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 51

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 51

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Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis) Rail- road, and was elected a director. Mr. Makepeace had now become influential, and, being in some respects well qualified for certain political offices, he was often urged to accept a nomination, but always refused. At length he interested himself in banking, taking stock to the amount of forty thousand dollars in the First National Bank of Muncie. His wealth increased till at last it was estimated to be about five hundred and sixty thousand dollars. He was married, in 1826, to Miss Nancy Shimer, by whom he had two children, both of whom are living-Allen Q. and Alvira J., wife of John E. Corwin, a banker, of Anderson. Mr. Makepeace believed in the continuity of life beyond the grave, in the communion of disembodied intelligences with those yet in the form, and that no change is effected in the character of the individual by death, excepting by the eternal law of higher progress, that sooner or later operates on all. Strong in this belief, he died calmly and hopefully, after a lingering illness of two years.

ENDENHALL, NATHAN, physician and sur- geon, of Thorntown, Boone County, was born in Canton, Washington County, Indiana, March 29, 1832, and is the oldest son of Stephen G. and Sarah (Albertson) Mendenhall. His father was a prominent and respected citizen of Washington County, and was by occupation a house-carpenter, and also a civil engineer. He acted for several years in the capac- ity of county surveyor. The Doctor's youth was passed without many educational advantages. He assisted his father in his various avocations, and in the winter sea- son attended the district schools. But an eagerness to acquire knowledge, and a desire to surmount the disad- vantages of his boyhood by close application and self- culture, produced their natural result. He managed to acquire a fine English education, and is known as an extensive reader, while he is conversant with all the branches of a thorough English education. In his stud- ies he has always felt the advantages accruing from a remarkably retentive memory and a naturally easy flow of language. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine in the office of Doctor James W. Cochran, and in 1853 he entered the Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio. After taking one course of lectures he returned to Indiana and practiced in Howard County for four years. He then entered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, in order to complete his studies, and graduated in the spring of 1858. After graduation he practiced for one year in Howard County, and the next five years in West Newton, Marion County. In May, 1865, he removed to Thorntown, Boone County, where he has resided ever since. During the interval

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from 1876 to 1878 he filled the chair of genito-urinary diseases in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis; but on account of a stroke of paralysis was disabled from attending to the duties of his place, and returned to his practice at Thorntown. The surgical branch of the profession is that in which the Doctor has achieved his greatest reputation. He is well known throughout the state as a most finished and skillful oper- ator, and his services are in request in that direction over a very large extent of country. He has performed some of the most difficult operations known to surgery, and with the most gratifying success. On May 2, 1855, he married Miss Mary Street, daughter of a wealthy farmer of Henry County, Indiana. She died in 1861, leaving two daughters, who survive. July 29, 1863, he married Miss Abigail Waring, of Thorntown. She died in 1877, leaving two sons and one daughter. Doctor Mendenhall is a prominent and influential member of the society of Friends, being an acknowledged leader in the society at Thorntown, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was for several years a member of the Independent Order of Odd-fellows, is a member of the Boone County Medical Society, the State Medical Soci- ety, and the American Medical Association. As a pri- vate citizen, no less than in his professional capacity, the Doctor makes his influence for good felt in the community. He is highly respected by all who know him, is a kind neighbor and a genial companion, and his domestic life is one of culture, refinement, and taste.

ETCALF, STEPHEN, postmaster at Anderson, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January II, 1842. His parents, David E. and Catharine " (Jewell) Metcalf, were natives of that state. His mother's father was a soldier in the Mexican War. When Stephen was about twelve years of age the family removed to Madison County, Indiana, and there he at- tended school until the age of twenty, spending one year at the North-western Christian (now Butler) Uni- versity. In July, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 75th Indiana Volunteers, and on December 8 of the same year was detailed on special service in the adju- tant-general's office of the Pioneer Brigade, Army of the Cumberland. In that situation he remained until July 29, 1864, being then transferred to the United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers, and promoted to the rank of quartermaster-sergeant, in which capacity he served until mustered out, June 30, 1865. After returning from the army, Mr. Metcalf engaged in teaching until 1869, when he purchased a faim ; but, after living upon it one year, he removed to Anderson, and for two years served in the capacity of deputy sheriff. In 1872 he bought the Anderson Herald, a Republican journal,

