USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Early reminiscences of Indianapolis, with short biographical sketches of its early citizens, and a few of the prominent business men of the present day > Part 23
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He came to Indianapolis from Philadelphia in May, 1835, and has done business on the same square, and very nearly on the same ground he is now, for the whole thirty-five years of his residence here.
In the thirty-five years the writer has been acquainted with him he has never heard a harsh or unkind word spoken of Adam Knodle. He is a plain, unobtursive man, and one that thinks he has quite enough to do to mind his own busı- ness and let others, or their attorneys, take care of theirs.
He is not an avaricious man by any means, and has been content quietly to pick up the crumbs that have fallen in his path from time to time and has had the good sense and faculty to take care of them.
I remember seeing him at the southwest window of the Court House in November, 1836, depositing one of the unter- rified Democratic tickets for Martin Van Buren, and he still adheres with strict tenacity to the same faith, although he never tries to force his opinions upon others.
Mr. Knodle's son George is now engaged in business with him as a partner, and seems to be in temperament and habits a second edition of the father.
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William Wilkison.
WILLIAM WILKISON,
More generally known as "Billy" Wilkison, was born in New Castle, Delaware, but when a child went to Pennsylvania and there resided until he came to this place in 1836.
He was among the first to rein four horses, attached to a twelve-passenger mail coach, through the streets of Indian- apolis, as he did through the summer season when the roads were good. In winter, when the roads were bad, he was equally expert with the same number hitched to the fore wheels of a "mud wagon," on which was placed a queens- ware crate in which the mail and one passenger were stowed. In this way he plowed through the mud between Richmond and this place at the rate of two miles an hour.
Mr. Wilkison's success is a fair illustration of what perse- verance, industry and economy will accomplish. He is now possessed of fine city property, as well as a farm adjoining the city, and is able to live comfortably on his income without physical labor.
During the time he was employed as above stated, he made the acquaintance of the daughter of 'Squire Foley, of Han- cock County, and she now rejoices in the name of Mrs. Wilkison. "Go thou and do likewise."
MACKEREL BROWN.
About the year 1832 a merchant employed a young man to clerk in his store. This young man had never been engaged in business of this kind and was inexperienced in the prices and worth of the different articles.
At this time all kinds of merchandize were kept in the same store, from a grubbing hoe to a fine silk shawl, and also all kinds of groceries and produce. In this store was kept a very fine artiele of No 1 mackerel; they retailed for eighteen and three-fourth cents cach, or three for a half dollar.
John Givin sent his son to the store with thirty-one and a
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Early Reminiscences.
fourth cents, and told him to tell Brown to send him the worth of it in mackerel, supposing that he would send him a large and a small one. His son returned with a half dozen of the finest quality. Mr. Given thought that as Brown was a new hand in the store, he would go over and correct the mistake himself. When he went in, said he: "Brown, you made a great mistake in the number of those mackerel you sent me." "Yes," said Brown, "I thought after your son had left that I should have sent a dozen." From this circum- stance he was ever called "Mackerel" Brown while he lived in Indianapolis.
At the time the regiment of mounted volunteers, known, and spoken of on another page, as the "Bloody Three Hun- dred," was being raised, Brown appeared very war-like, and was very sorry that his engagements were such that precluded the possibility of his joining the expedition. Some doubted his courage and concluded to test it.
Nathaniel Cox and Matthias Nowland went about dark into the woods, near where the Madison and Jeffersonville Depot is now located, and there built several small fires. Robert McPherson was to invite Brown to take a walk in that direction.
When within about fifty yards of the fires McPherson called Brown's attention to them and expressed the opinion that they were the camp-fires of hostile Indians. At the preconcerted time Nat Cox gave a war whoop (which he could equal to an Indian), and fired his pistol or gun. Brown in an instant turned and fled, and did not stop until he reached the residence of Governor Noble, and informed him that the town was surrounded by eight or ten thousand hostile Indians, and that Bob McPherson had been shot down by his side. The Governor at once told him that it must be a mistake, that there were no Indians nearer than the Upper Wabash, and they were known to be friendly. But
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Daniel M. Nooe.
