USA > Indiana > Courts and lawyers of Indiana, Volume III > Part 29
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HARVEY W. LETSINGER.
Harvey Wilson Letsinger, Bloomfield, was born at Jasonville, Indiana, May 24, 1849. He is a son of Lewis P. and Margaret Ann (Thorlton) Let- singer, both natives of Tennessee. He was reared on his farm home near Jasonville, attending the neighborhood schools in season. Later he at- tended Ascension Academy at Farmersburg and from there entered Sulli- van high school, graduating in 1873. His legal training was obtained in Indiana University Law School, from which he graduated in 1875. He began practice in 1876 in partnership with Capt. J. D. Alexander, which partnership continued until 1892. After practicing two years alone he
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joined Minor F. Pate, this partnership lasting till 1897. He is now in partnership with his son, Reed A. Letsinger, who is a graduate of DePauw University and Indiana University Law School. This partnership dates from 1912. He served as deputy prosecutor under J. D. Alexander. On December 24, 1879, he married Mary E. Cushman, of Bloomfield. They have two children, Reed A., mentioned above, and Leo C., a farmer, trained in Purdue University.
CHARLES KELLISON.
Charles Kellison was born near Steuben county, New York, June 17, 1850. He attended the public schools and later entered the University of Michigan, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine at twenty-two years. In 1874 he moved to Decatur, Indiana, and began reading law under Judge Studebaker. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and began prac- ticing law at Plymouth the following year. In 1885 he served in the state Legislature; was re-elected in 1886 and became one of the Demo- cratic leaders. He declined a third nomination in 1888.
JACOB S. WHITE.
Jacob S. White was born in Rockville, Indiana, February 14, 1877. He is one of four children born to Ared F. and Sarah Strouse White. He was educated in the Rockville schools, DePauw University, and the University of Chicago. He was admitted to the bar when he was twenty-one years of age, and has practiced law in Rockville, Indiana, continuously ever since ; first, as a member of the firm of Johnston & White, until the firm was dissolved by the death of James T. Johnston. In 1904 he formed a partnership with his father, the Hon. Ared F. White, which continued until the first of January, 1914, when H. A. Henderson was taken into the firm. which continued until the death of the Hon. Ared F. White, on the 11th of January, 1914, since which time he has continued the practice of the law as senior member of the firm of White & Henderson. He represented Parke county in the Indiana House of Representatives in 1909 and 1911. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias, Beta Theta Phi fraternity, and the Hoosier Literary Club. He is a Methodist and a Republican. On January 1, 1903, he was married to Bertha C. Stark, who is a granddaughter of the late Barnabas C. Hobbs.
ARED F. WHITE.
Ared F. White was born in Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, May 27, 1843. He was a son of Johnson S. and Hannah (Jones) White, both of whom were natives of Ohio. He received his primary education in the schools of Rockville. In his father's shop he learned the blacksmith trade and later worked five years in a saw-mill, filling all the positions from engineer to head sawyer. He entered Asbury College, Greencastle, Indiana (now DePauw University), and graduated with the class of 1867. While
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in Greencastle, he read law with John Hanna; after graduation with John McLaughlin, of Rockville. He formed a partnership with the latter in 1867, but Mclaughlin moved to Minnesota the following year. Later, Mr. White formed a partnership with Elwood Hunt, with whom he practiced till 1886. At the latter date he was elected judge of the Forty-seventh judi- cial circuit and served eighteen years. After his third term had expired he resumed the practice of law with his son, Jacob S. White, until his death, which occurred January 11, 1914.
WILLIAM C. PURDUM.
William C. Purdum, Kokomo, was born in Clinton county, Indiana, July 28, 1858. He is a son of Nelson and Elizabeth ( Black) Purdum. The father was one of the earliest lawyers of Clinton and Howard counties, practicing at an office on his farm until 1863, when he moved to Kokomo, where he continued till his death in 1869. He was a partner of Milton Bell. William C. Purdum was educated in Kokomo, graduating from the high school in 1876. After teaching three years he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan. He graduated in 1881 and began practicing with Milton Bell, in whose office he had formerly read law. This partner- ship lasted till January, 1911, when Mr. Purdum became Circuit Judge of the Sixty-second circuit. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a Repub- lican. Mr. Purdum married Isabella Hamilton, of Bellefontaine, December 15, 1897. They have one child, Elizabeth.
THOMAS F. GAYLORD.
