USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 42
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The Village of London is principally located in Section 25, of Moral Township. Before the building of the Cincinnati, Indianap- olis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad early in the decade of the fifties, there was nothing attempted at its present site in the way of mer- chandising. Soon after the completion of that important highway of commerce, Jesse Oaks began doing a small retail business in a building he had erected for that purpose. It was the first building erected on the present site of the town and it still stands for the accommodation of business. Oaks remained but a short time when, on account of failing health, he sold to McDougal & McKay, who did a prosperous business for some time. McDougal had formerly been in business at Pleasant View, and after about two years he sold his interest to his partner who continued for several years. This same store building has nearly always been occu- pied by merchandising, the present merchant being Oliver Means. After the railroad had been completed a few years, Joel Crum and John Jeffries began business under the firm name of Crum & Jeffries. For a while they did a good business. Their store stood on the site now occupied by the new building of Wesley Crum. The most successful merchant that has ever been in trade at London was Thomas Francis, who succeeded Crum & Jeffries. There have been others in business here at vari- ous times, but the importance of the place as a trading point has decreased much in the last few years. Various other enterprises have been started, but all alike have disappeared. About the year 1856, a large building was erected for the purpose of holding a seminary, but after a few years the school was discontinued, and the house is now occupied as a dwelling. Nathan Earlywine was the earliest village blacksmith, and the business has been represented from his time to this. Thomas Rubush is the present physician. London is now little more than a decaying village, and excepting in name can have no hope of rivaling its namesake the renowned me- tropolis of the British Empire.
The town with its additions was laid out by Aaron House, July 2Ist, I852; surveyed by J. M. Elliott, June 30, 1852: see Deed Record T, 405: also; New Plat Book No. I, page 23, plat 4; thir- ty-two lots and one outlot laid off; Main Street, on the C., I., St. L. & C. R. R., is 100 feet wide. Aaron House's first addition was laid out June 13th, 1852; surveyed by John Dargin, County Sur- veyor, June 4th, 1852; eleven lots south of the original town plat of London, and five lots not numbered; no dimensions given.
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Aaron House's second addition was laid out October 17th, 1854; this plat shows fifty-nine lots, including four outlots.
St. Paul in Shelby County. John F. Stephens' Addition. Laid out April 4th, 1856. Surveyed by John Dargin, County Surveyor. One hundred and twenty-three lots lying west of St. Paul, in Dec- atur County, Ind., said lots laid off in six blocks. Asa J. Avery's Addition. Laid out October 6th, 1858. Nineteen lots laid off. Henry C. Lord's Addition was laid out October 27th, 1860. Sur- veved by Ed. Winchel, County Surveyor, September 22th, 1860. Counting 114 lots northwest of Stephens' Addition. The business portion as well as probably three-fourths of the entire town lies in Decatur County and therefore does not deserve space in this work. Prescott. - Laid out by S. L. Dorsey, June 28th, 1867. Dor- sey's Addition was laid out March 12th, 1869. This town like Lewis Creek, St. John's stations and Ray's Crossing on the line of the J., M. & I.Railroad are but way stations, and while each has done something in a commercial way there is but little or nothing of historic value that may yet be recorded.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
A BIOGRAPHY
OF THOMAS A HENDRICKS, PREPARED SPECIALLY FOR THIS VOLUME BY LEE F. WILSON.
HOMAS A. HENDRICKS was the son of Major @John. Hendricks, and the grandson of Abraham Hen- dricks, a descendant of the Huguenots, who immi- + grated to New Jersey, and thence to Pennsylvania, just before the Revolution. Abraham Hendricks, as well as his amiable wife, who was of a Scotch family -the Jamiesons - was a person of remarkable force of character. He was elected to Pennsylvania Assembly first, in 1792, and served four terms in the Legislature, the last ending in 1798. William Hendricks, second governor of Indiana, preceded his brother John in moving to this State from Ohio, and had gained much notoriety as a talented and public man, when Major John Hendricks finally concluded to risk his fortune in the wilds of the New West. The last named, John Hendricks, afterward known as Major, on account of his being commissioned as Major of the State militia, prior to 1820 resided with his little family at Zanes- ville, Ohio. His wife was highly connected and was noted for her strong sense of duty and earnest piety. Her name was Jane Thomson, and was, with a niece, the only member of that family who emigrated west, the others remaining in Pennsylvania and other eastern States, some of whom have gained enviable reputa- tions in law, medicine, politics and the ministry. The Agnews, of New York, the Blacks and Watsons of Pittsburgh, the Wylies of Philadelphia, and the descendants of Alexander Thomson, of Chambersbuurg, Pa., are worthy of special note in this connection. Shortly after their marriage, Major John Hendricks and his wife moved to Muskingum County, Ohio. While there they lived in a rude log house, one story, one room, one door and two windows, built from round logs, unscutched, chinked and daubed after the pioneer fash- ion. In this little domicile, wherein reigned peace and domestic tranquility, were born two sons, one Abram, the other Thomas A. The last named, Thomas A. Hendricks, was born on September 7, 1819. The next year, 1820, lured by the brilliant career of Wil- liam Hendricks, heretofore spoken of as the second governor of the State, and afterward a member of Congress and later a dis-
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tinguished United States Senator, Major John Hendricks, with his little family, removed to Madison, Indiana, then the metropolis of the State. Two years later, 1822, Major Hendricks moved to Shelby County, then a wilderness of wood, now the site of Shelby- ville. Here the parents of one of the Nation's greatest men com- menced to hew out a house and carve a career for their hopeful son, then scarcely three years of age. A house was soon erected, trees felled, and a new farm opened. The latch string of Major Hendrick's house always hung out for all comers and goers, min- isters, politicians, officials, all, found a welcome at the Hendricks farm. Mrs. Hendricks was a devout Christian, by profession a Calvinist, as were all the Hendricks family on both sides, the Thom- sons and Hendrickses. By her charitable acts, Christian deport- ment and natural urbanity, the new family soon became the leading family of the county, and most noted for its hospitality.
