USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume II > Part 68
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II26
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN LARUE FORKNER.
A NATIVE OF HENRY COUNTY, WHO IS NOW A PROMINENT CITIZEN OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.
Home pride is peculiar to no particular locality or people. It prevails, for various reasons, in a greater degree in some communities than in others, perhaps, but nowhere is it wholly absent among the characteristics of a refined and progressive people. Not only are the worthy institutions and enterprises of importance sources of pride in the localities where they have been established, but the men who have by their achieve- ments hecome prominent, whether at home or abroad, are honored and admired by their fellow citizens. It, therefore, follows that a history of Henry County and its prominent native sons would not he complete without some honorable mention of the subject of this biography.
John Larue Forkner was born in Liberty Township, Henry County, January 20, 1844. His parents were Micajah and Elizabeth (Allen) Forkner, the former a son of Isaac Forkner, who after serving his country in a North Carolina regiment during the war of 1812-15, removed to Virginia and subsequently immigrated to Indiana, locating at Centreville, Wayne County, where he remained for a time, afterwards removing to Henry County with his family. Micajah was born in Virginia in 1812 and was called to his reward at Millville, Henry County, August 11, 1879, honored and respected as an honest, upright citizen by all who knew him.
The early boyhood of John L. Forkner was passed in the midst of rural scenes and was not unlike that of other boys similarly situated in life. He assisted his parents on the farm and attended the district schools until he was twelve years of age, when his parents removed to Millville and engaged in mercantile pursuits. During the time he was not attending school he clerked in his father's store. With an experience of four years as salesman, he left the parental roof and engaged as clerk with Lontz Brothers, merchants, at Hagerstown, Wayne County. In the spring of 1863 he went to Cambridge City and accepted a position as salesman in the store of Lafe Develin. He remained there until 1864, when he was called to represent the interests of an elder brother in the mercantile establishment of Forkner and Allen at Tipton, Indiana.
He remained here until February, 1866, when he went to Madison County, locating at Anderson, where he was employed as salesman in various establishments until 1868. It was during this year that he was elected city clerk and at the expiration of his term of office was re-elected. While serving as city clerk he was also employed as deputy clerk of the circuit court, and held that position until 1872, when he was appointed office deputy by Sheriff Albert J. Ross. He served as deputy sheriff for two years and at the same time discharged the duties of local editor for the Anderson Democrat.
In 1874 he sought and obtained the nomination for auditor on the Democratic ticket, and at the general election that year was elected by a flattering majority. In 1878 he was re-elected and brought to the discharge of the duties of that important of- fice an experience that rendered his service not only highly creditable to himself, but to the party that elected him. During his later term as auditor he purchased a one-third interest in the Exchange Bank of Anderson and upon his retiring from office in 1883 was chosen cashier of that repository. In 1892 the bank was reorganized and converted into a national bank under the title of The National Exchange Bank of Anderson. With the reorganization of the bank he was again chosen cashier by the directors, and although he has heen and still is connected with other institutions and enterprises, he has ever since discharged the duties of that position.
In 1891 he was elected to the City Council as a Democrat in a ward that has always returned large Republican majorities. During his term in that office he demonstrated his efficiency and usefulness hy securing for the city, electric lights, improved fire protection and many miles of brick-paved streets.
Soon after the discovery of natural gas he took an active part in organizing the Citizens' Gas Company, and served five years as president of that corporation. He was also one of the original promoters of the Anderson Iron and Bolt Company and held a large amount of stock in the Pennsylvania Glass Company. In 1897 he took a promi-
II27
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
nent part along with Charles L. Henry, at that time a resident of Anderson, and Philip Muller, of Marion, in organizing the Union Traction Company of Indiana, and was treas- urer of the company for two years.
In 1892 he was appointed a trustee of the Northern Asylum for the Insane at Lo- gansport by Governor Matthews and served three years in that capacity, two of which were as president of the official board.
On account of many advantageous circumstances he was selected by his party to make the race for mayor of the city in 1902 and although he had a large majority to overcome, he was elected by a vote that surprised even his most sanguine friends. His administration of public affairs was so satisfactory to the people that in 1904 he was re- elected by a most substantial majority. The most notable undertaking of his adminis- tration, perhaps, was the successful construction of a pure water system for the city. This important public work involved the disbursement of a large sum of money, yet it can be truthfully said to his enduring credit that no man ever had the temerity to in- timate that one dollar was misappropriated.
