USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 35
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The chimney, an important factor in the cabin, was made by leaving the original building with an opening from five to eight feet in one wall. There the fire-place was made. Often large enough was the opening to, admit of fire-wood from six to eight feet long. The pioneer did not begrudge
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the wood consumed within his humble cabin, for what was not thus con- sumed, he had to haul into immense piles and burn, in order to clear up hi- land suitable for cultivation of crops. In the interior, over the fire-place was a mantle, or wide shelf, on which the tallow dip or candle-stick was placed by the orderly housewife. If fortunate enough to possess one. the old family clock was also set up there and ticked away the hours of the good pioneer's life, while his busy wife prepared the meals by the crackling fire on the and- irons, which were kept bright and clean. The cooking was accomplished by means of a crane suspended from the side of the fire-place, and from it hung the various pots and kettles, used in those days. In one corner of the pioneer's cabin stood the bedstead for the "old folks," while underneath it. through the day was the children's cosy trundle-bed. In another corner stood the old family spinning wheel, while on the wall, away from the fire-place, hung the old rifle and accompanying powder horn. Here and there were to be seen rude home-made stools or chairs, and a good sized table. These simple . cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted people. They were strangers to modern day mock modesty, and the traveler seeking lodgings for the night. or desirous of spending a few days resting up from a long journey in land hunting, was always welcome. A single room was made to answer for kitchen, dining room, sitting room, bed room and parlor.
Some of these log houses were built two stories high and were made of hewed logs, and were really very substantial. and such as this stood for many years, as monuments of pioneer ingenuity and workmanship.
In Indiana the log cabin was to her early settlers what the stone build- ings were in New England and Pennsylvania to pioneers there. and served as did the sod houses of lowa. Nebraska and the Dakotas, as abodes while the settlers were adjusting themselves to a better mode of living. To a true American it is no disgrace to have it said in his biography that "he was born in a log cabin." for such were most of the early generations in the Middle West born in .while they obtained their early schooling in log school-houses.
PRICES THEN AND NOW.
In looking at the old newspaper files away back before the days of the "Civil war, and then contrasting their market quotations with prices since the close of that struggle, and even at the opening years of the twentieth cen- tury, one observes great differences, especially in the price current of certain articles used now as well as then. by the masses. For example, in 1855 the price of eggs in Shelbyville was 7 cents per dozen : feathers. 32 cents a pound : hogs (live weight ). $1.90 per hundred-weight : coffee, per pound. best. 18 cents : print ( calico). 25 cents : domestic sheeting. 20 cents a yard : nails, 15 cents per pound; iron, 10 cents ; whisky, per gallon, 33 cents : salt, per barrel, $3.50.
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With 5-cent calico, sheeting & cents, salt $1.30, eggs 22 cents, butter about the same as eggs, with hogs ( live weight ) at $6.00 per hundred-weight, one is set to thinking what has brought these singular changes in market prices of these staple articles. The general reply may be it is the result of an in- creased population in the United States: also the introduction of looms and other machinery ; the result of the Civil war, in a measure, which has tended to equalize wages for the producing classes. In the matter of two items, salt and whisky. it should be stated that the salt wells and mines have been dis- covered and manufactured by cheap processes in many parts of this country since the quotations of 1855, referred to above. As to whisky, the demand is greater, owing to force of increasing habit, as well as an increased popula- tion, living far distant from distilleries. Then the matter of from one to two dollars on each gallon of spirits, imposed by the general Government, since 1862-63. has greatly added to its actual cost.
A day's work in 1909 at the average occupation in this country will afford more of the staple, even the luxuries of life, than ever before in the history of the country. Generally speaking, prices of what we live on are more than in early days, but the wages and means of earning a dollar. more than com- pensates for this rise. Another thing should not be lost sight of-the matter of transportation-this has radically changed the prices of many articles.
SYLVAN B. MORRIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL
SYLVAN BALDWIN MORRIS.
