USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume II > Part 39
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mill with John Carlisle for a year. He was a successful man of affairs and widely known in central Indiana in the early days. His death occurred in 1880, his widow surviving until 1891. They were the parents of the follow- ing children : Mary Ann, now deceased ; married John Johnson ; John V. was drowned when fourteen years old; Nancy married Dr. T. P. Seller, is now a widow and lives in Indianapolis: Dr. W. J. lives in Indianapolis ; Adeline married Henry Parker and they are both now deceased; Lydia is the widow of George Guthrie, and lives in Indianapolis; Luren is the widow of C. G. Beck and lives in Huron, California ; Dr. H. Wilson is deceased; and Samuel R., of this sketch, who was the seventh child in order of birth.
Our subject remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. He had received his education in the district schools and in the Normal at Danville, Indiana, and in that city on August 7, 1862 he proved his patriotism by enlisting in Company K, Seventieth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, being in a regiment commanded by Benjamin Harrison, who later became a general and finally President of the United States. Our subject served with the army in Kentucky and Tennessee, taking part in the battle at Russellville, Kentucky, and while making a bayonet charge was overheated in October, 1862. This rendered him unfit for further service in the army, much to his regret, and on November 28th of that year he was discharged from the service owing to disability. But determined to serve his country, he, in the spring of 1863, formed a regiment of state guards in Hendricks county. of which he became first lieutenant, subject to call at any time by the state. He was summoned to camp several times, and was in several skirm- ishes and assisted in repelling Morgan's raid into Indiana. He was mus- tered out at the close of the war and was honorably discharged.
In 1867 he went to Neosho county, Kansas, where he homesteaded, entered and purchased four hundred acres of good land, all prairie except eighty acres of timber. He set to work with a will improving his land and carried on general farming and cattle raising with pronounced success.
Mr. Carter was married on December 23, 1872, to Margaret G. Buchanan, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of James and Mary A. (Gregg) Buchanan, both natives of Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1873 Mr. Carter sold his holdings in Kansas and came to Indianapolis, where he lived one year. In the spring of 1876 he bought a farm in Sugar Creek township. Boone county, and this he operated with his
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usual success until 1890. This place consists of one hundred and sixty acres and was brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation by Mr. Carter. In 1890 he rented his fine farm and moved to Thorntown, where he bought a dwelling which he remodeled into a modern home and here he has since lived in retirement, but has retained his farm. He has been very suc- cessful in a business way, having managed well and applied himself closely. He is a director in the Home National Bank of Thorntown, and has other local interests.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Carter has been without issue. Politically, he is a Republican, and has long been more or less influential in party affairs. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, post at Lebanon. Fra- ternally he holds membership in the Masonic Order, Lodge No. 113, at Thorntown. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been elder since 1908. He is a man of fine personal characteristics. genial, obliging and straightforward in his relations with his fellow-men.
CHARLES D. DAILY.
Charles D. Daily is a native of New Carlisle, Ohio, where he was born in 1856, the youngest son of Charles R. Daily and the brother of Americus C. Daily. whose sketch appears on another page of this work .. Mr. Daily, our subject. was but a young man when he came from New Carlisle, Ohio, to Boone county, where he finished his education and began life in earnest by accepting a position in the telegraph office in Lebanon, where he learned telegraphy and at which he worked for a series of years, the greater part of the time in the employment of the Big Four railroad proving himself a conscientious and a worthy employee. After a series of years in this line. he was offered employment by his brother, Americus C. Daily, who was then president of the Lebanon National Bank, which position he accepted and became a very capable employee of the bank with which he remained until. it surrendered its charter. Mr. Daily has continued to reside in Lebanon, where he has reared his family and is surrounded by the comforts for which his years of toil have provided and is respected by all who know him.
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MAJ. H. G. HAZELRIGG.
