USA > Indiana > Cass County > Combination atlas map of Cass County, Indiana > Part 16
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At the election in October, 1874, he was chosen one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, by the largest aggregato voto, and the largest majority ever before received by any candidate, in the history of the State. He still holds that position, enjoying the same high repute for aeeurato legal discrimination and judicial skill, that ebaracterized bis experience in the courts below.
Judge Biddle's fame as Judge and advocate is not the only reflex of his accomplishments. His literary and poetio efforts are not the least of his well-earned acquisitions. At an early age, he began to develop a taste for poetic composition, and some of his juvenilo effusions, still preserved, are regarded by some, most capable of judging, as possessing high merit. As early as 1842, he hecame a contributor to the Southern Literary Messenger, a standard literary journed of that date, furnishing many articles of sterling value. His first collection was publisbed in 1850. In 1852, and again in 1858, greatly enlarged and improved editions of his writings were pub- lished and met with an extensive sale. An additional volume of poems was publisbed in 1868, and again in 1872 a new edition appeared and was greeted with expressions of popular favor. More recently, other productions of lis pen have appeared, among which may be noted the " Musical Scale," a work said to possess evidence of superior skill in the elucidation of his subject. Anotber bears the title of "A Review of Prof. Tyndal's Lectures on Sound." " Glanees at the World," the authorship of whieb is attributed to bim, was anotber aspirant for popular favor.
All these publications evince a generally comprehensive knowl- edge of the subject discussed, and great originality of thought in his method of maintaining favorite propositions.
HON. D. D PRATT, LOGANSPORT.
Among the many illustrions men of Indiana, none, perhaps, are entitled to more prominence than the name and memory of D. D. Pratt. In the hearts of his fellow citizens, this name will ever be denr, and, for generations to come, his record will be handed down, from parent to ehdd, as the exemplification of what is good, pure and noble; an example worthy of emulation.
Daniel Darwin Pratt was born at Palermo, Maine, October 24, 1813, and died at Logansport, on Sunday, June 17, 1877.
His father was a physician, and the son of David Pratt, a revo- lutionary soldier, of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
His mother, Sallie Rodgers Hill, was a remarkable woman, Baptist of the deepest piety, and early taught her son the principles of Christianity-principles which marked and governed his after life.
While Mr. Pratt was an infant, the family moved to Fenner, Madison County, New York. The venerable old farm house is still standing, wbere, over sixty years ago, Dr. Pratt began life. With Bix children to care for, and only sixty acres of stony ground and a small country practice to depend upon, Dr. Pratt sent three boys to college, and provided handsomely for his four danghters, two of whom were step-children.
Mr. Pratt's early years were years of severe toil, necessitated by the circumstances of his father's family. During his attemlance at the district school, he manifested an extraordinary interest in his studies, and exbibited powers of intellect which cansed his father to resolve upon an education for his son, by which thoso powers should be developed. In 1825, he entered the Seminary at Cazenovia, New York, then under the charge of Dr. Porter, and two years later entered the Freshman class of Hamilton College, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1831.
Among the graduates on that occasion were Rev. Dr. Kendrick, now President of Rochester University, John Cochrane and Thomas T. Davis, of New York-hotb honored Congressmen-and Judge O. S. Williams, of Clinton, N. Y. To Mr. Pratt was awarded the honor of delivering the valedictory address.
He was a natural orator, and as a classical scholar was rarely excelled.
Immediately after graduating he necepted & professorship in Mad- ison University. Among his preserved papers is n serap-musty and brown with years-signed by half a dozen who were then students, but who have since become eminent Baptist Doctors of Divinity, signifying their entire satisfaction with his labors as a teacher.
With the means accumulated during his term as Professor, he hegan the study of law, at Cazenovia, N. Y., in the Winter of' 1831, and in the following Spring decided to move westward. A family council was held, which resulted in raising $30 and a silver watch to fit him out for his journey.
After the necessary arrangements lind been completed, he took an affectionate leave of his mother, and started on his way. The details of this journey, his trip to Cincinnati, part of which was on foot ; the school he taught at Rising Sun, Ind .; his subsequent location in Calvin Fletcher's law office at Indianapolis; his arrival, in 183ti, in Logansport, then a mere opening in the wilderness; his early practice as an attorney in Cass County-all these have been so graphically described by himself through the columns of the Logansport. Star, that a repetition would be superfluous.
