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 62

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 62

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ous seminaries, Bible, temperance, and charitable socie- ties that have sprung up in Logansport and neighboring

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cities. He was married twice. He had five sons and two daughters. Each son received a full collegiate and theological education, and was ordained to the Christian ministry. His youngest son, Rev. R. O. Post, is now pastor of the Church which, half a century ago, he planted there in the forest. For over forty-one years he occupied the residence in which his widow now re- sides. Dr. Post was tall and slender. For ten years preceding his death his health was delicate. He was modest to a fault. Few more humble men ever lived. The Bible was to him the Book of books. His delight was in the law of the Lord, and on it did he meditate day and night. As a preacher he was eloquent and scholarly, and possessed a heart full of sympathy. By his consistent walk in life he won the entire confidence of the community. By his death the Church lost one of her most faithful and devoted members, and Logans- port one of her most valued citizens.

RATT, ALONZO J., M. D., a physician and sur- geon of Crown Point, Indiana, was born January 16, 1825, in the town of Hector, now Schuyler County, New York. He is a son of Joseph and Betsey (Wilcox) Pratt, who were natives respectively of Vermont and New York. His father was a school- teacher, and was eminently successful in his profession. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Wilcox, one of the pioneers of Delaware County, New York. Dr. Pratt enjoyed good educational advantages until eleven years of age, when he removed, with his father's family, from the state of New York, to the neighborhood of Oswego, Kendall County, Illinois, where his school op- portunities were more limited. When he was seven- teen years old his father met with a reverse of fortune, caused by the state failing to meet its obligations to the contractors for the construction of the Illinois Canal, he having furnished supplies almost to the extent of his means. With the remnants of his fortune he bought a tract of timber-land in Elkhart County, In- diana, and, with the help of his two sons, Alonzo and Aaron, commenced its improvement. During the first year of their farm-life these two boys, who had never had any experience in manual labor, cut, split, and put into fences ten thousand rails, besides doing a large amount of other hard work. During the following seven years Alonzo gave all his time and energies, dur- ing the summer months, to hard labor, attending school during the winters. He then devoted two years to study in the high school, and reading medicine in the office of Dr. J. W. Allen, preparatory to a college course at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, which he en- tered in 1852. He took one summer's course in the Literary Class, and two winter terms in the Medical

Department. He graduated at the head of his class of forty-two students, receiving the highest honors of the university. Dr. Pratt's early tastes had led him to a choice of the medical profession, an inclination to which he faithfully adhered. In May, 1854, he went to Crown Point to practice his profession, and, in August of the same year, formed a partnership with Dr. W. C. Farmington, a connection which existed until the death of the latter, in 1856. In 1859 he associated with him in practice Dr. Higgins, a relation which continued but one year. Since that time Dr. Pratt has continued his practice alone and in the same office. He is an honored and active Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He was one of the charter members in the organization of the latter in Crown Point. He has served as coroner of Lake County fourteen years, and as county physician four years. As a physician and surgeon he takes high rank, and has a more ex- tensive and lucrative practice than any other physician in the county. The Doctor has qualified himself for this honorable position through his own untiring energy, having earned by his own labor the means which ena- bled him to get a thorough medical education. He is now surrounded by a beautiful home and all the accom- paniments of a prosperous life. Yet, in the midst of all his prosperity, he is not indifferent to the interests of others less fortunate, as is too often the case. He has educated, and assisted through college, three young men-all of whom have become successful. As a citizen Dr. Pratt is as highly esteemed as in his office of phy- sician. He was married, August IS, 1857, to Mrs. Farmington, who died November, 1858. He was again married, March 26, 1861, to Miss Eliza M. Pratt, of Jackson, Michigan. They have three daughters. Dr. Pratt is a Republican.