Harvey G. Hazelrigg was a native of Kentucky, where he passed the days of his youth and acquired his education. After reaching manhood's years, he served with honor in the Legislature of his native state, and subse- quently removed to Boone county, Indiana, locating on a farm about half way between Lebanon and Thorntown. He had not resided long in this county ere his eminent ability attracted attention and he was solicited by his friends to become a candidate for Representative in the Legislature of Indi- ana. Being financially embarrased at the time, he declined; but, as his friends insisted and offered him necessary assistance, he finally consented to make the canvass. Although he had a strong opposition to contend with, he was elected by a good majority, and immediately became a leader in the House, taking an active part in all the important measures before the Legislature. He was a Whig during the existence of that party, and upon the organiza- tion of the Republican party, embraced its principles and entered at once into earnest labor in its behalf.
Although reared amid the influences of slavery, he detested the institu- tion and was in favor of measures for its abolition. He was a warm admirer of Henry Clay and coincided most heartily with his views on this subject. At the expiration of his term as Representative, he became a candidate for the state Senate. The Senatorial district was composed of the counties of Boone, Hamilton and Tipton, in which his opponents were largely in the majority. It was hoped, however, that his well known popularity would still render him successful. There was a strong element in Hamilton county as well as in Boone known as the "Free-Soilers," and composed largely of mem- bers of Friends. They charged that Major Hazelrigg had not voted strongly against pro slavery measures, whilst in the Kentucky Legislature, and ac- cordingly brought forward a third man in the hope of defeating him. This plan proved successful and the Democratic candidate was elected by a small majority.
Upon the organization of the LaFayette & Indianapolis Railroad Com- pany, Major Hazelrigg became a stockholder and was immediately chosen as one of the directors. He was soon afterward appointed as collector to collect the stock subscriptions due the company, performing his work in a highly creditable manner. His ability as a collector has never been surpassed
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by anyone connected with this road. After the completion of this road, he was chosen to act as its purchasing agent, and continued in this office as well as that of director, until its consolidation with the Indianapolis & Cincinnati railroad. In every position he proved himself of invaluable service to the company. His remuneration was commensurate with his ability and man- agement. When he first entered the service of the company, he possessed but a small amount of property and upon retiring therefrom had amassed a fine estate through the emoluments derived from the road, and their prudent investment in profitable enterprises.
He engaged as a banker and a broker with Judge L. C. Daugherty and Elijah Sims and continued in this business until the date of his decease. He possessed a voice which was winning and persuasive and at the same time fully under his control. The subject of Freemasonry was one of his favorite themes and upon this subject he was learned and eloquent. He was the founder of the Masonic lodge at Lebanon as well as at Thorntown, and his interest in the order and his untiring labors in its behalf made him dear to the hearts of his brethren and associates.
In his early life he studied law in Kentucky and for a number of years was a practicing attorney, but abandoned the profession after his removal to Indiana. His physical and personal appearance, as well as his address was of the highest order and he was one who would be marked and noticed among a large assembly : and while kind and courteous to all, he still possessed a native dignity which commanded respect and repelled undue familiarity.
MRS. NANCY A. JARRELL.
Miss Nancy A. Pitsnagle was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. De- cember 26, 1824, and died at her home in Thorntown, Indiana, May 17, 1914, aged eighty-nine years, four months and twenty days. In 1827, she with her parents moved to Liberty, Indiana, and in 1840, at the age of sixteen, she was united in marriage to Lorenzo D. Jarrell, of Lexington, Kentucky. The next year the bride and groom moved to Thorntown where they as a family have resided continuously, until by death were transplanted to Canaan land. Mr. Jarrell passed over near a score of years ago.
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For over three score and thirteen years she was a citizen of Thorntown. She has witnessed its growth and history from almost the beginning to the present time. Her life and sympathy has been devoted to its best interests through all these years. She and her husband in the early days helped to build the roads, school houses and churches. They saw the red man vanish and the forests fall before the woodman's ax. She knew from experience what pioneer life meant. In the midst of its privations and sacrifices she gave birth to nine children, five sons and four daughters, and best and most noble of all she was a beautiful and true mother and devoted her life to the welfare of her children. When the war cloud arose and her sons were just strengthening into manhood, she gave three of them for the salvation of her country. They went forth to battle, one fell, William died of wounds re- ceived at Selma, Alabama : James and John died previous to the mother. Not only her sons, but also her heart was in the front ranks of the army and anxious to help and send relief wherever she could. The son, Edwin, is in Kansas, and was unable to be at the funeral. The two youngest daughters, Mattie and Sadie, have stayed with their mother and devotedly administered to her wants during her declining years and helplessness.
