A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph 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 102

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph 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 102
USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph 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 102

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).

volunteer infantry. While in camp at Ander- son, he was detailed for duty in the hospital department, his services being retained in this capacity long after his regiment had been sent to the field. He returned to his company for duty in November, 1862, at Helena, Ark., and on the 4th of January, 1863, was pro- moted to the office of second lieutenant. In this capacity, he was detailed as commander of a squad to assist in carrying out one of Gen. Grant's plans in the Mississippi cam- paign. It was that general's object to cut a canal from the Mississippi to Lake Providence, a portion of the old bed of this river, which would connect him, by way of two bayous, with the Tensas, Washita and Red rivers, and open a channel for light transports, by which he could again reach the Mississiphi below, and join Gen. Banks. But after the canal was cut, and the water passed into the lake and bayous, it was found that they were so ob- structed by fallen timber and overhanging trees as to render passage by the boats im- possible. While busy in the construction of these ditches, he sent Lieut. Col. Wilson to organize an expedition to open the Yazoo Pass, in order destroy the enemy's boats on the Yazoo river, above Haines' Bluff. The en- trance to this pass, on account of frequent overflows, had been closed by a dam or "levee." This levee was removed by a mine exploded under it, and the water resumed its old course, making a channel deep enough to admit the passage of the largest steamers, and giving our troops an advantage of great im- portance In the labors incident to these operations Lieut. Markle took an active part, and for valuable services rendered on this oc- casion, he was honored with a first lieutenant's commission, on the 4th of April, 1863. At the battle of Magnolia Hills, Miss., he had command of his company, and for bravery dis- played in the capture of a rebel battery, he

1.8 Markle MO.

923

AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

was promoted to the office of captain. In this battery, every rebel at the guns was killed, and the last survivor had his gun loaded, with his hand on the string, ready to spring the hammer, when he was shot. Mounting the breaks-works with his company, Lieut. Markle ordered the guns turned upon the enemy, who fled from them in confusion. As commander of company K, he participated in thirty-two battles and skirmishes, winning an enviable record for bravery and daring courage. He was at the battle of Palo Alto, Tex., one of the last battles of the war. At this battle, a small force of Union men were surrounded and captured by a superior force of rebels, and the color-bearer, to prevent the flag from falling into their hands, swam the Rio Grande river with it, landing on the Mexican side, among some soldiers of that government. By some means, the flag finally found its way to Bag- dad, a town filled with a population of thieves and cut-throats. Hearing of its whereabouts, Capt. Markle started to that point to recover his regiment's colors. He secured the flag, and started back with it, attended by a small escort of Mexican soldiers, and subjected to insulting remarks from all sides. Several shots were fired at him, but both he and the flag escaped untouched, though he carried it un- furled, and floating at the head of the mob that followed him. He reached the Union lines in safety, though after his Mexican escort had left him he rode entirely alone through the enemy's country. The active measures of war had then closed, and on the 15th of Octo- ber, 1865. he was commissioned assistant surgeon of his regiment, serving in that capa- city until February 19, 1866, when he was mustered out of the service. At the close of the war he was the only one among forty ap- plicants who passed a successful examination for admission into the regular army. Return- ing from the army he located at Portland, Jay

county, Ind., in March, 1866, and resumed the practice of his profession. In the winter of 1867-68, he attended a second course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college, graduat- ing in the spring of 1868. He continued to practice at Portland until 1873, and in the meantime was instrumental in organizing the Jay county Medical society. In 1873, he re- moved to Hagerstown, Ind., and in October, 1874, came to Winchester, where he has ever since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. Upon the organization of the Jay county Medical society, he was elected secretary, and in 1866 was chosen president. In 1876, he suggested the organization of the Randolph county Medical society, and was the leading spirit in the action subsequently taken in this matter. He was elected presi -. dent of the society and served one year. In the winter of 1878-79 he attended the Belle- vue Hospital Medical college at New York city and graduated in the spring of 1879. Later in the same year, in connection with Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, of Muncie, he organized the Delaware District Medical society, and was elected vice president. In 1880 he was elected president of this society and served one year. He is also a member of the Indiana state medical society, and the American Medi- cal society, and has contributed several valua- ble papers to the medical literature of this country. At the organization of the Randolph county board of health he was elected secre- tary, by virtue of which office he is health offi- cer of the county. He was appointed United States pension examiner July 1, 1882, by Col. Dudley, and served four years, resigned when Mr. Cleveland was elected president; was again appointed pension examiner when Gen. Harri- son was elected president. He was the first health officer and secretary of the board for Randolph county, and served two years. He is enthusiastically devoted to his profession, and

