USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware county, 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 34
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Although a young man when he began the practice at Muncie, in 1841, Mr. March
handled the most complicated cases success- fully, and, as confidence was established, he soon built up a large practice. One rule has marked his entire career: He would never undertake the cause of a client whom he thought was in the wrong; and under no cir- cumstances would he accept a case that he could not conscientiously defend. In 1850, he was elected a member of the constitutional convention from the district composed of the counties of Delaware and Grant. He was a democrat, and although this was a whig dis- trict, he was elected by a goodly majority over the candidate of that party. At heart he was an abolitionist, and, much against his convictions, fealty to party and public trust induced him to support measures not entirely in harmony with his will-especially those discriminating against the colored race. The open antago- nism of his party to his own principles finally culminated in his withdrawal from it, about the time of the Kansas and Nebraska troubles. He was intensely in earnest in his support of the party, and, as a public speaker, did more effectual work and accomplished more good in its behalf, perhaps, than any other man in the district; for he was an extraordinarily fine speaker, and a thorough scholar; and when he joined the ranks of the republican party, he brought with him the same energy and the same ability, and devoted himself as earnestly to the success of the newly espoused cause, and with results equally fruitful.
While a member of the state constitutional convention, he advocated a change in the sys- tem of law practice then prevalent, by which the old English system should be abolished. With . the assistance of his associates, this measure was carried through, and the first legislature that assembled, after the adoption of the new constitution, appointed him one of the committee to draft a code of principles and practice which should obtain throughout
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the state. Among other things he incorpor- ated a clause investing circuit judges with the power to settle disputed points by arbitration, by which means a great deal of needless liti- gation could be avoided. It was tried in many of the counties-Delaware among the number-with good results; and this private and friendly mode of settlement was almost uniformly productive of better fellowship be- tween the plaintiff and defendant than a suit at law. But attorneys' fees were diminished in consequence of this peaceful mode of litiga- tion, and it was antagonized by attorneys throughout the state. Finally such was the pressure brought to bear that it was repealed by the general assembly of 1865.
In 1852, he was elected judge of the court of common pleas, on the democratict ticket, and served four years. In 1856 he was elected state senator. He had then with- drawn from the democratic party, and was elected as an independent friend of the Union. He served four years, then became the candi- date of the republican party for the same position. He was returned for another term of four years, and served throughout that stormy period in the history of the Indiana senate embraced between the years 1860 and 1864. Within this period, the democrats, who were in the majority, attempted to de- prive the governer of his power over the state militia, and invest it in the four offices of the state. They were only prevented from ac- complishing their plan by the republican mem- bers absenting themselves from the senate, and thus breaking the quorum. Judge March was among the number, and was, in fact the leader of the "bolt." While in the senate he occupied many important positions, among which was that of chairman of the judiciary committee. He was a recognized leader of his party and in many ways proved himself the soldier's friend. His career in the senate
was characterized by dignity and ability, and the following tribute was paid him by the Cincinnati Gazette: "One of the clearest headed and coolest members of the Indiana senate is Walter March, senator from the district of Delaware, Blackford and Grant. He speaks not half so often as others on the floor, but always to the point, and with strength and force. He wastes no time by idle bombast, and has not the inordinate vanity possessed by some men, of loving to hear himself talk.
" When Mr. March rises to make a speech, every member expects to hear something that will strike the sense of every one, and com- mand the attention of all. Although he is a solid speaker, he is yet almost poetical, and uses better language and a choicer selection of words than any other man on the floor of the senate."
At the close of his senatorial service, in 1864, he resumed the practice of his profes- sion at Muncie, and in 1867, formed copart- nership relations with Maj. Jonathan W. Gor- don and Martin Ray, of Indianapolis, under the firm name of Gordon, Ray & March, re- taining at the same time his practice at Mun- cie. In the fall of 1878, he was elected by the republicans of this district as their repre- sentative in the general assembly of the state, by a majority of 1, 250 votes.
