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 29
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Early Reminiscences.
cess ; but he was doomed to misfortune in the loss by fire of his entire manufacturing establishment, as well as his dwell- ing which was adjoining.
After this disaster, not the least dispirited, he went to Rox- bury, Massachusetts, and with a renewed energy again en- gaged in the business.
From Roxbury he came to Indianapolis in 1852; since that time he has been engaged pretty extensively in the manufac- ture of carriages of all kinds.
Although Mr. Drew has lived out the three-score years and ten, the time generally allotted to man, he is yet vigorous and energetic, and contains considerable of the true Yankee grit, sufficient for a new lease of life running the same length of time.
The old gentleman is very courteous and accommodating in his intercourse with his customers, and never fails to leave a good impression upon the minds of those who have business with him.
He has, at this writing, carried on the business longer than any other person in that line now doing business in this city, and can furnish as fine a carriage as can be found in any simi- lar establishment in the western country, and there will be found no worm-eaten timber, flawy iron, or streaks of running paint on work that he turns out to his customers.
He makes it a point to be honest and just in business, mer- ciful in religion, and liberal to the poor, never turning the needy away empty handed from his door.
Mr. Drew's oldest son is a resident of the city, and is pro- prietor of a first-class livery stable on Court street, between Pennsylvania and Delaware streets.
N. R. SMITH, OF THE TRADE PALACE.
Having business a few days since that required me to visit that elegant mart of fashionable merchandise, the Trade Pal-
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N. R. Smith.
ace, I was astonished to see the improvement that has been made in the style of dry goods, as well as in the manner that they are displayed and offered for sale.
Thirty-eight years ago the writer, as a store boy for Henry Porter, sold the first six yards of calico (then a full dress pat- tern) that ever was sold on the square where now stands this magnificent establishment; and although I was raised to the business of " cutting tape," I was entirely unprepared to see such a change as has taken place in this particular branch of business, and felt as much out of place as a bull would be in a china shop.
In the Trade Palace are now employed about thirty clerks, male and female, besides several " cash boys " and porters ; its business is so systematized that they attend to their vari- ous duties and branches without apparently having to speak with each other, at least not so loud as to disturb others trans- acting business near by.
The moment the customer sets foot on the door-step the door is opened for their ingress and closed noiselessly after them. So soon as they make known the article or style of goods they wish to look at, they are conducted to that part of the immense and beautiful room where the article they wish is kept, and the whole business is transacted in such a quiet and pleasant way as to induce the customer to often pur- chase for the pleasure attendant thereby.
In the Trade Palace can be found all kinds of fancy or staple dry goods, either of European or American manufac- ture, and there the most fastidious can be suited. They can select the fabric and have it made in any style they may de- sire, from a shilling calico dress to a $200 velvet cloak, or a pair of jeans pants to a beaver cloth overcoat without leaving the house.
How different from the country stores of forty years ago, when the first thing that would meet the customer's eye after
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Early Reminiscences.
stumbling over bars of iron, kegs of nails, or piles of bacon to get to the counter, would be an empty whisky barrel turned on end, on this would be a bottle of whisky, a pitcher of wa- ter, a bowl of maple sugar and a tumbler of ground ginger, for the use of the thirsty customer before proceeding to pur- chase their five pounds. of coffee, their gallon of molasses, their half dozen of mackerel, or their calico dress pattern. The change in the manner of doing business in Indianapolis is a good deal owing to Yankee enterprise, and the acquisition of such business men as the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this imperfect sketch as the proprietor of the Trade Palace.
N. R. Smith was born in Middlebury, Vermont, August 7, 1831, and is now just in the meridian of life, and at that age when we generally look forward to a bright future. He is of a hopeful and cheerful disposition, and infuses the same spirit into the hearts and minds of those around him. His candor and honesty seems manifest so soon as his acquaintance is made. His genial and smiling countenance is captivating and bears the sterling stamp that at once portrays his goodness of heart and honesty of purpose.
Mr. Smith is emphatically a self-made man, having begun the world without any capital save those personal qualities we have here but briefly referred to, and his attention and assiduity to business gives favorable omens of success in what- ever he may undertake.
