USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 46
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Washington L. Black, Nathaniel Black and Attalas L. Bon- ham came here and entered the profession abont the same time, and were recognized as attorneys of more than average ability. The first-named died here many years ago. Mr. Benham entered the anny and gave his life for the maintenance of his country's honor. Nathaniel Black, it is believed, is dend also.
Henry M. Graham. though not an original lawyer, commenced the practice of law at a comparatively late period in life. Not- withstanding this fact, however, he acquired a fair reputation and respectable patronage. He has been dead several years.
Bernard B. Daily negnired his first ideas of law in the Clerk's office as a Deputy under Dr. James H. Stewart. This acquisi- tion was a valuable one to him, since, by that experience, he was enabled to more readily grasp the forinlas of the practice. and thns improve himself with greater facility. He was command- ing in person, and a ready, pleasing speaker. He served a frac- tional term. by appointment, as Judge of this judicial circuit. He died abont one year ago.
Andrew H. Evans commenced his career as an attorney and counselor at law in Delphi at an earlier period than several of the preceding, and commanded, ahnost from the beginning, a reiner- ative practice, by dint of industrions perseverance. He was a safe counselor and judicious attorney. At present, he is not a resi- dent of Delphi. having songht a home elsewhere, in anticipation of seenring better health.
John H. Gould, who formed an early partnership with Mr. Evans in the practice of law. came here from Ohio in the year 1858. He, too, soon secured a respectable practice in his chosen profession. laboring diligently and earnestly, meanwhile, to mas- ter the more intricate principles involved in a thorough compre- hension of the law. In 1876, he was elected Judge of this Judi- eial Circuit. and has since that time continued to ocenpy the position.
Judson Applegate is among the oldest of the attorneys who have been engaged in the profession since 1859-60. He com- menced the practice of law in Delphi when the opportunities for advancement were invitingly propitions. Taking advantage of these opportunities. he has wrought for himself an enviable repu- tation as the result of energetic labor.
John B. Kane, also, is one of the older lawyers of Delphi, having been actively engaged in the practice for a period of more than twenty years. " He has a fair practice now.
Charles R. Pollard also commenced the prattlce of law sev- eral years since, and, having improved his opportunities, has the satisfaction of a comfortable and comparatively lucrative bnsi- ness.
Lafayette E. McReynolds was among the rising attorneys in Delphi, but died before he had fully accomplished the great pur- pose of his life.
John 'C. Odell is among the earlier of the recent attorneys. and, from his extensive official experience, has been enabled to enter readily upon a respectable practice.
Of the younger attorneys, a complete list has not been obtained. Among these, however, the names of the following may be appro- priately mentioned: John L. Sims, Larry G. Bock.
THE PHYSICIANS OF. DELPHI.
At this late day, in the absence of the necessary data, it can- not be expected that even a comparatively complet? list of the early physicians who have practiced in Delphi and vicinity can be made. From the best information at hand, the following may be accepted as approximately correct:
Dr. John M. Ewing. it is generally conceded. was the first local physician who practiced the healing art in this county. He came here and established himself some time during the year 1827, and, having the exclusive field for the employment of his time professionally. it is not to be wondered that his practice was quite extensive, notwithstanding the scarcity of population. The reputation he has left behind him bespeaks for his memory an enduring monument, which time itself will scarcely efface. For nearly thirty years be continued to minister to the wants of the sick and the afflicted in this vicinity. Finally, when his country needed his services in her defense. he went forth to bat. tle, and in that service yielded up his life, a willing sacrifice to the canse of right.
Dr. James R. Blanchard is at this time the physician of long- est experience in Delphi. He came here from Vermont in the year 1833, and. having established himself. entered at once into an extensive practice, dividing the territory with his cotemporary and predecessor, Dr. Ewing. From the date of his advent in this county. he has never ceased to labor for the good of human- ity, in season and out of season, with an earnestness of purpose that cominends itself as worthy of more than temporary consider- ation. No man, perhaps, in the State, has enjoyed a more satis- factory reputation. Even now, when the weight of years is npon him, he labors with his wonted zeal. unwilling to abandon the profession that has employed his time for nearly half a century.
