A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 66

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

USA > Indiana > Boone County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 66
USA > Indiana > Clinton County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 66
USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 66

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ON. SAMUEL H. DOYAL .- Asgen- eral history is written for the future, so, too, in a large degree, is biogra- phy, and to place in substantial form the leading facts in the life of one of Clinton county's most distinguished citizens is the ob- ject of this biographical mention. Books are permanent chronicles which transmit to future ages the lives of those whose lives are recorded within their pages; and when the subjects treated are as worthy as the honorable gentle- man whose name heads this memoir, they be- come an inspiration for good both to the pres- ent and future generations.

Hon. Samuel H. Doyal, the present judge of the forty-fifth judicial circuit of Indiana, was born in Lewis county, Ky., May 19, 1838, but since he was six months old he has been a resident of this state, Indiana, The first of his

652

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ancestors of whom anything definite is known was Edward Doyal, his great-grandfather. a native of Liverpool, England, who came to the United States when seventeen years of age, and located in Albemarle county, Va .. where he became a farmer. Later, he emigrated to Lewis county, Ky., and there, in the pursuit of his chosen calling, agriculture, continued to reside until his death, which, from the most reliable information obtainable, occurred in the . year 1820. Edward Doyal was the father of a large family, but it is of John Doyal. the grandfather of the judge, of whom we wish to make mention. John Doyal was born in Al- bemarle county, Va., September 20, 1760, and arrived at manhood during the stirring scenes of the Revolutionary war. This ancestor. at eighteen years of age, enlisted as a soldier in that heroic struggle. His first hard service was with Gen. George Rogers Clark in his campaign against the British and Indians in the northwest, and he waswith that hero in that long and perilous march that resulted in the capture of the British fort on the Wabash at Vincennes February 24, 1779, and was also serving his country at the close of the war for independence Later, he took part at differ- ent times in the Indian wars under Col. Will- iam Crawford. Gen. Harmer, and Gen. An- thony Wayne, serving under the latter as cap- tain of mounted infantry. He was also in command of a company at the battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794. In 1786 he removed from Virginia to Kentucky and settled near Maysville, and later, founded his home about twenty miles east of this in Lewis county.

While the territory now composing the state of Ohio was yet a wilderness, and the home of the hostile and warlike savage, he was appointed and served for three years as captain of the scouts or spies (as they were called), to guard the Kentucky side of the Ohio river from Maysville to the mouth of the

Scioto river against the approaches and attacks the Indians so frequenly made on the white settlements of the interior of the state. In the discharge of his duty he had many thrill- ing adventures. Later he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and took part, October 5, 1813, in the battle of the Thames. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he was closely iden- tified with the citizenship of his adopted county of Lewis. He was a strong and vigor- ; ous man in both body and mind, and possessed in a marked degree the sterling qualities of a long line of sturdy ancestors, and left as a price- less heritage to his descendants these qualities of true manhood, which have characterized them in many different walks in life. He died in Lewis county, near Vanceburg. in 1846, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, revered. beloved and mourned by all who knew him. His son, John W. Doyal, father of the judge, was born in Lewis county, Ky., on the seven- teenth of January, 1802, and remained with his parents until 1838, at which time he found his way to Boone county, Ind., where he lo- cated a home and engaged in that most useful of callings, agriculture. He married in his na- tive county and state, May 27, 1830, Matilda Howard, who was born in Fleming county, Ky., October 28, 1805, the daughter of Sam- uel Howard, a native of Maryland, and promi- nent settler of what is now Howard county, Md. John W. Doyal became identified with the early pioneer interests of the section of the country in which he located, taking an active part in all the business enterprises of the coun- try, thereby contributing in no small degree to its development. He reared a family of four children: Amanda, widow of Capt. Aaron Frazee, of Boone county; Samuel H., whose name introduces this mention; John L., a gal- lant soldier of the late war, killed in the bat- tle of the Wilderness, and David D , a well- known citizen of the county of Boone.

