USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 19
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 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Deal, John T., was born August 6, 1857. He was graduated in the Richmond high school, and attended the business college of this city. His higher education was obtained in Earlham College, and subsequent to his leaving that institution he took up the study of law with Judge James Perry and the Hon. Henry U. Johnson. Having been admitted to the bar, he established an office and was very successfully engaged in practice for eight or ten years. In 1893 he retired from his pro-
152
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fessional work, and has since given his time and attention to the manage- mement of a farm situated near the village of Boston, Wayne county, which includes farming lands to the amount of more than six hundred acres. He also attends to the management of his mother's interests. He is a young man possessing talent and energy, and is making a success of his agricultural labors. Robert W., the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Deal, was born June 15, 1859, and died when but nine months old. The youngest son, Otis F., whose history is given in following paragraphs, is likewise deceased.
OTIS F. DEAL.
There is something especially sad in the death of a young man who is in the full vigor of life and promise; and when the crushing news came to the friends of Otis F. Deal that he who had left them but a few hours before, the impersonation of manly strength and enthusiasm, had fallen at the touch of the fell distroyer, the blow was almost unbearable. Few young men in Richmond or in the employ of the Panhandle Railroad were more popular or respected, for he had a kind word for everybody and was always ready to lend a helping hand to a comrade or fellow traveler along life's journey.
In tracing the history of Otis F. Deal it is learned that his birth occurred April 28, 1868, and that he was thus less than twenty-three years of age when his happy useful career came to a close on that disastrous 25th of Feb- ruary, 1891, in the railroad accident at Hagerstown, Indiana. Yet he had accomplished infinitely more than most men of thirty or thirty-five, and had developed business qualities which would have done credit to one of twice his age and experience. As a student he was naturally gifted, and won the highest encomiums of his teachers. After completing his high-school work in Richmond he entered Earlham College, where, in addition to pursuing two distinct courses of study, he made up some preparatory work, and at the time of his graduation, in June, 1887, carried off the honors of the class of twenty-five members (the largest class ever graduated from the college) though he was the youngest person in the class.
Two weeks prior to his graduation he entered the employ of the Pan- handle Railroad as a rod-man, and was rapidly promoted to more responsible positions. About two years before his death he was made engineer, having charge of a division from Indianapolis to Cincinnati and Logansport, and was in line for the superintendency, as his services were thoroughly appreciated by his superiors, who rightly judged him capable of occupying positions to which they would not have dreamed of calling any other man of his age and limited experience. As an instance of the remarkable confidence which they reposed in him, it may be cited that on one occasion he was sent to Indian- apolis as a lobbyist, to prevent the passage of a measure detrimental to the
153
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
interests of the corporation, and that he succeeded in his intervention. Nor were his abilities confined to railroading affairs. He was the originator and prime mover in the American Tin Plate Company, of Elwood; in the Plate Glass Factory of the same town, and was associated with the Elwood Land Company. In the Plate Glass company and the Elwood Land Company he was a stockholder, and had been tendered the management of the first named plant, the matter not having been determined upon at the time of his death. When Gas City, Indiana, was a town of the future, Mr. Deal went there, as a civil engineer, and succeeded in laying out the place and in giving it a start toward prosperity. His exceptional ability made him in great demand, and his time was more than occupied by the innumerable enterprises which were constantly being urged upon his attention.
In the home and among his friends the lovable traits of character and disposition of Otis F. Deal shone forth undimmed. He was a loyal and duti- ful son, an affectionate brother, a consistent Christian, and a more sincere friend is rarely met. From his youth he was an earnest, graceful, extempo- raneous speaker, and he wielded the pen with a master hand, his thoughts being expressed in a clear-cut, happy manner. The best and noblest ele- ments of manhood were exemplified in him, and thus, though he has passed from our vision, the memory of his upright, beautiful life remains.
HIRAM C. ELWELL.
This well known citizen is a leading and representative agriculturist of Washington township, Wayne county, where he was born October 1I, 1843, and was reared in about the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, his edu- cation being obtained in the common schools. His parents, Eli and Eliza- beth (De Camp) Elwell, were both natives of New York, the former born in Dutchess county, September 1, 1789, the latter born in Onondaga county, May 3, 1804. She came with her parents to Indiana and located near Brookville. Later her father, Richard De Camp, moved from Franklin county to Wayne county, where he remained a number of years but spent his last days in St. Joseph county. He was a representative of a prominent New England family, was broadminded and liberal in his views, and was a farmer by occupation. His children were Charles, Israel, Harry, Elizabeth, Mrs. Harriet Jeffries, Mrs. Christiana Kidd and Mrs. Olive Redfield.