RATT, DANIEL DARWIN, LL. D., was born at Palermo, Maine, October 24, 1813, and died at Logansport, Sunday, June 17, 1877. His father was a physician, and a son of David Pratt, a Revolutionary soldier of Berkshire County, Massachu- setts. His mother, Sallie Rodgers Hill, was a most re- markable woman, a Baptist of the deepest piety, and exceedingly gifted in prayer and exhortation. While Mr. Pratt was yet an infant the family removed to Fenner, Madison County, New York. His early years were spent in severe toil upon his father's farm, which consisted of sixty acres of stony ground. At twelve years of age he gave promise of such abilities that it was resolved to educate him. Accordingly, in IS25, he entered the seminary at Cazenovia, New York, then under the charge of Dr. Porter, and, in 1827, the fresh- man class of Hamilton College. He graduated, in 1831,

E-3

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the valedictorian of a class in which were Rev. Dr. Kendrick, president of Rochester University, John Cochrane and Thomas T. Davis, of New York, both honored Congressmen, and Judge O. S. Williams, of Clinton, New York. Mr. Pratt was a fine classical scholar and orator. One of his first efforts after grad- uating, when only eighteen years old, was an oration in a village church, the fame of which is still spoken of in Madison County. Directly after his graduation he was called to take the place of a professor in Madison University. Among his papers is a scrap, signed by half a dozen students, now eminent Baptist doctors of divinity, expressing their complete satisfaction with his labors as a teacher. With the funds so acquired, in the winter of 1831, he read law at Cazenovia. In the spring he turned his face westward. In 1832 he taught school at Rising Sun, Indiana. In 1834 he wrote, and studied law, in the office of Calvin Fletcher, at Indianapolis. In 1836 he removed to a permanent settlement at Lo- gansport, where he commenced the practice of his pro- fession, and in a few years the whole of Northern Indi- ana rang with his fame, which was founded upon the solid bases of integrity and ability. He never resorted to any of the devices of superficial men, but made him- self a necessity to every man who had a complicated lawsuit, or was unjustly accused. He was considered the ablest lawyer in Northern Indiana. Although a man of somewhat slow mental processes, his reach and grasp were wonderful, and his industry indefatigable. The late Hon. W. Z. Stuart, a most competent judge, often remarked that "Mr. Pratt would develop more original views of law in a case that he studied, and maintain them better and with more authorities," than any other man he ever knew. Of commanding presence and unlimited endurance, with the most eloquent words, he could sway a jury almost at will. He was the safest of counselors, always sound, and eminent in his prac- tice. Mr. Pratt was a Whig during the life-time of that party, and took a deep interest in its success. In 1847 he was nominated for Congress, but was defeated. In 1848 he was one of the presidential electors. In 1851 and 1853 he was elected to the state Legislature, and both times became the leader in the House. In 1860 he was secretary of the convention at Chicago that nominated President Lincoln, and attracted great atten- tion by his magnificent voice and presence. But politics was to him a distasteful pursuit, and he participated but little in public affairs until forced to do so in 1868. During the war Mr. Pratt was an earnest supporter of the Union. His eldest son fell at Cold Harbor, and his heart and purse were always open to the soldier. In 1861, when Logansport and Cass County sent out, upon a three days' notice, two companies of soldiers, he ad- vanced hundreds of dollars to the needy families of those who had gone. In 1863 he received the unani-

