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 91

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 91

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he has been usually successful. The careful preparation of his cases, his watchfulness over the just interests of his clients, his knowledge of authorities, his ability to see and utilize the strong points in his cause, and, above all, his earnestness and well-known integrity, make him a strong advocate before court and jury. While he has achieved distinction in his profession, he has been no less fortunate in money matters. Always prompt, me- thodical, and attentive, he is noted for his financial abil- ity, and his sound powers of reasoning. In March, 1877, Mr. Gale, in connection with George W. and William Wickwire and Alfred Osborn, instituted the An- gola Bank, which by its judicious management com- mands the confidence of the public, from whom it re- ceives a liberal patronage. In politics Mr. Gale is a thorough Republican, firm and decided in his political convictions, and ready and earnest in their support. He is not a member of any Church, but is an attendant and a liberal contributor to all religious organizations of Angola, and is always ready to aid any thing which will promote the best moral interest of the society in which he lives. He is an earnest and consistent temperance man, and has been for over twenty years lecturing and zealously advocating this reform. Mr. Gale was married, June 6, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth C., daugh- ter of Adam Metzger, of Angola, but a native of Penn- sylvania. He is of German descent, and a man of marked intelligence and acquirements. He has a sound mind and good judgment. His daughter, Mrs. Gale, is of excellent appearance, and has many kindly traits of character. Her moral and intellectual superiority gives her great influence in society. She is pleasing in con- versation and is active in matters pertaining to the lit- erary and social interests of the community. They have had three children : Frank, born May 22, 1857, who died March 6, 1873; Della R., born December 1, 1862 ; Waldo, born August 14, 1865; and Mary R. (adopted), born December 9, 1875. In private life Mr. Gale is a pleasant and dignified gentleman. His habits are such as to win the love and confidence of his family and friends, and the respect and esteem of the people. He is now in the prime of manhood and in the midst of his activity and usefulness. His position is assured as a lawyer, as a business man, and as a citizen.

AMILTON, ALLEN, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was born in the County of Tyrone, in the North of Ireland, in 1798. His father, Andrew Hamil- ilton, was a younger son, and maintained a re- spectable standing as an Irish attorney. For many years he held the position of deputy clerk to the crown, an office which not only conferred on him some honor, but also brought him a good income. Generous living,

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however, left him but meager accumulations from years of prosperity, and, when age and feebleness compelled him to resign his position, his affairs became seriously embarrassed. His older brother, who had inherited : the family estates, had meanwhile become involved in expensive litigation, and was unable to render him any assistance. Allen Hamilton early learned that he must depend upon his own exertions. His mother, Elizabeth Allen, was a noble woman. Reverses neither hardened her sympathies nor destroyed her courage. To her in- fluence, and the energy of purpose with which she inspired her son, he ascribes his subsequent success. Through her efforts, he spent the two years between twelve and fifteen in the family of her aunt-a Mrs. Montgomery, of Donegal County-where he enjoyed the advantages of educated and refined society, and attended an academy in the vicinity. Returning in 1813, he found his father's affairs in such a condition that he felt it his duty to remain, and accordingly de- voted the next four years to his assistance. An account of the institutions of the New World, obtained from a gentleman who had just returned from America, led him

to consider the desirability of emigrating, as the speed- iest means of repairing the broken fortunes of his fa- ther's family, and of securing for himself the advantages which were now beyond his reach in his native land.

The thought matured into a purpose, and as soon as he had raised the means necessary for the journey, chang- ing his original plan, he sailed for Canada. He arrived

in Quebec in 1817, and delivered his letters of intro- duction, which secured for him immediately the promise

of a situation in an extensive shipping-house. Before he could enter upon his duties, an attack of ship-fever consumed his means and undermined his health. By - the advice of a physician, he sought a milder climate, but at Montreal was again overtaken by disease. On his recovery, finding himself penniless and friendless, he

disposed of his superfluous clothing to obtain a little money, packed his remaining effects into a small bundle, and started on foot for the United States. Crossing

from St. John's into Vermont in an Indian canoe, he con-

tinued his journey through New York to Philadelphia. He arrived in that city, worn out more by the discourage-

ments which misfortune, disease, and threatening penury,

in a strange land, could not fail to produce, even in the

stoutest heart and most enthusiastic temperament, than

by the fatigues of his long tramp. But, as courage seldom utterly fails in youth, he secured the cheapest respectable lodging, and started in search of employ- ment. Day after day disappointment awaited him.