924

WINCHESTER CITY

is recognized as one of the leading physicians of this region. He enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice, and has gained the confi- dence and good will of all who know him. He is identified with both the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He was made a Mason at Perkinsville, Ind., in November, 1861, just after his enlistment, and together with four others was elevated to the master's degree on the same evening. These five all served in company E, and three of the number were killed in battle. In 1867, he took the chapter degrees at Portland, Ind., and received the degree of Knight Templar at Cambridge City, Ind., in 1875. In March, 1882, he re- ceived the Scottish rite degrees at Indianapo- lis. He became an Odd Fellow at Portland, Ind., in 1868, and in 1869 was a noble grand of his lodge, occupying this office for three years. He was made a past grand in this order, and was the representative from his lodge during the session of the grand lodge of Indiana, in 1870. He feels a deep interest in the welfare of these fraternities, and is an active and honored member. On the 19th of September, 1866, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Emily V., daughter of Jephtha Johnson; Esq., of Wayne county, Ind. By this union they are the parents of two chil- dren, only one of whom, Grant C. B., now survives. Minnie, their only deughter, died in infancy. Grant C. B. Markle, also now a practicing physician, began his studies with his father, in Winchester, and attended the medical department of the university of Louisville, Ky .. from which he was graduated in March, 1892, and is associated in practice with his father, under the firm name of Markle & Markle. In 1890 he graduated from Wabash college, at Crawfordsville, Ind. He has already risen to distinction in his profes- sion, and the firm command the major part of the patronage of Winchester and vicinity.

Dr. Grant C. B. Markle keeps well abreast with the progress of the science, is an enthusiast in its practice, and tireless in his performance of duty.

APT. ALBERT O. MARSH, a lead- ing lawyer of Indiana, and banker of the city of Winchester, was born Sep- tember 15, 1840, at Windsor, Ashta- bula county, Ohio. His education was ac- quired at Hiram college, where he recited his lessons to the statesman and martyr-presi- dent of the United States, James A. Garfield, at a time when the latter was only a teacher in the institution which is now celebrated from his connection with it. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Marsh engaged in the vocation of school teaching, which he followed successful- ly until the outbreak of the late rebellion. He was among the first to enlist, in 1861, in the Fifteenth Ohio regiment for the three months' service. At the expiration of that term he returned home and, in the fall of 1861, was married to Miss Sarah M. Galliher; he taught school during the succeeding winter, and in the summer of 1862 enlisted in the Forty- sixth Ohio regiment for three years, as a member of company A. In June, 1863, he was detailed to assist in organizing a colored regiment in Tennessee, first known as the Second regiment of Tennessee infantry, but afterwards as the Fifty-ninth United States Colored infantry. He was commissioned captain of a company in that regiment in June, 1863. For a time he acted as aid-de-camp under Gen. Buckland, at Memphis, who had charge of the posts and defenses of that place. He was afterward made assistant inspector-gener- al on the staff of Gen. A. L. Chetlain, holding that position until the last of July, 1865. At that time, after resigning his position as cap- tain, he was appointed, by Gen. John S.