Dr. Robert Webber, a Welshman by birth, came from the Eastward and established himself as a practicing physician in the sunner of 1835, from which time he has not ceased to be a citizen of Delphi. For many years afterward, he enjoyed a Incrative prac- tice in the line of his profession. Subsequently, to relieve him- self. in a measure, from the active duties of his position. he re- duced his practice to the attendance upon a few families in the city, who, from long and intimate acquaintance with him, were loth to sever themselves from his professional connection. Dur- ing the past few years, however, his physical infirmities have
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rendered it necessary for him to almost wholly abandon the prac. upon the practice of the healing art. He remained here until a tice.
Dr. Anthony Garrett came to the Wabash in 1882 and settled , practice and sought relief in seclusion from business: but it was in Americus. In 1836, he removed to this city, where, for a : too late, for the destroyer had done his work, and the genial and
number of years, he enjoyed a very extensive and hierative prac- tice. In 1863, he was elected Clerk of the Carroll Circuit Court, and was re-elected in 1867, and served until 1871. Resuming
Dr. Francis A Shultz removed from Camden and located in praetico in 1872, he continued in pursuit of his calling until the { this city in the year 186 !. His reputation, however, had pre- time of his death, which occurred a few years since,
Dr. E. W. H. Beck commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in this city in the year 1845. At the breaking-out of the war with Mexico, he enlisted as a volunteer in the company . of Capt, Robert H. Milroy, but was afterward transferred to the medical department of the Third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. and served until the close of the war, when he returned home and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1850. he was afflicted with the gold fever, and " crossed the continent" in "cars" drawn by oxen, the jouruey occupying a period of six months and seven days. At the end of one year, he returned, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of the healing art. from which he has realized a comfortable subsistence, and enjoys still the confidence of a host of satisfied patients.
Dr. Jolm Phelps came to Delphi at a period perhaps anterior to most of those already mentioned. Whether he entered fully into the practice of his profession here is a matter of inconsider. able moment, since it is well known to the early inhabitants of Delphi that he did practice here, and successfully. if. indeed. his professional experience was not quite extensive. With him, in 1837-88, a physician named Manek shared his office and practice, and they remained together for an indefinite period.
In 1835, and for several years afterward, Dr. H. A. Milroy, a cansin of Gen. R. H. Milroy, was a successful representative of the medical profession. During a portion of the time he was thus engaged in Delphi. Dr. Elliott was associated with him, and they did un extensive business. How long they continued here does not now appear.
Dr. Samuel Grimes, well remembered by all of our oller citi- zens, came here in June, 1835, and soon after engaged actively in the practice of his profession, succeeding well in his chosen avocation. He continued to reside here for about thirty years, when he returned to his native State, where he died several years since.
Among the professional physicians who settled here at a more recent date, the names of the following appear:
Dr. Edward Walker came to Delphi in 1850, and commenced the practice of medicine the same year. The following your found him a passenger of " Walker's Line," en route for the gold fields of California. Having enjoyed all the luxuries incident to an overland voyage to the " El Dorado." he reached the desired haven and commenced the practice of his profession, remaining thins engaged until some time in the year 1853, when he returned to Delphi and resumed professional labor, in which he has con- tinned from that time forward. He has always enjoyed a good practice and an enviable reputation in that field.
few years since, when, his health failing him, he abandoned the
courteous, and at the same time skillful, physician departed to try the realities of a higher life.
ceded him, and he at once secured a very extensive and lucrative practice, which, instead of diminishing. has continued to inercaso even to the present.
Dr. John T. Richardson became a citizen of Delphi in 1863, and. by persevering industry and skill. erelong seenred a good practice as a physician and surgeon. He continued in the line of his calling from that time until his death, which orenrred about one year since.
In 1870. Dr. W. H. McGuire, formerly a student aud after_ ward a partner of Dr. Shultz. came here and established hinself in business, seenring a respectable practice.
Dr. W. T. Knapp, a homes, thic phasician. located here in 1872, aud has since soeured a fair practice.
Dr. S. T. Noland came to Delphi two years later, and oujoys a good reputation as a physician.
At an earlier date than when Dr. Bock commenced the prae tice of medicine in Delphi, there were other physicians who had About 1846-47, Drs. William and George McFarland located both dead. skillfully represented the profession in Delphi, among whom the " in Delphi and practiced medicine for several years. They are following have been placed npon the list:
HOTELS
THE OLD DELPHI HOUSE-SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BUILDING - PAST IHISTORY - - UNUSED AND DILAPIDATED- THE B FORD HOUSE. OLD AND NEW -- WEARLY HOUSE KNIGHT HOUSE-FRISBIE HOUSE. ETC.
