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 40

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 40


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[8th Dist.


the act revising the judicial system of the state. A man of the ardent nature of Mr. Kennedy could hardly avoid taking part against the Rebellion of 1861. He answered President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to serve three months by helping raise a company, and in less than ten days marched with them into camp, where he was elected first lieutenant, though, on account of sickness of the captain, he really commanded the greater part of the term. His regiment, the 7th (Colonel E. Dumont), served in West Virginia, participating in the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill, and Carrick's Ford. At the end of his term of service, he returned home disabled by rheumatism, contracted from exposure dur- ing the campaign. Unable to re-enter the service, he hired a man to take his place in the next company made up from his county. Mr. Kennedy was mar- ried, on the sixth day of October, 1853, to Miss Emily Talbot, in Fayette County, Kentucky. The union has proved a most happy one, and has been blessed with six children, all of whom are living. Though Mr. Ken- nedy has never joined any Church, he has profound re- spect for the religious opinions of other people, and was never known to speak disrespectfully of them where he believed they were honestly entertained. Believing charitable works are best advanced by organizations, Mr. Kennedy very early united himself with both the Odd-fellows and Masons, and has on several occasions delivered addresses to each. The personal character of Mr. Kennedy is more than above reproach-it is admi- rable, and in every respect worthy of imitation. He is candid and earnest, slow to suspect others, and inca- pable of treachery, generous to a fault, a true friend, full of charity for the unfortunate. He loves his home and family dearly, and has the implicit confidence of all his neighbors. In questions of public improvements he has ever been pronounced in favor of progress, holding nothing tending in that direction unimportant. On this account, quite as much as because of his acknowledged ability and integrity, he was elected in 1874 to the Legis- lature from Montgomery County, notwithstanding the ma- jority was ordinarily considerably Democratic. On the floor of the House he forced recognition as a laborer in committee and a debater of the first rank. In fact, he stepped quickly into the leadership of his party, and held the place to the end of his term, extending his reputation throughout the state, and laying the founda- tion of an influence which has grown and is now by no means at its limit. But his heart seems to be given chiefly to his profession. He is by nature a lover of the study and practice of law. At the bar he is magnani- mous and large-minded, despising tricks and seeking the merits of the case. On the wrong side he is lethar- gic and uninterested, but let him believe himself right and he never gets done fighting, and in the heat of con- test strikes like another Cœur de Lion. He makes no


pretensions to brilliancy of speech, whether to the court or to the jury, but in the Supreme Court is formidable on account of a singular power of statement on paper, and a tenacity of purpose which never weakens. Ilis compeers all agree that Mr. Kennedy is never so much to be dreaded as in defeat. In criminal practice he is seldom heard, because, it is said, his sympathy is most generally with society and against the criminal. He served as prosecuting attorney of the Indianapolis Circuit from 1856 to 1858, and in that time probably saw too much of the tricks and perjuries by which crime is defended to care for distinction in its defense. Mr. Kennedy is in the prime of life, hale, hearty, laborious. The crowns of his career are before him. Diligence, sound judgment, talents of high order, added to practice of good morals, a pleasant manner and striking manly appearance, will bring him to them as certainly as he lives.


AMB, REV. GEORGE CLARK, was born in New- town, Fountain County, Indiana, August 3, 1848. His father, Pliny Lamb, was a merchant; he was born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, in 1809, and removed to Indiana and engaged in the tanning busi- ness about the year 1830. Eunice (Dawtell) Lamb, second wife of Pliny Lamb, and mother of the subject of this sketch, was of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Lamb left Indiana in 1854, removed further West, and finally settled in Champaign County, Illinois, where he died in 1858. George devoted his summers to farming and his winters to study, and at the age of seventeen went to Hartsville University, Hartsville, Indiana, remained one year, and the ensuing year attended Westfield College, in Illinois. After devoting another year as principal of Green Hill Seminary, in Indiana, he went, in September 1870, to Yale College Theological Seminary, and pre- pared himself for the ministry by three years' study, and preaching during vacations. After graduating, in 1873, he returned West, and assumed the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Brazil, Indiana, for one year, then accepted a call to Maynard Congrega- tional Church, in the suburbs of Chicago; remained two years, and, having concluded to finish his collegiate course, came to Crawfordsville, attended Wabash Col- lege two years, and graduated in the class of 1878. Prior to the expiration of his college course he had preached in the churches of Crawfordsville at intervals, and before graduating received a call to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of that city. He still oc- cupies the pulpit acceptably. Mr. Lamb was married, November 6, 1873, to Miss Mary L. Heady. Two sons and one daughter have blessed this union. One of Mrs. Lamb's brothers, Doctor Thomas J. Heady, accompa- nied by his wife, left his home in Texas, and went to


John Lee


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Sth Dist.]


