Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 37

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 37

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JOHN T. PRICE, M. D. (deceased), an only son of J. M. Price, of Brazil, was born May 11, 1855, in Clay County, Ind., and enjoyed the best of educational advantages, and at the age of twenty-one years en - tered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which institution he

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graduated in 1879. He returned to Brazil and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession of medicine with the brightest pros- pects for the future. On September 25, 1879, he was married to Nel- lie, daughter of Alexander Brighton, a banker of Brazil. Nellie was born, April 5, 1863, in Clay County, Ind., and is an educated and ac- complished lady. They were enjoying their happy married life, as only the honest and virtuous can enjoy, until his death, which event occurred on December 26, 1882. He died in his office from an overdose of chloro- form,supposed to have been taken to alleviate pain, as he had been frequently a sufferer from severe attacks of headache, the effects of cerebro-spinal meningitis. Dr. Price was a young gentleman of fine ability, an agree- able associate, and possessed very liberal views, as well as a kind and benevolent heart, and was honored and respected by all who knew him. He was loved and cherished by his family and young wife, who were left to mourn the loss. From his business sagacity in his profession, he left a competancy to his widow, who also received $4,000 on a policy of insurance on his life. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Price has be- come the mother of a bright little girl, viz., Mary J., born May 21, 1883. Also, since his death, she has shown great business ability, and is very successfully managing his affairs.

SIDNEY S. PULLEN, jeweler, Brazil, was born in Scott County, Ky., July 26, 1829, and was the son of Gonel B. and Anna Pullen, both natives of Kentucky, he of German and Scotch descent, she of Scotch and Welsh lineage. In 1832, the parents came to Crawfordsville, Ind., where they remained until 1845, when they moved to Bloomington, Ind. Sidney never attended school but one year until he was old enough to maintain himself and pay his own expenses, but worked with his father, who was a baker, and also learned the shoe-maker's trade, which calling he followed seventeen years, when he entered the printing office of his brother, who was editor of the Bloomington Reporter, and, after working at the printer's trade three years, was obliged, on account of failing health, to abandon the business. He then became his father's partner in a bakery, and followed that trade until 1865, when, having accumu- lated some means, he started a jewelry establishment, hired a foreman, and worked with him until he became a skillful workman. His marriage occurred January 9, 1853, to Eliza K. Baker. To this marriage were born six children, viz., Isaac M., William E., Maggie L., Charles S., Elizabeth (deceased) and Flora, who died, aged five years. Mr. Pullen and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1852, and for ten years he has been Class Leader. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., United Workmen and Knights of Honor. In politics, he is a Republican. Coming to Brazil in 1868, when the city was in its infancy, Mr. Pullen has. by his exemplary conduct, risen to high social and business standing.

CHARLES W. REED, attorney at law and real estate agent, Brazil, Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 13, 1813. He enjoyed the best school advantages the place afforded, which were, at that early period, somewhat limited. When sixteen years of age, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, serving three years. He then went to New Orleans, working one year; thence to Mobile, where he stopped a year, then going to Louisville, where he remained until 1840, when he moved to Ohio, and engaged in farming, first in Brown County, where be remained eight years, going thence to Georgetown, where he worked at his trade. He was soon elected County Commissioner, serving six years; at the same

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time being Justice of the Peace, and also Postmaster, filling some office during his stay there. In October, 1859, Mr. Reed came to Jackson Township, Clay County, Ind., settling on a piece of wild land, which, after working three years, he was obliged to leave on account of his health. He then moved to Brazil, and resumed his trade, which he fol- lowed until 1872, when, on account of age, he left it and engaged in in- surance business, also being Justice of the Peace and Notary and attor-

ney, doing a successful business. In May, 1832, Mr. Reed was married to Mahala Staton, in Green County, Ky. To this union were born ten children, five of whom are living, viz., C. W., Mary A. (wife of Judge G. P. Tyler, of Brown County, Ohio), Hannah (wife of Philip Devore), L. C. and F. P. Mrs. Reed died in April, 1880. Mr. Reed's second mar- riage occurred November, 1882, to Mrs. Biddle, with whom he is now living. Mr. Reed is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is also one of the oldest and most active members of the Masonic Lodge, No. 264, of Brazil. His life has been an active, useful one, having served as Justice twenty-eight years in Ohio and Indiana, besides holding other official positions of trust. In politics, he has been, until within a few years, a leading Democrat, voting first for Andrew Jackson.

