USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 30
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John H. Louden, a Pennsylvanian by birth, was the son of an elder in the Reformed Presbyterian church. He taught school in 1861-62, and during the last year studied law as well, his preceptor being Judge Read of Conners- ville. He also assisted in the summer of 1862 in raising a company of Civil war troops for the Fifth Indiana Regiment, and intended entering the service. but was taken ill and abandoned the thought. He had charge of the Bloom- ington Republican, at the same time reading law with Judge Hughes. He graduated from the law department of Indiana University in 1864 and at once commenced the practice of his profession. He had for his partners such men as Capt. John W. McCoy, Frank Wilson and Hon. M. F. Dunn. also R. W. Miers. He became one of the state's best lawyers.
George A. Buskirk, born in 1829, the son of Abram Buskirk, was edu- cated at the Bloomington schools, then entered the office of David Browning. clerk of the Monroe county court. He entered the preparatory course of
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Indiana University just as the war with Mexico broke out, and he enlisted at Lafayette, but transferred to the Third Indiana Regiment, under Col. James H. Lane, serving till the end of that war. He followed the printer's trade for a few years, on the Democratic paper at Bloomington, and in 1849 began the study of law, graduating from Indiana University in 1850. In 1856 he was elected judge of this circuit, and was re-elected in 1860. He was sent to the Legislature in 1867, being again elected to the same position of trust in 1868-69, and was speaker of the Lower House. In 1871 he organ- ized the First National Bank of Bloomington, and was made its president. In war days he was greatly appreciated by Governor Morton, who appointed him colonel of the Indiana Legion.
John W. Buskirk, second son of John B. Buskirk, was born in 1845 in Lawrence county, Indiana, and entered the State University of Indiana in 1859. He enlisted in Company G. Forty-ninth Indiana Regiment, serving until June, 1863. He soon entered the law office of Hon. J. L. Collins at North America, and after two years formed a partnership with his preceptor. Two years later he removed to Paoli, where he was a law partner of his brother until 1869, then moved to Bloomington, Indiana, and after two years formed a partnership with Lester L. Norton, becoming two years later a part- ner of H. C. Duncan. He was a successful lawyer and in time was elected prosecuting attorney. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat.
Hon. John R. East, born in Indian Creek township, this county, in 1845. was the son of pioneer William East, who settled here in 1828. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-ninth Indiana Regiment, serving nearly two years during the war of the Rebellion, and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He returned, taught school and in March, 1869. entered the law office of Judge S. H. Buskirk. He graduated from the Uni- versity in 1870, and formed a law partnership with James H. Rogers, after which he assumed the duties of circuit clerk. He then resumed his law prac- tice, having for partners, at different times, Hon. C. W. Henderson, and Colonel W. C. L. Taylor. In October, 1878, he was appointed prosecuting attorney, served a year, remaining in practice alone until 1882, when he formed a partnership with his brother, William H. East.
William H. East, a native of this county, born in 1852 in Indian Creek township, and the youngest of seven children in the family. when eighteen years old entered the printing office of Thomas Purcell. One year later. seeing he had nrissed his calling, he taught school until 1874, when he became deputy clerk, then taught and read law alternately for three years. He then
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farmed two years and taught another year, after which he formed a partner- ship with his brother, J. R. East, in the law business, which proved to be his success in life.
Robert C. Foster, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1831, entered Indiana University in 1844, graduating in 1850. He went back to his native city and studied law two years and was elected deputy auditor of Monroe county, under William Tarkington, serving until 1855. He was then elected auditor, and in 1859 was re-elected. In 1863 he went into the dry goods trade for three years, and was then elected county clerk, and after four years in that office practiced law for a time and was made cashier of the Blooming- ton First National Bank ,serving until 1880, after which he practiced the legal profession. For twenty-five years he served faithfully and well as secre- tary of Indiana University. In 1876 he was elected to a seat in the State Legislature and held other positions of trust in Monroe county.
John Graham was born in Bloomington. Indiana, in 1842, where he re- sided until manhood. He entered the State University, at Bloomington, graduating from the law department. In 1870 he was elected librarian of the supreme court of Indiana, served two years, returned to Bloomington, and soon engaged in his profession. In 1882 he was elected as representative to the Indiana Legislature, and also had a large real estate business.
