USA > Indiana > Encyclopedia of biography of Indiana > Part 19
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ELIJAH M. SPENCER.
Since colonial times this family of Spen- cer has figured in American history, Eng- lish emigrants of that name having thus early settled in Massachusetts and be- come identified with the development of
New England's institutions. Amassiah Spencer, a patriot soldier of the Revolu- tion, married Eleanor Harvey, a French woman of pure lineage, and these were the grandparents of Elijah M. Spencer. His parents were Matthias Spencer, born in 1795 at East Harlam, Connecticut, and Harriet Smith, daughter of a prominent physician of Brattleboro, Vermont. In youth his father removed from his native State, settling in Columbus, Shenango county, New York, where his marriage took place and where he followed his pro- fession as a Methodist Episcopal clergy- man, at the same time pursuing large agricultural interests. After five years he moved to Warren county, Pennsyl- vania, founded the Columbus of that State and resided there, carrying on a farm, for five years, as he had done in the town of that name in New York. He then moved his family, which had been increased by several children, to Corry, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and here, on December 6, 1831, Elijah M. Spencer was born, being the seventh son in a family of nine children. The first eighteen years of his life were uneventful ones, passed in the fields of his father's farm and the dis- trict schools. He then entered Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. Lacking sufficient means to pay his tui- tion, he taught winter terms of school, receiving but twelve dollars a month and having to "board around" after the coun- try fashion. Thus delayed, his college course was extended to five years. In 1854 he graduated, then went to Rising
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Sun, Indiana, and read law for a year and a half with his brother, John W. Spencer, at that time Judge of the Cir- cuit Court. It was in July of 1856 that he established himself as an attorney at Mount Vernon, Indiana, which has since been his home and the scene of his pro- fessional labors and successes. Having 110 one to back him at the start, he for- tified himself with courage and patience, performing with conscientious thorough- ness whatever work came to him; and soon his merits as a lawyer won recogni- tion, his practice growing steadily until it became an extensive and lucrative one. In the autumn of 1856 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the district com- prising Posey and Gibson counties, and served as such for two years. Mr. Spen- cer's political principles were strongly and loyally Democratic; and in 1861 he was elected by his party to the State Leg- islature as Representative from Posey county. His able and faithful discharge of the duties of that office assured him a second term-session of 1862-63 and 64- through which he served with equal cred- it. Though so admirably fitted for pub- lic service, his tastes inclined to a more retired life, and he has since repeatedly declined nomination for posts of distinc- tion. Within the realm of his profession, however, he was more easily persuaded, consenting to be made county attorney, in which capacity he served for twenty years. During this lengthy term of of- fice the county court house was built, also the county jail; and he has been inti-
mately associated with many progressive movements. In 1865 Mr. Spencer entered into a legal partnership with William Louden, which continued for ten years, during which time much money flowed into the joint coffer. In the course of his long and successful practice Mr. Spen- cer has been retained in a large number of weighty cases, in county, State and Federal courts, managing them with an efficiency which for forty years has kept him a conspicuous figure before the bar of Indiana. In addition to his professional work he has maintained a practical inter- est in agriculture, owning aud success- fully cultivating extensive farm lands. In 1860 Mr. Spencer was married to Miss Mary Morse, of Akron, Ohio. Three sons and two daughters came to bless this union, all growing to a gracious matur- ity and taking their respective places of usefulness in the social economy. They are: Charles M., an attorney, associated with his father; John W., also an attor- ney, with a flourishing practice in Evans- ville, Indiana; Elijah M., Jr., a student in the Conservatory of Music at Cincin- nati; Mary-Mrs. Allen Hart-of Mount Vernon, and Stella I .- Mrs. A. E. Fre- tageot-of New Harmony, Indiana. Mr. Spencer is a Master Mason, and his fam- ily belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has long taken an active interest in the educational matters of his city, having been for fifteen years president of its school board. In the various walks of his life Fortune has been a constant at- tendant of his steps, imparting to his per-
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sonality that subtle effect of well-being which everywhere marks the man of achievement and happy conditions. But a few years past the hey-dey of prime, he may confidently anticipate an indefi- nite future in which to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and enhance by his pres- ence, as a thorough-going member of the community, the general prosperity.
