USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana > Part 16
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With the means accumulated during his term as Professor, he began the study of law, at Cazenovia, N. Y., in the Winter of 1831, and in the following Spring decided to move westward. A family council was held, which resulted in raising $30 and a silver watch to fit him out for his journey.
After the necessary arrangements had been completed, he took an affectionate leave of his mother, and started on his way. The details of this journey, his trip to Cincinnati, part of which was on foot ; the school he taught at Rising Sun, Ind .; his subsequent location in Calvin Fletcher's law office at Indianapolis ; his arrival, in 1836, in Logansport, then a mere opening in the wilderness ; his early practice as an attorney in Cass County-all these have been so graphically described by himself through the columns of the Logansport Star, that a repetition would be superfluous.
His fidelity to duty while in the office of Mr. Fletcher gained the entire confidence of that gentleman, and not him alone, but all who become acquainted with the young student. Mr. Fletcher's business consisted largely in collecting money. In those days there was no postal money-order system ; no safe and speedy express trans- portation, or, in short, any of the facilities which characterize these latter days, and render the shipment of large sums an easy and safe matter; and in view of this fact, it was necessary to transport them by trustworthy individuals. Late in the Fall of 1835, Mr. Fletcher, having collected a sum of $2,000 for several firms in Cincinnati, entrusted the funds to Mr. Pratt to be delivered to their several owners. He started on horseback over the Lawrenceburg road, with the money stored safely in his saddle-bags. As he was passing the Branch Bank-then recently established-he was stopped by the Cashier, who brought out some bundles of bank-bills, folded up, which he placed in the saddle-bags, at the same time handing him letters addressed to the several banks to which the money was con- signed. He startled Mr. Pratt by announcing that the packages contained $20,000 ! Surprise, however, was succceded by a feeling nearly akin to fear, as he thought of the danger and responsibility connected with such a mission; but notwithstanding the danger which might arise, he reached his destination safely, and delivered the packages to their several consignees. This incident is only one of many which illustrate his trustworthy character, and the confi- dence reposed in him.
Once only was he tempted to depart from the path of recti- tude; it was on this occasion when, with $22,000 in his custody, he reached the summit of a hill overlooking the beautiful Ohio, dotted with its rafts and flat-boats bearing their stores of merchandise toward the great southern outlet-the Gulf of Mexico. He had but to sell his horse, and go aboard one of these ! The world was before him ; he was a young man of twenty-one, and fortune was within his grasp ! No telegraphic. communication then existed to intercept his flight. There was then no foreign extradition treaty by which he would have been returned to his native land-a felon ! We quote from an article prepared by himself, for the Star :
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" I recall the fact that this thought was a tenant of my mind for a moment, and for a moment only. Bless God, it found no hospitable lodgment there any longer! And what think you, gentle reader, were the associate thoughts that came to my rescue? Away over rivers and mountains a thousand miles distant, in an humble farm house, on a bench, an aged mother reading to her boy from the oracles of God !"
These were the last words ever uttered by Mr. Pratt; at these words his head dropped back on his chair, and his pure spirit winged its flight to its heavenly abode. His daughter, who was writing as he dictated, became alarmed and called assistance; but too late; the action of the heart, excited by the emotion at the memory of his mother, caused his death ! And so the Christian principles, so early inculcated by that pious mother, and his tender affection for her, became the guarding angels which saved her son from the commission of a great crime, at a time when the voice of the tempter was strong in his heart.
But to return to his earlier history ; his time in Mr. Fletcher's law office was characterized by great industry and rapid progress, and he was soon admitted to practice. The bright promises of his youth were realized. In a few years, the fame of the eloquent young advo- cate resounded throughout Northern Indiana.
He was one who never courted notoriety. He made himself a necessity in his field of action, and it was often a race between liti- gants, to see who should reach his office first. At the time of his election to the United States Senate in 1869, he was recognized as the ablest lawyer in Northern Indiana. Of him, the late Hon. W. Z. Stuart frequently remarked "that Mr. Pratt would develop more original views in a case which he had studied, and maintain them with more authorities, than any man he ever knew."