JOHN B. RICHARDSON, merchant, dealer in dry goods, carpets, notions, etc., started in trade in Brazil, corner of Main and Meridian streets, in the fall of 1865, buying the stock of general merchandise of D. C. Stunkard, at a cost of $11,000, and doing the first year a business of $36,000. His present business house was erected at a cost of $10,000, and is well stocked. Mr. Richardson was born in Clark County, Ill., August 28, 1828, and was the son of John B. and Mary B. (Parker) Rich- ardson, the former a native of New York, the latter of Maine. The maternal great great-grandfather came from Wales in 1692, and leased for ninety-nine years the ground where Philadelphia now stands. The father of our subject came to Vigo County, Ind., in 1816, and located on Fort Harrison Prairie, where night after night he was obliged to seek safety at the block-house. After a sojourn of two years, he returned East, soon coming West again with his parents, this time settling in Clark County, Ill., in the town of York, where he was successfully en- gaged in business until 1860, when he retired. He became an extensive land owner along the National road and Wabash River, and land he entered in 1835 is now owned in the family. He was a prominent busi- ness man in York, and served as Postmaster there thirty years. In 1865, he removed to Brazil, where he died in 1869, and his wife still lives, aged eighty-three years. The subject of this sketch, at the age of sev- enteen years entered the Military Institute at Georgetown, Ky., and after a three years' course graduated in 1847, soon after engaging as book-keeper in Terre Haute, where he remained five years. He then en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in the same place until 1864, when he entered the United States Medical Purveyor's Department, and served until the close of the war. Since his return home, he has been iu busi- ness in Brazil. Politically, Mr. Richardson is a Republican, and a prominent man in his party. In June, 1883, he was elected School Treasurer. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His marriage occurred August 19, 1858, to Mary E. Potter, of Terre Haute. Five daughters were born to this union, two of whom survive, viz .: Em- ily A. and Anna Clint. Mrs. Richardson is a member of the Congrega- tional Church.

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WILLIAM MARION RIDPATH was born in Putnam County, Ind., October 14, 1845, and is the son of James and Rachel (Kelsey) Ridpath, natives respectively of West Virginia and Indiana. The mother of Will- iam M. died a few days after the birth of the latter, who was reared by Mrs. Sally Ridpath, wife of his uncle Abraham. Our subject was trained to farming, but as a lad at school was given more to athletic sports than to study, and gave evidence of that robust vigor which has ever since marked his career. At the breaking-out of the late war, he enlisted, at the early age of seventeen, in Company H, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his burly form and a little judicious prevar- ication carrying him through the preliminary examination. The terrible winter of 1863 fourd him at Cumberland Gap, where he and his com- panions were for many days obliged to subsist on dry corn; yet, notwith- standing all his hardships, he re enlisted, at the expiration of his term of service, in the First Heavy Artillery, and was sent to Baton Rouge. At that point, he did garrison duty during the summer, winter and au- tumn of 1864-65, was prostrated by malarial fever, and was discharged at New Orleans July 23, 1865. In August he returned home, being still two months under twenty years of age. He then set to work diligently to repair his neglected education, attended Thornton Academy, then under charge of his brother, Prof. J. C. Ridpath, and subsequently entered Asbury University at Greencastle, in his native county, graduat- ing in 1870. He then became a student of law in the office of William- son & Daggy, at Greencastle, and after a time engaged in practice, in partnership with his preceptors, at Brazil. February 9, 1875, he married Miss Sarah J. Cole, daughter of Robert Cole, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and to this union have been born three children-Paul, December 28, 1875; Mary, December 13, 1877; and Nellie, December 4, 1880. As a lawyer, Mr. Ridpath soon rose to a fair rank, but his business capacity constantly outran his legal lore. His active disposition was better grati- fied with the transactions of trade than with the conflicts of the bar. In the arena of business, he began to distinguish himself, and at the same time showed a great liking for politics. He made considerable money by trading in real estate, especially in the rich coal lands, for which the neighborhood of Brazil is justly celebrated. In 1876, he was made Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Clay County, and the campaign of that year flourished under his management. In 1880, he was nominated for Joint Representative of the counties of Putnam, Hendricks and Clay, and notwithstanding a Democratic majority against him at the outset, he was elected over his competitor by nearly a thousand votes. The polls showed that he even had sixty four votes more than the Hon. A. G. Porter, the popular candidate for Governor. Not satisfied with this success, Mr. Ridpath now aspired to the Speakership of the body to which he had been elected. Notwithstanding his age and inex- perience in parliamentary matters, he was again successful, receiving the caucus nomination of his party over several able competitors, and being duly elected Speaker of the House. It was noticed from the first that, not only in the occupancy of the Chair but also in the more critical duties of constituting committees and expediting the business of the Assembly, his abilities and good judgment were conspicuous. A large amount of important legislation was transacted during the session, and Mr. Ridpath retired from the chair, followed by the applause and hearty good wishes of the members of the House. During the year 1881, Mr.