J. E. Henley, born in 1856, in Orange county, Indiana, came to Bloom- ington when fifteen years of age. He graduated in 1875 from the State Uni- versity with high honors. The following autumn he took the chair of Greek in Smith's Grove College, Kentucky, but a year later was made superintendent of the city schools in Shoals, Indiana, serving two years. He studied law and in 1880 entered upon his regular practice. He was a partner of William P. Rogers. In 1882 was elected prosecuting attorney in which he made an efficient official.
Hon. Robert W. Miers, born in 1848, was reared to farm labor, but at the age of sixteen commenced to teach school. In 1868 he entered the State University of Indiana, graduating in 1871. One year later he graduated from the law department, and was at once admitted to the practice of law. In the spring of 1874 he became a partner of Judge Echols, and was one year later elected prosecuting attorney, on the Democratic ticket. and re-elected in 1878. He served as a representative from this county, and developed into an excellent attorney and served on the bench of his district.
James F. Morgan was born in Harrodsburg, Indiana, in 1855, and after obtaining a common school education taught school to secure funds with
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which to enter the State University, which he did in September, 1874, re- mained one year and again taught school. In 1877 he entered the North- ern Indiana Normal at Valparaiso, whence he graduated in the teacher's department in 1878. He then taught in Stinesville and Rockville, Indiana, and in June, 1881, entered the law office of Buskirk & Duncan, of Blooming- ton, and was soon appointed deputy prosecuting attorney of Monroe county by Judge Mavity, and after his term expired was engaged in the law and real estate business.
Jeremiah F. Pittman, born in 1842, in Orange county, Indiana, received a common school education, and at fourteen years of age went to school in Leavenworth, Crawford county, Indiana. In the fall of 1861 he began teach- ing, but resigned, and in November, that year, enlisted in Company F. Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, serving over three years in the Union cause in Civil war days. After his return he was elected county recorder, served three years and in the meantime studied law and entered the practice of that profession in Bloomington. He attended law school in the winter of 1867-68, graduating in June, 1868. Four years later he was appointed prosecuting attorney for this district. He was also a county commissioner of Monroe county, and a law partner of Major Mulky.
William P. Rogers was born in 1857, in Brown county, Indiana, and at the age of sixteen entered the high school of Bloomington, remaining two years. During 1875-76 he taught school in Brown county, and in 1876 he entered the State University, remained three years and then began reading law with Buskirk & Duncan. In 1879 he formed a partnership in law with E. E. Sadler, but after a short time practiced alone until the fall of 1881, when he became a partner of J. E. Henley and both had a large clientage.
C. R. Worrall was born in Marion, lowa. In 1871 he entered Asbury University ( now DePauw University ), remained three years, and then entered the law department of Indiana University, from which he graduated in 1876. Two years later he commenced the regular practice of law at Bloomington. He remained here only two years and removed to Ogden, Iowa, practicing there three years, during which time he served as city attor- ney and city recorder. In the autumn of 1881 he returned to Bloomington, and, after teaching for a time, engaged in law practice.
H. C. Duncan, born in 1845. in Lawrence county, Indiana, entered the State University in 1864. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indiana Regiment in October, 1864. He graduated from college in 1868: in 1869 was appointed enrolling clerk in the Indiana Legislature, and in 1872
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formed a partnership with Mr. Dunn in law practice. Two years later he went to Bloomington and had for a partner John W. Buskirk. In 1880 he was elected prosecuting attorney.
THE PRESENT BAR OF MONROE COUNTY.
The members of the bar in this county in 1913 were all residing at the county seat, as near as can be learned from the county clerk. They are these : Batman, Miller & Blair, Frank J. Dunn, Ernest \. Darby, Rufus H. East, Jess B. Fields. Joseph E. Henley, Walter E. Hottel. Thomas J. Louden. William M. Louden. Lee & Lee. Miers & Corr, R. L. Morgan, Malott & Bar- clay. John F. Regester. Springer & Sare, Judge John B. Wilson, Wellons & Carpenter. Charles B. Waldron.
PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY.
Among the earliest doctors of Monroe county may be recalled the names, lives and characters of such as Drs. David H. Maxwell, W. C. Foster. Roach, Jenkins and James D. Maxwell.
