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 27

Author: Nowland, John H.B
Publication date: 1870
Publisher: Indianapolis : Sentinel Book and Job Printing House
Number of Pages: 482


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 27


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He made this city his home in the year 1845, and was soon recognized as one of the true business men of the place, and since which time he has engaged in various enterprises. In 1853 he engaged in the real estate business, more as a bond fide purchaser and seller than as an agent.


Since he first began dealing in real estate he has built about five hundred tenements of different kinds ; indeed, near one- half of the houses in the Fifth Ward were built, or caused to be, by him, or with his means.


True, some of those houses were not as large as the Acad- emy of Music, or as elaborate in design ; yet they furnished what was demanded by the growth of the city, comfortable


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Early Reminiscences.


and cheap homes for the laborers and mechanics, and within their reach as purchasers or tenants.


During the war he sold many of those houses on credit and at easy payments. After money became scarce, and the labo- rers were thrown out of employment, those payments could not be made. Mr. McKernan had it in his power to foreclose the mortgages and buy the property for much less than was due him on them, instead of which he took the property back, canceled the notes, and gave the purchasers other property corresponding in value to the amount they had paid. Such acts of generosity are so refreshing, we must be permitted to refer to them when they occur.


The most of those houses west of the canal are yet owned by him, many of which are occupied by poor and non-paying tenants.


He pays taxes on one hundred and forty-seven thousand one hundred and seventy-five dollars' worth of property in the city. I was shown his tax list making seventy pages.


He is, at this time, engaged near St. Louis in manufactur- ing iron, the ore of which is brought from Iron Mountain, Missouri ; the coal used is procured at Big Muddy Mines, in Jackson County, Illinois. When this enterprise was first un- dertaken various were the predictions of its failure ; but since it has proved a success two or three millions have been in- vested in it by other parties.


Although Mr. McKernan is past the meridian of life, there seems to be no abatement in his energy and industry since I first knew him, over a quarter of a century ago.


When we first made his acquaintance he was a member of the old National Whig party, but, like many others, when that party was disbanded, after the defeat of General Scott in 1852, fell in with and supported the Democratic party, but he still adheres with tenacity to many of the sound and whole- some doctrines of that good old national party.


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James H. McKernan.


Iu benevolence and kindness to the poor he, as well as his amiable wife, allow none to surpass them. They never stop to inquire what caused distress and misery, or to what church or country the applicant for relief belongs, but what can we do to alleviate your suffering or better your condition, is all the inquiry they make.


In their social relations they are equally hospitable, ever glad to meet and entertain at their house their numerous friends and acquaintances.


Mr. McKernan has several children yet living. His eldest son, David, is married, and a resident of the city. Their only daughter, Belle, who was the idol of their affections, has re- cently deceased and left a vacancy in their hearts that never can be filled this side of the grave.


Since the above was written, we have been shown a most valuable invention of Mr. McKernan's, and of which I deem it proper to mention in this sketch.


The sudden and untimely death of John L. Ketcham, in April 1869, by falling through a hatchway, and which cast such a gloom over this entire community, made such an im- pression and weighed so heavy upon the mind of Mr. McKer- nan, that for several nights after the sad occurrence he could scarcely sleep.


He then put his inventive genius to work to see if he could not contrive something that would in the future prevent the recurrence of so dire a calamity.


In the wish to accomplish this great object he was not in- fluenced by mercenary or pecuniary considerations, but solely a desire to benefit his fellow man, although the most valu- able improvements and inventions of the age have been brought about by such motives, utility being a secondary considera- tion.


Mr. McKernan has succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations, and has an invention that will elose the hatch


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Early Reminiscences.


and stairways, windows and doors of a five-story building in two minutes, which, in case of fire, would stop the flames aris- ing from the most combustible material within its walls, there- by saving the loss of property, which is secondary only to life.


The utility of this invention has been tested and demon- strated to the entire satisfaction of all who witnessed it at the Masonie Hall on the 18th of May, 1870.