His was indeed a busy and a model life. He devoted himself assiduously to his profes- sion, and stood at the head of the bar of Dela- ware county. He was scrupulously conscien- tious in all his dealings with mankind, and has won the regard of all classes. He was firm in his judgment, and fearless in the advocacy of his convictions. He was a radical temperance man, and a friend to the deserving poor, but a relentless hater of impostors, or sham and hypocrisy in any guise. His private acts of charity were many, and will long live in the
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hearts of those who have been the recipients of his bounty. He was ever a friend to what- ever had a tendency to benefit and elevate mankind, and many of the public improve- ments of this county number him among their warmest coadjutors. He was ever a lover of sciences, and found his chief recreation in study and reflection upon this theme. He was elected first president of the Literary and Scientific society of Muncie in 1879, and was a director of the Library Association of Mun- cie from the time of its organization until his death. A man of strong individuality, a fin- ished scholar and a polished gentleman, he occupied a special niche in society that none other can fill. He died March 31, 1883. Mrs. March, a lady of many admirable traits of character, contributed in no small degree to her husband's success in life. Mr. and Mrs. March had no children of their own, but in 1867 they adopted the motherless son of John Pyle, of Indianapolis, at that time ten years old and now grown to manhood. His father died in 1891, since which time he has known no parent except Mrs. March who so kindly reared him. The parents of Mrs. March, na- tives respectively of New Jersey and New York, came to Muncie in December, 1840, and engaged in the hotel business.
J OHN MARSH, late cashier of the Citi- zens' National bank of Muncie, was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 22, 1811. In his veins the blood of the Anglo-Saxon mingles with that of the Teutonic race. His father, Timothy Marsh, was the son of John Marsh, who came to this country from England, and settled in what is now Ger- mantown, Montgomery county, Ohio. He afterward served in the American army all through the Revolution. The mother was
Mary Clawson, who was born near the mouth of the Little Miami river, August 22, 1787, and is said to be the first white child born in the territory of Ohio. Cincinnati was not then laid out, and the country was the home of wild beasts and of the red man. She died at the age of ninety, at the residence of her son, Sear- ing Marsh, near Logansport, Ind., September 15, 1877. Her father was John Clawson, a German, who settled first in Kentucky and afterward in Ohio, and took part in the long struggle by which the colonies threw off the British yoke. John Marsh was not allowed to spend all his boyhood in school, but only the winter term of every year, the remaining time being employed in work on the farm. Yet the school he attended was the best in the county, and there he obtained a good education in the common English branches. At the age of seventeen he went to Eaton, and served an apprenticeship of five years at the hatter's trade. During this period his spare hours were not wasted in the society of the vicious or the frivolous, but were devoted to the acquisition of useful knowledge. At length Mr. Marsh commenced business as a hatter in Camden, and continued it successfully until 1847, when he entered upon the dry goods trade. After one year he was elected treasurer of Preble county, and held the office by re-election three terms. So faithfully and well did he discharge his duties that, at the last election, he re- ceived all the votes cast in the county except thirty-six. During this time he was a stock- holder and a director of the Preble county branch of the State bank of Ohio. In October, 1854. he removed to Wayne county, Ind., and was made president of the Cambridge City bank, one of those that withstood the crisis of 1857.
Mr. Marsh removed to Delaware county in 1856, and organized the Muncie branch of the State bank of Indiana, becoming its president.
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In 1865 it was converted into the Muncie National bank, and he remained its president until 1874. He then sold his interest, intend- ing to retire from business; but after a few weeks of recreation, at the earnest solicitation of a number of prominent men, he organized, with them, in November, 1874, the Citizens' bank, (converted into Citizens' National March 15, 1875), and being given his choice of
positions, accepted that of . cashier. Mr. Marsh had always been an active politician. His first ballot was cast for Henry Clay; he aided in the organization of the republican party, and ever after was in accord with the principles set forth. In 1838 he joined the Masonic fraternity and ten years later, at Day- ton, Ohic, took the commandery degrees. He was treasurer of Delaware lodge, of Mun- cie chapter, and of Muncie commandery, and helped organize the latter, of which he was treasurer until his death. After 1854 he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was trustee. Mr. Marsh was an able financier and secured a handsome competence. He had no small mental capac- ity, and might have achieved equal success in more important callings. Few were so en- dowed with qualities that inspire respect and friendship, and none lived in happier domestic relations than Mr. Marsh-his family being a model one, in which perfect harmony existed. He married, May 25, 1835, Miss Margaret, daughter of Nathan and Jane (Carr) Mitchell, both of Maryland, originally, but afterward pioneers of Ohio. Four children were born of this marriage, two of whom are living. Their mother died of cholera, July 29, 1849. Mr. Marsh was again united in marriage August 29, 1854, to Mrs. Mary Mutchner, by whom he had four children. The kindness of heart of Mr. Marsh was proverbial, and hundreds re- vere his memory on that account alone, if for nothing else.