A. O. MARSH.

AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

Smith, as superintendent of the military detectives, of the secret service corps, with headquarters at Memphis. In February, 1866, this corps was disbanded, and he resumed civil life. Having read law prior to the war, he determined upon the adoption of the legal profession. After spend- ing a few months in Ohio, recruiting his health, he located at Seymour, Ind., and entered upon the practice of his chosen pro- fession, and from 1868 to 1872 was the agent and attorney of several insurance companies. In 1872 he came to Winchester, Ind., where he has since continued to reside, rising stead- ily in his profession. He has at several times been associated with several gentlemen in the practice. The firm of Watts & Marsh was formed in 1873, continuing one year. From 1874 to 1879 he was associated with A. Gul- lett, Esq., under the firm name of Marsh & Gullet, and from 1879 with Mr. W. A. Thomp- son, under the firm name of Thompson & Marsh. In 1876 Mr. Marsh was elected prose- cuting attorney for the Twenty-fifth judicial circuit, a position which he filled with dis- tinguished ability for two years. In 1878, during his incumbency of this office, he was nominated by the republicans of his district to represent them in the general assembly of Indiana. Some doubt being expressed as to his eligibility to this office, in view of the fact that he then held a judicial position, he with- drew from the ticket, and Hon. E. L. Watson was substituted and elected. His personal popularity would have undoubtedly resulted in a large majority and a triumphant election, had his eligibility not been questioned. In 1880 he was elected to the state senate on a contingency, which, however, did not arise. In the campaign of 1880, he took an active part and did some effectual work for the re- publican cause, his addresses being distin- guished by strength and solidity, logic and

sound sense, carrying conviction to many who were wavering and undecided in their political faith.

In social and private life, Capt. Marsh is esteemed for his gentlemanly bearing, and, with his estimable wife, he shares the hearty esteem of a large circle of friends. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity at Sey- mour, Ind., and has taken all the degrees of the order, up to and including Knight Tem- plar. He served as worshipful master of the lodge at Winchester for eight years, his brethren having called him to continue service in that capacity at the expiration of each term. He is also a member of Winchester lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F. Capt. Marsh, in the practice of his profession, has endeared himself to the bench, the bar, and to litigants. Strictly honest and conscientious in his ob- servance.of the rules of practice, no one has ever attempted to pick a flaw in his conduct of a cause, and the confidence of the public in his integrity is implicit; methodical and sys- tematic, his brethren in the profession know just where to find him, and his feeling of se- curity in a preparation of a case renders this openness the more admirable to opposing counsel. In 1883, Mr. Marsh was appointed by President Arthur the receiver of public moneys and disbursing agent at Vancouver, Washington territory. Upon the election of President Cleveland he immediately tendered his resignation, having taken a very active part in the campaign of 1884 for the republi- can nominees. His resignation was accepted and took effect July 31, 1885. Mr. Marsh then returned to Winchester and again became connected with his old law firm, of Thompson, Marsh & Thompson, and still continues the practice, though not in a general way. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and daily show their faith in that religion.

928

WINCHESTER CITY

B ENJAMIN F. MARSH, prominent among the attorneys-at-law in Win- chester, Randolph connty, is a native of this state, having been born in Hancock county October 15, 1853. His parents were William and Martha Ann (Chapel) Marsh, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively, and were married in Hancock county, where the father was en- gaged in farming until his death in October, 1861. The mother survived until August 5, 1868, when she died in Boone county. They were the parents of five children, viz: Thomas L., a tile manufacturer of Harriman, Tenn .; William P., a farmer of Randolph county, Ind .; Margaret E., wife of A. C. Beeson, of the Winchester Journal; Elias J., twin of Margaret E., and postmaster and editor at Portland, Ind .; Benjamin F., the subject of this notice. The parents were members of the Society of Friends, and in politics the father was a republican.

Benjamin F. Marsh, it will thus be seen, was early thrown upon his own resources, but he proved to have been made up of that ster- ling metal that will stand the test of the crucible of misfortune. After his father's un- timely death he remained with his mother until her demise. He attended school in Knightstown one year, and at the age of six- teen began teaching-working on the farm in the summer. In the spring of 1871, he came to Winchester to attend school, and later went to Spiceland,, where he remained in school for more than two years, and in 1874 went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he took a literary course at the university, and then re- turned to Randolph county and taught school for four years at Lynn, and then came to Win- chester and taught school here for two years. In the meantime he had been diligently prose- cuting the study of law, was admitted to the Randolph county bar April 30, 1881, and be-

gan the practice of his profession. His first business partnership was with S. A. Canada, succeeding W. W. Canada, a brother and former partner of S. A. From that time to the present, Mr. Marsh has energetically pushed himself to the front, devoting himself assiduously to his profession, and is daily ad- vancing himself in the good graces of the pub- lic and of his professional brethren. October 4, 1883, at Winchester, Mr. Marsh led to the altar the future companion of his life and sharer of his struggles and triumphs, Miss Carrie E. Kizer, daughter of Henry P. Kizer, whose sketch will be found elsewhere. Mr. Marsh is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he is a republican, and in 1890 was elected prosecuting attorney, an office he filled with much credit to himself for two years. He is an honored Mason and a Knight of Pythias.

