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 55

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 55

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).

ILSTACH, JOHN AUGUSTINE, lawyer, of La- fayette, Indiana, was born in Washington City, District of Columbia, July 14, 1824. The name "Wilstach " is German, and was originally spelled Wilds-dach, the English equivalent of which is " Deerpark." Mr. Wilstach's father, Doctor Charles F. Wilstach, was a graduate of the University of Pennsyl- vania. The maiden name of his mother, who is still living, at the advanced age of eighty years, was Han- nah Whittier Ustick. She is, as her middle name sug- gests, a relative of the Quaker poet. Her family dates its origin from the Shields and Hamilton families of Scotland. Doctor Wilstach's family trace their geneal- ogy back to the date of the conquest of Gaul by Clovis, king of the warlike tribe of the Salians, who, in the year 486, defeated the Roman Governor Syagrius, in the battle of Soissons. As a result of this victory, the Roman estates were confiscated and divided, as rewards of meritorious service, among the officers and soldiers of the Salian army. Bruno, one of the Salian generals, thus acquired the estate of Deerpark in Alsatia, and was thereafter known as Bruno de Wilds-dach. His descendants were counted among the ancient nobility, , and have filled many important posts of honor in Church and state-no less than six of them, according to the authentic genealogical tables preserved in the Imperial Library of Vienna, having been bishops, and a still larger number having attained to distinguished military positions. Mr. Wilstach is largely self-taught. He had no school training after the age of fifteen, as at that time he removed with his family to Lafayette, then comparatively destitute of educational facilities. At the age of eleven he entered, at Cincinnati, the military and academical institute of Professor (afterwards Major- general) Ormsby McKnight Mitchell, the renowned astronomer, and founder of the Adams Observatory, Cin- cinnati. After the lapse of two years the entire insti- tute, professor and students, was transferred to and formed the nucleus of Cincinnati College. There Mr. Wilstach enjoyed the instruction of teachers of rare ability. Besides Professor Mitchell, there were Mc- Guffey, Drury, Telford, and Mansfield. There his more intimate fellow-students were Hon. Geo. E. Pugh and Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton. Between the late Major-gen- eral Mitchell and Mr. Wilstach there existed, from the beginning of their acquaintance, an ardent and un- wavering friendship. They appreciated each other to the utmost, and their correspondence continued up to within a few days of the death of the distinguished commander of the Department of the South-a man eminent alike for private worth, for scholarly polish, for scientific insight, and for military genius. Mr. Wilstach is now meditating the delivery, in Cincinnati, of a memorial address or panegyric on the characteristics of his deceased friend. Mr. Wilstach has acquired a hand-

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

Loth Dist.

some property both in city and country. IIis tastes are rural, and he delights in the picturesque. The heights on his farm on the Wabash, just north of Lafayette, where he is about to establish his country-seat, com- mand an entrancing view of city and river, forest and valley; and the rich fields in the adjacent Indian Res- ervation, sweeping in prospective northward to the re- nowned battle-field of Tippecanoe, and southward to the fertile plains of the Wea, form a panorama which has few rivals on the globe. Mr. Wilstach has always been a student. A methodical and painstaking industry has been one of his marked characteristics through life. Before leaving college he had acquired a knowledge of mathematics, and of the Greek, Latin, and French lan- guages; to these he has since added German and Italian, and has devoted much of his time to the study of his- tory and general literature. He has on several occa- sions of general interest delivered public addresses. Among the most prominent of these were his "Eulogy on the Life and Character of Henry Clay," and his "Oration on the Centennial Anniversary of the United States," These, and many others of his productions, have been published in pamphlet form. His choice of business was the profession of the law. He began its practice in Lafayette, from which place he has never removed. He has no " military record" excepting that of his school days, to which he alludes on occasions with warm interest. But so early a taste of the rigors of military life, under so exacting a disciplinarian as Major-general Mitchell, made him avoid rather than seek military promotion, to which he received flattering and pressing invitations during the Mexican and late wars, In the latter war he was complimented with an honorary enrollment on the staff of Governor Morton, and on several occasions Governor Morton made effect- ive use of Mr. Wilstach's pen in the service of the Union. In 1867, pursuant to the recommendation of Governor Morton, Mr. Wilstach was appointed one of the commissioners to the World's Fair, at Paris. In the discharge of this mission he remained in Europe six months. He again visited Europe in 1874-5, re- maining seven months. A detailed report of his first visit was published by the State Board of Agriculture as an appendix to their annual report. He also acted for some time, under a commission from Governor Baker, as commissioner of immigration. Mr. Wilstach is noted for his public spirit and active sympathy with all plans and movements tending to the diffusion of intelligence among the people, and contributing to their social and