sible misfortune seemed reached. He wandered through His money became exhausted, and the extreme of pos-

the streets of Philadelphia, too much disheartened to make further efforts, until by chance seeing an adver- tisement for laborers posted on the door of an iron

store he entered and asked for work. His slight form, anxious looks, and respectful manner gained the atten- tion and interest of the proprietor, a benevolent Quaker, who, learning his history, promised him assistance. By this means he secured a position as clerk, with a salary of one hundred dollars a year, besides his board. He remained in this situation until 1820, having an increase of salary after the first year. Then, learning that his cousin, General James Dill, was clerk of Dearborn County, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, he determined to visit him, and afterwards entered his office for the pur- pose of studying law, agreeing to write six hours each day for his board and the use of the library. Three years later, on the invitation of Captain Samuel J. Vance, then register of the land-office at Fort Wayne, he visited that point. Its natural advantages and proba- ble future importance as a business center impressed him, and he determined to make it his home. He ac- cordingly entered the office of Captain Vance as deputy register, and for some time continued his legal studies there. Fearing that the unprofitableness of his profes- sion in so new a country would compel him to forego his long-cherished plan of bringing his parents to this country, he relinquished his studies, and became a mer- chant. His first trade was with the Indians. His stock of goods, purchased on credit, furnished him, at the end of two years, with capital for a much larger business than he had anticipated. Hle associated with himself Cyrus Taber, and the energy and unquestioned integrity of both partners soon made the firm widely known and respected throughout the state. Almost at the begin- ning of his business operations he secured the confidence and won the intimate friendship of John B. Richard- ville, for many years the principal chief of the Miami Indians. This man was one of the most remarkable characters that have appeared in the history of his na- tion -a clear-headed, prudent, far- seeing diplomatist, whose influence with his tribe was almost unbounded.

His friendship was, therefore, productive of substantial benefits to Mr. Hamilton in his business relations with the tribe. This confidence was never abused. The friendship grew and strengthened, and for many years before the death of the old chief he took no important step without consulting Mr. Hamilton. He continued to have very great influence with the tribe after the death of their chief, and held some important official positions in the negotiations of the government with the Miamis. In 1834, and again in 1838, he acted as secretary of the commissioners appointed to negotiate a treaty with that nation. In 1840 he was appointed by President Van Buren one of the commissioners to extin- guish the Indian titles to the land in Indiana, and induce them to remove West, by treaty with the Miamis. This treaty was effected through the confidence which the Indians felt in the wisdom and friendliness of his coun

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sel. In 1841 Mr. Hamilton was appointed by President Harrison agent of the Miamis, and held the office until the close of that administration. In this semi-judicial position he was guardian of the Indians, standing be- tween their interests and those of the traders who had dealings with them, custodian of the large annuities paid to the tribe by the United States government, and virtual arbiter of all disputes which might arise between the Indians and their creditors and debtors; and neither among Indians nor traders ever arose a breath of suspicion as to his integrity. Besides the official relations with the Indians, Mr. Hamilton was honored with other public offices. In 1824 he was appointed sheriff, to organize the County of Allen; and afterward held the same office by choice of the people for two years. In 1838 he was elected county clerk, and filled that office seven years. In 1850 he was chosen, on the Republican ticket, in a section which had a large opposite majority, over a very popular Democratic candidate, as delegate to represent Allen County in the convention to revise the state Constitution. His influence secured, against much opposition from both parties, the adoption of a provision authorizing free banks and granting to the Legislature authority to establish a state bank, with branches. The wisdom of this course, though much disputed at the time, was afterward very generally ap- proved. Throughout the entire deliberations, Mr. Hamilton's influence was very marked. Although not one of the eloquent men of that body, his sound com- mon-sense and clear judgment often gained a hearing, and secured to the state a constitution which is con- servative, yet in no way a barrier to the introduc- tion of any reform which future necessity may demand or the experience of other states suggest. In 1858 Mr. Hamilton was elected to the state Senate, and served two years in that body. He accumulated an ample fortune in his mercantile and real estate enterprise; and on the organization of the branch bank at Fort Wayne he became its president. After its reorganization under the national banking act of 1864 it became known as the Allen Hamilton National Bank, and he continued its president until his death. This occurred August 23, 1864, at Saratoga, New York, where he was stopping on his return from a trip to the seashore, whither he had gone in hope of improving his failing health. Judge Hamilton was married, in 1829, to Emelia J. Holman, daughter of Jesse L. Holman, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, who was for many years Judge of the Supreme Court of the state, and, later, Judge of the United States Cir- cuit Court for the District of Indiana. The same year he sent for his younger brother from Ireland, and in 1831 prepared to carry out his cherished plan of provid- ing a home for his parents in America; but the death of his mother prevented his welcoming her with the others. Judge Hamilton's life affords a fine illustration