H YOR several years after Delphi began to be populated, and to assume, among other villages on the Wabash. the preroga- tives of a town. recognized as a stopping-place in the journey from the Wea to Fort Wayne, it was withont a hotel. known in early days as a "tavern." or other building appropriated to the use of entertaining travelers. True, there were houses at which travelers could procure a satisfactory meal and comfortable ac- comodations for the night, but this would scareely comport with the idea of a tavern as it was understood the third of a coutury ago. The increasing consequence of the place, in the course of time, seemed to demand something more in consonaner with the popular ideal. Accordingly, in the spring and sinvier of 1835. Mr. Chevalier Richardson projected and built, at the foot of Main street, a very large. . and, in its day. a neat and rather at- tractive, building. for exclusive use as a hotel. known as the " Delphi House." containing forty five rooms. It was so used for a member of years, but finally came to be recognized as a third-class tenant house.
In more modern times, the hotels that have figured most ox. tensivoly as such were the old "Buford House," on the corner now occupied by the extensive brick block south of the Knight Honse and east of the public square: aud the new "Buford House," now known as the Knight. Both of these were origi. nally under the proprietorship of William H. Buford. long ago thirty-five years ago, Mr. Buford, finding himself too much eir- ' cumseribed in his old quarters, erected the new building now oc-
A little later, perhaps, Dr. Samuel M. Thomas, formerly of , recognized as the best landlord on the Upver Wabash. Some Cass County, in this State, fresh from the school of preparation, came to Delphi and entered at once actively and very successfully
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
cupied by that genial and accommodating landlord, C. M. Knight, was appointed to inquire into the probable cost of a steam or Esq. The stand is perhaps the best in the city, and enjoys a hand engine, and the necessary hose and hose carts. In Febru- very liberal patronage.
The "Carll House," situated near the depot, though in no way pretentious, has had a very generons proportion of the pat- ronage awarded by the traveling public.
The " Frisbie Honse," on Franklin street, while there is no effort at display, possesses all the substantial characteristics of a liotel, and accommodates a fair proportion of the transient visit- known as "Conqueror Fire Company, No. 1." This company, : ants of the city, in addition to a large number of permanent boarders.
Besides these just mentioned, there are other boarding houses, but conducted on a less extensive scale, the patronage being con- fined almost exclusively to the accommodation of the local public.
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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
EARLY PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST FIRE-THE " BUCKET BRIGADE"-PURCHASE OF FIRE-BUCKETS AND BABCOCK EX- TINGUISHERS-HAND ENGINE BOUGHT-ORGANIZATION OF A FIRE COMPANY -- OFFICERS, ETC.
[ IKE many Western towns, Delphi existed for a number of year's withiont any organized protection against fires. Every citizen was considered a fireman, agreeably with the custom of mutual assistance prevalent among neighbors in the pioneer days: and, npon hearing an alarm of fire, all the able-bodied men turned out provided with a bucket. The stores were usaally thrown open, and those who had no buckets helped themselves from the stock of the merchants. Reaching the scene of the conflagration, building to the nearest well, cistern or streamn, from which the buckets were filled with water and passed from hand to hand along one line until they reached the men at the building. Their contents were emptied upon the fire, and the empty buckets passed from hand to hand down the opposite line to be replenished. Thus almost a constant stream of water was kept playing upon the fire, and inany important, conflagrations and their attendant sufferings were averted by the timely arrival and brave and effect- ive work of the " Bucket Brigade. " This " brigade " had no for- inal organization and no leader. The man who could make his voice heard above all the noise was the one whose orders or sug- gestions were usually obeyed, and thus, by common consent, he was recognized as the leader.
In 1863. the City Council purchased a number of rubber buckets for use in the event of fires, storing them where they would be easily accessible. About two years subsequently, they purchased six patent Babcock fire extinguishers, and these were likewise distributed abont town. One was placed in the planing- inil! of C. A. McClure & Co., one at the schoolhouse, one at Holt & Rinehart's Hall, one at Dunkle & Kilgore's machine-shop, one at Jakes & Lytle's drug store, and one at the jewelry store of R. L. Higginbotham. These proved ineffective, and the citizens, recognizing the fact that their property was practically at the mercy of fire, presented a petition to Council, on the 14th of January, 1873, praying that body to take some action in adopting protective measures. In response to this petition, a committee
ary. 1873, the hand engine " Conqueror " was purchased from the city of Fort Wayne, Ind., at a cost of $1,050, and, in March fol- lowing, a complete hook-and-ladder apparatus was purchased of John Hunt, Richmond, Ind., for $450.
