USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 32
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03
NOBLESVILLE TOWNSIIIP.
which is used to convey the grain to the various bins. These serews are cach seventy feet long, running nearly the entire length of the buildings.
Immediately to the south of the storage-bins are the cornerils-two sets as either side of a driveway eight feet wide. The bins proper are cach righty fort long by twelve fort wide and sixteen feet deep. Under the drive and his is also a space for corn. In these hins, the corn is stored in the car, medl under the driveway, a belt in a box carries it to the sheller. In the rear and to the smith stands an isolated building that has a spont communicating with the cleaner in the fourth story of the elevator Into this building passes all the reinse of the com, " the shorts," Messrs. Suhl & Son have built this Imildling at a large ently, as the following figures will abundantly attest : C'ost " Imillings, 813,312428 ; cost of ground, 82,372.66 ; total, 815,851.88.
HH GUY AND WAGGON MANI FATURY.
. Thirty-five years ago, Mr. Wesley Hare, the senior partner of the prosent firm of W. Hare & Son, established this branch of Inniness in a small log building then situated on the rite now occupied by George Heyloan, formerly a partner. Mr. Hare has continued in business without interruption up to the present time, having, in the mean time, built a large shop and added improved machinery. During fifteen years of the time, Mr. Heyhnan was his partner. atul this firm built up a very extensive trade, which they continued, under the style of Hare & Heylman, until 1876, when Mr. Heylman retired, the bu-i- weys continuing meler the style of Hare & Son. Mr. Hare admitted his son, Mr. R. Hare, into partnership immediately on the dissolution of the old firm.
The shops are frame, and situated on the southwest corner of Conner and Anderson streets. They employ six hamle in the smith department and ron three fires. In the wood-working department they employ seven hands, and, in addition, have four painters and two trimmers, in all nineteen hands. They manufacture to order buggies of all varieties ; heavy and light wagons, ated do a general repairing business. They also have in store at all times, excellent NJwimens of their work, which the public can at all times inspeet as the best reference.
After the dissolution of the firm of Hare & Heylman, in 1876, and Hare & Son erected new works, J. G. Heyhan commenced, or rather continued the Insiness of
CARRIAGE AND WAGON MAKING
at the old stand, on the north side of Commer street, west of Anderson, on Lot 7, of Block 11, original plat. The buikling is a two-story brick, and the busi- hess the outgrowth of that counneneed by the old firm, Mr. Heyhnan employs a umuler of experienced workmen, and turns out samples of the various styles of work in his department, doing a thriving business.
CHAPTER XI. MISCELLANEOUS.
Post Ofice and Pastmasters-Attorneys-Court Home-Park-Spring- Andyxix- Traditions-An Old Landmark. POST OFFICE.
A. POST OFFICE was established here in 1823, about the time Noblesville was laid out, and John D. Stephenson was appointed the first Postmaster by the administration of President Monroe. The successors of Mr. Stephenson, in their order, were F. W. Hommons, Catsby Dale, James Q. Brown, James Springer, John 1. Butler, Joseph A. Messick, T. W. Oliphant, James Mar- tin, Levi Farley, Aaron Cox, D. W. Shock and J. H. Jessup.
The ollier is now located on the west side of the public square.
By the annual report of the Postmaster, covering the transactions of his office for the year 1871, the following farts are ascertained in reference to the business of the post office at this place :
Gross receipts for stampa, etc. .$ 1,999 80
Number of mails received. 1,360
Number of' mails sent.
1,850
Number of letters registered ..
Number of money onilers jequed 018
Amount of money receivedl for monoy orders.
11,870 86
Amount of fees received for money orders. 76 10
Number of money orders paid 267
4,212 78
Amount paid on money orders.
D. W. Snork, P. M.
The following is the last quarterly report of the Postmaster, for the quar- ter ending March 31, 1880:
RH In'T4,
Amount received for waste piper, etc ....... 65
- Amount received for box rent 25 90
Amount received for stamps, postal cards, envelopes, etc. 611 21
Amount of stamps, cards, envelopes, etc., received from the Governinent. 6:14 20
Total ៛ 1,234 0G
Amount of cards, stampe, envelopes, etc., on hand ... 624 89
Amount of sinmips and stampeil covelopes returned damaged 2 84
Toint on hand 627 23
Amount of stamps, envelopes, cards, papers, etc., sold during the quarter. 681 18
Anumint to linlance general neconet .. 707 73
By walnry.