which he edited and published successfully until 1878, when he was appointed to his present position, that of postmaster. Mr. Metcalf is a member of the Knights of Honor, and in politics is an active Republican. He was married, August 14, 1867, to Miss Carrie M. Robb, daughter of Charles and Mary Robb, of Ohio. This marriage has been blessed with two children, May and Eugene. Mr. Metcalf undertook the management of the Herald under trying circumstances. Its circulation was small, and its political principles had only a minor- ity support; yet with fearless purpose and trenchant pen, despite difficulties and strong opposition, he grad- ually gained respect for his opinions and policy among those who appreciate an honest, outspoken press, and finally established the paper on a firm foundation. He gives liberally to benevolent and charitable purposes, and takes great interest in whatever promotes the gen- eral welfare. His religious sentiments are unfettered by any creed, but he cherishes deep regard for those pure principles which are common to all religions. He is a warm-hearted, affable gentleman, pleasing in per- son and address, and is deservedly respected. wherever known.

YERS, SAMUEL, of Anderson, was born in Chester Township, Clinton County, Ohio, No- vember 12, 1812. His parents, Ralph and Pru- dence (Mills) Myers, were natives of South Caro- lina, and the father was one of the pioneers of Clinton County. Both died when Samuel was a small boy, and he, with the four other children, was placed in care of a guardian. At the tender age of seven he was bound out to a weaver to learn that trade, with which he was occupied until about the age of eighteen. Though his educational advantages were very meager, he qualified himself to teach school when twenty years old, and en- gaged in that occupation, and also in farming, for sev- eral years. In September, 1835, he married Miss Rebecca Cather, a native of Virginia, and in October of the next year removed to Madison County, Indiana, then a rough, wild country, where he bought a farm one mile east of Anderson, and has since been em- ployed in agricultural pursuits. From 1866 to 1871 he also engaged in the making of brick. In 1870 Mr. Myers was elected township trustee, and served in that office eight years. He also served as school trustee for a considerable period, and was at one time appointed county commissioner to fill a vacancy. He helped to build the Bellefontaine (now the Bee-line) Railroad, taking a contract to construct two miles. He has con- tributed to other railroads, and to the building of churches, school-houses, and all important public enter- prises. Mr. Myers was reared among the Friends, and formerly attended their services, but is now liberal in his

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religious views, not believing any creed. In politics he | June 7, 1858, Mr. Myers was married to Miss Mary was in early days an Abolitionist, and voted for Martin Van Buren, the Free-soil candidate, in 1848, when there were but fifteen votes for him in all Madison County. He is now a Republican. Mr. Myers was married again February 16, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Cather, sister of his first wife. By the first marriage he had two sons: William R., a lawyer of Anderson; and Jasper, who graduated at West Point, and is now a resident of California. His second union has been blessed with seven children, four daughters and three sons: Mary, who was the wife of Doctor Adams, of Kansas; Carrie, wife of Captain Van Devender, who was killed at the siege of Vicksburg; and Katie, Jessie F., George, Oliver, and Frank. The first two are de- ceased. Mr. Myers is one of the early pioneers, and by patient, well-directed toil has overcome the unfavor- able circumstances of youth, in the accumulation of property, and contributed to the prosperity of Madison County and the city of Anderson. He is blessed in being the father of daughters of refinement, and sons of culture and promise, and possesses traits of character that render him not only a useful, but an influential, worthy, and respected citizen.