ILLIAM M. MARSH, son of John Marsh, was born in Cambridge City, Wayne county, Ind., on the 8th day of November, 1855. He spent his boyhood days in Muncie, where he en- joyed the advantages of a liberal education, graduating from the city schools in 1873, after which he began with the bank in the capacity of messenger, the dnties of which position he discharged with commendable fidelity for some time. Subsequently, he became book- keeper for the same institution, and was thus employed until the death of his father, having in the meantime, for a period of two years, acted in the capacity of assistant cashier. Upon the death of his father he became cashier. Mr. Marsh was married on the 10th day of October, 1883, to Miss Martha R. Wysor, daughter of Jacob H. Wysor, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Marsh's birth occurred in Muncie, Decem- ber 12, 1859, and she has borne her husband two children, namely: Henry Wysor and John Edwin. The reputation of Mr. Marsh for energy and business capacity marks him as among the foremost, and socially he is deserv- edly popular with his fellow citizens, both of the city of Muncie and throughout the county. He is, at this time, vice-president of the Citizen's Enterprise company, is connected with the Ball Glass works, of which he was a charter officer, and is prominently identified with the Indiana Iron company. Mr. Marsh has always manifested an active interest in the material development of Muncie, to which he has contributed liberally of his means, and in 1889-90, he erected on one of the principal thoroughfares of the city a large and imposing brick structure known as the New Southern hotel. Mr Marsh stands high in Masonry, belonging to the Blue lodge, Muncie chapter, Muncie council and commandery, and is also an active member of the Society of Elks.
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J OHN ROLLIN MARSH, chief engineer of the Indiana Bridge company, was born January 13, 1863, in the city of Muncie, Delaware county, Ind. He grew to manhood in his native city, in the schools of which he obtained his early educa- tional training, completing the prescribed course and graduating from the high school in 1879. On quitting school he accepted the position of deputy clerk, Delaware county cir- cuit court, later became duputy county record- er, in both of which capacities he served several terms under different officials, proving himself a very efficient and capable assistant. Actuated by a desire to complete his educa- tion in the special line of engineering, Mr. Marsh in the fall of 1883 entered the school of Mines, Columbia college, New York, where he pursued his technical studies for several years, graduating in 1887, after which he accepted the position of chief engineer of the Indiana Bridge company of Muncie. In his theoretical and practical knowledge of engi- neering Mr. Marsh has few equals in Indiana, and his name is well and favorably known among the experts of the profession through- out the state. He is a finished scholar, a polished gentleman, possesses the necessary traits of character which insure success and popularity, and enjoys the confidence of the large and well known company with which he is identified.
He married August 5, 1889, Miss Susie Ryan, daughter of John W. Ryan, of Muncie, and is the father of two bright children, John Rodney and Mildred Ryan. With the excep- tion of a college fraternity, Mr. Marsh belongs to no society or order; he and wife are mem- bers of the Episcopal church of Muncie, in which they are highly respected, and their hands and hearts are ever ready to respond to the cry of distress or want, as well as to plain charity.
