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 43

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 43

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| cued by Colonel Shaw under the fire of musketry and artillery. The regiment soon after joined the division of General Reynolds, Fourteenth Army Corps, at Mur- freesboro. Here, in the summer of 1863, the health of Colonel Shaw continued to decline, and the medical director and surgeons of the corps declared him unfit for active duty. He refused to go to the hospital, or to return home on leave of absence tendered him, re- marking that if another must perform his duties for a year he should have the rank and emoluments of the office as well. Accordingly, he wrote his resigna- tion, and Colonel Grose, medical director of the Four- teenth Army Corps, disregarding the regular forms, took it directly to General Rosecrans. The order was promptly issued discharging Colonel Shaw from the serv- ice for disability, and expressing the regret of the general commanding at the loss of an officer who had proved himself prompt, brave, and efficient. It also de- tailed the chaplain of the regiment to accompany him home with what assistance he needed. Thus ended Colonel's Shaw's military carcer, and the government was deprived of a trusty and valuable officer. He re- mained an invalid for many months, but his energy enabled him to rally, and in four years his health was completely restored. He was educated a Democrat, and his first vote was cast for that party. At the time of the Kansas-Nebraska bill he became one of the organ- izers of the Republican party, with which he kept political faith until 1866. When the Radical wing acquired con- trol of this party he cast his influence with Andrew John- son, and, believing that the Republican party was leg- islating in the interest of classes and the preservation of its own power, he claimed that it had performed its mission, and readily again became a Democrat. In 1867 he was nominated for mayor of the city of Indian- apolis by the Workingman's party, and was indorsed by the Democracy. Although the Republican majority at the preceding city election was several thousands, he was defeated by only four hundred and ninety-four votes. In 1874 he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention for Treasurer of State, and was elected by over fifteen thousand majority. He was renominated in 1876, and was re-elected, with all the Democratic state ticket, by a handsome majority. He now pro- poses to retire from office on the expiration of his second term, leaving public life without regret. His intention is to devote his time to his carriage business. for which he considers himself better fitted. With the modesty becoming a generous nature, Colonel Shaw re- marks that, finding himself surpassed as a soldier by so many who performed better service than himself, he is not disposed to claim any other honor than a record for patriotism, a willingness to assist his country to the best of his humble abilities. In politics, he finds friends who are willing to assume his place and more able to

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perform its duties; and he is convinced that in re- entering his shop he will meet less envy and opposition than in aspiring to any public position. It is evident from this record that Colonel Shaw. has risen to em- inence solely by his own merits and exertions, that he is a patriot of the true school, has proved himself worthy of the high trusts reposed in him by his fellow- citizens, and, above all, that he is esteemed, honored, and, in the best sense of the word, popular. He has an interesting family residing at his homestead. Yet in the prime of manhood, he has probably many years of usefulness before him. He is above the average height, strongly built, well proportioned, and has a keen eye. His genial manners attract all who come within their influence.

COTT, JOHN T., of Terre Haute, Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana, was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, May 6, 1831, and lived in his native town until February 12, 1846. This day is quite a memorable one in his history, as on it he performed a journey of forty miles on foot, from Glasgow to Burkes- ville, on the Cumberland River. He then bound him- self for five years as an apprentice to learn the saddle and harness making trade. During the time of his serv- ice he was unexpectedly initiated into a course of read_ ing and study, which opened his mind to the advan- tages of an education, and resulted in the course which ended in his becoming a lawyer. It came about in this way: While working at his trade at Burkesville his spare time was spent in reading such books as he could borrow from other boys in town. About that time a young man, William Sampson, who was afterwards elected one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals of Kentucky, moved into Burkesville, and formed a class of boys for instruction in Latin. Among his pupils was a companion of young Scott, who invited the latter to attend recitations with him. This he did, receiving there, during the two years in which he managed to attend, after his daily toil was over, the first incentive to that literary course which he afterwards pursued more fully. On December 27, 1850, he started for Franklin College, an industrial institution five miles east of Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained, working at his trade and pursuing his studies, for nearly two years. He stood first in his classes, being a diligent student, with a re- markable aptitude for the reception of knowledge. His faculties were active and his memory remarkably reten- tive, and, with the thirst for knowledge more thoroughly awakened in him, it was not strange that he made rapid progress. Returning to Glasgow, he commenced the study of law, but unfortunately lacked the means to complete his course. In the spring of 1853, being out of money and very poor, he engaged with a corps of

