USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume II > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
"At his own request a pallet was laid on the floor, and on that he was placed. The wound produced a wonderful shock on his system, and as yet there was no reaction. From the first he seemed to realize his true situation, and when in conversation with the surgeons spoke coolly and calmly of his wound. He was anxious that amputation should take place just as soon as the system revived. Several hours elapsed from the time he was wounded until the attending surgeon discovered that instead of reviving he was growing weaker. In the meantime he was engaged in conversation on various subjects. He spoke of his experience in the army, and especially since he became connected with the regiment ; of a con- versation he had with General Whipple about the campaign, and his reply that the enemy would be very obstinate. Then his thoughts would turn toward his family. He requested that his wife might be sent for to come and take care of him; wondering if his little children would always be good children. He spoke of the tender affection which always existed between him and his companion, and talked only as a brave man could, who was so near the hour of dissolution.
"Night was now fast approaching, and a fire of pine knots was kindled on the hearth. About 7 o'clock the surgeons informed the Sergeant that the Colonel would probably never revive; that he was even then sinking; and that he had better speak to him of his danger. When told that he could hardly survive, and that he might die at any moment, his pale features lighted up with a smile as he calmly said, 'What, so soon ?' Continuing, he said : 'It is necessary for me to make the sacrifice, and I make it cheerfully, though here I am in Georgia, away from my pleasant home, away from my wife and dear little children. Tonight they don't know that I am dying by the fire of these pine knots.'
638
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
"He had given up his regiment. Now he gave up his family, and began to talk of the solemn realities of death. He remarked that he was never a believer in death-bed repentance, and that it was the duty of every one to prepare for death in time of health. One of the surgeons, a pious man, prayed with him, and told him that Jesus died to save him and would hear his prayer. Up to the last moment, the colonel continued to speak of his soul's salvation, and entreated those around him to not postpone the greatest duty of their lives. Before he died, he gave evidence to those around him that he was willing to go, and that he should pass from labor to reward. To the last he was calm and collected. Even the terrors of death did not move him, and he met the grim monster without a shudder. Noble man! Green in our memory will be the remembrance of his name. Encomiums we need not add. We have dropped the tear of sorrow at his untimely death, and we wait in hope of meeting him in a better land. Peace to the ashes of George W. Lennard."
Kind, courteous, and affable with all-one of Nature's own gentlemen. Never was man more popular among his neighbors and acquaintances than was Colonel Lennard. His friends were warmly attached to him and no man ever lived in Henry County who made a deeper impression upon her people, or whose death was more sincerely mourned. He was about five feet and ten inches in height, well proportioned, always appropriately appareled, dark hair, dark gray eyes-a hand- some man. Just prior to his death he had been nominated to the State Senate and it was confidently predicted by those who knew him that he would have been transferred from the Senate to a seat in Congress. Hallowed indeed must be the cause which demands the sacrifice of such noble men. It is to be hoped that God in his infinite mercies will never again permit the day to come when our common country shall be divided, section against section, in terrible war. His widow remained single and died of brain fever at her home in New Castle, June 1. 1879. highly respected and loved by all who knew her.
HENRY RUDISEL LEN NARD. ( Son. )
Henry Rudisel Lennard, the eldest son of Colonel George W. and Mrs. Clarinda ( Woodward) Lennard, was born in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana. August 14, 1853. He was a bright, intelligent youth, possessed of excellent social qualities, who enjoyed the society of his friends and was always full, even to running over, with good humor. He was educated in the public schools of New Castle, and afterwards attended Kentucky University at Lexington, in that State, and Michigan University at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
After completing his education, he took up the study of the law in 1876, at New Castle, having for his preceptor, Judge Joshua H. Mellett, who was never more pleased than when he had under his charge some young man preparing to enter the legal profession. Young Lennard continued to study law during the following two years ( 1877-78) and was afterwards admitted to the Henry County Bar before Judge Robert L. Polk, presiding judge of the Henry County Circuit Court. He practiced his chosen profession in New Castle for a short time and then turned his attention to mercantile and manufacturing pursuits, which he has since followed, except for a period of several months when he was in the
639
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
employ of the government as a railway mail clerk, serving from November 13. 1880, to May 5, 1881.