653

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

In disposition John W. Doyal was warm- hearted, genial and social, ever ready to assist as much as lay in his power the poor and un- fortunate, and to his family he was much de- voted, being an affectionate husband and father. He early interested himself in the cause of religion, uniting with the Christian church, for the support and growth of which he contributed liberally of his means. Politi- cally, he was a democrat of the old school, though not a partisan in the sense of seeking political preferment at the hands of his fellow- citizens. He departed this life on the eighth day of January, 1885, and in June, 1887 his devoted wife, who had been his faithful com- panion during so many years of trial and suc- cess, was called from the scenes of-her early labors to the great bereavement of her family and friends.

As stated at the beginning of this biography, Judge Samuel H. Doyal was but six months old when brought by his parents to Indiana, from which early age until arriving at man- hood's estate he lived in the county of Boone. He secured his elementry education in the common schools, and later, actuated by a laudable desire to add to the knowledge thus obtained, entered, when nearly twenty years old, the Northwestern university at Indianapo- lis (now Butler university), where he pursued his studies for a period of three years, during which time his progress was in every respect most commendable and encouraging. During the two succeeding years Mr. Doyal was engaged in teaching, earning in the meantime the reputation of an efficient and conscientious instructor, and then began the study of law with Messrs. Cason & Harrison, of Lebanon, under whose instructions he continued for one year. The knowledge of the profession thus obtained was subsequently increased by a full course in the university of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which noted institution he was

graduated in due time, after which he began his practice at Frankfort, Clinton county, Ind., to which place he removed in the month of June, 1865. He rose rapidly in his profession; soon took a place at the Frankfort bar, and be- came one of the best known and most success- ful lawyers of Clinton county. Mr. Doyal was in continuous practice for a period of twenty- five years, twenty-three years of which period were passed in partnership with the late Perry W. Gard, during which time he had the con- fidence of his brother attorneys, of the court, and of the people, and nobly earned the repu- tation of being an able lawyer, a wise and safe counselor, and most worthy and high-minded man of affairs. He served as prosecuting at- torney from 1867 to 1870, inclusive, and in 1890 was complimented by being elected judge of the Clinton circuit court, which honorable position he holds at the present time.

Mr. Doyal brought to the bench a mind well fortified with intellectual and professional training, and his knowledge of jurisprudence, together with his impartial rulings, and uniform kind treatment of lawyers and litigants, have made him a most popular judge. Mr. Doyal's ambition from the first was to become a good lawyer and this desideratum has been realized. While devoted to his profession, he has occa- sionally been drawn into the political arena, and while always taking an active interest in the cousels of the republican party and in cam- paigns, he is by no means a partisan in the sense in which that term is usually understood. A number of years ago Judge Doyal became connected with the Masonic order, and has been actively and prominently identified with that body every since; he also for six years acted as school trustee of the city of Frank- fort. He was united in marriage May 2, 1865, in Marion county, Ind., to Sarah J. Cotton, daughter of John and Nancy Cotton, a union blessed with two children: John, a resident of

654

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Frankfort, and Roscoe, one of the rising young physicians of Clinton county, and also a resi- dent of Frankfort.

Judge Doyal is of medium size, well formed, compactly built, of gentlemanly manners and. pleasing address; he is social and genial by nature; of generous impulses, steadfast in friendship, and most charitable in his inter- course with his fellow-men. He is essentially a man of the people, popular with all classes, and few citizens of Clinton county stand as high in the estimation of the public. As a lawyer, he has ever been above the question- able practices of the pettifogger, and as a judge, is blessed with the thought that he has dealt fairly and honorably with his constitu- ency, and with the people. He has been true to his convictions of right. true to the dis- charge of every duty which has devolved upon him, true to the community in which he lives, and true to the state. Such, in brief, are the facts in the life of this well-known jurist, and it is with pleasure that this simple tribute is given a place in this volume.

