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 58

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 58

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).

UNDY, AUGUSTUS E., cashier of the Bank of Winamac, at Winamac, was born at Newcastle, Indiana, December 8, 1844. He is the son of Martin I .. Bundy, banker at Newcastle, and Amanda (Elliott) Bundy. He received a common school education at Newcastle until the age of seventeen, when he went as clerk with his father, who was at that

Pemberton. He was present at its reduction. He at that time received the commission of major, was assigned to the Ist Arkansas Colored Infantry, and with his force patrolled the river. He was taken sick in the fall of 1864, necessitating his resignation, when he returned to Winamac. After becoming convalescent he purchased the Pulaski Democrat, publishing it one year, when he sold out, and began the practice of law. In 1866 Major Burson was elected prosecuting attorney, holding that office for four years. In 1874 he was elected to the House of Representatives, and in 1876 was elected presidential elector for the Tenth Congressional Dis- trict. He still continues in the practice of law, and does a large and successful business. In 1860 he was

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[10th Dist.

married to Malinda Lowry, of Pulaski County. They have, living, one boy and one girl, their first child having died in infancy. In 1861 he became a member of the Masonic Fraternity, in which he has taken four degrees. He is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, having left the Republican ranks in 1866. Mr. B. is of fine personal appearance and commanding presence, of genial disposition, and a man of intelligence, honor, and integrity, and one who enjoys the confidence and respect of the community.

ARTER, CHAUNCEY, late of Logansport, Indi- ana, was born, March 23, 1796, in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He was the eldest son of Ebenezer and Rhoda Carter, and the fifth in descent from Samuel Carter, who came from London, England, and settled in Boston, Massachusetts, about 1678. This Samuel Carter married in 1690, and was living in Deerfield, Massachusetts, when that place was captured and burned by the Indians, February 29, 1704. His wife and two children were killed, and the remain- der of the family carried captives to Canada. Of the latter a boy, named Ebenezer, was stolen by some mer- chants trading between Montreal and Albany, and re- stored to his father. The family afterward settled in Norwalk, Connecticut. In 1731 Ebenezer married, and moved to Canaan, then a part of Norwalk. Two years later he was commissioned captain by Joseph Talcott, Governor of Connecticut, during the reign of George II. In 1777 his youngest son, John, was appointed captain by Jonathan Trumbull, then Captain - general of Con- necticut, and was in active service during the Revolu- tionary War. Ebenezer, his youngest son, settled near his father, and occupied the first frame house built in Canaan. This old homestead is still occupied by a branch of the family. The time of its erection is unknown, but one hundred and thirty years ago it was the residence of the first minister of the first Church in the town. Mr. Carter was educated in the common schools. He possessed a mind of great force ; and his accurate insight into the mysteries of the sciences, particularly in the department of mathematics, soon established his reputa- tion as a scholar. On attaining his majority he began an independent career by teaching, first at Wallkill, Orange County, New York, and afterward a year at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. From Harrisburg he went to Corydon, Indiana, then the capital of the state, and became a merchant. There he made the acquaintance of General John Tipton, with whom he formed a strong friendship. Through the instrumentality of General Tipton, who afterward became Indian agent, and located at Fort Wayne, Mr. Carter was appointed surveyor of Indian grants under the treaties of 1818 and 1826. In

the mean time he had become a resident of Fort Wayne, and made that place his headquarters until 1828, when, having acquired an interest in the section of land on the Wabash, at the mouth of Eel River, he laid out the original plat of Logansport, on the 10th of April, 1828. Upon the organization of Cass County, in April, 1829, Mr. Carter was elected commissioner of the first district of the county, and, July: 1829, he was appointed post- master at Logansport. This position he filled creditably several years. During this period he entered into mer- cantile life, until 1833 in the firm of Walker & Carter, and afterward alone. He was also Judge of Probate two years. On the death of General Tipton, in April, 1839, Mr. Carter was appointed one of his administrators, which trust he held until January, 1850. In April, 1839, he was also appointed deputy United States surveyor by G. S. Haynes, Surveyor-general. In 1843 he was elected to the state Legislature, and represented his constituents faithfully in that body. From 1847, he served many years as superintendent of the Wabash and Erie Canal. In October, 1860, he was chosen treasurer of Cass County. In 1862 he was re-elected, and con- tinued in the office until his death, December 4, 1864. He was an honored member of the Freemason frater- nity. He received the subordinate degrees in St. John's Lodge, No. 6, at Norwalk, Connecticut, in December, 1818. He subsequently received the Chapter and Coun- cil degrees. In May, 1828, he was married to Mary Holman, a daughter of Joseph Holman, then of Fort Wayne. They had six children ; only two lived to ma- turity : Rhoda, Mrs. Joseph Culbertson, who died shortly before her father, leaving four children, and Emma, now Mrs. Fred. W. Munson, of Albany, New York. Mrs. Carter is still living, and resides with her daughter at Albany. Judge Carter was compactly built, below the medium height, and capable of great endur- ance in his younger days. He was a close observer of men and things, and possessed in an eminent degree the confidence of his fellow-citizens.