275 00
By balance Inet necount.
49 00
Total 824 (0)
Balance due the United States,
388 78
ATTORNEYS-OLD AND NEW HAR.
In the early days of our country's history. the resident har was small the business in the courts being generally transacted by " foreign attorneys," by which title those were known who were not residents ; the number of local attorneys depending upon, and increasing with the home business, At. the April term, 1821, of the Hamilton Circuit Court, the following was the rull of attorneys present, with their places of residence : Hiram Brown, Harvey Gregg. B. F. Morris, Cabin Fletcher, Daniel Wick, Edgar C. Witam, Gabriel .I. Johnson, all of Indianapolis, Ind .; James Gilmore, of New Castle, Ind .; James Harden and Ogues Finch, of Centerton, Ind .: Moses Con, of Madison County, Ind., and Josiah F. Polk, of Noblesville-in all twelve, of whom, Mr. Pulk was a resident attorney, while the rest were foreign. At that time, the courts were held at the house of William Conuer, as prescribed by the charter, authorizing the organization of the county and the courts therein-until muita- ble public buildings were created for the accommodation of the county and judicial officers,
On the 4th day of October, 1873, Col. William O'Brien, a member of' this bar for more than twenty years previous, died at Santa Barbara, Cul. On the day following, a meeting of the Noblesville bar was behl for the purpose of showing proper respect to his memory. At this meeting, a com. mittee, consisting of A. W. Evans, Thomas J. Kane and William Garver, was appointed to prepare and present a series of resolutions expressive of the estimation in which he was held by the profession. The committee reported accordingly, upon the adoption of which, appropriate remarks were unde per- tinent to the occasion.
Again, on the occasion of the death of J. W. Evans, which occurred on the 20th of December, 1878, a meeting of the bar was called the following day. At that meeting, the necessary Conunitter was appointed and a series of appro- priate resolutions adopted, exhibiting the high appreciation of his associates for his character and respect for his memory. Mr. E. H. Granger delivered an elaborate cology, which was responded to in numerous emulatory addresses.
The following gentlemen constitute the present court officers and har of Hamilton County : Eli B. Goodykoontz, Judge ; Jumex il. Christian, Clerk ; A. J. Freyberger, Sheriff ; Thomas B. Orr, Procenter ; Jonathan Colburn, Unilift. Attorneys-William farver. David Moss, Thomas .I. Kane, Joel Stafford, F. Shirts, R. R. Stevenson, J. K. Grahm, F. M. Trissell, E. H. Granger, William Neal, F. M. Householder, George Shirts, Thomas P. Pavis, L. O. Clifford, William Booth, Walter Fertig, Charles D. Potter, II. A. Lee, W. L .. White, C. W. Granger, M. T. Shiel, Joseph Roberts, F. B. P'luff, Thomas Hoyd. Firma-Garver & Graham, Moss & Stevenson, Kane & Davis, Stafford & Boyd, Shirts, Shirts & Fertig, Noblesville and Neal & Roberts, Clifford & White, Cicero.
" LLEWELLYN SPRING "-PARK.
This spring, situated on the bank of White River, south of Conner street, Niner known as the " Llewellyn Spring," was visited and used by the Indians prior to the settlement of this county by the white people. It was a tradition among them that it possessed valuable medienl qualities, and hence was a place of resort for the sick and infirm of their raee. The spot was held in high esteem for the curative properties of its waters by these children of the forest long after their departure for their new home beyond the great " Father of Waters," In 1874, when the knowledge enjoyed by the Indians had long
94
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
passed from remembrance, Josoph Morse discovered anew the virtues attributed to the spring and revived its former popularity. Subsequently, these waters were subjected to a carefid analysis, with the following result :
Chloride of sodium ... 109.968
Bicarbonate line ...... 150,0:14
Chloride of putnusimm ... 9.501
Whenrimunte strontin ... trace
Bromide of smiling .. 1.531
Bienrhonnte baryta ... 1.747
Iodide of sodium 0.198
Bicarbonate iron 01.124
Fluoride of eniciun frace
Phosphate sudla.
Bienrlmunte lithin 11.417
Bilorate suda ..
trace
Bicarbonate sırta. 1.288
Organic matter.
trace
Sulphur
124.000
Solid contents
848. RE1
Almoina
131
I'arhonic acid gas in one gal-
Silica.
