USA > Indiana > Washington County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Harrison County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Crawford County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Clark County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Scott County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Floyd County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Jennings County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 39
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JAMES P. APPLEGATE was born in Jeffersonville, September 29, 1838. His grandfather, Aaron Applegate, came to Indiana in 1806. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary army and also in the "Whisky Rebellion," and for forty years afterward a Hardshell Baptist preacher. Mr. Applegate was educated in
part in the common schools and spent three years in Indiana University. He read law and was admitted to the bar. He was two terms Recorder of Clark county, and for the past sixteen years has been one of the editors and proprietors of the New Albany Ledger.
Mr. Applegate is the present member of the Indiana House of Representatives for the district composed of Clark, Floyd and Jefferson counties, and is an active and use - ful member of that body.
WILLIAM R. ATKINS was born in Lafayette township, Floyd county, Ind., May 23, 1844. His parents, John A. and Emma (Jackson) Atkins, were natives of the same township. His grandfather, Har- vey Atkins, was a native of Nelson coun- ty, Ky., and was one among the early set- tlers of Floyd county, coming into it while Indiana was a territory; and his grand- parents on his father's side, John and Nancy Chew, came into the county in 1810, being the first settlers in Lafayette town- ship, and the family still reside in the county. William R. Atkins was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the schools of the county. In 1862, at the age of 18 years, he enlisted in Co. C., Eighty-first Indiana Infantry, Col. W. W. Caldwell, of Jeffersonville, command- ing, serving to the close of the war in 1865. During the term of his enlistment he was not absent from his regiment a single day, taking part in every skirmish and in every battle, bearing himself bravely, and escap- ing unhurt. On his return from the army, he began his former occupation of farming. In 1876 he was elected trustee of Lafayette township, serving four years. In 1880, he was elected commissioner of Floyd county, in which office he served four years. In
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1884 he was elected county treasurer of Floyd county, and re-elected in 1886. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, taking an active interest in the organization. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Mitchell, a native of Floyd county. Three children have blessed the marriage, all of whom are living. The public service of the county never had a more upright official.
ISAAC M. BAKER was born in Floyd county, Ind., March 8, 1825, and is a son of Benjamin and Margeret (Miller) Baker; the former came from Virginia to Indiana in 1813, the latter also came from Vir- ginia about the same time both were of German origin.
Isaac M. was brought up on the farm, and learning beside, the trade of a cooper, a business he worked at for thirty years. He was married in 1849 to Miss Mary M. Wolf, a daughter of David and Mary (Utz) Wolf; the former was a native of Kentucky, and came, with his parents, to Indiana about 1807, and farmed in Floyd county for many years ; the latter came originally from Virginia.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of twelve children, as follows: Louisanna, Hester Ann, Maggie, Ettie, Sally, Clay, Clara E., David, Jennie, Alta, Rosetthia and Isaac, of whom, Louisanna, Maggie and Sally are dead. Those living are all mar- ried except the three youngest, and have homes and families of their own, and all live in Floyd county, except Hester, who married a Mr. Beard and lives in Illinois.
Mr. Baker retired from the coopering business, bought a farm, and since has de- voted his time to tilling the soil. He owns fifty acres of well improved and productive
land in Floyd county, which is well adapt- ed to small fruits.
Mr. Baker is a member of the United Brethren Church, and, as common to that sect, is opposed to all secret orders.
JOHN F. BAKER was born at New Albany, Ind., May 22, 1850. He is a son of John B. Baker and Jane D. (Crump) Baker.
His father was born in Belgium, in 1826; came to the United States in 1832, locating at Louisville, Ky., and removing to New Albany, Ind., in 1848, where he en- gaged in farming until 1853, when he began the trade of steamboat building. John F. Baker's mother is a daughter of Thomas Crump. She was born in Hart county, Ky., coming with her father and family to New Albany, where he followed the occupation of a carpenter.