Whenever and wherever an individual has arisen and acted his part on whatever plane, high or low, his career entered into the composition of the one sublime drama of humanity : the projected and undying influences of his deeds and their fate are with his fellows : now and ever and for all time to come, they are destined to modify the march of progress and the currents of history. Hence the biographer is as much impelled to seek and trace the origin of remote events affecting the conditions and carcer of the one whose story he essays to tell as he is to weigh with as accurate a nicety as possible. the various causes which influence his subsequent life and fix their destiny. In placing before the reader a brief. but as we trust efficient and correct review of a career which as much perhaps as any other has influenced the history of Shelby county and added stability to its institutions, recourse must be had to genealogy, for to know such a man well. it is necessary to have some knowledge of those from whom he sprang and to whom he is indebted for the attributes and characteristics which have made him an influential factor of the body politie and a leader among his fellows. In tracing the history of Sylvan Bald- win Morris it is learned that the family which he has the honor to represent had its origin in Wales on the paternal. Scotch on the maternal side, and that among his renk te ancestors on the distaff side was the distinguished scholar and divine. John Knox, than whom the world has produced no greater preacher nor more fearless reformer. This celebrated man was not only the originator of Protestantism in Scotland, but by the master surkes of his genius succeeded in keeping the cause alive and placing it upon such a firm basis that those who came after him could carry the work along lines which he had planned and projected. In an early day certain members of the Knox family emigrated to Ireland, among the number being a lineal descendant of the above divine. who established a home in the Emerald Isle and became the father of severa! children, from one of whom was descended Katherine Knox, mother of the subject of this sketch.
Katherine Knox. whose birth occurred in Ireland. was the fourth of a family of nine children, three sans and six daughters; when she was quite young her parents came to America and settled near Lebanon. Warren county, Ohio, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits and in due time be- came one of the prosperous men i las community as well as a public-spirited
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and influential citizen. Miss Knox grew to mature years under excellent home discipline and early gave evidence of a strong mind, well balanced char- acter, and the amiable virtues which subsequently shone with peculiar luster and made her life an influence for good on all with whom she was brought in contact. In mingling with the young people of her neighborhood she final- ly became acquainted with an excellent young gentleman by the name of Sylvan B. Morris, between whom and herself a mutual admiration soon arose, which, ripening into the tender passion. finally resulted in marriage. the ceremony taking place at the family homestead not far from the town of Lebanon.
In glancing at the subject's paternal antecedents it is only necessary to state that his descent from the famous Dodd family of Pennsylvania settles at once the matter of his respectability and high social standing. his father. the Sylvan B. Morris referred to, having been a son of David and Sarah (Dodd ) Morris, the latter a daughter of Thaddeus Dodd, one of the founders of the family and among its most honored members and noted Presbyterian divine.
David Morris was a native of Wales: he came to America in 1700 with two brothers, and located in Pennsylvania, where there finally arose three branches of the Morris family, one of which went to Virginia, another to North Carolina, the third remaining in Pennsylvania, where the original settle- ment was made. They were a prosperous and prolific people and furnished the country not a few men who became distinguished in the public eye, among the number being Robert Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence. and the leading financier of the government during the Revolut- tionary period. It is a fact worthy of note that all or nearly all of the early members of this family entered professional life and achieved distinction in their respective callings : some becoming ministers, others lawyers and physi- cians, among the latter being the subject's father and grandfather. both of whom were graduated from the old Franklin Medical School of Philadelphia. and rose to positions of prominence in their profession. Isaac Morris. the subject's great-grandfather, was a learned minister of the Presbyterian church. and his brother. Thomas Morris, represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate in an early day, and was one of the first Democrats in official life to abandon his party and raise his voice against the institution of slavery. Another brother, Bethuel F. Morris, came to Indiana in early times, first to Brookville, then to Indianapolis, and took a prominent part in the settlement and development of these places. He served as Circuit Judge while living in Indianapolis, and attained eminence in legal circles. After serving as Judge he became cashier of the old State Bank at Indianapolis, in which city he died.