Thomas F. Gaylord, Lafayette, was born in Lafayette in 1852. He was educated in Western Reserve College and Yale University. His legal training was secured in the office of Huff & Langdon, of Lafayette. In 1876, he was admitted to the bar in St. Louis, but soon returned to Indiana, and in 1SS9, formed a partnership with A. L. Kumler of Lafayette. This firm still continues. Mr. Gaylord is unmarried.
JOSEPH H. SHEA.
Hon. Joseph H. Shea, United States ambassador to Chile, former Judge of the Indiana Appellate court, former state senator, former Judge of the Fortieth Indiana judicial circuit and for years a member of the board of trustees of Indiana University, is a native of Indiana, born at Lexington, in Scott county, July 24, 1863, son of Patrick and Bridget (Boyle) Shea, both natives of Ireland. Upon completing the course in the Lexington high school, he entered Indiana University, from which he was graduated in 1889, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Previously he had studied law in the office of Col. Charles L. Jewett at Scottsburg and had been admitted to the bar in 1885. Upon leaving the university in 1SS9 he began practice at Scottsburg, in partnership with Colonel Jewett and Mark Storen, a connection that continued until 1898. In 189S he moved to Seymour and was there associated with Carl E. Wood in practice until his election to the bench of the Fortieth judicial circuit in 1906, he having previously,
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1900-04, served as prosecuting attorney for the counties of Scott, Jennings and Ripley. Upon the completion of his term of six years on the circuit bench, Judge Shea was made the nominee of the Democratic party for judge of the Indiana Appellate court from that district in 1912 and was elected, serving in that judicial capacity until his appointment by President Wilson as United States ambassador to Chili in 1916. Judge Shea was chairman of the Scott county Democratic committee, 1896-98, and represented the senatorial district comprised in the counties of Scott, Clark and Jennings in the state Senate during the period 1896-1900. Since 1892 Judge Shea has been a member of the board of trustes of Indiana University. He resides at Seymour, this state; is a member of the Indiana Democratic Club, of the University Club at Indianapolis, the Seymour Country Club and the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks.
JAMES H. JORDAN. 1
James H. Jordan, of Martinsville, Indiana, was born in Woodstock, Shenandoah county, Virginia, December 21, 1842. His parents were Charles: B. and Elizabeth (Burke) Jordan. His father was of German, his mother of Irish extraction. The family moved to a farm in Harrison county early in the fifties. At the beginning of the Civil War, Judge Jordan enlisted in the First, which later became the Third Cavalry, and served during the war. After the war he spent two years in Wabash and then graduated from Indiana in 1868, and from the Indiana University Law School in 1871_ After spending one year practicing in Clinton, Missouri, he located at Mar- tinsville, where he practiced the remainder of his life. In 1894 he was elected to the State Supreme bench and was re-elected in 1900. He died on April 5, 1912. He served as prosecutor in 1872, was city attorney of Martinsville for twelve years. He was a member of the Republican state executive committee for six years, and was a trustee of Indiana University many years.
ULRIC ZWINGLE WILEY.
Ulric Z. Wiley, Indianapolis, was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, November 14, 1847. His parents were Preston P. and Lucinda (Maxwell) Wiley, both of Scotch descent. After his preliminary work was done in the district schools Mr. Wiley entered Hanover College, at Hanover, Indiana, in the fall of 1864. He graduated in 1867, after which he taught for two years. He then entered the law offices of Allison & Friedley, at Madi- son, Indiana. In 1871 he went to Indianapolis, where he studied under William Wallace and attended the Law School of the Northwestern Uni- versity (now Butler College), Indianapolis. He graduated in 1873, but continued his studies until 1874, when he removed to Fowler and opened an office. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Capt. David E. Straight, which was dissolved when the latter retired in 1SSS. Mr. Wiley was the first county attorney of Benton county, Indiana. In 1882 he was elected to the Legislature. On August 30, 1892, he succeeded by appointment Ed- ward P. Hammond as Circuit Judge of the Thirtieth district, and was later
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elected to the same position, but before he had finished the term, he was elected to the Appellate bench of the state in 1896. After his retirement from the Appellate bench on January 1, 1907, he resumed the practice of law in Indianapolis. He practiced alone until November, 1914, when he formed a partnership with T. J. Moll, which continued until the latter was elected Judge of the Superior court of Marion county.
Judge Wiley is prominent in Odd Fellowship, having served as Grand Master in 1891. He is also a member of the Masonic order, a Shriner, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the State Bar Association, and is active in the ranks of the Republican party.