John F. Baker, after attending the public schools of New Albany, in 1868 appren- ticed himself to the cigar manufacturers, Jacob West and Wm. Laughman, then doing business in New Albany. Serving his ap- prenticeship, he went to Lonisville, Ky., and worked in the factories of Jacob Schmidt, Lapold Bros. and John Homyre, whose were then the leading cigar factories in the city. Returning to New Albany, he assumed the superintendency of James H. Draper's factory and retail store. This was in March, 1872. He subsequently went to Owensboro, Ky., and again went to work as a journeyman in the factory of Mr. Adolph Helmke, iu whose employment he soon was promoted to the position of con- fidential clerk and business manager in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail depart- ments of that establishment. This position he held until October, 1876, when he again returned to New Albany, and engaged in
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the manufacturing and wholesale and retail cigar trade. While lie was engaged in this business he employed a greater number of workmen than any other cigar factory in the city.
In August, 1884, he sold out to Caspar Feiock, but continued to superintend the business for that gentleman until March, 1885, when he embarked in the saloon business at No. 100 Pearl street, known as the Centennial saloon. Mr. Baker is con- nected with the Mammoth Insurance Agency, which does a general insurance in life, fire and accident risks.
In 1873, September 10, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Mary E. Grouse, daughter of Clemence Grouse, of Owensboro, Ky., and was born in Germany. Two boys and one girl have been born to the marriage, Walter E. and Arthur L. being born in Owensboro, Ky., and Gertrude O. in New Albany, Ind.
He is an encampment member of the I. O. O. F., a member of the endowment rank Knights of Pythias and a past junior sagamore of the Independent Order of Red Men, president of the Brewer and Liquor Dealers' Association, also president of the Democratic Union Club of New Albany.
VALENTINE BECHT, general agent for pianos and organs, New Albany, was born in Germany February 11, 1828. He came to the United States July 19, 1853, and to New Albany in 1860. Here he was first engaged in teaching Catholic schools for five years ; he then abandoned teaching Catholic schools, and turned his attention to teaching music.
In 1878 he was appointed to his present position, and is probably one of the most suc- cessful and well and favorably known piano and organ agents as there is in the State.
Mr. Becht was educated at the University of Speier, the ancient Emperor city of Ger- many. On leaving the University he taught Catholic schools in his native country for twelve years, and eleven years he taught in this country. Mr. Becht is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a composer of music of considerable reputation.
THOMAS BEDDOW, manufacturer of fine violins, violas, violoncellos, etc., and repairer of fine violins, corner of State and Main streets, New Albany, Ind., was born in Staffordshire, England, August 20, 1840, and came to America in 1867, locating at Youngstown, Ohio, whence, after a brief residence, he went to East Liverpool, Ohio, where for five years he was engaged in the manufacture of fire brick and terra cotta. Selling out this business, he removed to New Albany, Ind., in 1873, and engaged in the liquor business, in connection with his musical instrument factory. He keeps a full line of these fine instruments, selling them both in America and Europe. In 1865 he was married, in England, to Miss Elizabeth Fereday, of Staffordshire. Four children survive to bless the marriage : Florence E., Minnie L., Alice E. and Will- iam F. He is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor.
FRANK BELVIY, a native of France, was born May 13, 1848, and with his mother came to the United States in 1851 locating at New Albany. He attended the schools of New Albany. In 1873 he engaged in the grocery business at Sycamore and Sixth streets, which he continued eight years in connection with the commission business.
In 1880 he discontinued the grocery trade and engaged extensively in the produce,
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grain and fruit commission business, which he continues to push with enterprise at Nos. 14 and 16 on Spring street, opposite the Federal building.
He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary S. Broecker, daughter of Conrad Broecker, of New Albany. They have seven children : Lizzie, Annie, Frank, Joseph, Martin and Gustave.
He is a member of the German Benevo- lent Society, St. Joseph Benevolent Society, the Catholic Knights of America and the Catholic Church.
As a business man he has been eminently successful, and is very popular. He is the son of Martin Belviy and Elizabeth Fouge- rouse, both natives of France. His father died in 1852. His mother crossed the ocean five times, between France and America. His father and mother first came to Penn- sylvania about 1820, before there were any railroads or any turnpikes in the country, and had to travel in wagons. They re- mained for a number of years and then re- turned to France, with the intention of making that sunny land their home; but on the death of the father, in 1852, the family returned to New Albany.
His mother died here in 1874, at the age of 67. They were among the first settlers of New Albany, having come here from Penn- sylvania. There were but few houses and no public improvements, railroads or turn- pikes in the country at this time.
DONALD D. BLANCHARD was born at Louisville, Ky., October 14, 1863, and has been a resident of New Albany since 1866.