political welfare. He has devoted much time to the study of social problems. In religion he is a convert to the Roman Catholic faith, and in politics a Republican, giving an earnest adherence to the doctrines of that party. In 1855 he was married to Miss Elbra Cece- lia Patti. His wife's father was of Italian and her mother of English origin. The children of this union are four sons. Mr. Wilstach is a gentleman of fine physical development, being nearly six feet in height, and weighing one hundred and seventy-eight pounds. Having lived a temperate life, he is remarkably well preserved, and at the age of fifty-five displays un- usual buoyancy and vigor, both mental and physical. He is positive in his convictions, and persistent in carrying out his undertakings, which are always worthy. Socially, he is characterized by a sympathetic disposition and a suavity of manner which make him a welcome com- panion in all circles. A lover of children, delighting in their sports, he is a general favorite of the juvenile circle, than which no higher compliment could be paid to his head and heart. In his business relations he is a man of undeviating integrity. He has been for years one of the leading lawyers of Northern Indiana. His profes- sional papers are noticeable for clearness of conception, conciseness of expression, and closeness of logic, and, what is remarkable in one of his profession, his callig- raphy is almost unequaled for legibility, as he has never believed that execrable penmanship is an index of either superior mental attainments or business capacity. With an active, incisive mind, industrious habits, and a pen in full harmony therewith, he accomplishes in a short time an amount of labor that is rarely equaled. In illustration it is only necessary to state that, amidst a large legal practice, and besides accomplishing an im- mense amount of other literary labors, he has, with his own hand, written a complete, and the only complete, philological and free translation of the entire Bible, a work that consumed four solid years of hard labor, and if published would be an invaluable contribution to re- ligious literature. He is the most highly esteemed by those who know him best, and, after a residence of over forty years in Lafayette, his private and public life are without stain or reproach. His love for home and family is singularly intense, and he is greatly beloved by his neighbors and the children of the community. With his mental endowments unimpaired and a care- fully preserved physical constitution, he apparently has before him many years of usefulness and honor. He is a representative man of Indiana.

THE

TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

DRIAN, JAMES A., M. D., of Logansport, was born in Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence County, New York, January 12, 1829. His parents, Arthur and Mary (Mulvana) Adrian, removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where they soon died, leaving him an or- phan at the age of three years. It does not appear upon whom the care of the helpless child devolved, nor what were the circumstances in which he was reared ; but it is certain that he received little instruction, for, at the age of eleven, he was unable to read or write. Soon, however, his mind evinced its higher instincts in a craving for knowledge; and in Roscoe, Coshocton County, Ohio, he secured, by working morning and evening, the coveted privilege of attending school. There he made such rapid progress as to become com- petent, before long, to teach a village school, which he did for one year, at the same time zealously prosecut- ing his studies. Though wholly dependent upon him- self, and needing the small sum thus obtained for ma- terial necessities, he devoted it all to his unwavering purpose of getting an education, becoming a pupil in the high school at Oxford, Pennsylvania. On leaving that institution he entered the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, but was soon compelled to retire from it because of ill-health. Thinking a Southern climate would prove beneficial, he sailed, in October, 1845, from Baltimore for Mobile, where he became tutor in a pri- vate family. The duties of this position were so well performed that he was retained two years, during which he had access to Prof. J. C. Nott's fine library, an advantage of which he fully availed himself. His health now being restored, he returned to Roscoe, Ohio, and began the study of medicine under Dr. M. Johnson. In 1848-49 he attended a course of lectures at the Star- ling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and the following year commenced practice in Crawford County, in that state. After remaining until the spring of 1851, he re- moved to Lewisburg, Cass County, Indiana. In 1854