Judge Wiley married Mary Cole in 1874, and to them have been born four children, Carl C., Nellie E., Maxwell H. and Ulric Weir. The family home is at 1926 North New Jersey street, Indianapolis.
CHARLES ALBERT COLE.
Charles Albert Cole, Judge of the Fifty-first Judicial Circuit, was born on a farm in Peru township, Miami county, Indiana, March 21, 1855, and is a son of Alphonso A. and Sarah (Henton) Cole. He lived on the farm until the death of his father, in 1862, when he moved with the family to Peru. He was educated in the public schools and at Indiana University. He received his legal training in the law office of Lyman Walker, and, on January 8, 1878, he was admitted to the bar at Peru, where he has since practiced. In 1880, he was elected to the House of Representatives and in November, 1914, to the bench of the Fifty-first judicial circuit. He is a Presbyterian, a Knight of Pythias, and a Democrat. On December 3, 1884, "he married Elizabeth Shirk, and they have two children, Albert Harvey, a graduate of Indiana University and the law partner of his father until 1914, and Sarah Helen.
LEROY A. FOSTER.
Leroy A. Foster was born on a farm in LaGrange county, May 31, 1872. He is one of four children of Lewis and Julia (Gage) Foster. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of his county, and read law with F. J. Dunten of LaGrange. He was admitted to the bar in 1895 and practices in the state and federal courts. He is a member of the LaGrange County Bar Association, a Knight of Pythias, and a Republican. He mar- ried Miss Maude Hemminger. They have two children, Ralph L. and Merrill D.
HERBERT L. SOMERS.
Herbert L. Somers, of Fort Wayne, was born on January 25, 1874, on a farm in Allen county, Indiana. He is one of two children born to Joseph and Addie (Small) Somers. Herbert L. Somers received his early educa- tion in the schools of his home district, and was later a student at Val- paraiso Normal College, at Valparaiso, Indiana, until he was prepared for college, teaching school in the meantime in order to earn money for col- lege. He entered DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, and later stud- ied in the University of Indianapolis, graduating from the Law Department
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in 1900. He read law in the offices of Morris & Newberger, of Indianap- olis, meanwhile, and was admitted to the bar. He located in Fort Wayne, where he formed a partnership with Harry F. Kennerk, which still con- tinues. He served in the Legislature in 1903, and was pauper attorney for a period. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, a Thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner, and a Democrat.
Mr. Somers married Alice M. Harris, and they are the parents of one son, Herbert H. The family are members of the Methodist church, and have their home at 343 West Suttenfield street, Fort Wayne.
HERMAN HASKINS.
Herman Haskins was born in LaGrange county, Indiana, December 26, 1880. He is one of three children born to Albert and Amy (Huss) Haskins. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of LaGrange and in Indiana University, graduating from the law school of the latter in 1905. He practiced with Otis L. Ballou till 1907, and since then alone. In 1911, he was appointed deputy prosecutor. He is a member of the LaGrange County Bar Association, a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, and a Republican. He married Miss Bessie C. McKinsley of LaGrange. They have one child.
FRANK H. KLEEKAMP.
Frank H. Kleekamp was born in Germany in 1865. His father and mother, George and Agnes (Derker) Kleekamp, emigrated to America the year of his birth. He spent his boyhood with his parents on a farm at Fort Jennings, Putnam county, Ohio. His education was received in the public schools of his home county, and Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from Michigan University Law School at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1893. He was admitted to the Allen county bar in the same year, and has since continued the active practice of his profession at Fort Wayne. He is a member of the Allen County and Indiana State Bar Associations, and belongs to various lodges in the city of Fort Wayne. He married Bertha Double. The family home is at 818 Union street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
DANIEL B. NINDE.
Hon. Daniel B. Ninde was born in Fort Wayne, July 28, 1870. He is one of five children born to Lindley M. and Beulah (Puckett) Ninde. Lindley M. Ninde was a distinguished lawyer at the Fort Wayne bar, and served as Circuit Judge. His death occurred in 1901. Daniel B. Ninde attended the public schools of Fort Wayne, and entered United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1891, and then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was graduated in 1895. He later studied at Harvard. He was admitted to the bar and began the practice in 1894, and practices alone. He served as prosecutor of Allen county from 1904 to 1908. He is general counsel for the Lincoln Life Insurance Company, of Fort Wayne. He is a member of the Allen
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County and Indiana State Bar Associations, a Thirty-second degree Mason, and a Republican.
