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 7

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 7

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thousand dollars, resuming his former occupation. In IS57 he was principal owner of a patent on the wire- cloth flour bolt, which went into the hands of a large company, each member of which expected to realize a large fortune; but the bright promises failed of fruition, and he returned to mill-wrighting to recover his losses. Having gained much experience and knowledge in re- gard to mills and mill machinery, Mr. Nordyke deter- mined to make a radical change therein, and, with his son Addison, began the business of manufacturing mill- stones, portable mills, flour bolts, smut machines, etc .; and, their venture proving successful, they took into partnership with them, in 1866, Mr. D. W. Marmon, forming the firm of Nordyke, Marmon & Co., and enlarged their business operations. The firm transacted a constantly increasing business at Richmond, and it was not until after the death of Mr. Nordyke that they found it more profitable to move to Indianapolis, the present location of the Nordyke & Marmon Company. Mr. Nordyke continued in active business up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 23d of April, 1871. He possessed a knowledge of mill-wrighting second to none in the country, and had inventive genius of a very high order. While it can not be said of him that in business he was uniformly prosperous, it is a noticeable fact that his reverses were always occa- sioned by a desertion of his regular occupation, in which he was always successful. He was a man who won the esteem of all who became acquainted with him, and he has left behind him an unblemished repu- tation, as a business man of honor and integrity. His wife survives him, and is still a resident of Richmond. Although in early life Mr. Nordyke had but limited facilities for acquiring an education, he eagerly em- braced every opportunity for study, and in early man- hood taught school in Ohio. His own persevering efforts and his thirst for knowledge enabled him to ad- vance rapidly, and in after life it was very rare, outside of the professions, to find a man better informed on gen- eral subjects than Mr. Nordyke. He took pains to sur- round himself with good books, and to give his children all the advantages to be derived from the best reading. He was, in every sense of the word, a good man. His faith in the Christian religion, the principles of which were his guide through life, never faltered, and he died the death of the righteous. He was a close student of nature. He saw " books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing." " He acquired consid- erable reputation as a collector of geological specimens, and had one of the most valuable private cabinets in the state, his collection embracing some of the rarest specimens found in that part of the state. To the brief record of a worthy and valuable life, a word of eulogy would be superfluous. To all generations he left the example of a pure, noble, and consistent Christian life.

FORDYKE, ADDISON HAYNES, of Indianapolis, formerly of Richmond, president of the Nordyke & Marmon Company, was born in Richmond, In- diana, May 25, 1838. He is the son of Ellis and Catharine (Haynes) Nordyke. His father's history in brief will be found in the preceding sketch. Mr. Nordyke's early education was obtained in the common schools of Richmond, and subsequently at the high school in that city. He was literally born in the tusi- ness of mill-wright and machinist, and while still attend- ing school assisted his father in his business. From this early training, as well as the natural bent of his disposition, he soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the occupation, and became a valuable assistant and co- worker with his father. When about twenty-three years of age his father put up a flouring-mill at Chenoa, Illi- nois, and gave Addison charge of it. He operated the mill about a year and a half and then sold out, return- ing to Richmond and entering into partnership with his father. From that time until his father's death he was equally interested with him in that business, and some of the first and largest mills in Eastern Indiana were put up and furnished by the firm. Their flouring- mills and machinery were erected in all the principal states in the Union, particularly in the West. In 1866 Mr. D. W. Marmon was admitted to the firm, which became Nordyke, Marmon & Co., and continued under that style until a few months before the elder Mr. Nordyke's death, when a stock company was formed, under the name of Nordyke & Marmon Com- pany, Mr. Nordyke being elected president of the cor- poration. The business had been gradually growing at Richmond, until their facilities for manufacturing there had become too limited for their trade, and it was de- cided to change the location to Indianapolis. In 1876 they made arrangements for the purchase of the real estate on which their extensive works now stand, and in the fall of that year removed to the capital city, con- tinuing their works at Richmond for some time after commencing operations here. Since locating at Indian- apolis the growth of the business has been constant and rapid, until now the annual sales amount to half a mill- ion of dollars. Mr. Nordyke has general oversight of the construction and management of the works, which cover about eleven acres .. The buildings have a front- age of about one thousand feet, and the company em- ploy about two hundred and fifty hands in their busi- ness. The rapid growth can be judged of from the

fact that in 1870 only thirty hands were needed. The Nordyke & Marmon Company stand in the front rank of Indianapolis manufacturing industries, and more freight is shipped from their works than from any other establishment in that city. They manufacture mill ma- chinery of every conceivable description, and the work of the firm is shipped not only to every part of the