1.200
Ion 375.7.47 inches density 1.009
Bicarbonate ningnovin
51. 160
When the value of this spring as a watering-plare berame known and the poddie interest excited, a movement was put on foot to create a juldie park within the corporate limits, making the spring with its medicinal properties une of the attractions. To this end, the matter was laid before the Board of County Commisioners, who, at their regular September session, 1575, made the Adlowing order in the premises. to wit:
WHEREAS, The people of Noblesville have discovered and partially improved what is supposed to be a valuable and healthful spring , and, whereas, there is great anxiety on the part of wany citizens in farther develop and improve this spring, and In con- stitute and calabbab a puldie park in the vicinity of the same for the use of these gen- erally, as n place of resort and pleasure. Aml, whereas, it appears that the county is the owner of the original donation made by Mesure. Folk an I Conner, to the county of Hamilton in connection with the matter of locating the county seat at the town of Noblesville, of cerinin luta in Squares 17 andl [8, and fractional Square Five (5) in sand town and in the vicinity of said spring, which have remuned unsalt, the sone being considered worthless on account uf their nechty.
Now, therefore, for the purpose of encouraging the improvement of said spring, and the opening up of a public pirk, at and about the same, the board donate to nud nuthursze, either the municipal authorities of the town of Noblesville, or any number of citizens who sunny organize for the purpose of establishing a public park, under proper police regulations, for the free use of the citizens, in case said municipal authorities shall fail to do so, to take full possession of and to use any and all of auch lots as may belong to said county in either of said squares or fractional square, by virtue of said donation of the said Conner aud Polk : And anch municipal authorities, er association of individuals, shall, by this order, linve the full right to nesume control of and improve any nwel all of said lotx, no to them may seem right and proper, and the same shall be and remain in the possession of such authorities or association so long as they shall keep them in proper condition, and for the use of a free public park, restricted only by proper police regulations, and, when they shall cease to be so used and kept, shall revert to and become the property of Hamilton County, the same as if this order had never been ninde.
Whether the corporation of Noblesville, or an association of citizens, has utilized this order, our record does not disclose.
AN OLD LANDMARK CONK.
The following article copied from the Noblesville Ledger, of June 18. 1875. is inserted here, berause of the numerous interesting farts therein con- tained, and the propriety of the remarks which the subject elicited.
"The determination of the Commissioners to locate the jail on the south- west corner of the square, which, by the way, was a very foolish nation, ren- dered it necessary to move the Recorder's office, and, accordingly, on Friday of last work, workmen undertook the task and accomplished it in a few hours, siner which the brick have been cleaned off and piled away in the court house yard, and all other debris removed. The little brick, although not pretentions. was substantial, the oldest public building in the county, and has had an interesting history. It was well and honestly built in 1832, by a bricklayer mumned Willetson-Judge Cuttingham having made the brick -und plastered by n man named Shryork ; the name of the carpenter we could not learn, but doubtless all of these have gone to quiet graves. At the time this structure was built, the court house was an old frame, and it was not dermed safe to keep the records in it ; heuer, it was thought best to put up this ofice. Three Anors were taken out of it, two-plank floors transversely laid, and on top of these one of brick. The spade-marks made in digging the foundation were as plainly visible as though the work had been done a week ago. It was occupied as n Recorder's and Clerk's office until about 1838, at least part of the time, by Gen. Stephenson, who at that time neted na Clerk aml Recorder, when it was moved into a little frame, situated on the corner belew Uncle Jim Brown's hotel, where Harvey Crane now lives, After the removal of the records, the little brick was occupied as a shoe-shop, by Ebenezer Ridgway-Alick's father,
with George Messick, convin to our Messick boys, and Now Granger ( who now is a prosperous farmer ) as ' ruby' or apprentices. In 1813, the Recorder, Albert Cole, who, like tien. Stephenson, held the ofice for about finertern years, moved again into the old building, where the records were kept notil probably about 1800, when Mr. Essington, having been elected Recorder, took up his quarters in the court house. During the interval between 1816 and (>71, the old house was appropriated to private use, Jacob Smith using it n portion of time as a tailor shop-when, as we believe, Mr. Juhn W. Wilson, then the Recorder. re-orcapied the building, where the office remained until last week, when Mr. Boyd moved his quarters into the Sheriff's office, and the ancient landmark was razed to the ground."