Brown was sure and positive, and wanted the Governor to come to town and call out the people. Upon the Governor's refusal to do so, Brown said he did not feel safe to return alone and stayed all night at the Governor's residence.
This and the mackerel story were both more than Brown could stand, and he soon left for other parts less exposed to the depredations of hostile Indians, and where mackerel were sold cheaper by the dozen.
DANIEL M. NOOE,
Like the writer, came to Indianapolis a boy and before his young idea was taught to shoot, and when it was nothing more than an unsightly village of log cabins, and had been an eye-witness to its great and unparalleled prosperity; when I say unparalleled, I mean for a village that has sprung up in the midst of an unbroken and densely timbered forest, and far-removed from any thing like a stream that could be called navigable for commercial purposes.
He partially learned the blacksmith trade with his father, who was among the first to work at that business in this place, After the proprietors of the many lines of stages that cen- tered in this place (James Johnson & Co.) commenced the manufacture of coaches, on the southeast corner of Market and Pennsylvania streets, and where the Post Office and United States Court Buildings now stand, he went to work for them as a coachsmith and continued with them and their successors several years, and was a good workman and efficient in his business.
When the California mania broke out in 1849, he was induced by his particular friend, that distinguished Lafayette lawyer, the late R. A. Lockwood, to join him and go to that distant El Dorado, as many others did, to seek their fortune.
In this he was not successful, and returned to friends and
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Early Reminiscences.
kindred as he had left them, and among them to seek what he had failed to find in the golden region.
He is yet one of our well known citizens and possesses many good qualities, and never suffers the beggar to go hun- gry or empty handed from his door, and no man in Indian- apolis would do more to relieve distress or want quicker or more cheerfully than Dan Nooe.
CHARLES GARNER.
This good-natured Welchman has been a citizen of this county and city near thirty-four years. He was born and raised in Denbieshire, North Wales, left his native country and landed in New York in the spring of 1836. He immedi- ately came to this county and purchased a farm about four miles southwest of the city, and was for ten years a successful farmer.
He then sold his farm and engaged in active business in town and continued it for ten years more ; then again wishing to engage in farming purchased what was then known as the Crowder farm, now known as the Garner farm, on the west bank of White River, and where the Crawfordsville and Lafayette State roads cross that stream.
During his long residence and with his extensive acquaint- ance in this county, he has moved along in a very harmonious way with his neighbors and others and has the reputation of being governed by the Golden Rule. Although a quiet good-natured and unobtrusive man, it would not do for any person to try to impose upon his good nature; they might find too late that they were mistaken in the man.
He has raised a family of several children; he has four sons, the eldest, H. S. Garner, is a practical printer, and a member of the Typographical Union of this city, and holds one of the most responsible positions in it, that of Financial Secretary ; the second son, Watkin, I think resides in Iowa, a
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Rev. James B. Britton.
third son is connected with the Clock and Mirror Emporium of Daumont and Company, of this city, the fourth, Charles, is a practicing physician.
From what we have learned of these young men, from those who best know them, Charley may well be, and is, proud of four such sons
" Some men may pause, and say. when some admire, They are his sons and worthy of their sire."
REV. JAMES B. BRITTON,
The first rector of Christ Church and first Episcopal minister stationed in this city, is now known throughout the land as an eminent and distinguished divine, and one of the purest and best men belonging to that most respectable church organization.
The writer may have some partiality for Mr. B. on account of his having performed for him in that church (the first of the kind in any church of the city), a certain little ceremony that is considered to seal the destiny of at least two persons for weal or woe through life. I must here acknowledge our joint obligation to the reverend gentleman for having per- formed his part in so beautiful and masterly style.
Mr. B. was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on 26th day of August, 1810. At quite an early age was sent to Columbian College, Washington City, then under the presidency of Dr. Stoughton, a distinguished Baptist minister. He became a member of the Episcopal church in Louisville, Kentucky, then under the ministry of Rev. D. C. Page. Mr. B.'s first charge was in Louisville, after having been prepared for the ministry at Lexington, Kentucky, and ordained by Bishop Smith in 1836.
