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 76

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 76

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distinction. His ministerial work, requiring, as it often did, the manifestation of tender sympathy for those in distress of body or of mind, was a peculiar, and, in certain respects, an invaluable preparation for the pro- fession of healing; and his labors also partially devel- oped abilities, both as a speaker and writer, which it is hoped will not be left to decay in the absorbing duties of medical practice. Few indeed have been more dili- gent in self-culture, more capable in the application of principles, or more deserving of such hard-earned suc- cess. In commending the virtues of his character and his efficient treatment of disease, his fellow-citizens do not forget his comparative youth, and the fact that he will probably have yet many years in which to extend his practice and influence.

T. JOHN, ROBERT T., attorney-at-law, junior member of the firm of Steele & St. John, Marion, was born in Covington County, Mississippi, Octo- ber 27, 1828. His father, Doctor Samuel St. John, was, for a time, a surgeon in General Jackson's army, in the War of 1812. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Darling. Her father and the father of Doctor St. John both served as commissioned officers in the Revolutionary army until the independence of the col- onies was established. Doctor St. John obtained his medical education in New York. In 1817 he removed to Indiana; but, after remaining there a short time, he went, at the urgent solicitation of his wife's brother, to Mobile, Alabama, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He then removed to Mississippi, and thence, because of his wife's feeble health, to Ohio. In 1845 he settled in Indiana, in Grant County, where he organ- ized the first Masonic lodge in that county, and became its first master. He was a charter member of the Grant County Medical Society, and was its first president. An excellent physician, a man of liberal attainments, and an affectionate father, his influence made a lasting im- pression on the character of his son. Robert St. John received such instruction as could then be afforded in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana. He had an eager thirst for knowledge, and read book after book, always selecting, when possible, those that he thought would in some degree prepare him for a professional life, to which he aspired even in boyhood. At the age of seventeen he entered an office as a student of law, and studied there four years. In 1847 he was admitted to the bar of Grant County. He had long cherished a desire for travel and adventure; and, as his health was somewhat impaired by close application to study, he determined to take a long journey. Accordingly, he started for California " in search of health and a for- tunc." He says, "The first I found, but the latter

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eluded me." The tour also embraced a visit to Oregon, | sity, at Bloomington, one year (1852-53) only, when the West Indies, and Central America. After an ab- he was obliged to suspend his studies on account of defective sight. He then commenced teaching school and reading law in Fulton County, Illinois, where he remained until the summer of 1855, when he went to Preble County, Ohio, teaching there until the winter of 1858-59. Continuing his law studies, on the 24th of February, 1859, he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and March 31, 1874, was ad- mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1859 he removed to Indiana, and, after spend- ing a few weeks at Delphi, settled at Huntington, where he began his profession, which he has since followed, residing all the time at that place with the exception of a few months at Indianapolis and Connersville. He is a member of the Republican party, and was elected to a seat in the House of Representatives of the Con- gress of the United States in 1872. In 1862 he was the candidate for recorder of Huntington County, and with the rest of the Republican ticket was defeated. July 15, 1863, he joined the Union army, and was mustered in as first lieutenant ; the 28th of the same month he was promoted as captain, and on the 3d of September was made major of the 118th Indiana Volunteers, and, with the regiment, was mustered out March I, 1864, having been in East Tennessee during the occupancy of that country by Longstreet, and in the battles of Blue Springs, Tazewell, Clinch River, and a number of skir- mishes. He is a member of the Odd-fellows, and has passed the chairs of the subordinate lodge and encamp- ment. Ile is a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church, of Huntington. January 17, 1856, he was mar- ried, in Preble County, Ohio, to Miss Isabella Hart, whose ancestors were distinguished ministers of the Dunkers, or German Baptists. They have two children, both sons. sence of two and a half years, he returned to Indiana; and commenced the practice of his profession in Wabash in 1851. In 1854 he removed to Marion, where he has since remained, actively employed in the duties of an attorney. Mr. St. John is a zealous and influential member of the Republican party. He has filled the office of prosecuting attorney ; in 1863 he was a candi- date for the state Senate, but was defeated. In 1870 he was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature from Grant County, but resigned after serving forty days. He was chosen, in 1873, a member of the board of control of the Northern Indiana Penitentiary, and served two years. He was nominated for the office of Judge of the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit, but the nomina- tion was not sustained at the polls. Mr. St. John is not a member of any secret society. His family were Meth- odists, but he belongs to no Church. In October, 1859, he married Miss Emily Ward, of Michigan City. Rob- ert St. John possesses talents of a high order. His mind is adapted to abstruse thought, to the consideration of abstract themes, and hence he is enabled to comprehend legal principles readily, and to master intricate cases. He has an extensive and thorough knowledge of law, and is thought to be well qualified for the duties of the bench. As an advocate he holds a leading place at the bar. His arguments before the court are clear, strong, and pointed, and are presented with animation and force. He is more logical than impassioned, relying almost wholly upon facts and principles, and appealing to the reason rather than to the emotions. He is a marked example of a self-made man ; for, unaided, he has won his way from poverty and comparative obscurity to his present enviable position. He has a large fund of gen- eral knowledge, and is a man of broad views and decided opinions. He is fond of social intercourse, is a good con- versationalist, and a highly respected citizen.