Henry Rudisel Lennard and Letta Gordon, daughter of Milton B. and Sophia Gordon, were married at Metamora, Franklin County, Indiana, January 7, 1880. The parents of Mrs. Lennard are old pioneer residents of Metamora, and the family is probably the most prominent in Franklin County. Mrs. Letta ( Gordon ) Lennard was born at Metamora and was educated in the public schools of that place and at Asbury, now De Pauw, University. Greencastle, Indiana. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Lennard resided in New Castle, where they had a large circle of relatives and friends, until 1884. when they moved to Mrs. Lennard's old home, Metamora, where they have since resided. They are the parents of two children namely: Edith Gordon, born at New Castle, November 22, 1880; and George Milton, born December 20, 1890. Edith Gordon Lennard, who grew to young womanhood under the watchful care of her devoted parents and who was and is now very prominent in the society of her many friends. at home and abroad, was united in marriage, January 7. 1903, with Frederick H. Wiley, a very active and prominent young business man of Indianapolis, which beautiful, thriving and progressive city is now their home.
Among the chief industries of the timber country of the West, an industry that has assumed great proportions, is the making of handles for shovels, spades. forks, axes, hoes, hammers and numerous other tools and instruments. It is in this business that Mr. Lennard is now engaged, he being the leading member of the Lennard Handle Company, Metamora, Indiana. The product of this factory. which is hardly second to any similar concern in the State, goes mainly under contract to foreign consumers. To the conduct and management of the factory, Mr. Lennard has given and now gives the most assiduous attention but its demands are not allowed to hold him entirely aloof from those affairs which socially and politically engage the efforts of those interested in good government, local, State and National. Hence it is that Mr. Lennard, as a leading Republican of his town. county and district, never fails to participate in the meetings and conventions having for their objeet the interests and the success of the party.
ASAHEL WOODWARD LENNARD. (Son. )
One of the most popular of the young men, who figured in the life of New Castle and its immediate neighborhood, was Asahel Woodward Lennard, the second son of Colonel George W. Lennard and Clarinda ( Woodward) Lennard, his wife. He was born October 15, 1859, at New Castle and was butt a young boy when his lamented father lost his life in the Civil War, at Resaca, Georgia. This boy. "Sale," as he was best known, obtained a part of his education, along with his early associates, in the public schools of New Castle and completed the same at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he remained as a student for four years.
After finishing his education, he returned to New Castle where he commenced the study of the law with Mellett and Bundy, then one of the leading law firms of Eastern Indiana. He was admitted to the Henry County Bar, December 4, 1880, and in the year 1883 was elected Treasurer of the Corporation of New Castle and was re-elected to the same office in the years 1884 and 1885 without opposition.
oto
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
He practiced his profession for several years at New Castle and then determined to seek a wider field. After visiting Duluth, Minnesota, and other Northwestern points, lie established himself at Pueblo, Colorado, to which growing and pros- perous Colorado city he removed in March, 1887. That place has ever since been his home.
On May 21, 1885, he married Anna Agnes Scott, daughter of James Robison and Elizabeth Ann (King) Scott. This lady was born at Champaign, Illinois, June 13, 1862, and was educated at the home schools and in the Chicago Female College, Chicago, Illinois. She is a bright, intelligent woman and the devoted wife of an equally devoted husband.
Mr. Lennard is a prominent and popular citizen of his new home, who holds a warm place in the hearts of a host of friends, and is justly regarded as one of the leading men of the City, County and State. As a lawyer he ranks among the leaders of the bar. He was a member of the Colorado Legislature during the ninth session, 1893, and represented his district, which is one of the most im- portant in Colorado, with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. While a member of the Legislature, he was chairman of the committee on the judiciary and also a member of a number of other leading committees. He has been City Attorney of Bessemer, a manufacturing town adjacent to Pueblo, and was the attorney for the Pueblo Water Trustees. He has also filled several other positions of trust and responsibility. Mr. Lennard was admitted to the Colorado Bar, March 13, 1887. In politics he declares himself to be a high tariff, gold bug. McKinley Republican.
Mr. Asahel W. Lennard is now but little past the meridian of life and is destined probably to become an important factor in the rapid, western civilization with which he has become identified. He seems assured of distinguished civic and political preferment.