1887 heentered Butler university, near Indian- apolis, where he pursued his literary studies un- til the following year, at which time he began the study of medicine at Frankfort, with Drs. Adams & Knapp, under whose instructions he continued until after his graduation from the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, in 1892. Impressed with a strong desire to increase his knowledge of the healing art, the doctor next took a post-graduate course in Chicago, after which he began the practice in Frankfort. where his well known abilities and studious habits and close attention to his profession have already brought him into prominent no- tice, and presage for him an honorable and useful career. Dr. Doyal is an enthusiastic student, and possesses the requisite qualifica- tions that insure success. His popularity in Frankfort and thoroughout Clinton county is greatly in his favor as a practioner, and with a well-formed determination to adhere to his profession the future awaits him with boun- teous rewards. The doctor's political faith is embodied in the republican party, and frater- nally he is a prominent member of the Pythian order, and also of the college Greek fraternaty, "Mnu Sigma Mnu." Dr. Doyal and Minne B. Thomas, of Goodland, Ind., daughter of John H. and Victoria (Albee) Thomas, were united in the bonds of wedlock, October 19, 1892. Mrs. Doyal was born in Newaygo county, Michigan, February 1, 1872, and is the mother , of one child, Galen T., whose birth occurred on the 4th day of January, 1894.

OSCOE N. DOYAL .- Conspicuous among the successful medical men of Frankfort is Dr. Roscoe N. Doyal, who, although young in years, has already earned an honorable reputation in his profession and stands high in rank among the physicians and surgeons of Clinton county. Dr. Doyal is the son of Hon. S. H. Doyal, judge of the judicial circuit, and was born on the 18th day of February, 1868, in the city of Frankfort, Ind., where, with but little excep- EORGE DOTY, an old citizen of Jackson township, Clinton county, Ind., was born January 20, 1821. in Ross county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Margaret (Wiley) Doty, natives respectively of New Jersey and Virginia. The tion, his life has been passed. His early edu- cational training embraced the course of the Frankfort schools, which he completed by graduating from the high school in 1885, and then accepted a clerkship with a mercantile house, where he remained about one year. In , subject's father located in Ross county, Ohio,

655

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

as early as 1811, and, after a residence in that state of abont twenty,three years, came to Clinton county, Ind., and entered 130 acres of land near the present site of the town of of Mullberry. Here he cleared a good farm, reared his family, and here his death occurred in 1871, aged seventy-eight years. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying in 1857, aged 51 years. William and Margaret Doty had a large family of children, of whom the following are living at this time: William S., of La Fayette; George, the subject of this sketch; Theodosia; Joseph, resides in Hanni- bal, Mo .; and Ennice. The following are the names of those deceased: Nancy, James, Elizabeth, Margaret and Robert.

George Doty was reared to manhood on a farm, and, on attaining his majority, learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for eight years. He then purchased a small tract of land in Tippecanoe county, where he made his home for some time, thence moved to the county of Clinton and purchased his present farm of 120 acres in Jackson township, where, with the exception of two years, he has since resided. At the time of its purchase, Mr. Doty's land was in an unimproved condition, covered with a dense forest growth, which he removed through years of hard labor with his own hands. His farm is under a successful state of cultivation, well supplied with im- provements, and the general appearance of his place indicates the presence of a man who understands every detail of agriculture. In 1888, Mr. Doty removed to Frankfort, where he remained two years, but at the end of that time returned to his farm, where his declining years are being passed in comparative retire- ment, though he still gives personal attention to the management of his business affairs.

Mr. Doty's first marriage was solemnized in 1839 with Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Jonas P. and Susannah (Flanner) Clark, a

union blessed by the birth of two children- Mary E., wife of James Buck, residing in Texas; and Elizabeth, wife of Henry Roth, a farmer of Clinton county. The mother of these children died in 1842, and in 1855 Mr. Doty entered into the marriage relation with Sarah Rogers, the union thus consummated resulting in six children, two living at this time-Sarah M., wife of David Hardesty, and Iva H., wife of George Regan. The deceased members of the family are as follows: May N., Wiley T., Lavinna and Asa. Mr. Doty's home was again visited by death in 1870, at which time Mrs. Doty was called from the scenes of her earthly labor. On the twentieth of August, 1874, Mr. Doty married his present wife, Mrs. Jane Regan, daughter of Obed and Eliza (Davis) Hardesty, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Obed Hardesty was reared in Belmont county, Ohio, and when a young man located in Boone county, Ind., where he improved a farm, upon which his death occurred in 1870, and that of his wife in 1868; they were the parents of six children- Sarah A., wife of Alexander Hardesty; Eliza- beth, deceased; Jane, wife of Mr. Doty; John R., of. Fountain county, Ind .; Margaret C., wife of Wesley Osborn, and Ellen, deceased. By a previous marriage with Mr. B. Reagan, in 1860, Mrs. Doty had three children-Lorenzo C., of Boone county, Margaret M., wife of Henry Hodgen, and Oscar, deceased. The death of Mr. Reagan occurred in 1879. Mr. Doty is one of the old settlers of Clinton county, highly regarded by all who know him, and his life has been one of industry and use- fulness. Politically he is a democrat and re- ligiously belongs to the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a communicant.