For twenty-five years he was without a rival in Northern Indiana before a jury. Governor Hendricks and Secretary Thompson divided the palm with him in the South and West. His eminent merits were recognized by the public, and in 1847-then a young man of 33- he was nominated for Congress, but was defeated by Charles Cathcart. In 1848, he was one of the Presidential Electors. In 1851-53, he was elected to the Legislature, and became the leader in the House. In 1860, he was Secretary of the National Convention at Chicago- which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency-and attracted great attention by his eloquence and commanding appearance. During the war, Mr. Pratt was a zealous and patriotic advocate of the Union cause. His first-born son fell at Cold Harbor, pierced by the enemy's bullets. To a soldier boy, he was ever generous and open-hearted. When, in 1861, upon three days' notice, Logansport and Cass County sent forth two companies of volunteers, he advanced hundreds of dollars to needy and poor men, who were called away from their families hastily, and without the ability to make provision for their support ; requiring no security, and not even demanding the return of the amounts.
In 1863, while engaged in the complications of a law case in Logansport, he received the unanimous nomination of his party- then in the minority-for United States Senator. He was first advised of this fact, through the columns of the Cincinnati Gazette, and the next day, tried his case before a Justice with characteristic coolness.
In 1868, he was elected to Congress by a handsome majority, and the Legislature in 1869, without solicitation on his part, promoted him to the United States Senate.
It was unfortunate that he entered that body so late in life. He was then 56 years of age, and, with exception of two terms in the State Legislature, sixteen years before, was without public training. The artificial restraints thrown around him in the National Capital disgusted him and interfered with his splendid oratorical powers. Had his race for Congress in 1847 been successful, he would have gained a reputation as one of the most brilliant statesmen who ever sat in the halls of Congress. He was recognized as one of the ablest men of that body during his service in that capacity, and although he made but few speeches, those he delivered were sound, logical and comprehensive.
For six years, he was a member of both the Claim and Pension Committees, and for two years of that time, was Chairman of the Pension Committee. Millions of dollars were allowed or disallowed, on his recommendation. Had dishonesty been a trait of his charac- ter, he might, in this position, have added thousands of dollars to his own purse, unsuspected. So conscientious was he, that Wendell Phillips once remarked, " Pratt is the most absolutely honest man I ever knew."
Upon the expiration of his term as Senator, in 1875, at the solic- itation of President Grant, he took charge of the Internal Revenue Department, at a time when the war against the whisky ring was be- ginning. The history of this movement has never been written; a partial account appeared in the North American Review, fully justi- fying Secretary Bristow and Mr. Pratt, but the real history of that warfare is known only to General Bristow.
In 1876, the Republican's urged Mr. Pratt to become the candi- date of that party for Governor of the State, but he declined.
He was one of the most cheerful and genial of men, and in his social life, and in all his associations, shed an influence around him, which was like sunshine. It was a pleasure to be in his company. He had a good word for every one, and never descended to gossip. He was patient, mild and forbearing. and never inflicted upon others a recital of his own troubles. He, in common with all mankind, tasted of the bitter waters of affliction. The icy hand of death was laid upon a devoted wife, and two young men, his only sons.
He was twice married-in 1839, to Miss Sophia J. James, of Rising Sun, Indiana, by whom he had four children, only one of whom-a married daughter-now survives.
In 1865, he was again married to Mrs. James D. Warren, who still survives.
In all his family relations and in both marriages he was supremely happy.
Although he never sought literary honors, his talents could not pass unappreciated, and in 1872, Hamilton College conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL. D.
He was frequently solicited to address literary societies, but inva- riably declined. This was always a source of regret to his friends, as he was recognized as a master of the English language, and his liter- ary contributions demanded attention. In his religious views he was a Unitarian ; he believed in God and the future life; his creed was to do right and treat all men with equal consideration. His last act was to dictate the article for the Star, to which we have previously alluded.