LISHA B. MARTIN, one of the pro- gressive farmers of White River township, Randolph county, of which he is a native, was born July 3, 1846. Like the majority of country boys, he grew to manhood amid the scenes of the farm, and at intervals, until reaching the years of manhood, he pursued his studies in the common schools, obtaining thereby a practical English educa- tion. At the age of twenty-one, he learned the trade of brick-making, and for sometime thereafter operated a yard at Farmland, later carrying on the business very profitably at Union City, Dunkirk and various other places in the counties of Randolph and Jay. After following the manufacture of brick about seven or eight years, Mr. Martin engaged in the restaurant business at Winchester, which he conducted for four years, was then three years proprietor of a saloon in the same city, and, for several years, carried on a very suc- cessful meat market.

929

AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

In addition to the other lines of trade, Mr. Martin was, for a period of three years, en- gaged in the manufacture of drain tile, but in 1890, turned his attention to the more agreea- ble pursuit of agriculture, which he has since followed on the home farm in White River township.

Mr. Martin has been twice married; the first time on the 7th day of February, 1871, to Maggie Doyle, daughter of Michael and Bridget Doyle, to which union the following children were born: Lottie, wife of J. Good- rich; George and Frank. The second mar- riage was solemnized December 27, 1889, with Harriet Rockhill, of Hamilton county, Ohio. Mr. Martin is one of the valuable citizens of White River and takes an active interest in all that has a tendency to elevate and improve the community in which he resides. He is a republican in politics, casting his first vote for President Lincoln, but he has never courted notoriety as a seeker after official position; he belongs to the order of Red Men and is recog- nized as a valuable member of that fraternity.

J OHN K. MARTIN is one of the oldest brick and tile manufacturers in the state, was born in Randolph county, February 7, 1837, and is a son of Elisha and Susan (Kelly) Martin, long resi- dents of the county. Elisha was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 9, 1812, a son of James H. Martin and Mrs. Susan Martin, a daughter of Dennis and Mary (Jones) Kelly, was born April 8, 1815. The couple were united in marriage in Cincinnati, Ohio, in August, 1831, and there resided until 1832, when they came to Randolph county, Ind., locating in White River township, where the husband continued to follow his trade of brick-making; and also cleared off a farm of

eighty acres. To this prolific union nineteen children were born, of whom John K. is the third, and, besides him, there are twelve others still living. John K. Martin assisted his father on the farm and learned from him the art of brick-making, remaining at home until twenty-one years of age. He then set- tled in Winchester, and engaged in the manu- facture of brick only until 1856, when he added tile-making to his business, in partner- ship with his brother Oliver, which was con- tinued until 1859, when he moved to Parker and engaged for six months in the dry goods business. August 5th, 1862, he enlisted in company C, Sixty-ninth volunteer infantry, and was at once commissioned first lieutenant of his company. August 30 he was wounded in the right thigh at Richmond, Ky., was taken prisoner and held four weeks, and on his return home was sick for three months from wound fever, induced by loss of blood. He then rejoined his regiment and was sent to the siege of Vicksburg, but on account of ill health was compelled to resign his com- mission and return home.

In the spring, 1864, he received an ap- pointment as United States marshal, in which position he served two years, and was then elected justice of the peace. In 1867, he re- sumed brick-ınaking in Winchester, followed it six years, and then engaged in the grain trade, which he followed three years. In 1872 he resumed brick-making and followed the business until 1883, when he sold out and en- gaged in brick-laying and contracting, and is also connected with the "Big 4" railroad company as mail agent.

