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 32
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Indianapolis has ever been blessed with a superabundance of physicians of both high and low degree, from the graduates of the best Medical Institutions in the world, through all the different systems of practice ; from Allopathy, Homeopathy, Hydropathy down to that of the "Indian Yerb Doctor." But we never had a regular graduate of a Veterinary Institu- tion to make this city his residence until Doctor Ellerby made this his home in 1858.
Doctor Ellerby is a native of Yorkshire, England, and a regular graduate of the "Royal Veterinary College," of London, and practiced his profession in Europe until 1849, at which time he came to the United States and commenced the practice of his profession in this city in 1858, and I un- derstand with great success.
Next to the health and life of our fellow creatures is that of the noble animal, the horse, whose health and life should be only secondary to that of the human. I am told that Doctor Ellerby detects the premonitory symptoms of disease in the horse with the certainty and aptness that our best physicians do in the human system.
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Early Reminiscences.
MISS LAURA REAM.
This accomplished and well-known writer, with the family of her father, (Benjamin Ream) came to this place when she was quite a child. They were direct from Lebanon, Ohio, where, I think she was born.
Soon after their arrival bere she was sent to the Episcopal Female School, of this city, where she received such instruc- tions as was common for children of that day, to prepare them for the higher branches of education. She was then sent to the Catholic Female Seminary, at Nazareth, near Bardstown, Kentucky, where she finished her studies.
Soon after her return from the later Institution she was do- prived of a father's love and tenderness by his death; her mother soon following. Then she was left alone with a widowed sister and a young brother. In the year 1855 her sister died and she was almost alone in the world as far as female relations were concerned, true she had an aunt, the wife of Mr. Obadiah Harris, who lived in the country.
After the death of her sister she resided with a friend, Mrs. Doctor Livingston Dunlap, where she has ever since made her home.
She had a small income left her by her father, which, by economy would eke out a living. This sufficed for a while, but her proud spirit wished for something more.
It was known to her friends that she possessed abilities of the higher order, but she had never attempted to put them to any use calculated to benefit her in a pecuniary way. Shaks- pear says :
" Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt."
But at last she did attempt, and has proved successful, as the reading public are already aware. She commenced writing first for our city papers, then occasionally for the Cincinnati
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Laura Ream.
papers. Among her writings for the city papers was a novel, "Phebe Doyl," which was read by the ladies with a great deal of interest. Now she is the news correspondent of the " Cincinnati Daily Commercial."
Miss Ream is about the medium height, with a symetrical, well developed form, black hair, a full dark eye, with heavy eye lashes, aquiline nose, brunett complexion, and with a mild, benevolent expression, and intelligent countenance, and would at once attract attention in any assemblage. She is altogether a fine looking lady, and by some would be called pretty.
Her dress is generally of fine material and made in the most fashionable style, but it is worn in such a manner (although properly) to at once lead a person to believe her mind was not upon dress. The fit of the gaiter, the color of the gloves, the elaborate embroidery of the French collar, but upon something of far more importance. In her conversation as well as in her writing, she is plain and frank, and calls things by their right names.
There is none of that affected modesty or prudery either in her conversation or writings too common among females. She would not blush to see the legs of a piano without panta- letts on, or refuse to make her toilet in the presence of pota- toes because they have eyes. She has a great deal of common sense, and it is observable in her every act.
Miss Ream, like other mortals, no doubt is subject to her sad as well as pleasant moments, and recurs often to her child- ish and far gone days, when the voices of father, mother, brother and sister were familiar to her ears, all (save one) are now hushed in death, and the circle that once gathered around the family hearth is broken up, her brother and herself are all that are left, and in her quiet hours no doubt her thoughts are carried back when she and her brothers and sister, with father and mother attended the primitive church, and when
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Early Reminiscences.
with her brother and sister she was in daily attendance at the not to be forgotten school house, where she received her first lessons she has profited by, and turned to her own account and credit.