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Ridpath resumed his duties as a lawyer and business man at Brazil. In the spring of 1882, he received the appointment from the General Gov- ernment as Indian Agent at the Yankton-Sioux Agency in Dakota. Re- pairing thither in June, he took charge of the Post, sixty-five miles above Yankton, on the Missouri River, and there he is at present residing, in the satisfactory discharge of his important duties. His wife is the Matron of the Government School, and all of his assistants have been selected with careful regard to fitness and efficiency. In person, Mr. Ridpath is of the medium height, but is very heavily and solidly built. His weight is from 200 to 215 pounds. His complexion is fair; his eyes a light blue. His manners are pleasing and affable, his address court- eous and frank. In public speech, he has great directness and force. His method is extemporaneous, and his abilities are much more marked in this style of speech than in the set efforts of written address. He is in some sense a born politician, and if the future does not disappoint pres- ent expectancy. the country is likely to hear from him in still wider and more honorable fields of usefulness.

SAMUEL BALDWIN RILEY, editor and publisher of the Brazil Miner, was born in Wayne County, Ind., May 19, 1836. His early youth was spent upon a farm, where he had no advantages, not being able to read when eighteen years of age. He then entered school, re- maining until he could teach; then taught and attended school alter- nately until 1857, when he went to Illinois, entering college and study- ing law with ex-Gov. A. C. French, graduating in four years, with the degree of LL. B. In October following, he commenced the practice of law in Martinsville, Ind., where he remained one year, removing in Au- gust, 1863, to Bowling Green, entering the office of George W. Wiltse, as partner. He soon established an office of his own, and had a large and lucrative practice, in which he continued until 1873, when he pur- chased the Brazil Miner. The paper then had a circulation of 400, which by his excellent management has increased to 1,200. It is the leading Democratic paper of the county, and known as the "laborer's friend." In 1860, Mr. Riley stumped Southern Illinois for Stephen A. Douglas. While practicing law, he had accumulated some wealth, and had invested in real estate, being the largest land owner in the county at one time, prospering until the panic of 1873 came, and owing to the depreciation of real estate, and having his name as security on others' paper, he lost heavily. He, however, did not take advantage of the bankrupt act, and is still paying old claims. His marriage occurred July 14, 1865, to Mary E. Coghill, who died in 1873, leaving one son and two daughters -- Robert M., Lenore and Annabelle Lee. Mr. Riley is public-spirited, and a liberal contributor to benevolent enterprises.

THOMAS B. ROBERTSON, Surveyor of Clay County, Ind., was born August 27, 1853, in Franklin County, Ohio, and was the eldest of two children of George T. and Lavina J. Robertson, the former a native of Virginia and of Scotch extraction, the latter of Delaware and of Eng- lish lineage. In September, 1860, the parents settled in Jackson Town- ship, Clay County, Ind., where Thomas spent his youth upon a farm, be- ing given the best school advantages the country afforded. In 1870, he entered the graded school of Staunton, acting as janitor of the building, during the fall and winter terms, to earn money to pay his tuition in a select term in the spring, riding eight miles night and morning, as he was not able to pay his board. Pursuing his studies after he left school

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while working upon the farm until in November, 1872, he received a teacher's county certificate and commenced teaching school the following December. Conducting this school successfully, he, at the close of it, was engaged for an unfinished term in a school that had been refused him on account of his youth and inexperience. After the close of this school, he entered the Normal School of Terre Haute, where he remained while his earnings of the previous winter lasted; then worked on the farm in summer; taught school winters, going back to the Normal School in the spring, until 1876, when, on account of the death of his father, he was obliged to leave school, being the only dependence of his mother and sister. From that time until 1882, he farmed summers and taught win- ters. In 1880, he was nominated for County Surveyor by the Demo- cratic convention, but was defeated; but being again nominated by the same party for the same position, he was elected by a large majority, and is now serving with ability.