Eli Elwell, father of our subject, was reared on a farm and received a good collegiate education, which he put to practical use as a teacher. Leav- ing his native state he went to Virginia in a carry-all, and after teaching school there for a time he proceeded to Ohio, where he had an uncle living. From there he came in his carry-all to Wayne county, Indiana, and pur- chased eighty acres of land, on which a two-story log house had been built,
154
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
an orchard set out and a few other improvements made. He taught one term of school here, but gave the greater part of his time and attention to agri- cultural pursuits, in which he met with excellent success, becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty-six acres in the home farm, besides lands in Rush, Boone and Madison counties. He loaned money for many years and specu- lated extensively in notes and securities. After giving each of his children a home and helping them in other ways, he left at his death an estate valued at forty-five thousand dollars. Retiring from active labor in 1866, he removed to Milton, where he purchased a pleasant home and there spent the remain- der of his days, dying March 4, 1875. His estimable wife survived him for some time and passed away in 1887. Politically he was a stanch Whig and later a Republican, but he never aspired to office, preferring to give his undi- vided attention to his business interests. However, he served as one of the three trustees of his township in early days and filled other local offices. In business affairs he was systematic and methodical, and as a civil engineer in laying out land for any purpose he always made a plat of it. He was a Uni- versalist in religious faith, and was one of the most prominent and influential men of his community. His children were as follows: Mrs. Olive Williams; Mrs. Emma E. Marvin, who died June 18, 1899; Mrs. Hulda Murphy; Laura, who married F. Ferguson, now of Kansas, and died leaving two children; Horace, a prominent farmer of Rush county, Indiana; Mrs. Savanna Miller; and Hiram C., our subject.
Hiram C. Elwell assisted his father in the operation of the home farm during his boyhood and youth and remained at his parental home until his- marriage in 1866. Two years of his married life was spent upon that farm, and at the end of that time he erected a house upon a tract of ninety-six acres given him by his father. To it he has since added until he now has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres ; the log cabin has been replaced by a large and substantial two-story frame residence ; good barns and out- buildings have also been erected, and he has successfully engaged in both farming and stock-raising. His pleasant home is situated four miles south of Milton and is one of the most desirable farms of the locality. Upon an adjoining tract which he purchased has been built a complete set of farm buildings, and this place is now occupied by his son. In political sentiment he is a stalwart Democrat.
In 1866 Mr. Elwell married Miss Julia Patterson, a daughter of John and Delilah (Beeson) Patterson. When young her father came to Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and for some years he was engaged in farming in Fayette county, where all his children by his first wife were born. Later he bought a fine farm in Shelby county, and, on disposing of that place, he removed to Tipton county, where he owned six or eight hundred acres of
155
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
land. At one time he was prosperous, but by endorsing the note of a pork- packer he lost heavily and this greatly reduced his estate. He was a strong Democrat in politics and a very prominent man in his community. He died in October, 1870, and the mother of Mrs. Elwell passed away in Fayette county in 1850. To them were born six children, named as follows: Mrs. Elmira Lowery, deceased ; Benjamin, deceased ; Julia, wife of our subject ; Jefferson C., now a resident of Greenfield, Indiana ; Mrs. Jane Brattain, and Mrs. Letitia Cass, a widow, now a resident of Memphis, Tennessee. For his second wife Mr. Patterson wedded Miss Mary J. Legg, a daughter of Thomas Legg, of Fayette county, and to them were born four children : John M., H. Woodford, William and Mrs. Laura Brantal, of Tipton county. The second wife died eight months after his death. He was a genial, pleas- ant gentleman and an entertaining companion, was public-spirited and enter- prising, and believed in always keeping abreast of the times.
To Mr. and Mrs. Elwell were born two children, but the elder, Frank V., died young. Wilbur, born April 27, 1868, is now engaged in farming on a portion of the homestead. He married Miss Catherine Thompson, a daughter of Miles Thompson, a farmer of Fayette county, and to them have been born two children : Marie, who is now attending school, and Glenn, at home.
JOHN L. RUPE.
A practitioner at the Richmond bar, John L. Rupe was born in Econ- omy, Wayne county, Indiana, October 27, 1847, and is a son of Henry B. and Jane M. (Hervey) Rupe. The family originated in Germany and was first planted on American soil in Virginia. George Rupe, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in the Old Dominion, and in 1821 came to Wayne county, Indiana, where for a short time he engaged in the manufac- ture of hats. He then removed to Economy, where he continued in the same line of business for many years; he died in the early '6os, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. He married Margaret Baldwin and they had four children, namely: Catharine became the wife of Dr. Henry Carver; and both are now deceased; Henry B .; John L., a medical student, who died in early manhood; and Hamilton N., a pump manufacturer of Indian- apolis.