She has associated widely with the outside world, and knows it in all its phases, no doubt she takes a solemn pleas- ure in looking over her past life, and thinking of her many departed friends and acquaintances as they pass in review before her mind, but "Earth has no sorrow which Heaven can not cure." No doubt those reflections in all their green and hallowed associations will rush upon her heart and in her melancholy as well as happy moments, and like pleasant dreams for awhile leave a ray of sunshine behind.
What we have said of Miss Ream in this sketch are our opinions, founded upon an acquaintance with her from her earliest childhood.
WILLIAM C. SMOCK.
The present and seventh Clerk of the Marion Circuit Court and County, was born in Perry Township, December 3, 1838, he has descended from the two different families of Smocks, who were among the first settlers of the county.
His grand father on his mother's side, John Smock bought at the Brookville land sale in 1821, the first quarter section of land south of Pleasant Run, on the Madison State Road, about one mile south of the donation line. This he improved and lived on until his death in 1827. This farm is now owned by John Heofgen.
His father, Isaac Smock, was the brother of Simon Smock, who lived about one mile south of John Smock, another brother of his father. Captain Jacob Smock lived just north of Southport.
Those several families of Smocks, and Brewers that had intermarried with them, formed almost the entire population
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William C. Smock.
on the Madison State Road for twelve or fifteen miles south. So they were called Smocks and half Smocks. Now we not only have Smocks and half Smocks, but in the person of our Clerk we have a double Smock.
The family on the father's side of William C. Smock were mostly Presbyterians, and their church at Greenwood was generally filled by Smocks and Brewers. On his mother's side they were Babtists, and their church on Lick Creek, about four miles southeast of town, and where Abram Smock, his grandfather's brother preached, was generally filled with Smocks, Smalls, Pences, Seburns and Woodfills. The two families of Smocks were mostly from the counties of Henry and Shelby, Kentucky, and left that State in consequence of slavery, desiring to raise their families in a free State.
The Smocks and Brewers were honest, upright and suc- cessful farmers, and did a great deal toward making the southern portion of this county what it is to-day.
But I have digressed and will return to the subject of this sketch. At the age of fifteen years William C. Smock entered the Recorder's Office as Deputy, under the late Dr. A. G. Wallace, who was then Recorder of the County, in this capacity he remained nearly two years, accumulating a small sum of money with which he designed qualifying himself for higher and more responsible duties.
He then became a student of the Franklin (Johnson County) College, and there remained four Collegiate Terms.
In 1860 he engaged with John C. New as a Deputy in the office of Clerk of the Marion Circuit and Common Pleas Courts.
In 1862, and at the age of twenty-three he received the nomination of the Republican party for the office of Recorder for the County, a coalition having been formed between the Republican and that portion of the Democratic party that favored a vigorous prosecution of the war, and it being desir-
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Early Reminiscences.
able in order to secure harmony and unity of action that the County offices should be divided. Mr. Smock very mag- nanimously declined the nomination, that the object should be effected.
This was a rare case when the nominee of the dominant party surrenders the nomination of a lucrative office for the benefit of the whole party.
In 1865 he was nominated by the same party as its candidate for Clerk of the County, and was elected without opposition, equally as rare a case as the first, being the first instance of the kind in the history of the County, where a candidate for a County office ran without an opponent.
In 1869 the Legislature passed an act known as the " Biennial Election Bill," whereby one year was added to the official term of his office. The term of his office will expire in October, 1870, of course he will retire, not being a candidate.
The citizens of Marion County have been peculiarly fortu- nate in the selection of their Clerks, from the first the vener- able James M. Ray, elected in the year 1822; he was suc- ceeded by his Deputy, Joseph M. Moore, by appointment ; then Robert B. Duncan ; he by William Stewart ; then John C. New; then William Wallace. Men whose capacity and integrity were not questioned, and performed their duties to the satisfaction of their many friends and the public. But we doubt if any gave more satisfaction to the public, or re- tired from the office with more personal friends than will William C. Smock.
In Mr. Smock's character is exemplified the influence of christian parents in forming the morals and religion of their children, he adheres to the church of his mother, and is a member of the First Baptist Church of this city.