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United States, but also to foreign countries. Shipments have been made to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and other European countries, while several complete flour- ing-mills have been sent to Mexico and California. Mr. Nordyke has invented a patented improvement on portable mills, which has been long and favorably known, has maintained the highest reputation, and is now in extensive use. On May 24, 1866, he married Miss Jennie Price, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, then residing at Richmond. Their family consists of two bright boys-Charlie, aged thirteen, and Walter, ten. Mr. Nordyke is a member of the Methodist Church, and a Republican in politics. His most promi- nent characteristics are a remarkable evenness of dis- position, geniality and sociability of manner, which make him exceedingly popular with his employés, and esteemed and respected by all his acquaintances. He is a careful, methodical, and energetic man of business, and his integrity of character is beyond all question.

'DONAGHUE, D., the young divine who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Daviess County, near Washington, Indiana, on the 30th of Novem- ber, 1848. His parents were natives of the south of Ireland, but came to America in early life, and were among the first settlers of Indiana. His father, James O'Donaghue, was the owner of a large farm in Daviess County, where he was well known and universally re- spected, as a gentleman of a high order of character. He died in 1871, at the age of seventy years. Agricul- tural pursuits had no attractions, however, for the son of this pioneer settler. He manifested an early prefer- ence for books over farming implements, and would rather be in the recitation room than in the field. He was the youngest of eight children, and was sent to the parish school attached to St, Peter's Church until his sixteenth year, when he entered St. Meinrad's College, in Spencer County. The school above alluded to was under the direction of Professor Byrne, a man of emi- nent learning, and very successful as a teacher. His influence had much to do in shaping the destiny of his pupil, who might otherwise never have turned his atten- tion to the ministry. Three years were spent in St. Meinrad's College, his time being mainly devoted to the study of languages, acquiring a thorough knowledge of Latin, French, German, and Greek. In his nineteenth year the young man entered St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Kentucky. He remained there three years, after which he was obliged to suspend his studies on account of ill-health. The course of study to be gone through by a student preparing to enter the ministry of the Catholic Church is long and severe, requiring ordinarily a period of ten years, and, if the talents of

the applicant are not of a high order, the usual studies can not even be completed in that time. The training which this Church gives her ministers makes them an exceedingly learned and widely informed body of men, zealous for the welfare of their organization, and ready at any moment to defend the doctrines they profess. Having recovered his health, the subject of this sketch entered the Sulpician Seminary, in Montreal, Canada, one of the finest institutions of its kind in America. Here his ecclesiastical studies were completed, and he was promoted to the priesthood in St. John's Cathedral, Indianapolis, on the 6th of September, 1874. There were seven other clergymen ordained on the same occa- sion. The ceremony was performed by the late Bishop of Vincennes, Right Rev. M. de St. Palais. Immedi- ately after his ordination the Rev. D. O'Donaghue was placed in the position of assistant pastor of St. John's Cathedral, a position which he still holds. When Bishop Chatard assumed charge of this diocese he named the young priest O'Donaghue as his secretary. Father O'Donaghue is a natural orator. The secret of his elo- quence lies in his earnestness, and his desire to impress his convictions upon the minds of others. His address on "Mastai Ferretti; the Life and Works of Pope Pio Nono," was pronounced an extraordinary piece of ora- torical work. " He spoke rapidly and with enviable ease and elegance of diction, pleasing even those of his hear- ers who did not hope to be pleased." In all portions of the state he has lectured on "Temperance," " Re- ligion and Patriotism," "Astronomy," "Spiritualism," "Indian Curiosities," "Ingersollism," "Objections to Catholicism," and other subjects, and has entertained and instructed large audiences by his persuasive and logical arguments. The brightest minds are often en- cased in frail caskets, and Father O'Donaghue proves no exception to this rule. He was attacked with hem- orrhage of the lungs, and after months of suffering was ordered to the south of France as a means to his recov- ery. Here he is at this writing sojourning, while his many friends throughout the state are praying for his ultimate restoration to perfect health.