Memphis, Tennessee, during the prevalence of the yel- ! soldier, and in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the low fever, as volunteer aid to the sufferers, and both he and his wife were stricken down in the midst of their self-sacrificing labors, and fell martyrs to the cause of humanity. Mr. Lamb's Church officials speak in terms of unqualified praise of his ministerial work. He is a fluent speaker, a close reasoner, and thoroughly devoted to his Master's service. He has connected himself with the Knights of Pythias, an order which has on its rolls the leading ministers of Crawfordsville.


war for the Union. As such, he was chosen treasurer of the Home Soldiers' Fund for the county, and devoted much time to collecting and forwarding needed sanitary supplies to the soldiers. In 1864 he was nominated by acclamation as the Democratic candidate for the state Senate, but was defeated by a handful of votes by dis- affected anti-war Democrats. In 1865 he removed to his farm, four miles from Crawfordsville, and remained until 1869, when he was chosen president of the Lo- gansport, Crawfordsville and South-western Railroad. Under his administration the road was built, and was in successful operation when, in 1873, he resigned. In FEE, JOHN, railroad president and organizer, Crawfordsville, was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, March 11, 1826, and is the son of Elder John and Massa (Lucas) Lee. His father was the pioneer of the Old-school Baptist Church in Western Indiana, and the founder of the Crawfordsville society. He was a soldier, serving through two campaigns in the War of 1812. His paternal grandfather was also a minister of the Baptist persuasion, and was a Revolu- tionary soldier under General Washington. His lineage is the same as that of Richard Henry Lee, president of the Colonial Congress, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. General Robert E. Lee, of Virginia, was also of kin to him. The family were of English descent. Mr. Lee's mother was the daughter of John Lucas, who came from Kentucky to Ohio when Cincinnati was an insignificant village, and entered twenty-eight hundred acres of land on the Miami River, near where Middletown now stands. The daughter, then a girl of thirteen years, performed the journey on horseback, and was wont to relate how she was placed in charge of the saddle-bags which contained the silver which was to pay for the lands. As early as 1816, John's father moved to the Wabash Valley, near the town of Vincennes, General Harrison's former head- quarters. In 1823 he came to Crawfordsville, then just laid out, and became a fellow-citizen with Major Isaac C. Elston, who arrived in the same year, and whose biography appears in these pages. He died, universally respected, in May, 1849. John's early life was devoted to hard labor, having assisted in opening and improving the same year he was chosen president of the Lake Erie and St. Louis Railroad, which, owing to the stringency of the times, was but partially completed. In 1875 he became president of the Indianapolis and Springfield Railroad. In 1876 he was elected president of the Indianapolis, Delphi and Chicago Narrow-gauge Railroad, now completed and running. Mr. Lee is now devoting his time and energies to the building of the Indianapolis and Springfield Road above named. It is designed to run from Indianapolis to Montezuma, on the Wabash River, with a view of its ultimate exten- sion by the way of Paris to St. Louis. It will traverse the well known Sand Creek coal regions of Parke County, among the richest and most productive of the West. In 1879 he was elected president of the Ander- son and St. Louis Railroad. Mr. Lee was chosen by the Legislature of 1879 as one of the board of directors of the Northern State-prison, and at its first meeting was selected by the board as its president. Mr. Lee was married, May 12, 1849, to Miss Letitia West, daughter of Jeremiah West, a wealthy farmer of Montgomery County. Three sons and two daughters have blessed this union. The two daughters are married to the Thompson Brothers, attorneys, Crawfordsville. One of the sons-in-law has been a representative in the Indiana Legislature, and has won a national reputation as an author, more especially on subjects pertaining to archery. Both are rising lawyers. One son, Richard Henry Lee, is being educated at Wabash College. Mr. Lee clings to the faith of his fathers, and is a member of the Old-school Baptist Church. Politically, as stated three farms. He attended school sufficiently to acquire above, he is a Democrat, and was a member of the Democratic state central committee in 1878, and chosen by them as one of the executive committee to take direct charge of the canvass of the state, which resulted favorably to his party. Thus, with but limited educa- tion, Mr. Lee has pushed his own fortunes, and is recognized in business circles as a man of indomitable energy and perseverance, overcoming obstacles that would daunt weaker minds, and always believing in suc- cess until defeat comes. As a railroad organizer and builder he has been eminently successful. In 1878 Mr.