AYLER, HENRY BENTON, lawyer, of Hunt- ington, Indiana, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 31, 1836. His parents were Martin Z. and Barbara Sayler, and he is the eldest of a family of five children. His grandfather, Daniel Sayler, was twice a member of the Ohio State Legislature prior to 1820. His father was a member of the Indiana State Legislature in 1840 and 1841. His mother's father, Henry Ilipple, was an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from about 1832 until 1836. In August, 1836, his father removed with his family to Indiana, where he remained until 1847, then going to Illinois. Mr. Sayler's education was almost entirely that of the common school, attending the Illinois Wesleyan Univer-

HIRK, ELBERT HAMILTON, president of the First National Bank, of Peru, was born in Frank- lin County, Indiana, February 14, 1818. He was the second son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stout) Shirk, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. Ile attended the common school and remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then studied two years in the Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and taught the two succeeding years in the county seminary at Rushville, Indiana. In May, 1844, he settled in Peru. There, for eleven years, he was engaged as a merchant; first, in partnership with Mr. Harland two years, and afterward alone. In 1855 he commenced buying and selling Western lands; and has since oper- ated largely in real estate. At present he is the owner of a large amount of city property, and numerous val- uable farms, besides immense tracts in the West and

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South. In one of the South-western states alone, he is possessed of no less than forty thousand acres. In 1857 he established a private bank, and has ever since been largely interested in the banking business. In 1860 he engaged again in mercantile pursuits. In 1867 the firm of Kilgore & Shirk was formed, and later it was changed to Kilgore, Shirk & Co., and it now carries on a very extensive general business. When the First Na- tional Bank, of Peru, was chartered, in 1864, Mr. Shirk became its president, in which position he still remains. This institution was started with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars, which was soon after increased to one hundred thousand; it now has a surplus of three hundred thousand, which makes an actual capital of four hundred thousand, and it thus occupies the third position among all the national banks in the state, as to its capital and surplus. Mr. Shirk at first voted with the Whig party, and afterward became a Republican ; but he is in no sense a politician. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and contributes generously to the support of his own Church and for the general work of that denomination. He was married, June 18, 1845, to May Wright, daughter of William Wright, of Franklin County, Indiana, who was of English descent. They have had four children, three of whom, two sons and one daughter are living; Mil- ton is cashier of the First National Bank, of Peru, and Elbert W. is a banker, of Tipton, Indiana. The daugh- ter's name is Alice. Mr. Shirk is of medium height, erect, and very slender. He generally enjoys good health, and there are few men of his years who are able to lead so active a life. His continued industry and careful management of his business have been rewarded with financial success. His manner is courteous and gentlemanly, and one soon feels at ease in his presence. His home is situated in the center of beautiful and spacious grounds, almost in the heart of the city. He is blessed with a conscientious Christian wife, and indus- trious, respectful children.