Just as the church bells rang out their chimes, on that bright June Sabbath morning, calling the world to worship God in mundane temples, his spirit responded to the call, and soared triumphantly away, beyond the confines of earthly bounds, to chant everlasting praises to his Creator, throughout a blissful eternity, in that temple " not made with hands," and to meet the sainted mother, who, twenty- six years previously, had gone to dwell with the Savior she loved ; and the throb which caused the death of her son was his deep love for her and the emotion caused by the memory of early precepts inculcated by her, as a guiding star to his future life.
What a blessed reward to that mother have been the noble life and peaceful death of her son ; and, that the last act of his life was the memory of her early teachings, should be an incentive to all mothers to be faithful and earnest in the training of their children, knowing that the principles inculcated in early childhood govern the future life for good or evil.
WILLIAM W. HANEY, LOGANSPORT. BY T. B. HELM.
He is the son of Joseph and Mary Weaver Haney, and was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th day of December, 1809.
- Mr. Haney's parents were not in affluent circumstances, and, as a consequence, were unable to provide him with other educational priv- ileges than such as were attainable in the country school of that period; hence, it may be said with propriety, that he was not an edu- cated man, in the accepted meaning of the term, yet thoroughly skilled in the details of practical business, such as is acquired only by the experience of years and the active observations of well developed common sense.
He began life on a farm, and received there his early parental training. Afterward, life in a hotel, then an under-clerk in a store, gave variety to his early experience.
At the age of 17 years, without money or estate, he left the pa- ternal roof to become the architect of his own fortune. That he succeeded, the sequel fully discloses.
About that time, the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal was being located from Easton to Bristol, and the opportunity pre- senting itself, he became connected with the engineering corps having that work in charge, and with them took his first lesson in experience, holding that position for about one year. He next engaged in run- ning coal out on the river, for a short season, then becoming bar- tender and stage agent in R. Latimore's hotel, at Easton, Pa. This experience added one year more to his life discipline, after which he
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accepted the superintendency of a division of the canal, and having succeeded in that trust for a twelve-month, coal boating next engrossed his attention during a like period, at the end of which time he was induced to resume the supervision of the Pennsylvania Canal. On this contract he continued two years, and then left to become a con- tractor for the construction of the Delaware and Raritan canal feeder, on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. He immediately took charge of this work-originally let to Moore & Brown-and completed it in less than one year. He was then employed by the Delaware & Raritan Company to take charge of a portion of said feeder, and continued in their employ about one year longer.
Being satisfied with his experience east of the Alleghanies, on the 17th day of March, 1835, he turned his face westward, and taking the river route, by steamer, flatboat and pirogue, landed at Peru, Indiana, then all in the wilderness, on the 4th day of July following. Shortly after his arrival in Peru, he took charge of a number of men engaged in the construction of the W. & E. canal. In connection with that charge, he opened a stone quarry below Peru, for John Cooper, contractor for the Peru dam. The same Fall, he took a con- tract for the construction of a section of the canal at Lewisburg, and finished it the following year.
Succeeding in this enterprise, he engaged in selling goods at Lew- isburg, with Alexander Wilson; also trading with the Indians. Three years later, he purchased Mr. Wilson's interest and continued business alone, trading largely in real estate and canal scrip, with other securities at that point, until the Summer of 1851. On the 15th of July, of that year, he moved to Logansport, where he em- barked in general merchandising. In this business, however, he remained but a short time, and then sold out his entire stock. Since that time he has been chiefly engaged in real estate transactions, dis- counting moneyed obligations, etc.
For several years he served as President of the Branch Bank of the State of Indiana, at Logansport. In all his business transactions, Mr. Haney has shown himself to be a man of uncommon sagacity and discreetness of judgment, of scrupulous integrity, and gentle- manly demeanor.
Mr. Haney was married on the 13th day of December, 1836, to Miss Louisiana Fidler, by whom he had two children-William E., born December 28, 1837, and Maria Emma, born December 31, 1845, the latter of whom died a few years since.
In his social relations, also, Mr. Haney takes a high rank, making the most of life, for the enjoyments consequent upon a long life of diligent toil, to secure a compensation for his loved ones.
HON. CHARLES B. LASSELLE. BY T. B. HELM.