Soon after finishing his medical education Sylvan B. Morris, father of the subject, was induced by a friend by the name of Nicholas Van Pelt. to come to Shelby county. Indiana, where in 1821 the latter had bought a large
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body of land which he was desirous of having improved. Accordingly in the spring of 1821 the young physician left his home in Ohio, and in due time arrived at his destination on Flat Rock creek, and became an inmate of his friend's cabin. Although few families as yet had made their appearance, the country being wild and infested with Indians and ferocious animals. Doctor Morris began practicing his profession. After spending the spring and winter with Mr. Van Pelt. he changed his abode to Shelbyville, which, through the joint intercessions of himself. John Walker and Major Hendricks, father of the late Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks, was subsequently selected as seat of jus- tice for the newly organized but sparsely settled county.
The coveted honor of the county seat was not obtained without a very animated rivalry between the friends of Shelbyville and Marion, of which an account will be found in the historical chapters of this volume. The doctor was an active participant in the contest and rendered valuable service for the former place. Purchasing two quarter sections of land south of the village. but now included in the city limits. he built a cabin which was used for the twofold purpose of dwelling and office, and in addition to the duties of his profession he manifested such an interest in public affairs and labored with such zeal to promote the advancement of the town and county that he was afterward ( 1826) elected Clerk of the Shelby County Circuit Court, being the second man to fill the office owing to the death of Hiram Aldredge, the first Clerk, when he ( Doctor Morris) was appointed. He took the census of the county in 1828. He served twice as a member of the Legislature.
Dr. Sylvan B. Morris was twice married. By his first wife, who died in 1835. he had three children: Sylvan B., of this review : John Knox Morris, and a daughter by the name of Martha, all but the subject deceased. By a subsequent marriage with Mrs. Anna J. Adams, widow of Dr. David Adams, the dector became the father of three children, all born and reared in Shelby- ville.
Doctor Morris was a man of wide intelligence, a skillful physician and surgeon, and for a number of years took an influential part in city and county affairs and became a leader among his fellow citizens. He assisted in organ- izing Shelby county and locating the county seat, helped lay out Shelbyville. and by his activity in promoting the material progress of the town, rose to a position of prominence such as few if any of his contemporaries attained. The death of this excellent man and praiseworthy citizen occurred in 1843. and the memory of his life of service perpetuated in the affections of a grateful people constitutes his most enduring monument.
Sylvan B. Morris, a brief review of whose career is embodied in the fol- lowing lines, was born in a buckeye log cabin which stood north of the first alley west of Harrison street, near Franklin strect. in Shelbyville. on April 7. 1830. from which date to the present time he has been interested in the town
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and is now its oldest native born citizen, and among its most prominent rest- dents. Reared in a backwoods village, where social conditions were rather crude. his carly experience was considerably varied, his childhood and youth spent in touch with strong and virile men of the times, imparting a valuable practical knowledge, well calculated to prepare him for the life he was subse- quently to lead. The first school he attended was taught in a brick building, the first brick school-house in Shelby county : the teacher was Mrs. Kent, wife of Rev. Eliphalet Kent, having been sent to this part of the state as a Pres- byterian missionary in 1828. Reverend and Mrs. Kent spent the fall and winter of that year in a single apartment made by boarding up the front porch of the Morris cabin, which though limited as to room and rude in its appoint- ments, afforded a fairly comfortable place in which to eat, sleep and cook. until a larger and more convenient dwelling of their own could be provided. Young Morris persevered in his studies in the village schools, and after finish- ing the common branches took a three years' course in the academy at Lebanon, Ohio, where he went after the death of his father in 1843. On quit- ting school he was apprenticed to Robert Knox. a relative, who kept a large general store, and was five years in that gentleman's establishment. during which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business and became quite efficient as a salesman. When the Mexican war broke out he presented himself for enlistment. but was refused on account of his age. although his robust constitution, ruddy complexion and general healthful appearance de- ceived the enlisting officers who were at first inclined to accept the young man and enroll him as a recruit.