THOMAS M. ROBERTSON, the fourth son of William and Cath- arine (Shively) Robertson, was born December 30, 1833, in Ross County, Ohio, and is descended from the Robertsons of Scotland. His great- grandfather was a native of the city of Edinburgh. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution, and his father did military duty in the war of 1812. His parents moved from Ross to Logan County, Ohio, in 1837. He was raised on a farm, and had very limited educational advantages, attending a district school about three months in the year until he was eighteen years of age. He came to Indiana in 1851, and settled in Clay County; taught school for a short time, and in 1858 got employment as a clerk in the dry goods store of Oliver H. P. Ash, in Bowling Green, where he remained three years. . In 1860-61, he was one of the editors of the Clay County Democrat. When the war of the rebellion broke out in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the first company raised at Bowling Green, but the quota from the State being filled before their muster, the company could not be accepted and was disbanded. In 1861-62, he was Deputy Clerk of the Common Pleas and Circuit Courts, under Dillon W. Bridges, Clerk. In July, 1862, there was a call for 300,000 men for three years, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Seventy-first Indiana Volunteers, afterward known as the Sixth Indi- ana Cavalry. On the organization of the company, he was appointed First Sergeant. When Gen. Kirby Smith invaded Kentucky, in August, 1862, the Seventy-first Indiana was hurried off to that State to assist in checking his advance. Sergt. Robertson was with his regiment in this campaign, and participated in the battle of Richmond, Ky., August 30, 1862. In this battle he was taken prisoner, but was paroled and sent home. On being exchanged, he was sent to Kentucky again, and was again captured at Muldraugh's Hill, December 28, 1862, by John Morgan's forces, which numbered about 3,000 cavalry, while the Seventy-first In- diana had but 500 men who were guarding a railroad bridge at Muldraugh's Hill. Sergt. Robertson was appointed Second Lieutenant January 17, 1863, and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant February 18, 1863. The regiment being changed to cavalry, Col. James Biddle com- manding, it was sent to Mount Sterling, Ky., and during September and October, 1863, scouted through the eastern part of the State. On Octo- ber 16, 1863, Lieut. Robertson was promoted to the office of Captain of Company D, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was constantly in command of his company until the expiration of their term of service. During

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the winter of 1863-64, he was in East Tennessee, at Cumberland Gap, Powell's River, Mulberry Gap and Tazewell. The regiment was mounted on fresh horses at Mount Sterling, Ky., in April, 1864, and attached to the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Ohio, under the command of Gen. George Stoneman; joined Gen. Sherman's army in front of Dalton, Ga., May 11, and was on active duty throughout the Atlanta campaign, being more or less engaged in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and Chattahoochee River. In August, 1864, the regiment was sent to Nashville, Tenn., and formed a part of the force, under Gen. Rousseau, that drove Forrest out of the State, participating in the battle which was fought at Pulaski, Tenn., September 27, 1864. Capt. Robertson participated in the campaign against Hood, and was in the battles of December 15 and 16, 1864, at Nashville, in which Hood's army was routed and almost destroyed; his regiment being in Gen. R. W. Johnson's division, of Gen. Wilson's cavalry corps, on the extreme right of Gen. Thomas' army. He was honorably mustered out of the service at Pulaski, Tenn., June 27, 1865. In 1866, he located in Brazil and engaged in the mercantile business as junior partner of the firm of Wheeler, Bridges & Co., which he followed for thirteen years. In 1867, he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for Auditor of Clay County, but the county being strongly Democratic he was defeated by something less than the usual majority. He held the office of Treasurer of the town of Brazil one year; and at the first election for city officers in 1873 he was a candidate for Mayor on the Republican-Temperance ticket, but was beaten by nineteen votes. In 1876, many of his political and personal friends desired him to make the race for Representative in the State Legislature, but he declined to go before the nominating convention. He was appointed Postmaster for the city of Brazil in 1879, by President Hayes, and at the expiration of his term in 1883 was re-appointed by President Arthur. He was mar- ried, May 16, 1866, in Bowling Green, to Miss Eunice Buell, who was born and reared in Venice, Butler Co., Ohio, and is a descendant in the eighth generation from William Buell, who came from England to Mas- sachusetts in 1630. Mr. Robertson is also engaged in the book and sta- tionery business in company with D. W. Brattin, and is doing the lead- ing business in that line in that town.

