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 84

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 84

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INTON, HORACE, M. D., physician and sur- geon, North Manchester, was born at Crawfords- ville, Montgomery County, Indiana, June 19, 1831. He is the son of William R. (and Mary A.) Winton, a physician, graduate of the Ohio Medi- cal College, who practiced at Crawfordsville for some twenty years, and was a man of the very highest position in the medical fraternity, and one of the trus- tees of Wabash College, toward the building of which he gave most liberally. There are no less than thirteen physicians in the two branches of the family, all of

whom owe their position to his influence. Horace Win- ton, after attending the common school at Crawfords- ville until the age of eleven, entered Wabash College, staying two years, when his parents removed to Ohio, where he became a special student under Doctor Eben- ezer Thomas, remaining under his tuition two years, then entering Miami University. He studied there for two years, when he returned, owing to the advantages offered at Wabash College, pursuing his course for two years, at the expiration of which he studied medicine in the city of Wabash for three years, with his father, with whom he entered upon practice afterward. After a twelvemonth he removed to Delaware County, and for a year made his rounds with his uncle, Doctor Robert Winton, and then attended his first course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. He finally settled down at North Manchester, entered upon his pro- fession, and continued there until the winter of 1864 and 1865. A second course of lectures was then attended, this time at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was graduated with full honors. He returned to his home and resumed practice, but in 1871 removed to Muncie and formed a partnership with Doctor Robert Winton. After fourteen months the partnership was mutually dissolved, he desiring to reside at Wabash to take personal care of his father during his declining years. A year later his father died, and he then returned to North Manchester, where he has resided ever since, in the enjoyment of a large and eminently successful busi- ness, standing at the head of his profession in the town. Doctor Winton has been a member of the Masonic Order since 1857, having taken all degrees ; and Knight Templar and an Odd-fellow since 1867, in which he has taken all degrees, through Encampment. He has been a member of the Knights of Honor from their inception. He is a member of the Huntington County Medical Society ; of the Wabash County Medical Society, of which he is now president for the second year ; of the State Medical So- ciety, of which he was assistant secretary for one year ; and is also medical examiner for the life insurance com- panies doing business in North Manchester. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is at present one of the trustees. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has always been active in the interests of the organization from its beginning. He is a man of great popularity in the county, of the strictest integrity, a most thorough student, and of the highest reputation as a physician. He has a fine personal ap- pearance, is genial and courteous, and in the enjoyment of excellent health. September 3, 1857, he was married to a most estimable young lady of North Manchester, Wabash County, Miss Mary E. Boggs. They have two sons and two daughters, who are now attending school. The Doctor's only. brother, Charles H., has been prac- ticing with him for some eleven years.

11th Dist.]

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

AKER, DAVID VAN CLEVE, who, for more than a quarter of a century has been a citizen of Portland, Jay County, Indiana, was born on a farm near Dayton, Ohio, May 30, 1839. He is the youngest child of David C. Baker (late clerk of Jay County), by his first wife, Sarah Sophia Van Cleve, who died October 18, 1839. She was noted for her noble Christian spirit, her excellent qualities of head and heart, and the beauty of her person. She was a woman of rare intellect, and possessed high traits of character not often found in one individual. David V. Baker, the subject of this sketch, was sent to school in Dayton when very young, and at five years of age was making speeches for Henry Clay for President. It is doubtful if any boy in America entered into politics at an earlier age. When the nation shook to its center with the contest over the attempt to extend slavery into the territories, in the year 1854, Baker was attending school at Liber College, in Jay County. His first com- position was one in which he plainly and graphically pictured out " the damned curse of human slavery," and declared, "It is the duty of the Congress of the United States to recognize it as a curse-the blackest stain that rests on our land; and, instead of protecting it, it is the duty of the American Congress and the American people to confine it to its present limits, and finally to wipe it forever from our soil." His earnestness brought down hearty plaudits. He often addressed his school-mates on questions of a political nature, receiving from them at all times a close and careful hearing. At the end of his last session of attendance he was selected to deliver the farewell address. This was a great suc- cess, and there are those yet living who can recall from memory portions of his speech. Three sessions at Liber College constituted all his schooling in Indiana. At twelve years of age he was working on a farm at five dollars per month and board. His father had met with reverses in business, and the boy left school to go to work. In April, 1853, his father moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Portland, Indiana, and for four years kept the principal hotel of the place. David was his chore boy, to make four fires on winter mornings, and often to have a stable full of dirty horses to curry, feed, and water. For four years he was his father's stable boy. In the spring of 1858 Baker began the study of law in the office of Hon. J. P. C. Shanks. Soon after, he wrote his first newspaper article. It was the first ever printed that named Shanks for Congress, and, as that gentleman was elected five times afterwards to that position, the communication of this young stu- dent may have had some bearing on the matter. A consultation was held in the office to ascertain who had written it. At this meeting Baker was present, poring over the pages of Blackstone, when he was ination of Governor Hayes. He was a warm admirer astounded to hear Mr. Shanks tell his friends that

