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 66

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 66

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REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

10th Dist.]

of military life, nor those arising from disease. An attack of measles prostrated him at Washington City, from which he suffered greatly on account of a cold taken in camp. He was removed to the hospital, but had no sooner recovered from his attack than he caught the small-pox, from which he came near dying. He was discharged September 1, 1865. On leaving the army he went to school. He had had few advan- tages of this kind previously, but soon made rapid ad- vancement. As soon as opportunity allowed he began teaching, and this occupation he has followed ever since with success. One particular attraction that this calling had for him was that it gave him great facilities for the acquisition of knowledge, while at the same time he could impart it to others. He made a trip to Minnesota in 1868, and in 1869 taught one term near the banks of Spirit Lake, in North-west Iowa. At that time he had small scholastic acquirements, and was even unable to define the parts of speech in grammar. His govern- ment, however, was good, and he gave satisfaction to his patrons. He returned to Indiana in 1870, and taught one winter in Marshall County: He also attended school for a large portion of the time, and in due course be- came a proficient. He spent some of his winters in Illinois, teaching and going to school alternately, and afterwards entered the State Normal School at Bloom- ington, Illinois. There he passed an examination of such a nature as to enable him to enter the highest division of the entering section, in which he maintained a very fair standing. In 1875 he came back to the state of Indiana, where he has remained ever since. During the winter of 1875 and 1876 he was principal of the Knox public schools, where he stayed for nearly three years. He was also principal of the North Judson graded school, and is now principal of the Winamac public schools, filling the position to the entire satisfac-

tion of a very intelligent community. He has always been very successful in the government of the pupils confided to his care. To his ability in this respect, as well as his learning and success in imparting knowledge, he has the most flattering testimonials. He has also been employed as the teacher of a normal school. Hle has been a member of most temperance organizations, and now belongs to the Odd-fellows and the Masons, and has attained in the latter society the dignity of a Master, having held the office of Senior Warden. He joined both of these bodies in the winter of 1876, and has held in each numerous small positions. As a boy, he was regular in his attendance at Church and Sunday-school, his mother being a faithful member of the Methodist society, and he himself belonging to it at one time. He is not now an attendant. He was formerly a Republi- can, but has become convinced that they are not acting out the principles professed by them years ago, and votes with the Greenback party. He was married to Miss Miranda E. Thomas, October 12, 1873, by the Rev. John Boyd. She was from Marshall County, Indiana. They have two bright-eyed and sunny-haired children- one boy five years old and a girl of three. He is a man of medium height, light complexion, and quick, intelli- gent appearance. He has many friends, gamed by his unselfish conduct. He uses no alcoholic drinks, but is addicted to the soothing weed. He is a great lover of poetry, and is an ardent admirer of Shakespeare, Poe, Miller, Tennyson, Campbell, and Scott. He has good analytical powers, a keen perception, and reads understandingly. As a grammarian, Mr. Williams has few superiors. He is a man of refined tastes, has strong likes and dislikes, is very sensitive, and has a great antipathy for any kind of ostentatious or offensive dis- play of knowledge. He is one of the representative men of Indiana.

yours very funny 3. le Philips

THE

ELEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

NDERSON, REV. THOMAS, of Huntington, was born in Neshannock, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, January I, 1791. His parents emigrated to Amer- ica from Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1787, because of religious persecution and their rigid adherence to the Calvinistic faith. Mr. Anderson graduated at Washing- ton College, Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1820. He served as a private during the War of 1812. In 1825 he entered the ministry, and was a home missionary in Western Pennsylvania from that time until 1843. His home was in Franklin, Pennsylvania; but he traversed the country for hundreds of miles around, on foot and on horseback. His feet, hands, and ears were protected from the intense cold in winter by the home-tanned skins of wild animals, while his saddle-bags of undressed skin contained his food, clothing, and library; for only at night could he find fire and shelter in that thinly set- tled region. During this time he preached two thousand five hundred and eighty-two sermons, besides organizing Churches and Sunday-schools, and doing varied ministe- rial work. He was a critical scholar and a close stu- dent. A system of theology transcribed from a printed work, a system of rhetoric from "Blair's Lectures," and other books, copied because he was too poor to buy them, sermons in manuscript book form, some consist- ing of over eight hundred pages-all written in a clear, close, neat hand-are among the heir-looms of the family. He removed to Huntington, Indiana, October 9, 1843, under the direction of the American Home Missionary Society, where he organized the First Presbyterian Church, of which he was pastor for years. His labors extended, also, over the counties of Wells, Blackford, and Grant. The presbytery of Logansport, of which he became a member, embraced all the counties in Indiana north of the Wabash and Erie Canal (nearly one-third of the state), and at that time consisted of seven minis- ters. Huntington then had a population of two hun- dred. The Miami Indians were accustomed to walk