JOHN B. SULLIVAN,


General Superintendent of the " State Fair " and fair grounds, is a plain, off-hand kind of man, with a stern independence and a lofty resolve about him, with a quick perceptibility of the right, and peculiarly fitted for and adapted to the place he fills with such signal ability. He is proprietor of a first- class livery stable, and is considered by horsemen generally as one of the best judges of that noble animal in the city, if not the State, and understands the modus operandi of their training to perfection.


He has been connected with the State fairs since 1854, and the admirable arrangement of the grounds, and distribution and assignment of each particular branch of industry and agriculture to its proper place, and arrangement of stock for exhibition, is attributable to his sound judgment in that par- ticular branch of business.


Mr. S. is blessed with the peculiar faculty of knowing men at first sight, and reads them as they come along with an apt- ness and certainty as he could the bad or good points of a horse.


In the strict sense of the word, and as I generally use the term, he is not an " old settler." He came to Indianapolis in 1848, when it was but a small town and he quite young. His connection with the fairs has made him well known throughout the State as well as in the city.


367


John B. Sullivan.


His kind and jovial manners and disposition has won him a host of friends ; and when a person once makes the acquaint- ance of John B. Sullivan he will hardly ever forget him.


John B. Sullivan was born in Annapolis, Maryland, and in- herits many traits of character peculiar to Southern people. He is liberal in his opinions as well as with his means, and possesses the faculty of making friends for himself of those that circumstances or business brings him in contact with.


Although the writer has not known him very long, yet quite long enough to learn the truth of this brief tribute to the many good qualities of his head and heart.


He was the personal friend of the late Caleb J. McNulty, of Ohio, and helped to perform the last sad rites to his mor- tal remains. They both belonged to Company B, Second Ohio Regiment of Volunteers, commanded by Col. George W. Mor- gan, during the Mexican war.


This Regiment left Cincinnati about the 12th of July, 1846, on board the steamer Jamestown. When opposite Plumb Point, on the Mississippi, Mr. McNulty died, and was buried by his comrades at Helena, Arkansas. Mr. Sullivan there procured the services of a minister and had the burial service read at the grave.


I have digressed from my subject to speak of the eloquent and talented McNulty, who was at one time a member of Con- gress from one of the Ohio districts, and afterwards chief clerk of the House of Representatives. Who that remembers the Presidential campaign in Ohio in 1844 can forget him ?


In that lonely grave yard at Helena, Arkansas, on the banks of "the Father of Waters," sleeps all that was carthly of the eloquent speaker, the fast friend and devoted patriot, Caleb J. MeNulty.


The deep respect, mingled with tenderness and admiration, Mr. Sullivan entertained for him, caused a natural despond-


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Early Reminiscences.


ency of feeling in his bosom when he thought of the gulf that separated him from his friend. Though after the first burst of sorrow was over he turned to his companions to look in vain for one to whom he was so devotedly attached, but for a long time the blank was unfilled, as our feelings are often tardy in accommodating themselves to the inevitable decrees of Providence.


WILLIAM JOHN WALLACE.


When I come to write of Mr Wallace, I am at a loss what language to employ to convey to the reader a proper appreci- ation of his true character, and his many good qualities and great kindness of heart.


He was born in the county of Donagal, Ireland, in March, 1814, although by his language and dialect you would not for a moment suppose he had ever seen the " Green Isle."


With his parents he came to the United States when but a mere boy, and settled at Madison, in Jefferson County, Indi- ana, and learned the paper-making business with Mr. John Sheets (now deceased), brother of our esteemed citizen Wil- liam Sheets.


He continued a citizen of Madison and Jefferson County until his removal to this city in 1850; he was, for awhile, the deputy sheriff of that county.


Since his residence in Indianapolis he has been Mayor of the city, and sheriff of Marion County, both of those duties he discharged with credit to himself and to the entire satis- faction of his numerous friends of both political parties. I am told, that although a warm partisan, politics was never known to enter into his official duties.


In writing this short tribute to Mr. Wallace's rare qualities of kindness and goodness of heart, I can discharge but a very


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William John Wallace.


small portion of a debt of gratitude I owe him for a recent act of disinterested kindness.


He did not stop to doubt a just and righteous cause, but said "go ahead, I'll stand by you and see you righted ;" he did not stop to ask foolish or frivolous questions, but "what can I do to assist you ?" He is an off-hand kind of man, and would stake his life on a true principle.


