USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana > Part 15
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Mr. Walker was again married on the 25th of October, 1837, to Miss Rachel Clymer, daughter of Joseph Clymer, Sr., of this county. This lady died, also, in the Fall of 1876, leaving Mr. Walker again a widower. During his residence in this county, Mr. Walker has been
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one of our most active business men, and has filled many positions within the gift of the people ; always distinguishing himself for un- blemished integrity and faithfulness.
He was a member of the Board of Commissioners of the county in 1846-7-8, and served one term as member of the State Senate, in the years 1849, '50 and 1851.
He still resides in the city of Logansport, honored and esteemed by all.
ALLEN HAMILTON. BY T. B. HELM.
Allen Hamilton was a native of Ireland, born in the county of Tyrone in the year 1798. When about 18 years of age, he was induced, by the glowing description of this country and its insti- tutions, to make it his future home. Accordingly, in July, 1817, having acquired, through his own exertions and the aid of his friends, sufficient means to bring him across the deep, and with a small sum also to maintain him for a short time after his arrival, he set sail for Quebec, whither he arrived in due course of time. His first adversity was the ship fever, which confined him for six weeks. From Quebec he went to Philadelphia, where he obtained a situation as clerk in an iron store, with a salary of $100 a year and board. With an increase of salary he remained in the same situation until 1820, when he came to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and found a good situa- . tion in the Clerk's office of that place, where, also, he began the study of law.
In 1823, he was induced by Capt. Samuel C. Vance to make Fort Wayne his future home. Here he obtained a situation in the Land Office, and pursued at the same time his legal studies. Before prose- cuting these studies very far, he abandoned the project and com- menced mercantile life, in which he succeeded beyond his expectations. Subsequently, Mr. Cyrus Taber took an interest in his business, the firm taking the name of Hamilton & Taber.
In the meantime Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Miss Emerine J. Holman, daughter of Hon. Jesse L. Holman, one of his early friends.
In 1824, he was appointed Sheriff for the purpose of organizing Allen County, and was re-elected for a full term. In 1830, he was elected Clerk of Allen County, and held the position seven years.
In 1850, he was a member of the convention which formed our present constitution. In 1857, he visited Europe. Upon his return, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and exerted a good influence in that body.
For some years, also, he was President of the Branch Bank of Indiana, situated at Fort Wayne, and afterward established the well-known banking house of Allen Hamilton & Co.
Mr. Hamilton was one of those noble characters whose very presence exerts a genial influence throughout a community wherever he resided-one of Nature's noblemen, whose honest impulses were manifested in every act of his life. He was a friend to the poor, and kindly disposed to all.
He died as he had lived, possessing the profound respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. He departed this life in August, 1864.
DR. GRAHAM N. FITCH. BY T. B. HELM.
The subject of this sketch was born in LeRoy, Genesee County, New York, on the 5th day of December, 1810, and is said to have been the first white child born in that village. His father's name was Frederick, that of his mother, Mary (Capen) Fitch. Inheriting from his ancestors a well developed physical system, and a vigorous intellect, he was allowed all the educational privileges the locality and vicinity afforded, which, while they were not of the highest order, nevertheless were sufficient to lay the foundation of a career of usefulness.
At an early date, having chosen the medical profession as the channel in which his life voyage was to be made, he commenced study with his father and Dr. Asa Freeman ; subsequently complet- ing his course with Dr. Townsend, of Geneva, New York. Soon after his entrance upon the practice of his profession, he came west- ward and selected Logansport as his future home. With such intention, he settled here on the 4th day of July, 1834, and has been a constant resident ever since.
His professional career has been signally successful; the reputa- tion being awarded him as one of the most skillful surgeons and thorough practitioners in the West. That he was entitled to such
credit, no one has attempted to controvert. Throughout the Upper Wabash Valley, his name and fame are household words.
In 1844, he accepted a Professorship in Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Ill., occupying the chair of " Theory and Practice," during the years 1844, '45, '46 and '47. At the end of the session in this year, he resigned his position. While thus engaged, he maintained his popularity, and enlarged his sphere of usefulness.
