USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 28
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
October 2, 1865, Mr. K. was married to Miss Arilla Harvey, of Marion county, with whom he is still living. He at once moved to Greenfield, and opened a barber shop in the Gooding Corner, where he is still holding forth.
Mr. K. has been a faithful member of the A. M. E. Church for several years, and has contributed liberally for
CALVIN B. GILLIAM.
its support. He became a Mason in 1868 and an Odd Fellow in 1879, is an enthusiastic Republican and a good citizen, honored and respected by all.
CALVIN B. GILLIAM,
the first colored teacher in Hancock county, was a Christ- mas present, in 1853, to Moody and Julia A. Gilliam, early settlers of Boone county. He attended a district school
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BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.
for six months; was two terms in Union High School at Westfield, but the principal part of his education was re- ceived at Spiceland, Henry county. He contemplated entering Wilmington College, Ohio, but was not admitted on account of color. His early life was spent on a farm, and in the school room. In the spring of 1873 Mr. G. joined the Grangers, and was elected chaplain. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and though not a member of any religious denomination, he leans toward the Methodists. Mr. G. is a modest young man, and is well liked as a teacher by his pupils and patrons, with whose interest he seems fully identified.
HON. THOMAS D. WALPOLE,
was born in Zanesville, Ohio, March 20, 1816, and removed with his parents to Indianapolis in 1822. There his boy- hood days were passed and his early education received. In 1834 he settled at Greenfield, Hancock county, and soon entered upon an entensive and profitable practice. At that time he was a Whig in politics. Young, talented and ardent and a partisan in temperament, he entered zealously into the political discussions of the day. In 1836 he was elected to the Legislature when barely of the requisite age, and he was also a member of the twenty- second session, which convened in the year 1837. In the excited canvass of 1840 he took an active part, and was elected to the Senate from the district composed of the counties of Hancock and Madison; in the twenty-sixth session, 1841-2, the twenty-seventh session, 1842-3, and the twenty-eighth session, 1843-4. In the twenty-seventh session, Hon. Samuel Hall, who had been elected Lieu- tenant Governor, having resigned, Mr. Walpole was elected President of the Senate, and filled the position with dignity and impartiality during that and the subsequent session. Mr. Walpole was also elected to the Senate in 1847, and served in 1848, 1849 and 1850 in the thirty-second, thirty- third and thirty-fourth sessions of the General Assembly.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
In 1848 he was Presidential Elector, and canvassed the eastern part of the State for Taylor and Fillmore. In 1850 he was elected to the Constitutional Convention from his Senatorial district from the counties of Hancock and Madison. He was a statesman as well as a politician, and thoroughly understood our theory of government. Although a member of the Whig party, he was watchful of the rights of the people, and any attempt to circumscribe the liberty of the citizens was sure to rouse to fierce invective the fiery eloquence which burned on his lips. He was an active, influential member of the convention, and left his impress upon its proceedings.
In 1852 Mr. Walpole joined the Democratic party, and entered zealously into the canvass for Franklin Pierce. He bitterly opposed the Know-Nothing party, and labored as earnestly to uphold the Democratic banner as he had formerly done to sustain the measures advocated by Clay and Webster and other great lights of the old Whig party. Mr. Walpole afterward represented Hancock county in the lower branch of the Legislature, being in the thirty-eighth session in 1855 and in the thirty-ninth session in 1857. The people demanded his services, for as a legislator he was watchful and careful of their interests, and he really accepted the trust and honor at a pecuniary sacrifice.
Mr. Walpole was never defeated in his county. Men of all parties acknowledged his worth and integrity as a legislator, and, whether as a Whig or Democrat, he received the suffrage of the people among whom he lived whenever his name was presented.
As a lawyer Mr. Walpole stood high in his profession. lle was quick and clear in his perceptions, fertile in resources and ingenious in his management of points in his case. As an advocate before a jury he was very suc- cessful. His knowledge of human nature enabled him to read his auditory at a glance, and few could withstand the charm of his eloquent periods.
In November, 1840, Mr. Walpole was married to Miss Esther Bryan, of Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana. In
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BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.