Mr. Ninde married Margaret Coe, and they are the parents of two children, David C. and Murry C. The family are members of the Epis- copal church.
WILBUR G. CARPENTER.
Wilbur G. Carpenter was born on March 25, 1880, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the only child of Warren and Catharine (Hinton) Car- penter. He attended the common and high schools of Fort Wayne, grad- uating from the latter in 1898. He prepared for the bar by attending Indiana Law School in 1902, and by reading law in the offices of Allen Zollars. He was admitted to the bar in 1903 and located in Fort Wayne, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association ; is an Elk, and an adherent of the Republican party. He re- sides at 134 Baker street, Fort Wayne, and maintains his offices in the Shoaff building, that city.
JAMES M. PURVIS.
James M. Purvis was born on a farnr in Tipton county, Indiana, July 4, 1863. He is a son of Andrew J. and Margaret J. (Bess) Purvis, descend- ants both of Kentucky and Indiana pioneers. He grew up on the farm, obtaining an education in the district schools and in the Central Normal School at Danville, Indiana. After teaching eight years, he decided to give his entire time and attention to the law. He had previously devoted much time to its study, and was admitted to the bar in 1888. In 1893 he began the active practice in partnership with James M. Fippen, under whom he had studied. This partnership lasted until 1902, after which he practiced alone until May, 1912. At the latter date he was appointed circuit judge of the Thirty-sixth circuit, being elected to a full term the following fall. In 1896 he was elected to the Legislature and served one term. He was city attorney of Tipton for two years and county attorney of Tipton county for four years. He is a member of the Episcopal church, an Odd Fellow, and a Democrat in politics. On April 14, 1897, he married Adonis B. Clark, of Tipton.
WOODFIN D. ROBINSON.
Judge Woodfin D. Robinson, of Evansville, formerly a judge of the Indiana Appellate court, was born on a farm in DeWitt county, Illinois, January 27, 1857. His parents were James A. and Louisa ( Benson) Rob- inson. They moved to Owensville, Indiana, in 1865, where Woodfin grew up on a farm. He received the benefit of a common school education, after which he entered Indiana University, graduating 1879. After teaching school three years, he entered the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1883. In the same year he was admitted to the bar, and began practice at Princeton. In 1894 he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, and in 1896 was elected to the Indiana Appellate
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bench, where he served from January 1, 1897, to January 1, 1907. As a jurist, he was recognized as able and impartial. Leaving the bench, he lectured at Indiana University until June, 1907, when he removed to Evans- ville, where he has since been engaged in practice. He is associated with William E. Stillwell as a partner. He is a member of the local and Indiana Bar Associations. Judge Robinson was married on September 4, 1884, to Jessie E. Montgomery, and they have one daughter, Virginia.
LEROY R. WADE.
Leroy R. Wade was born in LaGrange county, Indiana, October 15, 1887. He is the son of C. C. Wade, of LaGrange. He was educated in the public schools of LaGrange county, putting in his leisure time reading law in his father's office. Later he attended the College of Law at St. Paul. On October 15, 1909, he opened an office in New Mexico, where he practiced three years and then joined his father in 1912 at LaGrange, where he has since practiced. In 1913, he became deputy prosecuting attor- ney, which position he still holds. He was associated with L. A. Foster for one year. He is a member of the LaGrange County Bar Association, a Knight of Pythias, a Methodist and a Republican. He married Miss Helen Johnson, of Norfolk, Virginia. They have one child, Rachel.
CHARLES M. COOPER.
Charles M. Cooper, Indianapolis, was born at Zenas, Ripley county, Indiana, January 17, 1855. When he was three years old his parents moved to Kokomo, where they lived six years and then located in Indianapolis. He finished the work of the Indianapolis schools and entered Cornell Uni- versity, from which he graduated in 1877. He then studied law with Samuel H. Buskirk and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He practiced for upwards of twenty years actively at Indianapolis, but of late years has given much attention to the United States Encaustic Tile Works, in which he succeeded his father as president. He is a member of the Indiana Democratic Club, the Board of Trade and the Commercial Club. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner, an Elk, an Episcopalian and a Democrat. On August 10, 1899, he married Nellie J. Johnson. They have two children.
HENRY CORBIN PETTIT.