He has been successful in drawing around him such clerks and assistants as are well calculated to forward his interest and at the same time render his establishment popular.
Indianapolis may well be proud of such an acqusition to her population as N. R. Smith, and welcome all such that may choose to cast their lot among us.
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Dr. Alois D. Gall.
DOCTOR ALOIS D. GALL.
Twenty years' acquaintance with Dr. Gall enables the wri- ter to speak understandingly, and we bear testimony cheer- fully of his many good qualities and fine traits of character, and his social and convivial disposition.
We were about the first acquaintance he made in Indian- apolis when he first made it his residence in the year 1847, and our friendship and that of our families continued unbro- ken or marred by a single unpleasant incident up to the time he was so suddenly and unexpectedly called to pass from time to eternity, which gave such a shock to his many friends and acquaintances in this city.
Dr. Gall was very popular with all classes, especially was he so with his German fellow-citizens who venerate his mem - ory as that of one of their most worthy countrymen.
He was a man of fine attainments and well read in his pro - fession. He stood deservedly high with his medical brethren in this city, which will be seen by the proceedings of the " In- dianapolis Academy of Medicine," held at their rooms on the evening of February 12, 1867, when the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adoted, viz .:
" WHEREAS, It has pleased an Allwise Providence to summon from our midst, Dr. Alois D. Gall, a member of this Acad- emy : And whereas, the surviving members desire to ex- press their appreciation of his professional attainments and estimable character : Therefore,
Resolved, That the Academy of Medicine receive the an- nouncement of the death of Dr. Gall with profound grief, as it has deprived them of one of their most worthy, efficient and valuable members.
Resolved, That his many virtues and genial social qualities, as well as his professional attainments, render his loss one that will be painfully felt throughout a wide cirele of friends.
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Early Reminiscences.
Resolved, That the Academy tender their condolence and sympathy to the bereaved members of his family in this griev- ous affliction.
Resolved, That in testimony of our respect for the deceased the Academy will attend the funeral ceremonies in a body.
Resolved, That the Secretary furnish a copy of the forego- ing resolutions to the family of the deceased.
J. H. WOODBURN, M. D., PRESIDENT.
F. B. NOFSINGER, M. D., Secretary.
Doctor Gall was born in Weil die Stadt, in the German State of Wurtemburg, on the 16th of March, 1814. About the year 1841 he emigrated to the United States and for five years practiced medicine in Pennsylvania. In the year 1847, as above stated, he removed to Indianapolis and permanently located his family here. He was a successful practitioner of medicine until 1853, when he was appointed by President Pierce as United States Consul at Antwerp, Belgium, where he remained in office six years, having removed his family to that place for the purpose of educating his children.
While holding this high and responsible position, tendered him by the Chief Magistrate of his adopted country, he dis- charged all its duties with honor to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the appointing power and the people he so faithfully represented.
While at Antwerp the American captains in that port, as an appreciation of his fidelity to his adopted country and the interest he took in American citizens sojourning there, pre- sented him with a beautiful and elaborately wrought gold- headed cane ; this was more valuable for the idea it conveyed than for its intrinsic worth.
During the late rebellion he was a warm and devoted Union man, and was Surgeon of the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment, and afterwards promoted to Brigade Surgeon and Medical
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Early " Colored Society."
Director, and resigned after three years hard and laborious service in the field. While at Norfolk, Virginia, he was pre- sented by the officers of the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment with a fine sword as a testimony of their respect for him and his fidelity to his trust.
Dr. Gall died of appoplexy, after being sick only two hours, on the 11th day of February, 1867, leaving a wife and three children, all of whom yet reside in this city. The only daugh- ter is the wife of Frederick P. Rush, one of the business men of the city.
Albert, the eldest son, at the age of eighteen years, went to California and there remained three years, where he ac- quired fine business qualifications as a merchant, which laid the foundation for future usefulness as well as a fortune. He is now engaged in a large carpet and general house-furnish- ing establishment.