TEELE, COLONEL ASBURY, attorney - at - law, Marion, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, January 1, 1814. He was the thirteenth in a family of fourteen children ; and is of Irish-English descent. His father, Joseph Steele, was the son of Abraham Steele, born in Ireland, from which country he emigrated to Maryland, and settled near Patapsco Neck. His mother, whose maiden name was Susannah Fields, belonged to an English family noted for their longevity-her brother William and her sister Elizabeth each nearly passing the age of one hundred. The par- ents of Colonel Steele emigrated from Maryland to Kentucky in 1789, when that country was entirely unsettled, and both beast and savage opposed the en-

croaching pioneer. The father died when this son was quite young ; and the family removed in 1828 to Fay- ette County, Indiana. Mr. Steele received but limited instruction in boyhood; and worked on the farm until 1841, when he became a student of law in the office of Judge Caleb B. Smith, afterward Secretary of the Inte- rior. After ten months of hard study Mr. Steele was admitted to the bar. Out of a class of five, only he and one other passed the examination. He continued to study in Judge Smith's office until two years had expired, when, in February, 1843, he entered upon the practice of his profession, in Marion. Owing to the illness of his wife, Mr. Steele could not transact business in other parts of the circuit, and it became necessary, therefore, for him to engage in work which would not require a protracted absence from home. Accordingly he ac- cepted, in 1845, the nomination for clerk of the court ; and was elected. In this office he served five years; and then resigned, and resumed practice, in partnership with Howell D. Thompson. The firm of Steele & Thompson continued until the beginning of the Civil War. Mr. Steele was nominated, in 1860, as Repre- sentative in Congress from the Eleventh District, but was defeated by John P. C. Shanks. In 1861, when the guns of Beauregard waked the slumbering North to arms, Mr. Steele was among the first to respond. He raised the 34th Indiana Infantry, and was appointed colonel. The regiment went to the front well drilled and equipped, and the men were greatly attached to their commander. All seemed favorable for long and useful service, when Colonel Steele became entirely dis- abled by inflammatory rheumatism, and was compelled to resign in the fall of 1862. He then returned home; and, being obliged to deny himself the privilege of mil- Itary service in defense of the flag, he recommenced the practice of law, with Robert T. St. John, his present part- ner. In 1870, contrary to his wishes, he was elected to the state Senate, and served four years, being chairman of the Judiciary Committee during the last session. He intro- duced several important bills, which passed both Houses. Among them was "A bill to protect the Wabash and Erie Canal, and the tolls and revenues thereof, from sale or sequestration for the satisfaction of any lien anterior in point of date to the transfer of said canal to the trustees in 1847." The bill proposed to make the state a party to any suit instituted for the sale of said canal, or any part thereof, including the action then pending in the Carroll Circuit Court. Colonel Steele was untir- ing in his efforts to secure its passage, and to this end made one of the ablest speeches ever delivered in the Senate. He was in the second session successful, and the passing of that act secured the state against the payment of twenty million dollars. It was afterward incorporated in the state constitution. In the campaign of 1868 he was strongly solicited to become a candidate

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for Congress, but positively refused. These nominations, except those made prior to 1861, were tendered by the Republican party, to which Colonel Steele became at- tached at the breaking out of the Civil War. At that time, together with a great many other Douglas Dem- ocrats, he found that his convictions were opposed to the sympathies of his party. He has never sought offi- cial position, always preferring the duties of his profes- sion to those of a political office. The firm of Steele & St. John is the ablest and most influential in the county. They are attorneys for the Pan Handle Railroad, and, without effort to obtain patronage, are almost overtaxed with business. Colonel Steele is not a member of any secret society. He is somewhat independent in his relig- ious views, but is more in sympathy with the doctrines of the Campbellites than with those of any other de- nomination. He was brought up in the Baptist Church, with which his parents were connected. September 5, 1838, he married Miss Louisa Wadom, a native of Indiana, daughter of Wilson and Lois Wadom, early pioneers of this state. This marriage was blessed with seven children, of whom five are living: Major George W .; Richard G., a lawyer; Asbury E., prosecuting at- torney for the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit; Theresa L., wife of Doctor George W. Daniel, of Sweetser, Grant County; and William Douglas, deputy auditor of Grant County. Their mother died in 1869. Colonel Steele married again, June 7, 1870, his second wife being Miss Nellie N. Connor." Colonel Steele, though not a polished orator, is a powerful man before a jury in crim- inal courts. Blessed with a very retentive memory, he has at ready command the necessary facts and principles, and marshals them in logical array ; he possesses a force of mingled pathos and scorn that makes him almost irresistible. He does not confine himself, however, to criminal practice, but also engages successfully in civil cases. In the Senate, as already seen, he at once be- came a leader, and rendered the state invaluable service. In the army, he was proved to be a man of indomitable will and utter fearlessness; and his necessary resigna- tion was deeply regretted by both officers and men. He is unassuming without diffidence, and resolute without rashness-a man of strong likes and dislikes, and yet a general favorite. He is very genial and agreeable in society, and is possessed of lasting faithfulness in friendship.