JAMES B. WHITE.
Christian civilization in its highest de- velopment in the United States exhibits no finer characteristics or more admira- ble traits than are found in the Scotch Presbyterians and their descendants. The subject of this biography was a sturdy representative of that nationality in his integrity, industry and moral character. James B. White was born at Denny, Ster- lingshire, Scotland, June 26, 1835. He was the son of John White, a man of large capacity, manager of calico print works employing half a thousand persons. His mother was a woman of noteworthy piety, conscientious in the training of her children. The ancestors of both his father and mother were Presbyterians and their children were instructed in the faith. He was fourth in a family of seven children, five boys and two girls. His ed- ucational advantages were limited and the opportunity of extending them by longer attendance at school was elosed when he became a tailor's apprentice at the age of twelve years. As a boy he
was not entirely satisfied with his oe- cupation, and after pursuing it for two years he entered the print works managed by his father, where he remained five years. Having become master of this art, and being fond of adventure, he deter- mined at the age of nineteen to seek his fortune in a newer world than the land of his nativity. America and Australia were both under consideration, but the nearness of the former and the eonse- quent smaller expense of emigration de- termined his destination. In the summer of 1854 he embarked at Glasgow in a sail- ing vessel, because the passage was cheaper in that than by steamer, and after a voyage of thirty-four days arrived in New York harbor. Unable to obtain employment at his trade in the metropo- lis, he went to Westchester county and engaged to work in the print mills at Marmarone, where he remained until the mills were closed by financial stress in November of the same year. The pluek and spirit of a boy are sorely tried by want of occupation among strangers, three thousand miles from home and friends. It may be suspected that James B. White was homesick and that he would have returned to bonnie Scotland if he had possessed the price of the voyage. Not being able to do that he bethought himself of an unele, who had emigrated from Scotland ten years before and set- tled near Fort Wayne, Indiana, and straightway started to find him. His money was sufficient to pay railroad fare to Buffalo and the transportation by
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steamer on lake Erie to Toledo; but he was still a hundred miles from Fort Wayne and the balance in his pocket would not carry him there by the Wabash and Erie Canal packet. He was obliged to pawn his trunk for three dollars and leave it in the packet company's office at Fort Wayne until he should walk to his uncle's farm, six miles in the country, and borrow the money for its redemption. Under such circumstances and conditions, Mr. White, in November, 1854, under twenty years of age, became a resident of Indiana. For the next year or longer he turned his hand to whatever honor- able employment offered a living. He worked at tailoring when possible; then in a machine shop; and for three months was employed in a stone yard at three dollars a week, which was regarded as very good wages at that time. After a while he opened a tailor shop on his own account, but the venture was not profit- able and he tried both Cincinnati and St. Louis during the year 1856. In the latter city he was engaged for a few months as shipping clerk on the very liberal salary of six dollars a week. He finally returned to Fort Wayne, and, in 1857, married Miss Maria Brown, a native of Glasgow, Scot- land, a Presbyterian, and a woman en- dowed with excellent mental and moral traits and the virtues of Christianity. She was the daughter of John Brown and Jennie Blair, who were Scotch Pres- byterians, as their ancestors had been for generations. After his marriage he re- moved to Warsaw, Indiana, where he
opened a small tailor shop, saved his money and bought a home. When the Rebellion opened he disposed of his in- terests at a sacrifice. Leaving for the future all questions of personal advan- tage or self-interest he recruited a com- pany of volunteers and entered the army as captain of Company I, Thirtieth Regi- ment, Indiana Infantry, was mustered into the service August 30, 1861, and moved his family, consisting of wife and two children, to Fort Wayne. He was in the fight on the second day at Shiloh, his regiment having arrived at Pittsburg Landing from Savannah, via the river, at ten o'clock on the night of the first day; was with the regiment at the siege of Corinth, at Munfordsville; thence north to Louisville after Bragg and back again to Nashville; was in the battle of Stone River and other engagements. His only wound received in battle was inflicted by a spent ball at Shiloh. In the spring of 1863 he resigned his commission and be- came sutler to the Eighty-eighth Indiana, continuing in trade at the front until the war closed. Twice he was captured, once without loss and the other time with all his stores and his wagon train. Captain White resumed business at Fort Wayne, and not long after the war opened a gro- cery and cold storage called the Fort Wayne Fruit House. His trade increased and extended until the fruit house became known in more than one State. It was destroyed by fire in 1872, causing heavy loss, but the day following the fire he opened business on the opposite side of