He is also an active member of the "Young Men's Chris- tian Association," an organization that knows no sect or
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Hon. Michael G. Bright.
particular religious faith, and is doing much for the cause of true religion by uniting the different branches of the church in the common cause, and putting down Sectarianism.
HON. MICHAEL G. BRIGHT.
We remember Mr. Bright as a regular attendant upon the session of the United States and Supreme Courts of the State, at this place, near forty years ago. He has been a prominent man and lawyer of the State from his earliest manhood.
He was the eompeer and associate in the practice of law, of Charles Dewey, Joseph G. Marshall, Oliver H. and Caleb B. Smith, George G. Dunn, Samuel Judah, General Tighlman A. Howard, Governor James Whitcomb, Amos Lane, Philip Sweetzer and many other distinguished lawyers, all of whom have passed away, and Mr. Bright is left as a living evidence of the great legal ability and talent of the Indiana bar thirty years ago.
Mr. B. was never an office secker, yet he has held some very important ones; he was several times elected to represent his county (Jefferson) in the Legislature, though that county was opposed to him upon national questions. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention which framed the present Constitution of the State, selected for his well-known legal ability, and the people are indebted to him for some of the popular and wholesome provisions of that instrument. He was for many years one of the State Fund Commissioners, and negotiated some heavy and important loans for the State.
Mr. Bright has ever been an active and energetic man, taking a lively interest in railroads and other improvements caleulated to benefit the public and the State.
He has lately retired from active life, more in consequence of the feeble state of his health than of his age.
Since his retirement he has made Indianapolis his residence. Mr. Bright is the father of the energetie proprietor
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Early Reminiscences.
RICHARD J. BRIGHT,
Of the Sentinel Printing Establishment, which he has made one of the most complete in all its appointments of any similar establishment in the Western country. From his newspaper presses are issued two Dailies and one Weekly paper. Connected with it he has also an extensive Book Publishing and Job Office and Bindery, and guarantees work of the best material and modern style.
Richard J. Bright is a fair type in energy and industry of what his father was at his age, and resembles him very much in personal appearance.
Joseph J. Bingham is the leading and political editor of the Sentinel, and is too well known to the reading public as a political writer to require any eulogium from my pen.
The local and city department of the Sentinel is under the control of William A. Winter, of Columbus, Indiana, and John Brough, son of the late John Brough, Ex-Governor of Ohio. Their department also speaks for itself, and the local columns of the Sentinel never fail to give its patrons the latest and most interesting city news in a style pleasing to the reader.
The " Evening News " is the other paper published at Mr. B.'s establishment, and edited by John H. Holliday, quite a young man and a native of Indianapolis. The appearance of the News is looked for with a great deal of interest by its numerous readers and patrons.
How different is this Sentinel establishment from the one it emanated from, the office of the "Indianapolis Gazette." The first number of the Gazette made its appearance on the 28th of January, 1822, and was issued from a log cabin that stood about the center of the square, between the canal and West streets, Washington and Maryland, this cabin was about fifteen by eighteen feet square, and served the proprietors (Smith & Bolton) as a residence as well as a printing office.
441
Hon. Dillard Rickets.
This was the first printing establishment in the " New Pur- chase," and has changed proprietors, names and editors, until we now have it as the "Indianapolis Daily Sentinel." The building remodeled and now occupied as the Sentinel building was built and occupied for several years by the Wesley Methodist congregation which was the first Methodist congregation organized in the "New Purchase," and the second of any kind in Indianapolis.
HON. DILLARD RICKETTS
Has been a citizen of Indianapolis since 1867, although he has been well known to our prominent citizens for many years. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Clark county, but lived some time in Henry county previous to coming to Madison, his first residence in Indiana.
He was for several years a successful merchant of Edinburg, and while residing there represented Johnson county in the State Senate.
He was for several years extensively engaged in the pur- chase and packing of pork, at Jeffersonville, and did a larger business in that way than any other person in the State at that time.
Several years since he was selected as the President of the Jeffersonville and Indianapolis Railroad Company, and at a time its stock was scarcely worth ten cents on the dollar.
Since his Presidency it has gradually advanced in value until it is now at a large premium. Although the Company have purchased the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad and built lateral branches of their own road. One from Columbus to Cambridge City, another from Jeffersonville to New Albany.