Rev. Henry Baldwin Rupe, father of our subject, was for many years one of the most distinguished, influential and honored citizens of Wayne county. He was born in Blount county, Tennessee, June 23, 1821, and died in Richmond, June 28, 1897. When only six months old he was brought by his parents to Wayne county, and he spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Economy. He became a leader in public thought and action there and left the impress of his individuality upon the moral, intellectual and
156
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
material development of the town. In his youth he learned the hatter's trade under the direction of his father, and he followed the business for some time, but abandoned it in 1858 in order to devote his energies to other duties. He was endowed by nature with excellent oratorical gifts, and before attaining his majority gave much time to public speaking, devoting his attention to the discussion of slavery and temperance questions. Youth- ful enthusiasm, combined with strong mentality and a clear insight into the problems under discussion, made him a very forceful as well as enter- taining speaker, and for years he delivered many public addresses through- out the country on liberty, temperance and popular education. He was a lover of freedom and an inflexible opponent of oppression. Injustice always stirred his indignation. He "loved righteousness and hated iniquity," was a man of broad humanitarian principles and gave his influ- ence to all that would elevate his fellow men. In politics he acted with the Free-soil party until the organization of the Republican party, when the latter, which gave promise of larger service to the cause of freedom, received his support. The distinct character of his moral convictions made him a radical in politics and religion, but his radicalism was associated with a soundness of judgment and breadth of sympathy that kept him from fanatical extremes. During the civil war he was an ardent patriot and an enthusiastic supporter of the administration, while to the Union cause he contributed generously of his means and personal influence.
In the local interests of Economy, where he resided for almost forty years, he also took a deep and commendable interest, giving his co-operation and assistance to all measures for the general good. For many years he served as a member of the school board, and the cause of education in Econ- omy found in him a warm friend. He served as justice of the peace for some time, and in 1862 was elected county treasurer, which position he filled for four years. In early life he united with the Wesleyan church, led to this step by the strong anti-slavery sentiment of that denomination. Not long after- ward, however, further study and reflection led him to adopt the views of the Baptist church, with which he united, becoming a most active worker in the Sunday-school and along many lines of Christian labor. After several years devoted to public speaking on political and moral questions, many of his friends urged him to enter the ministry, and after considerable hesitation on his part he resolved to do so, and was ordained. He seldom accepted a reg- ular pastorate, depending upon other means for a livelihood, but through the intervening years, until failing health caused his retirement, he seldom failed to fill some pulpit on the Sabbath and deliver the "glad tidings of great joy" to the people. A local paper said of him: "Besides the regular supply of several churches of his own faith, he was continually being called on to preach
157
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
at school-houses and churches in all parts of the county, to people of various denominations. It is doubtful if any other man in the county has been called on to speak in so many parts of it, or to so many congregations with beliefs differing from his own, as he was. As a speaker he was animated, sympa- thetic, impressive and magnetic. In Christian doctrine he was thoroughly evangelical; in denominational beliefs he was positive and unyielding; yet his Christian sympathies were so broad and his Christian character was so gen- uine that his denominational opinions were never a bar to the most cordial fellowship with all who possessed the spirit of Christ."
His home life was most ideal in nature and pleasant in character. He entertained exalted opinions of what the home should be and was most devoted to wife and children. On the 5th of October, 1843, Henry B. Rupe was united in marriage to Jane M., daughter of Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth Hervey, and to them were born three sons and two daughters: Clarence M., a resident of Lima, Ohio; John L .; Mrs. J. W. Moore; Judson R .; and Mrs. S. S. Ford,-all of Richmond with the exception of the first named. In November, 1889, Rev. Henry B. Rupe was called upon to mourn the loss of her who for forty-five years had been his faithful companion and helpmeet on the journey of life. Later he was united in marriage to Mrs. Rebecca Harriman, with whom his last years were peacefully and happily spent. Perhaps his dominant and most notable characteristic was his fidelity to truth and honor. He invariably sought the things that were "honest and of good repute." In the training of his children no precepts were so con- stantly or so urgently insisted on as those which concern sound and worthy character. He taught that honor and truthfulness were of such commanding worth that self-interest should never under any circumstances set them aside. A falsehood or a dishonorable deed with him was not only a sin; it was a disgrace. These principles were a standard by which he constantly estimated men, and to which he religiously held himself. Whatever else he might do or fail to do, he meant to be, in all his actions, right before God and man. His life was an inspiration to all who knew him and his memory remains to his friends and children as a blessed benediction of a noble and upright char- acter. One who knew him long and intimately said he exemplified most completely the lines of Goldsmith:
" On he moves to meet his latter end, Angels around befriending virtue's friend; Sinks to the grave with unperceived decay, While resignation gently cloves the way, And all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere the world be past."
