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 6

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 6

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important juncture. This was but one of many marks of confidence which he received from President Grant, who regarded him as pre-eminently the Republican leader of the Senate, and the main pillar of his ad- ministration. Senator Morton's speech in favor of abol- ishing the electoral college, and electing the President and Vice-president by direct vote of the people, seems almost a prophecy, considering the fact that it was de- livered in 1873; and the great crisis of 1876 proved the reality of his apprehensions. By his later speeches he succeeded in thoroughly arousing the public mind to

the necessity of a change in this behalf. So that it may now be considered merely a question of time. Senator Morton's campaign speeches may fairly be ranked among his services to the country, for his labors in this respect were not confined to Indiana, and his printed addresses form a rich mine from which for a long time Republican speakers may draw their most ef- fective arguments. Senator Morton was truly eloquent. This gift was born of earnestness, conviction, and the necessity of impressing these convictions on others, not by graceful gesture, not by rounding a period, nor by polishing a phrase, but by swaying and convincing men. This is the true power of great speakers. There can be no more fitting comparison, no parallel so simi- lar in outline and effect to that of the great William Pitt (Chatham), who was taken into the House of Com- mons on a litter, to lift his voice against the oppression of the American colonies, than are the scenes in the ca- reer of Senator Morton, disabled, carried in a chair to and from the Senate chamber; physical inertia gave rise to greater mental activity, and sitting, almost enchained to earth, his voice rang out in the Senate chamber, or from the public rostrum, thrilling and swaying his hearers. His last public appearance in Indiana was on Decoration Day, 1876, when he delivered an address at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, in honor of the memory of the soldiers buried there, a notable incident. In connection with his official duty as a member of the Committee on Elections, in 1877 he visited Oregon. The investigation lasted eighteen days. During this time he worked incessantly, but, in addition to this la- bor, he prepared an elaborate political speech to be used in Ohio. Leaving Oregon, accompanied by his devoted wife and youngest son, he reached San Francisco early in August. Toward midnight of the 7th of the same month he was again attacked by paralysis, the entire left side of his body yielding to its terrible thralldom. Notwithstanding his alarming condition, he insisted on starting for Indiana, as though he desired to reach home to die. At Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, he was met by his devoted friend and brother-in-law, Colonel W. R. Holloway ; and at Peoria, Illinois, by Doctor W. C. Thompson, his long-time physician. Reaching Rich-

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mond, Indiana, he remained a few days, and was visited here by President Hayes on the 13th of October. The meeting was described as simple and affecting. The great war Governor and distinguished statesman lay upon his bed emaciated and helpless, his once massive features pinched with pain, the flashing eye grown dim with suffering. The President pressed the Senator's extended hand, then, stooping, kissed him on the forehead. In this brief interview the President expressed, as he said, the sympathy of the country, as well as his own. October 15 he arrived at Indianapolis. The vital force was giving way, and it was apparent that the end was approaching. And yet, with wonderful tenacity, his mind clung to the realities of life, and grappled with subjects of public interest. A few moments before his death, which occurred No- vember 1, 1877, he said to Doctor Thompson, who was holding his hand, "I am dying; I am worn out." These were his last words, and before the vesper hour his soul had passed away. The news of his death caused profound sensation throughout the country, and was considered a national calamity, causing sorrow deep and wide-spread. The President issued a special order, directing the flags on public buildings to be placed at half-mast, and the government departments to be closed, on the day of the funeral. He also sent a telegram to Colonel Holloway, expressive of his personal bereave- ment and sympathy. The Vice-president sent a similar message. The Cabinet met, and gave expression to their deep sense of the nation's loss. The Senate and House of Representatives did likewise, and appointed committees to attend the funeral. The city councils of Indianapolis and Cincinnati passed memorial resolu- tions. Citizens' meetings were held in all the large towns of the state, and appropriate action taken by military companies and social organizations. The legal fraternity held meetings, and determined to attend the funeral. Special trains were run on numerous railroads, and the solemn procession which passed through the Court-house during Sunday and part of Monday had seemingly no end. Cabinet officers, United States Sen- ators, Representatives, and prominent members of the judiciary from several states, military officials, citi- zens, and soldiers, were in attendance. Thus were his remains borne to their last resting-place, followed by the largest cortege ever seen in Indiana. The surviving family of Senator Morton consists of a wife and three sons; and it is meet that the descendants of so distin- guished a man receive special mention in these pages. John M. Morton, eldest son of Oliver P. Morton, is now twenty-eight. He was educated at Earlham College and the North-western Christian University. In 1872 he be- came connected with the Alaska Commercial Company, which has the contract for killing the seals in the Alaska islands, remaining there until 1879, when he was ap-