He graduated from the High School and from the New Albany Commercial College.
His father, John L. Blanchard, a native of Kentucky, was for many years engaged
in the clothing business at Louisville, but at the date of his death in 1870, and for some time previous, held a high position at the New Albany Rail Mill.
His mother was Sallie H. McDonald, daughter of the late Hon. John S. McDon- ald, of New Albany, a wealthy banker and pork packer, and widely known capitalist.
After his graduation, Mr. Blanchard took a clerical position in the office, at Louis- ville, of the L. & N. R. R. Co., but afterward returned to New Albany and entered the office of the DePauw American Plate Glass Works.
In 1880 he engaged in the coal business, which he still continues on Bank street, between Main and Water. He is a leading operator in the coal trade, having by energy and enterprise built up a large business, dealing in Pittsburg, anthracite, Connells- ville coke and Blossburg smithing coals.
PROF. W. W. BORDEN was born at New Providence, Clark county, Ind., August 18, 1823. His father was John Borden, who was born at Portsmouth, R. I., in Novem- ber, 1785, and came to Indiana in 1818, settling in Clark county, and laying off the town of New Providence, where he died November 7, 1824. He was the superinten- dent of the first cotton mill at Fall River, Mass. After coming to Indiana he followed the occupations of farming and mercantile business. Prof. Borden's mother was Lydia Bellows, born in town of Preston, New Lon- don county, Conn. She was a woman of marked individuality, and she was men- tally fitted to become, as she did, one of the pioneer mothers of Indiana,-managing a farm and keeping an inn, thus educating her sons, William and John. Prof. Borden was reared at New Providence. After en- joying such advantages as the schools of
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his native town afforded, he entered an academy at Salem, Ind., taught by John I. Morrison, a noted teacher of the times. He next entered the State University at Bloom- ington, where he remained some time. After leaving college he returned to his home, where for thirty years he engaged in farming, owning one among the finest farms in Southern Indiana, at New Provi- dence.
Prof. Borden's superior acquirements in geology and the other sciences, which were self-taught while at work on the farm, gave him honorable rank among the scientific men of Indiana, and State Geologist Cox called him to his assistance in making the geological survey of the State in 1873. In this capacity Prof. Borden made an ex- haustive and invaluable survey of a num- ber of the counties of Southern Indiana, which are embodied in the report of State Geologist Cox and are standard authority in the geology of the State.
In July, 1878, he went to Leadville, Col., and engaged in mining and mining engineering. He was among the first of those who went to Leadville, and was a leading spirit in the discovery and develop- ment of the rich mines of that famous lo- cality. He made an independent fortune by his operations and the sale of his mining interests within the period of one and one- half years.
On his return home he determined to carry out a noble object he long had at heart,-the founding of an educational establishment for his native town, that should take rank among the leading col- leges of the West, a practical and thor- ough school for young men and young women, including a thorough business course. This laudable and noble ambition has been realized in Borden Institute. The corner-stone of this new institution of learn-
ing was laid with imposing ceremonies, at New Providence, on September 6, 1884, and the fine building was dedicated to the purposes for which it was erected, on July 4, 1885. The dedicatory addresses were delivered by Prof. W. H. Venable, of the Chickering Institute, Cincinnati, and Gov. Will Cumback, of Greensburg, Ind., both speakers being noted men in scientific and literary circles.
The main building, 55x65 feet, and three stories high, built of brick, is an elegant one in architectural design and finish. Attached to the Institute is à commodious dormitory for boarding students.
The founder has supplied every depart- ment of Borden Institute with apparatus of the finest and most expensive character ; has furnished a Geological cabinet not excelled in the State; has collected a li- brary containing the best standard works in all departments of literature, science, history and art; has erected a build- ing and beautified it, which is a model of excellence and convenience. All these facilities he has secured regardless of ex- pense, and he has provided the Institute with a faculty of the ablest and best edu- cators, including the best teachers in mu- sic, piano, organ, and voice culture.
The curriculum of Borden Institute em- braces all the branches of higher education taught in the best colleges, including also the normal school for teachers and the business college for young men and wo- men.
Prof. Borden has made the library of Borden Institute one among the best in West.
This. Institute is only one of Prof. Bor- den's many charities. He has given most liberally in aid of churches, other educa- tional institutions, moral movements and other enterprises having in view the bet-
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tering of the mental, moral, physical and material conditions of his fellow-men.
