USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume II > Part 67
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During the Civil War, no man in Henry County was more heartily loyal to the government than Nimrod R. Elliott. He did not go personally into the conflict, but he was a power for good in the relief work which had to be done by those who remained at home. He was ever solicitous for the health and comfort of the soldier in the field and the welfare of the families, which through the misfortunes of war, had become in a manner dependent upon their friends and neighbors. In this as in many other direc- tions, he was exceedingly charitable but so modest withal that it will never be known to what extent or in what amount he gave for the relief of the needy and the distressed.
Nimrod Richard Elliott was a self made man. His first and principal asset through life was industry. He did not know what it was to be idle. Another asset was a laudable ambition to work to some purpose. His other assets were honesty, frugality, morality and a firm and lasting faith in Him who determines the destinies of all mankind.
During his entire married life, his wife was his wise counsellor, his sympathetic companion and a helpful presence. She was a worthy helper of her husband. Since his death Mrs. Elliott has had full charge of the estate of her husband and has ably dis- charged the trust.
Nimrod Richard and Jane H. (Cooper) Elliott were the parents of two children. the first being Ida Florence, and the second, Erastus Leonidas, commonly called "Joe."
On the occasion of the death of Nimrod R. Elliott, Judge Martin L. Bundy, of New Castle, wrote as follows:
"Mr. Elliott I have known for sixty years. In 1844, when Colonel Miles Murphey built the house on South Main Street, now occupied by his daughter. Mrs. George W. Goodwin, Nimrod was a boy about seventeen years of age and carried the brick and mortar for the masons who built the walls and this was probably the first work he had done away from home. He settled in the small village where he had lived so long, managed to get a small stock of goods, gave close attention to his business, and by good judgment and economy, backed by the strictest integrity, won the confidence of the people and made a large fortune. Our relations were always so cordial that I regret exceedingly to part with Nimrod. His example should impress young men with the great advantages of industry, economy and integrity in business, for these are the sure guides to never-failing success. He lived the simple life of a typical American. Nimrod R. Elliott must be regarded as one of Henry County's great citizens."
ANCESTRY OF MRS. NIMROD R. (COOPER) ELLIOTT.
Mrs. Elliott was the daughter of William Cooper, who was the son of John and Ann (Hayes) Cooper, natives of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1794. The family consisted of the parents and four sons, named Caleb, William (father of Mrs. Elliott), John and Imla. They moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where John Cooper, the father, died in 1825. Caleb came to Henry County, Indiana, in 1832; Imla. in 1834; and William and John, with their mother, in 1835.
William was the father of eleven children, seven of whom were born in Harrison County, Ohio, and four in Henry County. Indiana. Jane H., the sixth child and fourth . daughter, became the wife of Nimrod R. Elliott.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
The Coopers came to Indiana from Harrison County, Ohio, which had for its county seat the town of Cadiz, and it is through this family that the Henry County town of Cadiz and the township of Harrison obtained their names. The family is a very large one and has had from the beginning an important influence upon the history of Harrison Township and the western part of the county of Henry.
Caleb H. Cooper, a brother of Mrs. Elliott, was one of the most promising young men of the county. He was a soldier in the Civil War, being mustered in as Second Lieutenant of Company E, 9th Indiana Cavalry. He was promoted First Lieutenant and served until the close of the war in 1865. His military history will be found in Chapter XII of this History. Elsewhere in this History will be found a full biographical sketch of Robert Holiday Cooper, brother of Mrs. Elliott, to which reference should be made for further information as to the ancestry of Mrs. Elliott.
ERASTUS LEONIDAS ELLIOTT.
( Son. )
Erastus Leonidas Elliott is the only son of the late Nimrod Richard and Jane H. (Cooper) Elliott. He was born at Mechanicsburg, Henry County, Indiana, September 17. 1853. The place of his birth was at that time little more than a backwoods village but the kaleidoscopic changes of the past half century have changed its whole aspect. It is now the center of a rich farming district that is not excelled by any portion of the county.