FFUTT, CHARLES G., attorney and counselor at law, of Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana, was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, October 4, 1845. He is a son of Lloyd and Elizabeth Offutt ; the former from Maryland, the latter from Kentucky. His early education was confined to the common schools of Indiana, whither his father had removed when the lad was but an infant. At the age of seventeen he en- tered the dry-goods store of Samuel Heavenridge, in Greenfield, where he remained for about two years. He then taught district school one term in Hancock

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County, after which he returned to the employ of Tausey & Byram, merchants of Indianapolis, remaining with them two years. At this time Mr. Offutt, becom- ing fully determined to follow the legal profession, re- turned to Greenfield and began reading law with Hon. James L. Mason. He was a faithful and methodical student for three years. He then formed a partnership for the practice of law with Judge Joseph L. Buckles, continuing that relation until the autumn of 1873, when the firm was dissolved by mutual consent. He con- tinued the practice alone until 1876, at which date the present law firm of Offutt & Martin was established, of which Mr. Offutt is senior member. In 1872 he was clected Representative to the state Legislature from Hancock County, and, although one of the youngest members of that body, showed remarkable familiarity with the principles of civil government and parliamentary law. In 1876 he was elected Democratic elector for the Sixth Congressional District of Indiana. In his profes- sional career Mr. Offutt has exhibited rare proficiency, having risen rapidly to distinction, and enjoying the most lucrative law practice, perhaps, of any attorney in the county. In matters of business, also, he is scrupu- lously honest, never beguiling a client into doubtful litigation for the sake of the fees. Mr. Offutt is a gentleman of commanding appearance and pleasing address.

LCOTT, JOHN M., A. M., Indianapolis, Marion County, was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, July 18, 1833. He is the son of the Rev. William and Mary (King) Olcott. His father, from Water- bury, Connecticut, was a minister and teacher at Water- bury, and for a longer time at Alexandria, District of Columbia. As early as 1817 he settled in Dearborn County, being one of the first settlers, the country at that time being a wilderness. His mother was from Poughkeepsie, New York. The son received part of his early education in the district school, but chiefly at home, under the immediate care and instruction of his father, who was a very able scholar; and to that early paternal instruction he owes much of his after success in life. At the age of seventeen he became a teacher in the same school; and the year following he entered the Indiana Asbury University, at Greencastle, from which institution he graduated with full honors in 1856. Immediately after graduating he was appointed super- intendent of the public schools at Lawrenceburg, which up to that time had never been organized under what is known as the graded school system. There were then but very few graded schools in the state. To organize a new system of schools in each city and town at that period required the most arduous labor. This important school work, in organizing city graded schools,