His fidelity to duty while in the office of Mr. Fletcher gained the entire confidence of that gentleman, and not him alone, but all wbo become acquainted with the young student. Mr. Fletcher's business consisted largely in collecting money. In those days there was no postal money-order systciu; no safe and speedy express trans- portotion, or, in short, any of the facilities which characterize these latter days, and render the shipment of largo sums an easy and safe matter; and in view of this fact, it was necessary to transport them by trustworthy individuals. Late in the Fall of 1835, Mr. Fletehcr. having collected a sum of $2,000 for several firms in Cincinnati, entrusted the funds to Mr. Pratt to be delivered to their several owners. He started on horseback over the Lawrenceburg road, with the money stored safely in his saddle-bags. As he was passing the Brauch Bank-tben recently established-he was stopped by tbo Cashier, who brought out some bundles ol' bank-bills, folded up, which he placed in the saddle-bags, at the same time handing him letters addressed to the several banks to which the money was con- signed. He startled Mr. Pratt by announcing that the packages contained $20,000 ! Surprise, however, was succeeded hy u feellng nearly akin to fear, as he thought of the danger and responsibility connected with such a mission; but notwithstanding the danger which might arise, he reached his destination sufely, and delivered the packages to their several consignees. This incident is only one of many wbich illustrate bis trustworthy character, and the confi- dence reposed in him.
Once only was he tempted to depart from the path of reeti- tude; it was on this occasion when, with $22,000 in his custody, he reached the summit of a hill overlooking the beautiful Ohio, dotted with its rafts and flat-boats bearing their stores of merchandise toward the great southern outlet- the Gulf of Mexico. He had but to sell his horse, and go aboard one of these! The world was before him ; he was a young man of twenty-one, and fortune was within his grasp 1 No telegraphic communication then existed to intercept his flight. There was then no foreigu extradition treaty by which he would have been returned to his native land-a felon ! Wo ynote from an article prepared by' himself, for the Star :
" I recall the fact that this thought was a tenant of my mind for a moment, and for a moment only. Bless God, it found no hospitable lodgment there any longer 1 And what think you, gentle reader, were the associate thoughts that came to iny rescue? Away aver rivers and mountains a thousand miles distant, in an humble farm house, on a bench, an aged mother reading to her boy I'rom the oracles of God ! “
These were the last words ever uttered .by Mr. Pratt; at these words his head dropped back on bis chair, and his puro spirit winged its flight to its beavenly ahode. His daughter, who was writing as he dictated, became alarmed and called assistonce ; but too late ; the action of the heart, excited by the emotion at the memory of his mother, enused his death 1 And so the Christian principles, so early inculcoted by that pious mother, and his tender affection for her, became the guarding angels which saved her son from the commission of a great crime, at a time when the voice of the tempter was strong in bis heart.
But to return to his earlier history ; his time in Mr. Fletcher's law office was characterized by great industry and rapid progress, and he was soon admitted to practice. The bright promises of his youth were realized. In a few years, the fame of the cloqueut young advo- cate resounded throughout Northern Indiana.
He was one who never courted notoriety. He made himself a necessity in his field of action, and it was often a race between liti- gants, to see who should reach his offico first. At the time of his election to the United States Senate in 1869, he was recognized as the alleat lawyer in Northern Indiana. Of him, the Inte Hon. W. '%. Stuart I'requently remarked " that Mr. I'rstt would develop more original views in a case which he had studied, and maintain them with inore authorities, than any man he ever knew."
For twenty-five years he was without a rival in Northern Indiana before a jury. Governor Hendricks and Secretary Thompson divided the palm with him in the South and West. His eminent merits were recognized by the public, and in 1847-then a young man of 33- be was nominated for Congress, but was defeated hy Charles Cathcart. In 1848, he was one of the Presidential Electors. In 1851-53, he
31
HON.HORACE P. BIDDLE JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT STATE OF INDIANA
LATE SENATOR, D.D.PRATT
John Itutan (DECEASED) CONTRIBUTED BY THOŞ B.HELM ESQ.
William W Harrer.
