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 43
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NDREW J. SLINGER, a prominent citizen of Muncie, was born in Tippe- canoe county, Ind., January 20, 1834. His father, Thomas J. Slinger, was born in Brookshire, England, married Nancy Fink, a native of Berks county, Pa., and in 1832 located in Lafayette, Ind., and engaged in the distillery business, which he had pre- viously learned in his native country. He died October 15, 1838, and subsequently, in 1842, his widow married Benj. Runyon, a farmer of Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. Runyon removed to the county of Henry in 1846, and resided there until their respective deaths in 1876 and 1877.
Andrew J. Slinger remained with his step father until his sixteenth year, at which time he went to Indianapolis, where he served a three years' apprenticeship at house painting and graining with Samuel S. Rooker. After be- coming proficient in his chosen calling, he began working at the same at New Castle, where he remained from 1852 until 1861, in June of which last named year he entered the army as member of the regimental band of the Thirty-sixth Indiana infantry, serving in that capacity for a period of seven months, when the order came to discharge all regiment- al bands. Mr. Slinger received his discharge March 6, 1862; at Nashville, Tenn., and, returning home, assisted in recruiting company I, Sixty-ninth regiment, upon the organization of which he was elected first lieutenant. His regiment first went into Camp Wayne, near
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Richmond, Ind., thence was ordered to Rich- mond, Ky., where it received its first baptism of fire, and, with the rest of the Federal force engaged, suffered defeat at the hands of the Confederate general, Kirby Smith. The regi- ment to which Mr. Slinger belonged was nearly all taken prisoners, but quite a number succeeded in making their escape, omong them being Mr. Slinger. After the regiment was duly exchanged and recruited, it was ordered to Camp Memphis, Tenn., and pro- ceeded along the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers under Gen. Sherman to Vicksburg. Mr. Slinger participated in a four days' battle in the attempt to reduce Vicksburg, but, being repulsed, the regiment was compelled to abandon their position and retreat northward until the mouth of the Arkansas river was reached. Proceeding up the river named, the command invested Fort Hindman, or Arkan- sas Post, January 11, 1863, which surrendered after a hard fought battle, seven thousand prisoners falling into the hands of the Feder- als. Later the Sixty-ninth was engaged in the vicinity of Vicksburg and assisted in dig- ging the famous canal. Afterward, the Union force moved across the country, through Lou- isiana, to the Mississippi, twenty-five miles below Vicksburg, where they made a stand until joined by the fleet which successfully ran the blockade. The force then proceeded down the river to Grand Gulf, where a naval engagement lasting four hours was fought, during which time seventy-five guns of the enemy were silenced and their force surren- dered. The troops were then transferred across the river to the Mississippi side, and marched up the bluff to Thompson Hill, or Port Gibson, and there engaged Pemberton's army from Vicksburg. the battle lasting from 2 A. M. to 7 P. M., resulting in a complete de- feat of the enemy. The Federal forces fol- lowed up their advantages and came up to the
enemy at Champion Hill, in the rear of Vicks- burg, where a fierce battle was fought, the enemy retreating to Black river, where they attempted to cross but only partially succeed- ed, three thousand of them falling into the hands of the Union troops.
Mr. Slinger subsequently took part in the charge in front of Vicksburg May 22, 1863, after which, his regiment was ordered to Black river to guard the rear of the Union army, and there remained until the time of the surrender of the city. At Port Gibson, Mr. Slinger re- ceived a severe wound in the head, which resulted in a serious impairment of the brain, rendering him totally blind for the greater part of six months. On account of this disability, he resigned his commission July 8, 1863, and returned home. September, 1864, he veter- anized in the Twenty-fifth Indiana, which at once proceeded to Mobile, in the siege of which Mr. Slinger was engaged for thirteen days, or until the surrender of the place. Sub- sequently the regiment was ordered to Mont- gomery, Ala., and, after various other move- ments, was discharged November 26, 1865, Mr. Slinger having spent over three years in the service. As already noted, he was first lieutenant of the company which he assisted in raising, and afterward became captain. On leaving the army, he came to Muncie, to which place his family had removed in Jan- uary, 1864, and he at once engaged in house and sign painting and contracting, which he continued with success and financial profit until his retirement from active life a couple of years since. He was sheriff of Delaware county from 1875 to 1877, and since 1891 has not been actively engaged in his trade. Mr. Slinger was married in Henry county, Ind., October 12, 1854, to Miss Lindamire Need- ham, of Henry county, who has borne him four children: Thomas J., house and sign painter; Monroe, died in 1882; Frank, de-
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ceased at the age of twenty-five in St. Louis, Mo., at which place he held the responsible position of chief clerk in the Star & Anchor line of steamers; Ella, wife of O. F. Davis, commission merchant of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Slinger are members of the Christian church of Muncie and are highly respected and most estimable people. He is a republican in politics, and for disabilities received while in the service is being remembered by a grateful country with a liberal pension.