After serving his apprenticeship and remaining two additional years with his relatives, Mr. Morris in February. 1855, engaged in the mercantile trade upon his own responsibility, and from that time until 1875 conducted a large establishment at Lebanon in connection with which he also ran a branch store at Franklin, seventeen miles south of Dayton, during the Civil war. both enter- prises proving signally successful and earning for him a wide reputation as a sagaci us, far-seeing and eminently honorable business man. While living in Lebanon, during the strife between the North and South, Mr. Morris organ- ized Company A, Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment. National Guard, of which he was made captain and continued as such until discharged from the United States service after about four months' active service in West Virginia. In the early part of the war he was placed on the sanitary commission, and later enrolled in the One Hundred Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry for one year, at the expiration of which time he retired from the service with the rank of lieutenant. his regiment being mustered out at Washington. D. C., in the fall of 1865.
During his residence at Lebanon Mr. Morris took an active part in public affairs, filled various municipal offices and was untiring in his efforts to pro- mote the interests of the city. At the eluse of the war he consolidated the stores
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at Franklin and Lebanon and continued at the latter place until transferring his interests to Shelbyville in September of the year 1875. In this rapidly growing city he found a broader and more favorable field and during the two year- ensuing. his business advanced so rapidly as to render necessary addi- tional quarters : accordingly in 18;7. a new site was purchased and a building more in keeping with the demands of the times, erected. By reason of the continuous growth of the business, five successive additions have been made to the building since the above year and today the store is not only the largest of its kind in Shelbyville, but one of the largest and most successful mercantile establishments in the central part of the state.
Mr. Morris has ever pursued a straightforward course and by adhering. to strict business principles and treating his customers with fairness and cour- tesy has gained the reward which invariably comes from honorable dealing. He was the first merchant of Shelbyville to establish a strictly one-price system and to him also belongs the credit of being the first person to employ female clerks in his establishment, both being considered innovations of doubtful ex- pedieney, but time has fully demonstrated his wisdom and foresight in these as it has in many other instances where he has taken advance grounds. Since coming back to Shelbyville. Mr. Morris has filled many positions of honor and trust. in all of which he has displayed ability of a high order and made every other consideration subordinate to the interests of the public. He has frequently been elected to the City Council. served as Mayor, and was one of the organizers of the Forest Hill Cemetery Association besides being many years treasurer of the Dayton Building and Loan Association of Shelbyville. In 1854 he was initiated into the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, and for a period of fifty-four years has been a faithful and consistent member of the brotherhood. During that time he has risen to a high degree in the various branches of the order and still takes an active interest in the work of the same. and demonstrates its sublime principles and precepts in his daily life.
He is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a zealous supporter of the Republican party. and the Presbyterian church holds his religious creed.
Mr. Morris was married at Harrison, Ohio, to Myrtilla John, daughter of Doctor Jehu and Emily ( Looker) John, of Cincinnati, the wife being a cousin of Dr. John P. D. John. ex-president of DePauw University, and one of the distinguished scholars of the West. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Herbert. Harold K., Robert and Florence, who is now the wife of Dr. H. M. Toner, of Phoenix, Arizona. The sons are all in Shelby- ville, and identified with the mercantile business which the father established. and which in 1895 was incorporated for thirty-five thousand dollars, being by far the largest dry goods house in Shelby county, and as indicated in a preceding paragraph, among the most successful in the state.
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That Mr. Morris has lived to noble purposes and measured up a high stan- dard of manhood and citizenship will be conceded by all who know him, and that his influence has ever been on the side of right and for the best interests of the community, will not admit of denial. In brief, his life is a striking illus- tratien of the possibilities that lie before the young men of our free country. His industry, energy and high moral integrity have been prominent throughout his entire career and he occupies today a conspicuous place among the men of mind and heart to whom the city of Shelbyville is indebted for the prosperity which it enjoys.
CHARLES MAJOR.