was repeated by Mr. Olcott at Columbus in 1860. In 1863 he was elected superintendent of the city schools of Terre Haute, holding the position for six years; and there organized a system of schools which have since obtained more than a state reputation. While at Terre Haute, Mr. Olcott conceived the idea of establishing the state normal school at that place, which he was emi- nently successful in doing. A law had passed the Leg- islature for establishing a state normal school in that city which made the largest donation for building pur- poses, provided the amount was not less than fifty thousand dollars. At that time to raise such an amount for such a purpose was no small task; but, nothing daunted, by herculean exertions Mr. Olcott was instru- mental in raising the sum, by his indefatigable efforts; and it so happened there was no competition. No- where else was there raised any considerable amount for that purpose. Accordingly, the school was located at Terre Haute, being to-day a monument to the energy and perseverance of the man who was eminently its pro- moter and founder. It has since been imitated on a smaller scale in many other towns throughout the state, but it is the only normal school supported by the state, and it stands the peer of all. It conferred inestimable bene- fits on thousands, and has exerted a wide influence. It has been, and still is, an institution successful in the highest degree. He was immediately appointed a member of the board of trustees of the state normal school, and elected secretary and chairman of the building commit- tee, a position he held for four years, during the entire construction of the building, the whole cost of which was one hundred and seventy-nine thousand dollars. He was instrumental in securing from the state Legisla- ture two appropriations for the purpose, one of fifty thousand dollars and one of seventy-nine thousand dol- lars. On the completion of the buildings and opening of the institution, he was elected professor of mathe- matics, a position he resigned one year after, to accept the general agency for the North-west of Harper & Brothers, publishers, of New York. An early acquaint- ance with school teaching, from the foundation up, enabled him to do efficient institute work. He has prob- ably done more labor at teachers' institutes than any other man in Indiana, having held those meetings (one or more) in every county in the state excepting two. He has written much for school journals, and on the history of school legislation for the state of Indiana. Ile has contributed largely to newspapers, and various teachers' magazines, on the subject of education; and has also delivered many public lectures on the same subject. As an educational man, he is one of the fore- most in the state, and one of the best informed. He is a man of fine education and keen intelligence, an able speaker, a hard worker, and a splendid organizer. He is a man whose heart is in his work, giving to it

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his best energies; and he is withal a most genial, ac- complished, and polished gentleman, with an air of dignity and reserve that commands the respect of all. Ile was county superintendent of Vigo County from 1863 to 1866. In politics he is an ardent Republican. In religion he is a Methodist, having been a member from the age of fifteen. He is president of the board of stew- ards of Roberts Park Church, and has been Sabbath- school superintendent for many years. He is a Knight Templar of Raper Commandery. He was married, Jan- uary 19, 1860, to Merrium Brown, a most estimable lady, daughter of William Brown, a large manufacturer, of Lawrenceburg. They have five children, two boys and three girls. The two eldest have graduated at the In- dianapolis high school, and the others are still receiving their education. Mr. Olcott is now engaged, at Indian- apolis, in the publication of school and miscellaneous books, and is also doing a general wholesale business in the sale of subscription works. Such is the record of one of our representative and successful men.

EARSON, CHARLES DEWEY, A. M., M. D., was born in Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, on the 12th of April, 1820. His grand-parents were of English descent, and came to Virginia at an early day in our country's history. His father was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in 1790; and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Ann Truc- blood, was born in 1797, at Elizabeth City, North Car- olina, and was reared a Quakeress. They were married in 1813. Doctor Pearson, whose father died when he was but seven years old, attended school regularly from early childhood until, at fourteen, he was thrown wholly upon his own resources for his maintenance and educa- tion, and therefore had to abandon school. He pursued his books, however, until he attained the age of eight- een, when he decided to adopt the medical profession as his future calling; and with high aspirations he be- gan the study of the healing art, with an application and energy that have since secured him a high standing. Unlike many students, who abandon their reading when they receive their diplomas, he felt upon his graduation that he was just prepared to grapple with the wide range of medical and surgical literature ; and his love for these researches all his life has always been an incentive to pursue their study and investigation with an assiduity that has richly rewarded him. He com- menced his study of medicine with Doctor U. E. Ewing, of Louisville, Kentucky; attended his first course of lec- tures at the Transylvania University, of Lexington, Kentucky, and subsequently (1851) graduated in the Medical Department of Asbury University, Indiana. In 1859 he took the ad cundem degree at the College