HURCH, OSMAN W., grain dealer, of Remington, Jasper County, was born in Chittenden County, Vermont, October 30, 1837, and is the son of Oliver Church and Matilda (Whitcomb) Church. He re- ceived his education in the Vermont common schools, and in an academy. On completing his education, at the age of eighteen, he was employed on railroads for some two and a half years, and then in farming for five years, after which he went into mercantile business at Goodland, Indiana, where he removed in 1861. In 1867 he came to Remington, where he engaged in the grain business, re- taining at the same time his interests at Goodland, being now the largest grain dealer in this part of the state.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

10th Dist.]

His business, which has already reached immense pro- portions, continues to increase. He joined the Masonic Fraternity in 1874 and the Odd-fellows in 1871, taking four degrees in the latter society and three in the former. He votes and acts with the Republican party. He was married in 1860 to Emoroy J. Lyon, daughter of Robert Lyon, a wealthy farmer of Braintree, Vermont. They have three children, two girls and one boy. Mr. Church is a man of splendid physique, and fine appearance, stands six feet two inches, is open, upright, and honorable. He has been highly successful in his business career, and is one of the leading citizens and most influential men of the town, and in every sense a solid man. His early associations were with the Congregationalists, and he has since adhered to that society.

ASTLE, JAY M., a physician of Remington, Jasper County, was born August 23, 1851, in Cass County, Indiana. His mother was Jennie Coffield before marriage. His father, Noah Castle, followed agri- culture for a livelihood. The son received a common school course in Cass County, and finished his aca- demic education at the Bloomington Normal School ; on leaving which, in 1866, he engaged in mercantile busi- ness, until 1870, when he spent two years in acquiring the mason and bricklaying trade. He then went into the grocery business at Logansport, where he remained until 1876, when he went on a Western tour, and, on his return, entered Dr. Swafford's office in Terre Haute, where he studied medicine for three years, and then attended the Eclectic Medical School in Philadelphia for a term of six months. He is now located at Rem- ington in the drug business, and may be considered the leading druggist of the town. He has been an Odd- fellow since 1871, and a Freemason since 1876, taking three degrees in each order. The Republican party commands his hearty support. He attends the Methodist Church.

HASE, DUDLEY H., of Logansport, Judge of the Twenty-ninth Judicial Court, was born at Logans- port, Indiana, August 29, 1837. He was the son of Judge Henry and Elizabeth (Donaldson) Chase. The foundation of his education was laid in the common schools of Logansport. He spent a short time in a pri- vate school at Saratoga Springs, New York. He studied Latin and law two years in his father's office at She- boygan, Wisconsin. He possessed a very independent spirit, and when only a boy left home, and passed some time on the water, and on the extreme frontier, among the Indians. This experience fitted him for the fearless and efficient service he afterward rendered his country