Among the many honors that have been bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens, and as showing the high esteem in which he is held, it may be mentioned that he was chosen secretary of The Old Settlers' Association of Madison County and served in that capacity for several years, when he was elected president of the association and still holds that honorable position. In 1904 he was elected president of the State Association of Elks and served one year with distinguished credit to himself and the order.
Although entirely pacific in his inclinations, his friends and admirers have bestowed upon him the honorary title of "Colonel," which he will gracefully bear with him through the remainder of his years upon earth.
John Larue Forkner has been married twice. His first wife was Anna B. Hernly, of New Castle, to whom he was married in March, 1873. Three years later she died, leaving one child, Emma, now the wife of Lee C. Newsom, of Anderson. His second and present wife was Mary Carson Watson, daughter of ex-Sheriff David H. Watson, of Anderson, with whom he was united in marriage in 1878. The result of this union has been two children-Wade Hampton Forkner, who died at the age of four years, and Nellie Grant Forkner, at this time the life and sunshine of the Forkner home.
Mayor Forkner, notwithstanding his various business interests and official duties, finds time to devote to the social side of life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights Templar, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of Honor and the Elks, in each of which he stands deservedly high, and has received all the local honors that these lodges can hestow.
Cherishing a love for the old things that go to make history and seeing the necessity for a complete and intelligent record of the many interesting and important events that have occurred in Madison County since its organization, he in connection with ex-Mayor Byron H. Dyson, of Anderson, wrote and published in 1897 a history of that county that has since been accepted as authority upon all matters of which it treats. The work speaks for itself and will always stand as a proud monument to his memory as an able and faithful chronicler of events.
In matters of politics he has always been a Democrat of the Andrew Jackson type and believing that the world is governed too much, will no doubt continue in the Demo- cratie faith to the end of his career. No man locally stands higher than he in the coun- sels of his party, and no man takes greater interest in its welfare. He recognizes and appreciates the fact that his party has been generously partial to him in the way of pref- erment and he is, therefore, ready at all times and under all circumstances to render any service within his ability to promote its success. In his' political aspirations he has been successful beyond many, having never heen defeated in a contest for office before the people. His methods have always been such that even his opponents could not accuse him of intrigue or indirection. Just and honorable in politics as in business, his record is above reproach.
While not a member of any religious organization, he believes in the good in all re- ligions and stands for the best in good citizenship. With him the Golden Rule is not a mere sentiment, as he illustrates in his daily walk, and in a modest way the fact that he regards it as the safest and best of moral guides.
II28
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COU.ITY.
This in conclusion is the brief history of one of Madison County's most highly re- spected and popular citizens. As a man of affairs he is pre-eminent in his home city and county, and throughout the State enjoys a reputation in commercial circles inferior to that of no citizen within its borders. Genial and generous, able and conservative, void of vanity and selfishness, candid and conscientious, he is a plain, unpretending gentleman, whose entire life is a conspicuous example of what may be accomplished by untiring industry, honorable methods and right living.
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John WGriffin ١
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN WILLIAM GRIFFIN.
NATIVE CITIZEN. LEADING FARMER, INFLUENTIAL MAN.
John William Griffin, of Dunreith, is a native of Henry County, born December 3, 1831. His parents were Joseph and Rebecca ( Burgess) Griffin, who were married in 1830 and at once settled on land which had been entered by Joseph through his father, Jacob Griffin, who lived at Centreville, Wayne County, Indiana. Jacob Griffin was mar- ried to Mary Copeland in North Carolina and was a son of James and Hannah Griffin, James being a son of James Griffin and Alice, his wife, all of North Carolina. Joseph Griffin, father of the subject of this sketch, died August 9, 1890, and his widow, Rebecca ( Burgess) Griffin, who was born March 16, 1811, died November 22, 1903. Both are bur- ied in Spiceland Cemetery. They had four children, namely: John William, the subject of this sketch; Emily J., who died in middle life. was the wife of the Reverend Thomas Clark, of Wayne County, this State, a graduate of Haverford College, Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania; Sarah A. is the widow of Elwood Pleas, the author of the first history of Henry County. She is still living at her old home, south of Spiceland. Mary B. died unmarried at the age of twenty three years.