Hon. Charles B. Lasselle was born at Vincennes, Ind., on the 12th day of October, 1819, descending in a direct line from the old stock of French pioneers who explored and settled the Wabash Valley. His paternal ancestors emigrated from Savigny Sur Orge, in the diocese of Paris, about the year 1680, and settled in Montreal, Canada, where they remained nearly a century afterward. His grandfather, Col. James Lasselle, having been appointed to the Indian Agency, at the Miami village of the Ke-ki-on-ga, adjacent to the present city of Fort Wayne, in the Fall of 1776, immediately moved with his family to that point. At that time they were the only white persons in the village, except a few English and French traders.
Here, on the 25th day of February, 1777, Hyacinth, the son of James, and father of Charles B. Lasselle, was born-the first white child born in that locality, so far as history now discloses.
Mr. Lasselle's mother was born at Vincennes, Ind., in the year 1787. She was the daughter of Major Francis Bosseron, of Revolu- tionary memory, who afterward distinguished himself in the civil and military transactions of the Lower Wabash.
In 1833, Charles B., with his father and mother, moved from Vincennes to Cass County, settling on the north side of the Wabash, three miles from Logansport; subsequently becoming a resident of the town.
During the Spring and Fall of 1833, he attended school in the old "Seminary," then the only school in the State north of the Wabash. In 1836, he attended the Indiana University at Blooming- ton, remaining there until 1839. Soon after his return from college, he began the study of law in the office of the late Hon. D. D. Pratt, and was admitted to the bar in the Fall of 1842.
In 1847, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Judicial
Circuit of which Cass County was then a part, and served one term of three years, in which he achieved a fair measure of success.
About the same time, and for a few years before and after his election, he was assistant editor and publisher of the Logansport Telegraph, a weekly newspaper, of which his elder brother, Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr., was proprietor. In this connection he evinced great talent, developing a clear and methodical style of composition, at once expressive and attractive. His editorial experience naturally diverted bis attention from the strictly literary to a consideration of the political questions of the day, for which he conceived a desire for political preferment. Being a close student, his inclination led him to a careful examination of the working system of the State and National Governments. Thus he became, in a limited sense, a poli- tician, without being especially an aspirant for office.
In 1862, he was elected over Hon. D. D. Pratt, to represent Cass County in the State Legislature, and, two years later, was re- elected to the same position, having served his constituents acceptably during the previous term. In 1868, he was a candidate for Senator from the district composed of the counties of Cass and Fulton. In 1869, and again in 1870 he was re-elected his own successor, the vacancies occasioned by his resignations. This ended his legislative career, and he again devoted his time to the practice of his profession.
Mr. Lasselle, for many years past, has given much time and attention to the history of Cass County, and of the entire Wabash Valley. Indeed his opportunities have been such as to enable him to utilize the large fund of material at his command for these pur- poses. He has furnished historical sketches for this and other localities in the State, and otherwise contributed extensively to the general history of the county. To him, therefore, great credit is due for the judicious care he has manifested in preserving from oblivion the records of the past.
JOHN McMILLEN.
Mr. McMillen was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1803. At the age of four years, he emigrated with his parents, to Highland County, Ohio. His father's family consisted of fourteen children, and at the age of 16 years, he became the main support of the family. An accident happened to his father, by which he was permanently crippled, and being thus incapcitated for active duty, the management of the farm devolved upon his son John ; and manfully did he perform the duty thus placed upon him until 24 years of age. At that age, he determined to seek his fortune in the Great West, and, in the year 1827, left the paternal roof, with all his possessions bound in a pocket handkerchief. He traveled on foot to Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana, where he engaged in building log cabins. He was quite expert in hewing puncheon floors and making clap- boards for roofing.
Husbanding carefully the profits accruing from his labor, he ac- quired a small capital. On the 13th day of May, 1830, he married Miss Elizabeth Manary, who came to Indiana with her parents, two years previous to his arrival. Her father was proprietor of the greater portion of the land upon which the city of Delphi is now located.