Mr. and Mrs. Jarrell united with the Christian church many years ago and were always very active in good works.
JOHN CLARK RIDPATH.
John Clark Ridpath, the historian, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, April 26, 1840. His father and mother were both Virginians from Chris- tiansburg. He died in New York City, July 31. 1900 and was interred at Green- castle, Indiana. He was married December 21, 1862, to Hannah R. Smythe at Greencastle, Indiana. He graduated at Asbury University, in the class of 1863; was professor in the Thorntown Academy, 1863-1866. His entire life was devoted to literature. From 1874 to 1893, he wrote several Histories of the United States, viz: Academic, Popular, Grammar School, Columbian and four volumes of Cyclopedia of Universal History; also the lives of James Garfield, James G. Blaine, Napoleon Bonaparte, Bishop William Taylor and many others, including a library of Universal Literature. His entire life
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was devoted to arduous literary toil, producing some work each year, besides lectures and articles for periodicals. He was a great worker. It is said that in producing the Cyclopedia of Universal History, that he stuck to his task for seventeen months, without intermission and at the end was in nowise fagged. This work is in four octavo volumes, extending to more than three thousand pages and illustrated by maps and charts, portraits and sketches. His last and greatest work was "Great Races of Mankind," dedicated to his wife. This work appears not only in the current four-volume edition, but also in an eight-volume edition de luxe of unusual elegance. Almost every page of "Great Races" shows the author's vigor of thought, sound logic and the firm working of the historical imagination. There is in the style that living light which illumines each paragraph and flashes into the readers' understanding. For the rest, the miscellaneous writings of this industrious and capable writer can hardly be enumerated. His incidental pieces are found in journalism, scattered far and wide.
In April, 1891, Doctor Ridpath was honored by the people with a notable celebration of his semi-centennial anniversary, which was one of the most brilliant affairs of this nature ever known in the west. His literary friends and admirers throughout the land contributed to its eclat. The DePauw rostrum was dignified by the presence of over two hundred of the most dis- tinguished literary men and women in the Mississippi valley. President J. P. D. John, of DePauw, presided. The principal address of the evening was given by the veteran orator, Richard W. Thompson, ex-secretary of the navy. The presentation speech was by ex-Governor Cumback, of Indiana. Tributes were sent from all parts of the country including Canada and several places in Europe. Minister Terrell, representing the United States at Brussels, who had been Doctor Ridpath's student in International Law, headed the foreign contributors. The poets, James Whitcomb Riley, Coates Kinney, James Newton Matthews, Madison Cawein, Evaleen Stein, Alonzo H. Davis, and many others sent special poems. Several leading artists contributed original sketches. All of these tributes were collated, and published as a memorial of the occasion, making two volumes of nine hundred pages each.
Four years of the active formative period of the life of Doctor Ridpath, where he received his training for his useful career were spent in Boone county, in faithful service in the Thorntown Academy. To Mr. and Mrs. Ridpath were born three daughters and one son, all reared, and graduated
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from DePauw University : Minnie Claire Thayer, born November 8, 1865, in Thorntown, Indiana; Mary L. Mann, born September 19, 1867, at Law- renceburg, Indiana ; Clark Edward Rulpath, lawyer at Greenfield, was born May 28, 1871, in Greencastle, Indiana ; Myrtle Vivian Cook, born April 24, 1879, in Greencastle, Indiana. These children inherited many of their father's and mother's talents and many of their traits.
REV. C. N. SIMS.
Charles N. Sims was born in Union county, Indiana, May 18, 1835. His father and mother were of the Methodist Episcopal faith. They were simple farming people, of the sturdiness and strength of character that fitted them for pioneer life in making a home in the new country. From his earliest days Charles N. Sims was accustomed to toil, and it was in the strenuous farm work, at the plow, in the harvest field and in working out timber, clear- ing up new acres for cultivation, that he acquired the rugged plainness of manner and action that characterized him through life.