Mr. Ricketts and Samuel H. Patterson, of Jeffersonville, as the representatives of the Railroad were active in procur- ing the building of the Railroad bridge across the Ohio river
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Early Reminiscences.
at the southern terminus of their road, and to them Indiana and the country is mostly indebted for uniting New York with New Orleans by one continuous and unbroken chain of Railroad communication through our State.
Mr. R. has ever been an active and energetic man, contrib- uting largely to the great prosperity of the State.
He possesses a frank and manly bearing and a dignified kindness calculated to win upon those that he is thrown in contact with.
His estimable lady is the second daughter of the Hon. David W. Daily of Clark county, who for many years repre- sented that county in the State Senate. We remember him as one of the firm friends of the administration of General Jackson during his Presidency. Mrs. Ricketts has two brothers well known to our citizens, the first Harry Daily, son- in-law of the late Judge Morrison, is a resident of the city. The second brother, Thomas Daily, is the popular conductor of the passenger train on the Jeffersonville and Indianapolis Railroad.
Mr. Ricketts owns and resides on those beautiful grounds that were the homestead of the late Judge B. F. Morris, in the southern part of the city, on Madison Avenue.
Forty years ago there stood there a heavy and beautiful sugar grove, and it was a place of general resort by the beaux and belles of the village, and by them called " Lover's Green." It is no less beautiful now, although some of the stately sugars have given way to cultivated trees.
ROBERT DOWNEY.
This venerable and pious man is one of the pioneers of Indiana, having came to the State over half a century ago.
Mr. Downey was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1789, and there resided until 1818, when with his estimable lady, (now in her 76th year) they came to New Albany, Indiana.
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Robert Downey.
After residing three years in that place he removed to Louisville, and there engaged in the Drug business.
In 1825 he returned to New Albany and there remained until 1846, he then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and en- gaged in the manufacture of lard oil. In 1851 he came to Indianapolis, and has here resided since that time There are many of the ladies of this city well remember seeing his smiling countenance at the delivery window of the Post Office, of this city.
While a resident of New Albany he was one of the State Board of Directors of the State Bank of Indiana, also for a while a Director of the New Albany Branch of the State Bank.
Out of a family of twelve children this venerable couple have but four left. They were the parents of the late Pro- fessor Downey, of the Asbury University. Another son was sent by the Methodist Episcopal Church as Missionary to India and died at Lucknow. They have a son and daughter residing in this city ; the son, James E. Downey, is connected with the "Indianapolis Printing and Publishing Company." The daughter is the wife of the Rev. John A. Brouse, and mother of Captain Charles Brouse, who is the Pension Agent for Indiana.
Although Mr. Downey has lived out the time generally allotted to man, he yet seems hail and hearty, and one of the most patriarchial looking gentleman of the city, with a large square frame, high forehead, an arched brow, and hair as white as the driven snow, hanging down upon his shoulders. He is a Methodist of the Wesleyan school, and has no very high opinion of some of the innovations of the present day, upon the primitive customs of the Church, and worships his God in the plain old Methodist style.
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Early Reminiscences.
CORNELIUS N. BURGES.
The principal portion of the composition work of this book was done by Mr. Burgess, who is one of the veteran. typos of this city, having become a citizen of it on the 17th of June, 1846.
He is a native of the " Old North State," born in Camden county on the 27th of November, 1807, and there learned the printing business, and although now in the sixty-third year of his age he is yet a correct compositor.
He has been a professor of the " Art Preservative " for near half a century, and perhaps handled more stick's of type than any man now living in Indianapolis, and if, as said, that " practice makes perfect," he must have nearly attained per- fection in his profession.
Mr. Burges has worked in the city of New York. in the Government printing office at Washington City, and resided and worked in Philadelphia some years before he came to the West and made this city his home.
I would be pleased to see the old gentleman able to retire from labor during the remainder of his life ; which has been an active and industrious one. I remember Mr. Burges since he first came to Indianapolis, more than twenty-four years ago.