Jackson township has fewer older or more successful residents than Mr. Doty, and surely not one who has been more willing to advance its prosperity.

656

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

HILIP DORNER, a well known busi- ness man ofFrankfort, Clinton county, Ind., is a native of Germany, born in the grand duchy of Baden December 12, 1825. His father, Frederick Dorner, also a native of Germany, and his mother, Chris- tina (Scholder) Dorner, were married in that country and became the parents of seven chil- dren-Karl, Heinrica, Amelia, Philip, Theo- dore (deceased), Adolph and Fred. The pa- rents died in the fatherland, and one daughter, Amelia, and two sons, Fred and Philip, came to the United States, where they have since lived

Philip Dorner remained in his native coun- try until 1852, and there learned the trade of tanning, which he followed with fair success until coming to the United States in July of the year mentioned. On coming to this country he made his way to Indiana, for a period of fifteen years worked at his chosen calling in La Fayette, and in 1867 located at Frankfort, where he continued his trade for some years. He first worked in the tanning business, and is now engaged in handling buggies, carriages, harness, etc., and his success in the same has been most encouraging, he being now consid- ered among the most successful business men of his adopted city. His wife, whose maiden name was Magdaline Spitznagle, a native of Germany, came to the United States via Liv- erpool in 1852, and they were married, in 1854, in the city of La Fayette. The following are the names of their children: Fred, Amelia, Lena, William, Bernhardt, George, Teany and Emma. Mr. Dorner is a member of the Lutheran church, to which his wife also be- longs, and he is an active worker in the Odd Fellows' fraternity, belonging to both subordi- nate lodge and encampment. His life has been one of great activity, and by close atten- tion to his business and good judgment in the management of his affairs, he has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence. His

sons are associated with him in business, and the firm has a wide reputation in commercial circles for honorable dealing. He is essentially a self-made man, a good citizen, and his life may be taken as a notable example of what can be accomplished by honest endeavor, in- dustry, and the exercise of correct business principles.

S AMUEL DOUGLASS, M. D., an old and reliable physician of Frankfort, was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 7. 1826, the son of John and Susan (Byers) Douglass, both parents natives of Pennsylvania. John Douglass was by oc- cupation a farmer, which vocation he followed for some years in the state of his nativity. and afterward in Ohio, where he resided until his removal to Clinton county, Ind., in 1828. On coming to Clinton, he located in what was then Jackson township, having been one of the first pioneers of that section, and he resided there, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, until 1844. at which time he moved to Frank- fort, where his death occurred in 1864. He was a very successful man, financially, accumu- lated a handsome property, and was one of the early county commissioners of Clinton. He served in the Indian war for six months, and is remembered as one of the most progressive and intelligent citizens, identified with the early history of the county. His wife died in the year 1852. Mr. Douglass reared a family of nine children, namely: Joseph, a soldier in the Mexican war, killed at Vera Cruz; John B., Benjamin F .: William A., Jackson A., Jacob S., Samuel, Nancy, and Rosanna, wife of J. R. Breckenridge.