Rebecca (Burgess) Griffin was the daughter of John and Sarah (Cain) Burgess. The father of John Burgess was born in England hut came to America in early man- hood. John Burgess emigrated from Paspatank River, South Carolina, to Wayne County, Indiana, and settled on the site of South Richmond, where he entered a half section of land which is now nearly covered by the city. Both himself and wife are buried in the old Friends graveyard, near the ancient yearly meeting house in North Richmond. By their side lies George, the first born child of John William Griffin and his wife, who died in infancy, July 28, 1856.
The Carolina Griffins were descended from one of three brothers who, according to tradition, came from Wales to New York, one of whom settled in that State, the other two going south to Rappahannock River, Virginia, their descendants spreading out to the Neuse, and others to Apalachicola River, and some farther south and west, the ances- tor of John W. Griffin going to North Carolina. A fourth brother, who remained in Wales, is said to have been heir to the paternal homestead and ancestral estates, and through his dominating influence the others found the native land not only unwelcome, hut of doubtful safety. The emigrating brothers left their native land about 1650. Tradition has it that the family are descended from Llewellyn Ap (son of ) Gruyffyd, the last king or prince of Wales, who was captured by Edward I of England about the year 1282 and imprisoned in the Tower of London. On the walls of his cell it is said he scratched his name as above, and that it still remains there.
Writing to the subject of this sketch, one of the Griffins of Ontario, Canada, who claims to be of his' hlood, as well as name, says: "I believe he was beheaded * * * most of the branch of the family to which I belong were Quakers, in New York (Colony and State), for several generations, and that seems to be another link between your family and ours."
Judge Cyrus Griffin, who was a member of the last Continental Congress at the time of the Revolutionary War (his home being in Virginia), was educated in Eng- land. The following is from his family history: "Two brothers named Thomas and Samuel Griffin came to America and settled on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. They were descended from Llewellyn, last king of Wales. They left a brother in Wales who, being the eldest brother, possessed an estate of six hundred pounds sterling per annum. He died without issue, and the youngest brother, Samuel, went over in pursuit of the estate. He also died in England before anything was done with respect to the property. Thomas had an only son, also named Thomas, neither of whom ever left Virginia. They were nearly related to Admiral Griffin, who distinguished himself in the early Dutch wars, for which he was knighted Sir John Griffin. His family, it has always been understood, possess the estate above mentioned. His only daughter was by marriage Baroness Howard de Walden, and when two of Thomas Griffin's grandsons, Cyrus and Samuel, were in England at college they were acknowledged by that family
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
and visited them. Thomas Griffin, Junior, left one son named Leroy, who married Miss Bertrand. They had seven sons and one daughter, whose names were as follows: Thomas Bertrand Griffin married Miss Ball, of Virginia; Corbin Griffin married Miss Berkley, of Virginia; Leroy Griffin; Cyrus Griffin married Lady Christina Stuart, of Scotland; Samuel Griffin married Miss Braxton, of Virginia; William Griffin married Miss Chiswell, of Virginia; John Taylor Griffin married Miss Lightfoot, of Virginia; a daughter who married Mr. Richard Adams, of Virginia. The home of the family was called Zion House, in Lancaster County, Virginia."
John William Griffin, however, never heard a word about this traditional ancestry until in his teens, when a relative, while visiting at his father's was overheard by him in a conversation with his father about "our estate," which attracted his attention and after the guest had departed expressed surprise at being "left in the dark" when the other members of the family were so well posted. "Well," his father replied, "I was in hopes thee would never hear any of the foolishness of throwing away good money in an effort to secure that old estate."
JOHN WILLIAM GRIFFIN.