of the fact that under our republican institutions energy and uprightness alone are sufficient to open every avenue to the attainment of wealth and honor. Between his early life, when, penniless and friendless, he wandered through the streets of Philadelphia, seeking almost in vain for the most menial employment, and the scenes amid which his later years were spent, surrounded by all the comforts of wealth, known and honored by the greatest men of the nation, the contrast is a great one. But the chasm is not wider than may again be spanned by the capabilities of true worth; and similar success is possible to every young man who will follow the principles here exemplified.

ANNA, SAMUEL, late of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was born October 18, 1797, in Scott County, Ken- tucky. His father, James Hanna, removed to Dayton, Ohio, in 1804, and settled on a new farm, lying contiguous to the southern boundary of that town. Samuel's earliest employment away from home was that of post-rider. In this humble calling he passed consid- erable time traversing the then wilderness of Western Ohio. Subsequently he engaged in teaching a country school, and he is represented as having been a vigorous disciplinarian. He attended the Indian treaty at St. Mary's, in 1818, in the character of sutler, in connection with his brother Thomas, furnishing both food for men and provender for horses, all of which was hauled with an ox team from Troy, Ohio. By this operation he realized a small amount of money. This was his first substantial acquisition. He arrived at Fort Wayne in 1819, when in his twenty-second year, and found the place a mere Indian trading-post, with very few white inhabitants. Outside the post and its immediate vicin- ity there were no white settlers, and the country in every direction for hundreds of miles was an unbroken wilderness. He immediately entered upon mercantile pursuits in a small way, his first store-house being a rude log cabin erected principally with his own hands. By a course of fair and honorable dealing with his In- dian customers, and then with the whites as they came into the country, he acquired a high degree of regard and consideration. In all meetings of the people for the promotion of the public welfare, he was a conspic- uous and leading actor. He early perceived the indis- pensable necessity of opening and improving roads and other facilities for travel. No public enterprise of im- portance was ever undertaken by her citizens without his concurrence and aid. Soon after commencing oper- ations at Fort Wayne Mr. Hanna was appointed agent of the American Fur Company, a position which he filled for a number of years to entire satisfaction. He was Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, and was