In politics he has ever been an earnest and consistent Whig, always acted upon conservative principles, and advocated with great zeal and all his ability (which is uncommon for a person of his advantages) its cardinal measures.


During the war he was a warm Union man, and contributed liberally of his means, and time without stint, to " make trea- son odious," and never tired in doing what he thought was for the benefit of the Government and safety of the country of his adoption.


Since the war he imagined and thought he saw corruption growing and thrusting its "hydra head " into his favorite party, and he at once took a decided stand against it; and when he saw he could not reform it, cast his votes for such persons as he thought were capable and honest, and would frown down anything like intrigue or dishonesty either in city, State, or the United States Government. He possesses in a high degree


" The will to do, the soul to dare,"


to oppose anything, in any man or party, that he thinks is not for the interest of the people at large.


In his political opinions he is very liberal, asking nothing for himself he is unwilling to concede to others; indeed, he asks nothing but what is right, and will submit to nothing wrong.


He is what is called the noblest work of God-an honest man-and a devoted and loving husband, a kind and indul- gent father, a steadfast friend, a genial and social gentleman,


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Early Reminiscences.


an upright business man, and the poor and laboring man's friend.


He is possessed of a large share of native talent, and advo- cates his views with an earnestness and feeling that never fails to convince his auditors that he is honest in their advocacy, and believes and acts upon what he says. Such is William John Wallace.


THOMAS COTTRELL.


Among the prominent and active business men of Indian- apolis is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He came to this place, in the year 1849, from Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacture of tin and sheet iron ware; and when the gas works went into operation he added that of gas fitting.


He is at this time extensively engaged in the wholesale tin plate, copper, sheet brass, sheet iron, Russia iron, sheet zinc, antimony, japanned and pressed tin ware, block tin rivets, iron, copper and brass wire, lead pipe, sheet lead, rubber hose, tin- ner's tools, brass work, iron pumps, and is also the Western agent for the sale of gas pipe.


For several years Mr. Cottrell has represented his (the Sev- enth) Ward in the Common Council of the city, and has done a great deal in exposing corruption whenever it was found rearing its hydra head in the municipal government.


He is a wiry, energetic and persevering man, and whatso- ever his hands findeth to do he does with might and main.


He has, in connection with his partner, Mr. Knight, just finished a splendid business block on East Washington street, in which is a large public hall, known as that of Cottrell & Knight's. This hall and several of the adjoining rooms have just been leased to the city for a court room and city offices.


Mr. Cottrell possesses business talent of a high order, and ranks as a first-class business man; he has been successful,


371


John C. New.


and is now considered one of the wealthy men of Indian- apolis.


Soon after he came to this city he was married to the sec- ond daughter of the late Samuel Goldsberry.


JOHN C. NEW


Is a native of Indiana, born in Jennings County July 6th, 1831. He has continued to reside in the State since his birth, with the exception of four years spent at college in Virginia, where he graduated, and received his degree in 1851.


Upon his return to this city he commenced the study of law in the office of Governor David Wallace, and was admitted to the bar in 1852.


In January, 1853, he accepted the position of principal dep- uty in the County Clerk's office, under William Stewart, and remained as such until the death of Mr. Stewart in November, 1856, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy, and in 1857 was elected for a full term, serving until 1861.


In May, 1862, he was appointed by Governor Morton Quar- termaster General of the State, and held the office until the fall of that year when he resigned, having been elected a mem- ber of the Senate from this (Marion) County.


In January, 1865, he was appointed cashier of the First National Bank of Indianapolis, which position he still holds.


Mr. New is one among the most enterprising and business men of Indianapolis, and is possessed of some fine property, both business and private, and is considered one of the relia- ble men of the city; he is yet quite young for one having held so many responsible positions as he has.


He is a gentleman of fine personal appearance and address, genial manners, and possessed of a great deal of general in- formation, quick to discover the difference between a good or bad bargain when offered him.


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Early Reminiscences.


He scorns anything like duplicity or dissimulation in his business transactions, and is quick to discover it in others, which fact qualifies him in an eminent degree for the respon . sible position he now holds. The people of Indianapolis might well be proud to have as citizens "a few more of the same sort."