[ into Mr. Anderson's house unbidden, glowing with war- paint, and the native deer grazed unmolested about his door. In his travels he swam waters and waded through swamps, often trusting to his Indian pony to seek out the path. Being incapacitated for extended labor, he preached only in Huntington for three years prior to his death. During his ministry he laid the foundation for others to build upon. Physical infirmities, hastened by hardship and exposure in a new country, in a very few years compelled him to lay aside his armor. He was peculiarly fitted for pioneer work ; cautious, earnest, a man of prayer and never-failing faith, entirely conse- crated to the work of the ministry, he endured priva- tion, want, opposition, and discouragements with an unshaken trust, believing that the seed sown would be watered of heaven, and bring forth abundantly. On the night of December 20, 1853, he retired to rest in usual health. Suddenly an intense pain quivered through his heart, and, while his wife, in her alarm, was calling the family to hasten for medical aid, "he was not, for God took him." He died at Huntington, Indiana, aged sixty-four years. The following lines were written by his daughter, Mrs. Moore, widow of Samuel Moore, a sketch of whose life also appears in this volume :

" TO MY FATHER'S MEMORY.

"The staff so long his strength was by his bed : Thy staff, O God, sustained his dying head. A breath, a groan, a pang, and life was o'er ; The morning dawns, but he awakes no more. He laid aside his raiment for the night, And angels clothed him ere the coming light ;

The humble garb his trembling hands laid down,

Exchanged for palm, the white robe, and the crown ; Put off corruption, sin, and mortal strife, Raised in incorruption and eternal life. So like himself he passed from earth away- Quiet and peaceful, God alone his stay. Who now shall gather scattered seed of years, Sown with unsparing hand in faith and tears, In fertile fields, in barren wastes, and new

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[IIth Dist.

And untilled ground ? Shall there be few Or many sheaves in that great harvest day When angel reapers shall have cast away The chaff and tares ? How many shall he bring With him rejoicing unto Zion's King ? Much of life's labor endeth with our breath; But he who winneth souls from endless death Rests on a promise that will fail him never- Shines, as the stars, forever and forever."

RMSTRONG, ADDISON F., wholesale and retail hardware merchant, of Kokomo, was born in Clin- ton County, Ohio, April 1, 1835. His father, Thomas A. Armstrong, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and for several years practiced law in Philadelphia. His mother, Sarah E. (Grant) Armstrong, was a native of Virginia. They reared a family of seven sons and a daughter, some of whom have reached middle age, one only having died. The father and mother of Mr. Armstrong are still living in the same house which has been their home for thirty years-the father aged eighty-five and his wife eighty years-their devoted daughter rendering their last days pleasant by her attention. Like many other successful business men, Mr. Armstrong received his education in no higher institution than the common school. In 1849, at the age of fourteen, he went to Kokomo, Indiana, which, from that time, became his home. In 1856, in company with a brother, H. A. Armstrong, and J. A. James, he commenced the hardware business in Kokomo. The enterprise was attended with prosperity, and at length they carried so large a stock and enjoyed such liberal patronage that a more spacious building was needed. This want was supplied, in 1875, by the erection of a magnificent new brick block, four stories in height. Thus, from a small beginning, with sales of only $4,000 per year, they have built up a business whose transactions reach $150,000 per annum, and pos- sess one of the finest business structures in the state. The name of the firm has undergone changes, until now it is Armstrong, Pickett & Co., Mr. A. F. Armstrong being the senior partner. The establishment is one of the largest of its kind in Indiana. Mr. Armstrong helped to organize the city of Kokomo, and was a member of the first council, in which capacity he served eight consecutive years. He has always been devotedly attached to the Democratic party, and is influential in its ranks, He was elected, in 1870, to the state Senate, and held that position three terms, or until 1874, serving also, in that time, through the special session of 1872. In June, 1863, he married Miss Mary S. Brandon, daughter of Montgomery and Martha Brandon, of Ken- ; duties as legislator. In the opinion of the president of tucky, and granddaughter of the Hon. Benjamin Bran- don, who, with his wife, were of the F. F. V.'s. They