mous vote of his party, then in the minority, for United States Senator. In 1868 he was elected by a large ma- jority for representative to Congress. In January, 1869, without any solicitation on his part, he was chosen to the United States Senate, to succeed Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, and served on the committees on Pensions, Claims, and District of Columbia. Millions of dollars were allowed or disallowed on his simple recommenda- tion. Seven large volumes of reports were the product of his industry. So conscientious was he that on one occasion Senator Sumner remarked to Wendell Phillips that "Mr. Pratt was the most absolutely honest man he ever knew." During his Senatorship Mr. Pratt made elaborate speeches on the Admiralty Jurisdiction, the Payment of War Losses, the Rights of Settlers to Public Lands, the Amnesty Bill, and on other topics. In May, 1875, he was appointed Commissioner of Internal Rev- enue. At that time the war against the whisky ring was beginning, and for eighteen months Mr. Pratt was Secretary Bristow's right-hand man. Too intense appli- cation to the duties of this office brought on the disease of the heart from which he died. In 1876 he received the Republican nomination for Governor of Indiana, but declined it on account of ill-health. He was twice married. In 1839, to Miss Sophia J. James, of Rising Sun, Indiana. Of their four children only one, a mar- ried daughter, survives. In May, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Jane D. Warren. In 1872 the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Hamilton College. He was such a master of the English language that any thing from his pen solicited attention. He was often urged to address literary societies, but uniformly declined. In his religious views he was a Unitarian. During the latter part of his life he often talked with his friends about death, saying that he had seen the good and ill of life, and had done the best he knew how. He died suddenly, as he had wished, in the harness. He was, on the day of his death, engaged in dictating an article for publication in the Star, of Logansport. Thus does the historian give but a brief outline of the life of this noble man. The limited space will not permit giving in detail the faithful services uniformly ren- dered to his neighbors, the state, and the nation. Few men ever lived such a happy life, or were so blessed in their family and surroundings, or had such absolute control of themselves, and served their day and genera- tion so usefully. Of dignified presence, his massive forehead flanked with iron-gray locks, six feet four in height, and a giant in weight and proportions, he had a mind and heart in full proportion to his body. His death was a national loss. His funeral was, doubtless, one of the largest ever witnessed. Members of the bar of adjoining counties and sister cities attended in a body, and, besides, numerous eminent men of the state and nation were in attendance.

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EYNOLDS, ALFRED W., attorney-at-law, Mon- ticello, was born in Perry County, Ohio, Septem- ber 18, 1839. His parents-Ebenezer and Eliza- beth (Yost) Reynolds-were early settlers in Perry County. His mother dying when he was a boy, he left home at the age of sixteen, and entered the high school at Monticello, then under the management of George Bowman. At the age of eighteen he went to Wabash College, where he remained one year, taking a classical course. From there he went to Monmouth College, Illinois, and remained one year, continuing a classical, as well as scientific, course. He then returned to Mon- ticello, and entered the law office of Hon. David Turpie, reading law with him two years. In 1864 he located at Winamac, Pulaski County, and, after practicing his profession there one year, returned to Monticello, and continued there his rounds, in which he has been very successful. He continues to have an extensive business ; is a hard worker, thorough and efficient in his profession, and is, in fact, the most eminent lawyer in the place. For four years he held the office of common pleas prosecutor for the Common Pleas Court compris- ing the counties of Carroll, White, and Benton. He has traveled considerably through the Eastern and West- ern states. He married, in June, 1873, Louisa G. Ma- gee, of Monticello. They have one child-a bright, in- telligent boy, four years of age. Mr. Reynolds is a man of fine personal appearance, intelligent, genial, well-informed on all important topics, and liberal in his religious views. He is loved by his family, and has the respect and confidence of the community in which he resides. In politics he is a Democrat.

ANFORD, GEORGE, a prominent business man and wealthy citizen of Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana, was born May 19, 1823, in North Adams Township, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He is a son of Alvan Sanford and Hannah (Wells) Sanford, who were natives respectively of Taunton and Berk- shire Counties, in that state. Alvan Sanford was a machinist and builder by trade, and a manufacturer of cotton cloth. He erected and was the half owner of the Slater Cotton Mill, at North Adams, Massachu- setts, which was named in honor of Samuel Slater, who was the introducer of the manufacture of cotton by ma- chinery in this country, and a most extraordinary man. Mrs. Sanford, who, for many years, has resided with her son, is a lady of striking appearance, of a strong mind and general intelligence, and of an amiable and kindly disposition. She reads much and attentively, and is thor- oughly familiar with the current news of the day. Her mind is well stored with the events of a long, useful, and observing life. Although now in the seventy-sixth

