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 93

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 93
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 93

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).

Thomas The house

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

"Thomas M. Browne, senator from Ran- dolph, is a young man, well dressed, of. san- guine complexion, an excellent speaker, and full of fun and irony. There is a vim about him that tells in a popular audience and brings down the house. Now a burst of elo- quence surprises you, and now a streak of fun. At times a burst of indignation comes out that is startling, This young man will make his mark in our country yet."

At the close of the session, he resigned the senatorship and assisted in recruiting the Seventh Indiana cavalry, One Hundred and Nineteenth regiment volunteers, and was com- missioned captain of company B, but before leaving the state for active service was pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. He shared in the fatigues and privations of all its most dangerous expeditions and battles, which extended through Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In the battle of Okolona, February 22, 1864, he did more than any other officer to maintain order and organization, amid the wild confusion of that bloody engagement. At the battle of Brice's Cross Roads (Guntown), June 10, 1864, his skillful management of the regiment won the commendation of his superior officers, and hearty admiration of all his comrades. He was the hero of that ill-fated field. When the battle was raging fiercest, and the lines were but a few feet apart, his horse, a present from company B, was shot under him, himself severely wounded, and his orderly killed at his side. He did not for a moment lose presence of mind, but issued his orders in stentorian tones, heard above the din of con- flict. He was soon after promoted to the colonelcy of his regiment, and received the rank of brigadier-general by brevet "for gal- lant and meritorious conduct," from the hand of President Lincoln. In October, 1864, on account of his well known legal attainments, he was chosen president of a military commis-

sion, to convene at Memphis for the trial of such causes as might arise in that department. The most important case that came before this tribunal was the trial of the famous guerrilla, Dick Davis. This trial lasted thirty-five days, and ended in the conviction and execution of the culprit. In January, 1865, Gen. Browne again took the field, and remained in active service until the final close of the war, and the mustering out of his regiment. During the winter of 1865-66, he was in command of the troops at Sherman, in the department of northern Texas, where his wise yet firm ad- ministration won golden opinions from men of all parties, and he left behind him, upon his return home, many warm friends in that part of the "Lone Star state."

After he was mustered out of service, he resumed the practice of his profession at Win- chester, Ind., but was shortly after appointed by the president, United States district attor- ney for the district of Indiana, the duties of which office he discharged with distinguished ability and success until his resignation in 1872. In 1872 the republican party nomi- nated Gen. Browne for governor of Indiana, his popularity with his party being demon- strated by his distancing such distinguished competitors as Godlove S. Orth and Gen. Ben Harrison. 'It was indeed a proud tri- umph for the lonely orphan who had been left among strangers without money or friends at the age of thirteen, when the great con- vention called him to the front and placed in his hands the battle-scarred banner of union and liberty. An extract from his speech at that time exhibits his readiness of language in impromptu speaking:

"Gentlemen of the convention :- To say that I am sincerely thankful for the honor you have this day conferred upon me, that I am proud of this generous expression of your con- fidence, is to express but feebly the emotions

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with which this occasion overwhelms me. To be nominated to a position of so much im- portance and dignity is indeed most flattering to the ambition of a young man. But I ac- cept the work you have assigned me, conscious of its responsibilities, and with a determina- tion of devoting to it whatever of energy and ability I possess. It shall be my aim, indeed, my highest ambition, to merit the great com- pliment you have paid me. If we make but a united fight, we can march right over the in- trenchments of the enemy to a glorious vic- tory; for the republican party can point with pride to the work of its hands; it has written history for eternity, it has done what the statesmen and philosophers of the past omit- ted to do. It has put God into the constitu- tion by recognizing the rights of his creature men. 'For inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me,' is the language of the Divine law giver. I should be glad to speak to you further, but I am admonished that there is other work for the convention to do."