John William Griffin, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead, and was educated in the Spiceland schools, this mental training being sup- plemented by a short term in The Friends Boarding School afterwards Earlham Col- lege. Subsequently he engaged as a clerk in a store at Richmond. In 1852, in com- pany with John W. Johnson, a former school mate, he started a small store at Spiceland in a building located where Hoover's block now is, and for two years did quite as much business as their small means would justify, the credit system being in vogue through- out the country. During this time the Panhandle Railroad was built through the southern part of the county and, in company with a cousin, Elihu Griffin, and Caleb Johnson, a former preceptor, a store was also started at Ogden on the new railroad, Elihu Griffin being agent at that point. The firm handled, besides ordinary merchan- dise, wheat, corn, clover and timothy seeds, and also bought flour by the hundred- barrel lots, from Ogden, Raysville, Carthage and Buck Creek mills. Wool also was bought from the farmers and from Kennard's woolen factory, the grain, wool and flour being bought on commission, the cash being advanced and rates fixed by eastern capi- talists, which aided their credit business to stand the strain of a losing or unprofitable credit business. Soon after this the store at Spiceland was sold. Subsequently both the Johnsons and J. W. Griffin sold their interest in the business here and purchased an interest in Nordyke Ham and Company, at Richmond, Indiana, engaged in the manufacture of patent wire cloth flour holts. This company sent John W. Griffin as its agent to the Chicago Exposition of 1856, where an award of merit was granted the bolt company after passing the closest scrutiny of Committeemen Gage and Haines, mill- owners of the Chicago Mills, the leading mills in the city, and Fulton and Perkins, mill- wrights, who were second to none in importance in the country. Gage aud Haines pur- chased and placed in their mills the new Nordyke and Ham bolts, and the award of the exposition brought orders and inquiries from a large scope of country. Elihu Griffin accompanied John W. Griffin in this labor and proved himself a valuable assistant. Soon after this time, Mr. Griffin sold one-half of his interest in the manufacturing company for three hundred and thirty acres of land in Lake County, this State, which was for him a fortunate transaction. He located on the Lake County land and made his home there for nearly four years, when, his parents desiring to retire from the family home- stead owing to the mother's feeble health, he purchased one hundred and ten acres of his father and removed to the place of his birth. He sold out the Lake County interests, taking some other lands in Rush and Madison counties in part payment. He also en- tered a half section of land in 1853 in Washington County, Iowa. These lands were exchanged for lands and property nearer home, lands were sold, taking mortgages for part payment and other lands bought with these claims, which were of course assigned by the vendor. Quite a little brokerage in real estate was engaged in, when the panic of 1873 caught him with ahout thirty thousand dollars' worth of paper standing out, and
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
in lieu thereof he had to take the mortgaged lands scattered from Knox to Adams counties, in ten counties in this State. He mortgaged his home property and was thus enabled to clear his outside property of incumbrance so that he could the better handle it. In the course of years he managed to dispose of his outside property, some of it at long time and in one instance at ten years. Eventually he was enabled from these sales to clear himself of debt, though it took him twenty five years to do it. He has made turnpikes, helped make railroads, cut ditches, built tenant houses and barns, cleared lands and made fences. He deserves credit for the manly and successful manner in which he discharged his financial obligations which at one time encumbered him. Think of the amount of interest he has paid and taxes on these over fifteen hundred acres of land carried through hard times.
John William Griffin was married May 2, 1855, to Anna C. Price. She was born September 30, 1832, and died June 1, 1899. She was a most helpful companion to her husband and nobly bore her part in the duties and responsibilities of their lives, al- ways maintaining a perfect trust and confidence in her husband's ability to discharge his financial obligations. To their union were born nine children, of whom five died young. The four surviving children are: Emily, John Scott, Virginia and Susannah P.
Emily Griffin, born November 29, 1859, married Lewis Hyde, October 27, 1903. She and her husband reside at the old Griffin homestead and her father makes his home with them. Mr. Hyde is a practical farmer.
John Scott Griffin, born January 7, 1862, is one of the leading merchants of Spice- land. He was married June 1, 1898, to Ruth, daughter of Jesse and Mary Catbarine (McAfee) Nicholson, of New Castle, the ceremony being performed by the Reverend William . Mason Jennings, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, New Castle. She was born March 18, 1873. They have three children, namely: Price Nicholson, born March 29, 1899; Louise, born March 8, 1901; and Robert Bond, born January 15, 1904.
Virginia Griffin, born October 10, 1865, was married August 27, 1891, by the Rev- erend John P. Pennington, to William Littleton Cory, who was born March 25, 1857. Mr. Cory is a prosperous farmer and owns an excellent farm immediately adjoining Dunreith on the south. Mrs. Cory is one of the leading lady educators of the county.