Dr. J. G. McPheeters, a native of Kentucky, born in ISUL, studied medi- cine under Dr. D. H. Maxwell and others here and in Kentucky. He came to Bloomington in the spring of 1831 and entered the State University, grad- uating in 1834. In 1838 he commenced to study medicine under Dr. War- field. of Lexington, Kentucky: the next year he returned to Bloomington, and resumed his studies with Dr. Maxwell. In the spring of 1840 he began practice in Morgantown, Indiana. 1841 he came to Bloomington and entered into partnership with Dr. Maxwell. continuing until 1850. In August. 1861, he entered the Union army as a surgeon of the Fourteenth Indiana Regiment, serving three years. In 1864 he was honorably discharged and upon his re- turn home engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. J. F. Dodds was born in 1807 and was reared in Lincoln county, Kentucky. He entered the State University when twenty years of age, . graduating in 1834. He taught in the university several years and also taught in Cumberland College. Kentucky. In 1839 he began reading medicine and entered Louisville Medical College. In August. 1840. he entered into part- nership with Dr. Mitchell and began regular practice at Corydon. Indiana, where he remained five years. From 1862 to 1882 he was examining sur- geon for the pension department.
Dr. James M. Harris, born in Kentucky in 1819. at the age of twenty
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years entered the office of Dr. S. P. Langdon, of Gosport, and soon located at Ellettsville, this county. He was the only doctor of that place and had a large, paying practice. In 1865 he established a drug business and later retired to his two-hundred-acre farm. He opened the first hotel at Elletts- ville in 1850. He was a public spirited man and made many warm friends.
Dr. Rice C. Harris, born in Owen county, Indiana, in 1834, was four- teen years old when he removed with the family to Ellettsville, where he at- tended, and in 1851 taught school. In 1852. under his brother, Dr. J. M. Harris, he commenced the study of medicine. In 1856-57 he attended lec- tures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and later engaged in the medical practice with his brother, but shortly left for Coles county, Illinois, where he practiced four years, then moved to this county again He made a handsome property and owned several farms and houses. He was postmaster and served as such sixteen years at his township residence.
Dr. James Dodd, born in 1832, in Lawrence county, Indiana, lived on the old home farm until 1855, when he commenced the study of medicine with doctors at Bedford, Pennsylvania. He located in Harrodsburg in 1857, and in the winter of 1858-59 graduated from the Ohio Medical College. In 1870 he exchanged his town property for eighty acres of land and there carried on agriculture as well as practiced medicine. He was appointed surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Indiana Regiment in 1862. His health prevented a long stay in the service of his country.
Dr. G. W. Bryan was born in 1825, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. His educational facilities were poor in his youth. He commenced the trade of a tailor, with his brother, who died two years later. He then spent three years at that trade in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, after which he worked as a journeyman a year, and then opened a shop in Indiana. He studied medicine with a Dr. Moon for two years, and attended lectures at Cleveland in the Western Reserve College of Medicine, beginning his practice in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania. He came to Bloomington in 1855 and at once set up his practice here. In December, 1862, he was appointed assistant sur- geon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He was a stanch churchman of the United Presbyterian faith.
Dr. A. J. Axtell, born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1827, became one of the leading physicians in Monroe county. He commenced the study of medicine in 1847 in Noble county, Ohio, continuing four years. He engaged in regular practice in 1850 and moved to Greene county, Indiana, where he continued twenty years and had a large practice. He came to
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Bloomington in 1873 and ever afterwards practiced the art of healing. He served as captain in Civil war days in Company A, Ninety-seventh Indiana Regiment.
Dr. J. H. Gaston, born in Greene county, Indiana, in 1844, was reared on a farm. He attended the academy at Bloomfield, Indiana, and one term at Asbury University, Greencastle, and taught school for two terms. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-seventh Regiment Indiana Volun- teers and saw much hard fighting service. At Kenesaw Mountain he received a wound in his arm which disabled him, so he came home. He studied medicine with Dr. Bailey at Stanford, and attended Miami Medical College, graduating in 1872, when he set up his practice at Stanford, where he had a fair practice.
Dr. Robert M. Weir was born in Richland township, Monroe county, in 1841. He entered the State University, at Bloomington, in 1857, graduating in 1863. He commenced the study of medicine that autumn, under Dr. J. D. Maxwell, but after eight months enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment from Indiana, as a "hundred day man." In the fall of 1864 he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from the medical department in March, 1866. In the seventies he came to Bloomington where he built himself up in a good practice.
Dr. L. T. Lowder, who was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1840, received a good literary education at the State University at Bloomington, and, after attending a full course at the Indiana State Medical College, he graduated in 1873 and came to Harrodsburg, where for many years he was a successful physician and surgeon, as the term was then understood.