year of her age, she is seemingly in the full possession of her mental powers, and exhibits that energy and force of mind and reason which characterized her forty years ago. In conversation she is free, pleasing, and instructive. She is a worthy and honored member of the Presbyterian Church, a lady of strong religious con- victions, and a devout and earnest Christian. She has lived the full measure of womanhood, and we feel as- sured that those who know her best are ready to say that her life has been spent nobly and worthily. The early advantages for an education enjoyed by Mr. San- ford were extremely limited, and were only such as were obtainable in the winters at a district school. He was employed about the farm during the summer seasons, until he arrived at the age of seventeen years. His father having met with a reverse of fortune during the financial crisis of 1837-38, George was taken from school, and apprenticed for four years to a manufacturer of furniture in Trenton, New Jersey, where the family had been previously removed. Under the terms of the contract he received instruction in the cabinet-maker's trade, and his board and twenty dollars in money per year. At the expiration of this time he went to Cape Ann, in the eastern part of Massachusetts, and resumed work at his trade as a journeyman. In 1848 he went to the city of New York, and engaged as clerk and general overseer in a large furniture establishment, where he remained until 1856, when he received an ap- pointment in the New York post-office as letter-carrier, serving in that capacity for two years, when he resigned his position, and removed to Crown Point, Indiana. His father having preceded him in 1857, and opened a hardware store, George became associated in business with his father, which was continued until 1865, when they sold their goods and trade to William Herperpee. In 1869 they began in the paint and oil business, in which they continued until the death of his father, which occurred December 24, 1871, when the business and its management passed entirely into the hands of the son. He still continues it, having added to his stock as the demand seemed to require. He has recently increased his trade by putting in a full assortment of shelf hardware. Mr. Sanford, as a business man, is careful and discreet, and possesses more than ordinary financial ability. By a judicious system in the purchase of his stock, and a watchful care of his accounts and his debtors, he has been enabled to pass unembar- rassed through the past years of business depression, shrinkage of values, and the financial disasters which have overtaken so many of his associates. His is a not- able example of those sound financial qualities which secure success, and of those personal and social habits that retain public confidence and esteem. His courtesy and integrity give him a high place in the community in which he lives. His business enterprises have been

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financially successful, and have enabled him to acquire | a competence. In 1875 Mr. Sanford was elected, by the state Legislature, to the office of trustee of the Sol- diers' Orphans' Home, at Knightstown, Indiana, for a term of four years. He has also held minor official po- sitions in his own town. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, firm and earnest in the support and defense of his political convictions. Possessing a strong mind and a positive character, he is sometimes regarded by his political opponents as arbitrary in his ideas of political policy. He is neither a professed politician nor office- seeker, never wishing and rarely accepting a party nom- ination. Mr. Sanford united with the Masonic Fraternity in 1870, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, and Council. Although not a member of any Church or- ganization, he is a believer in the Gospel as taught in Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Churches, and is a liberal contributor and attendant of the last-named soci- ety, of which his wife and mother are members. He was married, October 4, 1848, to Miss Lucy Sanborn, of Rockport, Massachusetts, who died in 1862, leaving one son, Alvan Wells Sanford, born May 18, 1856, in the city of New York. He is now cashier in the manu- facturing and wholesale house of Heath & Milligan, deal- ers in white lead, zinc, and colors, at Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Sanford was again married, July 10, 1872, to Miss Caroline E. Williams, of Findlay, Ohio, who is a most estimable lady, of many virtues and kindly nature. As a citizen Mr. Sanford is much respected by his neigh- bors and patrons, and his kind and considerate inter- course with family and intimate friends causes him to be beloved and admired.

HIELDS, JESSE, of Rochester, Indiana, son of William and Elizabeth (Logan) Shields, was born, September 15, 1820, in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana. His father, a pioneer of Jefferson County, removed there from Lynchburg, Virginia. His mother was a daughter of Benjamin Logan, of Licking County, Kentucky, a friend and associate of Daniel Boone, with whom he emigrated from North Carolina. Losing his parents when a child, he removed, when about ten years of age, with friends, to Rochester, Fulton County, then but a small village, the surrounding country being occu- pied by Indians. Ilis early education was acquired in the common schools of Fulton County. Being fond of reading, by his industry and perseverance he made sub- stantial progress. At the age of seventeen he under- took to learn the manufacture of iron, and served in that branch of trade for five years, after which he de- voted a few years to agriculture. For the past twenty- five years he has been a merchant, and is the oldest , resident in Fulton County. In $868 he erected the first !

brick building in Rochester. In politics Mr. Shields is a Democrat of the "Jeffersonian school." Being elected in 1867 to the House of Representatives, he served one term in that body. He was appointed postmaster of Rochester by President James Buchanan in 1858, and was succeeded by President Lincoln's appointee in 1861. Mr. Shields has been married three times : June 18, 1844, to Charlotte Welton, of Rochester, who died in Febru- ary, 1845; April 15, 1848, to Margaret Robbins, of Rochester, who died February 14, 1869, leaving three children, two sons and one daughter, all now living; and, June, 1873, to Margaret McLung, of Rochester. His life has been a successful one. Just and honorable in character, he is beloved by his family, and respected by the community in which he lives.