"Doctor B. B. Snow wrote that article." Doctor Snow was a man of mature years and the leader of the Dem- ocratic party in Jay County, and the student was there- fore justly surprised to hear his own preceptor ascribe to the brain of Snow an essay he had never written. Mr. Shanks had taken up his pen to give an answer, when the lad thought fit to undeceive them. It was not Dr. Snow who was to be answered, but his own office boy. Mr. Shanks was not only astonished but highly amused. He had met Dr. Snow many times publicly in debate, and now he had committed such a mistake as to ascribe to him an article written in his own office, and on his own table, by a young student. The lawyer did exactly what he was advised in the news- paper to do, and was elected in 1860 to Congress as the successor of John U. Pettit. In 1862 he was defeated, and his boy student (then a voter) helped to defeat him. In 1864 Mr. Stillwell was elected to Congress. In 1866 Mr. Baker again came to the help of General Shanks, wrote in behalf of his nomination and election, and again he was elected. In January, 1860, young Baker (though lacking about five months of being twenty-one years old) was selected by the Republicans of Jay County, as a delegate to the state convention, soon to meet in Indianapolis. He took an active part in the contest for the nomination. He warmly advocated Colonel Henry S. Lane for Governor, over Oliver P. Morton. Lane was nominated by acclamation, and in the Bates House, at Indianapolis, on the night of his nomination, he was surrounded by his friends. Mr. Baker congratulated him, and was thus addressed by the old soldier of the Mexican War : "Young man, when I am elected Gov- ernor of Indiana, my first commission shall be to you. You shall go on my staff with the rank of colonel." The old soldier served but two days as Governor, when the Legislature elected him to the Senate of the nation, but he was as good as his word to the boy who had so nobly upheld him. Mr. Baker did not go to Indianapolis for his commission, but Governor Lane sent it to him. When it was received the young man had too much pride to ask Governor Morton (whom he had opposed) to retain him. It might have been a step toward polit- ical promotion if he had done so. Walter Q. Gresham, appointed by Governor Lane at the same time, is now United States District Judge. It can thus be seen that before he was twenty-one years old he was a regular del- egate, helping to put in nomination the first Republican ticket that carried Indiana. Baker wrote and spoke for the success of the Republican party in that contest of 1860, and cast his first vote at that election. From that time on up to 1876 he never missed attendance at all the Republican state conventions. He helped to nominate the Republican ticket of 1876. He witnessed the nom- of James G. Blaine, and was disappointed at Blaine's

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

[with Dist.

