USA > Indiana > Cass County > Combination atlas map of Cass County, Indiana > Part 17
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As a farmer, Mr. MeMillen was very successful, and, by prudent management, accumulated a large estate. In 1863, he moved to Logunsport, and invested largely in real estate, and in these transnc- tions was very fortunate. He died on tho 2d day of February, 1876, after a short illness of four days' duration.
Hc possessed a remarkably vigorous constitution, and, up to the time of bis last illness, scarcely knew what it was to bo ill.
He was a gentleman of strictly temperate hahite, was liberal and kind, aud bis sudden deceass was lamented hy a large eirelo of friends. His faithful wife still survives, and is now residing with hor daughter, Mrs. J. H. MeMillen.
Mr. MoMillen was one wbo never said to hungry poverty, "Go l'' Kindness was one of the prominsnt characteristics of his nature, and bis heart and purss were ever open to the poor and needy. He fre- quently talked with his family and friends about death, and expressed the wish that he might bo called hence without the pain of a linger- ing illness. He was a kind busband anıl an indulgent father, and his memory is revered by many who have canse to hless his charity.
ROBERT MOMILLEN, NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
Robert McMillen, son of Thomas and Jane Irwin MeMillen, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 30, 1806. His father, Thomas MeMillen, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Ho married Miss Jane Irwin, a native of the same county, and soon after his marriage moved West, loeating in Ross County, Ohio. In the year 1807, be removed to Highland County, in the samo State, where lie purchased a tract of land and engaged in tho pusuit of farming, and remained engaged in that occupation until his death, which occurred in October, 1819.
Four years after the death of his father (August 30, 1823), Robert was apprenticed to a millwright, with the view of learning that trade. He served an apprenticeship of four years, and at the end of that time was pronounced a competent ineehanio hy his preceptor.
Finding an inviting field awaiting his services, lie applied his energies, immediately, to the practice of his chosen avocation, build- ing mills and iron works in Ohio and Kentucky, during the Summer, and constructing cotton gins and presses, during the Winter, in Mis- sissippi and other Southern States. He continued in this occupation until September, 1830, at which time he accompanied his mother and hrothers to the Wahasb Valley, and, with them, engaged in tho arduous undertaking of locating and clearing a farm. Thoy located in this county, where Robert became acquainted with Miss Rosanna Harper, only daughter of James Harper, Esq .; friendship soon ripened into love, and on the 10th day of July, 1834, they were united in the holy ties of matrimony. This marriage was blessed hy eleven children, named, respectively, James Harper, Thomas Jefferson, Quincy Adams, Franklin, William Harvey, R. Milton, George, Mar- garet Jane, Angeline, Cornelia and Emily. Of this number, all save one grew to maturity.
During the dark days of the rebellion, four of his sons-Thomas J., Quinoy A., James and William-volunteered their services in defense of their country, and with patriotic valor, bade adicu to their loving parents and friends, for the uncertainties of soldier life. Thomas J. received a severe wound during one of his engagemente . with the enemy, and Quiney A., after a hravo career as a soldier, yielded up his life in the gloomy hospital wards of Memphis, Ten- nessee.
Mr. McMillen is one of the early pioneers of this county, anıl has been prominently associated with its improvements for nearly balf a contury. He has always felt a lively interest in the public improve- ments of the county, and has heen especially active in the advance- ment of her educational interests. He took a prominent part in the founding of the Logansport Female Academy.
He is well known and universally respected thronghont the county for his sterling qualities and manly integrity. His political
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views have ever been in sympathy with the principles of the Repuh- lican party, since its organization, previous to which time, he acted with the Whig party. He has never aspired to political honors, con- tent to live a quiet life amid the shades of his rural home, undis- turbed by political tumults. He was strongly opposed to the institution of slavery during its existence, and used bis influence and means for its suppression, believing it to be a national evil; and many poor fugitive slaves will remember him with gratitude for valuable assitano rendered them on their way to liberty and happiness.
As a tribute of respect to the memory of a dutiful son and worthy citizen, wo append the following biography of
THOMAS J. McMILLEN.