Though not naturally a politician, Dr. Fitch, from force of cir- cumstances, was drawn, perhaps not unwillingly, into the arena of politics, where his commanding talent and energy marked him as the people's choice. In 1836, and again in 1839, he was chosen to repre sent Cass County in the State Legislature.
. As a legislator in the State councils, he proved himself equal to the responsibility entrusted to him. Subsequently, at the election in August, 1847, he was chosen to represent this district in the Lower House of Congress, holding that position until 1852. During his membership there, he was active and efficient in the discharge of his duties, earning the reputation of a discreet legislator. His legislative capacity was further tested by an experience in the Senate of the United States, commencing in 1858, and ending with the session of 1860-61.
The honorable distinction acquired in subordinate legislative posi- tions was not dimmed by his senatorial experience. This ended his active political life, but he leaves a record of which posterity need not be ashamed. Although a Democrat in his political affiliation, he esteemed principles above mere partizanship, and was not slow to manifest disapprobation when his party seemed disposed to pursue a course of policy in antagonism with his better judgment. In the triangular contest for the Presidency between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas and Mr. Breckenridge, he gave his undivided support to the last named gentleman, influenced thereto by a belief that his election would prevent the threatened civil war. Again, when his party ral- lied to the support of Mr. Greeley, he manifested his dissent by supporting Mr. O'Connor for the Presidency. He opposed, alike, the ultra anti-slavery men of the North and the pro-slavery men of the South ; averring that the former gave the pretext for dissatisfaction in the South, while the latter exaggerated the pretext to unreasonably increase the dissatisfaction. He thought both, though antipodes in profession, were seeking the same end-civil war and dissolution of the Union. He appears to have foreseen the war several years before its occurrence, and warned the Southern members of Congress of its consequences to their section, portraying those consequences in one of his speeches in Congress, much as they subsequently occurred.
When the war came, he raised a regiment (the Forty-sixth In- diana Volunteers) and at their head entered the Federal service. He was soon placed in command of a brigade, with which he participated in the siege and capture of Fort Thompson, at New Madrid. His com- mand likewise composed part of General Palmer's division, which, subsequent to the capture of Fort Thompson, blockaded the Missis- sippi River, at Ruddle's Point, to prevent re-enforcements and sup- plies reaching " Island No. 10" from below. Afterward, he was detached with his brigade from General Pope's command to co- operate with Commodores Foote and Davis in the siege of Fort Pillow, and conducted the siege so vigorously as to materially aid in the forced abandonment of the fort by the Confederate troops. The next day after its capture, he descended the river and captured Mem- phis, holding it some days until the arrival of General Slack of the Forty seventh Indiana. He then, with his own regiment, embarked for the White River, Ark., where he captured St. Charles and ren- dered other valuable service. Upon the completion of the campaign, he returned home to enjoy the remainder of his days in peace.
Since the close of the war he has continued to practice his pro- fession, not interfering in political affairs, except to preserve the integrity of his inherent ideas of right, by opposing, with the vigor of his palmier days, whatever he conceives to be wrong, in civil and political affairs alike.
JOSEPH BARRON. BY T. B. HELM.
Joseph Barron was of French extraction, his ancestors, some two centuries ago, having come over from France and settled near Quebec, Canada, whither the tide of emigration from that quarter was then drifting. About the year 1749, the family moved westward and set- tled at Malden, in the vicinity of Detroit-the center of an extensive Indian trade, carried on by the French population. Here, in the month of January, 1773, the subject of this sketch was born. From his surroundings in early life, and his natural aptness in the
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comprehension of language, in addition to a most retentive memory, it is not remarkable that he carly became proficient in his knowledge of the dialect peculiar to the numerous Indian tribes of the locality.
Trading along the route from Detroit to " Old Post Vincennes," he gradually became familiar with the language of the Wabash Indians. Finally, he settled at Vincennes, about the year 1790. Early attracting the attention of the civil and military authorities at the " Post," his services as an interpreter were in frequent demand.