CHARLES G. WARNER
Is another veteran printer that has worked on this book Charles has been well-known to the writer and the citizens of Indianapolis for over thirty years, and we have ever found him a generous, kind hearted man, ever ready to render a brother typo or any other in trouble, such aid as is in his power to bestow. The great fault of Charlie is, he never knew how to value money; always spending it with his friends as though he never expected it to fail him. He is
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Elizabeth Nowland.
perhaps as well known in the different printing offices of this city as any printer in the place.
Charlie is a quick impulsive man, and sometimes flashes up like powder, but like most all of his temperament he is equally ready to forgive and forget any intended injury when due reparation is made.
He is a native of the State of Delaware, and came to the West in 1837, and to Indianapolis in 1839, since which time, with his family he has here resided.
ELIZABETH NOWLAND.
I ean not think of closing this work without paying a tribute of respect to the memory of my departed mother.
From the autumn of 1822 to that of 1856 there was no female whose name was more familiar to the citizens of Indi anapolis than that of Mrs. Nowland. Indeed there were but few persons more generally known throughout the State.
We have frequently been asked when traveling through Illinois and other Western States if we were related to Mrs. Nowland, of Indianapolis.
No person who ever knew her could forget her universal good humor. In her kindness to all, both rich and poor, there was no distinction made in their treatment. The poor were never turned away hungry or empty handed from her door, being ever ready to contribute "the widow's mite" for all charitable purposes.
She was left a widow at the age of thirty years, with five small children depending upon her for support. With the determination to keep her children together and have the care of them herself, she labored incessantly. She toiled with willing hands through the day and often late at night, sitting alone by her tallow candle. She found joy in providing for the wants of her children, and she never seemed to think her lot a hard one when her family were comfortable.
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Early Reminiscences.
What matters it if her remains have long since mingled with earth ? There is a sympathetic chord still existing between mother and child, and there is an earlier and more indelible remembrance of her teachings by what is written on the heart in the first susceptibility of childhood, and engraven on Memory's tablet by a mother's tongue, in giving us our first lessons.
I often think of her who could always find an excuse for any delinquency on my part, when I could not for myself. She who was the first to love, was ever the last to censure. The home of my childhood ! The very word falls sweetly on my ear, and recalls the many scenes of innocent plays, num- bered with the past, but with fond recollections. We delight to dwell on the early events of our life, and before the home circle had been invaded by death. The many years which have passed, have not dimmed the bright colors with which memory has painted those happy hours, spent with my mother in our rustic home. The memory of a mother's care and love should be enshrined in our gratitude and engraven upon our hearts. I venerate the very earth that wraps her slumbering ashes.
A few years before the death of my mother I left the home of my childhood, (Indianapolis) then comparatively but a village, to seek my fortune among strangers, in an Eastern city, leaving the endearing associations of kindred and friends. To me it was a great sacrifice, yet duty and circumstances compelled me to make it.
There was not a brook or tree but brought some pleasing recollections of my early life and school boy days, for the memory which recalls most vividly the happiness of youthful days is generally a more faithless record of their sorrow's. One has said that "They who dwell upon the fragrance of the flower are always the first to forget the sharpness of the thorn." Who, indeed, can recall the griefs and anxieties of
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Elizabeth Nowland.
his early years, The throng of childish fears and disappoint- ments by which the sunshine of his young spirit was over- cast and shadowed.
Well do I remember the little family circle that gathered around me in my mother's family room the evening before my departure, to bid me good bye. I little dreamed that to most of them I was bidding a long and last farewell ; and little did I think of the changes a few short years would bring.
About two years after her death I visited my old home, where I had left the unpretending village and I found a city of about twenty thousand inhabitants, with railroad com- munication to all parts of the Union. It was even then the railroad city of the West, nearly all the old land marks once so familiar to me were obliterated and gone. Where stood the humble shop of the mechanic there stood a large " Palatial Hotel ; " where stood the unpretending country Store House there was that magnificent specimen of archi- tectural grandeur-" Odd Fellows' Hall." If I had taken a Rip Van Winkle sleep I could not have expected so great a change as was there presented.
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