He was born in Cass County, Ind., where he received his early education, and where he passed the days of his youth and early man- hood, until he volunteered his services in defense of the nation's honor during the days of the rebellion. A wound received during a battle with the enemy rendered him incapable of performing further military duty, in consequence of which he was honorably discharged from the service. He then returned home and engaged in the drug business, which he abandoned several years later, and removed to Cincinnati, O. On the 11th day of July, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie B. Moore, daughter of C. Moore, Esq., of Cincinnati, whose untimely death he was called upon to lament two years later, Feb. 12, 1866. He then removed to Idaville, Ind., and engaged in the practice of medicine, and was engaged in that profes- sion a number of years. On the 6th day of January, 1869, he was a second time united in marriage, Miss Adelia Wickersham becoming his bride. On the 6th day of November, 1875, the community was shocked by intelligence of the sudden death of this worthy citizen. He returned from a funeral and complained of feeling ill. He walked to the table, upon which were two vials, and administered a dose of what he supposed to bo the necessary remedy, after which he went to the barn to feed the horses. His agony was increased, and, returning to the house, ho discovered, to his horror, that he had taken a violent poison instead of the supposed medicine, which was in the other vial. Antidotes were immediately administered, but without avail, and death ensued in less than half an hour. He was an esti- mable citizen, and enjoyed tho fullest confidence of his neighbors, and his sad and sudden death caused universal grief throughout the com- inunity.
JAMES M. JUSTICE, M. D. BY T. B. HELM.
Dr. Justice was born in Fayette County, Indiana, September 21, 1817. His father, Joseph Justice, a native of Pennsylvania, was ono among the first settlers near Connersville, then only an Indian trading post, in that part of Indiana Territory now occupied by Fayette County. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, having heen in service during the seven years of its continuance.
The maiden name of the mother of Dr. Justice was Delilah Fuel, a native of Virginia. After her marriage, she came west with her hushand, who, having selected a choice tract of land, improved it with great care. He was a painstaking man, active in the develop- ment of every interest necessary to the well-being of society.
James M., the subject of this sketeb, began life on a farm, and , passed there his boyhood days, acquiring the rudiments of bis early education in an old log school house, no teacher being employed, ex- cept during the Winter season. Until he reached his 20th year, no other or better opportunities were recorded him. At that age, he attended one term at the High School at Connersville, Ind., after which he was prepared to enter upon his professional career. Then, with a fixed purpose in his mind, lie ontered the office of Dr. Jeffer- son Helm, of Rush County, Ind., as a student of medicino. While there, he pursued his studies with unremitting energy, until the com- pletion of his course, when he received a license to practice his profession. In order, however, to qualify himself more thoroughly, he subsequently entered the Ohio Medical College, from which insti- tution he graduated, with the highest honors.
He was married in December, 1841, to Miss Z. A. Norris, daughter of the late Capt. Norris, of Kentucky, by whom he had three children-two sons and ono daughter, to whom he has given the highest educational privileges.
Dr. Justice first located for the practice of his profession, in Camden, Carroll County, Ind., whore he enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice, for a period of twenty years. Removing thenee, he came to Logansport in 1861, where he has since continued to reside, identifying himself fully with all the material interests of the city and county, practicing his profession and at the same time superintending aud managing his extensive farming interests.
Aside from: his professional and social relations, he has always taken an active interest in the political affairs of the country-local as well as State and National; affiliating, first, with the old Whig, and later tho Republican party. He was first elected a member of the City Council of Logansport in 1862, serving, almost successively, nine years, as a member of that hody.
In 186-4, he was a delegate to the National Convention at Balti- more, which nominated Mr. Lincoln a second time for the Presidency. Ile was District Elector for General Grunt, in 1868, ably aud thor- oughly canvassing the distriet.
In stature, Dr. Justico is full six feet ; of commanding appearance and well developed physique ; positive in manner, of activo energy and acute sensibility.
COL. T. H. BRINGHURST, LOGANSPORT.
Thomas H. Bringhurst was horn in Philadelphia, Pa., in the year 1819. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of cabinet maker, and served five years, that period being considered necessary in those days for the acquisition of a mechanical art.
1n 1840, he emigrated to Alabama; hut, in the following year, returned to the North, and located in Dayton, O., where he remained until 1845. In that year, he came to Logansport and huilt a saw-mill at the mouth of Eel River, where he engaged in the manufacture of walnut veneer.
In 1846, he enlisted in the First Indiana Regiment, and served one year in the war with Mexico. At the expiration of his term of
enlistment, he returned to Logansport and resumed his former occupa- tion, in which he remained engaged until the year 1849. In that year, he bought the office of the Logansport Telegraph at a cost of $350, and, with a cash capital of $30 (which he received from the Government for extra pay as a soldier), established the Logansport Journal, which he conducted, as editor and proprietor, until the year 1870, a period of twenty-one years. In the year 1853, he was elected Mayor of the city of Logansport, and served in that capacity three years.