Thomas J. Slinger was born in New Cas- tle, Henry county, Ind., August 1, 1855, and is the son of Andrew J. Slinger. He attended the schools of Muncie, Ind., and at the early age of sixteen learned the trade of painter with his father. He became deputy sheriff of Delaware county under his father in 1875, and was married January 25, 1876, to Miss Emma Templer, daughter of J. N. Templer. Three children were the happy fruit of this marriage: Eddie, Mabel and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Slinger are active members of the Christian church. He is also a Knight of Pythias, and in politics is a republican.
e PHRAIM SMELL, now living retired from active business in the pleasant city of Muncie, Ind., was born in Mo- nongalia county, W. Va., February 12, 1836, a son of Philip and Rebecca (Doolittle) Smell, natives of West Virginia, who removed to the state of Indiana in the spring of 1855 and located in Henry county. In the spring of 1857 they removed to Delaware county, and located on a farm in Hamilton township, but soon afterward settled in the town of Muncie, where Mr. Smell followed his trade of wagon maker for many years. He and wife were con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Muncie, good people, who became
the parents of three children, two of whom are living, Maxwell, of Centre township, and the gentleman whose name introduces this biogra- phy. Ephraim Smell was reared in his West Virginia home until the age of eighteen years, and there obtained his education. He accom- panied his parents to Indiana and assisted in the farming, but in 1862 moved to Muncie and began the manufacture of pumps, forming a co- partnership in the business with a Mr. Puck- ett. The firm, thus constituted, contin- ued four years, when Mr. Smell bought the entire interest, which he successfully conducted until 1891, when he retired from active life, and is now spending his latter years in the en- joyment of that rest and quietude which only those who have successfully encountered the activities of business life know how to appre- ciate.
Although Mr. Smell is not actively engaged in business he has not by any means given up his interest in what is transpiring about him, as he is now trustee of the Bell Stove works, representing the Citizens' Enterprise company in the same, which latter organization has always had his hearty support, and in which he is a member of the advisory board. Mr. Smell has large property interests, which he manages with wise judgment and careful dis- crimination. Politically, Mr. Smell is a dem- ocrat, and has served two terms in the city council, representing the First ward from 1876 to 1880, and in 1886 he was elected trustee of Centre township, serving acceptably until the end of his term. He is a man of social in- stincts, belonging to the Delaware lodge, A. F. & A. M., Muncie chapter and commandery, K. T., and also to the I. O. R. M. In 1853, Mr. Smell was united in marriage to Miss Martha Martin, daughter of Stephen R. Mar- tin, of Delaware county, but she died June 26, 1868, leaving the following children: Ida, John, William and Mackie. His second mar-
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riage was with Miss Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Stephen Miller, of Camden, Delaware county, and at her death she left two children, Herbert and Philip. His present wife was Mrs. Eliza Moom, daughter of Oxley Ricker, of Delaware county. He and wife are mem- bers of the High street Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the position of stew- ard, being an active and valued member.
ON. MARCUS C. SMITH, retired business man of Muncie, and one of its most distinguished citizens, was born at Connersville, Ind., April 1 I, 1825. He is the son of Hon. Oliver H. Smith and his wife Mary (Brumfield) Smith. Oliver H. Smith came from Pennsylvania to Indiana in 1817 and located, first, at Risiing Sun. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1820, and settled in Connersville the same year. He filled numerous positions of public honor and trust, and in 1836 was elected United States senator from Indiana.