LEANDER PERRY MITCHELL. (Son-in-law.)
Leander Perry Mitchell was born upon his father's farm in Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana, about half way between Mechanicsburg and Middletown, February 5. 1849. His parents were Charles Mitchell and Mary ( Black) Mitchell. He worked on his father's farm and attended the public schools in the neighborhood. On May 1, 1864, at the age of fifteen years, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company B, 139th Indiana Infantry, and was mustered into the Army. June 5. 1864. He was mustered out with the regiment September 29, 1864, on account of expiration of term of enlistment. He again enlisted as a private in the 147th Indiana Infantry and went to Richmond. Indiana, for muster in but was rejected on account of his age. This was the last regiment and company which was recruited in Henry County.
In the Winter of 1864-65 he determined to secure, if possible. an education and started to attend the public schools. He taught two Winters at Mechanics- burg : first, as assistant to Walter A. Boor (afterwards a learned and successful physician) of New Castle, who was principal; second, as principal, with William H. Keesling (afterwards the successful merchant. farmer and banker) of Mechanicsburg, as assistant.
Among his students were Erastus L. Elliott, now cashier of the Farmers"
ILAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Bank of Middletown, who afterwards served two terms in the General Assembly with honor to himself and to the county ; his sister. Ida Elliott, now the wife of Dr. Joseph M. Thurston of Richmond. Indiana : Mattie Jones, now Mrs. Mattie E. S. Charles of Spiceland : Dr. Libbie Weeks, late of Mechanicsburg, deceased ; Cassius M. Greenlee, now Judge of the Superior Court of Anderson, Indiana; George L. Swain, attorney-at-law of Middletown : Luther (). Miller of Middletown, a contractor, who built the new Methodist Episcopal Church of New Castle : Lurtin R. Ginn, now an official in the Treasury Department at Washington. D. C., and the present Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia ; and a number of others who afterwards became useful men and women.
After attending Spiceland Academy for some two years, he entered the Northwestern Christian University ( now Butler College ) of Indianapolis where he graduated in the Latin-Scientific course. He also graduated in the Law Department of Indiana University at Bloomington. Between terms at college. he rode on horseback once every week from his home in Fall Creek Township to New Castle to recite law to the late Judge Jehu T. Elliott, who had then just retired from the Supreme Bench. In the Fall of 1872 he opened an office at New Castle and began the practice of law, and followed that profession closely until January, 1898. The bar of the Henry Circuit Court was then and has been ever since composed of able lawyers.
On June 4, 1874, he married Bettie E. Woodward, daughter of Dr. Thomas B. and Catharine Woodward, who at that time was a teacher in the public schools of New Castle. On July 31, 1875, but little more than a year after her marriage, Mrs. Mitchell departed this life. The fruit of this marriage was one child who died in infancy. Both mother and child are buried in South Mound Cemetery. Mrs. Mitchell was a bright, sweet, Christian, noble young woman. admired and loved by all who knew her.
On January 6, 1879, he was married to Gertrude Lennard, only daughter of Colonel George W. and Clarinda ( Woodward) Lennard. To this union were born two sons, Lennard H., born February 24, 1881. and Bryant S., born December 14, 1887.
In the campaign of 1888, he was the Presidential elector on the Harrison and Morton ticket, for the Sixth Congressional District, which he fully canvassed. In 1890, he was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, superintendent of the census for the State of Indiana, and had entire charge of the taking of the census of recorded indebtedness of the State, covering the preceding ten years. In 1892 he was an alternate delegate to the national convention which nominated Har- rison and Reid. In the campaign of 1896, he was unanimously chosen as member of the Republican State Central Committee from the Sixth Congressional District. In this campaign, after Ex-President Harrison had published his letter stating that he would not be a candidate for President, it is a matter of history that, with the exception of John K. Gowdy, now Consul General at Paris, France, and then State Chairman, Mr. Mitchell did more than any other man in the State to secure in district conventions and in the State convention instructions of delegates to the national convention, for Governor William McKinley. His efforts in that cam- paign were characterized by energy, zeal and success.
Strange things happen in politics. After Mr. Mckinley was elected, Mr.