In 1861, he assisted in enlisting the Forty-Sixth Indiana Regiment, and was appointed Major. After a service of eight months in that capacity, he was promoted to the office of Lieutenant Colonel, and, later, to the office of Colonel of his regiment. His regiment figured prominently in the campaigns of the Mississippi River, and in the States of Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. He was mustered out of service, with his regiment, in 1865.
He was appointed Special Agent for the Post Office Department in 1869, and continued in the offico until May, 1875, at which time he resigned.
He has been identified with the business interests of this city many years, and in many ways. 1n 1874, he became identified with the Logansport Manufacturing Company, and is now Vice President of that corporation.
MAJ. S. L. McFADIN, LOGANSPORT.
Samuel MeFadin, the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, was a nativo of Bedford County, Pa. He moved to Fairfield County, O., where he married Mary Graybill, a native of Washington County, Pa., in the year 1825. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. John Wright, father of John W. and Williauison Wright, of this city. Mr. MeFadin and his faithful wife have long slept the sleep which knows no waking. Their son, Samuel L. MeFadin, was born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., Oct. 4, 1826, on the banks of the Hockhocking, and in the vicinity of " Mount Pleasant," or "Standing Stone," as it was called by the Indians-a romantic spot, heautifully described by Emerson Bennett in his story, "The Forest Rose;" a land of rocks and hills, where the laurel, mountain tea and birch bark ahound. In April, 1839, he came with his parents to the flowery prairies of Indiana, and settled on a farm a few miles north of Logansport. For a number of years he worked on the farm, and then entered upon an apprenticeship as a carpenter. After acquiring pros ficieney in that trade, he began to apply his knowledge to practical use, and there are still a number of buildings in this city which attost, the' excellence of his workmanship-notably Israel Johnson's warehouse and Philip Pollard's residence.
In the year 1846, during the war with Mexico, he enlisted with the Cass County Volunteers, and was elected Corporal of his com- pany, at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The record of this company is a brave one, and one of which tho survivors are justly proud.
In 1850, he began the study of law with the late Hon. W. Z. Stuart, and in the same year hecame a candidate for the State Legis- lature, in opposition to the late Hon. D. D. Pratt, but was defeated in the race.
Two years later, he received the Democratie nomination for Pros- ecuting Attorney, aud at the following election received a bandsome majority over his opponent, filling the office faithfully for a term of two years.
In 1856, he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and served in that capacity four years.
He filled the responsible office of Mayor of tho city of Logans- port during four terms; was repeatedly chosen to represent his county in the State Legislature, and while serving in that capacity during the session of 1869, was re-elected Mayor of the city of Logansport. He resigned his seat in the Legislature, and returned home to assume the duties of that office.
In 1876, he was elected Clerk of Cass Circuit Court, and is ex officio Clerk of the Superior Court of Cass County.
He became a member of Tipton Lodge, No. 33, F. and A. M., in the year 1849, and is still an active working member of the fraternity.
Throughout his official life he has discharged his duty with com- mendable fidelity, and has proven himself worthy of the confidence of his fellow citizens, and competent to fill the offices bestowed upon him.
SAMUEL JACOBS, MAYOR.
The parents of Mr. Jacohs were of German extraction. They were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, where they resided unta their death. Their son, who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1821. During his youth, he was engaged in farming with his father, who followed that occupa- tion. Hle afterward came to the State of Indiana, and for a period of twenty years has been a resident of this State.
In 1856, he wrote and published a volume of 200 pages, entitled " The Seventh Angel," which returned him a handsome compensation for his labors, as it met with very ready sale. While this fact could l'ail to be flattering to the author, it served, at the same time, to prove the merits of the work. This volume received the highest commen- dation from George D. Prentice, probably one of the most competent and thorough critics ol' the country.
For two years lio was engaged as editor and publisher of the Logansport Sun.
He married Miss Ahbie J. Lindley, a native of Ohio, and by this marriage is the father of two children-Clarence L. and Ida May.
As a public speaker, Mr. Jacobs is very popular ; producing a sound, logical and comprehensive argument, whenever ealled upon to address a publie assembly ; at the same time possessing the faculty of addueing laets and points without a superfluity of words.
In the Spring of 1877, he was the choice of his party for the office of Mayor of the City of Logansport, and was elceted over all opposition, by a handsome majority, for a term of two years.