removed to Bourbon County, Kentucky, about the year 1790, where he was largely engaged in manufacturing and agricultural pursuits in Bourbon and Harrison Counties. He employed teachers from the South and East for his family, who thus obtained superior educa- tional facilities. His son, Montgomery Brandon, father of Mrs. Armstrong, removed to Indiana in the year 1834, and for many years was one of the best citizens of the state. He died in Kokomo in January, 1880, surviving his beloved wife only a few months. The subject of this sketch is fortunate in the possession of so worthy a helpmate. Mrs. Armstrong is foremost in all good works, giving much of her attention and executive ability to public and charitable work, as president of the Orphans' Home, of the Suffrage Club, the Ladies' Lecture Association; manager for Indiana for the Woman's Board of Missions of the Christian Church; besides taking an active interest in the temperance or- ganization and all things tending to good. Mrs. Arm- strong, in addition to all this, is a most charming host- ess, entertaining with true Kentucky hospitality in her elegant home. She is, indeed, a source of joy and com- fort to her husband. Two children have been born of this union-a bright little daughter, Jennie, now twelve years of age ; and a son, Sherman, who died in infancy. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Armstrong connected himselt with the Christian Church, helping to organize the first society of Howard County, and assisting in rearing its first edifice. He has for nearly thirty years been one of its chief pillars of support, contributing his time, means, and influence to its upbuilding. In 1876, the congregation of this denomination having largely increased, a new house of worship was commenced, which is now ready for occupancy, and almost com- pleted, costing thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Armstrong has been largely instrumental in clearing off the church debt, and in keeping the society in a flourishing and peaceful condition and free from dissension. A consist- ent, pure-hearted Christian worker, he inspires others, by his own example, to usefulness. Ilis professions al- ways accord with his actions, and there is rarely found a better example of faith and works combined than is shown in the life of Mr. Armstrong. At the early age of twenty-one he became a merchant in Kokomo; and there for twenty-four years he has remained, persist- ently carrying out the fixed purpose of his life. His career has been one of continuous prosperity, the result of industry, integrity, and able management. He is a man of positive, self-reliant nature, clear in perception, correct in judgment, and strong in purpose. Not only do these traits appear to those who long have known him, but they were evinced in the performance of his the Senate, Mr. Armstrong always cast the most consist- I ent vote. It was generally given first, his name being

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

11th Dist.]

always the first one called ; and he rarely found cause to change his determinations. That he is very popular is shown by the following: In 1876 the Democratic Congressional Convention of the Eleventh District, de- siring the strongest candidate for Representative against the overwhelming Republican majority of three thou- sand one hundred, unanimously nominated Mr. Arm- strong. To elect him against such odds was impossible, but the result proved the wisdom of their choice; for the opposing party paid dearly for victory, their major- ity being reduced to fourteen hundred. In 1878 Mr. Armstrong was a candidate for nomination for Auditor of State, and, although there were numerous candidates, he received as large a vote as all the rest combined, with the single exception of General Manson, who re- ceived the nomination. ITe has recently become largely interested in the mining business of Colorado, as treas- urer of the J. H. Haverly Golden Group Mining Asso- ciation ; and it is safe to conclude that an enterprise that occupies the attention of so cautious and careful a business man as Mr. Armstrong must be largely pro- ductive in results. He is now most favorably spoken of as a candidate for Congress from his district, and may be induced to accept the nomination, in which case it is not at all unlikely that his personal and business stand- ing will aid in overcoming the political complexion of Howard County, and elect him. Addison F. Armstrong merits and holds a high place among those who have developed the material wealth of Howard County; and, viewed apart from all business relations, he is seen to possess those qualities which conduce to harmony in society and in the domestic circle.

RMSTRONG, EDWARD A., M. D., of Kokomo, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, December 25, 1828. His father, Thomas A. Armstrong, was a native of Pennsylvania. He practiced law a num- ber of years in Philadelphia, and came to Indiana in 1852. His mother, Sarah E. (Grant) Armstrong, was born in Virginia. Edward Armstrong attended the common schools until qualified to teach the branches there studied, when he engaged in that during the winter, and in farming the remainder of the year. But, as appears from his subsequent career, he was not to spend his days in the training of youth, nor to become permanently interested in the products of the soil, ex- cept so far as they possess nutrient or medical proper- ties. Dissatisfied with these occupations, he began, at the age of twenty-three, to study medicine under the direction of an uncle at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. At the end of three years he went to Chicago, and attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College. He then removed to Kokomo, Indiana. After a time he entered

