USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
Mr. Mayfield's official record is an honorable one and the ability dis- played in looking after one of the people's most important interests gained for him great popularity as a faithful public servant. At the close of his sec- ond term he resumed the general practice and is now at the head of an ex- tensive legal business with a large and appreciative clientele in Clark and neighboring counties, his continued success and advancement winning for him a conspicuous place among the rising young lawyers of the bar to which the greater part of his patronage is confined.
Mr. Mayfield is also interested in various other lines of activity and takes a prominent part in encouraging and furthering all projects and enterprises for the material advancement and general welfare of the city in which he re- sides. He is prominent and influential in a number of social and fraternal orders, among which are the Free and Accepted Masons. the Modern Wood- men of America. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Union Fraternal League, in all of which he has been an active worker and from time to time an honored official. In politics he is a Democrat and for a number of years has been one of his party's able and judicious counsellors and an in- fluential worker in a number of hotly contested campaigns.
On November 16, 1899. he was married to Julia L. Felker, the accom- plished daughter of George W. and Lucretia Felker, of Jeffersonville, in which city she was for a period of twelve years a teacher in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield have a beautiful home, rendered especially attractive to them by the presence of a third inmate in the person of their only child, a daughter by the name of Helen. Mrs. Mayfield is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and interested in its various lines of effort. Al- though liberal in his religious views and tolerant of the views and opinions of others. Mr. Mayfield has profound regard for the church.
James H. Mayfield, the father of Frank M .. was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in Company M, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, with which he served with an honorable record until discharged on account of physical dis . ability. IIe departed this life in 1891, his wife preceding him to the eternal world in the year 1874. Their family consisted of fourteen children, of whom five are deceased, the names of those living being as follows: Mrs. Laura Morgan, of Jeffersonville; Rufus, of Washington county, Indiana, a manu-
493
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
facturer and dealer in timber and lumber; Dorcas, wife of J. B. Blunt, of Jeffersonville; Joseph, a general merchant, of Washington county ; Stella, now Mrs. John F. Davis, the husband a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad; Claude, who is also in the employ of that company, with headquarters at Clarksville ; Ethel, who married Frederick Shannon, a railroad man living in the city of Louisville ; Festus, a cartoonist, of Cincinnati; and Frank M., of this review. The deceased members of the family who were all older than the subject were: William, Emma, Harriet, Serrilda and John.
William W. Mayfield, the great-grandfather of Frank M., was a native of Virginia, a planter by occupation and at the breaking out of the War of the Revolution joined the American army and took part in a number of cam- paigns and battles, serving until independence was achieved, At the close of the struggle he returned to his estate in Virginia, where his death oc- curred a number of years ago. Both the Mayfield and Hartley families were from England, the latter emigrating to America direct from London and settling in Scott county. Indiana, in pioncer times. Rev. Wesley Hartley, a brother of Mrs. James H. Mayfield, was for many years a prominent minister of the Christian church and became widely known in religious circles through- out Central and Southern Indiana. He entered upon the duties of his holy office when but sixteen years old and after a continuous service of fifty-seven years, retired from his labors, dying at the old family homestead in Scott county, near the town of Scottsburg, at the advanced age of eighty-three.
FREDERICK W. DAVIS, D. D. S.
Standing at the head of his profession in Jeffersonville, Doctor Davis enjoys an excellent patronage. Frederick W. Davis has lived all his life in Indiana, having been born in Fulton county. this state, on October II. 1873. He is the son of John M. and Catherine ( Packer) Davis, who were both born in the state of Ohio. John M. Davis now occupies the responsible position of insurance inspector for Fulton county, an office under the jurisdiction of the state. He is a veteran of the War of the Rebellion, having enlisted in the regular army from this state, and being stationed during the greater part of his enlistment in New York, where he was assigned to the coast defense. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is also a Roval Arch Mason. To him and his wife were born the following children: Cyrus M., a merchant in Rochester, Indiana; Ostinella A., a successful attorney at Rochester; Henry A., a civil engineer in Michigan; Rosella who is the wife of Frank McKee, of Rochester; Frederick W .. the immediate subject of this sketch : Charles A., an electrical engineer at Rochester; Vernon J., engaged
494
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
in the manufacture of telephones and telephone supplies at Buffalo, New York; Marion L., who died at the age of four years.
Frederick W. Davis received his general education in the public schools of Rochester and then entered the University of Indianapolis, where he took a full course in dentistry, graduating with the class of 1900. He at once came to Jeffersonville and established himself in the active practice of his profession, in which he has been successful to a marked degree. He enjoys a constantly increasing practice among the best class of patrons. He has a well appointed suite of rooms and possesses a full line of the latest and most up-to-date mechanical appliances. He is a member of the P. G. C. Hunt So- ciety, an organization closely allied to his professional work.