Dr. Samuel Douglass was but two years old when the family moved to Clinton county, and his boyhood days were spent in the woods, and on the farm, which he assisted in clearing

---

657

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

and fitting for cultivation. He remained with his father, assisting in the work of the farm until twenty-two years of age, and, in the meantime, having determined to devote his life to the medical profession, began his pre- paratory reading with Dr. W. J. Byers, of Frankfort, under whose instructions he con- tinued for three years. He then attended the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati one term. In 1850, he went to California, where, in con- nection with the practice of his profession, he engaged in mining, trading and various kinds of speculation until 1853, when he returned to Frankfort, Ind., and embarked in the drug business. The doctor was identified with the drug trade for a period of ten years, at the end of which time he resumed the practice of his profession, and has since given it his entire at- tention, being now one of the oldest and most reliable practitioners in Clinton county. The doctor was for two years a soldier in the late war as a member of company G, Eighty-sixth Indiana volunteer infantry, in which he held the office of first lieutenant He participated in the battles of Perryville, Rural Hill and others, and was severely wounded in one en- gagement by the explosion of a shell near his head, the effect of which disabled him and cansed him to resign his commission. In his calling, Dr. Douglass has been very successful, and has the reputation of being a very trust- worthy physician and surgeon. He is public- spirited and liberal, enjoying the universal re- gard of the people of Clinton county, and looks back over a life well spent for the good of his fellow-men. He was married in Frank- fort, May 8, 1856, to Louviar Catterlin, dangh- ter of Ephraim and Clara Catterlin, of Mont- gomery county, Ind., to which union two chil- dren have been born-Frank J., a business man of Frankfort, and Paul, a telegraph operator. The doctor is a Mason, a democrat in politics, and his wife belongs to the Christian church.

RANK DOUGLASS, son of Dr. Sam- uel and Louviar Douglass, was born April 23, 1857, in Clinton county, Ind. The first four years of his life were spent in Frankfort, when he was taken by his parents to California, in which state he lived until his tenth year; thence to Leesville, Mo., where the family lived for a limited period. He returned to Clinton county. Ind., from Missouri, resided for some time at the village of. Kilmore, and at the age of eighteen went on his father's farm, where he resided until his twenty-second year. He followed farming until 1879, in which year he became associated with his father in the mercantile business at Kilmore, where he carried on a successful trade for several months, when he disposed of his interest in the store and again engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, continuing the same until accepting a position as traveling salesman with G. Rice, Esq., Frankfort, in 1884. He was on the road one year and then purchased an interest in a cigar store at Frankfort, which business he conducted a short time and then embarked in the general goods trade at the town of Cambria. After remaining at that place one year, Mr. Douglass returned to Frankfort and engaged as assistant in the car- riage business, but soon purchased an interest in a restaurant, which he conducted less than one year. During the three succeeding he was associated in business with a Mr. Rice, followed the grocery business for some time, and then traded for a farm, upon which he lived for some months. Returning to Frankfort, he accepted a clerical position in a business house and was thus engaged for two years, when he embarked in business for himself, which he still continues. Mr. Douglass is also exten- sively engaged in the buying and selling of real estate, which he carries on with success and financial profit, and he owns at this time a good farm in the country and valuable property

658

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

in the city of Frankfort. He is an energetic man of affairs, successful in his various enter- prises, and is a democrat in politics. He be- longs to the I. O. R. M., being an active worker in the local organization of Frankfort. Mr. Douglass was married at Kilmore, Clinton county, December 18, 1877, to Nancy M. Clark, who was born February 13, 1859, the daughter of Samuel and Adeline Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have two children-Stella B. and Samuel R.

I. 'SAAC W. DOUGLASS, M. D., the leading physician and surgeon of Michi- gantown, Clinton county, Ind., was born May 21, 1840, in the county in which he still resides, and descends from one of the noblest an most heroic families ef Scot- land, of whom every one acquainted with the English language has read. The coat of arms of the ancient family may be briefly described as follows: Upon a field of silver a human heart in red; beneath, an imperial crown in its proper colorings; above the dividing line, upon a blue ground, three stars of silver. The ear- liest American descendant of this noble family was the great-grandfather of the doctor, Joseph Douglass, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 7, 1759. His son, John Douglass, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1828 moved to Preble county, Ohio. He was a farmer of large means and in the war of 1812 was a courier. From Ohio he came to Indiana, was one of the earlier settlers of Frankfort. where he and wife were charter members of the Presbyterian church society, and where he died February 14, 1864. Benjamin Frank- lin Douglass. son of John and father of Dr. Isaac W., was born in Preble county, Ohio, September 6, 1815, and came with his parents to Indiana in 1828. He was reared a farmer, remaining on the home farm till reaching his

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080