he was graduated from the medical college at Cleveland, Ohio. He then resumed the duties of his profession in Lewisburg, and soon acquired a good practice. In 1866, not content with the progress already made, he attended a course of lectures at Bellevue Medical College, New York, receiving at the close his second degree of M. D. Subjecting the knowledge thus gained to the critical test of practice, and making it, when so proved, a part, as it were, of his own nature, he went to the city of New York, and devoted the term of 1868 and 1869 to a special study of the eye and ear. In 1871 he was a delegate from the Indiana State Medical Society to the American Medical Association, which met at San Fran- cisco. Two years later, having become a citizen of Lo- gansport, he helped to organize the Cass County Medical Society, and was elected its first president. He read before the society a treatise on "Cholera " and another on "Spinal Meningitis," both of which were so ably written that the members felt assured of the wisdom of their choice in making him their head. As above indi- cated, Dr. Adrian joined the Indiana State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association, and he was also made an honorary member of the California Medical Society. In 1875 he was a delegate from the American Medical Association to the International Medical Con- gress, which convened at Brussels, Belgium. He read a paper before that body, and took so important a part in its discussions as to reflect honor upon himself and the society which he represented. While there he availed himself of the opportunity to visit various parts of Europe, and, on his return, the citizens of Logansport having publicly welcomed him, he gave, in response to the address of welcome, a graphic description of the scenes and events of his travels. At the age of twenty- one he became a Mason, and has since held many official positions, one of which was in the Grand Lodge of the state. In politics Dr. Adrian is a staunch Democrat, having, in 1860, publicly advocated the election to the

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[roth Dist.

presidency of Stephen A. Douglas, who was his per- | 1865, when he went to Brookston, in the same line. sonal friend, and a man whom he admired. In 1876 he Then, in 1874, he removed to Fowler, still engaging in the grain trade, which is now of great magnitude-in fact, by far the largest in his section of the state. He was one of the first trustees of the town of Fowler after its incorporation in 1875-76. Formerly he was of the old Whig party, but joined the Republican ranks on their for- mation. Mr. Barnard has twice been married-first, Jan- uary 30, 1849, to Elizabeth Jennings, of Tippecanoe County, who died, leaving two sons to mourn her loss. He again married, on May 23, 1876, Elizabeth M. Barnes, of Battle Ground, by whom he has one little daughter. He is a member of the Methodist congregation. Mr. Barnard is a man who stands high in the esteem of the community, a man of moral worth, honorable and up- right, beloved by his family, and enjoys the benefits of a competence earned by a successful business career. was a member of the Electoral College, and his efforts in support of Tilden and Hendricks established his rep- utation as a political orator. Yet his addresses are not confined to politics ; for he is often called upon to speak on other subjects. He might, at various times, have become a popular and, doubtless, a successful candidate, but has invariably declined. His set speeches possess much merit, and his extemporaneous efforts are of the most happy kind. His fine personal appearance and genial and graceful manner before an audience at once insure him a respectful hearing, and he never fails to engage close attention throughout. An important ele- ment of his success in oratory is the fact that, however effective he may be, his easy manner gives the impres- sion that he has still stronger mental forces in reserve. He reads French, and is familiar with German, both as a written and a spoken language. Well-informed upon a great variety of topics, always good-humored and sociable, and having genuine worth of character, his society is sought after and his personal friendship highly valued. Although fond of congenial company, he wastes no time in frivolity, having long since adopted the motto, "Time is money. I have neither to spend, save in good and useful employments." The apparent ease with which Dr. Adrian has overcome, without aid, the unfavorable conditions of early life, and mounted to such_rank in the medical profession, marks him the pos- sessor of a high order of talent. His purpose seems to have been, not so much to gain a large and lucrative practice-although in this respect successful-as to mas- ter the profound and mysterious truths of the science of medicine. His selection, in 1875, as a delegate from the American Medical Association to the International Medical Congress, at Brussels, and the prominent part he bore in the proceedings of that learned body, show to what degree of proficiency he has attained. That keen power of analysis which serves him so well in the remedial art has been employed also in logic, and, as already seen, his versatile mind has grasped political as readily as medical questions, and enabled him to become an entertaining and effective speaker.