He made a most gallant campaign, but was defeated by Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, who carried the state by a very small majority. After the campaign of 1872, he formed a co- partnership with Hon. Jonathan W. Gordon and Judge Robert N. Lamb, of Indianapolis, under the style of Gordon, Browne & Lamb. They commanded an immense business, con- tinuing until 1876, when Gen. Browne was elected to congress by a majority of over four- teen hundred, in the then Fifth Indiana dis- trict, defeating the veteran democrat, Hon. William S. Holman, who had served six terms. and carried his disttict at the preceding elec- tion by more than 2,500 majority. Gen. Browne was re-elected in 1878, maintaining his majority over the same gentleman, and was again re-elected in 1880, carrying the present Sixth district by about 10,000 ma- jority. Upon entering congress, he at once took rank as an able and discreet member. His popularity was steadily increased until, in

1882, he was tendered and accepted a unani- mous'renomination. His speeches have been distinguished for ability rather than for num- ber, and have been universally exhaustive on the subjects treated. One of his speeches on the financial question was chosen by the national republican committee to be printed and circulated as a campaign document, in 1880. Gen. Browne was a member of the special committee to which was referred the important matter of devising a plan for count- ing and declaring the result of the electoral vote for president and vice president, which would avoid the uncertainties and perils of the present methods. After a month spent in consideration, the committee proposed an ex- cellent plan, the principal features of which are:

I. The people vote by ballot directly for president and vice-president.

II. Each state shall be entitled to as many electoral votes as the number of mem- bers it may have in both houses of congress.

III. The number of electoral votes for each candidate from each state shall be deter- mined by making such a fractional part of the whole number of electoral votes belonging to that state as the vote of each particular can- didate bears to the whole number of the popu- lar vote cast in the state at that election, the fractions to be carried to three places of deci- mals and no more.

IV. Contests in the state may be decided by the highest judicial tribunal in the state.

V. A plurality of electoral votes shall be sufficient to elect.

VI. If no one has a plurality, the lower house shall elect.

This plan has the merit of being the only one ever proposed that would give each voter an equal power in deciding the election, and reduces to a minimum the dangers arising from a contested election. Gen. Browne supported this measure with what he con- sidered the most carefully prepared speech of his life. . He served on several other impor-

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tant special committees, and with ability and marked consideration on some of the regular committees. The published speeches of Gen. Browne number nearly half a hundred, besides which his oratorical efforts have been legion. For more than twenty-five years his voice was constantly sounding, opposing all the great evils of the day, and in favor of all reforms agitated by the people. When Gen. Browne removed from Spartanburg, shortly after his marriage, the good wishes of the entire community followed him, and through all subsequent years his heart retained its early attachments, and the citizens of Spartanburg looked upon "our Tom" and his achievements with unalloyed pleasure. Throughout his entire career Gen. Browne was always active and industrious. No matter whether a candidate himself or not, he always took a leading part in every political cam- paign, making some of his best efforts when he had no personal interest beyond that of a thorough believer in republican principles. At the close of the war, Gen. Browne was com- paratively poor, but by great industry and economy, he accumulated a competency. In person, he was tall and commanding, of easy yet dignified manner, in command of language, ready, exact and strong, and all his intel- lectual efforts showed systematic and varied knowledge. He was a master Mason, and had taken all the degrees in Odd Fellowship; while not a member of any religious society, his preference was for the Christian church, of which Mrs. Brown was an active member. His career from the humblest beginnings to the proud positions he so creditably filled is another illustration of the possibilities, which depend solely on the man under our free in- stitutions. The health of the general was in a failing condition for about five years, and yet death was unexpected when it overcame him, July 17, 1891. His only son, Lucian

Elmore Browne, was born July 17, 1851, and died October 20, 1860.

EORGE W. BROWNE, dealer in drugs, books, stationery, etc., at Winchester, Ind., a most excellent business man, was born in Greens- fork township, Randolph county, Ind., March 22, 1848, and is a son of James and Rachel (Humphreys) Browne, of Pennsylvania. James and Rachel were the parents of eight children, named as follows: Mary, deceased; George W .; Martha E., deceased; E iza A .; Lauret- ta R., deceased; Emma C .; Ruth A., deceased; James A. The father of this family died in 1881, but the mother is still living and resides with a son and daughter in Winchester. Young George W. applied his time and labor to his parents on the home farm until he had reached his fifteenth year, when, fired with patriotic zeal, he enlisted January 23, 1864, in company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry. He served faith- fully until his honorable discharge at Greens- boro, N. C., August 31, 1865, long after the war had closed, returning home in September and engaging in carpentering, which trade he followed until 1888. In April, 1888, he was elected township trustee for two years, and was re-elected in 1890 for four years. He then engaged in handling agricultural imple- ments, carriages, etc., in partnership with E. W .. Scott, and in April, 1893, dissolved the partnership; and in June, 1893, entered into the drug business in partnership with J. W. Denney, county superintendent. December 8, 1866, at Winchester, Mr. Browne was mar- ried to Miss Jennie Sims. This lady was born in Wood county, W. Va. (then Vir- ginia), in 1847, and is the daughter of Felix and Eliza (Crowell) sims, natives of Virginia.