ILLIAM E. H. MARSH, the genial and popular proprietor of the Na- tional Hotel, Muncie, Ind., is a native of Chelsea (Boston), Mass., was born May 14, 1860, and is the only child of William E., Jr., and Ellen Maria Winship (Toppan) Marsh, of whom the former was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, November 11, 1836, of English and Scotch parentage, and the latter born at Newburyport, Mass., August 13, 1839, of English descent. William E. Marsh, Jr., was but ten years of age when taken east by his parents. For four years he attended school in Virginia, one year in New York state, and four years in Massachusetts, of the latter period, two years at Harvard university. On finishing his literary education he began his business life by entering the wholesale grocery estab- lishment owned by his father at Cincinnati, and for nine years assiduously devoted his at- tention to acquiring a knowledge of mercantile affairs; the following nine years were passed in real estate transactions at Plainfield, N. J., and the fifteen subsequent years in the hotel busi- ness, for which he seemed to be peculiarly adapted. In 1877 he became proprietor of the Galt House, in Cincinnati, which he conducted until 1892, when he went to Chicago and leased the Hotel Brewster, which he retained eighteen months. He then came to Muncie, Ind., where he is now interested with his son in the National, still retaining his interest in the Galt House, Cincinnati. As a business man he has but few equals, as a host he is unexcelled anywhere, being attentive, hospitable, obliging, and liberal in his consideration of the needs of his guests. The marriage of Mr. Marsh occurred December I, 1859; to Miss Toppan, and their union, as stated, was fruitful in the birth of only one child, a son. Mrs. Marsh is a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church, and in politics Mr. Marsh is liberal in his views, relying on his own judgment in such matters, as in everything else.
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William Edward Henry Marsh is a gentle- man of splendid executive abilities, and has been thoroughly schooled in all those graceful accomplishments and that pleasing tact that constitute the perfect hotel manager. His boyhood was passed in Newburyport, Mass., and he was educated by private tutors to a high standard in literature and in the German and English classics, which training was sup- plemented by a course of study at the Nelson Business college at Cincinnati. At the age of sixteen he became associated with his father in the management of the Galt House, corner of Sixth and Main streets, Cincinnati, where he became so well versed in his vocation, and in 1890 came to Muncie, Ind., leased the now favorite National Hotel, which he refitted and converted into the elegant, and above all, the comfortable establishment it now is. His in- tuitive apprehension of the wants of his guests and anticipation of their wishes have placed him at the very head and front of hosts, and created a demand for accommodations at his house that at times taxes even his ingenuity to meet. Affable, urbane, and anxious to please, he has won golden opinions from all comers. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees and the Ancile club of Muncie. In politics he affiliates with the republicans.
J OHN S. MARTIN, M. D., the profes- sional gentleman whose name intro- duces this sketch, is a well known and highly valued citizen of Muncie, where his skill and medical knowledge are frequently called into exercise. Dr. Martin was born in Johnson county, Ind., November 21, 1851, and is a son of Samuel C. and Jane (Haw- thorne) Martin, both parents natives of Henry county, Ky. He enjoyed superior educational advantages, attending first the schools of his
native county, and subsequently pursuing the higher branches of learning in Franklin col- lege, in which institution he made commenda- ble progress. After completing his literary education, Dr. Martin began teaching, which profession he successfully followed for seven years, leaving it only to begin his medical studies with Dr. J. D. George, a well known and successful practitioner of Franklin, Ind. With a laudable desire to increase his knowl- edge of his profession, the doctor entered the Cleveland(Ohio) Homeopathic Hospital college, graduated in 1883, and immediately thereafter located in Muncie, where he has since prac- ticed with flattering success and financial profit. He began the practice at Indianapolis some time before completing his professional course in the above institution, and since locating in the gas belt his abilities have been recognized beyond the limits of Delaware county, and he is now one of the leading rep- resentatives of his school in this part of the state. The doctor's personal characteristics have won him many friends, and among his professional brethren he is recognized as a man of energy and determination, fully abreast of the times and active in upholding the dig- nity of the healing art. He is of good person- al presence, has an unblemished character, and is a man of high moral and social stand- ing among his fellow citizens of Muncie. Dr. Martin is a member of the Indiana institute of Homeopathy, also of the American institute, in the deliberations of which body he takes an active part, and of which he is now serving as treasurer. He is a prominent member of the K. of P. and Red Men fraternities, and exer- cises the elective franchise in behalf of the democratic party. The doctor was married, in 1874, to Miss Laura A. Clark, daughter of John R. and Keziah Clark, of Johnson county, Ind., the result of which union is one child, a son, Samuel Albert Martin. Mrs. Martin is a
J.S. Martin M.S
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member of the Presbyterian church of Muncie, and is a lady of social prominence in the city.