Politically the doctor is a stanch Democrat on national issues, though in local affairs he believes the man should be elected who is best qualified to fill the office. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His profes- sional relations are with the Indiana State Dental Society, the annual meet- ings of which he attends and in which he has taken some active part.
Doctor Davis has had a creditable military record as a member of the Indiana National Guard and the Spanish-American war volunteers. He en- listed in the Second Regiment of the National Guard on May 26. 1890, and gave efficient and faithful service, passing through all the grades from private to first sergeant. He then received special recognition. being "jumped" from first sergeant to first lieutenant. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. the subject's patriotism was aroused and. on April 12. 1897, he enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until November 4, 1898. He was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, the greater part of the service being at Camp Thomas, Chick- amauga Park, and at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tennessee.
The apparent ease with which Doctor Davis has attained to his present position in his profession marks him as the possessor of talent, and. being a close student of professional literature, he keeps in close touch with the lat- est advances in his profession.
REV. JOHN S. WARD.
The gentleman who is serving efficiently and faithfully as pastor of the Wall Street Methodist Episcopal church in Jeffersonville is numbered among the leading clergymen of the city and wickdls a wide influence for good throughout the community. Rev. John S. Ward is a native son of Indian ?. he having been born at Greenville, Floyd county, on Christmas day. 1876.
495
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
His father. Rev. J. A. Ward, was a native of Illinois and for forty years was engaged in active pastoral work as a member of the Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. having filled some of the leading pulpits of that denomination in this conference. He married Sylvinia Farmer. They now reside at Hymera, Sullivan county, Indiana. the father having retired from the active ministry.
The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the com- mon and high schools, completing his education at that solid Methodist seat of learning. DePauw University. Having determined to enter the sacred min- istry, he also during this time took the theological course of the conference itinerant scliool. In 1898 he was given his first appointment as an active pas- tor. though during the three years previously, while a student in college, he had done some preaching. During the first seven years of his ministry he hekl appointments at Indianapolis and vicinity and in 1905 he was appointed pas- tor of the Wall Street church. Jeffersonville, where he still continues. Ex- cepting one church of this denomination at Evansville, the Wall Street church is the largest Methodist Episcopal society in Southern Indiana, having a mem- bership of about seven hundred and fifty, and it requires abilities of high order to successfully carry on the varied interests of so large an organization. When the fact is considered that Mr. Ward is the youngest member of the conference occupying so important a charge, and that he has been continued at this point four successive years, it stands in marked evidence of his strength not only in the pulpit but also as an administrator of the affairs of the church.
The Wall Street church is one of the most active and progressive re- ligious bodies in the city and is a tower of strength in upbuilding the spiritual life of the community and maintaining a high moral standard. In connection with the main society, there are several healthy auxiliary organizations, among which may be mentioned the Sunday school, with an enrollment of three hun- dred and fifty members; the Methodist Brotherhood, of one hundred and sixty members, and of which Prof. C. M. Marble is the president : the Ladies' Aid Society: the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society: the Young Ladies' Society : the Standard Bearers. the King's Heralds and the Light Bearers, the latter being the strongest organization of its kind in Southern Indiana, the same being true of the Methodist Brotherhood: the Epworth League, one hundred and sixty-five members: the Junior Epworth League, one hundred and twenty-five members.
In 1896, at Greencastle. Indiana, the Reverend Ward was married to Hat- tie Combes, a native of Owen county. Indiana, and a daughter of Woodford C. and Lucinda Combes. To this union have been born three children, Ruth. Genevieve and John. Politically Mr. Ward is a Republican while his social affiliations are with the Masons, Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows.
196
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
Reverend Ward is forcible in the pulpit, strong in his administrative ability, affable in his social relations and sincere and earnest in everything he does and says. Though comparatively young in years he has already re- ceived marked recognition in his church and there stand before him the open doors of a useful and successful career.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM W. BORDEN.
It is impossible within the circumscribed limits of this review to give more than a mere glance at the leading facts in the life of one of Indiana's mos scholarly men, whose 'distinguished achievements in the realm of research at- tracted the attention of educational circles, and won for him an honorable po- sition among the eminent scientific minds of the age in which he lived-nor was it by such achievements alone that he earned his fame and impressed bis personality upon the minds of his fellows as a leader of thought and public spirited citizen. In the broadest and best meaning of the term he was a bene- factor in that he ever labored for the material prosperity of this county and state and in his efforts to promote the intellectual advancement of the youth of the land, the institution which he founded and maintained will long stand as a monument to the noble purposes and high ideals by which his life wa. directed and controlled.