F. Mershon, the daughter of Judge William H. Mer- shon, of Madison County. This lovely woman has been his strong ally, his best counselor, and almost inseparable companion, for more than twenty years. Peaceful, winning, and piquant, she is endowed with those characteristics which betoken her French ex- traction. As a farmer's son, Mr. Myers was early imbued with those stalwart habits and principles which have made him a man of mark among marked men. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he left his young wife and enlisted in Company G, of the 47th Indiana Volunteers, as a private, and was promoted to orderly sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain of the company. He participated in all the battles of his regiment, which was the first to enter Memphis, and was in the arduous campaigns down the Mississippi. He was sent down to New Orleans, and acted as provost-marshal of the Third Division, Thir- teenth Army Corps. During the winter campaign of 1863 he was stationed near Opelousas, Louisiana, and New Iberia. His company was first to re-enlist in the veteran service, and eight hours after the reading of the call every man but one in the muster-roll had re-enlisted. In April the young captain entered the Red River cam- paign, and in 1865, at the close of the war, was finally mustered out, having served four years and three months. Upon his return from the war he entered upon the study of law in the offices of Judge John Davis and Sans- berry Goodykoontz, and was admitted to practice in 1870. Having carefully read the checkered page of American politics, he early became deeply interested in governmental affairs; he was with the Republican party up to 1869, when, becoming convinced that its policies were detrimental to the best interests of the masses, he cut loose from that organization, and has since acted with the Democrats. In 1872 he entered the field as a political speaker, advocating the Greeley ticket for Pres- ident. The people received him with much favor, and demanded his public services as a legislator, and he re- luctantly accepted the nomination for Congress by the Democrats of the Sixth District of Indiana, in 1878-a district that had always given Republican majorities-

YERS, WILLIAM RALPH, member of Con- gress, of Madison County, Indiana, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, June 12, 1836. His father, Samuel Myers, who is still living, in Anderson, Indiana, was descended from the Huguenots of South Carolina, and was reared a Quaker. He was a man of liberal views and strongly opposed to slavery, belonging to the old Abolition school. When the son was a mere child the father read aloud to the children the story of Uncle Tom's Cabin as it appeared weekly in the col- umns of the National Era, and the son thus early im- bibed anti-slavery notions. The mother of William R. Myers was Caroline Cather, of Virginia. His father removed from Ohio to the state of Indiana in the year 1836, and went back to Ohio in 1844. Return- ing again to Indiana in 1848, he settled in Madison County, where he engaged in farming and stock deal- |and, after a heated contest, was elected, over Republican ing. In the free schools of the town of Anderson, and National candidates. In Congress he has been noted as a close observer, an industrious worker, and a speaker of more than ordinary ability-not obtrusive, but direct, practical, and pungent when occasion called for arguments. He introduced the bill providing for the retirement of national bank currency, and his speech in its favor is highly spoken of by the press and public men as one of the financial efforts of this monetary era. He was appointed by the speaker one of the' Visiting Board to the Annapolis Naval School, and is also doing good service on the Special Committee to Investigate where he has lived since his early childhood, William R. obtained a fair education, but never received the benefit of a collegiate course. In 1856, in his twentieth year, being of a very roving disposition, he started for California, but failed to get across the Isthmus, on ac- count of the troubles inaugurated by General Walker. Returning to Anderson, he went from there to New- ton, Iowa, where he obtained a position in the post- office. Here he remained a little less than a year, going back again to Anderson to reside permanently.

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the Pension Office. As an Odd-fellow, he occupies a prominent position; was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana in 1878, and now represents that ju- risdiction in the Grand Lodge of the United States. As a civilian, he has been consecutively intrusted by his fellow-citizens in Indiana with responsible posts, having been, among other responsible offices, superin- tendent of the Anderson public schools, and a member of the school board of that city until compelled to resign on his election to Congress. As a lawyer, he deservedly ranks high with his professional brethren and the bench. All in all, he is the embodiment of useful- ness as a man in every walk of life. Mr. Myers's speech on the proposed amendment to " the 24th rule" stamps him as a deep, practical thinker, and has attracted to him the attention and favorable comments of thought- ful men all over the Union. Serving on several impor- tant committees, his earnestness of purpose, self-poise, directness of thought and action, and good judgment, are rapidly winning for him a high rank among the public men of the country.