pointed United States consul to Honolulu. In August, 1880, he was made surveyor of the port of San Fran- cisco. In 1875 he married the daughter of S. P. Brown, Esq., a prominent citizen of Washington, and has two children. Walter S. Morton is twenty-one years old, and was educated at the Pennsylvania Military Acad- emy, at .Chester, Pennsylvania, and in 1877 received the honors of his class, and delivered the valedictory. He adopted the profession of civil engineer, and was em- ployed for a year on the Eads Jetties, at the mouth of the Mississippi River, but is now engaged with a sur- veying party on the Upper Mississippi, with a view of carrying out the improvements authorized by Congress. Oliver P. Morton, twenty years of age, is now attend- ing Yale College, at New Haven, Connecticut, where his mother remains with him during the school term. Two infant daughters, May and Lulu, died in early youth, their remains having been recently removed to the burial-place of their father. The wonderful power of this great man, and the impress left by his life and character, are most appropriately summed up in the beautiful and powerful eulogy, written and pronounced by Indiana's poet-daughter, Emily Thornton Charles, upon Indiana's greatest son, with which tribute we close this brief sketch :

" Bear the great hero to the silent tomb.

'Life's fitful fever 's ended.' Lay him gently down To rest eternal The lips whose lightest words Were as a signal of command are stilled ;

The eyes whose fearless glance has thrilled The multitude are closed in death ;

The giant mind, which, like a mighty general, Did send forth troops of thoughts,

With action armed, forestalling action, Hath ceased to act.

The modern Hercules, whose massive strength

Has moved the Western World ;

Whose voice hath swayed its people,

And whose finger-point has led the way to victory, Lies powerless; like grand machine, worn out.

His mantle fold about him; none else can wear it.

His sword lay by his side ; there's none can wield it now. Who fought a nation's battles bravely,

Shorn of strength, lies at his Maker's feet.

A chieftam 's dead !

A 'Cæsar's fallen !'"

EFF, JOHN ENOS, Indianapolis, Secretary of State, was born in Winchester, Indiana, October 26, 1846. His father was John Neff, of German descent, who came to this state from Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Harriet N. Holmes. She was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and a native of Pennsylvania. The son was educated at the high school of his native town and at the State University at Bloomington. Upon thoroughly completing his studies he read law in the office of General Thomas M. Browne, at the end of

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which time he commenced practice at Winchester, meet- ing with flattering success for a young man "in his own country." During the War of the Rebellion he served with the "hundred-day men" in the 134th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In 1872 his Democratic fellow-cit- izens brought him into the political arena by a nomina- tion for Congress, in opposition to J. P. C. Shanks, the Republican candidate. The district was largely Repub- lican, General Shanks, the Republican candidate, having received a majority of over one thousand at the previous election. The canvass was a warmly contested one. Mr. Neff took the stump, and soon developed an extraordinary talent as a speaker, acquiring a reputation for eloquence in his addresses that gave him a wide reputation through- out the state and beyond. The vote at the election was so close that both parties claimed the majority, Mr. Neff's friends declaring him clearly elected; but, after a contest in the House of Representatives, then largely Republican, Mr. Shanks held the seat. Recognizing

Mr. Neff's fitness for the responsible station, the Demo- crats nominated and elected him to the office of Secre- tary of State in 1874, re-elected him in 1876, and he is holding the office at the date of this writing. In the first canvass the Republicans pitted against him their champion debater, Mr. Curry. They met in joint dis- cussion, the popular verdict resulting in the triumphant success of Mr. Neff. At both elections Mr. Neff led his ticket, receiving in 1876 a larger majority than Governor Williams. This gentleman is by the gift of nature a popular man as well as politician. With a native ease of address and courteous affability, his personal magnet- ism invariably attracts those who approach him. Al- though of medium stature, a shrewd stranger would at once pick him out in a crowd as a man of mark. Mr. Neff is unmarried, having evidently given the younger days of his manhood to the state, rather than to the cares of the family relation. There can be no question a still greater future lies before him. Having been tried in public trusts, and proved able and true, his fel- low-citizens will unquestionably call for more of his services in an official capacity. And it is but just to re- cord that many of his warmest friends are among those who are ardent political opponents.