Edmund, the second son and youngest ehild, resides with his mother and manages her business. Dr. Gall left his fam- ily in possession of some fine city property, and altogether in comfortable and easy eireumstanees.
His wife yet retains her widowhood, and mourns her loss as irreparable, as Rachel mourning for her children.
" Death enters and there's no defense ; His time there's none can tell."
EARLY " COLORED SOCIETY " OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The first person of color (I mean African) that came to Indianapolis, was a boy about twelve years' of age, brought here by Dr. Samuel G. Mitchell in the spring of 1821. He remained here about six years, and then, with a party of ad- venturers, went to Galena, Illinois.
The second was Chaney Lively, a yellow woman, that came as a housekeeper for Alexander Ralston, he being a bachelor.
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Early Reminiscences.
She was a member of the first Presbyterian Church, and was universally respected by the pioneer ladies of the place, and who often took tea with her. She always behaved herself with propriety, and never took advantage of the attention shown her by them to be in any wise saucy. She was married to a well known barber, named John Britton, who yet resides here. Chaney died about ten years since.
A third was a barber, Obed Miftin. He has been dead near thirty years. Then in turn came "Colonel " Hunter, Fancy Tom, David Mallory and John Alexander.
About the year 1828 a number of blacks came from Bour- bon County, Kentucky, the former slaves of John G. Brown.
Among them was " old Sam Brown," Willis, his son, Albert Gallatan, Bill McKinney and several more, nearly all of whom had descended from "Old Sam." Willis and Bill are still living in the city.
Then came Chubb, Parson Layback and Judge Peter Smith, barber-general of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Parson Lay- back was a noisy, boisterous preacher, and the back part of his head lay upon his shoulders, so that his face appeared to be on the top of it, hence his name.
Then came one of the present barbers, Augustus Turner, who bought an acre of ground on the corner of Tennessee and Georgia streets, where he still resides.
Then William Bird, Lovel Bass, and a large family named Crawford. The most of these last named are still living, and had learned, long before "Bucktown " existed, to behave themselves, and their persons and property were protected by their white neighbors.
True, there were some colored persons that were temporary residents, and did not come up to Dave Buckhardt's standard of " colored propriety," who were sometimes raided by the " chain gang," and their quarters for awhile were made hot, often so much so that they deemed " prudence the better part
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Early " Colored Society."
of valor," and emigrated to elimes more congenial to their nature.
The first African Church was that of the Methodist, on Georgia street, just west of Kentucky avenue. This church was the scene of many laughable incidents as well as bloody noses, the latter generally happened when some low white man would go there to disturb their worship, and he generally got the worst of it.
On one occasion a fellow went there for that purpose, and the first person he encountered was a large, stout saddle-col- ored " American citizen," named Bill Manly. Bill gave him a sound thrashing.
The fellow next day informed on him to Esquire Scudder. Mr. Scudder fined Bill one cent, on the fellow's own testimo- ny, and remitted the cost.
In selecting their preachers at this church they did not al- ways get graduates of the best " Theological Institutions " of the country-although they looked fat and sleek as though they had had their share of yellow-legged chickens, and their wardrobes had received proper attention from their colored sisters.
On one occasion a white preacher and a friend had been holding a prayer meeting in "Stringtown " at night, and re- turning home late they heard a terrible noise proceeding from the church spoken of above. The preacher proposed that they should call by and see what was going on, to which the other assented. The colored preacher was about dismissing his congregation when his attention was attracted to our two friends ; he left the pulpit and went to where they were seated, near the door, and requested the white preacher to close their meeting for them "with prar." To this our white friend as- sented. The colored gentleman returned to the pulpit and called the attention of the congregation in this way. " My dear bredrain, our white brudder do signafy dat he is gwine
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Early Reminiscences.
to close our meetin' with prar, arter we sing dat good ole hime." He then gave out in this way :
" Hark from de toons a doleful soun My eers atten de cry."
This they sang at the top of their voices to the tune of the "Cannibal Islands."
The colored people are at this time erecting, west of the Canal in that part of the city known as Bucktown, two splen- did brick churches, one for the Methodist the other for the Baptist congregations.