41
642
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Mitchell became an applicant for appointment to the office of Comptroller of the Treasury. Robert J. Tracewell, then a member of Congress from the Third District, was an applicant for appointment as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Mexico and wrote to Mr. Mitchell for his endorsement for that position, which was given. The President declined to appoint Mr. Tracewell to the position for which he was an applicant on the ground that he would not appoint anyone to that position who was not a resident of the Territory. He declined to appoint Mr. Mitchell. Comptroller of the Treasury, on the ground that he would not appoint anyone to that position who had not been a member of Congress. Both appointments were delayed until the Summer of 1897, when he appointed Mr. Tracewell, without his being an applicant, Comptroller of the Treasury, the position for which Mr. Mitchell was an applicant, and sometime thereafter Mr. Mitchell was tendered the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Mexico, the position for which Mr. Tracewell had been an applicant, which was declined. The place was then given to Judge Crumpacker of Indiana and in January, 1898, Mr. Mitchell was appointed Assistant Comptroller of the Treasury. a position corresponding to what was formerly the Second Comptroller of the Treasury. This office he still holds. It is a position of great honor and responsi- bility and one of the most important offices attached to the Treasury Department. It is practically independent of the Comptroller's Office, has jurisdiction of all fiscal matters pertaining to the War, Navy, and Interior Departments ; its decisions are final and no appeal lies from them by the Government: the incumbent should possess legal acumen commensurate with that pertaining to the highest courts in the land. It is a purely judicial position, where legal arguments are made orally or by written briefs, the cases often involving large sums of money. In the discharge of his official duties, Mr. Mitchell has been industrious, pains- taking and conscientious and has given good satisfaction.
In November, 1901, the physician attending his wife, who was thought to be slightly indisposed, informed him that she was fatally ill. At first this could scarcely be realized. How often is it true that "In the midst of life we are in death!" She was possessed of a gentle, genial, sunny nature, and her cheerful. hopeful disposition was never more in evidence than during her prolonged strug- gle with the grim destroyer which continued until the night of April 22. 1902. which brought the end and a release to her warm, sweet spirit. At the time of her decease at her home in Washington, D. C., her husband, her two sons, and her brother Asahel W. Lennard, who had come from Pueblo, Colorado, were with her.
She was born July 22, 1855. at New Castle, which was her home, except when away at college and during her residence in Washington. She was a member of the first class ( 1875) which graduated from the New Castle Academy. In the Fall of 1875 she entered Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, at that time ranking in thoroughness and high grade of studies with the best schools in the land. taking the regular classical course. She passed through the Fresh- man. Sophomore. Junior and the greater part of the Senior year, always standing at the head of her classes, when her health broke down and compelled her, much to her sorrow and that of her friends, to give up her work in college and return to her home. She was a noble woman, possessed of a beautiful Christian char-
643
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
acter, of strong ability both natural and acquired. No company where she was present could be dull. She was a woman of high ideals, a loyal, generous, sweet- hearted friend, a faithful and devoted wife, an affectionate and indulgent mother. She was admired and loved by all who knew her. Her remains were brought to her home in New Castle, and on Sunday, April 27, 1902, followed by a large as- sembly of friends who had known her in life, they were laid at rest in South Mound Cemetery. To all who knew her, her life is a sweet and enduring memory.
To Bryant S., the loss of his mother seemed more than he could bear. He could hardly be reconciled to the thought that he would never again see her in this world. On account of his health, after the death of his mother, he went with his uncle to his home in Pueblo, Colorado. On August 1, 1902, he and his father and Lennard H. met in Chicago and together visited the Yellowstone National Park. Salt Lake City, Idaho and other points of interest in the West, and then returned to Pueblo where it was arranged for him to remain and attend a private school during the ensuing year. On September 8th, just three weeks from the day his father and brother left him, word was received that he was dangerously ill. His father started to him immediately but he passed away before he could reach him. By all who knew him he is remembered as of handsome appearance, bright. generous, affectionate, a splendid specimen of a manly boy. His remains were brought to his home in New Castle, where on Monday, September 16th. 1902, they were quietly laid to rest beside his mother.
In a few brief months a pleasant home was shattered, deprived of nearly every ray of sunshine, with no comfort except that which must come from Above. On page 276 of this History, in the biographical sketch of Samuel Alexander Mitchell, will be found further and fuller reference to Charles and Mary ( Black) Mitchell, parents of Leander Perry Mitchell.