EW, WILLIAM, merchant, of Greenfield, Han- cock County, Indiana, was born in Union County, Indiana, October 3, 1821. His ancestors, who were of English origin, settled in North Carolina, emigrating subsequently to Union County, Indiana, then a dense wilderness. Mr. New is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth New, who were among the earliest pioneers of the state. During the War of 1812 his father was for a time engaged in guarding the frontier

under General Harrison. In 1832 Mr. New, when quite a boy, removed with his father to Hancock . County, where he has since resided. His early educa- tion consisted of merely the rudiments of an English education, such as could be acquired at a district school. He remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, when he was married to Miss Margaret Sample, daughter of Mr. James Sample. Soon after this event he located on a tract of land in Blue River Township, laboring on a neighboring farm, at thirty-seven cents a day, in order to pay for it. He was successful from the first, and soon became possessor of a large landed property. He dealt largely in cattle, fitting them for market from the resources of his own farms. In 1875 he abandoned his farms, and, removing to Greenfield, engaged in mercantile pursuits. He is now also engaged in the purchase and shipment of grain, and is one of the two proprietors of the Green- field Flouring Mills, and grain elevators. He has given but little attention to politics, but has served as county commissioner for nine years. He is now fifty-eight years old, and is as vigorous as when a young man; still energetic in all his business affairs, and fully in- formed as to the smallest details connected with them. He is a member of the Masonic Order, is prompt in all his dealings, and charitable in cases of distress. Mr. New is pre-eminently a self-made man.

-Fact

EWCOMB, HORATIO C., lawyer, Indianapolis, was born at Wellsborough, Tioga County, Penn- sylvania, December 20, 1821, and removed to Vernon, Indiana, in June, 1833, coming from Cortland County, New York. He had no educational facilities beyond the common schools. In 1836 he be- came an apprentice to the trade of saddle and harness making, but after working at it two years and a half he was compelled by ill-health to abandon the shop for the time, when other circumstances turned his thoughts in a different direction, and in 1841 he commenced the study of law, under the instruction of his uncle, the Hon. W. A. Bullock, in Vernon, Jennings County. In January, 1844, Mr. Newcomb was admitted to the bar after examination by two circuit judges. He practiced law in Vernon until December, 1846, when he returned to Indianapolis, and became a partner with Ovid But- ler, a leading lawyer at the bar of the capital. In 1849 he was elected mayor of Indianapolis, and re- elected in 1851, resigning after the lapse of six months, in order to devote his exclusive attention to the duties of his profession. In 1854 he was elected Representa- tive to the General Assembly, and in 1860 was chosen to the Senate, resigning in 1861 to accept the appoint- ment, by Governor Morton, of president of the Board