DR. J. W. BARNITZ.
Every person is adapted by nature to some particular busi- ness or profession, so it is with the subject of this sketch to the art of taxidermy. He can take an animal or bird and prepare and take from its body the skin and again give it the natural shape and life-like appearance it formerly possessed.
Dr. Barnitz is the first of that profession to make Indian- apolis his home. With his father's family he came to this place in 1856, and has here resided since that time.
He was born in East Berlin, Adams County, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of June, 1833. When he was two years of age his father removed to Carlisle, where the Doctor was prepared for the higher branches of education, He then entered Dick- inson College, and afterward studied medieine with Dr. L. B. Kieffer, an eminent physician of Carlisle; then he attended the medical lectures at Philadelphia. It was while attending these lectures his attention was first turned to taxidermy as his profession ; being an admirer of nature and her works the study was an easy as well as a pleasant one to him, and he soon acquired the art and practiced it with success.
He has spent much time and money traveling in foreign countries in search of specimens of the animal creation upon which to gratify his peculiar tastes, and was successful in find-
401
Jehiel Barnard.
ing a great variety, and can show quite a museum of the rarest birds and quadrupeds of his native as well as foreign coun- tries.
Dr. Barnitz, with his father, Mr. Charles Barnitz, is en- gaged in the real estate business in this city, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to the practice of taxidermy, more as an amateur than for a consideration, or as a means of making money.
JEHIEL BARNARD.
Prominent among the business men of Indianapolis is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch.
Mr. Barnard is a native of that beautiful and prosperous inland city, Rochester, New York, and there resided until he had attained his majority.
His father, the late Jehiel Barnard, of Rochester, was one of the early citizens of that city, and was the first person married within its limits. He was a relative of that eminent and distinguished lawyer and statesman of western New York, Hon. Daniel D. Barnard, who for many years represented the Rochester District in the Congress of the United States.
In the year 1847 Jehiel Barnard removed to New York City and engaged in the wholesale hardware business, and there continued until his removal to Indianapolis in the fall of 1855.
In the year 1856, in connection with his father-in-law (Mr Joseph Farnsworth, formerly of Madison, Indiana), engaged in this city in the manufacture of railway cars, and was suc- cessful until the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, when, in consequence of the large amount due them from Southern Railroad Companies, and not collectable, they suspended ope- rations in that line.
Mr. Farnsworth is at this time a resident of Chicago, Illi- 17H
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Early Reminiscences.
nois, having retired from active business with a large fortune, the reward of his youthful energy and industry.
Mr. Barnard was elected Secretary of the Indianapolis "Chamber of Commerce " at its first organization in 1863, which position he yet holds ; and it may be truthfully said that it is mainly to his personal efforts in its behalf that that organization has become one of the permanent institutions of the city.
He is at this time the agent for seven of the popular and reliable Life and Fire Insurance Companies of the eastern States, and does a large share of that business in this city.
The first and early settlers of Indianapolis were very much prejudiced against people hailing from the Eastern States, all of which they called Yankees without regard to the locality they were from. It is mainly to Yankee enterprise, and such Yankees as Mr. Barnard, that Indianapolis is what it is to-day, one of the most prosperous cities in the Mississippi valley ; and if the Eastern States has any more such to spare we will welcome them to citizenship.
Mr. B. is a gentleman of untiring energy and industry, just in the prime of life, with a vigorous constitution, and bids fair for many years of public usefulness, with a good address and pleasing manners, and has since he became a citizen of Indianapolis made many warm personal friends.
THOMAS B. GLESSING.
This accomplished artist and gentleman was born in Lon- don, England, in the year 1820, and in his younger years worked with his father at the business of harp and violin string making. In 1840 he came to America on a visit to his brother-in-law, the late William E. Burton, who at that time was the editor of the "Gentleman's Magazine," at Philadel- phia, and one of the most distinguished and accomplished actors of the day.
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Thomas B. Glessing. 403
Mr. Glessing remained in Philadelphia one year and then returned to his native land, but soon found that the United States was the country for him, and before the expiration of another year he was again in "the land of the free," where he has remained ever since.