KINNER, DE FOREST, a prominent citizen and business man of Valparaiso, Indiana, was born, November 1, 1834, in Hardwick, Vermont. His parents, John R. and Emily W. (Reid) Skinner, were natives of that state. The former, although dying when a young man, had acquired an enviable reputation as a distinguished and influential lawyer. The latter was the second daughter of Elkanah Reid, and grand- daughter of Edward Rawson, who emigrated to New England in 1636, where he soon became officially prom- inent in the councils of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, filling many positions of profit and trust at the call of the people. He was elected the first Secretary of the House of Deputies of the colony, and from 1650 was annually chosen to that office until the usurpation of the government by Sir Edmund Andros in 1686, when he was succeeded by Randolph. He was a direct descendant of Sir Edward Rawson, of Dorsetshire, Eng- land. Mrs. Skinner has for many years resided with her son, De Forest. She is a lady of marked ability and acquirements. Her appearance is striking, and her in- tellectual and moral superiority make her respected and influential. She is warm- hearted and benevolent, of generous sympathies and strong attachments. She reads much, observes carefully, and is well-informed on the public questions of the day, as well as in literature. She is a clear and ready writer, and is especially brilliant in conversation ; and now, at the age of seventy-three years, seems to possess the vigor and energy, both mental and physical, that characterized her thirty years since. She is a sincere, devoted, and earnest Christian. The subject of this sketch, De Forest Skinner, received at an early age, largely through the personal efforts and watchful- ness of his mother, aided by an active and inquiring mind and a retentive memory, a liberal education. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Skinner, in company with others, planned and executed a prospecting tour westward

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through Idaho and Montana, for both pleasure and busi- ness. Returning in the fall to Valparaiso, he, in com- pany with M. S. Harrold, resumed the general grocery and grain trade, which still continues, and their estab- lishment is the leading grocery house in Porter County. For many years he has been interested as a stock owner and director in the First National Bank of Valparaiso, and for the last six years has been president. Mr. Skinner is a gentleman of courteous manners, a keen observer of men and things, energetic and persevering in all his business enterprises. He is a practical man, possessing great force of character and remarkable finan- cial ability, which have enabled him to acquire a hand- some competence. As a citizen he stands above reproach, and is noted for his honorable dealings, commanding the respect of his neighbors and fellow-citizens. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, ever firm in the support and defense of his political convictions; but he is in no sense a professed politician or office-seeker. He was elected in 1874 by the people to represent his district as Senator in the state Legislature, serving with honor for four years, but declining a renomination in 1878.

NYDER, HARPER W., lawyer, of Remington, Jas- per County, Indiana, was born November 14, 1852, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob and Mary E. (Wilson) Snyder. His father, a carriage manufacturer at Huntingdon, died when Harper W. was a boy, causing him to depend on his own resources. His earliest education was acquired in the common schools, and, being bright and studious, he made rapid progress, and soon entered the Cassville school, a state institution of Pennsylvania. In 1870 he became a freshman in Pennsylvania College, where he remained two years, taking the full college course. At this time, being well qualified, he was appointed by the

Governor, and confirmed by the state Superintendent of Schools, as principal of the Cassville Institute, which position he held for eighteen months. He then removed to Monticello, Indiana, and for two years studied law with Reynolds and Sellers, prominent lawyers of that town; after which he entered upon the practice of his profession at Remington. Mr. Snyder has been highly successful, and is conceded to be the leading attorney of the town. Young, able, and honorable, a brilliant future awaits him. He has always been an active Re-

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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 62

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