1860 he removed with his family to Indianapolis, where he continued in the active practice of his profession up to his death, in October, 1863. He left a wife and four children, two sons and two daughters.
DR. N. P. HOWARD, JR.,
youngest son of Dr. N. P. Howard, Sr., was born in Greenfield, February 6, 1856. His early literary educa- tion was received at the Greenfield public schools, after
DR N.P.
which he was a student of Asbury University for a consid- erable time, during all of which training he had in view the medical profession, and on leaving college at once entered the office of the well-known medical firm of Howard & Martin, where he took a course of reading preparatory to a course of lectures in a medical college of Indiana, from which he graduated in 1879, soon after which he was married to Miss Elizabeth E., youngest daughter of John W. Ryon, of Greenfield, and at once began the practice of medicine, forming a partnership with his preceptors, and is now the junior member of the firm of Howard, Martin & Howard. He was recently appointed
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Secretary of the County Board of Health, and entered at once upon his duties. Probably no young physician of the county ever entered upon the practice under more favorable circumstances and auspicious surroundings.
HENRY WRIGHT,
son of Joseph Wright, was born in Buck-Creek township, Hancock county, Ind., November 28, 1838. His educa- tion was principally received at the public schools of his neigborhood, attending one term at Oakland Graded School, after which he began teaching, and followed this occupation through twenty terms. He was deputy Auditor under Hon. A. C. Handy for a time. In October, 1875, he was elected Auditor of Hancock county, and entered upon his official duties November 2, 1876. In October, 1879, he was re-elected, and entered upon his second term November 2, 1880. He was married March 13, 1877, to Miss Dora E. Davis, a native of Kentucky. Mr. W. has been a member of the orders of Red Men, Patrons of Hus- bandry and Workingmen, and has been an honored mem- ber of the Masonic order since 1860. Mr. W., through his official life, has been a kind and accommodating officer.
JAMES A. NEW
was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on the 18th day of October, 1850. Ilis early education was received at the common district schools, attending in the winter and work- ing on the farm in the summer. His father, William New, one of the county's industrious farmers, endeavored to teach his children that farming and manual labor were the prerequisites to success ; but "Jim," being of a different opinion, early began to prepare himself for his chosen course in life. His last days as a pupil in the country schools were spent under the tutorage of the writer. Here he was fitted for college, having completed the common branches, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, philosophy, and other branches of equal grade.' At the age of sixteen
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BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.
he entered Bainbridge Academy, in Putnam county, In- diana, for one year, and the following year entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Indiana, where he continued his studies for a similar time, when he was compelled, on account of failing health, to take a year's rest, after which he entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he finished his collegiate studies in the year 1872. Mr. New had early in life formed the desire of becoming a lawyer, and, much against the wishes of his parents, began study with that view. After the close of his college train- ing, he entered the law office of Hamilton J. Dunbar. Here he made rapid progress, and on the Ist day of June, 1873, was admitted to the bar of the Hancock Circuit Court, and began the practice as a partner of his pre- ceptor, and continued as such until the 5th of September, 1876, the date of Mr. Dunbar's death. In 1869 Mr. New was elected County Examiner for this county, and dis- charged the duties of said office with credit to himself and honor to the people. Feeling that his professional duties needed his entire attention, he declined to become a candi- date for a second term, and has since been wholly engaged in the law.
On the 8th day of November, 1876, Mr. New was mar- ried to Miss Emma Swope, of this city, the fruits of which union are two sprightly children-a boy and a girl. Mr. N. is a member of the M. E. Church, and contributes lib- erally to the support thereof. He has been a life-long Democrat, though never aspiring to office, believing that law and politics cannot be successfully wedded. He has an excellent library, stands high in the profession, and is recognized as an able debater and a tenacious opponent. He is a genial gentleman, always ready for a good joke and a hearty laugh, and by industry and close application has achieved a handsome competence.