defeat. To this day he says, " Blaine is the boldest and the ablest leader in the ranks of the Republican party." The Republicans in the summer of 1876 nom- inated Mr. Baker for circuit prosecutor in the district composed of the counties of Jay, Adams, and Wells. It was overwhelmingly Democratic, and there was no pos- sible chance of an election. In view of his long serv- ices to the party, Baker regarded this nomination tendered to him as " no less than an insult-a trick." Having been deeply dissatisfied with many acts of the Republican leaders for four years preceding, he now took occasion to write a lengthy letter for publication, in which he declined the Republican nomination, and declared, "The Republican party deserves rebuke at the hands of the people," and that from that time on he would act and vote with the Democracy. He has been bitterly abused for his course, but he stood true to his word. He wrote and spoke in the campaign of 1876 for the success of the Democratic party. In 1878 he was a delegate to the congressional convention at Fort Wayne that nominated Mr. Walpole G. Colerick for Congress, and very likely that gentleman owes his present position more to Mr. Baker than to any other one man. The nomination was equivalent to an elec- tion: Several candidates hotly contested for the posi- tion. The convention had been in session nearly the entire day, and going over to another day would likely throw Colerick out of the field. Mr. McDonald, of Whitley County, had received Mr. Baker's sup- port for one hundred consecutive ballots, and there was a complete "dead-lock." He saw no chance of getting his first choice, and after that ballot he gave one vote for Colerick that broke the stand-still, and in fourteen ballots thereafter Colerick was nom- inated ; Mr. McDonald, Baker's first choice, came to the support of Colerick with the solid vote of Whitley County, and that settled the nomination. Mr. Baker has devoted the best years of his life in politics working for others, thoughtless of himself or his own interests. In the Democratic State Convention of 1878, of which Thomas A. Hendricks was the hon- ored president, Mr. Baker was one of the vice-presi- dents. In all his long career in politics (and he is now just past forty years of age) he has but three times sought public favor. In 1862 or 1863 he was up for com- mon pleas attorney, and Jay County gave him over five hundred majority. Every township in the county but one voted for him. In 1872 the Republicans of Grant, Jay, and Blackford Counties, in district convention, came within one vote of nominating him for the state Senate, when a nomination was as good as an election. In 1878 the Democracy of Jay County, in convention, gave him a hearty vote, next to the highest, for clerk of the court, and his name has been mentioned by his friends for a yet higher position. During President Lincoln's adminis-

tration he was for two years postmaster at Portland, then resigning. In that place he has been successively town councilman, town attorney, and town clerk. He served four years as United States mail contractor on all the routes, except one, which entered Portland. For five years he had charge of the clerk's office of Jay County. At the meeting of the Democratic convention in Deca- tur, Adams County, on the 18th of June, 1880, Mr. Baker was nominated for Representative from the coun- ties of Adams, Jay, and Wells, and his friends confi- dently expect his election by over a thousand majority. Before he had reached the age of twenty years, by the will of his mother's brother, the late John W. Van Cleve, of Dayton, Ohio, he received (together with several others) some money, and he immediately discharged the few debts he had contracted during the prosecution of - his studies. He was married, July 17, 1859, to Miss Jane C. Hawkins, the oldest daughter of the late Judge Hawkins. Like many other young men, he was not as careful and cautious in business as he might have been, and in ten years from the date of his marriage he found himself with a young family dependent on him for sup- port, while almost a bankrupt. There had been much sickness in his family- two children had died, and the sheriff had levied on his little farm. Not only his own debts, but security debts for others, had to be paid; and he did pay them. Not dismayed nor discouraged by the misfortunes that stared him in the face, he went to work and acquired a lucrative practice in one branch of his profession --- partition of lands and settlement of es- tates-a practice which, with his real estate business, now occupies a good part of his time. As a citizen he has performed a good part, and has had the pleasure of eating fruit from the vines and trees of his own plant- ing; has set out and adorned the walks with shade trees; built frame houses, and helped to construct a brick busi- ness block, in which is his law office, one of the best in Eastern Indiana. He has not been idle in the last ten years; by work and good management he is now in com- fortable circumstances. He has aided, to the extent of his ability, all the enterprises of a public character about Portland. The building of churches, help for schools, construction of railroads and turnpikes, all have received liberal help from D. V. Baker. And no man enjoys the society of his friends more than he. They are ever welcome at his home at all times. And it can be said of him that no poor man, woman, or child was ever turned hungry from his door. It is impossible for him to dismiss from his mind the necessities and the weak- nesses of the poor. Such is the nature of the man; he has a heart in his bosom ever in sympathy with those in distress. He has filled nearly all the positions in the subordinate lodge of Odd-fellows. He has twice been Noble Grand, twice a representative to the Grand Lodge, and was for two years district deputy grand

REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF INDIANA.

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master. At present he is secretary of Jay Lodge, No. 87, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Portland weekly Sun, of July 24, 1879, thus speaks of him :