During his boyhood his home was the stopping place for all the itinerant Methodist preachers who passed that way, and among these was the eloquent pioneer in Methodism, the Rev. John P. Durbin, who took special notice of young Sims and encouraged him in his aspirations to become a minister. Young Sims was a studious and thoughtful boy, and required no spur to his ambition.
When seventeen years old he began to teach school, giving his nights and leisure time to study to prepare himself to enter Indiana Asbury Uni- versity (now DePauw), from which he was graduated in 1859. Two years previously, as a student, he had entered the Methodist ministry as a proba- tioner in the North Indiana Conference.
Before the end of his senior year in college he was appointed principal of Thorntown Academy, a leading Indiana Methodist preparatory school, 1857-59, married August 12, 1858 to Miss Eliza A. Foster, of Tippecanoe county, Indiana. In 1860 he became president of the Valparaiso (Indiana) Male and Female College. In 1862 he was called to the Pearl-street church in Richmond, Indiana, following which charge he took one in Wabash, going
(63)
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from there to Evansville, where Trinity church, a pretentious structure, was erected under his pastorate.
His next charge was the most important he had held up to that time. This was the Meridian street M. E. church, at the southwest corner of Meridian and New York streets, a site now occupied by the Central Tele- phone building. It was during his first pastorate there that that church was erected. He subsequently served the church a second time. From that charge, to the regret of a congregation that had become greatly endeared to him and recognized in him not only a man of the most beautiful Christian character, but a pulpit orator of great power, he was called to the Brooklyn (N. Y.) Madison avenue church. He then served successively at St. Paul's, Newark, New Jersey; at the Brooklyn and Summerfield churches, Brooklyn.
He was preaching at the last named church when he went to Syracuse, November 17, 1880, the board of trustees of Syracuse University having unanimously elected him successor to Chancellor E. O. Haven, who had re- signed to become bishop.
At commencement, 1881, the new chancellor was installed. He found the university in a financial crisis. The entire institution was comprised within one hall of languages on the campus. He took hold with determina- tion. The board of trustees was increased so that the university might have representation in a great many directions, and particularly did the new chan- cellor interest New York men.
Before going to Syracuse, and after his election, he obtained a large sum of money in gifts to the institution. It was through him that the late John Crouse gave an endowment for the erection of what is now one of the finest college buildings in the country-the John Crouse Memorial College for Women, now used as a college of fine arts. A fine astronomical observa- tory was put up by E. F. Holden, and the famous German Von Ranke library was housed.
When the trustees said they would not undertake to build a gymnasium, the chancellor obtained permission, and raised the cash by personal solicita- tion, and though his own subscription was already liberal, he filled out the cost from his pocket.
In 1859, Ohio Wesleyan conferred upon him the degree of A. M., and . DePauw made him a D. D. in 1870 and an LL. D. in 1882. Though the greater part of his time was spent in travel in the interest of his college, he
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also held the chair of English literature. In 1884 was commissioner to Onondaga Indians and 1888 he was delegate to the General Conference.
He had retired from Syracuse University and was living on his farm at Liberty, this state, when the management of the Methodist Hospital tendered him the position of field secretary. He was loath to accept this position, as he felt that the burden of years had come upon him and he desired to spend his closing years on his farm. But the call so appealed to him, to his spirit of philanthropy that he accepted and entered upon his arduous work with his old-time enthusiasm and he put forth all his energies in the obtaining of funds to carry forward to success this great hospital.
The Western Christian Advocate, commenting on the selection of Dr. Sims as general secretary of the Methodist Hospital, speaking of his ability as a "money-raiser," said :
"He was called to the chancellorship of Syracuse University November 17, 1880, as the successor of Dr. E. O. Haven, who had been elected to the episcopate. He found the university financially incumbered, and during his administration of thirteen years he reduced its indebtedness from $172,- 700 to $68,600. He increased its assets $1,200,000, added new departments, broadened and strengthened old ones and gave the institution university scope and character."