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the street. His great versatility was demonstrated in the successful manage- ment of mercantile business, real estate, manufacturing and banking. He was prosperous uniformly and wonderfully in everything to which his energy and mind were turned. Among his enterprises was a company organized for the manufacture of wheels, and operated under his direc- tion for several years. He bought tracts of land and platted additions to the city, improving the grounds in his possession so as to enhance the attractiveness and beauty of the city. He organized the White National Bank, which, inaugurated on a safe basis and conducted with con- servative enterprise, has become, under the executive management of John W. White, one of the most prosperous and substantial institutions of Fort Wayne. Captain White was a public spirited citi- zen. He cherished, next to his own fam- ily, the advancement, prosperity and wel- fare of Fort Wayne. He supported meas- ures intended to promote the common good. His views were so well known and so generally approved that for many years prior to his death he was the most popu- lar resident of the city. In a ward strong- ly Democratic he was twice elected to the council as a Republican. In 1886 he was nominated by his party and elected to Congress by a majority of twenty-five hundred in a district whose normal ma- jority for the opposition is about three thousand. He was clear-headed and prac- tical; his views on questions of public policy were sound, and while making no
pretensions to oratory he was listened to in the House of Representatives and made a very useful member. Having been a large employer of labor he understood the wants of working men and was instru- mental in securing legislation for their benefit. He was one of the Indiana Com- missioners to the World's Columbian Ex- position and discharged his duties with the rare intelligence of a broad-minded business man. For a brief period he was the proprietor of the Fort Wayne Gazette, but had no intention of engaging perma- nently in the newspaper business. He be- longed to the Caledonian Society and was an active member of Sion S. Bass Post, G. A. R. In 1894 he was appointed a member of the staff of Colonel Lawler, Commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Nation. Captain White had clearly defined views on public questions of great moment and strong convictions of right and duty. He was bold in the advocacy of any measure or principle which his conscience approved. Starting in life without cash capital he accumulated a fortune and achieved success by his own courage, energy and integrity; by his knowledge of men and his understanding of correct business principles. His will was strong enough to surmount obstacles that would discourage a weak man. He was active, brave and hopeful, possessing the tenacity of purpose for which his countrymen are noted. He lived up to his opportunities and therefore accom- plished the best things and achieved the best purposes. Liberal in his creed, he
J. J. Baur
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was also generous in his gifts, helping the deserving poor with open hands. His death was sincerely mourned by a large host who had been the recipients of his generosity and philanthropy. He died at his home in Fort Wayne, October 9, 1897. His life had been so open, so filled with usefulness, so devoted to the popular in- terest, that his name has become a house- hold word and his death brought sorrow to rich and poor alike in hundreds of homes. He was loyal to the city, aggres- sive and earnest in pushing to its final completion any enterprise which once se- cured his assent. Home was the center and citadel of his affection. His rule was firm and gentle, tempered by love and kindness. He honored the family re- lation by his unswerving loyalty and de- votion, thus evidencing his regard for vir- tue and domestic purity. Seven children were the fruit of his marriage, viz .: John W. White, president of the White National Bank, Fort Wayne; Mrs. Julius .A. Bona; Anna B., who died in California in 1893, Edward, James B. Jr., and Alex- ander B., who were associated with their father and who continue the busi- ness in the fruit house; and Grace, who lives with her mother in the homestead.
JOHN J. BAUR.