William W. Borden was born in the town of New Providence, or Borden. Clark county, Indiana, on the 18th day of August. 1823. His paternal ante. cedents were among the sterling Quaker yeomanry of New England. :: branch of the family from which he is descended having located many years ago in Rhode Island.
His father. John Borden, whose birth occurred in Portsmouth, that state, near the close of the eighteenth century, was by occupation a blacksmith and machinist, having learned the former trade under his father and from : Mr. Low, of Waltham, Massachusetts. John amassed a competency by the manufacture and installing of spinning machinery and the building of far- tories. In 1816 he moved to Clark county, Indiana, and entered several tracts of land in what is now Wood township, and in due time became one of leading farmers and public spirited citizens of the community. In addition to tilling the soil he operated a blacksmith and general repair shop, engager quite extensively in sheep raising and managed an inn for several years beside. establishing stores at New Providence and Salem, and in various other way contributing to the material prosperity of the country and general welfare of the populace.
In a beautiful little valley surrounded by hills he platted a small village
497
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
of a few blocks which he named New Providence, in honor of the metropolis of his native state, and which from that time to the present has continued to be an important local trading point and the center of a culure and refinement seldom found in villages of its size.
In May, 1822, John Borden married Lydia Bellows, of Groton, Mas- sachusetts. She, too, was among the early pioneers of Clark county and ac- customed to all the vicissitudes and hardships of life in a new and undeveloped country, nobly bore her part in establishing a home and looking after its mu- tual interests. In the little village founded by his father, William W. Bordon first saw the light of day on the date indicated above, but shortly after the first anniversary of his birth he was deprived of his father's loving care and guidance.
The death of John Borden on November 7, 1824. caused a feeling of gloom throughout the little community, as he was a leader among his fellow men and greatly esteemed by all who knew him. He left a widow and one child, the sub- jest of this review, to battle with the world ; a second son by the name of John. being born five months after his demise. With practical intelligence, sound judgment and rare tact the good woman took charge of the estate, and in ad- dition to administering upon the same and attending to all her husband's un- settled business, also ran the hotel and so conducted her affairs as to add con- siderably to the value of her possessions. In his time Mr. Borden had con- ducted several lines of business, all of which his good wife assumed, and for a number of years she managed the interests of the estate in a safe and method- ical manner, which gained for her a high reputation as a capable and far- sighted business woman. She also looked carefully after the early training of her children and until William had reached the age of nine years, sent them to the subscription schools of the neighborhood and did everything within her power to arouse in their young minds an interests in books and study.
Entering the Washington County Seminary at Salem, at the age in- Heated. young Borden took up the study of arithmetic. Latin, penmanship and several other branches and during the ensuing three years made such progress that at the expiration of that time he was able to matriculate at the I:liana State University, which institution he attended until finishing his Scholastic course. Reared to agricultural pursuits he early manifested a liking for rural life and among the experiences of his youthful days, which he was often wont to recall, were the breaking of ground with a wooden plow, cutting gri' with the hand-sickle and cradle, mowing the heavy hay crops with a scythe. then resting from his labors on a straw bed in an attic through the un- 'astered walls of which the breezes of summer fanned him to sleep and the How's of winter not infrequently covered his bed with a layer of virgin white. Under the direction of his mother who, as already stated, was a woman of un- o mmon energy, well read and conversant with the questions of the day, his
32
408
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
mind early took the proper bent, and while still a youth he became familiar with public matters and political issues, and in due time earned the reputation of being one of the most intelligent and studious boys of the neighborhood. When old enough he began to repay his mother for her useful devotion and as long as she lived he looked after her interests and comfort and ministered ten- derly to her necessities, until her death, which occurred on the 2d of June, 1851.
It was in the year 1862 that an apparently trifling incident occurred which had a decided influence on the mind of Mr. Borden and very materially affected! his subsequent career. While at New Providence on a professional visit Doc- tor Reid. of Salem, showed the young man several fossils which he had found. and in expaining their structure, formation, etc., aroused a keen interest in the young man, which from that time until his death increased to such an extent as to gain lift a conspicuous place among the distinguished scientists of h. day. At the doctor's suggestion the young man purchased a copy of Dana's Geology, the study of which, in connection with explorations in his own neighborhood, and later while guiding a number of professors of geology over various parts of the county, soon gave him a practical knowledge of this fac- cinating subject and gained him more than local repute as a critical and pain -- taking student and investigator. From the professors referred to he obtained many practical suggestions which proved of great value in his subsequent study and research, both of which he continued with unabated interest until the knowledge of his ability coming to the attention of the leading scientists of In- diana led to his appointment in 1873 as assistant to Professor Cox, the official geologist of the state.