in the army. From May until November, 1856, he was in Sharp's Rifle Company. He served under General Jim Lane in Kansas, and fought at Hickory Point. After studying law a year with the Hon. D. D. Pratt, he entered the Cincinnati Law School, and graduated in 1858. In 1859 he opened an office for himself, and was in lucrative practice, when Governor Morton appointed him Captain of Company K, 9th Indiana Volunteers. He was engaged in the battles of Philippi, Beelington, Laurel Hill, and was present at Carrick's Ford, where the rebel general, R. S. Garnett, was killed. Captain Chase's company was the first to plant the Union flag within the Confederate lines, for which they were highly commended by the official order of General Fred. Morris. August 1, 1861, Captain Chase received a commission in the regular service, and was made Captain of Com- pany A, 2d Battalion of the 17th Infantry. He was engaged in the battles of Chancellorsville, Bristow Sta- tion, and Gettysburg. In the last-named battle he re- ceived a severe wound in the terrible slaughter-pen, and was obliged to return home. As soon as he was able, he again joined his command, and his brigade was sent to quell the mob riot in New York City. In the latter part of 1863 he was placed in command of the battalion, and participated in the engagements at Rappahannock Station and Miner's Run. From his wound he was an almost constant sufferer, and was obliged to tender his resignation, February 14, 1864. Captain Chase's thor- ough knowledge of military tactics enabled him to keep his men thoroughly drilled and under good discipline. In several of the most severe battles fought during the war he displayed unusual bravery and executive ability. He kept a correct record of his command, which has since been useful in assisting wounded soldiers and the families of those who were killed in obtaining pensions from the government. Captain Chase resumed the prac- tice of his profession at Logansport, and in October, 1864, he was elected prosecuting attorney for the Judi- cial Circuit to which Cass County belonged. His im- portant duties were discharged with such fidelity and ability that he was re-elected for a second and third term, and served six years. In 1872 he was elected to the office of Judge of the Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit. Judge Chase is strictly independent in politics, and re- gards men more than party. He is a Knight Templar and an honored member of the Masonic Fraternity. He still retains his martial spirit, and is now Captain of the Logansport Grays, the best drilled company in the state. In October, 1859, he married Maria J. Durett, a daugh- ter of the late Colonel John B. Durett, one of the first settlers in Cass County, who was county clerk from the organization of the county, in May, 1827, to his death, in December, 1855. They have had nine children. Judge Chase is of average height, erect and slender. He possesses a strong constitution. He is genial and

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[roth Dist.

courteous in his social relations, but positive in his con- victions of right. He is thoroughly devoted to the interests of his family, and highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens.

HASE, HENRY, late of Logansport, Indiana, was born in Saratoga County, New York, March 31, 1800. He was the son of Henry and Eunice (Car- penter) Chase. His father was a native of Connec- ticut, and his mother was from Rhode Island. Such opportunities for education as were within his reach he embraced with eagerness. Possessing a mind of superior power, he determined to secure a wider culture. At the age of seventeen years he left home, and began his career as teacher in the province of Canada. In this manner he gained a thorough academic training. From 1824 to 1826 he taught at Saint Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio. There he devoted his leisure to the study of law, a profession adapted both to his taste and his talents. After passing a thorough legal examination, in July, 1827, he located temporarily in the capital of In- diana, and in August was admitted to practice in all the courts of the state. He soon determined to go South, and in February, 1829, he opened an office at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Some time in 1831 Mr. Chase returned to Indiana, and settled at Delphi, Carroll County. May 8, 1834, he married Elizabeth Donaldson, of that county, and soon removed to Logansport, where he acquired a lucrative practice. He rose rapidly in the estimation of the people, and occupied an honorable po- sition among the profession. In August, 1839, he was appointed Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, em- bracing Cass County, in the place of Hon. Charles W. Ewing, resigned, by Governor David Wallace, and held this position until a successor was appointed. From 1845 to 1852 Judge Chase was engaged in the labors of his profession in New York City. In 1852, on his way to St. Paul, Minnesota, he was attacked with chol- era, and stopped at Sheboygan, where he died, in July, 1854, of a second attack of the same disease, after a very brief illness. Judge Chase ranked professionally with the ablest attorneys at the bar, not only on account of his superior legal knowledge, but because of his skill and tact in the management of cases committed to his care. He had one son, Dudley H., now Judge of the Cass Circuit.

AVIS, CHARLES LAWSHE, second son of Charles Wesley and Hannah Davis, was born near ": Troy, Miami County, Ohio, May 3, 1857. From bol that place the family moved to Pleasant Hill, in the same county, thence to Newton County, Indiana, where they improved the " Walnut Grove Farm." For