JOSEPH BARRON ( DECEASED) CONTRIBUTED BY N.B. BARRON (SON)* JOS.G.BARRON (GRANDSON }
5
332
Samuel Jacob's
MAYOR
OFFICIALS OF LOGANSPORT
1878
Los S. Barrow
CITY TREASURER
·
, 6, H. Crandall CITY MARSHAL
33
elected to the Legislature, and became the leader in the House. In 1860, he was Secretary of the National Convention at Chicago- which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presideney-and attracted great attention by his eloquence and commanding appearance. During tbe war, Mr. Pratt was a zealous and patriotic advocate of the Union cause. His first-born son fell at Cold Harbor, pierced by the enemy's bullets. To a soldier hoy, he was ever generous and open-hearted. When, in 186], upon three days' 'notice, Logansport and Cass County sent forth two companies of volunteers, be advanced bundreds of dollars to needy and poor men, who were called away from their families hastily, and without tho ability to make provision for their support ; requiring no security, and not even demanding the return of the amounts.
In 1863, while engaged in the complications of a law ease in Logansport, he received the unanimous nomination of his party- then in the minority-for United States Senator. He was first advised of this fact, through the columns of the Cincinnati Gazette, and the next day, tried his case before a Justice with characteristie coolness.
In 1868, he was elected to Congress by a handsome majority, and the Legislature in 1869, without solicitation on his part, promoted him to the United States Senate.
It was unfortunate that he entered that body so late in life. He was then 56 years of age, and, with exception of two terms in the Stato Legislature, sixteen years before, was without publio training. The. artificial restraints thrown around him in the National Capital disgusted him aml interfered with his splendid oratorieal powers. Had his race for Congress in 1847 been successful, he would bave gained a reputation as one of the most brilliant statesmen who ever sat in the halls of Congress. He was recognized as one of tho ablest men of that body during his service in that capacity, and although he made but few speeches, those he delivered were sound, logical and comprehensive.
For six years, he was a member of both the Claim and Pension Committees, and for two years of that tims, was Chairman of the Pension Committee. Millions of dollara were allowed or disallowed, on his recommendation. Had dishonesty been a trait of his charac- ter, he might, in this position, have added thousands of dollars to bis own purse, unsuspected. So eouscientious was he, that Wendell Phillips oneo remarked, " Pratt is the most absolutely honest man I ever knew."
Upon the expiration of his term as Senator, in 1875, at the solic- itation of President Grant, he took ebarge of the Internal Revenue Department, at a timo when the war against tho whisky ring was be- ginning. The history of this movement has never been written; a partial account appeared in the North American Review, fully justi- fying Secretary Bristow and Mr. Pratt, but the real history of that warfare is known only to General Bristow.
In 1876, the Republicans urged Mr. Pratt to become the candi- date of that party for Governor of the State, but he deelined.
He was one of the most cheerful and genial of men, and in his social life, and in all his associations, shed an influonee around him, which was like sunshino. It was a pleasure to be in his company. He had a good word for every one, and never descended to gossip. He was patient, mild and forbearing. and never inflicted upon others a reeital of his own troubles. He, in common with all mankind, tasted of the bitter waters of affliction. Tbe icy hand of death was laid upon a devoted wife, and two young men, his only sons.
He was twico married-in 1839, to Miss Sophia J. James, of Rising Sun, Indiana, hy whom he had four ehildren, only one of whom-a married daughter-now survives.
In 1865, ho was again married to Mrs. James D. Warren, who still survives.
In all his family relations and in both marriages he was supremely happy.
Although he never sought literary honors, his talents could not pass unappreciated, and in 1872, Hamilton College conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL. D.
Ho was frequently solicited to address literary societies, but inva- rialily declined." This was always a source of regret to his friends, as he wns recognized as a master of the English language, and his liter- ary contributions demanded attention. In his religious views he was a Unitarian ; he believed in God and the future life ; his ereed was to do right and treat all men with equal consideration. His last act was to dietate the article for the Star, to which we have previously alluded.
Just as thic church hella rang out their chimes, on that bright June Sabbath morning, calling the world to worship God in mundane temples, his spirit responded to the call, and soared triumphantly away, beyond the confines of cartbly bounds, to chant everlasting praises to his Creator, throughout a blissful eternity, in that temple " not made with hands," and to meet the sainted mother, who, twenty. six years previously, had gone to dwell with the Savior she loved ; and the throh which enused the death of her son was his deep love for her and the emotion caused by tho memory of early precepts inculcated hy her, as a guiding star to his future life.