In the summer of 1898 a new book was issued from the press of the Bowen-Merrill Company, at Indianapolis, which gained almost instantaneous notice from the press and public. It proved to be a historical novel under the title of "When Knighthond Was in Flower." It purported to have been writ- ten by Edwin Caskoden, but soon rumor prevailed that this was a pseudonym. and search began for the real author. He was soon found in the person of a young lawyer at Shelbyville, as yet unknown to fame, and the gossip growing out of the discovery intensified the desire to see the bock. It was soon uni- versally in demand and its popularity increased with each reading, and it was soon heralded as one of "the six best sellers." It deserved all of its reputation. too, as it was by far the most entertaining romantic novel ever published in Indiana, and one of the best of its class that had appeared in the United States since the Civil war. The plot dealt with one of the most romantic episodes of English history, and the story was told with a skill that denoted a master of literary craft. Its characteristics were, consistent development of the characters, cleverness of dialogue, rush and sweep of incident, dramatic handling of the situations, and above all. the forcible distinctness and effective simplicity of the narrative. It brought to its author instantaneous fame and fortune, gave him recognition as one of the successful novelists of the day and established his name permanently among the literary lights, whose productions have shed such luster upon Indiana letters. As the most distinguished citizen ยท of Shelby county, there is natural curiosity to hear what manner of man he is. and no apology is offered for giving his biography at some length.
The family is of English origin and the name has for more than a genera- tion been familiar in Central Indiana. Stephan Major was born in the county of Longford, Ireland, near Edgeworthtown, and his early educaiton was super- vised by Miss Maria Edgeworth, the novelist. and her brother. Doctor Edge- worth. Later he went to the Isle of Wight. entered one of the old English colleges and prepared himself for the law. When a young man he came to
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America, studied law for a time under Judge Switzer, of Columbus, Indiana. and afterward located at Shelbyville. for the practice. Shortly after he re- moved to Indianapolis and met with such success at the bar as to lead to his election as Circuit Judge, a position which he held for a number of years. His circuit covered six counties, including Marion and Indianapolis, and he became noted for his legal acumen. his poise and his bright-minded methods of ad- ministering justice. He was especially popular with younger members of the bar, who sought him for advice, and among his students was the late Thomas A. Hendricks. He returned to Shelbyville in 1870, and resumed practice, but on July 4, 1883. his valuable life came to an end and his remains were interred in Crown Hill cemetery at Indianapolis. He married Phobe .1., daughter of Dr. George Gaskell, the latter a pioneer physician of Shelbyville, and a prominent man of his time. He married Jane Allen, related to Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and the families on both sides were of Virginia stock. Judge and Mrs. Major had three sons. Stephan F., Charles and Edward Aimes.
Charles Major, the second son, was born at Indianapolis. July 25, 1856. in a house that stood where the city library now stands. He was in his four- teenth year when the family removed to Shelbyville. He entered the city schools and graduated in 1872. His hobbies in school were English literature and history. In 1877 he was admitted to the Shelby County Bar, and paid rather close attention to his practice for some time, but of late years his entire attention has been given to literary work. His first success was speedily fol- lowed by others, and numerous fine stories have proceeded from his versatile pen since "When Knighthood Was in Flower" flashed upon an unexpecting - public, to fascinate and enthrall millions of readers in all parts of the world. His second book "The Bears of Blue River." is regarded as a capital story for boys and assisted by its profuse illustrations, became popular. "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall." a strong rival of his first book, has been characterized as a romance brilliant and refined, filled with the passion as old as humanity and appealing with especial fascination to lovers of the "old time entombed." ".\ Forest Hearth" is more in line with modern times, though it is not lacking in the flavor of genuine romance and has proven quite popular. His "Yolanda" is a story of Burgundy in the sixteenth century. "Uncle Tom, Only Bill." a book for boys, old and young, was published in 1968. "A Gentle Knight of old Brandenburg." a story of the time of Frederick the Great's boyhood, is his latest book. Mr. Major developed the literary taste very early. and as far back as his eleventh year we find him indulging in a burlesque of "The Merchant of Venice." He gives an interesting account of the genesis of his first two books. In Guizot's "A History of France." he found a refer- ence to Mary Tudor's marriage to Louis XI. of France, and the bare statement that she was at that time in love with Charles Brandon, a handsome favorite of her brother. Henry VIII. In a 1548 cdition of "Hall's Curious Chronicle."
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