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WINCHESTER CITY

This union has been favored with the birth of three children, viz: James M., a painter and paper hanger in Dunkirk, Ind .; Elnora, com- positor in the Journal office, and Frank, a baker in Indianapolis.

Mrs. Jennie Browne passed from earth on March 24. 1875, and on the 17th day of December of the same year Mr. Browne mar- ried Miss Ellen H. Frazier, of Randolph coun- ty, and this union has been blessed with six children, as follows: Florence V., Grace M., Maggie, deceased, Thomas F., Samuel Neal, and Golda M. The parents of these children are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Browne is a republican, strong and true. For two years he served as con- stable, and his strict integrity was commended by everybody. He is a member of the I.O.O. F. and of the G. A. R., and his walk through life is above reproach.

ENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUNDY, a farmer and stock raiser of Randolph county, is a descendant of a old and highly respected English family, three members of which came to the United States and settled in South Carolina at a period antedating the war of American independence. One of these three brothers, Christopher Bundy, subsequently settled in North Caro- lina and upon the breaking out of the revolu- tion enlisted as a ' minute man" in the patriot army and served with distinction throughout that long and gallant struggle. His son, Willian H. Bundy, father of the gentleman whose name introduces this mention, was born in North Carolina, married Leah Charles, a native of the same state, and as early as 1812 emigrated to Indian territory, settling in what is now Wayne county, where he pur- chased government land and developed a farm

upon which he passed the residue of his days. He and wife were esteemed inembers of the Society of Friends, which fact proved a sufficient immunity from the savages, whose depredations were of frequent occurrence among the sparsely settled portions of southern Indiana at the early period alluded to.

Benjamin F. Bundy was born on the old homestead near Centerville, Wayne county. March 7, 1828, and until sixteen years of age resided on the farm, attending such schools as the country afforded in the meantime. While still a youth, he learned the saddler's trade at Centerville, and worked as a journeyman for sometime in several of the leading cities of the west and south, including St. Louis, Mo., Springfield, Ill., Memphis, Tenn., and New Orleans, La. In 1850 he opened a shop in the town of Huntsville, Ind., where he con- tinued eight years, and, about 1858, built a saw mill three miles southwest of Winches- ter and began the manufacture of lumber. He subsequently disposed of this mill, but afterwards repurchased it and at this time is operating it very profitably. In 1877 Mr. Bundy embarked in the general mercantile trade in Winchester, previous to which date he had been associated in the same business with Robert Morrow, a firm which began operations about the year 1875. He con- tinued the good business for eight years, dis- posing of his interests in Winchester at the end of that time, and resuming agricultural pursuits, having previously purchased a valu- able farm in section 6, White River township. The farm contains 320 acres.

Among the improvements is a large com- modious barn, 60x 120, feet in size, well ar- ranged with a large basement under the entire building.

Mr. Bundy has been twice married; the first time to Miss Minerva Irvin, daughter of Robert Irvin, of Winchester, a union severed

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP'.

by death three years after its consummation. The second marriage was solemnized with Sarah J. Heaston, of Winchester, who died October 27, 1890. In addition to the voca- tions enumerated in which Mr. Bundy en- gaged, he was, for some time, identified with the profession of dentistry in partnership with A. J. Ross, under whose instruction he made substantial progress in the practice, and he also operated a photograph gallery for a lim- ited period in Winchester.