VERMAN, JUDGE NATHAN R., of Tipton, was born April 11, 1827, in Randolph County, Indiana. He was the second son of a family of eight chil- dren. Living on the frontier, there were but few opportunities for education within his reach, only an occasional school term of two or three months during the winter seasons. The advantages of an education were, however, early impressed upon his mind by home influence. On winter evenings the pole cabin was pro- vided with a huge fire of logs and hickory bark, around which both parents and children would gather, study- ing and reading. The mother, who was an orphan from infancy, had not learned the alphabet at the time of her marriage, but afterward became a good writer, and was a diligent and careful reader during the re- mainder of her life. The father, who at that time could only read and write, soon became proficient in the primary branches, and afterward taught school in the neighborhood. Well does the Judge remember when, he and his father having reached the rule of three, the latter doubted their ability to proceed. The effort was made, however, the son being the first to solve the difficulty. He says that notwithstanding the adverse conditions with which he was surrounded-poverty, toil, and sickness-this was the happiest day and the proudest achievement of his life. Six of the eight children became teachers in the schools of Randolph and Tipton Counties. Judge Overman is enthusiastically fond of the natural sciences, and for the last few years has devoted much of his leisure to geology and kindred pursuits. His excellent collection of fossils and objects

of antiquity-including some of the finest specimens yet found-is equal, perhaps, to any private collection in the state. The services rendered by him to the state geologist are honorably acknowledged by Professor E. T. Cox in his reports. At the age of eighteen he com- menced teaching in the winter schools, working the re- mainder of the year with his parents. At that time the stick and clay fire-places were being replaced by more commodious brick chimneys, and brick-making became a branch of industry. The father and son each year, after harvesting the crops, manufactured a small quan- tity for the market, the latter becoming an efficient molder and burner of bricks. While thus engaged he commenced the study of law, in the summer of 1849, with General Browne, who was at that time studying with Judge Peele, of Winchester. Texts from Black- stone were copied on bits of paper, tacked to the brick gum, and committed to memory by him while at work. Recitations to his young preceptor were often infringe- ments upon his Sabbath evenings. Late in the fall of the same year Judge Overman removed with his father's family to Tipton ,County. In the spring of 1850 he received five dollars as the proceeds of thirteen days' labor, and of it expended four dollars and fifty cents in the purchase of Blackstone's Commentaries, which now occupies a prominent position in his well filled library. For eleven years he continued alter- nately teaching, farming, and brick-making. In June, 1861, he commenced the profession of law in Tipton, and in 1863 was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court, and in the Federal Courts a few years later. As a speaker, Judge Overman is earnest, logical, and convinc- ing. As a practitioner, he is untiring, faithful, and formidable. Scarcely a case has been in litigation in the county for eighteen years of which he has not repre- sented one side, and generally with marked success. In the fall of 1878 he was elected Judge of the Thirty- sixth Judicial Circuit, carrying by a majority of one thousand two hundred and thirty-two his own county, which has generally given less than four hundred ma- jority for his party. Judge Overman was married, May 27, 1854, to Miss Mary J. Cox, of Clinton County, Ohio, by whom he has five children: Alice, the eldest, being married to John P. Hutchings, of Tipton; Eva, Charles, Lizzie, and Fred, together with the parents, constitute the present household.

VERMAN, EMSLEY A., editor and proprietor of the Tipton Times, was born in Randolph County. Indiana, April 2, 1840. His father, Jason Over- man, was one of the pioneers of that district, re- moving subsequently to Tipton County, where he spent the remainder of his life. His son, Emsley A., assisted him, until twenty-two years of age, in cultivating the

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farm, attending school during the winter seasons. In 1866 he entered the office of his brother, Judge N. R. Overman, where he occupied himself with reading law. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar, and followed his pro- fession for two years. In 1870 he was elected county clerk, serving until 1874, when he purchased the paper of which he is still editor and publisher. Mr. Overman is a Democrat, his paper being the exponent of that party in the county. The best evidence of its political influence is found in the fact that the Democratic vote in Tipton County has increased from a majority of two hundred and fifty to seven hundred and fifty since his management of the Times began. On May 29, 1862, he was married to Miss Emily Harman, daughter of a wealthy farmer of Crawford County, Missouri, by whom he has three chil- dren, Benton H., Edgar H., and Joseph E. Mr. Over- man is a member of the Christian Church, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens, irrespective of party.