Hon. Marcus C. Smith, in 1859, at the age of fourteen years, was taken by his father to Alexandria, D. C. (as it then was), to attend a school somewhat famous at that time, under the charge of Benjamin Hallowell, a distin- guished mathematician and astronomer of that day. Remaining there two years, he entered Asbury university, Greencastle, Ind., and after three years spent at that institution, he en- gaged in the study of law in his father's office. He was licensed, according to the legal custom, in 1846, and began to practice; but, his health failing, he entered into active business, prac- ticing law only on special occasions. In 1847, he moved to Yorktown and assumed the man- agement of his father's property there, consist- ing of two grist mills, a saw mill, carding and fulling mill, beside a large amount of landed
estate. In 1851 and 1852 the Bee Line rail- road was built from Bellefontaine, Ohio. to Indianapolis, Ind., largely by his father's influ- ence and aid, and large quantities of timber, for sleepers, ties and bridges, were furnished from the land and the saw mill of the latter, under the directions of his son. They also had a store at Yorktown, and, in addition to the other business, stock buying was largely car- ried on.
Mr. Smith came to Muncie in 1859, and has resided here ever since. His busines dur- ing this time has been varied and somewhat extensive-chiefly stock dealing, buying grain and seeds, attending to his farming interests, etc., handling, some years, from 8,000 to 10,000 bushels of flaxseed, raised in Delaware county. He has owned 300 acres of land in this county, but at present has but about 200 acres. He has, from time to time, been chosen to fill important public positions. In 1854, he was elected as the representative of Delaware county in the Indiana legislature; from 1869 to 1877, he served as mayor of the city of Muncie; and, in 1878, was elected state senator for the counties of Delaware and Madison, his term expiring in 1882, and in the fall of the same year was re-elected for a term of four years. Like his honored father, he was in former times a whig, and, since the rise of the republican party, has been an active member and ardent supporter of the principles and measures of that organization.
In 1852, Marcus C. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary C., daughter of James L. Russey (formerly of Muncie). They are the parents of eight children, all of whom are now living save one, and five are married: Oliver H .; Mary Caroline, the wife of Oliver T. Boaz, now residing in Pittsburg, Kan .; Lætitia A., now wife of Dr. Chas. W. Smith, of Selma; Marcus C., Jr., living in Kan. ; Margaret H., wife of H. H. Highlands; James
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R., at home; Jennie Love, at home, and May Love, deceased.
Marcus C. Smith has been for many years, and still is, a prominent and valuable member of society, enjoying the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in a high degree. Al- though he and his worthy companion are not church members, they respect and uphold the religious interests of society, and are liberal and sympathetic, and active in lending a ready hand in aid of the unfortunate and distressed. Hundreds of unfortunates in Muncie, as well as elsewhere, to-day bless the names of Marcus C. and Mary C. Smith as benefactors, and many a poor lad owes to their munificence his first educational advancement-they being among the foremost and most liberal promoters of general education.
J OHN HENRY SMITH, one of the lead- ing manufacturers of Indiana and pro- prietor of the large and extensive bent wood works of Muncie, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in the town of Freedom, Beaver county, on the 23d of April, 1843. His father, Andrew Smith, was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, August 3, 1813, and immi- grated to the United States in 1831, locating in Pittsburg, Pa., where he followed the trade of cooper, and where he afterward was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Heffner. Sub- sequently, about 1842, he located at the town of Freedom, Beaver county, where for three years he was engaged in the hotel business and where his death afterward occurred. To Andrew and Barbara Smith were born three children, two sons and one daughter, namely: Jacob, John H. and Lizzie Smith. John Henry Smith was but two years of age when his father died, after which event the mother engaged in the grocery business at the town of
Freedom, in the schools of which place John H. received a good education. On quitting school he assisted his mother until his sixteenth year, when he went to the Economite commu- nity at Economy, Pa., where he learned the cooper trade, which he followed at that place for about three and one-half years. In the meantime he attended night school. Leaving Economy, on the discovery of oil in Pennsyl- vania, he joined the influx to the oil region, and for one year thereafter was engaged in coopering, returning at the end of that time to Freedom, at which place he erected a shop. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in the Seven- teenth Pennsylvania cavalry, which was as- signed to duty in the army of the Potomac, serving first under Gen. Killpatrick and after- ward with Gen. Sheridan, and participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Hanover C. H., Trevilian Station, Brandy Station, Old Church Tavern (where he had his horse shot under him), Winchester, Cedar Creek, Sailor's Creek, the campaign in front of Petersburg, and was present at the final surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., in August, 1865. On returning from the army, he resumed business at Freedom and contin- ued it until his removal to Indiana in the year 1870. At Bluffton, he engaged quite exten- sively in the manufacture of tight barrel staves, which he continued until 1873, at which time he erected another factory at the town of Auburn, which he conducted until he disposed of his entire· interests in both establishments to the Standard Oil company, in 1876. In that year he bought a small bent wood works at the town of Bluffton, which soon became one of the leading manufacturing establish- ments of the place. A larger building was erected two years later, and supplied with the latest improved machinery for the manufac- ture of all work in that line. In two years' .