S AMUEL MARTIN, retired, was born in Clarke county, Ohio, July 29, 1827, and is a son of Stephen R. and Nancy (Kirkpatrick) Martin. His father was born near Cincinnati on October 11, 1804, and was a son of Samuel Martin, a native of New Jersey, who settled in Clarke county, Ohio, in 1805, where he entered a tract of land, and also entered a tract of land in Miami county. Stephen R. Martin moved to Delaware county, Ind., in 1834, and settled upon a farm in Hamil- ton township, and entered several tracts of land. He was one of the originators, the treasurer, and a director in the Granville pike, and a stockholder in the Bee Line railway. He was one of the original stockholders of the Citizens' National bank of Muncie, and a trustee in the Christian church for many years. He was a democrat, and was trustee of his township. His first wife died in June, 1867, and he remarried to Susan Spoor, of Iowa, who survives him. His family consisted of six daughters and two sons. The living are : Samuel, Phœbe, Ellen, Mary, wife of John Pittinger, of Hamilton township, and Emily. Stephen R. Martin died October 19, 1877. Samuel Martin was reared in Delaware county, and received his education in its early schools. When twenty- two years of age he went to California, where he spent several years in farming and mining, and then returned to Delaware county. In 1857 he married Miss Mary Williamson, daugh- ter of Peter Williamson, of Hamilton town- ship, and cleared a farm in that township, upon which he resided until 1879, when he moved into the city of Muncie, and engaged in the manufacturing of pumps, under the firm name of Puckett, Smell & Martin. He was also a
member of the hardware firm of Martin, Young, & Kessler. In 1886 he withdrew from all active business, and has since lived a retired life. He is a stockholder in the Co-operative Gas com- pany, and has large real estate interests in the city. Politically a democrat, he has repre- sented the First ward in the city council ; is a member of the A. F. & A. M. chapter and com- mandery. He and wife are members of the High street M. E. church, and he is the present treasurer of the same; also one of the trustees, and was a member of the building committee.
O SCAR L. MEEKS, the gentleman for whom this biographical sketch is pre- pared, is a native of Delaware county, Ind., born December 7, 1853. the son of Isaac Meeks. He grew to manhood in his native city, in the public schools of which he received a practical English education, and, having early manifested a decided preference for mechanical pursuits, entered a furniture factory, and while still a boy became profi- cient as a workman. The proprietor of this factory was his father, Isaac Meeks, with whom Oscar L. subsequently effected a co-partner- ship, and the firm thus constituted continued until the destruction of the establishment by fire, which event occurred a short time before the senior member's death. Mr. Meeks then engaged with the Bandey Planing Mill com- pany as foreman, in which capacity he has since continued. He is a skillful mechanic, familiar with all the details of the business with which he is connected, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Muncie. Politically a republican, he cast his first vote for Benja- min Harrison for governor; and religiously a Methodist, he is one of the leading members of the High street congregation of Muncie. Mr. Meeks was married in June, 1876, to Miss
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Alice Kemper, daughter of William Kemper, to which union three children have been born, namely: Bessie, Emily and Harold, the first named of which is deceased.
Isaac Meeks is a native of Monongalia county, W. Va., born July 9, 1829. At the age of ten years he, with his parents, Amos and Nancy Meeks, immigrated to Indiana, locating, in the fall of 1832, in the eastern part of Delaware county. They erected a log cabin in the heart of the forest and set about clearing off 150 acres of land. There being a large family (eight broth- ers and seven sisters, and one half-brother and half-sister), there was not enough employment for them on the farm, so Isaac, at the age of fifteen, decided to come to Muncie and learn the cabinet making trade. Being naturally a mechanic, he soon became skilled in his work and entered into a partneship with his brother Robert in the cabinet business, a union which lasted for forty-five years. He married Mary E. McProud, of Randolph county, this state, to whom were born five children-two boys and three girls. In politics he was a strong republican-the party of his father. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for over forty-five years, filling different positions in the church with a true christian zeal, until death claimed him, January 16, 1891.
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