Presby- terian denomination. He is not a politician, but a " Douglas war Democrat ;" his son (twelve years old) is also a Democrat, but his wife is a Republican. Major Mitchell was married, October 4, 1864, to Clara E. Carter, who was a niece of Hon. George G. Dunn, formerly member of Congress from Indiana, and one of the finest orators and ablest lawyers of his day. Major Mitchell has only one child, James L. Mitchell, junior, born September 9, 1868, who is very promising ; no worse than all smart boys will be, and has many of his mother's good qualities. The subject of this sketch is above the medium height, and is of stout build, weigh- ing two hundred pounds. His physique is striking. He possesses an animated, open countenance, and a florid complexion. He is hale and hearty, and is withal a gentleman of marked personnel. He has the reputation of having ably and faithfully filled the mili- tary and civil offices of trust to which he has been called. Happy in the enjoyment of abundant means, an interesting family, and the unqualified esteem of all who have the honor of his acquaintance, he wisely takes that enjoyment of life that should attend the tried patriot, soldier, and civilian.

ILLER, JAMES, captain, and assistant adjutant- general of Indiana, was born in Cheviot, Hamil- ton County, Ohio, February 9, 1839, where he attended school until his seventeenth year, at which time he was sent by his parents, who were in easy circumstances, to Farmers' College, at College Hill, Ohio. Three years later he graduated, and soon after went to New Orleans, where he accepted a situa- tion as salesman, traveling through Louisiana, Missis- sippi, and Texas, selling goods and collecting for the house with which he was connected, until the breaking out of the war, in 1861, when, with some difficulty, he made his way to the North, arriving at Cincinnati on the first day of September of that year. Ten days after he enlisted in Company M, 5th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, with which regiment he continued three years, participating in all the engagements, beginning with Pittsburgh Landing, in which that gallant regiment engaged, and being mustered out on the 29th of De-

152

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[7th Dist.

cember, 1864. In 1867 the Captain moved to Indiana, where he taught school in various places until 1873, when he came to Indianapolis. Captain Miller is a most efficient assistant to Adjutant-general Russ, and the ease and facility with which the business of this office is dispatched, are largely owing to his painstaking at- tention to detail. The Captain is married, his wife, Lillian L. Millard, of Greensburg, Indiana, being a handsome and agreeable lady.

INICH, JAMES A., physician and surgeon, Indi- anapolis, Indiana, was born near Carlisle, Sullivan County, Indiana, March 30, 1831. He is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth Minich, who emigrated from Tennessee at an early day, and were therefore pio- neers of Indiana. His father was a farmer and stock- raiser, and took much pride in his calling. Young Minich was early in life taught the use of the wood- man's ax, hoe, and mattock, and soon became familiar with the hardships of pioneer farm life, attended with all the inconveniences of sparse settlements. Under these circumstances, he attended the schools of his lo- cality, having evinced a strong desire for intellectual culture. But scarcely had his school days begun when death claimed his father, and he was left an orphan, with the support of a widowed mother largely in his charge. With this new responsibility added to his already formidable difficulties, his life became one of unceasing care and constant application to the multi- farious duties devolving upon him. But he proved himself equal to the emergency, and soon became mas- ter of the situation, working while it was daylight, and preparing lessons by lamplight. Thus his intellectual acquirements steadily increased, in spite of the meager facilities of the common schools, till 1850, when he en- tered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Indiana, where he took an irregular scientific course, which qualified him for teaching, and for three or four years subse- quently he so employed his time. At the suggestion of Doctor Hinkle, who was his bosom friend, and whom he met at this time, he began the study of medicine with Doctor Hinkle, and continued in it for three years, when he entered the University of New York, where he graduated in 1856. Immediately thereafter he located at Worthington, Indiana, for the practice of his pro- fession. From the beginning of this Doctor Minich evinced great skill and proficiency in surgery, and in consequence was called to places at some distance from his home, where such skill was required. Without the aid of the new appliances now common in surgery, the Doctor performed some difficult and hazardous opera- tions, and did it with such success that he soon became the pride of his fellow-physicians. One operation, of

peculiar interest, ought to be mentioned here. It was the removal of a urinary calculus, which is supposed to be the largest on record, weighing twelve ounces and three drachms. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when eleven years old, and up to this day continues steadfastly in the faith. He is an honored and respected member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having joined the order in 1862. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Allison, daughter of J. M. H. Allison, his present intellectual and estimable lady. Although eminently fitted to fill offices of trust and honor, he preferred the retirement of private life to the cares of the public servant, and for fifteen years quietly continued his professional practice at the place of be- ginning. After that period, however, and in 1870, he was so strongly importuned by the Democratic party to become a candidate for Representative of his county (Greene) that he finally, and with great reluctance, ac- cepted the nomination, although the district was Re- publican. The result of his canvass was complimentary in the highest degree, for he overcame the usual major- ity of two hundred and fifty, and was himself elected to the Forty-seventh General Assembly by a majority of one hundred and seventy-nine. This demonstrates in the strongest terms that his personal popularity was of the very highest. His course in the Legislature was of the most exemplary character. He was noted for great fairness and strict attention to his duties. Always at his post, with courteous bearing and an air of self- possession, he won the respect and confidence of mem- bers of all parties and creeds. As chairman of the Committee on Benevolent Institutions, he acquitted himself with many new honors. His report from this committee was ordered printed in pamphlet form for free distribution, and shows great sagacity and fore- sight. It was probably the means of perpetuating the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Knightstown, an institution which then came near being abolished, but which is now the pride of the state. When a member of the Legislature, Doctor Minich met Doctors Allen and Johnson, of the National Surgical Institute, who had heard of his great skill as a surgeon, and arranged for his labors in that institute, so that soon after. returning home he removed with his family to Indianapolis, where he has since lived, part of his time employed there in the principal office, and part of the time in charge of a branch institute at Atlanta. It is scarcely necessary to remark that Doctor Minich now has a na- tional reputation as a surgeon. His situation clearly

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 4

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