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time this building was found to be inadequate to meet the demands of the business; accord- ingly, Mr. Smith determined to remove the works to Muncie, where better opportunities were offered, and where he erected a much larger and more complete structure.
In July, 1889, while Mr. Smith was absent on a trip to Europe, this large manufactory was completely destroyed by fire, entailing great loss upon the proprietor and proving a serious disaster to the city of Muncie. With the energy characteristic of the man, Mr. Smith cabled his partner to begin rebuilding at once. Mr. Smith's great popularity with the people of his adopted city was sufficiently attested by the fact, that upon his return from his foreign tour, he was met at the depot by a large delega- tion of citizens who assembled for the purpose of welcoming him home, and of publicly thank- ing him for his determination to re-build his factory in Muncie. The factory since re-built does a large and lucrative business, and its products are in demand in nearly all the markets of the United States and in those of some countries of Europe. Personally Mr. Smith is popular with all with whom he comes in contact, and throughout his long business career has been thoroughly energetic and straightforward and possesses an enviable repu- tation for honesty and integrity. His home residence is one of the largest, most imposing and costly in the city of Muncie.
Politically Mr. Smith is an uncompromising supporter of the democratic party, and as such was complimented by being sent as delegate to the national convention at Chicago in 1892. While a resident of Bluffton he served two terms as school trustee, beside which he has been called to fill other positions of trust at different times. The firm of which he is head is known as J. H. Smith & Co., in addition to which he is president of the Carriage Wood Workers' association of the United States,
and president of a large manufacturing estab- lishment known as the Sidney Pole & Shaft company, of Sidney, Ohio. He is also re- ceiver of the R. E. Hill Manufacturing com- pany, and was one of the chief movers in the organization in the Citizens' Enterprise com- pany. Fraternally, Mr. Smith is prominently identified with a number of orders, including the Masonic, G. A. R., A. O. U. W., and the I. O. O. F., in the last of which he has passed all the chairs.
Mr. Smith was married May 30, 1877, to Miss Kate Shaufelberger of Freedom, Pa., a union blessed with the birth of fivechildren, one son and four daughters.
I EWIS S. SMITH was born in the town of Alexandria, Licking county, Ohio, December 15, 1843. His father, Seth P. Smith, was a native of New York, from which state he emigrated to Clin- ton county, Ohio, and there married Harriet Smedley, thence moved to Licking county, lo- cating at Alexandria. Seth Smith was a lawyer at Newark, Ohio, and was a very successful practitioner. He was a man of prominence in Alexandria, held several official positions, and until the birth of the republican party, with which he became identified, was a whig in his political belief. He reared a family of three children: Agnes, deceased; Lenora, deceased, and Lewis S., whose name introduces this mention. His death occurred in Octobor, 1860, and his wife died November of the previous year. L. S. Smith passed the years of his youth and early manhood in his native county, and at the age of eighteen began life for him- self as a carriage manufacturer, which he con- tinued for a period of five years. In 1870 he began the study of photography at Union City, Ind., under the instruction of F. P. Wilson,
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and after becoming proficient in the art, es- tablished a gallery at the town of Camden, where he carried on a successful business for about fifteen years. In 1884 he removed to Muncie, where he has since conducted a very gratifying business, the gallery of which he is at this time proprietor being one of the best known establishments of the kind in the city. Mr. Smith is enterprising and energetic, and by a life of industry has, in a large measure, solved the problem of success. He has accu- mulated a comfortable competence and very properly ranks among the best citizens in the city in which he resides. Mr. Smith was mar- ried December 27, 1870, in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Emma J. Shaffer, daughter of H. R. and Jane (Anderson) Shaffer, to which union three children have been born, namely: Harry, Earnest and Clifford. In politics Mr. Smith acts with the democratic party, being an earn- est advocate of the principles which he main- tains. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to DeEmber lodge, No. 30, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the fraternity. His religious belief is repre- sented by the Baptist creed, of which church both himself and wife are members.