civil engineers as chain-man. He was in a week pro- moted from that position to the transit, and, under the direction of the assistant engineer, made the surveys for the Nashville and Cincinnati Railroad. In November, 1853, he came to Indiana and obtained a position as rodman on the Indiana and Illinois Central Railroad. After the surveys were completed he was put in charge of a portion of the work, and continued on the road un- til the fall of 1855. He then settled in Montezuma, where he taught school and read law until the spring of 1856, when he opened an office and commenced practice. He took an active part in politics up to 1860, when he was elected district attorney, and was re-elected in 1862; the latter year he removed to Terre Haute, where he continued the practice of his profession, soon taking a place in the front rank of the bar of that city. In 1868 he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and was again elected to the judgeship in 1872. In 1873 the Court of Common Pleas was abolished, and Judge Scott resumed the active practice of his profes- sion. Taking into consideration the difficulties which he has surmounted in attaining his present high position and influence, Judge Scott is entitled to a very high rank among self-made men, and in ability and acquirements had few superiors at the bar of the district. His legal acumen is of a high order; his address is pleasing and his delivery effective. He is a great lover of the poets, the favorites of his younger days being Homer, Milton, and Shakespeare. He still delights in the perusal of his cherished authors, and revels in the more prosaic specu- lations of philosophers, essayists, and historians. His literary tastes gave him a decided advantage in his pro- fession, by furnishing him with scope for illustration, and relieving his speeches from the dryness of the mere case lawyer. He took an active interest in the growth and prosperity of the city of Terre Haute, aiding where his means permitted in every public-spirited enterprise. It was principally through the exertions of Judge Scott that the Terre Haute Street Railway Company was or- ganized, in 1866, and commenced operation, in 1867. Remembering his own early experience, he never ceased to take a lively, and indeed absorbing, interest in the educational interests of his county and state. He was appointed a member of the board of trustees of the State Normal School in 1875, and held that position un- til his appointment to the Supreme Bench, December 20, 1879. While a member of the board he was its secretary. As local trustee he rendered many important and valuable services to the institution. He was in all respects energetic and untiring in his devotion to the in- terests of the school, and his services are justly regarded as having been of great value. His early railroad ex- perience made his good counsel extremely valuable in dealing with the participants in the great railroad strike; and his services were brought into requisition to good

John & Seit

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purpose in dealing with the excited men, who, while | his store, he conducted until 1846, when he disposed of they had apparently lost all regard for those in author- ity, listened with respect to the advice of one who, they felt, had a fellow-feeling for them. From 1873, while engaged in practice at Terre Haute, Judge Scott, though not a candidate for office himself, always took a leading part in the councils of the Democratic party in his county and state. In the presidential campaign of 1876 he was a member of the state central and executive committees, and was one of the leading spirits in the conduct of the campaign in Indiana. He is regarded by his friends as a perfect encyclopædia of political in- formation, and this estimate is fully borne out by his minute researches into political history and statistics, and his wonderfully retentive memory of people and events. Judge Scott has been a Mason since 1854, and is a member of all the orders in the fraternity. July 7, 1855, he was married, in Edgar County, Illinois, to Miss Rebecca E. Jones. They have a family of five children-two sons and three daughters. In Decem- ber, 1879, Judge Scott was appointed by Governor Williams Judge of the Supreme Court, to succeed Judge S. E. Perkins, deceased, and took his seat at once. Al- though the youngest occupant of the bench, associated with men of as much intellect as has ever graced the Supreme Bench of the state, Judge Scott has proved himself in every way fitted for the dignity to which he has attained, and has brought to his new position the same industry and painstaking energy that have charac- terized his whole life, and supports the dignity of the court with honor to himself and satisfaction to the bar and people of the state.