Dr. Chesley D. McLahlan, a native of Lawrence county, was born in 1847 of Scotch-Irish origin. He attended the home schools and later the schools of Bedford, Indiana, where he obtained a fair common school educa- tion. He was a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Indiana Regi- ment, serving until the Civil war had ended. In 1867 he came to Harrodsburg and commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Beard, a very prom- inent physician. He later attended Rush Medical College, graduating in 1871. He then commenced his regular practice at Harrodsburg. He succeeded re- markably well, and was one of the men whom we may truthfully call "self- made."
Dr. R. M. Greer was born in 1851, in Troup county, Georgia, but owing to the condition of public schools in the South at that date, had but little chance for an education. He went to school after the war at Davisville,
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Alabama. He then spent some months at Louisville Medical College and two terms at the Louisville University. The family removed to Monroe county, this state, in 1870, and to Stinesville in 1872, where he was engaged in the stone quarries three years, after which he began the study of medicine with Dr. Smith, of Gosport, finishing his course in the College of Medicine and practiced at Gosport one year, then located at Stinesville, where he won dis- tinction in his profession. He also conducted a good drug business at the same place.
Dr. Henry P. Tourner was born in Waterford, Ireland, in 1811. His father dying while the son was yet an infant, he was placed in the hands of an uncle to rear and educate him. When twenty-three years of age he went to Canada, then to Chicago, after which he drifted South. In 1840 he pre- pared himself for a medical man, which profession he followed in Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky, finally locating in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1858, entering on a general medical practice, which he continued until his death, in 1881. As a citizen, he always commanded the attention of everyone in his circle of acquaintance, being charitable, faithful and tender-hearted. As a doctor he possessed rare skill. For twenty-three years he was an office- bearer in the Church of Christ, and an active member of the Masonic lodge.
Dr. John P. Tourner, son of Dr. Henry P. Tourner, above mentioned, was born in 1854. in Kentucky, but reared near Bloomington, Indiana. In 1873 he commenced the study of medicine with his father, and two years later entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, remaining one year, then returned to Bloomington, forming a partnership with his father in the medical practice. He took up his father's large practice, at the latter's death in October, 1881.
Dr. John D. Simpson was born in Owen county, Kentucky, in 1846. He obtained a better literary education than the average doctor of his day and generation. In 1864 he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and was for one year engaged in a wholesale commission house. In that city, in 1866, he began the study of medicine, graduating at the University of Medicine there in 1868. The same year he came to Heltonsville, Indiana, and opened his practice. He graduated at Bellevue Hospital, New York, in 1870, and went to Bedford to practice his profession. In 1880 he removed to Harrodsburg, this county, where he also engaged in the drug trade.
Dr. John E. Harris was born in Kentucky in 1847. His father was bookkeeper a number of years and in 1856 was elected city assessor of Louis- ville, serving until 1873: he died in 1880. I 1863, John E. entered the laboratory of Prof. Jenkins, and elerked in a drug store until 1865. He ran
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a drug trade, at the same time studying medicine, graduating in 1868, from a practical school of medicine and surgery. He graduated from several schools of medicine and practiced in Louisville until 1876, then removed to Bloom- ington, Indiana, where he worked himself into an excellent practice.
Dr. William L. Whitted was born in Bedford, Indiana, in 1842. In 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company B, Eighteenth Indiana Regiment. and in 1863 was made sergeant, and subsequently veteranized and was pro- moted to second lieutenant ; was then captain and major until the civil struggle had ended. Having prepared himself and practiced some as a physician in 1869 he came to Monroe county, Indiana, locating in Ellettsville. In 1877-78 he attended and graduated from Miami Medical College. In 1881 he estab- lished himself in the drug trade with Mr. Hughes.
PRESENT PHYSICIANS OF COUNTY.
As near as can be learned the following were practicing medicine in Bloomington and the smaller towns within Monroe county in the month of September, 1913 :
At Bloomington they were R. A. Aikin, F. H. Batman, W. N. Culmer, Fletcher Gardner, Lucy Gardner, C. E. Harris, Philip C. Holland, G. F. Hol- land, J. E. P. Holland, J. E. Luzadder, O. F. Rogers, R. C. Rogers, John C. Ross, Rodney C. Smith, Charles C. Stroup, F. F. Tourney, J. P. Tourney, L. E. Whetsell, James W. Wiltshire, Homer Woolery, Dr. Bobbitt.