He is a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, and, hut for his extreme modesty, might have filled a higher position than he occupies at present.
During his administration of the city government, his impartial dispensation of justice has won the confidence of all classes, and the
good will entertained for him by the German residents found expres- sion on Christmas, 1877, in the presentation of a handsome gold headed cane, of which the recipient is justly proud.
MERRIAM, RICE & CO., LOGANSPORT, IND.
Mr. Jolin C. Merriam, the senior partner of the above firm, eamue from his native town of Bramlon, Vt., to Logansport, in An- gust, 1843, being then 24 years old. Ho accompanied Mr. Ilenry Martin from Vermont, who opened a store in Logansport after their arrival, in which young Merriam was employed as a clerk until the Spring of 1844. In this year, Mr. Martin started a branch storo at Monticello, and placed Mr. Merriam in charge of the establishment.
In 1845, he was married to a lady who was a native of Vermout, hut was then residing in Kentucky.
Soon after his marriage, he formed a copartnership with Isaac Reynolds, in Monticello, and they continued together in Inisiness until the Spring of 18-18. He severed his connection in this with Mr. Reynolds, and returned to Logansport. IIe then associated with William Chase and George P. Smith, to engage in the mercantile trade in this city, and they bought the stock of goods belonging to the firm of Taber & Chase, becoming their successors in the business.
In 1853, the firm of Pollard & Wilson was dissolved, and Thomas H. Wilson, of that firm, and Mr. Merriam, E. S. Rice and Merodith H. Thomas combined under the name of Wilson, Merriam & Co. In addition to the stock of the old firm of which Mr. Merriam was a member, they bought that of Pollard & Wilson, combining tho two as one stock.
Mr. Thomas withdrew from this firm previous to 1857, and in that year, Mr. Wilson also retired, leaving Messrs. Merriam and Rice with the stock. They were then joined by John E. Howes, and the name of the firm became Merriani, Rice & Howes. This part- nership continned without change until 1865, when Mr. Rico bonght. the interest of Mr. Howes. These two gentlemen, Mr. Merriam und Mr. Rico, continued the business until 1872, when Mr. E. L. Metz- ger became a partner, and tho style of the house was altered to Merriam, Riee & Co., which title it still hears.
They are popular and extensive dealers in dry goods and general hardware, and occupy two large salesrooms. The rooms are in the same building, adjoining each other, aud are connected by arched openings at front and rear, so that the partners havo individual over- sight and supervision of both establishments.
ELIHU S. RICE,
of the firm of Merriam, Rice & Co., was born in the town af Pavilion, Genesee County, New York. He came to Logansport in 1839, and began his business experience in 1843, at the age of 16 years, as a clerk in the house of Henry Martin & Co. He remained with them until they closed their business, in 1844.
In 1845, he engaged with Pollard & Wilson, and remained in their employment until the retirement of Col. Pollard in 1852.
In 1853, he joined J. C. Merriam and others, organizing the firm of Wilson, Merriam & Co., as the successors of Pollard & Wilson and of Taber & Chase.
Through all the business changes of the various firms with which they have been connected since 1853, he and Mr. Merriam have been constant associates and partners.
HISTORY OF THE BROWN FAMILY, LOGANSPORT.
Frederick Brown, the father of the gentleman for whom this biography is prepared, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, April 23, 1709. His father, Frederick William Brown, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the year 1731. When Frederick was 3 years of age, he moved with his parents to St. Clairsville, Bel- mont County, Ohio, where bis father died in 1818. His mother, whose maiden name was Dorathy Haues, was born in Dolawuro County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1802, and died at Alexandria, Kentucky, in the year 1834.
On the 5th day of July, 1821, Frederick Brown marriot bis present wife and companion, Miss Mary Strawn, at the homestead of' her parents, near Alexandria, Kentucky. In the year 1823, they moved to West Carlisle, Coshocton County, Ohio, where they resided seven years. In the Spring of' 1830, they removed to Alexandria, Kentucky. In November, 1865, they came to Logansport, where they still reside. Mary Brown, the wife of Frederick Brown, is tho daughter of John and Elizabeth Strawn. She was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1801. When 3 years of age, she moved with her parents to Hamilton County, Obio, and in 1820, to the homestead purchased by her parents near Alexandria, Kentucky, where her father died in 1834, at the advanced age of 89 yeura. Two years later, her mother died at the age of 75 years.