"On Thursday evening of last week the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. David V. Baker united in one grand effort to show them the high esteem in which they are deservingly held by the public. The evening chosen for this showing of their regard was the twentieth an- niversary-the china wedding-of the wedded life of that happy and popular couple. It culminated in one of the most notable and pleasant social events in the history of Portland. By their urbanity, generosity, and kindness, together with the irreproachable lives they have lived, Mr. and Mrs. Baker occupy a warm place in the hearts of our people, who delight in doing them honor. Over one hundred and fifty guests were early assembled in and about Mr. Baker's residence, which

had been prepared especially for the occasion. The lawn was splendidly illuminated, and dotted over with chairs, tables, etc. The Portland opera band and the silver band were on hand, and discoursed fine music. After the guests had enjoyed a rich repast of ice-cream, cake, and other delicacies, they were assembled about the bride and groom of twenty years and listened to a well-timed speech by General Shanks. At the close of the general's remarks, Rev. Mr. Morris elicited consid- erable merriment by inviting the couple to stand up, join hands, and be 'married over,' which ceremony was performed in an eloquent and impressive manner. The presents were numerous and handsome, and of an endless variety. Mr. and Mrs. Baker personally super- vised the entertainment of their guests, who lingered until a late hour before they finally disbanded, all wish- ing the well-mated couple an even more prosperous, if possible, voyage over life's rough sea."

Apvien Bond Fut

yours very truly.

THE

TWELFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

ARNUM, ABEL, a wealthy farmer of Albion, firm adherent of that party until 1854, when, in conse- quence of its dissolution, he allied himself to the Re- publicans. He is earnest in the support of his convic- tions, but is not an aspirant for office, preferring rather the comforts and pleasures of his well-ordered home. In 1852 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served in that position for five years to the entire acceptance of the people, retaining alike the confidence and respect of his political friends and opponents. In religious be- lief Mr. Barnum is unorthodox, but not irreligious. Mr. Barnum has witnessed in this county the transfor- mation of the wilds into splendid farms, that yield rich returns to the labor of the husbandman, and a popula- tion of a few scores of scattered pioneers increase to over twenty-five thousand souls. Albion but recently sprang from the depths of the forest, and is now a town of twelve hundred people, representing large wealth and extensive business interests, with churches, school-houses, public buildings, and other improvements on every hand, indicating educational and moral advancement. Mr. Barnum is respected by all who know him. He was married, April 30, 1848, to Miss Jane Sweet, of Jefferson Township, Noble County, a daughter of Hon. Jerome Sweet, one of the early settlers, who was born August 11, 1806, in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York. In 1834 he emigrated to Ohio, and lived there for eight years. In 1842 he removed to Indiana, and located in Jefferson, where he died after a residence of twenty-seven years, on August 24, 1869, lamented by his relatives, and respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. His daughter, Mrs. Barnum, is a lady of culture, prepos- sessing in appearance, and with many amiable traits of character. She reads much, and observes carefully. Her duties as wife and mother are discharged with self- sacrificing devotion. She is a worthy mistress of her household. They have two children : one son, Orlo P., Noble County, Indiana, was born June 30, 1821, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and was the fourth of a family of seven children of Platt and Alethea (Barnum) Barnum, who were natives of the same state, and farmers by occupation. Abel was re- moved in infancy, with his parents, from Connecticut to the state of New York, locating in Sullivan County. His educational advantages were limited. His father died when Abel was but ten years of age; and this, no doubt, lessened his opportunities. He enjoyed only such privileges as were afforded by an irregular attend- ance at a common district school for about three months each winter during his minority, working at farm labor the remainder of the time. In 1844 he emigrated to Indiana, and located in Noble County, where he pur- chased a tract of timber land of one hundred and sixty acres, just north of what is now the town of Albion, which he at once set about clearing up and tilling, working as a farmer during the summer seasons, and teaching school in the winters. Having previously taught two terms in New York State, he continued the practice in Indiana for four winters with marked suc- cess, commanding the approbation of his patrons and the respect of his pupils. His school-teaching experi- ence closed in 1848, after which he devoted his entire time and attention to his farm. Mr. Barnum subse- quently added to his acres, increasing them to two hun- dred and forty, thus giving him one of the most valuable pieces of property in the vicinity, desirable for its loca- tion, and rich in timber, soil, and productiveness. The convenient and substantial dwelling, with its numerous and extensive barns and out-buildings, gives it the ap- pearance of substantial thrift, while the fences, fields, yards, and lanes indicate watchfulness and intelligent care. As a farmer, Mr. Barnum is thorough and sys- tematic, and a worthy subject for emulation. He was educated in the old Whig school of politics, and was a i born January 22, 1851, and one daughter, Alethea, born

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[12th Dist.

December 5, 1852. In private life Mr. Barnum is a genial, courteous gentleman, surrounded by friends en- deared to him by long years of kind deeds. His char- acter is without reproach. His position is assured as a neighbor, as a citizen, and as a man. He is yet in the prime of manhood, and his firm health and wiry con- stitution give promise of many years to be added to a useful and busy life.