What a blessed reward to that mother have heen the noble life and peaceful death of her son; and, that the last act of his life was the memory of her early teachings, should be an incentive to all miothers to be faithful and carnest in the training of their children, knowing that the principles inoulcated in carly childhood govern the future life for good or evil.
WILLIAM W. HANEY, LOGANSPORT. BY T. B. HELM.
He is the son of Joseph and Mary Weaver Hanoy, and was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th day of December, 1809.
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Mr. Haney's parents were not in affluent cireumstonees, and, as a consequence, Were unahlo to provide bim with otber educational priv- ileges than such as were attainahle in the country school of that period; hence, it may be said with propriety, that he was not an edu- eated man, in the accepted meaning of the term, yet thoroughly skilled in the details of practical business, such as is acquired only hy the experienco of years and the active observations of well developed common sense.
He began life on a farm, and received there his early parental training. Afterward, lifo in a hotel, then an under-olerk in a store, gave variety to his early oxperience.
At the age of 17 years, without money or estate, he left the pa- ternal roof to become the architect of his own fortune. That be succeeded, the sequel fully discloses.
About that time, the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal was heing located from Easton to Bristol, and the opportunity pre- senting itself, he became connected with the engineering corps having that work in eliarge, and with them took his first lesson in experience, holding that position for about one year. He next engaged in run- ning eoal out on the river, for a short season, then becoming bar- tender and stage agent in R. Latimore's hotel, at Easton, Pa. This experience added one year more to his life discipline, after which he accepted the superintendenoy ol' a division of tbe canal, and having succeeded in that trust for a twelve-month, coal boating next engrossed his attention during a like period, at the end of whieli time he was induced to resume tho supervision of the Pennsylvania Canal. On this contraet he continued two years, and then left to become a eon- tractor for the construction of the Delaware and Raritan canal feeder, on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. He immediately took charge of this work-originally let to Moore & Brown-and completed it in less than one year. He was then employed by the Delaware & Raritan Company to take charge of a portion of said feeder, and continued in their employ ahout ons year longor.
Being satisfied with his experience east of the Alleglianies, on the 17th day of Mareh, 1835, ho turned his face westward, and taking the river route, by steamer, flatboat and pirogue, landed at Peru, Indiana, tben all in the wilderness, on the 4th day of July following. Shortly after bis arrival in Peru, he took ebarge of a number of men engaged in the construction of the W. & E. canal. In connection with that charge, he opened a stone quarry below Peru, for John Cooper, contractor for the Peru dam. The same Fall, he took a eon- tract for the construction of a seetion of the canal at Lewisburg, and finished it the following year.
Succeeding in this enterprise, be engaged in selling goods at Lew. isburg, with Alexander Wilson; also trading with the Indians. Three years later, he purchased Mr. Wilson's interest and continued business alone, trading largely in real estote and canal serip, witb other securities at that point, until the Sumujer of 1851. On the 15th of July, of that year, he moved to Logansport, where he em- barked in general merchandising. In this husiness, however, he remained but a short time, and then sold out his entire stock. Sinee that time he bas been chiefly engaged in real estate transactions, dis- counting moneyed obligations, etc.
. For several years he served as President of the Branch Bank of tbe State of Indiana, at Logonsport. In all his business transactions, Mr. Haney has shown himself to be a man of uncommon sagacity and disereetness of judgment, of scrupulous integrity, and gentle- manly demeanor.
Mr. Haney was married on the 13th day of December, 1836, to Miss Louisiana Fidler, by whom he had two children-William E., born December 28, 1837, and Maria Emma, born December 31, 1845, the latter of whom died a few years since.
In his social relations, also, Mr. Haney takes a high rank, making the most of life, for the enjoyments consequent upon a long life of diligent toil, to seeure a compensation for his loved ones.
HON. CHARLES B. LASSELLE. BY T. B. HELM.
Hon. Charles B. Lasselle was born at Vincennes, Ind., on the 12th day of October, 1819, descending in a direct line from the old stock of French pioneers who explored and settled the Wabasb Valley. His paternal ancestors emigrated from Savigny Sur Orge, in the diocese of Paris, about the year 1680, and settled in Montreal, Canada, where they remained nearly a century afterward. His grandfather, Col. James Lasselle, having been appointed to the Indian Agency, at the Miami village of the Ke-ki-on-ga, adjacent to the present city of Fort Wayne, in the Fall of 1776, immediately moved with his family to that point. At that time they wero the only white persons in the village, exeept a few English and French traders.