ADAM GOLD


Who has been a citizen of this city about twenty-five years, was born in Philadelphia, but at the age of ten years emigra- ted with his father's family to Ohio, and there resided until he came to this place, in the year 1845.


He married the niece of the late Jerry Collins of this place and inherited a portion of the property left by the man who dug the grave of the first man buried in the old grave yard, in August, 1821.


Mr. Gold is now engaged in the family grocery business, near the White River Bridge, at the west end of Washington street.


NEWTON KELLOGG


Was the first to start the manufacture of edge tools in this place. He was born in Oswego, New York ; for a short time he lived in Dayton, Ohio, and came to this place in 1846 and commenced the manufacture of all kinds of edge tools, which business he yet continues at his old stand at the west end of Washington street. Shortly after making this place his resi- dence he was married to the daughter of Nathaniel Cox, a man well known for his eccentricities, and one of the pioneers of this place.


L. W. MOSES,


The first optician to make Indianapolis his home, although there had been several itinerants of that profession to visit


373


Charles Mayer.


the place, but did not tarry long at a time, as their visits were before the people had been educated up to the use of a first rate article in their line, and such as Mr. Moses furnishes to them now.


Mr. Moses is a native of New England, born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, a State that is charged with the manu- facture of wooden hams and nutmegs. Although this charge may be true, Mr. M. has never yet been charged with making leather spectacles.


He came to this city in the year 1856, and has here resided since that time, and become as popular with his neighbors as his optics have with the public throughout the West.


He has manufactured, directly under his own supervision, all the first class articles in that line he sells, and there is a great demand for them in nearly all the Western States. I have seen them far in the interior of Illinois, that had been ordered from him in this place.


Indeed out there, on people's noses, Are prominent the specs of Moses.


CHARLES MAYER.


Who is it that has lived in Indianapolis for the last thirty years but knows Charlie Mayer ! What stranger that visited the place with the intention of purchasing something for the little ones at home, but have been referred to him !


Among the juvenile portion of this city, for the time above referred to, when they received a present of a dime or a quar- ter, the first name in their mouth would be Charlie Mayer.


He started with a few dozen ginger cakes, a jar or two of candy, and a keg of beer, and, as his capital would permit, he would add a few toys, until now he has one of the largest establishments of the kind in the West, and I doubt if a more general assortment than he keeps can be found in the Union. In his store is found everything that either fancy or necessity


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Early Reminiscences.


might desire. His store extends from the street to the alley, one hundred and ninety-five feet, three stories high, and is crowded with goods from cellar to attic. He employs seven or eight clerks, and he tells me that it keeps him busy to do the correspondence of the establishment.


Charlie is a native of Wurtemberg, one of the German States, and brought to this country with him that persever- ance and industry peculiar to his countrymen. In him we have an illustration of what sterling integrity, business habits and industry will accomplish. He is now one of the wealthy men of Indianapolis.


"Nothing is difficult beneath the sky, Man only fails because he fails to try."


HENRY ACHEY.


It is a very difficult matter to find a starting point to give the reader a true appreciation of the character of Mr. Achey, his many peculiarities, eccentricities and great versatility.


His person was short, rotund in form, with short legs in- clined to bow; his whole contour was indicative of wit and humor. He was an American citizen of German descent, having been born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania.


He was well known throughout the States of Ohio and In- diana as a popular hotel keeper. He had kept tavern in sev- eral towns and villages in Ohio. He came to Indianapolis early in 1852, and for several years kept the " Wright House," now transformed into Glenns' Block, where the New York Store is kept.


Mr. Achey always kept a first-class house, and but few ever stopped with him that would not call again, not only on ac- count of his superior accommodations, but he possessed the faculty of making all fecl at home under his roof, with his great fund of anecdotes, with which he would amuse his guests.


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Henry Achey.


He had a smile for all, a frown for none. Hle seemed to think there was more of sunshine than shade in the lot of man ; however, he looked on the bright side, and cast off dull care.


There are many anecdotes of him extant, as well as those he told ; his peculiar manner of telling them, and suiting his actions to the words, none ever saw that can forget; his way of drawing up his face and distorting his features, and the fact that he never smiled while relating his stories, was re- markable.