ITZER, ANDREW B., M. D., of Tipton, was born near Washington, in Fayette County, Ohio, October 13, 1845, and is the fourth son of David- son and Mary (Snodgrass) Pitzer. His ancestors on both sides served in the Revolutionary War, and his father was one of the early settlers. of Marion County. Mr. Pitzer attended the public schools of Kokomo up to his fifteenth year. In 1861, at the first call for troops, he entered the army as a private in the 34th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected on account of youth. Burning with patriotic zeal, and desirous of em- ulating those who were numbered among his country's defenders, he again enlisted, this time in the 118th In- diana Volunteer Infantry. He received an honorable discharge in 1864, and, returning home, immediately commenced the study of medicine with Dr. L. Korn, of Alto. In 1866 he entered the Medical Department of the Michigan State University, and graduated two years later. He then began the practice of his profes- sion in Sharpsville, Indiana, where he remained ten years, building up a fine practice, with much profit and honor. During this period he attended, in 1874, the Indiana Medical College, and received a second diploma. In the autumn of 1872 he was elected township trustee, and served six years. In 1878 he was elected clerk of the Circuit Court, a position he now holds. Doctor Pit- zer is a Democrat, and is regarded as one of the party leaders of his district. Although a young man, but thirty- four years of age, he enjoys a high professional and social standing. He is the present member of the Democratic State Central Committee from his congressional district. He was a delegate to the Democratic Convention of 1876, at St. Louis, and is regarded as a rising man by his po- litical friends. He was married, May 24, 1870, to Miss

Belle Sharp, daughter of E. M. Sharp, a prominent railroad man, by whom he has three children. Doctor Pitzer's name makes another addition to the long list of self-made men of his native state. In his life and char- acter are found those elements of self-denial, dogged perseverance, and indomitable will, which, when prop- erly directed, never fail to achieve marked success.

ALMER, TRUMAN HI., of Frankfort, was born November 28, 1827, in Henry County, Kentucky. He is the elder son of William and Permelia (Higgs) Palmer. His father was one of the pioneers of the state, while his grandfathers, both ma- ternal and paternal, served in the War of 1812. Up to his twentieth year Mr. Palmer had received but a lim- ited education, his time being principally occupied at work on the farm. During the next four years he taught school and studied attentively. The four years following these he spent in teaching and in studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1857, and in the spring of 1858 began the practice of his profession in Frankfort, where he has ever since resided. From 1862 till 1866 he filled the office of county surveyor. In 1868 he was elected to the Legislature and served in the reg- ular and special sessions of 1869. In 1870 he was elected Judge of the Common Pleas Court, which he held until the court was abolished, in 1873. In March of the same year he was appointed Judge of the Cir- cuit Court by Governor Hendricks, and was elected to that position in the following autumn. During his term of office there have been many important cases, both civil and criminal, tried. before him, the most noted of which was that of Jonathan Burns for the murder of his wife in Howard County. After two trials in that county, by a change of venue it was taken before Judge Palmer, by whom he was also tried twice, found guilty of. murder, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. Judge Palmer was married, October 30, 1851, to Margaret Ann Moore, of Clinton County, by whom he has ten chil- dren. The two eldest sons, Arthur and Robert, are practicing law and medicine respectively in the towns of Lebanon and Frankfort. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Baptist Church, a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias.

OWERS, EDWIN D., M. D., of Lafayette, was born in Onondaga County, New York, August 7, 1827. In his veins the blood of the Scot mingles with that of the Irish. His earlier years were spent in the high schools and academies, where he received a thorough literary education. While quite

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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 51

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