better educational facilities the family changed their residence to Kentland, in the year 1872, where they still reside. Charles graduated from the high school in that town in 1876, with the first honors of his class. In competition with twenty-one others he was the successful candidate for admission to the United States Naval Acad- emy, to which he was appointed on the 23d of June, 1874; but at the earnest entreaty of his parents he de- clined the position, and remained at home. Upon leaving school he commenced the study of law, and made considerable progress, but gave it up on being called to teach the first grammar department of the Kentland Public School. He filled that position with such tact and ability that upon the failure of the teacher in the second grammar department he was asked to un- dertake the task of bringing order out of the chaos that there prevailed. This he did so ably that at the close of one term in that place he was promoted to the posi- tion of Superintendent of Schools in Kentland, which trust he has ever since held, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. On November 27, 1877, he married Miss Elizabeth Brown Allan, a Canadian lady of high social standing, and of great amiability of character. He be- longs to the Order of Knights of Pythias, was a member of the I. O. G. T. in its palmy days, and is now an efficient temperance worker. Although not a member of any Church, he supports the Methodist Episcopal organ- ization, and has been a regular singer in their choir for years. He is very studious and thoughtful ; is a fine speci- men of manhood physically, and politically is a stalwart Republican.

SSICK, MICHAEL L., lawyer, of Rochester, was born, February 20, 1834, in Guernsey County, Ohio. His parents, who were Samuel and Grizella (Todd) Essick, four years after his birth removed to Miami County, Indiana. His father was the first and leading abolitionist in that county ; he was active in the cause, and a friend of the negro, many of whom he assisted to escape from Southern slavery. He was a man of great physical strength and stature, standing six feet one inch, and weighing two hundred and sixty pounds; a great reader, thoughtful, sober, and upright in character. His mother, also a woman of large stature, weighed some two hundred and twenty pounds. They were both of Dutch, Scotch, and Irish descent. Michael received his early education in the common schools of Miami County, finishing at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, taking the usual collegiate course to the junior year. After leaving college he studied law, for a twelvemonth, in the office of John A. Beal, Peru, Indiana; but in March, 1857, went to Kansas, locating at Manhattan, where for one year he was employed as surveyor. In 1858 he passed a most critical examination before Judge

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

10th Dist.]

Le Comte, a most bitter political enemy, and was ad- | was born, and attended common school until the age mitted by him to practice in all the courts of the terri- of sixteen. He then went to the Valparaiso College for three years, and was two years at the Michigan Uni- versity, at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in the Law Department in the spring of 1865. As a boy, he was of a studious nature, which enabled him to make great progress in his books. Immediately after gradu- ating, he located at Crown Point, where he established himself in his profession, in which he has remained ever since, in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative prac- tice, standing at the head of his calling in the county. In the fall of 1866 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial District, and two years after he was elected to the Legislature. In the fall of 1878 he was elected Judge of the Thirty-first Judicial Circuit for a term of six years. He was the principal mover in the establishment of the new court-house of Lake County, completed in 1879, one of the finest court- houses the state boasts of. Judge Field has been a member of the Masonic Order for the past ten years, in which order he has taken all the degrees up to that of Royal Arch Mason. He has also been a member of the Odd-fellows' Society for some four years, having taken three degrees, and has been a member of the Presbyte- rian Church for twenty-one years. In politics he has always been a Republican, and is one who takes an active part in the interests of the party. He was mar- ried, September 1, 1864, to Mary E. Jackman, of Syca- more, Illinois, daughter of one of the pioneer farmers of that country, now deceased. They have four chil- dren-two boys and two girls. The two eldest children are now attending school. The Judge is a man whose character is above reproach, an able lawyer, of consid- erable judicial ability, and an affable and courteous gen- tleman, enjoying the respect of the community and the love of his family. tory. In the fall of 1861 he was elected to the Kansas Senate, where he served one term, having for colleagues Ingalls and Plum, who are now United States Senators. He was also, at that time, a member of the Court of Impeachment, constituted to impeach the Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Treasurer, for defraud- ing the state in the negotiation of bonds. He shortly after enlisted as a private in the 11th Kansas Regiment, commanded by Colonel Thomas Ewing, and served four months. During this time he was in the battles of Maysville, Cane Hill, Van Buren, and Prairie Grove. He was discharged to accept a commission in the Ist Kansas Colored Regiment. Without mustering, he received a commission as first lieutenant of the 6th Kansas Cav- alry, when again, without mustering, he was commis- sioned to raise the Fort Leavenworth Post Battery. January 1, 1865, he removed to Rochester, Indiana, where he purchased, and for three years edited, the Rochester Chronicle. In 1870 he was elected circuit prosecutor of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Indiana. He held that office for two years, since which time he has been practicing law at Rochester, and now enjoys a large practice. A Republican in politics, he has always been an active one. He is a captain in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married, October 31, 1859, to Ellen L. Rowley, daughter of Alva Rowley, a mission- ary. She was the first married woman appointed a Notary Public in the state of Indiana, which appoint- ment she received, from Governor Hendricks, in the spring of 1874. She was also president of the Woman's Christian Union, of Fulton County, and, in the fall of 1874, took an active part in advancing the interests of the Republican candidate for Representative, who was elected upon the grounds that he represented the idea of temperance, while the Democratic candidate, although a most excellent gentleman, represented the opposite theory. They have had five children, only two of whom are now living. Many members of both families are ministers and deacons in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Essick is a man of fine personal appearance; five feet nine inches in height, jet black hair and full beard, and bright, pleasing eyes. He is quick and intelligent ; he has an expressive countenance, and is genial in manner. He is a good lawyer, and a most pleasant gentleman.