TEELE, GEORGE KIRKPATRICK, Rockville, Parke County, son of Samuel and Mary Steele, was born near Springfield, Ohio, November 25, 1808. His parents removed with him to Greene County, Ohio, while he was yet very young, and thence to Parke County, Indiana, in 1821, settling where Port- land Mills now stands. From 1821 to 1825 he was en- gaged with his father and brothers in opening up a farm near the site of that village, after which he taught school for a time. In 1826 he entered the store of Colonel Moses Robbins, in Roseville, where a large por- tion of the business of the county was then transacted. Here he remained between two and three years, making a trip each spring to New Orleans, in charge of flat- boats laden with the produce of the county. In 1829, through the assistance of the Robbinses, he estab- lished a store at Mansfield, where he gave his undivided attention to mercantile pursuits, except when engaged in public business, until 1838. At that time he became owner of the Mansfield Mills, which, in connection with

his store, mills, and other property, and removed, in the fall of that year, to Rockville, where he has since resided. He was elected in 1835 as a Representative in the state Legislature from Parke County, was re-elected in 1836, and since that time has served many terms as Representative and state Senator. During his entire legislative career he was a zealous supporter of the com- mon school system and the founding of benevolent in- stitutions, always favoring the most liberal appropri- ations for these purposes. He was also a strong friend of all measures for the improvement of agriculture, and his liberal course on all questions of public interest met with the hearty approval of his constituents. He voted for Jackson in 1832, and fully indorsed his proclama- tion against the South Carolina Secessionists. At the birth of the Whig party he identified himself with that organization, and acted with it until 1856, when it was supplemented by the Republican party; since that time he has been an active member of the latter body, and a delegate to each succeeding National Republican Con- vention. He rendered active and efficient service in the nomination of Lincoln in 1860, and may justly be classed among his most earnest friends and supporters. He is also a great admirer of General Grant, both as a military officer and civil magistrate. Upon his removal to Rockville in 1846 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, continuing in that business three years. After retiring he assisted in organizing the Parke County Bank, of which he was chosen president. He was re-elected an- nually until 1863, when he declined to serve longer. The bank in the mean time had changed its name, having been reorganized in 1863, under the national banking law, as the First National Bank of Rockville. During all this period the institution was highly pros- perous and enjoyed the full confidence of the public. He has taken a deep interest in all the railroad enter- prises of his county, but more especially in the Evans- ville and Crawfordsville Railroad. A large sum of money had been expended in grading this road between Rockville and Terre Haute prior to 1855, but the com- pany was then forced to suspend work for want of means to finish the earth-work and purchase the iron. In 1859 a proposition was made by the Terre Haute and Indianapolis Railroad to furnish the rails, on the condition that a sum should be raised suf- ficient to complete the grading and bridging. See- ing reasonable hope for the completion of the road, he, in connection with other citizens, went to work along the line, and succeeded in raising the requi- site subscriptions. In 1860 the board of directors ap- pointed him superintendent of the Rockville division of the road, and on the 24th of July work was begun at Terre Haute, in the presence of a vast concourse of people. Speeches were made by a number of gentle-

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men, and in response to a call the superintendent prom- ised, if favored with good weather, the road should be completed to Rockville within four months from that day. On the 24th of November the work was finished and a train of cars made the first trip to Rockville, thus keeping his word. To the energy and labor of General Steele, more than any other one man, are the people of the county indebted for the building of this road. At the commencement of the war, in 1861, being then a member of the state Senate, he took a decided stand in favor of the Union and the suppression of the Rebellion. When Kentucky enunciated the doctrine of neutrality, being a member of the Committee on Federal Relations, he introduced the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the Senate :

" Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the state of Indiana, That, in time of war between the government of the United States and its enemies, no state of the Union has a right to repudiate its constitutional obligations so far as to assert its neutrality in such a war.