ARNARD, OBED, grain dealer, Fowler, Benton County, was born December 5, 1826, in Washing- ton County, Indiana. His parents were John and Sophronia (Sottle) Barnard. His family removed to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, with him, when he was seven years of age, where he attended school until he was twenty. Having received a good education, he worked on his farm until 1857, when he removed to Lafayette, and entered the grain business, continuing there until

ALDWIN, DANIEL PRATT, LL. D., of Logans- port, was born in Madison County, New York, March 22, 1837. His parents were Hira and Harriet (Pratt) Baldwin, the latter, who is now living, being a sister of the late ex-Senator D. D. Pratt, for whom the subject of this sketch is named. The ancestry of the family may be traced to the early set- tlers of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Daniel Pratt Baldwin was brought up on a farm, upon which he worked in summer. During the winter he went to school, where he showed such scholarly ability that it was decided to give him an advanced education. He took an academic course at Cazenovia Seminary, Madi- son County, New York, and received his diploma in 1852. He graduated from Madison University in 1856, and from Columbia Law School in 1860. During these ten years he stood at the head of his classes, and was especially noted as a speaker and writer. In June, 1860, he removed to Logansport, Indiana, and commenced his profession, in connection with the late Hon. D. D. Pratt, under the name of Pratt & Baldwin. During the following ten years the firm enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, which extended to many parts of the state. In 1870 Mr. Baldwin was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to fill a vacancy, and, in the following year, was elected to the same position. In 1872 he received the degree of LL. D., from Madison University and Wabash College. In 1873 he resumed the practice of his profession, in which he is still engaged, in connection with State Senator D. D. Dykeman. Owing to a partial deafness, he was prevented from entering the army during the late war, but used his whole influ- ence to aid the Union cause. He is an earnest Repub- lican in politics. Judge Baldwin is proprietor of the Logansport Daily and Weekly Journal, and, at times,

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

10th Dist.]

contributes to its editorial columns. He has spared no ! 28, 1870, he began his duties as teacher of mathematics means, during the last two years, to make this paper valuable to the community. It has a large circulation. In June, 1878, he was nominated, by acclamation, by the Republican State Convention of Indiana, for the important office of Attorney - general of the state. Within the past two years, Judge Baldwin has delivered seven college addresses, and numerous popular lectures. He is the author of the well-known essay, entitled, "A Lawyer's Reading in Evidence of Christianity," which was published in 1875, and is now undergoing a second edition. Among his addresses which have been published are, "The Defects in our Political System," and "The Cause and Cure of Hard Times," both of which have been widely quoted. For many years he has been active in the interests of the Wabash College, and instituted the Baldwin Oratorical Prize. He is now a trustee. But few men have been more careful in their selection of a library. In his reading, he confines him- self to the choicest works. He has made a special study of political economy and the science of govern- ment. With all his eminent ability as a lawyer, and excellence as a scholar, Judge Baldwin is entirely free from ostentation. He was married, June 16, 1863, to Miss India Smith, of Logansport. They have had two children, neither of whom are living.

ANTA, PROFESSOR WILLIAM H., Superin- tendent of the public schools of Valparaiso, Indi- ana, was born September 13, 1846, in Preble County, Ohio. His parents, James D. and Emily Banta, were born in the same state. His grand-parents, Henry and Mabel Banta, were natives of Kentucky. His early educational advantages were very limited, being only those derived from attendance at a district country school for about three months each year until he arrived at the age of sixteen years. He assisted his father at farm work, when not receiving instruction, until 1858, when his father's reverses in fortune rendered it nec- essary for him to abandon school entirely. This he did for two years; but in the winter of 1862-63 he taught a district school for three months, for which he received one hundred dollars, boarding himself during the time. He then commenced going to school in winter, and mak- ing brick in summer, sometimes working both night and day in order to procure a better education. In 1867 he was engaged as first assistant teacher in the Rochester pub- lic school, and was elected to the position of principal of the same school, without having made an application. This office he filled until 1870. During the last three years of his teaching all his spare time was devoted to the study of the higher mathematics and the languages, ‘ in which he recited daily to a private teacher. March