At New Providence, Prof. Borden owns a magnificent farm of nearly 2,000 acres, upon which he passes a large portion of his time when not traveling. In New Al- bany he owns and occupies one of most ele- gant homes in that city of beautiful resi- dences. He is also a large owner of real estate is Washington Territory and else- where in the rapidly developing portions of the Great West and on the Pacific Slope.
He comes from English and Quaker an- cestors, and inherits the sterling integrity that is a characteristic of the Friends. He is, withal, a man of great public spirit, of generous liberality to the worthy poor and afflicted, and has loved to bless those among whom his home is located.
Prof. Borden was married in November, 1884, to Miss Emma Dunbar, of New Al- bany, Ind., a lady of rare accomplishments. They have no children.
He is a member of the Baptist Church, and takes a great interest in the work of the church and Sunday-school. He is famed as a geologist and scientist, and his geological, mineralogical, and natural his- tory cabinets and his private library are among the largest and best in Indiana.
He is a liberal contributor to the current literature and science of the times.
CAPT. JOSHUA BRAGDON, a native of Maine, was born June 6, 1806. When quite a young man he left his native State and made his home at Mobile, Ala., where he became largely interested in the ship- ping interests, owning one or two vessels on the Atlantic and several steamboats on the Southern rivers and lakes. During the summer months he would come to New Albany and superintend the building
of steamboats, which he would take South in the fall.
In 1849 Capt. Bragdon was united in marriage, at New Albany, to Miss Mary Louise Fitch, a daughter of Mason C. Fitch, Esq.
He was a Union man, and during the Rebellion his property in the South was confiscated by the Confederate Govern- ment, involving him in serious losses. After the war closed he invested in the New Albany Rail Mill, now owned by the heirs of W. C. DePauw, deceased, continu- ing in the business until his death in Jan- uary, 1875. He left a wife and four chil- dren, as follows : Marshall Leighton, Clara Kimball, Mary Louise and Anna Maria.
Capt. Bragdon was a conscientious and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, a kind husband and a devoted father. He took great interest in the in- dustries and other material enterprises of New Albany, and died respected and hon- ored by all the people of the city.
Mrs. Bragdon's father, Mason Coggs- well Fitch, was born at Williamstown, Mass., June 28, 1797. He graduated from Williams College, his father being the first president of that institution. While a young man he came to New Albany and read law with Judge Dewey, of Charles- town, Ind., and on being admitted to the bar opened an office in New Albany and practiced his profession.
He was elected president of the New Albany Branch of the State Bank of Indi- ana, and twice a year had to carry all the money of the bank to Indianapolis to the mother bank.
He superintended the erection of the Bank building, now occupied by the First National Bank of New Albany, and in that early day it ranked among the finest build- ings in Indiana. He was an elder in the
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First Presbyterian Church, and died No- vember 29, 1848, leaving a wife and three children. His wife, Anna M. Paxton, lived until November 8, 1886.
JAMES F. BROTHERS, dealer in agri- cultural implements, garden, field and flower seeds and fertilizers, was born March 28, 1838, in Orange county, Ind.
His father, Wilson Brothers, was born in North Carolina in 1775, being a pio- neer settler and Methodist of that county. His mother, Sarah Lewis, was a native of Indiana, and died at the home in Orange county in 1840, at the age of 60 years. Wilson Brothers lived to the age of 90 years, dying at the residence of his son Henry, at Reynolds, White county, Ind., in 1865. He was a man distin- guished through life for his robust health, integrity of character and devoted religious life.
James F. Brothers, after receiving a public school education, was united in marriage in 1858 to Miss Rosalie Beswick, daughter of Thomas and Sallie H. Bes- wick, in Harrison county, Ind.
In 1861 he enlisted inCo.G, Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry, Col. Alvin P. Hovey, and was in the campaign through Western Missouri with his regiment, fighting at Fort Donnelson and Fort Henry. From Fort Henry he was sent to an army hospi- tal at Cincinnati, and was, with other Indi- ana soldiers who were broken in health, ordered home by Governor Morton.
His health improving, he returned to the army in time to take part in the great bat- tle at Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing. Again he had to be sent to the hospital at Keo- kuk, Ia. Here his health failed so that he had to be transferred to St. Louis and then sent home, being honorably mustered out.