He came to Indianapolis on the 4th day of July, 1837, as a missionary and worshiped in the Court House, then in the old Presbyterian church. Mrs. McOuat was one of the first members of the communion, which only numbered five in all.
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Early Reminiscences.
The late Judge James Morrison, Joseph M. Moore and the present esteemed citizen, William H. Morrison, were members of the Presbyterian church, but soon left and joined Mr. B.'s. Here was the nucleus out of which grew the four Episcopal congregations of Indianapolis.
Mr. Britton was at, and assisted in, the consecration of Christ Church, the first Episcopal Church in the place, and made its first rector. In the establishment of this church I am told Dr. George W. Mears and Arthur St. Clair were prominent, and Dr. Livingston Dunlap, Charles W. Cady and William Hannaman were warm friends.
It may be proper here to add that no church in Indian- apolis, in that day, was more prosperous and successful or increased in numbers faster than did the Episcopal under Mr. B.'s ministry, many prominent members of other churches leaving and attaching themselves to this. True, when that eloquent and flowery divine, Henry Ward Beecher, organized his church, some of Mr. Britton's members went to him; but accessions came from other quarters, so the church continued to increase, although some of its most prominent members had left.
The first fair under the auspices of the ladies of this church, in the winter of 1838-9, was highly successful, realiz- ing about three hundred dollars profit, a larger amount, in proportion to the number and wealth of the citizens, than is realized from the fairs of the present day.
On account of one of those unfortunate differences of opinion, that sometimes arise in churches as well as other organizations, Mr. B. conceived it to be his duty, to himself as well as to the church, to resign the rectorship, which he did in 1840.
I understand he has been as useful and successful in other fields of ministerial labor as he was here. Long may he live to witness the good he has accomplished.
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Joshua M. W. Langsdale.
How changed since he first came here (with his bride), a missionary, thirty-two years ago, he found this place a village, without an Episcopal house of worship, save the Court House. He visited this place a few weeks since, for the purpose of placing a monument to the memory of his infant, now dead over thirty years. What a change there was presented to his view ! The place he left but a village, near thirty years since, he found a beautiful city, with four splendid edifices dedi- cated to the worship of the Most High, in accordance with the peculiar tenets of his own faith.
It is melancholy to think how many of the prominent men and beautiful ladies of that day who contributed so much of their means, and encouraged by their presence the Episcopal church, have passed away and sleep that sleep that knows no waking until the Great Rector shall call them to take their places in his congregation above.
JOSHUA M. W. LANGSDALE.
There are but few persons in Indianapolis but what are acquainted with the familiar name of Josh Langsdale. Mr. Langsdale came to this place from Boone county, Kentucky, in the year 1836, and possessed to a considerable degree the plain, off-hand, blunt manner peculiar to the citizens of lis native State.
In former years he was ever ready to accommodate a person with a friendly game of "draw-poker," or stake a "V" on a quarter race, or, if he had confidence in the success of his favorite Democratie candidate for office, also risk what he called a "sawbuck " (a ten dollar note), on his success.
Mr. Langsdale could not be considered a very immoral man by any means, yet like most every person of that day who were unrestrained by their connection with the church, would sometimes indulge in those sports and pastimes.
After he had been brought to see the error of his ways and
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Early Reminiscences.
had attached himself to the Methodist church, of which he is now a worthy and respected member, he was as enthusiastic in the good cause in which he had engaged as he had ever been in the success of the Democratic party on election day. It was said of him that on one occasion, at a camp-meeting, near Augusta, in this county (and soon after he had joined the church), that he commenced to sing a hymn. Brother Jimmy Kettleman, in a low tone of voice, said to him, " Brother Langsdale you have the wrong tune to that hymn." Says Josh, pulling out his pocket-book, "Brother Kettleman, I'll go you a ' V' that I am right, and that that's the right tune ; and we'll leave it to 'Old Sorrel'" (the Rev. James Havens).
Whether Mr. Langsdale was right or not, I have no means of knowing, but this much I do know, he generally did that which he said he would.
He has now had over twenty years' experience in starting and singing hymns, and if he was not right then, I doubt whether any could beat him at this time.