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repeatedly elected to the State Legislature. As his means ' adjoining Fort Wayne. This for many years involved accumulated he extended his mercantile operations to : him in serious financial embarrassments. He imme- diately commenced selling lots; but sales were slow, money very scarce, and most of those who did buy were unable to pay when payments were due. Such was his leniency toward his debtors that he for years suffered inconveniences rather than distress them. Multitudes have homes to-day, in Fort Wayne, who are indebted for them to the kindness and forbearance of Judge Hanna. In 1843 he began to reap the benefit of his investment, lately known as " Hanna's Addition," which is a very extensive and important part of the city of Fort Wayne. For several years succeeding 1836 Judge Hanna devoted himself mainly to the affairs of the Fort Wayne Branch Bank, to the management and improvement of his estate, and to the enjoyment of his social relations. During this period his pet project, the Wabash and Erie Canal, was opened to Toledo, working wonders in the develop- ment of the country. But the roads leading to Fort Wayne were in a wretched condition much of the time, and their improvement became a subject of vital ne- cessity. He and other enterprising gentlemen organ- ized the Fort Wayne and Lima Plank Road Company. In order to give the work a start Judge Hanna took the contract to build the first ten miles north of Fort Wayne, and in about two years the road was completed for a distance of fifty miles, the first improvement of the kind in Northern Indiana. When the Pennsylva- nia and Ohio Railroad reached Crestline and it was pro- posed to extend it to Fort Wayne, under the name of the Ohio and Indiana Railroad, Judge Hanna was ready with his powerful co-operation. The people of Allen County voted a subscription of one hundred thousand dollars to its capital stock. This was the turning-point in the great enterprise at that time, and if this timely aid had not then been given the work would have been indefinitely postponed. It was difficult to find responsi- ble parties who were willing to undertake the construc- tion, but Judge Hanna was equal to the emergency. In 1852, in connection with Pliny Hoagland and the late Hon. William Mitchell, he took the whole contract from Crestline to Fort Wayne, a distance of one hun- dred and thirty-two miles, and in November, 1854, over- coming the most formidable obstacles, the cars from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia came rolling into Fort Wayne. In 1852 the Fort Wayne and Chicago Rail- way Company was organized, and Judge Hanna elected president ; and in 1856 the cars were running to Colum- bia City, and considerable grading had been done be- tween that town and Plymouth. It had then become apparent to many of the stockholders as well as man- agers of the separate corporations extending from Pitts- burgh to Chicago, that the interests and convenience of each as well as of the public would be promoted by

other places, particularly to Lafayette with his brother Joseph, to Wabash with his brother Hugh, and to South Bend with Colonel L. M. and E. P. Taylor, from all of which he realized large returns. He became an exten- sive land owner in the Wabash Valley and elsewhere. A scheme for a canal to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio River was entertained by General Washington as one of the possible things of the future, but the public are indebted to Judge Hanna for the first practical conception of that magnificent project. Judge Hanna, David Burr, and a Mr. Jones were appointed canal commissioners. Judge Hanna went to New York, pur- chased the instruments, and, returning by way of Detroit, packed them on horseback from that city to Fort Wayne. Civil engineers were scarce, but the commissioners pro- cured one, and immediately entered upon the survey, six miles above Fort Wayne, Mr. Burr operating as rod- man and Judge Hanna as axman, each at ten dollars a month. The second day the engineer was taken sick and compelled to abandon the work, Judge Hanna and Mr. Burr continuing the survey. They made their report the next session of the Legislature, and Judge Hanna secured its adoption and the passage of an act authorizing the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal. Judge Hanna was Fund Commissioner for sev- eral years, and negotiated for most of the money with which the work was carried on. Perhaps the wisdom of Judge Hanna was never more strikingly displayed than in the establishment of the State Bank of Indiana. When the financial embarrassment, consequent upon the veto of the United States Bank, occurred, he was a member of the Legislature. The President had recom- mended the creation of more state banks to supply the deficiency in circulation. But a charter was introduced in the Legislature of such a character that Judge Hanna thought it ought not to pass. He opposed it with great power and ability, and was principally instru- mental in defeating it. But it was clearly seen that a charter of some kind would pass at the next session. A committee was therefore appointed to prepare a proper charter during the vacation. Judge Hanna was made chairman, and to him was confided the duty of drafting the proposed bill. How well he performed the duty may be inferred from the fact that it passed both houses of the Legislature almost precisely as it came from his hand, and was approved January 28, 1834. Thus was created the State Bank of Indiana. A branch was at once established at Fort Wayne, of which Judge Hanna was president most of the time, and IIon. Hugh McCulloch, subsequently Secretary of the United States Treasury, cashier during the whole time of its continuance. In 1836 Judge Hanna purchased the large remaining land interest of Barr and McCorkle, ! merging their separate existence into one great con-