the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati, and, pursuing his studies with renewed diligence, graduated from that institution in 1858. Returning thence to Kokomo, he immediately commenced practice, which he has contin- ued to the present time. In 1867 Doctor Armstrong bought an interest in the hardware establishment of Armstrong, Buson & Co., and has since remained in that connection, though the name of the firm has undergone changes, until now it is Armstrong, Pickett & Co. In 1875 they built the fine brick structure which they now occupy, to accommodate their largely increased business. Doctor Armstrong is connected with the Christian Church, and his political sympathies are with the Dem- ocratic party. He was married, in February, 1861, to Miss Mary Jane Ratcliff, daughter of Thomas Ratcliff, of Howard County. She died in October, 1863. Doc- tor Armstrong is a man of irreproachable moral charac- ter, and has marked ability for both business and his profession. He has gained an excellent medical prac- tice, and the business firm of which he is a member is one of the most prosperous and reliable in the state. For twenty years he has lived in Kokomo, where, as a scholar, a physician, and a citizen, he is well and favor- ably known, and adorns the front ranks among the op- erative surgeons of Indiana.

RNOLD, GEORGE, proprietor and editor of the Bluffton Chronicle, and postmaster, Blaffton, Wells County, was born at Greenville, Ohio, September 28, 1818. He is the son of William (and Eliza- beth) Arnold, a prominent farmer, and county commis- sioner. George was raised on his father's farm, and received his education at the common schools of Green- ville, where he was instructed in mathematics and the higher branches. As a boy, his inclination always turned in favor of mercantile life. He, however, re- mained at school until the age of twenty, and on leaving taught for some two years at Greenville and Miami County, Ohio, and Whitley County, Indiana. He then moved on a farm in Whitley County, and followed farm- ing for some five years, during which he was for three years county surveyor and notary public. In 1848 he removed to Columbia City, where he engaged as a mer- chant for about eight years, doing a successful trade in general merchandise and pork-packing. He removed to Bluffton in September, 1856, where he bought out and succeeded Mr. Studebaker in the general mercantile busi- ness, continuing in it until 1875, when he disposed of the establishment, and for the time being retired. In 1870 he was the Republican nominee for the Senate for Wells and Huntington Counties, running ahead of his ticket, and being only defeated by a small majority in a strongly Democratic district. In 1872 he was an aspi-

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[11th Dist.

rant for the office of Secretary of State, and was next to the successful candidate, there being four in the field. He was appointed delegate to the Republican National Convention, held at Cincinnati, from the Twelfth Indi- ana District, in June, 1876. In September, 1878, he bought out the Bluffton Chronicle, a Republican paper having a large circulation, and an able and well-edited paper, which has been enlarged and improved under his management. He was appointed by President Hayes postmaster of Bluffton, on the 13th of January, 1880. Ile is a man of public spirit, and always ready and will- ing to work for the good of his town and county. For forty years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, in which he takes an active part. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He was married, November 10, 1840, to Ann Maria Welty, of Pennsylvania. They have had five children, two of whom are dead. His eldest son, Henry C., is now the leading merchant of Bluffton. Mr. Arnold is a man of high integrity and ability. He is intelligent and amiable, courteous and pleasing in manner, and of fine appearance.

RTHUR, CHRISTOPHER S., M. D., of Port- land, auditor of Jay County, was born, Septem- ber 16, 1833, in Highland County, Ohio. His grandfather was a native of Virginia, and served as a captain in the Revolutionary Army. Pleasant Arthur, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, in the year 1780. Re- moving to what is now Hillsboro, Highland County, in 1802, he married Agnes Timberlake, whose parents had also emigrated from Virginia. The Timberlakes were Quakers-plain, simple, honest, and straight-forward in their lives. Their family consisted of eleven children, five sons and six daughters-Christopher S. Arthur be- ing the tenth child. After a few years' residence in Ohio the family removed to Iowa City, Iowa, where the death of Mrs. Arthur, in 1843, was followed, two years later, by that of her husband. Pleasant Arthur was a farmer and a carpenter, doing also considera- ble trading. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, although differing from him on some of his compromise measures. He was a man of some prominence in his own county, and filled various minor offices, among them that of county com- missioner, which he held for a period of thirteen years. The subject of this sketch, after the death of his par- ents, returned to Highland County, Ohio, making his home with his brothers and sisters. In 1848 he lived for a short time with his eldest brother, who was quar- termaster in the army during the Mexican War. He had enjoyed few educational advantages, and was ill prepared to fight the battle of life. In 1849 he began