TUTT, GEORGE WASHINGTON, attorney-at-law, Huntington, was born in Stark County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 6, 1843. He is the son of Joseph (and Harriet) Stutt, a wealthy farmer. At the age of six years he removed with his parents to Whitley County, Indiana, where he attended the graded and normal schools, and received a good sound education. March 4, 1863, he,

with his parents, removed to Huntington County, where he immediately entered the law-office of the Hon. D. O. Dailey, where, after a two years' study of the law, he was admitted to practice February 9, 1865. He at once entered upon his calling at Huntington, in which he still continues, enjoying a large and lucrative practice, and being acknowledged as one of the heads of his pro- fession in the county. He is a man of great study and research, and thoroughly versed in all matters of law. In early life he was always of a studious nature, and given to discussion and debate. Although designed by his parents for a physician, he adopted law from choice and natural inclination. He has been three times elected mayor of Huntington-first under the old town corpo- ration, and afterwards when it became a city corporation. Mr. Stutt is a man of great personal popularity, which is evinced by the fact of his having been thus chosen in a strongly Democratic town, he himself being a Repub- lican. For three terms he was deputy prosecuting at- torney, under Judges Dudley H. Chase, B. F. Ibach, and Judge Hess. During the term of his office he took a very active part in street improvements, and his influ- ence and earnest service in the matter enabled the cor- poration to entirely pay off its debt, amounting to some twenty-seven thousand dollars. Some four years since he became a member of the Masonic Order, in which he has advanced as far as chapter and council. He has been an Odd-fellow for something like sixteen years, and in that society he has taken every degree, including en- campment. At the age of ten he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is still a member, and has been one of the trustees of the Church in his town for some two years. He formerly took an active part in the Sunday - school, of which he was secretary and treasurer for nine years. He is a Republican, always taking a responsible part in the canvass. December 26, 1872, he was married to Mary A. Purviance, a most estimable lady, daughter of James Purviance, a prom- inent merchant of Huntington. Mr. Stutt is of fine personal appearance and impressive presence, a bright, intelligent, and courteous gentleman, of fine language, speaking readily, and is honored, respected, and beloved.

PENCER, JACOB W., an eminent citizen of Ma- rion, Grant County, was a native of Somerset, Penn- sylvania, where he was born on the 19th of March, 1808. He was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Armstrong) Spencer. His father was engaged in mer- cantile business, in which he obtained good success and accumulated a handsome fortune. Riches, however, bring no exemption from many of the disasters of life, as was experienced by him. Being out riding one day, his team became frightened at some object on the road