In the year 1798, he was married to Mrs. Barbara Jerceaux, sister of the elder Michael Brouillette, by whom he had one child. Mrs. Barron lived but little more than a year after her marriage, her child dying soon after.
He remained a widower about one year and a half, and was then married to Miss Josephine Gamelin, daughter of Pierre Gamelin, Sr., one of the most prominent citizens of Vincennes. By this marriage he was the father of seven children ; five sons and two daughters. Of these, only the two youngest survive-Mary Ann, wife of the late Harvey Heth, an old citizen of this county, now the wife of Anthony F. Smith, Esq., formerly Judge of the City Court of Lo- gansport, and Napoleon B., formerly one of the leading magistrates of this county, and now President of the "Old Settlers' Society," of this county.
Upon the division of the territory northwest of the Ohio, includ- ing the State of Indiana, and the appointment of General Harrison as Territorial Governor, Mr. Barron was chosen one of the Governor's official interpreters. As an evidence of the estimation in which he was held by the government authorities, we find his name connected with nearly every important treaty and council with the Indians in the Northwest, from 1803, until 1843, as special interpreter. General Harrison, General Hopkins and other officers, in their reports to the Department at Washington, speak of his qualities as an interpreter, and of the efficient services rendered by him, as une- qualed in the accuracy of his knowledge of the language and charac- teristics of every Indian tribe on the Wabash.
In the month of May, 1810, he was entrusted by Gen. Harrison with the execution of a most hazardous enterprise, that of conveying to the hostile Indians, assembled at the Prophet's Town, on the Upper Wabash, a talk, concerning the policy pursued by them. Having delivered his message, he was brought before the Prophet, who taunted him with being his prisoner, and that he should be imme- diately put to death, at the same time pointing to an open grave, newly made, saying "there is your grave."
This threat would, no doubt, have been executed, but for the interposition of Tecumseh, who demanded his release, saying: "the flag of truce, borne by him, has always been respected, and shall be now!"
Again, on the 13th of August, of the same year, he officiated as interpreter, at the celebrated council at Vincennes, between General Harrison and Tecumseh, when the latter contradicted the Governor's statements, and, with his warriors present, in violation of the terms of the conference, sprang up, with tomahawks raised, meditating an attack. The cool promptness of the Governor and his guards, how- ever, soon put an end to the movements of the savages.
On a subsequent occasion, when acting under the Governor's in- structions, in company with General Walter Wilson, through the treachery of Tecumseh's brother, the Prophet, he and his companion were condemned to die, but were relieved from their perilous situation, by the timely interposition of Tecumseh himself, by whom, also, they were guided out of danger.
In the battle of Tippecanoe, which occurred on the 7th day of November, 1811, he bore a conspicuous part, from the intimate knowledge of the character and movements of the savages. Many other striking incidents of his career might be related, but space will not now permit.
Mr. Barron was above the medium height, of affable manners, and easy address, honored and respected by all, for the strict integrity of his life, and his conduct of public affairs. Although surrounded by numerous opportunities for pecuniary gain, he yielded not to tempta- tion, preferring to eat the bread of his honest toil.
He died on the 12th day of December, 1843, at peace with all the world, having finished the work given him to do. He was buried with military honors.
JOSEPH G. BARRON, CITY CLERK. BY T. B. HELM.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Napoleon B. Barron, one of the pioneers of Cass County, and, at present, President of "the
Old Settlers' Society " of this county ; is also grandson of Joseph Barron, who was one of the official interpreters, under appointment of Gen. Harrison, during his early administration of affairs in Indiana Territory. Mr. Barron was born in the ancient city of Vincennes, Knox County, Ind., on the 25th day of March, 1844. In that city he spent the greater portion of his early life, receiving in the common schools an education which, although not of the high scholastic order, was of a character that has since enabled him to participate successfully in the details of an active business life.
Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, when but little more than 17 years of age, with the spirit that actuated the movements of young men and old throughout the entire North, he volunteered in the service of his country to do battle for the maintenance of her rights. On the 19th of April, 1861, less than four days after the issue of President Lincoln's proclamation, he enlisted in Company B, Four- teenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and continued in service with the regiment until the battle of Antietam, Va., when he was transferred to Battery C, U. S. Artillery. While following the for- tunes of this branch of the army, at the battle of Chancellorsville, on the 3d day of May, 1863, he lost his left leg, and, being thus incapacitated for further duty, was honorably discharged from the ser- vice on the 10th day of September following. Returning at once to Vincennes, he was employed as a Government Messenger on the rail- roads of Tennessee and Alabama. He remained on duty in this de- partment during the succeeding years of 1864 and 1865 until .the close of the war.
Having thus completed his military career, he removed to Logans- port on the 22d of October, 1865, thence to Royal Center, in this county. On the 6th day of February, 1866, he and his father embarked in business. On the 25th day of March, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A., daughter of John Beckley, one of the oldest settlers in that part of the county.
Having accepted a position as Deputy Auditor with John F. Dodds, Esq., he returned to Logansport Sept. 20, 1872. He con- tinued with Mr. Dodds until the expiration of his official term, achieving great success.
In May, 1875, he was the independent candidate for City Clerk, and was elected, over all opposition, by a good majority. He was re- elected in 1877, the accepted choice of the people, in whose perfect confidence he continues his trust.
HORACE P. BIDDLE. BY T. B. HELM.
The subject of this sketch was born in the ancient county of Fairfield, in the State of Ohio, in the year 1814. His father was one of the early pioneer settlers in the Marietta Colony, having emigrated there in 1789. It was not, however, until 1802, that he settled in Fairfield County, on Hocking River, about one mile below the town of Logan, where he opened a farm, and continued there to cultivate the soil, which yielded a generous support. On this homestead, Horace was born, and received his first lessons in self dependence, and culti- vated his first love for all that is beautiful in nature; laying there the foundation for the honorable achievements of his after life. Here, under the paternal roof, he spent his early years, as a farm hand in the Summer, and a devoted attendant on the district school in the Winter; the former for physical, the latter for intellectual develop- ment, succeeding, for the purposes contemplated, satisfactorily in both.
In 1836, when twenty-two years of age, he commenced the study of law, with the late Hocking H. Hunter, of Lancaster, Ohio, upon the recommendation of Hon. Thomas Ewing, then a member of the United States Senate.
With Mr. Hunter, he enjoyed rare opportunities, finding in him a rare friend and an efficient preceptor, who had generally accorded to him all the advantages calculated to facilitate his progress and give strength to his understanding. These excellent opportunities were fully appreciated and carefully utilized; for, in April, 1839, after three years of diligent study, he was admitted to the bar, by the Supreme Court of Ohio, at Cincinnati. In October of the same year, he permanently located in Logansport, Indiana.
From the time of his settlement in Logansport properly com- mences his brilliant legal and judicial career. Indeed, prior to that date, he had scarcely begun to take the initiative in professional life. To say, therefore, that his success commenced with his advent into Logansport, is not an over-statement of the facts. The boundaries of a lawyer's practice, in those days, were not circumscribed by county lines, or even circuits; for all of Northern Indiana was an open field,
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subject to be occupied by the successful and diligent practitioner. The means of conveyance then did not consist, as now, of a cushioned seat in a palace car, moved by the powerful sinews of the "iron horse," but the saddled charger of Arabian blood, over roads scarcely to be dreamed of in this last quarter of the nineteenth century.
Without possessing any special proclivities for political strife, he was occasionally drawn by the popular current in that direction. His experience in this field is well described by another.
" On the nomination of Henry Clay for the Presidency in 1844, he advocated his election, and was placed on the electoral ticket. In 1845, he became a candidate for the State Legislature, but was defeated (by an old settler). He was elected President Judge of the Eighth Judicial District in December, 1846, in which office he continued until 1852. He was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention which assembled in 1850. Although the district was against his party, he received a majority of over two hundred votes. In 1852 he was nominated for Congress, but failed to receive the election. He was elected Supreme Judge in 1857, by a large majority, but the Governor (Ashbel P. Willard) refused to commission him, for the reason that no vacancy in the office existed."