JOHN E. DYE
dates his earthly journeyings on terra firma from June 25. 1845. Sugar-Creek township, this county. He is a son of
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the late John Dye, who came to Indiana in 1809 from Ken- tucky, where he was born in 1803. He came to Wayne county in 1836, where he resided for a short time ; thence to Sugar-Creek township, his future home to the date of his death. John E. received a fair English education at home and at Knightstown. Ile taught two terms of school in Sugar-Creek and Buck-Creek townships, and was five years in the drug store at Philadelphia, Indiana, termi- nating in 1877. He was married in 1864 to Miss Henri- etta, daughter of Dr. M. M. VanLaningham. He is a
WM WRIGHT
farmer, a staunch Democrat, and a social gentleman. In person, he is of a bilious temperament, dark hair and eyes, six feet two inches in height, and one hundred and eighty-five pounds in weight. Mr. D. was elected Com- missioner of the Third Commissioner's District in 1880, which position he is still holding.
WILLIAM M. WRIGHT,
youngest son of Joseph and Elizabeth Wright, was born June 19, 1850; attended the common schools of the dis- trict three months in the year, until he began teaching in 1871, which he followed during the winter season for eight
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BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.
or nine terms, mostly in his native township. He was married April 20, 1873, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Hamilton Welling, of . Buck-Creek township. He was elected Trustee of Buck-Creek township in 1876, and re- elected in 1878. He is an honored member of the F. and A. M. ; was appointed Deputy Auditor in 1880, which po- sition he still holds. Mr. W. is a young man, a good Democrat and an affable gentleman.
DR. SAMUEL M. MARTIN,
son of Dr. William H. Martin, of Rush county, was born in Rushville, Indiana, March 7, 1842. His father being a physician and literary man, and at one time, as previously stated, Secretary of the Board of Examiners of the Indi- ana Medical Institute, endeavored to give his children favorable opportunities for an education. Young Martin early espoused the idea of following in his father's foot- steps, and embracing the medical profession, but while in the midst of his study of medics, the thrilling accounts of the civil war enthused his mind, fired his patriotism, and carried him to the scene of carnage, where he remained until discharged for a gun-shot wound through the left side of the body, at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 1, 1862. He now turned his thoughts in his chosen chan- nel, and had the honor, in 1865, of graduating in the Cincinnnati College of Physicians and Surgeons. The fol- lowing year he was married to Miss Florence F., only daughter of Dr. N. P. Howard, with whom he formed a partnership, and at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession.
Dr. M., though scarcely in the prime of life, stands high in the profession, has a lucrative practice, and is much of a gentleman.
MISS MARY N. ROBERTS,
a native of West Virginia, and daughter of the late Na- thaniel H. Roberts, came to this city with her parents in
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
1869, where she received a common school education. She learned readily, and in 1876 entered the County Re- corder's office as deputy under her father, where she has since been employed. On the death of her father, by unanimous consent, it was agreed that she should have the emoluments of the office for the unexpired term, and at a public meeting of citizens of the county a non-partisan committee was appointed, who agreed on John Ryon as
@MISS
RTS
nominally Recorder, in whose name she should act. In addi- tion to her work as deputy, she has devoted much of her time in furnishing abstracts of titles, in all of which duties she has ever been recognized as accommodating, faithful and efficient.
AMOS C. BEESON
was born in Randolph county, Indiana, July 29, 1842 ; moved to Blue-River township, Hancock county, Indiana, October, 1856, and remained on the farm with his father until 1861, when he became an apprentice in the office of The Hancock Democrat. He remained there one year, when he enlisted as a private soldier in Company G, 79th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served with his regiment, participating in the battles of Chicamauga,
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BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.
Lookout Mountain, Knoxville, the East Tennessee cam- paign, Tunnel Hill, Dalton, Resaca, Cassville, Lost Moun- tain, and Kenesaw Mountain, being so severely wounded in the latter, June 23, 1864, that he was discharged Febru- ary 5, 1865. In March. 1865. he was appointed Deputy Recorder of Hancock county, and elected Recorder in 1865, being the only Republican ever elected to that posi- tion. He resigned August 1, 1879, having purchased an interest in the Winchester Fournal, one of the oldest and leading local papers in Eastern Indiana, of which paper he is still the editor and sole proprietor. In March, 1881, he was elected, by the Legislature of Indiana, as one of the Directors of the Prison North, and on the organization of the Board of Directors was elected its President, which position he still holds. Was married in 1867 to Miss Maggie Marsh, of Bhie-River township, and his family consists of two little boys. Masters Willie and Charlie.