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solidated company. Judge Hanna early and earnestly espoused this idea, and a meeting was called at Fort Wayne to consider and act apon the subject. On the first day of August, 1856, the minor corporations were obliterated on terms satisfactory to themselves, and the great Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Company succeeded to their franchises. The Hon. G. W. Cass was elected president and Judge Hanna vice-president, the former holding his position until the present day and the latter until his decease, which happened on the IIth of June, 1866. The day after a meeting of con- dolence was held at the court-house by citizens of Fort Wayne. Judge Hanna was a life-long student. His love of nature and of books, and his thirst for knowl- edge, were ardent. His mind was wonderfully retentive, and he accumulated a fund of information on all the current topics of the day that was rarely surpassed, particularly in agriculture, horticulture and pomology, which for years he had made a specialty. His knowledge was varied, extensive, and exact, as the many who have listened with delight to his discourses will remember. Though approaching the limit allotted to human life his capacity for labor was undiminished. He was just enter- ing upon a new and arduous field of labor and respon- sibility, when he was suddenly called from all earthly cares. Like one of America's greatest statesmen, he may be said literally to have " died in the harness."

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ARTMAN, EZRA D., a prominent lawyer of Auburn, was born, May 16, 1841, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, the issue of the marriage of Abraham Hartman with Catharine Russell. Abraham Hartman was first a carpenter, and subse- quently a farmer. He was a man of considerable edu- cation and ability, a conscientious Christian, and for a few years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HIe was of German descent, his ancestors having emi- grated from Germany to America some time before the revolt of the colonies. His grandfather, John Hart- man, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. The subject of this sketch, E. D. Hartman, enjoyed even fewer educational advantages than most children of the pioneers of a new country ; still in early youth he at- tended, during the winter, a common district school. When he was six years old his parents removed to In- diana, and settled on a farm three miles from the vil- lage of Auburn. There were few inhabitants in that neighborhood at that time. Here they experienced all the toils, hardships, and privations incident to pioncer life. Year after year the young boy trudged manfully to school, a part of the time a distance of two miles, until, at the age of seventeen, he had acquired a good common school education. That he might pursue his

studies further, he taught school each winter for three years, and in summer attended the union school at Auburn, living in that place as much of the time as his earnings of the previous winter would warrant. The remainder of the season he boarded at home, walking three miles each day to and from his school. During this period he not only became master of an academic education, but gave much time to general reading. He early manifested an inclination for the law, and, while teaching, devoted his leisure moments to legal studies, under the instruction of J. B. Mor- rison, whose office he afterwards entered as a student. In the fall of 1861, he entered the Law Department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, where he remained one session. Returning to Indiana, he was admitted to the bar; but before he had engaged in the practice of his profession a call was made by the government for additional troops, to assist in put- ting down the Rebellion, to which Mr. Hartman read- ily responded. He enlisted as a private, and was active in recruiting Company A, 100th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Of this company he was commissioned second lieutenant, August 13, 1862, and a few months later was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. In December of the same year he became captain, in which capacity he had served for several months previous. After the organization of the regi- ment they were ordered to Carlton, Kentucky; thence to Memphis, Tennessee, where they arrived about the Ist of November, and remained until the 26th of the same month, when they were attached to General Sherman's corps. After having been with General Grant in his attempt on Vicksburg in the fall of 1862, they returned to Tennessee, and went into win- ter-quarters at Grand Junction and Collierville. Cap- tain Hartman followed the fortunes of the army in its movements in the interior of Mississippi, and was engaged in the capture of Vicksburg and in the at- tack upon Jackson. He was on active duty every day during his military life, and was regarded by his comrades as an exemplary man, a brave soldier, and an efficient and faithful officer. It was impossible, however, for him to remain in service until the close of the conflict. During the siege of Vicksburg he contracted a disease of the eyes, which caused him much inconvenience and pain, and rendered it impru- dent for him to remain in the army. After an ex- amination by the medical board, he was honorably discharged, November 6, 1863, and returned to Indi- ana. Here he sought medical relief in vain, and in the spring of 1864 went for treatment to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained two years. During his stay in that city, although unable to read, he gave careful at- tention to the law lectures in the Ohio State and Union Law College, which he had entered as a student. He

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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 91

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