the rudiments of an English education, but what he lacked in this respect was made up by a natural apti- tude for business that has stood him in good stead dur- ing his active career. At nineteen he began as a clerk for an elder brother, and five years after was a partner, and continued in the business until 1856, when he was elected treasurer of Montgomery County, on the Demo- cratic ticket, and served two years. In 1860 he was deputy United States marshal. In 1861 he sided with Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, was an ardent friend of the


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Lee was a candidate before the Democratic Convention for Congress, and had a large and influential following, but for harmony's sake, and before a ballot was taken, he generously came forward and, in that spirit of self- abnegation that looks to the success of the cause rather than self-interest, declined in favor of Mr. McCabe, whose nomination he moved by acclamation. He took an active interest in the campaign. Being an earnest and energetic speaker, and having in his employment, as railroad president, thousands of laborers, he knows just how to talk to them, and they esteem him as an honest man and a sympathizer in their battles with the world. During the campaign he canvassed the state, often speaking for two hours in a forcible and telling manner, and enchaining the attention of vast audiences. In 1879 Mr. Lee created unbounded enthusiasm in Ohio by his masterly speeches in favor of Rice and Ewing. Mr. Lce is now favorably spoken of as the next Democratic nominee for Congress in the Eighth Congressional Dis- trict, which proves the high regard in which he is held by those who know him best.


EE, MAURICE J., tile and brick manufacturer, near Crawfordsville, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, February 17, 1837. He was the son of Morris and Cecilia Jane (Runey) Lee, who were born in Ireland, his father emigrating about the year 1818, and locating in Philadelphia. His mother emigrated later. They were married in Philadelphia in 1835. The subject of this sketch was their only child. About the year 1836 the parents moved to Frankfort, Kentucky. They were poor, and their only son was early inured to a life of toil, but attended school in Frankfort sufficiently to acquire the rudiments of an ordinary English education. At the age of nineteen, on the death of his parents, he worked in a brick-yard with R. A. Brawner, of Frank- fort, a prominent business man, and remained with him several years. In 1862 he crossed to Indiana, and for a time engaged in bridge-building with Harry Taylor, contractor and civil engineer, Salem. In 1863 he came to Crawfordsville, worked at brick-making two years, and in 1865 began the business for himself. This he has followed since; but in 1877 he added tile-making to his other pursuit, and is very largely the leading tile manufacturer of Montgomery County. April 4, 1864, he was married to Miss Margaret M. Keenan, of Frank- fort, a lady of Scotch parentage. She died November 16, 1866, leaving an only son, Henry Keenan. On Jan- uary 25, 1870, Mr. Lee married Miss Catherine Alice Crowe, daughter of Michael and Dorothea Crowe, of Crawfordsville. Her father was among the pioneers of the state and of Montgomery County, and superintended the construction of that portion of the Wabash and Erie


Canal lying between Lafayette and Attica, and after- ward farmed in Montgomery County. Three sons and one daughter have blessed this second marriage: Walter John, the eldest, Francis Crowe, Helen Catherine, and Morris. Mr. Lee is a Democrat in politics, but not a professed politician. He now resides at his country home, one and a half miles nearly north of Crawfords- ville, on the Crawfordsville and Concord Pike, in an elegant dwelling, built of brick of his own making, and convenient to his spacious tile factory and brick- yards. One hundred and twelve acres of land surround his dwelling, enabling him to devote some time to farm- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Lee seem determined to enjoy life, look on the bright side of nature, and take the world as they find it, honored and respected by their friends and neighbors.