" Be it further resolved, That a constitutional obliga- tion rests upon the government of the United States, and upon the several state governments, to support the national Constitution, enforce the laws, and pro- tect the lives, liberties, property, and all constitu- tional rights of citizens in all parts of the Union; that the people of Indiana acknowledge the binding force of this obligation; and that, under the authority of the United States, they will hold themselves in read- iness to furnish military force to co-operate with the friends of the Union in any state where the consti- tutional rights of patriotic citizens are, or shall be, as- sailed by traitors and armed enemies of the national government.

" Be it further resolved, That the people of Indiana remember with gratitude the gallant conduct of the Kentuckians who came as volunteers and poured out their blood at Tippecanoe, and at other battle-fields within our borders, to aid in protecting the wives and children of Indianians from the tomahawk and scalping- knife of savages; and that we stand ready at the call of Kentucky, or any other state, to aid them as brothers, relatives, and friends, in defense of their homes and firesides, against the assaults of all enemies; especially those who under the traitorous secession flag of South Carolina are in open rebellion against the glorious old flag of the United States, 'which must and shall be preserved.'

" Be it further resolved, That his Excellency the Gov- ernor of Indiana be, and is hereby, requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the President of the United States, and the several Governors of the states of the Union."

A motion being made in the Senate to print two thousand copies of Governor Morton's first message, and two thousand copies of General Washington's Fare- well Address, General Steele moved to amend by adding two thousand copies of General Jackson's Proc- lamation to the Nullifiers of South Carolina in 1832, re- marking that while he strongly favored printing the message of our noble Governor, together with the Fare- well Address of the immortal Washington, he also fa-

vored the printing therewith the Nullification Proclama- tion of General Jackson, believing, as he did, that it enunciated the doctrine that should be read and studied throughout the whole length and breadth of the land. The amendment was adopted. A committee, consisting of six Senators and seven Representatives, was appointed by the Legislature to meet Mr. Lincoln at the state line and welcome him to Indiana when on his way to Wash- ington. General Steele was made chairman, and was accompanied by Generals E. V. Sumner and David Hunter, of the regular army. On meeting the pres- idential party at the state line, General Steele made the following remarks, which were appropriately re- sponded to by the President :

"MR. LINCOLN : As chairman of a joint committee appointed by the Legislature of Indiana to invite and escort you to the capital, it affords me great pleasure on this occasion to tender you, in their behalf, here, on the border of our state, a cordial and hearty welcome. In- diana, as the home of your boyhood, feels a just degree of pride in your elevation to the highest position within the gift of the American people. We are proud to re- flect that, as the architect of your own fortune, Indiana was the scene of your first triumphs; and I may say briefly, that, while the wisdom and excellence of our free institutions are thus exhibited before the world, the youth of the country may learn from your illustrious example that the highest honors of the nation are attain- able through that indomitable energy and sterling in- tegrity which characterized your younger days, and are the crowning glory of your manhood. Again, sir, in behalf of the committee, I bid you a hearty welcome to Indiana."

At the commencement of the war, General Steele was tendered the command of a regiment, but, owing to severe affliction in his family, and his own feeble health at the time, he declined the honor. But in the fall of 1861, serving with his regiment for a time, his ill-health made it necessary for him to resign his commission and return home. Soon after his return, Governor Morton appointed him a member of his staff, with a colonel's commission, which he held until the close of the war. When not on duty with the Governor he was actively engaged in the office of the provost-marshal, with Colonel Thompson and Doctor Preston, at Terre Haute, assisting in enrolling, drafting, and filling in the, reg- iments from this state. Hon. Oliver H. Smith, in his book, " Early Indiana Trials and Sketches," passes upon General Steele this tribute:

" I can not pass by without a word to the memory, in after times, of my personal friend, George K. Steele, of Parke County. I have long considered him among the most valuable men in the state. For many years he stood high as a member of our Legislature; frank, clear, strong, firm, honest, with a mind of no ordinary char- acter, he was at all times listened to with close atten- tion by his audience. The main characteristic of Mr. Steele was energy-untiring energy. He never rested, always pushed forward with his whole strength and with all his power."