Henry C. Pettit. of Wabash, was one of six children born to Judge John U. Pettit and his wife Julia (Brenton) Pettit. The family is of Colonial New England extraction, having had representatives in the Revo- lution. John U. Pettit, his father, was Congressman from Indiana from 1854 to 1864. Henry C. Pettit was born at Wabash, Indiana, November 20, 1863. He was educated in the schools of Wabash and the naval academy of Annapolis from which he graduated in 1883. He real law with Calvin Cowgill and H. B. Shively. On March 20, 1886, he was admitted to the bar and at once formed a partnership with his law teachers; later he
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formed a partnership with Thomas L. Stitt, which lasted till 1897, when he became legal adviser to the Aetna Insurance Company. In 1887, he became a member of the Wabash City Council; in 1888, mayor; in 1894, he was elected to the General Assembly; again in 1897, serving as Speaker; in 1900 on board of visitors of Naval Academy; 1901-1911, United States marshal for Indiana. He died on July 26, 1913. On October 3, 1SSS, he married Eva Stitt of Wabash. They had one daughter, Mary.
IRA W. CHRISTIAN.
Ira W. Christian, ex-judge of the Hamilton circuit court, was born in Clay township, Hamilton county, Indiana, October 25, 1855, and is the son of Daniel R. and Eliza (Click) Christian. He attended the common schools and two years in the Noblesville high school, after which he took a four- year course at Butler College, Indianapolis. He later entered the Uni- versity of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1881, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, the degree of Bachelor of Laws being conferred upon him the following year. In the meantime he had been reading law in the office of Moss & Stevenson, at Noblesville, and in 1882 began the active practice of his profession, in partnership with his brother, James R. In the following year, James R. was succeeded in the firm by another brother, William S. This association was maintained until 1886, when Ira W. Christian was elected county clerk. At the expiration of this term, the law partnership was resumed and continued until 1903, when Mr. Christian was elected judge of the Hamilton circuit court for a term of six years. Upon retiring from the bench, Mr. Christian formed a partnership with his nephew, Floyd G. Christian, which association still continues.
Judge Christian is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Im- proved Order of Red Men, as well as the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and is also an active member of the Indiana division of the Sons of Veterans. He is a Republican in politics and he and his family are members of the Christian church.
Ira W. Christian was married, on September 19, 1883, to Mary Durbin, the daughter of Thomas J. and Martha (Deupree) Durbin, of Edinburg, Indiana, and to their union have been born two children, Paul D., of Johnson county, Indiana, and Haddee, the wife of Dr. John A. Beals, of New Orleans, Louisiana.
HARRY W. McDOWELL.
Harry W. McDowell, attorney-at-law at Winamac, former prosecuting attorney for the Forty-fourth judicial circuit, is a native of Indiana, born at New Castle on May 24, 1874, son and only child of Francis M. and Sarah (Elliott) McDowell, the former of whom is now a retired merchant. Upon completing the high-school course in the public schools, Harry W. McDowell entered Indiana University, from which he was graduated in 1895. He was admitted to the bar in 1899 and in 1907 entered the prac- tice of his profession at Winamac, and has ever since made his home in that city. Since 1909 he has served as city attorney of Winamac and
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Fra Ce Christian
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served one term as prosecuting attorney for the judicial circuit comprised in the counties of Pulaski and Starke. He is the attorney for the First National Bank of Winamac. Mr. McDowell is a member of the Pulaski County Bar Association and is a Republican, an Elk and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He and his wife affiliate with the Pres- byterian church. Mrs. McDowell was born Estella Dalton, daughter of Samuel and Elma B. Dalton.
SYDNEY BRIAN DAVIS.
Sydney Brian Davis, of Terre Haute, was born on a farm in Parke county, Indiana, July 21, 1842. He had only a brief period of schooling in the district but later was able to graduate from Waveland Collegiate In- stitute in 1862. After trying his hand as a druggist and storekeeper he went into the law practice. He was admitted to the bar on December 10, 1867, at Crawfordsville, where he practiced till October, 1869, when he moved to Terre Haute, where he is still practicing. During the last thirty- two years he has been president of the board of guardians of Vigo county, and six years a member of the board of state charities by appointment of the Governor; for twenty-five years president of the board of the Society for Organizing Charities for Terre Haute, positions that have drawn heavily of his time and energy. On May 17, 1864, he married Miss Mary C. Fullen- wider. They had four children, William, a physician; George, an attorney ; May and Grace. The mother died in 1906.
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