For a number of years Mr. Bundy was a local politician of the old whig school, but on the disintegration of that party, became iden- tified with its successor, the republican, with which he acted upon all questions of a state and national character until within a recent date. At this time he is practically independ- ent in matters political, preferring to vote for the man best fitted to fill official position rather than adhere strictly to the creed of party.

EV. NATHAN THOMAS BUTTS was born in White River township, Randolph county, July 25, 1838, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Butts. The father was born in Maryland in 1778, moved to Ohio when a child, and in 1824 came to Randolph county, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by his son, Nathan T. Shortly after his arrival here, he married Miss Elizabeth Surface, and to this union were born three children, viz: Susannah, deceased; Nathan T. and Sarah A., now the wife of S. H. Shockney, of Wayne township. Mrs. Elizabeth Butts died in 1842, and, in 1845, Mr. Butts married, but in 1848 he, too, passed away, owning, at the time of his death, a fine farm of 240 acres. On the death of his father, Nathan T. Butts was bound out by his guardians, John M. Lucas and William Ken-

nedy, until he was twenty-one, but, disliking his condition, he ran away at the age of four- teen, and worked out by the month during summer for his board, in order to be able to attend school in the winter. He acquired a passion for study, and in the spring of 1856 became a student of the Union literary institu- tion, near Spartanburg. He received a li- cense to teach school November 30, 1857, and taught in the common schools in winter and labored on farms in summer. He taught also in graded schools, also in seminary at Win- chester with Prof. Cooper, and also at Lynn, and in all thirteen years. He subsequently moved to Wayne county, and there, August 19, 1858, married Miss Louisa Macy, daugh- ter of Henry L. and Rachael Macy, and to this felicitous union were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living, viz: Ida F., Mary V., Anna L., Clarence E., Lizzie R.', Macy E., Viola M. and Alice E. Clara S., Emma G. and an infant are deceased. Clar- ence married Miss Alma Macon, daughter of Hartwell Macon, of Randolph county, and moved to South Dakota, where he is engaged as a telegrapher and an agent; Ida F., was married to Isaac D. Davis, son of Urias Davis, and now resides in Indianapolis; Mary Violet was married to John Lee Anderson, of Wayne county, and is now living in Michigan. The father of Mrs. Louisa (Macy) Butts was born May 10, 1806, and died August 9, 1892; her mother was born October 2, 1809, in Guilford, N. C., and died February 11, 1893.

In 1861 Mr. Butts returned to Randolph county and purchased a small farm. During the spring and summer of 1863 he was a teacher in the seminary at Winchester, with Prof. Cooper, at the same time reciting in some of the higher branches. He labored thirteen years as a teacher, until compelled, by impaired health, to abandon that profes- sion, and retire to his farm. In the spring of

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WINCHESTER CITY

1867 Mr. Butts united with Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal church, during the pas- torate of Rev. G. S. Jenkins, and before the close of his period of probation was appointed class leader, a position which he held for sev- eral years. On the 30th of May, 1868, he was licensed to exhort by Rev. G. S. Jenkins, and was licensed to preach at the quarterly conference held at Mount Zion by Rev. Mahin, presiding elder, in July, 1870. At the annual conference held at Union City, in April, 1880, he was ordained as deacon by Bishop Foster. Several years ago his services began to be sought in the settlement of estates, his well known honesty and integrity making him very desirable as an administrator or executor. In 1870 he was appointed administrator of the es- tate of James H. Johnson; of the estate of Thomas Marshall, in 1871; of the estate of William Kennedy in the same year, and of the the estates of Nancy Kennedy and Henry Edwards, respectively, in 1881; since then he has also settled the Rebecca Brown estate. In 1872 Mr. Butts was nominated by the republicans of this county as their representa- tive in the general assembly of Indiana, and in the fall of that year was elected by a majority of 1,768. He served faithfully through the regular and extra sessions of that year, taking an active part in all the work of that house. He was, in a sense, the author of what is known as the "Baxter Liquor Law." The original draft of this law was prepared by himself and William Baxter, rep- resentative from Wayne county. When the bill was brought before the house a multitude of amendments were proposed, which, to secure the support of the members proposing them, would necessarily have to be adopted. These amendments so loaded the bill down, crippled its operation and destroyed its effect, that it became evident to its projectors that it could not be passed without revision. It was