During the three years spent in the above capacity Professor Border assisted in making geological surveys of Clark county as well as numerous other counties. the published reports of which proved a valuable contribution to the scientific literature of the state, and in addition to his official work hir also carried on investigations of his own in various parts of the country. T .: 1878 he was engaged in silver mining in Colorado with his brother and nephe" and later became a member of the mining firm of Borden, Tabor & Company. the latter gentleman afterwards representing Colorado in the United State- Senate, and a third partner, Marshall Field, becoming one of the mercha:' princes of Chicago.
Professor Borden's knowledge of geology proved of great advantage . the mining business and under his personal direction the company achieve great success and became one of the wealthiest corporations of the kind in fi West. After obtaining a competency he disposed of his interest in the com- pany and in 1880 returned to the old home in Clark county with the object in view of carrying out certain ideas for the benefit of his fellow men. Believ- ing a liberal education the best preparation for a successful life, he encourage the erection of the necessary buildings for a college in his native town an until the day of his death maintained the institution at his own expense an.
499
·
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
otherwise looked carefully after its welfare. The great value of this school to the community cannot be estimated and on one occasion when speaking of the hundreds of young men and women who had gone forth from its walls, equipped for the struggle of life. Professor Borden said, "When I think of them as good. honest citizens, playing their parts resolutely in the affairs of life, this alone is sufficient to reward me for all I have done."
Besides founding the college the professor established a museum on the site of his old home. an account of which, with its rare collections of minerals. fossils. archæological specimens, shells, bones of prehistoric animals, Indian relics and remnants of the handiwork of the Mound Builders, etc., is fully set forth in another part of this volume.
Professor Borden was married November 13. 1884, to Emma Dunbar. of New Albany. Indiana, daughter of John and Margaret (Whitson) Dunbar, and a lady who proved not only a faithful and loving wife and helpmeet, but who encouraged him in his scientific labors and heartily endorsed all of his enterprises for the moral and intellectual advancement of his fellow men.
The career of Professor Borden was fraught with great and permanent good to his fellow men, and few people so stamped their individuality on the mind and thought of the times. Few saw and took part in the great changes which so materially affected Indiana from the pioneer period to the present time as he did and among his contemporaries none contributed more to make such changes possible. He endured the hardships of the early settlers and lived to enjoy in full measure the great advantages of the present day civilization.
After traveling extensively over the greater part of his own country, in- cluding Alaska and other distant states and territories, he made tours through nearly all parts of Europe, visiting places of interest and making a careful study of the conditions of their peoples. In looking back over his varied ex- perience. he said : "If a lesson can be drawn from my long life it is this : That all prosperity must rest upon an economical use of time and resources; that energy and perseverance, long continued. will eventually overcome all ob- stacles : that a poor boy or girl possessed of energy, honesty and frugality. will be sure to win a way in life: that the farmer who looks into the future as he holds the handles of his plow may succeed within his own environment, but will never break down its walls nor be of very great service to his fellow men."
Professor Borden broke down the walls of his environment and through the medium his scientific achievements and the institutions and influence which he established demonstrated his worth to the world and paved the way for still greater good to his fellow men in future years. Humanity grows through such lives as his and the County of Clark and the State of Indiana will always be proud to number him among their most scholarly and distinguished sons. Ile died on the roth day of December. 1906, but still lives in the love and ven- eration of a grateful and appreciative public, which constitutes his enduring monument.
500
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
JAMES S. KEIGWIN.
This well known public official is a native of Clark county, Indiana, born in Jeffersonville, where he now resides, on January 5, 1865. His ancestors were among the early settlers of this part of the state and the name has long been identified with the history of the county, his grandfather, James Keigwin. having been a man of considerable prominence and the second warden of the state prison of Jeffersonville, where he was first to utilize the labor of convicts for the support of the institution. He established a large brick factory at Jef- fersonville in an early day where were made the bricks of which the prison is constructed. and his establishment appears to have been extensively patronize for a number of years, proving the chief source of the considerable fortune which he amassed. Ephriam Keigwin, the subject's father, whose birth oc- curred in Clark county in the year 1831, was a farmer and merchant, and for a number of years a successful business man and prominent citizen of Jeffer- sonville. He was a man of strong character and strong judgment. served as Justice for Jeffersonville township and departed this life in the year 1898. honored and respected by all with whom he came in contact. He was twice married. the first time to Mary Morgan, who bore him three daughters, namely : Mrs. Susie Padgett, of New Albany ; Mrs. Sallie Bishop. of Indianapolis. and Mrs. Mamie Dewees, of Jeffersonville. Some time after the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Keigwin married her sister. Josephine Morgan, which union resulted in the birth of James S., of this re- view, and Jessie, who died in infancy.
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.