MICHAEL RYAN was born in South Wales, and is of Irish parent- age. He had no school advantages, working at coal digging at the age of twelve years, having to aid a widowed mother and two sisters. He followed different pursuits, railroading, keeping tavern and saloon, until 1871, when, having an opportunity to sell his tavern to advantage, he emigrated to this country with his family, being fourteen days on the ocean. He settled in Brazil in June, 1871, and immediately began min- ing coal, and being industrious and economical, he, in 1873, was able to build a house near Harmony, where he engaged in the grocery and saloon business, and his business proving profitable, he built another store south of Brazil, and accumulated sufficient means, in 1881, to erect the fine build- ing he now occupies, paying $60 a foot for the land. He does saloon business amounting to $5,000 annually, and his property is free from incumbrance. Mr. Ryan was married in Wales, in December, 1863, to Mary Jones. One child was born to them, viz., Matilda (now Doyle). Mr. Ryan became a Mason in 1872, but was suspended by the order in

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1875 on account of his business. He is an enterprising citizen, and a good business man.

LEWIS O. SCHULTZ, Justice of the Peace and City Treasurer, was born in Winchester, Va., June 9, 1808. He was reared in a city, and had the advantages of the best Southern schools of that day. In 1837, he moved to Terre Haute, Ind., where he remained twelve years in the mercantile trade, in connection with river boating. In 1865, he moved to Brazil, bringing with him a drug store, which he ran nearly two years, when he sold out and became a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of Justice of the Peace, and was elected, filling the office with ability. At the close of his term, he was elected City Clerk, which position he held two terms, in the meantime being again elected Justice of the Peace, and filling both offices at the same time with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was then elected to the office of City Treasurer, and at the end of the term he was re elected to the same position, which he is now filling in connection with the office of Justice of the Peace. To these different offices he was always elected by the Republican party, but his honesty and fair dealing always brought to his standard a strong Democratic following. In 1849, he was married to Mary J. Sparks, a native of Illinois. To them have been born four children, viz., Catharine, now the wife of Mr. Watson, of the Watson Coal Company; Fred, a city druggist; Mary and Louis, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz are honored and consistent members of the Pres- byterian Church.

WILLIAM B. SCHWARTZ was born in Holmes County, Ohio, July 1, 1858, and is the thirteenth of a family of fourteen children of Nicholas and Barbara (Kuntz) Schwartz, the former a native of Switzerland, the latter of Italy. In 1852, they emigrated to this country, settling in Holmes County, Ohio, on a farm, where they still live. William grew to manhood on a farm, enjoying the advantages of common schools un- til, at the age of eighteen years, he entered the Normal Department of the Humboldt School at Pittsburgh, Penn., remaining there eight months. He then returned home and assisted his father on the farm until the following winter, during which he taught a term of school in Holmes County. At the close of this term, he entered the Millersburg Normal Academy; remained there two years, graduating from the insti- tution, in the scientific course class, in 1881. He again returned home and taught another term of school in his native county, at the close of which making a tour of pleasure and recreation through Missouri and Kansas. On his return through Missouri, he taught one term on the frontier of that State, returning to Ohio at its close, where he completed his studies in common law. He at the end of this time moved to Brazil, and was admitted to the bar February 2, 1883, since which time he has been in the active practice of his profession. Mr. Schwartz is one of the promising professional young men of Clay County, and is in possession of literary attainments and an energy which bid fair to place him in the front rank of the legal profession.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 37

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982