On the 26th of February, 1873. a number of citizens mnet at .. . , the Council chamber and formed themselves into an organization as originally organized, contained thirty-nine members, from among whom the following officers were chosen: William Brad- shaw. Captain: William J. Buchanan, Foreman: W. F. Lytle, Assistant Foreman; D. C. Howenstine, Secretary: Ed H. Gresh- am, Treasurer: B. F. Wheeler, John Roach. James Lunney and O. L. Burk. Nozzlemen.
This company has continued to maintain a good organization. and its members have rendered effective services at ummerons fires which have occurred in the city. It now has a membership of . with the following officers: Thomas Stout. Cap- tain: J. F. Taylor. Secretary; Dr. S. T. Noland. Treasurer: Jacob Stoner. First Foreman: T. Plant. Assistant Foreman.
Hope Hook and Ladder Company was organized on the Sth of March. 1873. with twenty-eight members. and elected the follow- ing officers: J. C. Hanmun. President: Charles L. Brough. Captain; Charles Lyon. First Lieutenant; Samuel Barnett, Sec. ond Lientenant: Lewis Gros. Secretary: John Barr. Treasurer.
The hook and ladder company is composed of brave and ener- getic firemen. who have acted well their part in defense of the city, and have responded promptly to all nlarms. The company now has a membership of seventeen. with the following-named gentlemen as its officers: Legis Gros. President: W. Roach. the crowd formed into two lines, extending from the burning : Jr., Captain; Charles Kilgore. First Lientenant: Nat Mohr. Sec-
ond Lientenant: A. W. Wolever. Secretary: Samuel W. Barnett. Treasurer.
So great was the interest in the fire department that eighty- five citizens enrolled their names as members. This left a large uminber without a specific station in case of fire. and. partially owing to this fact. Independent Hose Company No. 1 was or. ganized in 1878. This company had twenty members, and elected C. D. Barnett. Foreman: Thomas Clifford. Assistant Foreman: O. C. Gruber. Secretary: and Thomas Condon, Treas- urer. The company has continued to flourish and maintain its organization. sharing the confidence and regard which attaches to the Fire Department of Delphi.
Its present officers are: O. L. Bnrk. Foreman: A. Goodhne, Assistant Foreman : H. L. Merritt, Secretary: T. Armitage. Treasurer: B. F. Wheeler. D. Hennesy, Charles Pero and W. T. Stankard, Pipemen.
The office of Chief of the Fire Department was first ocon- pied by R. L. Higginbotham, who was appointed by the City Council shortly after the purchase of the buckets and Babcock extinguishers previously referred to. He served three years. and was succeeded by William Bradshaw, who served until May, 1875. James Lunney was appointed in that year, and was suc- ceeded, in 1877. by Charles Lyon. Mr. Lyon served two years, and, at the expiration of that time, James Lunney was again ap- pointed, serving until the spring of 1881, when he was succeed- ed by James Butler, the present Chief.
RES. OF A.H.BOWEN, 75, EAST MAIN ST. DELPHI . IND.
ink
*
AH, Bower
ABNER H. BOWEN.