ANE, HENRY SMITH, of Crawfordsville, was born February 24, 1811, in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Reared on a farm, his early schooling was such as country pedagogues could bestow. In his sixteenth year he became a pupil of Judge Silas W. Robbins, studied the classics for two years, and then took up the reading of law under Colonel J. Sudduth, devoting a portion of his time to writing in the clerk's office to defray his necessary expenses. After about three years of alternate study and work, he was admitted to practice in the inferior and superior courts. In 1834 he removed to Crawfordsville, Indiana, entered upon his profession, and shortly after formed a partnership with Hon. Isaac Naylor, a connection which lasted until the latter was promoted to the bench. Mr. Lane then as- sociated himself with Colonel Samuel C. Wilson, and the firm name of Lane & Wilson soon took its place in the front rank on the circuit. The partnership then formed continued until Mr. Lane's retirement from the profession in 1854. In 1837 he was elected to the Legis- lature, and in 1840 he was chosen by a Whig constitu- ency to represent the Seventh District in Congress, hav- ing for his opponent the brilliant orator Edward A. Hannegan, of Covington. Again, in 1842, he was elected to Congress, defeating Major John Bryce. Politically, as intimated above, Mr. Lane was a Whig, and entered the party arena with an intensity of enthusiasm and an earnest devotedness that found vent in a tide of speech. that placed him foremost among the political speakers of the state. On his return from Washington, Mr. Lane resumed the practice of law, but the Mexican War called for volunteers, and he at once organized a company, was elected its captain, and on the organization of the regi- ment-the Ist Indiana-was elected major, afterwards lieutenant-colonel, and followed its fortunes until it was mustered out of service. In 1858 Colonel Lane was elected to the United States Senate, but, owing to oppo-


Gro &Link


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sition on the part of Democratic Senators, he did not ob- [ and ten, Colonel Lane can look back on a public and tain the seat. On February 22, 1860, he was nominated professional career on which rests no taint of dishonor. Faithful to every trust reposed in him as legislator, Gov- ernor, Senator, he gave the best years of his life to his country; and now, in the retirement of his pleasant home, he awaits in calm resignation the summons of his Master : "Come up higher!" by acclamation for Governor, and was elected, over Hon. T. A. Hendricks, by a majority of about ten thousand votes. But the people, through their Representatives, were determined that Mr. Lane was deserving of a place in the councils of the nation, and the Legislature called the Governor from his chair to make him United States Senator. Here he was placed on the Committee on Mil- itary Affairs, soon destined to become one of the first importance, and on the Pension Committee, of which for :INK, JOHN EPHRAIM, M. D., of Terre Haute, Indiana, was born in Floyd County, near New Albany, Indiana, August 14, 1839. His paternal ancestors were of German origin, and emigrated to Maryland and then to Virginia at an early day. His grandfather (born in 1767) was a blacksmith by trade. His father, Matthias Link, was born in Virginia, Feb- ruary 1, 1802, but moved to Floyd County, Indiana, and engaged in farming, in 1832. His mother, Jane (Hanger) Link, born October 14, 1805, was also a Virginian by birth. John E. received a preliminary education in the public schools of Floyd County, In- diana, and of Edgar County, Illinois, and afterwards had the benefit of an academical course at Paris, Illinois, where his public school education was finished. In extreme childhood the bent of his inclination for a medical career developed itself in his childish plays. In after years, while working at the carpenter's bench, he was known to pursue his avocation with a book on anatomy open before him, from which he snatched precious morsels of information at every opportunity. In order to support himself he taught district school near Paris, Illinois, in the winters of 1859-60 and 1860-61, and, while pursuing his academic studies at Paris, supported himself by officiating as sexton of a church in that place, "keeping bachelor's hall." He thus managed to pay his way through the academy, and then commenced the study of medicine with Doctor II. W. Davis, of Paris, which he continued until the breaking out of the war. With his preceptor, he then entered the 12th Illinois (three months') Volunteers, he being third on the company's roll, and Doctor Davis second. Doctor Davis was soon appointed member of the board of medical examiners of the state, and Mr. Link went into the hospital in charge of wards and as dis- pensing druggist. His term of service expiring, he attended a course of lectures at the Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, and, after a short time spent as attend- ant at the insane asylum at Jacksonville, he again en- listed in another three months' regiment, the 68th Illinois Volunteers, and was appointed hospital steward. - The regiment was ordered to Alexandria, Virginia, on provost-guard duty, and as a large amount of sickness prevailed among the soldiers, he was soon actively en- gaged in the duties of his position. By special appoint- two years, near the close of his term, he was chairman. It is hardly necessary to add that, in his career as Repre- sentative and Senator, Colonel Lane not only succeeded in filling the expectations of his political friends and allies, but in winning the respect of his party foes. Colonel Lane was chosen president of the first National Republican Convention, that assembled in 1856, and nominated John Charles Fremont. It is worthy of re- mark that every nomination ever conferred upon him has been by acclamation, and without opposition in his own party. President Grant selected him as one of the Indian peace commissioners, and he served for two years, until failing health compelled him to retire. The father of Colonel Lane was James H. Lane, an early set- tler of Kentucky, a prominent farmer and Indian fighter by turns. He served as sheriff of his county, and was made colonel of militia, and lived honored and respected. He aided in developing the resources of his state. Colonel Lane, whose religious convictions led him to connect himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, has been for thirty years a trustee of Asbury University, and has not only devoted much time, but given liberally of his means, in advancing the educational interests of the state. Since retiring from the law, Mr. Lane has been engaged in banking, and still retains his interest in the banking house of Elston & Son. He first married Miss Pamela Bledsoe Jameson, at his old home in Kentucky. She was an intelligent Christian lady, but died early in life, in the year 1842, in Washington. In 1845 Colonel Lane married Miss Joanna Elston, daughter of Major Isaac C. Elston, one of the wealthiest men of the state, and one who had been identified with the interests of Crawfordsville and Montgomery County as far back as 1823. Colonel Lane and wife occupy their elegant home on Wabash Avenue, Crawfordsville, surrounded by friends and relatives, and honored and respected by an extensive circle of acquaintances. During his political career Colonel Lane achieved a wide-spread reputation as one of the most brilliant and effective popular speakers in the country, while upon the more abstruse questions of the day he was a ready and fluent debater. His tem- perament would not allow him to be idle, and at all times he was an indefatigable worker; and at the present time, bordering, as he does, on the verge of threescore