of Physicians and Surgeons of Cincinnati; in 1878 he received the regular diploma, with that of post-grad- uate, in the Medical College of the University of New York City-an achievement not often attained even by educated physicians of long practice and study, so high is the standard of qualification of that institution. Sev- eral years often pass without a single post-graduate di- ploma being issued. In 1859, the Cincinnati College of Physicians and Surgeons tendered him the professorship of obstetric medicine and diseases of women and chil- dren. At the same time they offered him the chair of eye surgery, and, subsequently, without his knowledge, named him in the regular annual catalogue as the ad- junct professor of surgery. In 1854 he was the organ- izer (and afterwards the president) of the Orange County (Indiana) Medical Society, and was a charter member of the Marion County Medical Society, but withdrew from it on account of differences of opinion as to its proper management. He has made nervous diseases and epilepsy a specialty, and so wonderful has been his success in their treatment that he has acquired a national reputation. Patients from all sections of the Union have come to place themselves under his care, and he has always been successful in mitigating their sufferings. When the 49th Regiment of Infantry was organized, his ardor, heroic motives, and love of country, prompted the Doctor to accept a commis- sion from Governor Morton as army surgeon. On his arrival at Camp Joe Holt, he found two hundred men in the most deplorable condition, suffering from the effects of measles, without hospital accommodations. He at once secured two large and well-ventilated halls, fitted them up, moved his men into them, and made them comfortable, and they soon began to improve. The regiment was ordered to Bardstown, Kentucky, where a portion of General Buell's army was encamping. When he reached this place he was appointed on the staff of General T. J. Wood, as medical director of the post. After organizing a hospital at that point he was taken ill with pneumonia, and, after becoming suffi- ciently convalescent to travel by easy stages, he returned home. During his absence the 49th was ordered to Cumberland Gap, and when he learned this, though debilitated and weak, he proceeded to join it. He pro- ceeded as far as Bardstown, and was there advised by the commander of the post to go no further, as he might be taken by guerrillas, but to return to Louis- ville, and go by way of Lexington, there joining the army train at Danville for Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. When he reached that city he was prostrated, and again his attending physician advised him not to go further, as his life would probably be sacrificed if he did. Acting upon this advice, he tendered his resigna- tion, after recommending a surgeon to take his place, and it was finally accepted. This was in February,

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1862. After his recovery, he established the first hos- pital at Madison, Indiana, and in August, 1862, he was commissioned as surgeon of the 82d Indiana Regiment. In September following he was made medical director of the First Division of the Third Army Corps of the Army of the Ohio, and remained with it until appointed medical director of the post at Bowling Green, Kentucky. On his arrival there he found three thousand men lying upon the floor, with no hospital accommodations; and, in order to relieve them as soon as possible, he and his assistants, aided by eight office clerks, worked from eighteen to twenty hours out of every twenty-four, for several weeks, in erecting hospitals, ministering to the sick and wounded, and in attending to other multifarious and arduous duties of the post, until the soldiers were made comfortable. This herculean task told fearfully upon the Doctor's health, and fastened rheumatism upon him for life. In February, 1863, he was ordered to his regiment, at Tri- une, Tennessee, and remained there until the ensuing May, when his ill-health forced him to resign his com- mission and return home. When sufficiently restored to health, he decided to make Indianapolis his home, and removed to that city in May, 1864. On the 30th of November, 1843, Doctor Pearson married a Miss Elizabeth Royer, a beautiful and accomplished young lady, and a daughter of the late Hon. John Royer, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She was educated in Alle- ghany City, at the Rev. Dr. Lacy's English and Clas- sical Institute for Young Ladies. She was born on the 5th of April, 1815, and died on the 22d of July, 1860. Possessing a sweet, amiable disposition, she was all that a religious, affectionate wife and mother could be. Five children blessed the union, of whom only two are living: Charles D., who was born on the 15th of De- cember, 1851, and who is destined to be one of the leading business men in the state if he lives ; and Mary Genevie, who was born on the 29th of March, 1859, a beautiful and accomplished young lady, bearing a close resemblance to her gifted mother. She was a woman of fervid temperament, perfectly devoted to the welfare of her husband and children; and her beneficent career, her religion, in action as well as precept, now ennoble her memory. The sovereign and the woman-majesty and mildness-have seldom been more harmoniously blended than in this remarkable lady. Her refinement, her education and culture, her dignified yet lovable character, her great conversational powers, and her Christian graces, charmed and fascinated all who came under her influence, or met her in the privacy of her home, or in society, and endeared them to her. The practice of benevolence and the activity of compassion were marked characteristics of her life; and she was often, found whilst ministering to those around her in distress, assuaging their griefs, cheering them in their

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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 7

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