The family of this honored man is well represented by John L. Rupe, a successful and distinguished lawyer of Richmond, whose marked abilities
158
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
have gained him prestige among those who are devoting their energies to the legal profession. He spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native town of Economy, and then went with his parents to Centerville, where he remained for ten years. He acquired a good English education in the public schools, and was engaged in business with his father in the county treasurer's office from 1862 until 1867. In the latter year he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1868. In 1868 he was deputy auditor of the county, and in 1870 was elected district attorney, filling the position most acceptably for two years, when, in 1872, he was re-elected. He served in that capacity until 1873, when the office was abolished by act of the legislature, doing away with the common-pleas system.
In March, 1872, Mr. Rupe removed to Richmond, where he has since made his home. In 1875 he was elected city attorney, holding the office for eight years. With the exception of a single year he has served as county attorney a period of twelve consecutive years, and his long continuance in office is unmistakable evidence of his ability as a practitioner and of his unwavering fidelity to duty. In 1883 he was elected mayor of Richmond for a two-years term, and his administration was most progressive, the affairs of the city being ably and systematically managed. For a quarter of a century he has been connected with most of the important litigation tried in the Wayne circuit, and his clientage has been very extensive. During that time he has been in several partnership relations. In 1878 he formed a partner- ship with Hon. Henry C. Fox, under the firm name of Fox & Rupe, which connection was continued until the former was elected to the bench. In 1879 he became a partner with William Dudley Foulke, and the firm of Foulke & Rupe continued in active practice until 1887, when the senior partner retired to private life. Subsequently Mr. Rupe became associated in practice with Charles H. Burchenal under the firm name of Burchenal & Rupe, which relation was continned until 1894. Through the last five years Mr. Rupe has been alone in practice, and has met with gratifying success in his professional labors. Since 1890 he has been solicitor for the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company. His knowl-
edge of law is comprehensive, embracing an understanding of nearly every department of jurisprudence. He has won for himself very favorable criti- cism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has remarkable powers of concentration and application, and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of law is manifest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterizes his preparation
159
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
·of a case and have made him one of the most successful attorneys in Richmond.
Mr. Rupe has been twice married. On the Ist of August, 1867, he wedded Lucy Schlagle, of Centerville, who died in November, 1871. In January, 1875, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Strattan, of Richmond. He has always been a public-spirited citizen, loyal to the best interests of the city, state and nation, and during the civil war patriotically responded to the country's call for troops. Although only fifteen years of age, he served from May until November, 1864, as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Infantry, and is now a member of Sol. Meredith Post, G. A. R., of Richmond. He is a very prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, in Indianap- olis Consistory. He belongs to the Protestant Episcopal church, contributes liberally to its support and does all in his power to promote its growth and work. His political support is given the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, and his firm belief in its principles prompts him to advocate its cause on many occasions. He is a man of well rounded character, his varied interests having produced a symmetrical development; and while his energies are chiefly given to his business he is a valued factor in the church, fraternal and social circles, where his upright life and genial temperament make him a general favorite.
JACOB RIDGE.
Fayette county's well-known and popular county recorder, Jacob Ridge, is a veteran of the civil war and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and in the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen and trustworthy official.
Mr. Ridge was born February 27, 1838, near London, in county Kent, England, and is a son of John and Jane (Clark) Ridge, also natives of the same place, who emigrated with their family of three children to the United States in 1839 and first located in Ripley county, Indiana. In 1852 they came to Fayette county and settled on a farm sontheast of Connersville, where they remained two years. During the following five years the father followed his chosen occupation of farming on a place two miles south of the city, and for the same length of time cultivated another farm five miles south- west of Connersville. He then purchased a farm in Union county, upon which he made his home until called from this life in 1886, at the age of eighty-five years. He came to this country in limited circumstances, and at first engaged in farming upon rented land, but, being an industrious, enter- prising and economical manager, he at length became the possessor of a good
160
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
place of his own. He was well posted on the leading questions and issues of the day, took an active interest in political affairs, and voted first with the Whig and later with the Republican party. In religious faith he was a Bap- tist, having united with the church of that denomination in England, as did also the mother of our subject. She died in Ripley county, Indiana, in 1846.
Being brought to this country during his infancy Jacob Ridge spent the first fifteen years of his life in Ripley county, and then came with the family to Fayette county. In 1862, in response to the president's call for more troops, he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or until the close of the war. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and with his command he participated in twenty-three battles. He was all through the Atlanta campaign, during which time he was under fire for one hundred days. From his first engage- ment at Chickamauga, June 1, 1863, until hostilities ceased, he was always found at his post of duty, never losing a day, as he fortunately escaped wounds and sickness. He was a brave and fearless soldier, and when the war ended and his services were no longer needed he was honorably dis- charged June 14, 1865.
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.