Susannah P. Griffin, born October 26, 1867, was married June 28, 1892, by the Reverend John P. Pennington, to Alta Evans, a leading merchant and citizen of Spice- land, who was born November 12, 1868. They have three children, namely: Ralph Waldo, born June 24, 1893; Anna Louise, born Mareb 10, 1895; and Dorris, born March 11, 1897.
John William Griffin has had a political career in Henry County which is unique in that he has neither sought nor held office yet has wielded a very potent influence in shaping political destinies. For the ten years following 1861, he was the most influ- ential politician in the county and almost revolutionized the policy of the Republican party in the county. He was of Whig antecedents, but was too young by a month to vote for Scott and Graham in 1852 and, as State elections became biennial under the constitution of 1851, he was never able to vote the Whig ticket, for that party had gone out of business before the election of 1854. He gave his support in 1856 to the Repub- lican party ticket, county and State, and voted for its National candidates, Fremont and Dayton, but he declares that he did not at this time sympathize with the abolition senti- ments of the party and consequently was not very enthusiastic in its support until 1860.
At the time of his removal to Lake County already mentioned, his cousin, Elihu Griffin, accompanied him and there afterwards became an influential lawyer and poli- tician at Crown Point. The prevailing type of Republicanism in that Congressional district was that often stigmatized in those days in Henry County as "Julianism." "Then," says Mr. Griffin, "I woke up to the dangers of the situation and gave earnest thought to the issues at stake with the result that I became an earnest and zealous Republican of the more radical type." Though not a delegate, he was one of the only two men from Lake County, who attended the Republican National Convention at Chi- cago, which nominated Lincoln and Hamliu; the other was his cousin, Elihu Griffin, father of the Charles F. Griffin, who was a few years ago, Secretary of State of Indi- ana. John William Griffin represented The Crown Point Register, and as a representa-
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
tive of the press enjoyed rare facilities for seeing, hearing and knowing all that was going on. He remained throughout the convention and retains the liveliest memories of its impressive scenes and of the overwhelming joy of the western people at the nomina- tion of Lincoln.
He returned to Henry County in 1861 just as the war clouds were beginning to darken the political sky. The county seemed given over to the temporizing policy of those styled "silver gray Republicans," aud this condition of things led him to espouse the cause of George W. Julian, whom he had met and learned to respect, and with whose views he was in full accord. Under the old convention system, the rank and file of the new Republican party had no chance to express their real opinions nor to secure the nominations of men of their choice. Hence Mr. Griffin, with others, made a fight for nomination by popular vote, in which they were successful and thus was Mr. Julian given a chance to succeed in Henry County where a majority of the party were his friends. Mr. Griffin's next move was to raise a fund for the purchase of The New Castle Courier by Elwood Pleas, his brother-in-law, who is now generally conceded to have been a man of unusual ability and force of character. This was accomplished in November, 1862, and to condense much in little, George W. Julian became the choice of the Henry County Republicans for Congress and continued so to be until 1872, when he determined to support Horace Greeley for President as against General Grant, and afterwards acted with the Democratic party as did also his loyal friend and supporter, John W. Griffin.
During this period, Mr. Griffin was instrumental in bringing forward and advanc- ing the political fortunes of such men as Seth S. Bennett, who was at the time a poor blacksmith, schoolteacher and preacher, but little known outside of his immediate neigh- borhood and the local councils of his church, until Mr. Griffin and others induced him to take the stump in answer to Colonel Isaac P. Gray, then a candidate for Congress against George W. Julian. Mr. Bennett was a natural orator and the readiest and most effective stump speaker the county has ever had. His canvass made him many friends and he was urged to run for the General Assembly, when David W. Chambers was nominated and elected; but Mr. Griffin said "No! Bennett needs an office with a better salary to it," and caused his withdrawal and subsequent nomination and election as auditor of the county for two terms of four years each. He also brought forward Cap- tain David W. Chambers for representative in the General Assembly, and Thomas Reagan for senator. So successful was he that during the ten years of his greatest political activity, few, if any, of the men to whom he gave his support failed of success. And yet it may be said to his credit that he never countenanced illegal voting nor en- couraged corruption either in nominations or elections. Since 1872 he has acted with the Democratic party, but the feebleness of that party in Henry County has given him no opportunity for the exercise of his political astuteness, and for that reason his De- mocracy has been of a passive rather than an active character.
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