HON. WHAM GARNER.
In the brief and imperfect outline we are able to give in this sketch of the personal history of the oldest living representative to-day of the Hamil- ton County bar, we can do little more than merely glance at some of the prin- rijet events with which he has been romweeted and identified in his long and useful career as a lawyer, soldier, legislator and jurist. The life and character of Judge farver, rising from the holde apprentice boy, by his own unaided efforts to positions of honor and distinction amming men, presents a norful lesson to the youth of this generation, and ade another striking illustration of the power and forre of determined purpose and perseveraner.
Judge farver's ancestors were of German migin, and were among the early refugee settlers of North Carolina. Samuel Carver, bis paternal grand- father, was a native of that State, and in carly manhood was married to Elizabeth Troutman. They emigrated to Ohio and settled in Batter County, near Hamilton, where they reared their children, and resided until their death They were the parents of eight children.
Leonard. the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina in ITSS. and was abunt sixteen years of age when the family removed In Ohio. Hle grew up to manhood and became a millwright, which was his oreupation through life. In 180G, he was married to Catharine Fisher, the daughter of Jarob Fisher, of Butler County, who was also a native of North Carolina. Leonard Carver lived to the age of eighty seven years, dying in 1875. He was known through life as an honest, industrious man, and a sincere, prac- tival Christian. Bring in limited circumstances, he was unable to give his children the advantages of an education. His wife died in 1869, at the age of seventy-one years. They were the parents of nine children, named Alex- ander. Julia A .. Eliza. James, William, John, Hannah, Amelia and Henry.
William Garver was born near Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, on the 19th day of July, 1816. His early boyhood was passed with his parents at home, aml, owing to the extremely limited circumstances of the family, and the lack of' free scheels at that day, his opportunities for obtaining an education were confined to what he could get at home, and to a brief school life of six months.
At the age of fourteen years, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a sakeller, where he remained four years. He then, at the age of eighteen, started out to make his own way in the world. He turned his eyes to the West, and proceeded on foot to Indianapolis, where he songht aml obtained employ- mirnt as a journeyman af his trade. He, at the same time, began to realize his want of an education, and resolved to spend all his spare time to remedy the deficiency, and from that time on for three or four years, he worked dur- ing the day at his trade, and his evenings, until late at night, were spent in elose and unremitting study, with the fixed and determined purpose of entering. the legal profession nu a lawyer. He pursued his legal studies under the direction and supervision of the Hon. Isaac Hack ford, then Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana, and in 1810 was admitted in practice as an attor- ney ut law, by Mesers. Morrison and Thompson, then Andges of the Circuit Court, and soon after was also admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State, and the United States Courts.
In 1811, he removed to Noblesville, Hamilton County, opened an office, und commeured the practice of law, and for a few years was a copartner with the Inte William Quarles, a distinguished lawyer of Indianapolis. The young lawyer soon built up for himself a large and lucrative practice in the various courts, and became widely and favorably known as a man of superior ability and judgment. He always took a decided and netive part in the political con- truversies of the day, and contributed much to the success of the okl Demo- cratie party of his State, and he remained loyal to that party until he found it arrayed against the Government and in actual rebellion, since which he has
95
NOBLESVILLE TOWNSHIP.
been a stanch and unwavering adherent and supporter of the Republican party. The Judge, during the course of his long and eventful career, bas occupied many homoralde positions and offices of trust and responsibility, in all of which he has retained the confidence and respect of his constituents. And. in this con- nection, it is proper to notice some of the more prominent positions in which he has served the public with distinguished ability.
In 1848, he was elected and then served a term of three years as Senator in the Indiana Legislature, where be achieved considerable notoriety as ('hair- man on some of the most important committees. In 1851, he was elected Prosventing Attorney for the old Eighth Judicial Cirenit, which, at that time, embraced nine counties,
In 1856, he was the Democratic candidate for Representative to Congress, opposed to Hon. John U. Pettit, of Wabash, and, although Mr. Garver's vote was much ahead of the Presidential ticket in his district, he was defeated by a small majority.