He obtained his primary education in the common or district school at Mechanics- burg and this was supplemented by two years' (1878-79) study at Spiceland Academy under the influence and direction of that eminent scholar and teacher, Clarkson Davis, who will long be remembered in Henry County as its foremost educator. After leaving the Academy, Mr. Elliott began the study of the law in the office of Mark E. Forkner, of New Castle, where he continued during the years 1880 and 1881. He then entered the law department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, and graduated from that institution in 1882. He never engaged in the practise of the law, however, for in 1882 he became the cashier of the Farmers' Bank, Middletown, Indiana, and filled that posi- tion until 1902, when the bank was re-organized as the Farmers' State Bank of Middle- town and Mr. Elliott became its cashier, a position which he has held to the present time. Twenty three years of his life have thus been spent in the banking business and the phenomenal success of the institutions controlled by him thoroughly attests his financial ability. From the start he was under the most favorable auspices, but it has been his own capacity for labor and keen insight into business which have made the institution so highly prosperous. Further information regarding this banking institu- tion will be found in the chapter of this work relating to "Banks and Banking."
Erastus L. Elliott has twice been a member of the lower house of the General As- sembly of Indiana, serving during the fifty ninth and sixtieth sessions, 1894 and 1896. He was during both terms chairman of the committee on banking. He was an active member of the house and took an advanced position as a legislator, in all things doing his full duty toward his constituents.
He was elected trustee of Fall Creek Township in 1886 and served acceptably in that position for two years. He is now and has been for several years president of the board of school trustees for the corporation of Middletown. He has given much attention to the educational affairs of the town and at the present time the Middletown schools are second to none in the county in efficiency. The school building is one of the best, being modern in construction and appointments, handsome in appearance and conven- iently arranged for school purposes.
Erastus L. Elliott, following in his father's footsteps, upon his arrival at the age of manhood, allied himself with the Democratic party. In 1892, however, he became a Republican and has ever since supported the policies of that dominant organization. He has been honored by the party in Henry County by election to membership in the General Assembly of the State as above related. He has been active in the support of
E.L. Elliot
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
the party in all campaigns since 1892 and though a man of positive opinions he has never permitted political feeling to interfere with his social and business obligations. He has numerous friends in both political parties and extends respect to the opinions of others with whom he may differ as to governmental policies.
He is not a member of any church, but leans toward the Universalist denomina- tion of which his father was for a long time a consistent adherent. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; of the Knights of Pythias; the Order of Elks; and the Improved Order of Red Men,
Erastus L. Elliott is a gentleman of splendid social qualities and delights to enter- tain his friends. He is a great reader and keeps fully advised as to the trend of current events, whether the same relate to the civil, religious, moral or social affairs of the country. Comparatively, he is still a young man, not much beyond his prime, and barring the uncertainties of life, bids fair to have many years of usefulness to the community still before him. What he has already accomplished has heen from a desire to be doing something in the world. He has not been pushed onward by the spur of necessity but rather by a fine moral consciousness of his duty toward his fellow men.
IDA FLORENCE (ELLIOTT) THURSTON.
(Daughter.)
Mrs. Thurston is the only daughter of the late Nimrod Richard and Jane H. (Cooper) Elliott, and was born July 14, 1851. She grew to young womanhood at Me- chanicsburg, where she attended the public schools and afterwards finishhed her educa- tion at the well known New Castle Academy. She was a bright, vivacious and intelli- gent girl, who was much beloved by the companions of her youth.
On October 19, 1869, she was married, at her home in Mechanicsburg, to Dr. Joseph M. Thurston, the ceremony being performed by the Reverend Asa Huston. To them have been born two children: Evaleth Mabel, born December 13, 1870; and Richard Elliott, born November 23, 1879, died November 3, 1893, and is buried in Earlham Ceme- tery, Richmond, Indiana.
The daughter, Evaleth Mabel, was married September 6, 1899, at the home of her parents in Richmond, to Professor Hugo Paul Thieme, by the Reverend William War- binton, of the Christian Church at Hagerstown, Indiana. Professor and Mrs. Thieme reside at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the former is assistant professor of French in the University of Michigan. They have one child, Florence Leonie, born May 20, 1902, in Richmond, Indiana.