Here, on the 25th day of February, 1777, Hyacinth, the son of James, and father of Charles B. Lasselle, was born-the first white child born in that locality, so far as history now diseloses.
Mr. Lasselle's mother was born at Vineennes, Ind., in the year 1787. She was the daughter of Major Franeis Bosseron, of Revolu- tionary memory, who afterward distinguished himself in the civil and military transactions of the Lower Wabash.
In 1833, Charles B., with his father and mother, moved from Vincennes to Cass County, settling on the north side of the Wabash, three miles from Logansport; subsequently becoming a resident of the town.
During the Spring and Fall of 1833, he attended school in tho old "Seminary," then the only school in the Stato north of the Wabash. In 1836, he attended tho Indiana University at Blooming- ton, remaining there until 1839. Soon after his return from college, he began the study of law in the offica of the late Hon. D. D. Pratt, and was admitted to the har in the Fall of 1842.
In 1847, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Judicial Circuit of which Cass County was then a part, and served one term of three yeara, in which he achieved a fair measure of success.
About the same timo, and for a few years before and after his election, he was assistant editor and publisher of tbe Logansport Telegraph, a weekly newspaper, of which his elder brother, Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr., was proprietor. In this connection he evinced great talent, developing a clear and methodical style of composition, at onca expressive and attractive. His editorial experience naturally diverted his attention from the strictly literary to a consideration of the political questions of the day, for which he conceived a desire for political preferment. Being a close student, his inclination led him to a careful examination of the working system of the State and National Governments. Tbus he became, in a limited sense, a poli- tician, without heing especially an aspirant for office.
In 1862, he was elected over Hon. D. D. Pratt, to represent Cass County in the State Legislature, and, two years later, was re- elected to the same position, having served his constituents acceptably during the previous term. In 1868, he was a candidate for Senator from the distriet composed of the connties of Cass and Fulton. In 1869, and again in 1870 he was re-elected his own snecessor, the
vacancies occasioned by his resignations. This ended his legislative career, and he again devoted his time to the practice of his profession.
Mr. Lasselle, for many years past, has given much time and attention to the bistory of Cass County, and of the entire Wabasb Valley. Indeed his opportunities have been such as to enable him to utilize the large fund of material at his command for these pur- poses. He bas furnished historical sketches for this and other localities in the State, and otherwise contributed extensively to the general history of the county. To him, therefore, grest eredit is due for the judicious care he has manifested in preserving from oblivion the records of the past.
JOHN MOMILLEN.
Mr. McMillen was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1803. At the age of four years, he emigrated with his parents, to Highland County, Ohio. His father's family consisted of fourteen children, aud at the age of 16 years, be became the main support of the family. An aceident happened to his father, by which ho was permanently crippled, and being tbns incapeitated for activo duty, the management of the farm devolved upon his son John; and manfully did he perform the duty thus placed upon him until 24 years of ago. At that age, he determined to seek his fortune in tho Great West, and, in the year 1827, loft the paternal roof, with all his possessions hound in a pocket bandkerchief. Hs traveled on foot to Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana, where be engaged in building log cabins. He was quite expert in hewing punebeon floors and making clap- hoards for roofing.
Husbanding earefully the profits accruing from bis labor, he ac- quired a small capital. On the 13th day of May, 1830, he married Mias Elizabeth Manary, wbo eams to Indiana with her parents, two years previous to his arrival. Her father was proprictor of the greater portion of the land upon which the city of Delpbi is now located.
In 1832, Mr. MeMillen came with his wife to Cass County, and entered a traet of land in Noble Township, which he occupied about two years. He then sold his farm to Jaures Harper, and purchased another tract situated in Jefferson Township. Out of a denso forest, he eleared and improved nearly two hundred aeres, and, through all the privations and bardships of pioneer life, toiled cheerfully, day after day, to gain a compstence for his loved ones. His family consisted of six children, three sons and threo daughters, and of this number, the only survivors are Elizabeth, wifs of Mr. J. H. McMillen, and Maria, wife of Mr. G. W. Burrow, of Logausport.
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