He came to New Albany in 1866 and engaged in real estate, buying, building and selling houses. In 1874 he engaged in the notion business, continuing it until 1880, when he engaged in his present busi- ness, which he has built up to the largest proportions. He is a member of the M. E. Church and also of the I. O. O. F.
JAMES BROWN, born April 3, 1842, at Aurora, Ind., and is the son of James Brown and Bettie Cox, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania, and both pioneers of Indiana. He enjoyed the advantages of a public-school education till he was eleven years old, and then went on the river, running on boats between Au- rora and New Orleans, the male relatives being nearly all river men. He was at New Orleans, and left that city on the day Fort Sumter surrendered, April 14, 1861, and on arriving at home, April 20, 1861, he enlisted in the 7th Indiana Infantry, in the three months' service, and went to West Virginia, where he fought at Cheat Moun- tain, the first battle of any importance of the war, in which the Rebel General Garnett was killed. Serving out his term of enlist- ment he returned home, and on Dec. 16, 1861, enlisted for three years in the 52d Indiana Infantry. He served this term and was again honorably discharged and returned home, but again re-enlisted, and was finally discharged October 18, 1865, having been badly wounded in the battle at Naslıville. He was in the battle at Fort Donnelson and many other severe engage- ments. He was married in 1868 to Miss Maggie Parsons, of New Albany, who died in 1870, leaving one child, Lillie. He married a second time to Mrs. Kate Lewis, who lias a daughter-Lena Lewis, and to this marriage has been born Mary and
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Maggie Brown. After returning from the war Mr. Brown was employed at the Glass Works, where he remained until May, 1887, when he was elected sexton of the city cemetery, which office he now most accept- ably fills. Few soldiers have a better record than private James Brown. He served efficiently for one year on the New Albany police force.
PROF. JAMES BROWN, marble dealer, corner State and Elm streets, New Albany, Ind. Born in Ireland, Feb. 24, 1830. Came to this country at a very early age. Learned the monumental and marble grave- stone business in Baltimore, Md .; emi- grated to New Albany in 1852.
Married Miss Ellen Wheelan, at Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1855, by whom he had eight children, two of whom are dead and the following are still living : John C., William J., Mary, Annie E., James and Charles A., who, with himself, are members of the Catholic Church.
Commenced the marble business in New Albany in 1856, and since then has done a very extensive business at home, and by agency throughout the South. He keeps a large number of finished Italian and Amer- ican marble grave-stones and monuments, and Scotch and American granite monn- ments, and for beauty of sculpture, orna- mental carving and lettering, cannot be surpassed.
The Professor is also by nature a poet ; and had he turned his mind and attention in that direction he would have held a fair position among the ablest poets.
He has written several beautiful poems; a few of which are: "I Never Found a Friend," "Destruction of the Phoenix Mill," "Ben Fury," "The Vision," "Justice," "There is a God," "Skepticism," "The
Humble Grave," "Happiness and Content- ment," "A Shoemaker's Epitaph," "The Farmer," "What I Love and Admire," "The Murdered Man, or the Drunkard's Fate," and "Wants of Woman," the latter a poem of great merit.
DR. WILLIAM A. BURNEY, born in Wayne county, Ind., May 11, 1846, was reared in Indiana, and learned the trade of plasterer.
In 1864, at Indianapolis, he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth U. S. C. Volunteers as a private, and continued in the service till June 24, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged. Returning home, he remained there but a short time, starting to Canada September 8, 1865, where he worked in a grocery store, remaining till 1867, and at- tending school in the winter. Returning home he worked at his trade as a plasterer. In 1868, he went to Kansas City, where he remained a short time, working at his trade. All this time he had been attend- ing school through the winter, and was a diligent student.
He graduated from the Central School at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1868. He read medicine under Dr. S. S. Boyd, at Dublin, Wayne county, Ind., and graduated from the Long Island Hospital College of Medicine in 1876. His rudimentary education was ac- quired in the public schools of Wayne county, Ind., and as opportunity afforded and his means justified, he attended medi- cal schools until he was financially able to enter upon his last course at Long Island Hospital College of Medicine.
In the fall of 1877, Dr. Burney located at New Albany, Ind., and commenced the practice of medicine.
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