COLORED M. E. CHURCH
was organized about 1874 in the upper story of the frame building on North State street, opposite Morgan's livery stable, by Rev. J. H. James. The first members were G. L. Knox, Jane and Martha Hunt, Eliza Brazelton. Daniel Jenkins et al. Their next meetings were held in the new room of the two-story frame building on South State street, owned by L. W. Gooding. Thence to the present place of worship, a neat one-story frame in the south part of the city. Present minister, George W. Zeigler. In connection with this church is an interesting Sunday-school, G. L. Knox, Superintendent.
HANCOCK COMMANDERY NO. 6
of the Knights of Universal Brotherhood was instituted December 1, 1881, by John T. Francis, Grand Deputy, assisted by the Sir Knights of the Continental Commandery of Indianapolis. The officers are: A. L. Sullivan, Illus-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
trious Commander ; R. Hagen, Captain General ; John S. Huntsinger, Master of Ceremonies ; Warren Comstock, Registering Chief; A. N. Fitz, Chief of Records; A. C. Hamilton, Herald at Arms ; S. S. Spangler, Junior War- den ; John R. Smith, Outer Warden ; James II. Bragg. James Wilson, Jackson Bridges, Trustees ; Dr. J. A. Hall, Examining Physician. This order is founded on the prin- ciple of fraternity and mutual aid, and claims to elevate humanity, advise, encourage and assist its members. Charter members, about forty : night of meeting, Thursday of each week, in the third story of Masonic building.
A BIT OF SCHOOL HISTORY.
It was in the summer of 1874 that New Palestine, a place then noted for "running out" teachers before their terms had expired, in selecting a principal for the coming year, decided to make a change and elect a lady for the position, the like of which had never been done in that place. As the result of their choice they decided on Mattie J. Binford, a graduate of Earlham College, who had served as principal at Walnut Ridge, Rush county, the preceding year, with such success that they would have raised her wages considerably rather than to have lost her services. There were some of the employers at New Palestine prejudiced from the beginning. They said no lady could govern their boys. The new principal knew but very little of the circumstances until she was engaged. Then she was determined there should be no " backing out" on her part, but that she would strive to do them all the good in her power. With these pure motives she began her school, a term of a little over six months. She visited the school-house two or three days before school was to open in order to get fully ready. The walls had been newly whitewashed, the floor scrubbed, and the stoves blackened; so when the new eight-day clock, several pictures, mottoes, surrounded by wreaths of evergreen and corner bouquets, all had suitable positions on the walls.
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BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.
the room looked real cozy. Several visitors were present at the opening, and expressed themselves as well pleased with the rules and regulations given by the principal. School progressed finely, and all seemed to work with a will. Quite a large number visted the school, especially on Friday afternoons, when there were literary exercises. and they nearly always expressed themselves in the Vis- itor's Record as well pleased. Still there was opposition. and fault-finders were not scarce. They said there was no sense in her trying to keep the house so neat, that the " big boys " might as well spit on the floor all they wished, that so many ornaments in a school-room was a useless expenditure of money (just as though the teacher had not borne all the expense), and that she had so many nez' methods of instruction, &c. However, things moved along until after the holidays without more than has been men- tioned. Two weeks of holidays were granted, and when the principal returned to her duties she treated the school on candy, raisins and wedding cake as a token of her good will to all ; but it was not many weeks until it was manifest that trouble was brewing. The first case occurred one morning not long after the opening exercises, when a tall young man, whom the principal had temporarily suspended the preceding day for positively refusing to do as she bade him, came at her with clenched fist, and threatened to knock her brains out. Doubtless he thought that he could scare her out of the room, but he was mistaken this time. She said not a word, but stood her ground. He soon quieted down and took his seat. It was not many minutes until the trustee came in, and she informed him of her trouble. He ordered this pupil to take his books at once and go home, but instead of obeying he came at the trustee with a large iron poker. The latter swerved not an inch, however he was not struck. At recess the teacher and trustee stepped over to the 'Squire's office, and the former filed an affidavit against this young man for abusing her in the presence of her school, &c. Accordingly he was fined near twenty dollars.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
In the afternoon of the same day the school was very unexpectedly visited by the mother of one of the pupils, a little boy about seven years of age. The teacher had been obliged to correct this pupil, so his little sister slipped home at recess and informed his mother of it. So in a few min- utes, while a class was on the floor reciting, in she came, quite a large woman, shaking her fists at the principal, and bemeaning her before the school. When asked by the teacher to take a seat and be quiet, she heeded not, but said she had as much right in there as she had. On being told that there was a section in the school law forbidding such conduct, she said she was not afraid of the school law, of the teacher, or of all Palestine. She even assumed authority, and went to changing her children's seats to suit herself. The teacher seeing no other alternative to rid the school from the annoyance, asked one of the grown pupils to take charge, and stepped over to the 'Squire's office for assistance, as the director would not act in former cases ; but before she got back this woman was out and gone. The teacher at once changed her children's seats as they were before her visit, and recitation went on as usual until the common time for closing.