The life of which this sketch is a mere outline both began and ended in Switzer- land; yet, somewhat curiously, the great- er part of it was spent in America, and
it is with American soil that its mortal principle mingles. John Jacob Baur was born July 24, 1824, in Zurich, where he grew to manhood, availing himself of the excellent educational advantages afforded by the schools of that city, and prepar- ing himself to take a place in the world of commerce by serving an apprenticeship in pharmacy. At the age of twenty-three he came to this country, tarried for a year at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, then proceed- ing to Louisville, Kentucky, which he for nine years called his home, although dur- ing a portion of this period he was absent on an expedition to the Pacific coast. Yielding, as did many another at that time, to the golden allurements of Califor- nia, he set out across the continent, to re- turn via the Isthmus of Panama two years later, realizing little benefit from his un- dertaking save the varied experience of such a journey, which is sometimes of greater value than the most refined of gold. In 1856, Mr. Baur bought a farm in Clark county, Indiana, and, removing thither, devoted three years to the culti- vation of his land. This rural enterprise was succeeded, in 1859, by the purchase of a large flour mill near New Washington, Clark county, which he conducted during the Civil War, at the same time doing service as captain of the local Clark County Home Guards. He was granted an honorable discharge from military duty by Governor O. P. Morton, and, in the spring of 1865, he invested in real es- tate at Terre Haute, Indiana. Instead of settling in that city at once, however, he
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went to Jeffersonville, where for two ( years he was proprietor of a drug store on Main street. He then moved his fam- ily to Terre Haute, established there a home and engaged in the drug business on Wabash avenue. In connection with his pharmacy, he carried on the paint business, both branches of the enterprise proving wholly successful; and in such quiet and prosperous conditions the re- maining years of his life were for the most part passed. Mr. Baur was twice married, first, on February 14, 1850, to Mary Stuber, of Louisville, Kentucky. Of the children born to them the five sur- viving are: Mary E. Greiner, Amelia C. Beach, Carrie Spruhan, Jacob and Charles Baur. The first wife died on December 30, 1865, and at the close of the following year, Mr. Baur was united to her widowed sister, Mrs. Catherine Metzel. Five chil- dren of the second marriage-Oscar and Arthur Baur, Annette Calder, Cecelia and Blanche Baur-as also their mother, are living. Mr. Baur, appreciating the ad- vantages of a thorough education, was actuated by ambition for his children in choosing Terre Haute as a place of resi- dence. A man of simple tastes and un- pretentious address, he yet possessed a degree of culture and a range of informa- tion which wide travel adds to the study of books. In 1876, he made an extensive foreign tour, which included his old home city of Zurich, together with places of interest generally throughout the conti- nent of Europe; and in July of 1885, his health having been undermined by a too
constant devotion to business, he re-vis- ited Zurich, where his death occurred on April 30, 1886. His remains were brought back to Indiana, and, on the 21st of May, were laid at rest in the family lot in Terre Haute. The drama of Mr. Baur's life, though marked by peaceful domes- tic and industrial incident rather than by thrilling adventure, is still one of many and varied scenes, through all of which he preserved the confident poise that ema- nates from the consciousness of true and noble action.
JAMES H. WATSON.
James H. Watson, manufacturer, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, was born in Crawfordsville, November 9, 1836, and died Jannary 1, 1899. He was the son of William P. and Eliza A. Watson. His grandfather, Abraham Watson, was a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch de- scent, and of stanch Presbyterian parent- age. He came to Ohio when a young man, on an exploring expedition, and located near Hamilton, Butler county, when that place was only a small settlement. He was a contractor and builder, and was engaged in the construction of the Dayton Canal, and also built a flouring mill at Hamilton. He married a Miss Piatt, a lady of French descent and of a family well known and prominent in the early history of Ohio. She was a sister of Colonel Piatt, who lost his life in the bat- tle of Tippecanoe, and also a sister of Eleanor Piatt, the mother of Hon. Joseph