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of Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, which office he . held until 1863. In June, 1864, Mr. Newcomb became the political editor of the Indianapolis daily Journal, and continued to act in that capacity until December, 1868. During that period he was twice elected Repre- sentative to the General Assembly. At the regular and special sessions of 1865 he was chairman of the Com- mittee on the Judiciary, and at the session of 1867 was chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. Dur- ing these sessions the thirteenth and fourteenth amend- ments to the Constitution of the United States were ratified by the Legislature of Indiana, and both of those great measures had Mr. Newcomb's hearty support. After retiring from the Journal, Mr. New- comb resumed. the practice of the law, and pursued it successfully until the organization of the Superior Court of Marion County, of which court he was ap- pointed, by Governor Baker, one of the three judges, on March 1, 1871, his associate judges being S. Blair and F. Rand. The term having terminated in October, 1874, his name was placed upon the tickets of both the Republican and Democratic parties, and he was elected for the full term of four years. A few days after re- ceiving his appointment, Mr. Newcomb was nominated by President Grant, and confirmed by the Senate, as Assistant Secretary of the Interior, but, on mature re- flection, he declined the appointment, preferring the quiet but dignified position of judge of the most im- portant nisi prius court of his own state to the hurly- burly of political life at Washington. In 1876 Judge Newcomb was nominated as one of the Republican can- didates for the Supreme Bench. In common with the other candidates of his party, he was defeated, but by a majority considerably less than that given against his associates on the Republican state ticket. Since 1847 Judge Newcomb has been a member of the Presbyte- rian Church; was one of the original members of the Third Church of this city, which was organized in 1851, and has been one of the ruling elders from the date of its organization. As a lawyer, Judge Newcomb stands high, and as a judge pre-eminently so, few appeals having been taken from his decisions. Judge Newcomb is a man above medium height, light hair, worn short, gray eyes, not corpulent in form, although having been both mayor and alderman. His physical appearance sug- gests unusual power of endurance, and his life evidences it. His features are more than usually regular, and he has always enjoyed the reputation of being a handsome man, the reasons for which have not been noticeably impaired as years advance. The Judge is eminently of a social turn among his friends, and very approachable to strangers; a good talker, in which an abundant fund of humor and pleasant sarcasm is happily used, relating a good story with inimitable grace. He is of cool temper, and formidable in intellectual controversy. As

a political leader, he has been prudent and successful, his keen perception of the right and the politic enabling him to direct public sentiment in the true channel. His high political, professional, and private character has given him a weight of influence that has told to the benefit of the community. When called to the duties of office in the city and state, he has discharged the trusts faithfully, to the detriment of his professional busi- ness, and possesses the entire confidence of his fellow- men, as a gentleman of unblemished integrity, worth, culture, and eminent ability.

IBLACK, WILLIAM ELLIS, of Vincennes, Judge of the Supreme Court, was born in Dubois County, Indiana, May 22, 1822. His father was a native of Fayette County, Kentucky, and his mother of Sussex County, Virginia. The former came to Indiana in 1817, and the latter with her parents in 1820. They were married near Petersburg, Pike County, Indiana, in the summer of 1821. . The early life of William Ellis Niblack was spent on a farm, attending school in a log school-house, sometimes at a distance of two miles away, during the winter months. At the age of six- teen he was sent to the Indiana State University, at Bloomington, at which he spent several sessions at in- tervals; but, owing to the death of his father, which occurred in the mean time, he was pecuniarily unable to graduate. The next three years after leaving college were partly occupied in the field in surveying, and partly in the study of the law. In the spring of 1845 he began practice at the old town of Mount Pleasant, then the county seat of Martin County. He entered political life by being elected in 1849 a member of the Legisla- ture from Martin County, and the following year (1850) he was elected to the state Senate for the term of three years (as it was then), from the counties of Daviess and Martin, to which district Knox County was added dur- ing the term. By the operation of the new Constitu- tion, which was adopted in the mean time, his term was made to expire in October, 1852. A renomination was tendered him, which, on account of his private affairs, he had to decline. Without being an applicant for the position, he was appointed, by Governor Wright, Circuit Judge for the judicial district then comprising eleven of the south-western counties of the state, in Jan- uary, 1854, and was elected to the same office the fol- lowing October for the full term of six years. In 1855 he removed to Vincennes, where he has continued to re- side to this date. Judge Niblack was elected in Octo- ber, 1857, member of Congress, to take the place of Hon. James Lockhart, who had been chosen the year previous but had died early in September, 1857, be- fore taking his seat. In 1858 he was re-elected;