the study of medicine, under Doctor John H. Quinn ; supporting himself by working at the manufacture of hay and stock scales. Returning to Ohio, he con- tinued his studies under Doctor B. B. Gillett ; and, after finishing his course in the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, settled at Camden, Indiana, where, in spite of strong opposition, he secured a lucrative prac- tice from the first. One or two skillful surgical operations that he performed gave him such prominence that in one year after his arrival there were but four doctors re- maining ; whereas, there were nine a twelvemonth pre- vious. In surgery Doctor Arthur is considered an expert, having had much experience and success in this partic- ular field of labor. Like his father, he has always been a strong anti-slavery man; and early in 1862 raised a company for the 75th Indiana Volunteers, of which he was chosen captain. A few days later he was appointed surgeon of the regiment, which was assigned to the Four- teenth Army Corps. With this command Doctor Arthur served through the entire Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Chickamauga he was taken prisoner, and sent first to Atlanta, and finally to Libby Prison, where he was con- fined three months. Although a man whose average weight is one hundred and seventy - five pounds, he weighed, when liberated, but ninety-eight. He was captured at Crawfish Springs, and was at the time over- worked, having been on duty for twelve consecutive days and nights. He was at first treated very kindly by a Confederate surgeon, Doctor Herbert, who not only showed the prisoner every kindness himself, but also required his negro servant to do the same. Doctor Arthur, however, was badly afflicted with the dysentery, brought on from exposure, which finally became chronic. After leaving the service, on account of ill-health, he resumed his practice, in which he continued until his election as county auditor in 1870, when he removed to Portland. In 1874 he was honored with a re-election. He married, in 1856, Miss Salena Bennett, daughter of Squire Bennett, an old resident of Wells County. They have had six children, all but one of whom are now living. Such, in brief, is the history of a man who, bereft of parents when quite young, and by the specu- lations of his administrator deprived of his inheritance, has, by his indefatigable efforts, raised himself to a prominent position in the estimation of his fellows, and enjoys the results of a well-spent life of labor and toil. He has identified himself with the public schools of Camden, where he lived for some years, and is now president and a stockholder of the Citizens' Bank. He has a very large and interesting collection of archæolog- ical specimens, containing an almost complete list of Indian relics, such as arrowheads, spears, and other im- plements of warfare, together with amulets, rings, breast- plates, pipes, chisels, and adzes. They are in excellent preservation.

Heure

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

11th Dist.]

LANCHE, COLONEL WILLIS, of Kokomo, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 24, 1825. His father, John Blanche, was a native of the Isle of Guernsey, near the coast of France. He was a man of, scholarly tastes, and early in life acquired a knowledge of seven languages. At the age of twenty- five he came to the United States, and soon afterward served in the border wars, under General Wayne. At the close of his service he settled in Ross County, Ohio, and married Miss Catherine Osborn, who became the mother of Willis Blanche. With only the limited in- struction of the common schools, at the age of seventeen, he left home, and went into Howard County, Indiana, where he began the struggle for self-support. He at once obtained employment on the farm of Joseph Skeen, and remained there seven years, receiving at first only seven dollars per month. At the end of two years he bought a few acres of land, which he hoped would be the nu- cleus of a large farm ; but pecuniary success was not yet to be his portion. In February, 1847, he married Miss Mary Morrow ; but two months thereafter she was at- tacked by erysipelas and died. In October of the same year he married Miss Anna Shaul, his present wife. In 1850, fired with a thirst for gold and adventure, he sold his little farm, and, leaving his young wife with her parents, set out with his brother-in-law, J. T. McClin- tock, for California. The journey was made overland with a company of forty-four men, Mr. Blanche acting as leader. At the separation of the company in Sacra- mento, he and Mr. McClintock bought a load of provis- ions and started for the Nevada mines. At Grass Valley their team was stolen, and, though it was recovered in a few days, the incident had an influence in determining their location. They built a cabin and opened a pro- vision-store-a profitable business in a mining region -- and the team that had so unwittingly affected their de- signs was constantly employed in transporting supplies from Sacramento. Having invested also in a mine, they carried on a thriving trade, and did much to pro- mote the early growth of what is now the important village of Grass Valley. In December, 1851, Mr. Blanche came home, and made preparations to return and fix his residence in the hamlet above named; but, sickness compelling him to change his plans, he pur- chased the homestead near Kokomo, on which he has ever since resided. We quote the following from the Howard County Atlas :

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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 66

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