ENOIT, VERY REV. JULIAN, vicar-general of the diocese of Fort Wayne, was born in France, in 1808. He studied in Lyons, and received an excellent education. He was one of the heroic band that renounced all, and accompanied the saintly Bishop Brute, of Vincennes, to America, in 1836. The first four years he labored in the ministry in Southern Indiana, and in 1840 was sent to Fort Wayne, where he acquired the beautiful cathedral property, and built the cathedral church and schools. In 1871 he was the administrator of the diocese. He is a man of eminent virtue, learning, and business capacity ; and, royal in his charity, is held in the highest esteem by all.

EST, JUDGE JAMES I., a leading lawyer and prominent citizen of Waterloo, DeKalb County, Indiana, was born August 23, 1835, in Waynes- borough, Augusta County, Virginia. His parents, Joseph C. and Mary Ann (Caldwell) Best, were also natives of Virginia. The latter was of Scotch and the former of Irish extraction. In the early part of the father's business life he was engaged in selling goods, but afterward turned his attention to farming. James Best, grandfather of James I., emigrated from Scotland to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in the state of Virginia. Judge Best, the subject of this sketch, enjoyed in boyhood, and until seventeen years old, few educational advantages, or only those which were derived from an attendance at a common school dur- ing the winter terms, the remainder of the time engag- ing in hard work on the farm, which his father had pur- chased when James was about ten years of age. His strength of mind enabled him readily to receive and retain instruction, and insured him the mastery of a thorough education in the English branches. In 1852 he moved with his father's family to Indiana and settled in Huntington County, engaging in school-teaching for four successive winters, after which he began to read law under the instruction of D. O. Daily, at Hunting- ton, Indiana, with whom he remained for about two years and a half. Having previously been admitted to the bar, in 1860 he came to Waterloo and began the practice of his profession alone. In 1863 he associated

with himself Charles A. O. McClellan, under the firm name of Best & McClellan, until 1867, when Mr. McClellan retired. Mr. Best continued the business until the fol- lowing September, when R. Wes. McBride was received as partner, which connection was dissolved August, 1868, Mr. McBride retiring. The following December Mr. Mcclellan again joined him, the arrangement closing in 1872, when Mr. Best was nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Indiana, comprising DeKalb, Steu- ben, Lagrange, Noble, Elkhart, and Kosciusko Counties. Notwithstanding his strong Republican sentiments, his fitness for the responsible position was readily acknowl- edged by the Democrats indorsing his nomination, insur- ing his unanimous election. In consequence of overwork on the bench, his health became impaired, for which reason he resigned in 1876, and returned to practice, Judge Towsley taking his place on the bench. Judge Best holds a leading position among his professional brethren. His is the standard by which the younger lawyers seek to be measured in the field of legal learning, eloquence, and general attainments. His close applica- tion to business, his devotion to his clients, his untiring industry and research, his thorough analysis of author- ities, combine to enable him to grasp successfully the strong points in his cause. Probably no man in the state, certainly none in North-eastern Indiana, is his superior as an advocate. He possesses a peculiar charm of voice and manner, and that which with some would, in the energy of forensic appeal, seem bitter- ness, with him is simply pathetic earnestness. While he excels as an advocate, he is no less distinguished as a counselor. His familiarity with the science and princi- ples of law, his independent character of mind and action, his quick perception and sound judgment, and, above all, his well-known integrity, eminently qualify him to act the part of a discreet and trusted adviser. It is a combination of these qualities which secured to him, while occupying the important position of Judge, not only the respect and esteem of the bar, but the con- fidence and commendation of the public. January I, 1873, Judge Best, in connection with Judge Charles A. O. McClellan and William C. Langon, instituted the DeKalb Bank, of Waterloo, Mr. Langon withdrawing his inter- est in 1875. The business has since been conducted by Judge Best and Judge Mcclellan, and by their discreet, liberal, and fair management they have won the còn- fidence, and a large share of the patronage, of the community. In politics Judge Best is a stalwart Repub- lican, but is not an aspirant for office. He is an hon- ored and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Waterloo, liberal in its support, and by his life's example contributes to its spiritual and social growth. He is a consistent advocate of the temperance

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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 84

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