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so that he served at that time from 1857 to 1861, embracing what is known as the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Congresses. For the session of 1863 he served as Representative in the Indiana Legislature from Knox County. In 1864 he was again elected to Congress, taking his seat in 1865 and retaining it con- tinuously until March 4, 1875, during the Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty-second, and Forty-third Con- gresses. During the Thirty-ninth Congress he was on the Committee on Appropriations; the Fortieth, on that of Ways and Means; the Forty-second, again on Ap- propriations; and the Forty-third, again on Ways and Means. These are the two leading committees of the House. In 1864 Judge Niblack was a delegate from the state at large to the Democratic National Conven- tion, held at Chicago; was again in the same position at the Democratic National Convention at New York in 1868; and from 1864 to 1872 was a member from Indi- ana of the Democratic national committee. In 1876 he was elected a Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana for six years, his term commencing January 1, 1877. Judge Niblack was, on his father's side, of Scotch de- scent, and of English on his mother's side. Although descended from an old Whig and Federal family, he has, during his entire political life, acted with the Democratic party, and is a strict constructionist in all his theories of government. In physique Judge Niblack is a fine specimen of a man; above medium stature, rounded muscular development, erect in mien, dignified as well as courteous in manner, frank and open in pres- ence; the "just and upright judge," the true man and earnest citizen, he wears the ermine with the grace that becomes the many exalted positions he has filled, and the high estimation he has continued to hold in the minds of those who have known him so long and so well, and whose confidence he has never for a moment betrayed. On his private business and political life there rests not a stain. Of such a rare character in a public man who has served them so long and so well the people of the state may well be proud.

ORDYKE, ELLIS, late of Richmond, Indiana, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, July 7, 1807. His ancestors on his father's side were Hollanders. His grandfather, Stephen H. Nordyke, came to this country from Holland before the Revolution, and was a mill-wright of some note in those days. On the mother's side he was of Welsh descent, the family name being Ellis, from which Mr. Nordyke derived his Christian name. His father and grandfather moved from Tennessee to Ohio in the fall of 1806, and with their families settled on three hundred acres of land, purchased from Abraham Bufort, of Kentucky, on

what is called the head-waters of the east fork of the Little Miami, then a howling wilderness. Bears, wolves, and deer roved freely over the forest, for the ax of civilization had not yet hewed down their shelter. Neighbors were like angels' visits-"few and far between." Ilis father built a log shanty, in which the family spent the winter, and in the summer of 1807 replaced it with a substantial hewed log-house, with clapboard roof, in which Ellis was born. During the earlier years of his life, Mr. Nordyke had no advan- tages in the way of schooling. When a boy he used to accompany his father and older brothers to what was called a horse-mill, where they ground their grist. The primitive mill, scarcely a whit superior to the ancient practice of grinding or crushing by hand, was an object of much interest to young Nordyke, who took a special delight in watching the rude machinery, and gazing at the cog-wheels slowly doing their work. The customers of the mill had each to wait their turn, carry their grain into the mill, and after grinding convey it up a ladder and pour it into a little hopper over the bolt, which was turned by hand. The principal busi- ness of the miller seemed to be to stand by the grain hopper, occasionally dipping in the toll dish, and seeing that the customers' teams came up in regular order. As the country developed, and the demand for grinding power increased, Mr. Nordyke's father built a mill for sawing lumber and grinding grain. It was what is known as an ox-mill, and it fell to the lot of Ellis to repair and keep it in order for many years, until

"Steam, steam, whose ponderous beam Is stronger than Hercules,"

succeeded the weaker powers of bone and sinew, ren- dering the ox-mill useless. During these years of super- vision, Ellis busied himself with the mysteries of mill- wrighting. He also obtained the rudiments of an education by means of the country school, which was in session during the winter months. In 1830 Mr. Nor- dyke came to Indiana, and, finding at Richmond water- power in abundance, and enterprise and activity among its citizens, he determined to settle there. He hired himself as a journeyman mill-wright to Nathan Hollings- worth and Abel Thornberry, for eight dollars a month, but in a short time was promoted, and took charge of the building of a saw-mill near Economy, and subse- quently superintended the building of others, both flouring and saw mills, in different parts of Wayne County. On January 24, 1837, Mr. Nordyke married Miss Catharine Hanes, of Sunsbury, Ohio. In April following, with his wife, he removed to Richmond, and commenced mill-wrighting in general on his own ac- count. In the years immediately succeeding he made a number of changes in business. At one time he pur- chased an interest in the old Richmond foundry, but at the end of two years withdrew, with a loss of four

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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 6

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