and natural science in the Valparaiso Male and Female College, continuing in that institute for about one year. September 1, 1871, he was elected principal of the pub- lic schools of the city of Valparaiso, which position he still retains. His early tastes, which led him to seek an education with the view of becoming a school-teacher, he has followed unceasingly, yielding only to the occa- sional necessity of earning by manual labor the means to enable him to pursue higher studies, which would finally place him at the head of his profession. By his energy and untiring industry he has shown his adaptation to his calling, winning for himself the confidence of the school board, the respect of the people, and the admi- ration of his pupils. His success in obtaining employ- ment and adequate compensation has been gratifying in the extreme. The Valparaiso public school, under his administration, has been thoroughly classified and greatly improved in discipline, while the attendance has been increased more than fifty per cent. He is a mem- ber of both the Independent Order of Odd-fellows and the Masonic Fraternity. He united with the Methodist Church at the age of twenty-one, and has always been a member in good standing. In politics he is a Repub- lican, but takes no active interest in party matters. As a citizen, he is highly esteemed by his neighbors, and much beloved by his family and intimate friends. He was married, December 20, 1870, to Miss Rhoda Bates, of Valparaiso. She was born March 4, 1846. They have two children, daughters, the oldest born January 20, 1874, and the youngest February 25, 1880.

ARTHOLOMEW, ARTILLUS V., a prominent business man and pioneer of Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, was born in Hopewell Town, Licking County, Ohio, November 26, 1818. His parents, Jeremiah and Rebecca Bartholomew, were born in Greenbriar County, Virginia. His early educa- tional advantages were very limited, being only such as were obtainable in the county district schools. When out of school he worked at farming. In 1828 the fam- ily moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he continued in the district school until 1833, when his parents removed to Michigan City, Laporte County. There his whole time was given to assisting his father about the hotel which they opened. In 1834 he moved to Center Town- ship, Porter County, where he resumed farming, contin- uing it until 1862. In 1850 he became interested in trade with his brother in Valparaiso, which he continued until 1852, when he gave his undivided attention to farming. In connection with M. L. McClellen, in 1862, he commenced a dry-goods business in the store now owned and occupied by him, which he built in 1860.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[roth Dist.

In 1866 they sold their stock to the Valparaiso Wool Manufacturing Company, renting the store to that com- pany for two years. He had been interested in the company since 1864, and was elected one of the direct- ors and president. He sold out his interest in 1871, and devoted the next two years to the closing up and settling of the business of the manufacturing company. In

March, 1873, he united with his brother, S. L. Barthol- omew, and S. R. Bryant, in the wool and produce com- mission trade, opening business in the city of Chicago. In 1875 he disposed of his share to his partners, and, until 1877, gave his time to his farm. He then again opened a general dry-goods store in Valparaiso, in which he is still engaged, besides overseeing his agricultural affairs. His business enterprises have, as a whole, proved successful, having enabled him to acquire a competence for all reasonable wants. In politics he is an earnest Republican, but not a professional politician. In 1854, at the time of the organization of the Republican party in Indiana, he was elected to represent his district in the Legislature for a term of two years. While in that body he had the honor of giving the casting vote in the House for the renewal of the charter of the old Indiana State Bank, having been taken from a sick bed to the House for that purpose. In 1868 he was elected as one of the county commissioners for Porter County, was chosen to the same position in 1871, again in 1874, elected again in 1877, and still holds the position, having filled it for twelve successive years, always discharging the duties efficiently and to the general satisfaction of the people. He united with the First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso in 1844, and has held the office of trustee for about thirty-five years. He has contributed liber- ally to the material growth of the Church, and by the example of his cheerful and genial manner has added much to the spiritual and social prosperity of the mem- bership. Mr. Bartholomew is a prominent and wealthy man, highly esteemed by his neighbors, and much be- loved by his family and intimate friends. He was mar- ried April 4, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Stevens, of Oxford- shire, England, who died October 26, 1862. She was the mother of eight children, three sons and five daugh- ters, five of whom are now living. William M., born at Valparaiso April 7, 1845, is a minister, located at Arlington Heights, Illinois; Mary Ann, born April 7, 1847, was married to J. B. Marshall, and died in John- son County, Kansas, November 20, 1871; Finette A., born July 1, 1849, was married to Emmet Simons, Sep- tember 12, 1878; Angeline R., born October 27, 1851 ; Martha E., born March 13, 1854; George F., born Feb- ruary 14, 1857; Walter E., born May 2, 1860; and Eliz- abeth, born October 16, 1862. George F. is now the cashier of the Farmers' National Bank. Mr. Bartholo- mew was again married, March 17, 1864, to Mrs. Emma B. Marshall, a native of London, England.

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 55

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