He has held several offices in the gift of the people, an important one, that of Trustee of Center Township, and dis- charged its duties with credit to himself and fidelity to the public interests, and there are but few persons in Indianapolis whose check we would rather have, to the bank where they transact business, than that of J. M. W. Langsdale. He now enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community.
NATHANIEL B. OWENS
Was born in Baltimore, Maryland, October 18, 1806, and with his father's family emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, in the spring of 1812. He came to Indianapolis and engaged to help plaster the State House, in the year 1834, and con- tinued to follow the business up to 1862. A large portion of the time he was also engaged in farming near the city.
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William J. Brown.
Mr. Owens has raised a family of eight children, six sons and tw ) daughters, and furnished from his family five soldiers to help fight the battles for the preservation of the Union and the success of the stars and stripes, all of which returned to cheer the hearts of their parents.
Mr. Owens is a worthy and honest man, a member of the Methodist congregation that worship in Asbury Chapel. One of his daughters is the wife of William Wingate, Esq., another of our old and respected citizens, he having been raised in the city.
Mr. Owens has for several years been almost totally deprived of his eye-sight, but is now so far recovered as to be able to attend to his ordinary business, with a fair prospect of entire recovery.
The writer has known him the entire time that he has made this county and city his residence, and cheerfully bears testi- mony to his many fine traits of character and Christian virtues in this brief but truthful way.
WILLIAM J. BROWN
Was a name as familiar to the people of Indiana as that of any man in the State, he was known and called by his numer- ous acquaintances as " Bill" Brown.
Mr. Brown was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, in the year 1805. In his fourteenth year, 1819, with his relatives, settled in Richland Township, Rush County, Indiana; he there received a plain English education and studied law.
In the summer of 1835 he was a candidate for and elected to represent Rush County in the State Legislature, and it was while electioneering for this position an incident occured which he often told on himself in after years.
He had gone to the house of an acquaintance, who lived ou the bank of Flat Rock, by the name of Jones. He enquired of the wife of the gentleman where her husband was, she
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Early Reminiscences.
told him that he had gone down the creek to the mill. "Well," said Mr. Brown, to the lady, " Mrs. Jones, as Mr. Jones is not at home to-day I will have to electioneer a little with you." Mr. B. said she looked him firmly in the eye for about a minute, and then said "Mr. Brown, I have been a married woman ten years, and you are the first man who ever named such a thing to me." Mr. B. explained that he was a candidate for the legislature and wished her influence with her husband to secure his vote. Said she, "Oh, is that all !" He received Mr. Jones' vote and was elected, and here was the start of the political career which made him so conspicu- ous in after years.
While a member of the legislature he became very popular, especially so with the Democratic members, and during the session of 1836-7 he was elected Secretary of State, and in January, 1837, with his family removed to Indianapolis and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office, which he held for four years.
In the political whirlwind that swept over the country in 1840, a legislature was elected which swept him from office, not, however, without leaving him many personal friends of both political parties.
In 1841, some who were opposed to him in national politics, conceived the idea of running him against the nominee of their own party for Representative of the county. Mr. Brown was opposed by some of his own political friends, on the ground that he would only be sacrificing his time and money, as it was deemed almost impossible to overcome the large Whig majority of the previous year, which was about three hundred and sixty, a very large majority, when it is remembered the whole vote of the county was only about fifteen hundred.
Mr. B. contended if his own friends would only give him a clear track and a fair race he could easily overcome the
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William J. Brown.
Vhig majority of the previous year. At last, with reluctance, hey yielded and he took the field as an independent candi- ate, untrammeled by party pledges. His first appointment to peak was at Broad Ripple, in Washington township, a pre- inet that gave about one hundred and ten votes, one hundred f which were Whig. On Mr B.'s arrival he was astonished find almost the entire voting population of the township resent. After the usual salutations with some of his friends, e mounted the rostrum, or stump. He said : "Fellow-citi- ens of Broad Ripple and Washington township, when the devil ook our Savior up into the mountains and told him the cat-
e upon a thousand hills and all the kingdoms of the world,
nd the glory of them were his if he would fall down and orship him," said Mr. B., "he made a special reservation f Washington township to himself and his heirs forever. low, my friends, I have come to dispute and try titles with im." Mr. Brown decreased the Whig majority in Wash- ngton township and, to the astonishment of all, was elected the legislature.