R. SMITH, proprietor of the largest marble - cutting establishment in Muncie, dealer in marble, granite, etc., was born in Fayette county, Ind., July 23, 1822, son of Moses and Sarah E. Smith. The father was born in New York state February 28, 1802, and the mother's birth occurred in 1806 in the province of Can- ada. Moses Smith and Sarah E. Harris were married in 1821, in Fayette county, Ind., near Connersville, where Mr. Smith engaged in agricultural pursuits, in connection with carpentering. He died July 24, 1873; his
wife died August 23, 1884; they were both members of the Methodist church, are remem- bered as most excellent and kindly disposi- tioned people, and were parents of the follow- ing children: Wilson R., Eliza, Newton, Lewis, Charles, Elvira, Sarah, Albert, Eveline, Dan- iel and Melvina, all deceased except the first named.
Wilson R. Smith was reared in Knights- town, Ind., until his twenty-second year, and early learned the blacksmith trade, which he carried on in that place for some time. He also became proficient as a carpenter, but gave his attention principally to blacksmithing, which he followed successfully in Albany, Granville, and Muncie, Delaware county, until 1861. In the latter year, owing to the loss of his right arm, occasioned by a premature dis- charge of a canon, while ratifying the election of President Lincoln, he was obliged to give up his trade, and, for two years thereafter, served as deputy sheriff of Delaware county under J. W. Dungan. During the suc- ceeding four years, he was traveling sales- man for a marble company, and in 1869 was complimented by the people of the county by being elected sheriff, the duties of which office he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned for a period of two years. In February, 1870, Mr. Smith engaged in the marble business in part- nership with John Parry, which relationship continued four years, when Mr. Smith pur- chased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor. Subsequently, he effected a co- partnership with his sons, under the firm name of Smith & Sons, which still exists and which does a large and lucrative business, represent- ing $20,000 worth of work per year. Mr. Smith does all grades of granite and marble work, such as first class shops turn out, and only the very best workmen are employed in his establishment. He is a skillful workman,
W. R. SNYDER.
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understands all phases of the business, and his patronage extends throughout Delaware and a number of other counties in eastern Indiana.
Mr. Smith was married in Richland town- ship, Jay county, Ind., August 4, 1844, to Sarah Hollingshead, whose birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, July 17, 1824. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of James and Mary (Scarff) Hollingshead, natives of Virginia. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children have been born: James N., John O. and Julian T., the last named deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are active members of the Methodist church of Muncie. Mr. Smith is prohibitionist and an earnest advocate of temperance reform.
ROF. WILLIAM R. SNYDER, the efficient superintendent of the public schools of Muncie, is a native of Pennsylvania, born on the 30th day of August, 1850, in the historic old city of Gettysburg. His parents, Conrad and Cath- erine (Fisher) Snyder, were also natives of the Keystone state, and for a number of years residents of the county of Adams. In the public schools of his native town Prof. Snyder received an elementary education, and later became a student of the well known institu- tion, Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg, in which he completed the full course, graduating with a creditable record in the class of 1873. The same year he taught a term in the district schools of Wyandotte county, Ohio. The next year he was principal of a graded school at the town of Waldron, Shelby county, Ind., where he continued two years, after which, for the same length of time, he had charge of the schools of Acton, not far from the city of Indianapolis. Severing his connection with the schools of the latter place, Prof. Snyder accepted the principalship of the Shelbyville
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