The subject of this sketch is remotely of Welsh extraction. His parents' Enoch and Elizabeth Bowen (nee Wilson), were Pennsylvanians, who moved to Ohio at an early day, and located in Montgomery County, Ohio, where they were engaged at farming at the time Abner was born, October 9, 1814. While yet a lad, his father died, and soon thereafter the surviving mem- bers of the family moved to Dayton. He received such an education as was furnished by the high school and academy of that day, which was necessarily limited in its character. He then engaged as a drug clerk, but finding a more promising field in another branch of trade, he aban- doned the drug business and accepted service in the dry goods honse of George W. Smith & Co., of Dayton ; later, he was with W. & F. C. Easter- brook, of Salem, Ohio. He was thus employed until 1837, when he came to Delphi, and engaged in the general merchandise and produce business with his brother, under the firm name of N. W. & A. H. Bowen. During the first years of the business they shipped largely by flat-boat to New Orleans, and many interesting tales and adventures could yet be related by a few of the old pioneer navigators, who, in those days, were connected with the firm in the river commerce between Delphi and New Orleans. The first store of the firm was in a small building on the ground now oc- cnpied by Carll's Opera House. At the expiration of a year, they bought the property on the corner of Main and Union streets, since known as Bowen's corner, the building at that time being a frame one. This build- ing was destroyed by fire in 1844, and during 1845, the building now standing was erected. In this new building the general merchandise business was continued until abont 1855. Mr. N. W. Bowen died in 1848, after which the business was continned by A. H. Bowen. In 1843, a large warehouse was built on the canal, and here the firm continned the grain and pork business until 1863, when the warehouse was destroyed
by fire. In 1851, he became interested in the manufacture of paper in this city. In 1870, he purchased the paper mill owned by Dewey & Griffith, and with his son, Abner T. Bowen, continned the business until the year 1877, when the mill was burned, and was not rebuilt. After the destruction of the warehouse, he discontinned the pork trade, but con- tinned the prodnce, and conducted a general banking business. He and his son, Abner T., are still engaged in the latter pursuit. In 1856, he erected the commodious and elegant residence which is represented on another page of this volume. For over forty-four years, Mr. Bowen has been engaged in business in this city, and has been largely interested in many public and private enterprises. In his numerous business ventures, he has made but few missteps. In his firmness of purpose, perseverance, interminable energy, decision of character and executive ability, he has been unusually gifted, and these characteristics have led him into the acquirement of a handsome fortune, the result of individual effort. As a business man in general, he has for years been regarded as having but few equals, and among the foremost in the State. His career is an inter- eating study to young men just entering business life.
Mr. Bowen is one of the oldest living Masons in Carroll County. He was admitted to membership of Mount Olive Lodge, No. 48, in 1842. He was & charter member of Delphi Chapter, No. 21, instituted April 15, 1851. He is also a member of La Fayette Commandery of Knights Temp- lar. In the Masonic order, he has always been an active member, and has repeatedly held responsible positions therein.
He was married to Miss Catharine J. Trawin May 10, 1849. The following-named sons and daughters are now living : Nathaniel W., Abner T., Mary E. (the wife of Col. Samuel T. Busey, of Urbana, Ill.), Henrietta 8., Edward W. and Charles H. Age bears lightly npon him, and he has a reasonable expectancy of many years of active business life.
1
JOHN BRIDGE
ROBERT MITCHELL JR. EX-SHERIFF
RICHARD SIBBITT
ENOCH COX SR.
21.01 Holmes
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MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE LIME INTEREST.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANUFACTURE-FIRST OPERATORS IN THE BUSINESS -SUBSEQUENT CHANGES-SUPERIOR QUALITY OF THE LIME- . LARGESHIPMENTS - MANTENOTPRING FACILITIES -PRESENT OPERATIONS.
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A MONG the many important manufacturing interests in Car- roll County, none stand forth more prominently than the manufacture of lime. From a state of comparative nothingness, thirty years ago,* when there was only here and there one of those old-fashioned kilns which had to be renewed after almost every burning. it has grown to the proportions of ton mammoth " Perpetnal Burners," which only need to be fed and kept burn- ing, the lime being withdrawn as rapidly as it is sufficiently cal- cined. The change can scarcely be realized. The superior quality and excellence of this lime have placed it in the front. rank as an article of commerce, giving it such a prestige that it is now recognized by all as the best in nse, hecanse of its adaptedness for all purposes to which line is applied.
It began first to be manufactured on an extended seale in 1857, when E. W. Hubbard. D. R. Harley and Robert Mitchell. formed a copartnership for the especial purpose of ntilizing the immense resources at connaud for the production of an article so universally nsed at home and abroad. They succeeded. so well that, in 1871, Lewis B. Sims. Daniel McCain. James McCain and Hiram Sampson were added to the capital and executive force. which enabled them not only to add greatly to their manufactur- ing facilities, but actually to produce a superior quality. as woll as a largely increased quantity of Jime, the reputation of the company having so far spread abroad that the demands upon them made these enlargements a necessity.
In his report on the geology of the State for 1872. Prof. Cox makes the following references to this industry. and its resources. facilities for manufacture, etc. :
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