Jacob W Sferico

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and ran away, throwing Mr. Spencer out, and inflicting [ He remained there until 1849, when he removed to Grant such injuries upon him that he shortly after died. The County, buying a place near Marion, the county seat. Fortune had smiled upon him, and, in 1855, he left his residence in the country, settling in the city of Marion, where he had previously erected a large brick hotel in a modern style. The timber was all cut for him, and he manufactured all the brick used in its construction. Here he resided until his decease, which occurred on the 29th of August, 1873, being then sixty-five years of age. It was the result of a fall from a haymow. The distance was about twelve feet, and he sustained such severe internal injuries that his death followed eight weeks after. He left a family of six children, two daughters and four sons. The oldest daughter is the wife of Isaac Van Devanter, a prominent lawyer of Marion. (See sketch.) The second married F. A. Line, a wholesale merchant of Cincinnati, who died in 1876. Henry J. entered the army as a private at the beginning of the Rebellion, served faithfully during the entire time, and was promoted to the rank of captain. He died May 24, 1879. Otto B., now living in Chicago, has been engaged in buying and selling stock. George W. is an enterprising and successful farmer in Grant County, and also deals in stock. Robert J., the young- est of the family, now twenty-seven years old, is the proprietor of the Spencer House, which his father built twenty-four years ago. Jacob W. Spencer was a man highly esteemed in the community in which he lived. He was quiet and unostentatious in his manner, but kindly and genial. Honest poverty was always aided, and he assisted many who had no claims upon him. In public enterprises he was foremost. Churches, railroads, turnpikes, and benevolent societies were helped by him to the full extent of his means, and he also devoted much time to their furtherance. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but of no secret soci- ety. He voted the Republican ticket. With his abili- ties and popularity, it would have been easy enough to have been elected to office, yet he would not allow his name to be used for such a purpose. He was a kind husband, an affectionate father, and an obliging neigh- bor. Mr. Spencer was a man of sterling integrity, and his death was lamented by all who knew him. He was one whose opinions were his convictions. estate became involved in litigation, the heirs quarreled, and the result was that the whole was swallowed up in lawyers' fees and expenses of court, with the exception of a half section of wild land in Perry County, Ohio. To what lucky accident it happened that this was not also devoured by the disciples of Coke and Blackstone we can not tell; it may have been that they regarded it as worthless. Land was frequently given away at that time by owners rather than pay the taxes. Here the widow, with a sad heart, prepared to emigrate. She had ten children : James, Jessie, George A., Thomas, William, Benjamin M., Jacob M., Olive, Robert, and Jane, all of whom are now dead with the exception of Benjamin, aged seventy-four, and his sister Olive. Im- mediately upon reaching the new home the trees were to be girdled and cut down, the soil plowed as well as it could be, Indian corn and a trifle of wheat raised, and some pigs fattened. The operation of reclaiming wild land is by no means easy, and it presents for many years a desolate appearance, from the multitude of stumps still remaining. He and his brothers and sisters toiled assiduously on the farm at this work, and the place gradually improved, both in looks and in the quantity of its crops. He was not allowed to attend school ex- cept in the winter time, and indeed there generally was no instruction given in summer. The edifice in which the children were taught was of logs, roughly hewed, and plastered with clay at the interstices. Huge crev- ices admitted the cold air in the winter time, chilling the room so that not even the capacious fire-place could warm it. A sheet of greased paper made the window, and the seats were the rudest kind of benches. There were few branches taught, and there was no uniformity of text-books. Such knowledge as was there imparted in reading, writing, and arithmetic he obtained, and was able to make use of ever after. In his twenty-third year he had attracted the attention of an enterprising mer- chant, Judge Hood, who invited him to take a place in his establishment. This he did, and he made such rapid progress, and showed such good business qualifications, that he was subsequently admitted as a partner. This relation continued a couple of years, when he moved back to the home farm, which he subsequently pur- chased. He did not, however, return alone, but took a young wife with him. She was Miss Eleanor L. Moeller, and belonged to the same neighborhood. She continued TUDABAKER, PETER, banker, of Bluffton, Indi- ana, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, of which his parents, Abraham and Elizabeth Studabaker, were the first settlers. They removed there in 1807, while the wolves and bears were still to be seen, and while the country was almost an unbroken forest. Peter was born long after this, when the original wil- derness had been subdued, on the 26th of February, a faithful consort to him for forty years, and until his death, bringing up a large family, and giving him coun- sel and aid when needed. She still survives. His mother remained with them, and he supported her till her death. Mr. Spencer immediately began to improve his farm, making new fences and out-buildings, and putting up a large brick house, which took the place of an old log one.

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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 76

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