accordingly revised by Gov. Baker, Judge Mellett, of Henry county, and others, and in its new form was passed and became a law. The bill as reconstructed contained many of the clauses that were a part of the original bill formulated by Mr. Butts. The local option clause was exclusively the work of Mr. Baxter, and this being incorporated verbatim in the revised bill, gave to the measure the name of the Baxter bill. The Indianapolis papes printed a statement of the facts as here presented, and gave it the name of the Butts- Baxter bill, by which it was long known. Mr. Butts is now strictly a people's party man, and in 1892 was its candidate in the Sixth district for congress, receiving in the fall elec- tion over 1,000 votes in his own county, and over 3,000 in the district, the largest vote cast for the third party man for seven years. The nomination was gratuitous on the part of the convention, Mr. Butts not even being present at the time.

ILLIAM W. CANADA was born in Stony Creek township, Randolph county, Ind , June 8, 1850. He is a son of David and Mary A. Can- ada, the former a native of North Carolina, who came to Randolph county in 1828, and the latter a native of the county. The mother died Octo- ber 13. 1877, and the father followed her to the grave October 16, 1879. They were the parents of ten children, all but one of whom are now living.

William W. Canada spent his youth on his father's farm in the summer and attended the district school in the winter until he arrived at the age of eighteen years, at which time he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. He worked at the trade for several summers, and in the meantime taught school

W. W. CANADA.

MRS. CARRIE E. CANADA.

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in the winter, saving his earnings from these combined sources to complete his own educa- tion. After attending the high school at Farmland for six months, he entered the State Normal school at Terre Haute, Ind., in 1871, at which institution he completed his education. While attending this institution, he, in 1873, began the study of law, in the office of William Eggleston, a distinguished attorney of Terre Haute, and shortly after- wards located at Winchester, entering the law office of Moorman Way, where he continued his legal studies. He was admitted to the bar of Randolph county, June 2, 1874, and at once began the practice of his profession. In 1876, he was associated with E. B. Rey- nolds, Esq., with whom he practiced one year. Later he was at different times associated with Silas A. Canada, his brother, W. L. Monks, Alonzo Patty, and Fremont Garrett, and is now, 1893, the senior member of the well known firm of Canada & Caldwell. Mr. Canada was, in 1883, admitted to practice in the supreme court of this state. His heart is in his profession, to which he has devoted him- self with such earnestness that he has reached the front rank as an attorney, in the estima- tion of the public, and of the legal fraternity, and as he is yet a young man, bright possibili- ties are before him. He has been active in politics, and is a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples of the republican party. He is one of the working members, yet his services are con- tributed unselfishly and without hope of re- ward. Though but a boy during the darkest period in the nation's history, young Canada was not lacking in patriotism, but had an all absorbing desire to aid in fighting his country's battles. Actuated by these patri- otic motives, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana regiment, in 1864, but was rejected on account of his age. Mr. Canada early in life became a member of the

order of Odd Fellows, having been initiated into Losantville lodge, No. 232, before he came to Winchester. When he located at Winchester, he moved his membershipto Win- chester lodge, No. 121, after which he joined White River encampment, No. 50, and passed the chairs in both branches of the order. As a member of the grand lodge of the state, he has served on some of the most important committees of that body. In 1886, he joined the uniform degree camp, which was afterwards merged into the patriarchs militant by the sovereign grand lodge. His rise has been rapid in this last mentioned branch of the order. After having been elected six times captain of Canton T. W. Kizer, No. 14, he was chosen, in 1887, major of the second battalion of the second regiment of the state, and in 1890, colonel of the third regiment, to which posi- tion he was re-elected in 1891. On the 15th day of October, 1892, at a meeting of the field officers of the Indiana department, at Pierce- ton, Ind., he was elected brigadier general of the first brigade of the division of the Cum- berland, which makes him department com- mander of the state of Indiana, which position he still holds As evidence of his competency and success in these various positions, it is only necessary to say that while captain, while colonel, and while general, he carried off valu- able prizes in competitive drills.

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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 93

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