LENNARD HARRIS MITCHELL.
(Grandson.)
. Lennard Harris Mitchell completed his education at the Dean Academy, Frank- lin, Massachusetts, twenty seven miles from Boston, where he graduated in June, IGOT. In the Fall of the same year he returned to the Academy and took the post graduate course of that institution. On June 23, 1904, he married Bessie Joye, daughter of Judge John M. and Cora ( Heritage ) Morris, of New Castle. Since his graduation from Dean Academy, he has been connected with the Postoffice Department and he and his wife make their home with his father in Wash- ington, D. C.
In January, 1902, at the request of the Auditor for Cuban affairs at Wash- ington (then in Havana), he was sent to Cuba to assist in straightening out the accounts of the Island. This work had particular reference to the affairs of the Postoffice Department which were being investigated, owing to the pecula- tions of Rathbone and Neely. He remained in Cuba until the following April, when he was called back to Washington on account of the fatal illness of his mother. In the Winter of 1902-3 and again in the Fall of 1903, besides attending. to his duties in the Postoffice Department, he found time to attend the law school of the Columbian University (now the George Washington University). He has recently been engaged in the direction and installation of the rural route service . in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
CHAPTER XXX.
GRAND ARMY POSTS CONTINUED.
ORGANIZATION AND ROSTER OF JOHN R. MCCORMACK POST, NO. 403. CAD !- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRIVATE JOHN ROWDY MCCORMACK AND FAMILY -ORGANIZATION AND ROSTER OF JERRY B. MASON POST, No. 168, KNIGHTS- TOWN-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT JEROME BONAPARTE MASON AND FAMILY-ORGANIZATION AND ROSTER OF GEORGE W. RADER POST. NO. 110, MIDDLETOWN -- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF SERGEANT GEORGE WASHING- TOX RADER' AND FAMILY-ORGANIZATION AND ROSTER OF HARMON RAAYL. POST. No. 360. SPICELAND-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRIVATE HARMON RWI. AND FAMILY-ORGANIZATION AND ROSTER OF THE HENRY COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
JOHN R. MCCORMACK POST, NO. 403. G. A. R., CADIZ, INDIANA.
John R. McCormack Post. No. 403. Department of Indiana, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized and instituted at Cadiz, Henry County, Indiana. June 14. 1885, in Cook's Hall, and was mustered in by Comrade Morrow P. Arm- strong of George W. Lennard Post, No. 148. G. A. R .. New Castle, Indiana. mustering officer, assisted by Post Commander, William F. Shelley, who installed the officers, and George H. Cain, Senior Vice Commander ; Asa W. Hatch, Junior Vice Commander : William S. Bedford, Chaplain ; William H. Elliott, Adjutant : George B. Robson, Officer of the Day; John C. Murray, Officer of the Guard. and other comrades of George W. Lennard Post, as follows : Thomas J. Burchett. Henry C. Gordon, Thomas W. Gough, Joseph R. Mullen, Peter Niccum, Lorenzo D. Shepherd and Harvey W. Swaim. The Post was named for and in honor of the late John Rowdy McCormack of Company I, 69th Indiana Infantry, a sketch of whose life and military service is fully set forth at the end of this article.
The following named comrades were present at the organization and became charter members of the Post, viz : Hiram T. Alshouse, Henry Alspaugh, Samuel Bowers, Samuel Craig, Allen S. Deeter, William MI. Gardner, Job B. Ginn, Patrick H. Hansard, Thomas N. Lewis, Andrew J. McCormack. Noth MeCor- mack, Joseph McKee. Abraham Moore, Joseph ()'Neal, John Perry, Henry Reichart, Ethan S. Taylor and George W. Thompson.
The regular meetings of the Post were held on Wednesday evening of each week.
The following were the Post officers from the organization in 1885 down to and including the year 1904. The names of all of the officers are arranged alphabetically :
645
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
COMMANDERS.
Samuel Bowers, Josiah Bradway, George H. Brown, John R. Clevenger, Allen W. Coon, Daniel W. Craig, Samuel Craig, Patrick H. Hansard, Francis M. Lowery, Philander Lowery, John W. McCormack. Noah MeCormack, John Perry, Henry Reichart. George W. Thompson.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.