After school, the teacher, seeing that her school would be broken up if such an offense should go unpunished. went again to the 'Squire's office, and laid in complaint against this woman for visiting the school with the avowed purpose of insulting and upbraiding her in the presence of her pupils. A lawyer was employed on each side, and a jury called. The verdict rendered was against this woman, and of course she was thrown into the costs. A dear visit it proved to her. Then she and her husband had the prin- cipal arrested for "assault and battery," but the verdict rendered was not guilty. The people of that district then saw that a teacher had some rights which they were bound to respect, and they have had good schools there ever since. The principal taught her term out, and also taught a subscription term of two months. The next year she had the opportunity of teaching grammar and geography
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BIOGRAPHIES AAND SKETCHES.
at Earlham College, and has been engaged in teaching in other places every year since, until one year ago last August she accepted a school of one scholar, viz : Clarkson Elliott, of Fountain City. Wayne county, and is now located eight miles north of Richmond.
WILLIAM H. THOMPSON,
Sheriff of Hancock county, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, April 14, 1842. His early education was received in his native State, after which he attended the common schools of Indiana for a time, and was six months in the graded schools of Lafayette. At the age of eighteen he removed with his parents to Brandywine township, this county, where he resided until his appointment as deputy Sheriff under William Thomas, in 1875, which position he filled for two terms. In 1878 he was elected Sheriff of the county and re-elected in 1880.
Mr. T.'s parents were at one time in good financial circumstances, but lost their all by indorsement. Thus early in life he was thrown upon his own resources and brought face to face with the stern realities of life, and. aside from supporting himself, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to his parents in their declining years. His father died in 1876 and his mother in 1878. May 8, 1881, he was married to Miss Malinda E., daughter of the late Robert Smith, of Brandywine township. As an officer, Mr. Thompson is recognized as impartial, faithful and efficient.
HON. JOSEPH CHAPMAN.
one of the most prominent men in the early history of Hancock county, who had filled the various positions of farmer, county officer, legislator and soldier, died in the service of his country April 3, 1848, in Mexico, at the age of fifty-seven. He was a native of the Buckeye State. lived for a number of years in Rush county, and came to Hancock county in 1829. He was twice married, first to
28
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Miss Jane Curry, by whom he had six children ; the second time to Miss Matilda Agnes, by whom he had five children. His first wife was buried in the old cemetery in Greenfield.
Mr. Chapman was elected Clerk of the county in 1832, and represented the county in the lower house of the Legislature in 1837, 1839, 1841, 1842 and 1843. In person he was square built, dark hair and eyes, of a bilious tem- perament, medium in height, and about one hundred and seventy pounds in weight. In politics he was a Democrat, and was often pitted against Thomas D. Walpole, a prom- inent Whig at that date. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in the faith.
We give below a letter written by Mr. C. while in Mexico, which is of interest as showing the style and character of its author :
JALAPA, MEXICO, December 3, 1847.
MY DEAR WIFE AND CHILDREN : Again I am placed in my tent, very tired, but cheerful and happy as ever I was in my life, and I suppose that I need not say that I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same state of health, as I do think you will be ready to acknowledge and believe that my very soul has always been wrapped up in the love of my family.
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