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E. McDonald, U. S. Senator from Indi- ana. It may also be mentioned that Sena- tor McDonald's second wife was Mrs. Araminta (Watson) Vance, a sister of James H. Watson. To Abraham Watson were born four children, of which Wil- liam P., the father of the subject of this sketch, was the second son. He married Eliza Ann Westlake, who was a native of New York, and a daughter of Nancy (Purdy) Westlake, whose ancestors were Huguenots. The Purdy family, who were natives of Rochelle, France, were driven from their native country during the re- ligious war, came to America and located in New York State, where they founded the town of New Rochelle. In 1832, after the death of his parents, Wil- liam P. Watson came with his family to Indiana, and settled at Crawfordsville. He conducted a general store, and was village postmaster for six years. In 1850 he established a tannery, which was af- terwards converted into a harness fac- tory. This was continued until 1875, when he died, leaving a family of four children. His son, James H. Watson, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Crawfordsville and worked in his father's tannery and store, until he was old enough to under- take business for himself. He then went into partnership with his uncle, James Watson, in the pork-packing business, which was continued for about fifteen years. When the war broke out in 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Tenth Indiana Volunteers, and was commissioned as
first lieutenant of Company G, under Capt. M. D. Manson. When the regiment went into active service, and Captain Manson was promoted to colonel, Mr. Watson became captain of Company G. He continued in the service, making a brave and efficient officer, until after the battle of Rich Mountain in 1862, when he resigned his commission and returned to civil life. Soon after, he secured a po- sition with a wholesale tobacco house in Louisville, Kentucky, and was sent to To- ronto, Canada, as manager of a branch house. After spending several years in their employ, he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, and worked for a short time as hotel clerk. Then he located in Craw- fordsville, where he remained until the time of his death, filling many positions of honor and trust, and becoming well known as an enterprising public spirited citizen. He served as deputy auditor for several years, and in 1870 was elected county auditor on the Democratic ticket. In this campaign he carried Union town- ship, a Republican stronghold-a feat never accomplished before or since by a Democrat. After serving as county audi- tor for two terms, with honor and credit, Mr. Watson retired from public office in 1879, and soon after associated himself with others in the organization of a com- pany for the manufacture of carriages, of which he was the managing head. Af- ter conducting this business for several years the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Watson went into the manufacture of metallic erestings. He had a splendidly
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equipped factory, much of the machinery being of his own design. He was of a mechanical turn of mind, ingenious and practical, and built up a large and suc- cessful business, in which he was engaged up to the time of his death. Mr. Watson was a member of the famous Montgom- ery Guards, and was a lieutenant in the company at the time of its re-organiza- tion. He belonged to the Royal Arcanum, and was a director of the Montgomery County Agricultural Association. A prominent business man of Crawfords- ville, who knew Mr. Watson intimately, says of him: "Mr. Watson was a man of unusual will power. He had a bluff ex- terior and spoke out his feelings with the greatest freedom, but was very gen- ial and kind hearted. He was universally esteemed by everyone who knew him, was known and loved by everyone in Craw- fordsville-rich and poor. Of enemies he had none. No man gave more to the poor and needy than he, in proportion to the means he had; he was generous to a fault-always ready to divide with or help a friend. He led an honorable and upright life, despising everything mean and low. A man with a big heart and a mind that bore no malice, his integrity was unquestionable, and his word was as good as his bond. In his private re- lations he was a model of kindness and generosity-social and domestic in his habits-his home was always open to his many friends. He loved to work and he loved to play; in society he was ever wel- come-a useful man everywhere." Mr.
Watson was married January 15, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Reynolds, daughter of Horace P. Reynolds, of Fountain county, Indiana. They were identified with the Presbyterian church society. Mr. Wat- son, though not a member of the church, was a great Bible student and lived a conscientious Christian life.
BENJAMIN F. CLAYPOOL.
Benjamin F. Claypool was of English descent on the paternal side, his ancestry being directly traceable to James Clay- poole, of England, who emigrated to Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1683. This James Claypoole was an intimate friend of William Penn, and first witness to Penn's signature to the famous Charter of Pennsylvania, and a mem- ber of the Colonial Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1686. To his brother, John Claypoole, belongs the distinc- tion of having married Elizabeth, favorite daughter of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector. About the year 1700 the great-great-grandfather of Benjamin F. Claypool settled in Virginia, and his father, Newton Claypool, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, in 1795. New- ton Claypool came to Indiana as a youth- ful pioneer about 1817. Endowed by na- ture with sterling sense and judgment, and possessing an education which was at that time considered liberal, he became early identified with the political affairs of both county and State, being appointed
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