Dr. Joseph M. Thurston was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 2, 1841, his parents being William Henry and Delilah (Miller) Thurston. He was educated at Washington Court House, Ohio. In 1866 he came to Mechanicsburg, Henry County, Indiana, and there commenced the study of medicine in the office and under the tutelage of the now venerable Dr. Joseph Weeks. In 1866-7 he attended the course of the Physio-Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1868 opened an office in Hagerstown, Indiana, where he began the practise of his profession. In 1888 he removed his family to Richmond, Indi- ana, where he still resides and has a large practise. From 1875 to 1890 Dr. Thurston was professor of Physiology and Anatomy in the Physio-Medical College at Indianapolis. He is now professor of Nervous Diseases in the same institution.
In the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company F, 90th Ohio Infantry, and served until the end of the conflict. He enlisted July 23, 1862, and was mustered out June 26, 1865. He was a participant in the battles of Perryville and Wildcat, Ken- tucky; Stone's River, Tennessee, and Ringgold and Chickamauga, Georgia. He was ta- ken prisoner in the last named battle and was confined for a year in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, where he acted as ward master, hospital steward and assistant to the surgeons in charge.
Dr. Joseph M. Thurston is prominent in his profession and has a wide acquaintance throughout Eastern Indiana, where he enjoys the full confidence and esteem of the people. 71
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF SAMUEL FERRIS, M. D.
EMINENT PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON AND LEADING CITIZEN OF NEW CASTLE.
No one, except an immediate member of a family, has so intimate a knowledge of the inner life of its circle as the the attending physician. He is not merely a dispenser of medicines for the cure or alleviation of physical ills; he must also be a healer of minds distressed. How high, indeed, must the standard of honor be among the mem- hers of a profession whose duty it is to invade the secret recesses of the mind and heart. Subject only to the judgment of conscience, how constantly must the physician he on his guard to keep inviolate the confidence of his patients. So seldom, too, is this trust and confidence violated that it is a crown of honor to the whole profession. Then, too, see how wonderfully the smiling lip and the kindly word of the true physician quiet the tears of the sick and inspire them with hope, while the scowling countenance and surly demeanor of another counteract the utmost efforts of his skill in the medical art. Every student of this most ancient and honorable profession must be governed hy the most exacting rules of ethics illustrated by the unselfish and single minded devotion to duty which has characterized the lives of its eminent practitioners, and by as much as he fails to attain this ideal standard he falls short of being the perfect healer.
Dr. Samuel Ferris possessed those qualities of mind and heart which are so essen- tial to the successful physician and, which for the want of a closer analysis are popularly said to make of one a "natural physician." He was an educated gentleman and supple- mented his natural abilities hy thorough and exhaustive investigation, and during a practise of many years' duration he was constantly alert to the advances being made in medicine and surgery.
He was the lineal descendant, according to the genealogical records of the family, of Jeffrey Ferris, the first of the American family of that name. He is said to have been a native of Leicester, England, who came to America in 1635 and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. He died in 1666. His descendants in order were as follows: James Ferris (the first), who died about 1726; Samuel Ferris (the first), horn in September, 1706, died in 1786; Samuel Ferris (the second), born in February, 1733, and was a sol- dier of the Revolution; Frederick Ferris, the father of Samuel Ferris (the third), sub- ject of this sketch; he was a native of Connecticut, where he married Susannah Nichols. He was born in 1784 and died in 1845; his wife was born in 1791 and died in 1832. They moved from Connecticut in 1813 and settled on a farm, four miles northeast of Brook- ville, Franklin County, Indiana.
Frederick and Susannah (Nichols) Ferris were the parents of twelve children, namely: William K., Ann D., Susan E., John W., Caroline, Catharine, James S., Mary, Samuel, Allison B., Isaiah, and a daughter who died in infancy. Of these children, the first five named were horn in Connecticut and the remainder in Indiana. All of this family are now dead. Catharine became the wife of the late James M. Clements, who was for several years surveyor of Henry County and who was also the father of Courtland C. Clements, of Washington City. Further reference to James M. Clements will be found in Chapter XLIII, and to Courtland C. Clements in Chapter XXVII, of this His- tory. Mrs. Clements was an excellent woman and mother and much beloved of a large circle of relatives and friends. James S. Ferris, the third son, was for several years a teacher in New Castle; he was the first county school examiner and was for eight years, 1856-1863, auditor of Henry County. He died September 23, 1870.