He then went upon the theatrical boards and performed two years; that led him to the paint and scenic room, and there he at last found his forte.
He came to Indianapolis in 1859 to assist a brother artist in the decorations of the Metropolitan Theater, and has never left since, for here he found the first home he could truly call his own, " where none dare hinder or make him afraid." Here he has made many warm friends. We are sorry to learn (and with feelings of deep regret) that he may be induced to give them up for brighter prospects elsewhere.
Mr. Glessing is an artist in every sense of the word, as is attested not only by the decorations of the Academy of Music, but by a visit to his residence. He not only understands the culture and production of the beauties of nature, but also their transcription to canvass, which he does in an artistic and life-like style.
To visit his beautiful home you would not have to be told that he was an artist. In his yard and conservatory will be found nearly every variety of plants and flowers, from the modest field flowers of our own Indiana to those of other climes. In his aquarium will be found some of the most beautiful of the finny tribe.
He is a particular friend of that distinguished actor and gentleman, Joseph Jefferson, whose reputation in the charac- ter of Rip Van Winkle is world wide.
Mr. Glessing is a man of more than ordinary culture and refinement, and enjoys the society of his friends and acquaint- ances, and ever makes them feel welcome when around his hearth-stone.
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Early Reminiscences.
We should regret very much if Indianapolis could not re- tain him as one of her permanent citizens, as his place could hardly be filled as an artist as well as a gentleman.
JACOB P. BIRKENMAYER,
A native of the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, crossed the Atlantic in 1816, and arrived in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1820, where he remained until 1850.
Having heard of the fine opening for business, and some of the great advantages possessed by Indianapolis, he was in- duced to visit this place, and purchased of the late John L. Ketcham the northeast quarter of section thirteen, in town- ship fifteen, range three east, known as Delaware Camp.
This tract of land the writer has referred to in the sketch of his father as the old Delaware sugar camp, where he made sugar in the spring of 1821, at which time he gave it the name it is yet known by.
This quarter section was purchased by William Sanders at the first sale of lands held in the new purchase at Brookville, in the summer of 1821, and by him made to blossom as the rose.
It has since passed through the hands of John Wood, Rob- ert B. Duncan, John L. Ketcham, and from the latter to Mr. Birkenmayer.
When Mr. B. purchased it, in 1850, at eighty dollars per acre, he was playfully rebuked by some of the citizens for coming here and running up the price of land upon them. Subsequent events proved his sagacity and foresight, for in 1856 he sold forty acres of the same tract to Henry Weghorst for $350 per acre, realizing twelve hundred dollars more than he paid for the whole.
This farm was among the first improved in the county, and produced the finest varieties of fruits and vegetables.
Mr. Wood at one time owned land adjoining this sufficient
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J. George Stilz.
to make the whole tract four hundred and eighty acres, most of which is now worth at least $1,000 per acre.
Delaware Camp has, from the time "this town was but a village," been the resort of the belles and beaux of the place, and many has been the wedding engagement made in a ride to and from it.
It was in that house the writer first saw his better half, on the occasion of the wedding of Robert L. Browning to Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. Wood. Little did he dream twenty years before, when he was gathering the sugar water among the nettles knee high, that upon that very ground he would first meet her who was to be his partner in life's rugged jour- ney. Such is life.
At the time Mr. B. purchased this farm it was an almost unbroken forest from what is now called and including Stilz woods to the corner of East street and Virginia avenue.
J. GEORGE STILZ,
Who is at this time engaged in the business of a seedsman and dealer in agricultural implements, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the year 1834, and as a Ward of that grand old commonwealth received at her hands a liberal education in the Public Schools.
Graduating in 1851 from the Central High School of that city, young Stilz entered the mercantile life by engaging with one of the largest commercial houses of his native city, and with whom he continued until the close of 1856, when, being dissatisfied with the limited opportunities for advancement in an overcrowded East, he ventured West in January, 1857, and reaching Indianapolis concluded to settle here, and engaged in the capacity of clerk with Tousey & Byram, and remained with them until March, 1858.
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