IELD, ELISHA . CHAPMAN, Judge, Crown Point, Lake County, was born in Porter County, Indiana, April 9, 1842. He is the son of Thomas J. and Louisa A. (Chapman) Field. His father was a farmer, one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity. The Judge was brought up in the county in which he F-2

ITCH, GRAHAM NEWELL, of Logansport, In- diana, was born in Le Roy, New York, December 5, 1809. He was the son of Frederick and Mary JO Fitch. His grandfather was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War, and a United States pensioner for serv- ices in that contest. His father served in the War of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Queenstown. Graham N. Fitch was educated at Middlebury, now Wyoming Academy, and Geneva College, New York, and completed his medical course at the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, in Western New York. He com- menced the practice of his profession in his native town, and in 1832 married Harriet V. Satterlee. A year or two later the young couple removed to Caledonia, New York, and in July, 1834, settled in Logansport, Indiana. Dr. Fitch was a member of the Indiana Legislature in

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[roth Dist.

the sessions of 1836 and 1837 and 1839 and 1840. He has three times served as presidential elector. In 1844 he was appointed to a professorship in Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois. From 1848 to 1852 he was a Representative to Congress. From 1856 to 1861 he was United States Senator. While in Congress. he saw the gathering sectional cloud, and pointedly warned the South of the fatal consequences to them of the war they appeared then to desire. He organized, in 1861, the 46th Regiment, and assisted in filling of two other regiments. With his regiment, he was placed under General Buell's command, at Louisville, Kentucky. ' Later he joined General Pope, and was immediately put in charge of a brigade. He participated in the sieges of Fort Thompson and Island No. 10. After the fall of these posts, he was detailed, with his brigade, to lay siege to Fort Pillow, in conjunction with the navy, under Commodore Davis. The day following the fall of Fort Pillow, Colonel Fitch captured and garri- soned Memphis. A few days afterward, he moved up White River, Arkansas, and captured, by assault, the fortifications at St. Charles. At the last place he took prisoner the wounded commander of the Confederate batteries, the unfortunate Colonel Fry, of Cuban noto- riety. Colonel Fitch had two sharp engagements with the Confederates in Arkansas, in both of which he was victorious. An injury received in that state, by the fall of his horse, while on a reconnoitering expedition, compelled him to leave the service before the expiration of the war. He is an ardent Democrat; but he has never hesitated to dissent from his party when, in his judgment, its course was not for the best interests of the country. He has retired from all active participa- tion in politics. He is above the average in height, and possesses a good, strong constitution, which has sus- tained him in his long and active life. As a public officer, he has always fearlessly and faithfully performed every known duty. As physician and surgeon, few men have been more actively engaged, or met with greater success ; and as a citizen he is highly honored and esteemed. He is now (1878) Professor of Surgery in the Medical College of Indiana. Dr. Fitch has had three children-one son and two daughters. The son (Henry S. Fitch) was United States District Attorney for North- ern Illinois before the Rebellion, and served during the war, under Generals Fremont, Pope, and Sherman, as assistant quarter-master, with the rank of captain. Dur- ing a part of the time he was aid-de-camp to General Sherman. After the war he was United States Attorney for the state of Georgia. He died at Chicago, Illinois, in May, 1871. The elder daughter (Martha) is the wife of Charles Denby, of Evansville, who served during the war as colonel of Indiana volunteers. The younger daughter (Emma) is the wife of A. Coleman, M. D., of Logansport, who also served during the war as surgeon.

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 58

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