SAMUEL FERRIS.
Samuel Ferris, the fourth son of Frederick and Susannah (Nichols) Ferris, was born on the farm above mentioned in Franklin County, Indiana, March 13, 1822. He re- mained under the parental roof until he was ahout eighteen years of age, when in 1840 he became a medical student under the then well known physician, Dr. Ziha Casterline, of Liberty, Union County, Indiana. He remained with Dr. Casterline as student and assistant for two or three years and then located at Cadiz, Henry County, Indiana,
سيزيد
. Ferris
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
where he practised for about six months. He then entered into partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Casterline, at Liberty. This partnership continued for two years, after which he located at New Paris, Ohio, where he remained for twelve years. In 1856 he removed to New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, and there continued in the practise of his profession until his retirement in 1898. He died November 4, 1901.
Dr. Samuel Ferris was a man of positive opinions and firm in the discharge of his duties. He was a law-abiding citizen and believed in the strict and impartial enforce- ment of the law, whether for the prevention of crime, the preservation of health or the elevation of the morals of the community. He was a man of the strictest integrity and demanded like conformity by others to the highest standard of living. He took especial pride in the profession which he adorned and its numerous and onerous demands were met by him with alacrity until worn out in well doing and borne down by the weight of years he was compelled to relinquish to other hands the work he had so long and so faithfully performed. He was a successful physician with a large practise throughout his career and was esteemed by the laity as well as by the profession for his learning and ability. In his profession he was zealous and untiring and endeared himself to the afflicted by his cheerful sympathy and ready aid. He carried rays of sunshine into hun- dreds of households and departing left behind him an atmosphere charged with confi- dence and hope. Among his family and friends he was a sociable and companionable man and he was never more delighted than when ministering to their content and happi- ness.
In addition to his constant practise of medicine, Dr. Ferris was for a number of years health officer of the Corporation of New Castle and during his term in office per- formed his duties most satisfactorily. He firmly believed that cleanliness is next to godliness. He made frequent personal investigations and enforced observance of his orders by appeal to the law when his instructions were disobeyed or ignored.
Dr. Samuel Ferris, it will be noted, practised his profession in New Castle and contiguous places for more than forty five years. During this time, he was a delegate to the American Medical Association, at Chicago in 1863, from the Henry County Medical Society, which he had helped to organize in 1856, and which was the first society of its kind in the county. He was for many years a member of the State Medical Society of Indiana. In 1882 he was a member of the Board of Trustees of New Castle and in the same year became by appointment one of the board of examining surgeons for pensions which position he filled acceptably for several years. He was the friend of the soldier and while faithfully performing his duty as a member of the board, he always decided doubtful points in favor of the defender of his country.
At New Paris, Preble County, Ohio, March 13, 1845, Dr. Samuel Ferris married Margaret C., daughter of John and Sarah Lohr, of that place. This was a happy union and together they lived in perfect harmony and love for more than fifty six years. She still survives him and though advanced in years, having been born April 17, 1824, she finds consolation in the earnest filial love and devotion of her children. Dr. Samuel and Margaret (Lohr) Ferris were the parents of nine children, of whom but four are now living, namely: William E., Eliza M., now Mrs. James A. Martindale, of New Castle; Luella and Edgar S. William E. Ferris is a practical farmer and gardener, residing two miles north of New Castle, where he gives great attention to the cultivation of the strawberry and other popular fruits. He is an industrious and intelligent worker and his efforts have met with deserved success. Luella lives at home with her mother and manages the household. A sketch of Dr. Edgar S. Ferris follows this article relating to his father.
Dr. Samuel Ferris and his wife were lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During his life they were punctual attendants upon its services and liberal contributors to its support. Since his death Mrs. Ferris continues her devotion to the same denomination. Dr. Ferris was not a member of any secret organization, although he had at times expressed a preference for the Masonic order with which his son, Dr. Edgar S. Ferris, is prominently identified.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
EDGAR SAMUEL FERRIS, M. D.