After having kept hotel in several different places in Ohio, he took the Galt House at Cincinnati. It was arranged be- tween him and his predecessor that he should take possession on Saturday evening after supper, at which time the boarders generally paid their week's board in advance. The old pro- prietor told him that his boarders had been very prompt, with one exception, and that he had not paid any board for six months ; that he did not like to turn him off, lest he should lose what he already owed him, and pointed out the person to whom he alluded to Mr. Achey.


After the several boarders had paid their bills, this gentle- man stepped up to the office and addressed Mr. Achey in this way.


"I believe you are the gentleman that proposes keeping this house ?"


" Yes," was the reply, " that's my intention."


" Your name is Achey, I believe ?"


" Achey is my name," was the answer.


" Henry Achey, I think ?"


" Yes, Henry Achey."


" You once kept tavern at Dayton ?"


" Yes, I kept at Dayton."


" Then at Middleton ? Then, I think, at Hamilton ?"


" Yes, I kept at both those places."


" Last I believe you kept Sportsman's Hall near this city ?"


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Early Reminiscences.


" Yes, I kept Sportsman's Hall for awhile."


" Now, you are here. You are a kind of traveling or itin- erant hotel keeper."


" Yes, I have moved around considerably," was the answer.


"Now, Mr. Achey," said the boarder, "if I should pay you a week's board in advance, what assurance have I that you will be here a week hence ?"


Mr. Achey acknowledged the force of the gentleman's re -. mark by handing him a receipt for the week's board, and in- viting him up to the bar.


While Mr. Achey kept the Galt House an old friend, a dro- ver, put up with him; he had several hands that had assisted him with his stock that also stopped at the Galt. During the evening one of those men had bought at auction a cheap fid- dle, and was seated by the stove in the office drawing from the bowels of the machine a very doleful, and, to Mr. Achey, disagreeable noise ; how to get rid of the annoyance without offending the man he did not know ; at last he hit upon this expedient. Said Mr. Achey to his clerk, " Dan, I wish to get rid of that noise, how will we do it?" Without waiting for any suggestion from his clerk, he said, "I have it, we will talk here a few moments in a loud and angry manner as though quarreling, and then I will go out by the stove and get within reach of the fiddle ; then you come out and renew the quarrel, and I will snatch the fiddle from his hand and break it over your head ; mind, Dan, and keep on your hat."


At the preconcerted time Mr. Achey took a position by the stove, and within easy grab of the fiddle. Dan came out from behind the counter and renewed the quarrel.


" Mr Achey," said Dan, "you are certainly mistaken." " I am not," said Mr. Achey, "and I do not wish you to say so again in my presence." "You tell a falsehood," said Dan. Simultaneous with the word falsehood went the crash of the fiddle over Dan's head.


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Henry Achey.


" Now," said the fellow, " you've broke my fiddle." " Yes," was the reply, "and I have broke his head."


The matter was adjusted the next morning between Mr. Achey and his guest, by Mr. Achey's paying the price of the fiddle, one dollar and twenty-five cents.


On one occasion Mr. Achey had purchased a large number of horses for a distant market, and had lost heavily on them. On his return home his wife inquired of him how he had made out. "Out, out," said he ; "all out, horses, money and all." Mrs. Achey was fretting over his loss. "Shut up, shut up," said he ; " when you married me you married a man, and if you will only hold on to my coat-tail I'll take you through the world flying."


That the ruling passion is strong in death has been exem- plified in his case. A few days before his death an old friend called to see him. During their conversation his friend let him know that he had learned that he had joined the church. " Yes," said Mr. Achey, "Sam I have joined the church, the Methodist Church. My reason for selecting that church was the fact that I have persecuted them more than any other, and this would be the last opportunity I would have of mak- ing due reparation."


A few days after this, which was in the winter of 1865-66, he died a firm believer in the Christian religion, a regenera- tion of his heart, and the forgiveness of his sins.


Mr. Achey possessed many fine traits of character, hospit- able and liberal to a fault. He was a man of fair political information, and died, I believe, without an enemy. His death was regretted by many personal friends and his family, who were devotedly attached to him. His wife and two children are still residents of this city.




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