John Brown, for whom this biography is written, was born in West Carlisle, Coshocton County, Ohio, on the 13th day of February, 1825. In the Spring of 1830, he removed with his parents to Alexau- dria, Campbell County, Kentucky, where he resided until the Summer of 1857. He enjoyed a good cournon school education, aml at the age of 17 years, entered his father's general merchandise store as book keeper and salesman ; and in that capacity remained employed seven ycars. During this period, he married his present wife, on the 3d fay of January, 1847. In the Spring af 1850, his father gavo him and his younger brother, James, an equal interest with him in his store. The business was then conducted under the firm name of F. Brown & Sons. This relation continued, aml tho business prospered under the new management until the Spring of 1857, when John withdrew from the firm, and the copartnership ceased so far as he was concerned. During the existence of this firin, he was the general manager and financier of an extensive husiness carried on hy them. His main ohjeet in severing this connection was to seck a new and more prosperous location for business. After a tour of investigation to several prominent places West, to which he had been referred, he decided to make Logansport his future bome and place of business. He purchased the well known husiness property on the northwest cor- ner of Market and Third streets, which had heen huilt and occupied hy his unele and consin several years previous. Ahout the 1st of August, 1857, he brought his family to this city, and one month later a large stock of goods consisting of general merchandise, which he opened first in the three-story stone front building, three doors west of the corner, and ahout a month later, removed the stock to his own
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1157897
GEN. GEO.W. EWING (DECEASED)
GEO. C. WALKER
HON. CYRUS TABER (DECEASED)
ALLEN HAMILTON ( DECEASED
WM G. EWING (DECEASED)
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J. B. SHULTZ, M. D. LOGANSPORT INO.
A. E. TAYLOR LOGANSPORT, IND,
ROBT MCMILLEN (PIONEER) NOBLE TP.
MRS.SARAH KESLING (DECEASED) WIFE OF GEO.KESUNG
GEO. KESLING Sr. TIPTON TP.
JOHN MC MILLEN (DECEASED) CONTRIBUTED BY JAMES H. HO LIZZIE MCMILLEN
H. S.Hatterym, LOGANSPORT IND
H. J. MisSheely EDITOR "CHRONICLE"
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building, which he continued to occupy for a period of more than eighteen years.
In November, 1875, he sold his corner property, and about a month later, removed his stoek to the premises now occupied hy him, at No. 100 Market street, when he associated with him his son Will- iam HI. Brown, and since that time the business has been transacted in the firm name of John Brown & Son. They carry a large and complete assortment of dry goods, hoots and shoes, which they buy and sell exclusively for cash, at the lowest possible living profit.
Mr. Brown has proven himself to be one of the substantial and entorprising merchants of Logansport and has contributed largely toward its publie and private improvements, since he has heen identi- ficd with it. His success in business may he attributed to the assiduity with which he has always applied his energies to his mereantile pursuits, living strictly within his income, and being prompt in meeting all business obligations.
Ifis wife, Ellen Brown, is the daughter of Jonathan and Susanna Horsfall. She was born in the towu of Winters, Yorkshire County, England, on the 10th day of December, 1826. When Ellen was six years of age, her mother, with a family of eight children, left her native place for this country, to join the father, who had preceded them two years, for the purpose of selecting a desirable location for their future home. They sailed from Liverpool on the ship "Jubilee," for New York City, and were eight weeks in making the trip across the ocean. They were met by the father, on their arrival, and, after a sojourn of two months in that eity, they removed to a point about twelve miles from Philadelphia, in Montgomery County, Pa., where they resided three years. They then moved westward hy wagon, over the Alleghany Mountains to Pittsburgh; thenee by steamboat to Newport, Ky., which point they reached in the Spring of 1834. Five years later, her father purchased a farm near Alexandria, Ky., whero the parents, with the younger portion of the family, moved, and continued to reside, until the death of the father, which occurred in the Fall of 1842, and in the fi0th year of his age. The mother died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Clemons, at Alex- andria, Ky., on the 19th day of December, 1863, at the advanced age of 77 years. They were hoth devoted members of the Baptist Church, to which thoy united themselves when quite young. Ellen, their daughter, experienced a clear change of heart, in her seventeenth year, and became identified with the same church to which her parents belonged. In the year 1856, she united with the M. E. Church of Alexandria, and later, by letter, with the Broadway M. E. Church, of Logansport, in which she has continued to be a faithful and zealous laborer, until the present time.
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