After the completion of his judicial term in 1852, he resumed the practice of his profession, in which he acquired a reputation for distinguished success as a barrister.
Again, in 1860, he was elected President Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, embracing Cass County, and was re-elected to the same position in 1866, without formidable opposition ; completing his second consecutive term in November, 1872.
While occupying the bench, he was especially noted for his learned and impartial adjudication of the questions submitted for his consideration. His decisions were everywhere quoted, and his rulings accepted with little question as to their propriety. As a natural consequence, his popularity was unbounded.
At the election in October, 1874, he was chosen one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, by the largest aggregate vote, and the largest majority ever before received by any candidate, in the history of the State. He still holds that position, enjoying the same high repute for accurate legal discrimination and judicial skill, that characterized his experience in the courts below.
Judge Biddle's fame as Judge and advocate is not the only reflex of his accomplishments. His literary and poetic efforts are not the least of his well-earned acquisitions. At an early age, he began to develop a taste for poetic composition, and some of bis juvenile effusions, still preserved, are regarded by some, most capable of judging, as possessing high merit. As early as 1842, he became a contributor to the Southern Literary Messenger, a standard literary journal of that date, furnishing many articles of sterling value. His first collection was published in 1850. In 1852, and again in 1858, greatly enlarged and improved editions of his writings were pub- lished and met with an extensive sale. An additional volume of poems was published in-1868, and again in 1872 a new edition appeared and was greeted with expressions of popular favor. More recently, other productions of his pen have appeared, among which may be noted the " Musical Scale," a work said to possess evidence of superior skill in the elucidation of his subject. Another bears the title of "A Review of Prof. Tyndal's Lectures on Sound." "Glances at the World," the authorship of which is attributed to him, was another aspirant for popular favor.
All these publications evince a generally comprehensive knowl- edge of the subject discussed, and great originality of thought in his method of maintaining favorite propositions.
HON. D. D PRATT, LOGANSPORT.
Among the many illustrious men of Indiana, none, perhaps, are entitled to more prominence than the name and memory of D. D. Pratt. In the hearts of his fellow citizens, this name will ever be dear, and, for generations to come, his record will be handed down, from parent to child, as the exemplification of what is good, pure and noble; an example worthy of emulation.
Daniel Darwin Pratt was born at Palermo, Maine, October 24, 1813, and died at Logansport, on Sunday, June 17, 1877.
His father was a physician, and the son of David Pratt, a revo- lutionary soldier, of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
His mother, Sallie Rodgers Hill, was a remarkable woman, a Baptist of the deepest piety, and early taught her son the principles of Christianity-principles which marked and governed his after life.
While Mr. Pratt was an infant, the family moved to Fenner, Madison County, New York. The venerable old farm house is still
standing, where, over sixty years ago, Dr. Pratt began life. With six children to care for, and only sixty acres of stony ground and a small country practice to depend upon, Dr. Pratt sent three boys to college, and provided handsomely for his four daughters, two of whom were step-children.
Mr. Pratt's early years were years of severe toil, necessitated by the circumstances of his father's family. During his attendance at the district school, he manifested an extraordinary interest in his studies, and exhibited powers of intellect which caused his father to resolve upon an education for his son, by which those powers should be developed. In 1825, he entered the Seminary at Cazenovia, New York, then under the charge of Dr. Porter, and two years later entered the Freshinan class of Hamilton College, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1831.
Among the graduates on that occasion were Rev. Dr. Kendrick, now President of Rochester University, John Cochrane and Thomas T. Davis, of New York-both honored Congressmen-and Judge O. S. Williams, of Clinton, N. Y. To Mr. Pratt was awarded the honor of delivering the valedictory address.
He was a natural orator, and as a classical scholar was rarely excelled.
Immediately after graduating he accepted a professorship in Mad- ison University. Among his preserved papers is a scrap-musty and brown with years-signed by half a dozen who were then students, but who have since become eminent Baptist Doctors of Divinity, signifying their entire satisfaction with his labors as a teacher.
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