In 1837, he received the appointment and a commission from the Govern- ment as Special Postal Agent for the States of Indiana and Illinois, which porition he filled up to FS61. He was also a delegate from Indiana to the relebrated Democratie National Convention, at Charleston, to which the Indiana delegates were instructed for Stephen .A. Douglas. Mr. Garver retired from that body and came home in disgust before the Convention closed its stormy discussions which disrupted the old Democratic party and gave the political power of the country into the hands of their opponents,
In August, 1862, he was commissioned by flow. Morton to organize and equip a regiment of volunteers for service in the field. During that month the Eighty-ninth Kegiment was raised and sent to the front. He then raised the One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, of which he was commissioned Colonel, and with it. weot into the field, in Kentucky and Tennessee. He remained with his regiment until the following May, when, in consequence of continued ill health, he resigned his command and returned home, and it was nearly a year before his health permitted him to resume his legal business. In 1865, he was appointed by fiov. Morton Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Fourteenth Judicial District, to fill a vacancy ; and in the following October he was elected to the same office without opposition, and at the expiration of a term of four years, he was re-elected for another term, and again in 1872 he was elected to the same office, but the Legislature at that sos- sion abolished that court. In 1876, he was elected Joint Representative for the counties of Hamilton and Tipton to the State Legislature, and served two years in important positions on the various committees of the house. Since that time, the Judge has given his legal business his whole time and attention, in copartnership with Robert Graham, Esq.
The Judge is at this time living with his third wife. The maiden name of his first wife was Eliza J., daughter of Gen. John D. Stephenson, one of the pioneers of Noblesville, to whom he was married in 1832. She was the mother of three children, all of whom died in infancy. Her death occurred on the 5th day of August, 1850, at the age of twenty-four years. His second marriage Wax with Miss Eliza J. Ray, daughter of ex-Gov. James B. Ray, of Indian- npolis. She became the mother of eight children -- William R., Frank, Jesse B., Leonard J., Katie, Minnie V., Albert and John, all of whom are living except Kntie, who died in infancy.
On the 15th day of December, 1870, he was again called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and companion, who departed this life at the age of thirty-eight years. On the 25th day of March, 1873, he filled the vacancy in his home by uniting in marriage with Mrs. Talitha A. Pierce, the worthy widow of Henry Pierre, of Marion, Grant County.
The Judge and his family all reside on his firm, two miles west of Nobles- ville, where he owns a valuable truet of 120 acres, with a comfortable residence and surroundings. He occupies an office in Noblesville, to which he drives daily to transnet his legni business.
The firm of finrver & Girahmm is widely and favorably known and patronized. The numerous, honorable positions and offices which he has filled with honor to himself and profit to his constituents during his life, is a higher tribute to the character and worth of Judge Garver than any written eulogy. A fine portrait of the Judge may be found in the center of the group of attorneys of the Hamilton County har.
THOMAS J. KANE.
Is a descendent of an old Irish Presbyterian family of County Antrim, Irc- land, and dates fur back in the carly days of Irish history. John Kane, the
paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, reared a family of six chil- dren named James, William, Thomas, Hercules D., John and Ann. The old gentleman died at the old home of the family, in Antrim, in 1839, at an advanced age.
Hercules D. Kane was born at the obl Irish homestead, near Belfast, in 1802. He was reared and educated a farmer and stock-raiser, and in early manhood was married to Elizabeth Laughlin, who was a native of County Derry, Ireland, but of Scottish parentage, also Presbyterian". Soon after his marriage, he, with his wife and one child. emigrated to the United States and settled in Franklin County, Pen., where he was for a few years engaged in farm- ing. In the spring of 1831, he removed with his family to Ohio, and settled on a farm in Fairfield County, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1810, at the age of thirty-right years. His widow, who was endowed in a remarkable degree with off the qualities necessary in a guardian as well ns mother, reared ber children, and by her influence, example and wise counsel, fitted them for useful members of society, and, whatever character and position her children attained to in after years, they gratefully attributed to the early training they received from their noble and energetic mother. She died in 1852 at the age of' fifty years. There were in this family seven children, the youngest a mere infant at the death of the father, named Mary A., Thomas, Allen 12 .. Thomas J., John M., George W. and William C. Of these, the only ones now living are Thomas J. and John M. Of this family, all the sons became profissional men, except the oldest, who was preparing for the ministry, and died in the year he was to graduate. All the others became physicians, except Thomas J., who embraced the profession of law. John M. is at this time a practicing physician at Westfield, in Hamilton Co.
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