Not so many years ago Henry County was noted for its aged practising physicians, most of whom, however, have now passed off the stage, giving place to a new generation. The older generation of physicians followed their profession under the most trying condi- tions, braving the cold and snows of Winter, the storms and floods of Spring and Sum- mer and facing the most serious difficulties and dangers inseparable from a wild and new land, and they are the real heroes of the early settlement and subsequent develop- ment of the country. Such pioneer physicians as Joel Reed, John Darr, William M. Kerr, James V. Wayman, George W. Riddle, William F. Boor, George W. Ballengall, John S. Guisinger, Joseph Weeks, John Rea, William B. Shockley, Luther W. Hess, Jo- seph W. Whitesel, Isaac Mendenhall, Samuel Ferris, Robert B. Griffis, Roland T. Sum- mers, William M. Bartlett, Jonathan Ross, and others, are each entitled to honorable mention and their names should be forever preserved in the annals of Henry County. The new generation of physicians find their duties comparatively easy and altogether free from the discomforts and dangers which surrounded those who in the language of early times "blazed the way."
Among the younger physicians of the county is Dr. Edgar Samuel Ferris, who is the second son of the late Dr. Samuel and Margaret (Lohr) Ferris. He was born in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, April 9. 1864, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. He was strongly attracted toward the profession of medi- cine and like his father began to study the art at the age of eighteen. He pursued his studies under the direction of his father for a couple of years and then entered the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1885. He subsequently took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic, having in the meantime entered upon the practise of his profession at New Castle, in partnership with his father. This business union continued uninterruptedly until 1898, when the elder Dr. Ferris retired from active practise. Dr. Edgar S. Ferris continued the business until the Spring of 1902, at which time he concluded to give up the general practise of, medicine and confine himself to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.
He closed his office and went to Philadelphia, where he entered upon a course of study relating to these various organs at the Polyclinic. He subsequently crossed the ocean to London, England, and there attended the lectures at the Royal Op- thalmic Hospital and the Central Nose, Throat and Ear College, After his return from London, he established his office at Indianapolis and practised there for several months. He then returned to New Castle, where down to the present time he has given his undi- vided attention to a constantly increasing and highly successful special practise.
The special branch of the profession to which he gives his attention is a highly important one and requires constant and unceasing study to keep abreast of the develop- ments of modern scientific treatment of disease, and the practitioner has but little time for matters outside of his chosen field; but Dr. Ferris is notably industrious and has no idle moments. He is a member of the County, State and National Medical societies and was for three years a member of the Board of Trustees of New Castle, in which posi- tion he acquitted himself to the complete satisfaction of the community. He was also for several years the very competent secretary of the County Board of Health. Politic- ally he has always been a Republican and is an earnest supporter of the principles of that party. Besides his activity in his profession and in politics, he has also shown a disposition to aid the growth and prosperity of his native town.
Dr. Ferris is an urbane gentleman and by his pleasant manners invites the esteem and confidence of the community. He is quick in decision, quick to act and firm in his opinions. He is a man of fine character, high attainments and increasing reputation in his profession.
On March 23, 1887, at the home of her parents near Cadiz, Henry County, Indiana, Dr. Edgar S. Ferris married Minnie M., the fifth daughter of Robert H. and Margaret (Haworth) Cooper, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this History. Dr. and Mrs. Ferris have had born to them one child which died in infancy. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are constant in attention to their religious duties.
ES Ferris.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Dr. Ferris is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic Order. He has taken all of the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Council, the Knights Templar and the Scottish Rite, including the Thirty Second Degree, and is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has given a great deal of thought and study to Masonic history and is familiar with the unwritten work of the order. He is frequent in his attendance upon its meetings and so far as possible practises its grand precepts and principles. He is also a member of that large sister order, the Knights of Pythias. Counting by years he is still a young man but he is old in experience. Using the term in an entirely complimentary sense, he is "a chip of the old block," and following in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Samuel Ferris, the presumption is that in the coming years, he may more than merit the distinction attaching to the name of that well known and highly honored old school physician.
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