January 13, 1858, Mr. Martin married Miss Ann Eliza Quinn, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 3, 1837, a daughter of Morrison and Dorinda Quinn. Five chil- dren were the result of this union, viz: Mary F., wife of A. J. Moon; David L .; John B .; Lizzie

930

WINCHESTER CITY

B., wife of Henry Wortz, and Ward J. Mar- tin. Mr. Martin is a republican, and has been a member of the town board four years, and town marshal three years; he is a third degree Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the G. A. R., and has been a devoted believer in spiritualism for the past forty years.

a ONRAD MEYER, who is prominent among the successful self made men of White River township, was born in Baireuth, Bavaria, August 1, 1840, son of Lawrence and Barbara Meyer, parents natives of the same country. Conrad Meyer is the eldest of a family of nine children, and his early educational training was acquired in an academy in his native country, where he pur- sued his studies until fourteen years of age, and then learned the baker's trade, which he followed until attaining his legal majority. At the age of twenty-one, he entered the Ger- man army, in which he served for a period of eight years, during which time he took part in the war of 1866, his principal duty being that of baker for the regiment to which he be- longed. Severing his connection with the army, Mr. Meyer, in 1870, emigrated to the United States and for about three years thereafter fol- lowed his trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, thence moved to Winchester, Ind., where in addi- tion to baking he operated a brewery very successfully until 1880. His wife owned a tract of land a few miles from the city, and on this he also engaged in agricultural pur- suits. His own original purchase consisted of ninety acres, of which only fifteen acres were in cultivation, but by great industry and the ex- ercise of that economy by which his life has been characterized he succeeded in clearing the greater part of his land, and at this time has eighty acres under a

high state of cultivation, all of which have been rendered doubly valuable by a successful sys- tem of tile drainage. His buildings are all first-class, the dwelling erected in 1881 being substantially constructed and well arranged, and the barn, covering an area of forty by fifty feet, is a model structure of the kind. In addition to the farm where he resides, Mr. Meyer owns 110 acres near the village of Parker, beside other valuable peoperty, all of which represent the results of his industry and well directed business sagacity.

Mr. Meyer was married February 16, 1873, to Louisa C. Genstner, of Randolph county, a union blessed with the birth of six children, viz: Minnie C., Mary B., Emma K., Pauline R., Cornelia R. and Flora E. In his political belief Mr. Meyer was originally a republican, but of recent years has voted with the demo- cratic party, the principles of which he be- lieves to be for the best interest of the country. He is an active worker in the F. M. B. A., and as a citizen is fully alive to all that tends to the moral and material well being of the community; few men in the township possess in as eminent a degree the esteem and confi- dence of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Meyer is an earnest member of the Lutheran church and a woman highly esteemed in the commu- nity for her many noble traits of character.

EORGE W. MONKS was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, April 25, 1814; came with his parents to Randolph county, Ind., in 1820. In 1839, while still almost a boy, he was nominated by the whig party as their candidate for clerk of Randolph county and elected by a flattering majority; in 1846, he was re-elected and served until 1853. He was a faithful and efficient officer. In 1854 the republican party

L. J. Monks,

933

AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

in this county was organized by the coalition of the anti-slavery and free soil parties, and George W. Monks was the first republican nominee from Randolph county for a legisla- tive office; he was elected in the fall and took a prominent and active part in the session of 1854-55. He had studied law, and, after his admission to the bar, he was associated in the practice for a short time with Carey S. Good- rich-afterward entering into partnership with Judge James Brown, with whom he continued until his death. He was industrious and energetic, and while he possessed a consider- able income, he had no disposition to hoard his earnings, and was unselfish in the use of his money, spending it in many ways to lighten the burden of a fellow mortal less fortunate than himself; this seemed to be his idea of the use of money, and having provided well for his family he had no inclination to amass a fortune; and more precious to his children than gold is the warm hand clasp of many a worthy pioneer who says, "Your father was the best friend I ever had."

In 1843 he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and in all his after life he was a con- sistent christian. He donated to the Meth- odist Episcopal society of Winchester the ground upon which the present Methodist Episcopal church is built, and also the parson- age lot. In 1845 he united with the Masonic fraternity at Winchester. He was a leader in the organization of the first agricultural society of the county, and was a member of the state board of agriculture for a number of years. He was twice married, Charles N. Monks, of this county, being a son of his first marriage. Of the second marriage there are living four children: Leander J., present judge of this circuit; George W .; Minerva B., of Mankota, Minn., and J. Irvin, of Watertown, Dak. After the death of his second wife in 1864, he purchased land in Minnesota, intending to

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.

A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph 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 102

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474