In the outlying towns are: At Stinesville, Dr. W. Rice Holtzman: at Harrodsburg, Dr. D. J. Holland : at Smithville. Dr. J. Kentling, and at Clear Creek. Dr. Morris.
With the passing of the decades, much advancement has been made in the county in the methods of practicing medicine, as well as in other arts and professions. It goes without saying that the doctors of long ago did the best they knew how, and in many ways were even more faithful to the knowl- edge they possessed than modern-day practitioners. In surgery, they were not advanced much, but today this branch of medical science has advanced rapidly, even in the last twenty years. Operations once believed impossible to perform are easily handled now. The old doctors did not have the aid of local hospitals, hence could not meet with the success that now attends the profession. Then be praise given in record form, in the annals of Monroe county, to those old "family doctors" who rode against the biting frosts of many severe winters, in darkness and daylight, for the hope of pay or with- out it. Peace to their ashes !
CHAPTER XIII.
MILITARY HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
The resolutions creating Monroe county from a portion of Orange county were passed by the General Assembly of Indiana and approved on the 14th of January, 1818, and in the year after, 1819, the county of Mon- roe was formed, as a district, for the organization of the Twentieth Regiment of Indiana militia. The memories of the war of 1812 were fresh in the minds of the people and the necessity of trained troops was realized by force of the inadequacy of the soldiery in the Revolution and later conflict in 1812, in ad- dition to the continuous and sanguinary struggles with the hostile Indian tribes. Monroe county, as an organized district, was not represented in these early wars, but her men were scattered through the ranks of the American army, and contributed nobly to the service of the country. The long list of the honored dead and the heroic tales, scraps of narrative, and other incidental records attest the bravery, the sacrifice, and the suffering of these men of the territory now Monroe county. The fear of the savages who roamed the wilderness was uppermost in the apprehension of the pioneers, and conse- quently the militia came to be in that day the prime institution of the county. Constant vigilance was observed on the frontier, and everything kept in readi- ness for any outbreak on the part of the savages who were stubbornly giving ground to the onward march of the settlers. Even after the removal of the tribes from Monroe county, the militia was kept intact for several years, until the active interest in the organization began to wane, and the military system became a mere comedy compared to its former state. As the troubles with the Indians had in a measure subsided, the troops that once had paraded proudly before the admiring crowds now degenerated into riotous, drinking fellows, reveling in Bacchanalian sports of all description; horse racing and games were substituted for the red-blooded pastimes when the knowledge was imminent that the next moment a call might come for an expedition into the field. John Storm was the first colonel of the Twentieth Regiment, and in 1822 he was succeeded by John Ketchum. After the service of this latter officer the men who headed the Monroe county militia are lost to historical
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record. It is known, however, that William Lowe was a brigadier-general of the Twentieth for a short period.
The first war of any prominence in which Monroe county had the oppor- tunity to show the mettle of her troops was the Mexican. The first call for troops came from Washington in May. 1846, and almost immediately two full companies of militia were organized within the borders of this county. Bloomington was the first meeting point, and the entire enlistment congregated in that town for regimental and battalion muster. There were stirring times in Monroe county during those days. Business was practically at a standstill and the usual activities of the day were forsaken in the martial excitement that prevailed. A full company of volunteers was ready for the field by the first of June, 1846, having been trained to a nicety in the art of military maneuvers and tactics. Their knowledge of the war game in this day and age would indeed seem primitive, but then their skill was considered paramount, and was adequate by reason that the opposing forces possessed no greater facilities. The officers of this first company were as follows: John M. Sluss, captain ; John Eller, first lieutenant ; Aquilla Rogers, second lieutenant. The company was given the company letter A, and was assigned to the Third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which regiment assembled at New Albany, and the company left Bloomington on the 15th of June for the front, accompanied by the cheers of their friends and relatives, and presented with a handsome American flag, the presentation speech having been made by Miss Sarah Markle. Company A soon arrived at the scene of hostilities and were quickly engaged in actual conflict with the Mexicans. The company participated in the battle of Buena Vista, receiving their baptism of blood with many other troops from the North country. Several of the Monroe county boys, among them Buskirk, Applegate, Stout and Holland, were killed, and many others received wounds of varying character. Most of the company were mustered out at the close of the war with high honors, and returned to Monroe county to make successes of the civil life as well as the military.
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