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WAFFORD, BENJAMIN F., M. D., physician and surgeon, of Terre Haute, Vigo County, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, Feb- ruary 24, 1833. He is the son of James and Anna F. (Martin) Swafford, descendants of the earliest set- tlers of North Carolina, two old colonial families whose men were remarkable for their manliness, honor, and vigor, and the women for their beauty and virtue. James Swafford was a farmer, and removed with his family to Illinois when Benjamin was two years of age. Four years later he died. This little six-year-old boy was then cared for by his paternal grand-parents until the age of thirteen, when they also died. He was then thrown on his own resources, and from that time for- ward had to rely upon himself alone. When a boy he attended the common schools, and being of a studious, persevering disposition he made considerable headway, learning all that he could from his teacher. At the age of eighteen he embraced an opportunity of attend- ing the high school for about eight months, devoting himself most diligently to the great object of gaining for himself a thorough education. He seemed to have been a book-worm from his early childhood. Brought up on a farm in the backwoods, in a sparsely settled district, and struggling for a bare subsistence, yet with that inborn, indomitable spirit he was bound to succeed, and did. On leaving the high school, he devoted him- self to teaching school in various parts of Illinois, con- tinuing this occupation some two years and six months. During all his spare moments he was busily reading and qualifying himself for the medical profession. At the age of twenty-one he entered the office of Doctors York and McClure, at Paris, Illinois, studying with them, and beginning practice in August, 1855. He attended his first course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chi- cago, 1856-57, his second course in 1857-58, and grad- uated, with full honors, February 18, 1858. He was prosector to the chair of anatomy during both those ses- sions, one of the highest honors that could be conferred on him as a student, and a tribute to his proficiency. He then located at New Goshen, Indiana, in March, 1858, and entered upon the practice of his profession, meeting with remarkable success, being highly esteemed both as a physician and a man. On the outbreak of the war, he entered the military service, and served as surgeon of the IIth Indiana Cavalry from the time the regiment took the field until the close of the war, hav- ing previously been for a short time post surgeon at Scottsboro, Alabama. He did duty throughout the Hood campaign as an active field surgeon, was in a number of engagements, and experienced some very narrow escapes. He was at the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. After the Hood campaign, he had in his charge Field Hospital No. I, at Eastport, Mississippi, until May 1, 1865. The regiment then be-

ing ordered to the plains, he tendered his resignation, on account of ill-health, and returned to his home at New Goshen. The Doctor is probably one of the most skillful surgeons in the state, his long military service affording him abundant opportunity for perfecting him- self in that branch of his profession. June, 1874, he left New Goshen and removed to Terre Haute, where he has ever since continued to remain. He enjoys a large, successful, and lucrative practice, and is con- sidered one of the leading medical men of the county. He is a man of much learning in his profession, and skill in its practice. He is withal, what is so desirable in a doctor, a cheerful and courteous gentleman, hon- ored and respected. His personal appearance is good; he is rather robust, and is in the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits. He is a man who is popular with all. He is an accomplished public speaker, and often makes political speeches, yet he can not be induced to accept a political office, though nominations have fre- quently been tendered him by his party. He has twice refused the nomination for state Senator, besides several other places. The Doctor is a member of several med- ical societies. He has been a member of the Æscula- pian Society of the Wabash Valley for the past twenty- five years, of which he was president in 1876; of the Tri-state Medical Society he was chairman at its organization. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical As- sociation, and ex-president of the Vigo County Med- ical Society. He has also been a member of the Ma- sonic Order for about twenty years, and has taken nine degrees. In politics he is a Democrat, as he has always been. He made the first war speech in Vigo County, in favor of the prosecution of the war; and although born South he was always from boyhood opposed to slavery, and a friend of the slave and negro. The Doctor affiliates with the Campbellite or Christian Church, but entertains very liberal religious views. He was married, May 8, 1862, to Marthena Funkhouser, daughter of John Funkhouser, a large farmer of Vigo County. Such is the brief record of one of Vigo County's "representative men," one who has gained his position by his own indomitable energy, pluck, and determination; not by any stroke of fortune, but by hard study and application. He is a man of blameless social life, and is honored and respected by his fellow- citizens.

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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 43

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