Doctor Sims was pastor of the Meridian street M. E. church in Indi- anapolis, in 1867 and 1868 and for eight months in 1869 and 1870, and was then transferred to the Baltimore Conference. His second pastorate in this church was from 1893 to 1898.
He succeeded the Rev. Dr. William R. Halstead as field secretary of the Methodist hospital and retired on account of the weight of years and failing health, much to the regret of the trustees of that institution. He was succeeded temporarily by Doctor Merico, a layman of South Bend, who was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. W. D. Parr, of Kokomo.
During his last illness, knowing, but not fearing, that death was near, Dr. Sims said : "It is just as good as it can be. I am surrounded by loving friends and remembrances. I have had a long and happy life, crowned by more or less of success, so it is not a matter of regret or for mourning that, having done my work, I am closing it up."
Dr. Sims was survived by his widow and three daughters-Mrs. Stella Hemenway, of Zionsville, wife of a retired minister; Mrs. Lida Mills, of
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Fairfield, this state, also wife of a retired minister, and Mrs. Mary Parker, of Syracuse, New York, whose husband is dean of the medical department of Syracuse University.
Chancellor Day. of Syracuse University, pays the following beautiful tribute to Dr. Charles N. Sims, who died in Liberty, Indiana, on March 27, 1908: "He was one of the most intellectual and tireless workers I have ever known. His mind reached out for great enterprises. He is dead ten years before his time because he had no mercy for himself. When he be- came chancellor of this university the institution was in serious straits be- cause of the hard times. He made no division of day and night, but worked endlessly, interesting men in the institution. The buildings that represent his work are the Crouse College, the Von Ranke library, the Holden observa- tory, and the present gymnasium. He also completed the construction of the Hall of Languages. Beside building up the university in this manner he added several hundred thousand dollars to the endowment.
JOHN J. GOLDSBERRY.
John J. Goldsberry, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Landsaw) Golds- berry, was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 3, 1827. His parents moved to Boone county in the year 1832, settling in Washington township. The hero of our sketch was just four years old, when he began to fight the battle of life in the woods of Boone county. He knew what it was to begin at the beginning and work to develop a new country. All the hardships and priva- tions of pioneer life were before him. His long life proved that he was made of the stuff that could endure and hold his end of the handspike at all log rollings and take his place at the raising of a cabin and carry up his corner. His push and energy put him at the forefront of every enterprise and he became experienced in all the trials and hardships that devolved upon a good and willing citizen in a new country. Through the experience of his early manhood, he could tell enough stories of its incidents to make a book and it would all be interesting reading for those of this generation who know little of those who framed and laid the foundations of the county.
Mr. Goldsberry was one of the real pioneers and his stories were in keep-
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ing with the stories of all his co-laborers in the building of Boone. The battle against the wild woods and the swamps, against the miasmas and in- conveniences of poor roads, limited means and real comforts of life. He was married October 15, 1859, to Miss Josina Hebb, who was born in Mononga- hela county, Virginia, October 15, 1832. To this union were born four chil- dren : Joseph L., Clement L., Josina and Belle-the three latter are deceased ; Joseph L., married Miss Ferguson and lives in Clinton county just across the county line from the old homestead. Mrs. Goldsberry died March II, 1865. Mr. Goldsberry was remarried November 19, 1865 to Hannah M. Goldsberry, a very distant relative, of Ross county, Ohio. To this union were born Annie B., Alma A., Amos A .; and Jessie C., who died June 22, 1874. All the deceased members of the family were buried in Brush Creek cemetery, Washington township. Mrs. Hannah M. Goldsberry passed over the river April 15, 1905 and Mr. Goldsberry joined the company on the other side on August 19, 1910.
Mr. Goldsberry came paternally of sturdy German ancestors and of an old colonial Virginia family. Thomas Goldsberry, grandfather of our sub- ject was born in Virginia, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Putnam, a relative of the famous Israel Putnam of Revolutionary fame. This family were among the very earliest settlers of Massachusetts and Connecticut and were of old English Puritan stock. General Rufus Putnam, brother of Israel Putnam, was the founder of Marietta, Ohio, which was the first town in the state of Ohio.
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