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and this connection continued until the death of T. A. Howard, at Austin, Texas, where he was acting as chargé d'affaires from the United States government to that republic. In October, 1853, he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the counties of Parke and Vermilion, and served for a period of eight years. He was afterwards elected Judge of the same court for the counties of Parke, Vigo, and Sullivan, and held the office for four years. During his occupancy of the bench his circuit reckoned among its members some of the most brilliant minds that have ever graced the bar of Indiana; and his selection for the position which he held, and the universal testimony of his contemporaries to his talents as an advocate and his ability and impartiality as a judge, constitute no small compliment to Judge Maxwell's sterling qualities of intellect and manhood. Conspicuous among men who soared far above medioc- rity, and who have few equals at Indiana's bar to-day, he bore a reputation for profound legal acumen, eminent abilities as an advocate, rigid impartiality as a judge, and unimpeachable integrity as a citizen and a man, which are a most fitting monument to his memory. He grew to manhood under Presbyterian influences, but never identified himself with any Church. Up to the time of the Kansas-Nebraska troubles he was a Demo- crat, but afterwards allied himself with the Republican party, and, though not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word, took an active interest in the great ques- tions of the day. November 8, 1848, he was married to Eliza A. Sunderland, daughter of John Sunderland, one of the early settlers of Parke County. He died at Rockville, June, 1877, lacking one month of being sixty years of age. Judge Maxwell was of slight, compact build, active and wiry, attractive for his social qualities, and popular with all classes of society. His name will long be remembered as one of Rockville's most illustri- ous characters and popular citizens.


ILLIGAN, JOSEPH, farmer and merchant, Crawfordsville, was born March 3, 1814, in Cum- berland (now Perry) County, Pennsylvania. His paternal ancestry were of Scotch-Irish origin, his grandfather having come from the north of Ireland, about the year 1775. On the maternal side his family sprung from the Scotch Wallaces. His grandfather lo- cated in Pennsylvania and remained there during his life. His father, David Milligan, a farmer, died in Pennsylvania in 1836, his mother having died eighteen years previously. When nineteen years of age Joseph, who had received but few opportunities for improving his mind, and those of the most elementary character, left Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where his father had removed in 1814, the year of Joseph's birth. He




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