In 1832, Mr. McMillen came with his wife to Cass County, and entered a tract of land in Noble Township, which he occupied about two years. He then sold his farm to James Harper, and purchased another tract situated in Jefferson Township. Out of a dense forest, he cleared and improved nearly two hundred acres, and, through all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, toiled cheerfully, day after day, to gain a competence for his loved ones. His family consisted of six children, three sons and three daughters, and of this number, the only survivora are Elizabeth, wife of Mr. J. H. McMillen, and Maria, wife of Mr. G. W. Burrow, of Logansport.
As a farmer, Mr. McMillen was very successful, and, by prudent management, accumulated a large estate. - In 1863, he moved to Logansport, and invested largely in real estate, and in these transac- tions was very fortunate. He died on the 2d day of February, 1876, after a short illness of four days' duration.
He possessed a remarkably vigorous constitution, and, up to the time of his last illness, scarcely knew what it was to be ill.
He was a gentleman of strictly temperate habits, was liberal and kind, and his sudden decease was lamented by a large circle of friends. His faithful wife still survives, and is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. J. H. McMillen.
Mr. McMillen was one who never said to hungry poverty, " Go!" Kindness was one of the prominent characteristics of his nature, and his heart and purse were ever open to the poor and needy. He fre- quently talked with his family and friends about death, and expressed
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the wish that he might be called hence without the pain of a linger- ing illness. He was a kind husband and an indulgent father, and his memory is revered by many who have cause to bless his charity.
ROBERT McMILLEN, NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
Robert McMillen, son of Thomas and Jane Irwin McMillen, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 30, 1806. His father, Thomas McMillen, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He married Miss Jane Irwin, a native of the same county, and soon after his marriage moved West, locating in Ross County, Ohio. In the year 1807, he removed to Highland County, in the same State, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in the pusuit of farming, and remained engaged in that occupation until his death, which occurred in October, 1819.
Four years after the death of his father (August 30, 1823), Robert was apprenticed to a millwright, with the view of learning that trade. He served an apprenticeship of four years, and at the end of that time was pronounced a competent mechanic by his preceptor.
Finding an inviting field awaiting his services, he applied his energies, immediately, to the practice of his chosen avocation, build- ing mills and iron works in Ohio and Kentucky, during the Summer, and constructing cotton gins and presses, during the Winter, in Mis- sissippi and other Southern States. He continued in this occupation until September, 1830, at which time he accompanied his mother and brothers to the Wabash Valley, and, with them, engaged in the arduous undertaking of locating and clearing a farm. They located in this county, where Robert became acquainted with Miss Rosanna Harper, only daughter of James Harper, Esq. ; friendship soon ripened into love, and on the 10th day of July, 1834, they were united in the holy ties of matrimony. This marriage was blessed by eleven children, named, respectively, James Harper, Thomas Jefferson, Quincy Adams, Franklin, William Harvey, R. Milton, George, Mar- garet Jane, Angeline, Cornelia and Emily. Of this number, all save one grew to maturity.
During the dark days of the rebellion, four of his sons-Thomas J., Quincy A., James and William-volunteered their services in defense of their country, and with patriotic valor, bade adieu to their loving parents and friends, for the uncertainties' of soldier life. Thomas J. received a severe wound during one of his engagements with the enemy, and Quincy A., after a brave career as a soldier, yielded up his life in the gloomy hospital wards of Memphis, Ten- nessee.
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Mr. McMillen is one of the early pioneers of this county, and has been prominently associated with its improvements for nearly half a century. He has always felt a lively interest in the public improve- ments of the county, and has been especially active in the advance- ment of her educational interests. He took a prominent part in the founding of the Logansport Female Academy.
He is well known and universally respected throughout the county for his sterling qualities and manly integrity. His political views have ever been in sympathy with the principles of the Repub- lican party, since its organization, previous to which time, he acted with the Whig party. He has never aspired to political honors, con- tent to live a quiet life amid the shades of his rural home, undis- turbed by political tumults. He was strongly opposed to the institution of slavery during its existence, and used his influence and means for its suppression, believing it to be a national evil; and many poor fugitive slaves will remember him with gratitude for valuable assitane rendered them on their way to liberty and happiness.
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