In the year 1843 he was the Democratic candidate against lovernor Wallace for Congress, and it was in this canvass he as outwitted by the Governor on one occasion, although he as elected. At the previous session of Congress the Gov- rnor had voted for an appropriation of ten thousand dollars o test the efficiency of the magnetic telegraph, then being onstructed between Washington and Baltimore. Mr. Brown harged the Governor with voting for a useless expenditure f the public money, wasting it in trying the experiment of ransmitting news by electricity. The charge of voting for his appropriation he proved by the Journal of the House.
By some means the Governor got possession of the Journal hat Mr. Brown used, and cut that page out. Mr. Brown ad made that charge on one occasion and searched the ournal in vain for the proof. Mr. B. politely acknowledged
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Early Reminiscences.
that he was beaten on this occasion, but provided himself with another Journal and was particular to keep it out of the Governor's way.
In March, 1845, he was appointed by President Polk Second Assistant Post Master General, and with his family remained in Washington during that administration.
When General Taylor became President, in the year 1849, Mr. Brown returned to Indiana, and was again elected to Congress from his old district, and was fairly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives by the votes of its members, but before the vote was announced by the chair some of the southern members changed their vote, thereby defeating Mr. Brown, rather than have a member from a free State hold so important a position. They had no cause to be alarmed, for Mr. B. would have been, as he ever had, true to his party, true to his oath, true to the Constitution and the rights of the several States under it. He was ever known to be a State's rights man on the question that was then agitating the public, and throughout the session voted with those who had defeated him.
It was at this session of Congress that the bill known as the Compromise of 1850 was passed, admitting California as a State into the Union, and settling, for the time being, the vexed question of slavery-Mr. Brown voting and acting with the friends of the measure.
He was appointed by President Buchanan's administration Special Mail Agent for Indiana, and filled that position (for which he was peculiarly fitted) up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1859.
Mr. Brown was a fair lawyer, but a much better politician, and possessed a great deal of tact in that way. Whoever saw Bill Brown mount the stump or rostrum to address an audi- ence, can forget his broad grin, which generally convulsed his auditory with laughter before he spoke a word ?
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Joseph M. Moore.
He was a very liberal man, and never valued money farther than for the comforts it would furnish his family, to which he was devotedly attached.
His wife resides about three miles south of the city. He left five children, three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Austin H. Brown, was Collector of Internal Revenue, for the Indianapolis District, during the administration of Presi- dent Johnson, and has, for several years, represented his ward in the Common Council. His second son, Captain George Brown, of the U. S. Navy, rendered signal service to the Gov- ernment, during the late war, as Commandant of one of the gun-boats. The third son, William, is engaged in the city as a clerk in a store.
His eldest daughter is a widow, and resides with her mother. The second daughter is the wife of E. L. Palmer (son of N. B. Palmer), a book merchant of the city.
Mr. Brown was a plain, frank man; no duplicity or deceit could be found in his composition, and he will long be remem- bered as one of Indiana's most successful politicians.
JOSEPH M. MOORE
Was born in the city of New York on the 9th of April, 1813, but with his mother lived in Newark, New Jersey, the most of his life, until he came to Indianapolis in the summer of 1823.
Mr. Moore was the cousin of our esteemed fellow-citizen, James M. Ray, who had sent for him for the purpose of edu- cating and fitting him, as he did, for business.
Mr. Calvin Fletcher had been visiting his friends in the East, and took charge of Mr. Moore (who was only in his eleventh year), and brought him to this place ; from the Ohio River they both rode the same horse.
Mr. Moore received the most of his education in the same school with the writer, which was taught by that benevolent
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Early Reminiscences.
and christian man, Ebenezer Sharpe. When he had finished his education he was deputy in the office of county clerk, then filled by his cousin, and it was there, under the instruc- tion of that good man, his habits and character were formed, which afterwards proved to be so useful to society.
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