Late in the year IS22, a log school-house was erected in the woods, where Shelbyville now stands. A Mr. Griffin was the first instructor, but gave place to William H. Hawkins before the sub- ject of this sketch was old enough to attend school. Mr. Hawkins was noted for his ability to "wield the rule and the birch." The late Vice President seldom referred to Mr. Hawkins when giving reminiscences of his early school days. He afterward conducted his school in the Methodist Church. Realizing the need of a new school-house and a home for the teacher's family, John Hendricks and John Walker headed a subscription and built a two story brick school-house, which is now occupied as a business house, and is situated on Washington Street, one block from the public square. In 1829, Rev. Eliphalet Kent came to fill the Presbyterian pastor- ate, and brought with him from the east a young bride, a lady of excellent culture, fine education, graceful and nobly consecrated to the work of the Master. She was soon given the school and to her Mr. Hendricks owed much of his training and success. Here uncle Isaac Wilson, Squire L. Vanpelt, Judge Sleeth and many of the oldest citi- zens of the city now living, attended school with Thomas A. Hendricks. Having completed his course in the common schools of Shelbyville, he entered the Hanover College in 1836, where he remained until IS4I, save a few months he was unavoidably absent. Here he studied the sciences, political economy, Latin, Greek and the Bible. Returning to his home, he commenced the study of law in the office of Stephen Major, then a young lawyer of brilliant attainments and considerable tact and experience. In 1843, Mr. Hendricks went to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he entered the law school, in which Alexander Thomson was instructor, a man of high ability, extensive learning, much experience as Judge of the Sixteenth
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Judicial District, comprising Franklin, Somerset, Fulton and Bed- ford Counties, and was, as heretofore stated, a relative of Mr. Hendricks on his mother's side. To this private school also went the late Governor Conrad Baker, and others, who afterward became men of distinction. It was at this place that Thomas A. Hendricks became acquainted with the talented Judge Jere S. Black. After eight months' hard work, he returned to Shelbyville, passed an ex- amination and was, the same year, admitted to the practice and at once started an office of his own. His first case was before Squire Lee. Nathan Powell, a young lawyer with whom Hendricks had grown up, was his opponent. They had finished their school edu- cation the same year: had opened their law offices within a few days of each other, and this was the first effort of young Powell, as well as Mr. Hendricks. Each had volunteered his services, and the "Squire's" office was crowded, a prize offered to the victor. The cause was a trivial one, yet the young lawyers worked hard and with the vim of old practitioners. Mr. Hendricks won, and after complimenting Mr. Powell upon his effort, he gracefully served the apples which had been furnished by an enthusiastic spectator. Thus started the young advocate who was destined to become one of the Nation's greatest and most beloved statesmen.
It was about this time that Martin M. Ray, a young attorney, and the father of W. Scott Ray, settled in the town. He was, in politics, a Whig, and it may be here remarked that all of the Hendricks family on both sides, except Thomas A., were Whigs. Mr. Ray and Hendricks soon became fast friends, and though pitted against each other both in law and politics, they remained friends to the last.
In 1843, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Morgan, who was the daughter of a widow, living at North Bend, Ohio, her father, Hon. Isaac Morgan, having died some years before. She was visiting her sister, Mrs. Daniel West, at Shelbyville, and soon became the centre of the social circle of the village, being at the time, in her teens, a beautiful girl. accomplished, affable, and of the highest type of social culture. Two years later, September 26, 1845, Thomas A. Hendricks and Miss Eliza Morgan were mar- ried at North Bend, Ohio, the Rev. Mr. Jones, a Baptist minister, officiating.
PROFESSIONAL AND POLITICAL CAREER IN SHELBY COUNTY.
So soon as Thomas A. Hendricks emerged from boy-hood, his success as a lawyer and a public man was assured. Having estab- lished an office in Shelbyville, he gained in a short time a fair com- petence and soon became one of the leading attoneys of the place.
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As an advocate he had few equals, and as a safe counsellor none in whom the people had unbounded confidence.
In 1848, January 16, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks -the only child they ever had. He was named Morgan. He was a beautiful boy, full of life and joy, the pride of his parents and the object of general admiration with all their acquaintances. He died in 1851, causing gloom to cover the household and grief to linger on the countenace of the devoted parents.
In the same year, 1848. without his seeking, Mr. Hendricks was nominated for the Lower House of the General Assembly, against Capt. Nathan Earlywine. His canvass was marked by his forci- ble arguments and brilliant oratory. Although young, he proved himself a forcible speaker, a sound reasoner and a successful de- bater. He was elected to the Legislature and served his term with marked distinction. He took an active part in the passage of a law in the interest of "the common schools" which was approved in June, 1849. He was a member of the committee which reported a bill for making all tuition free.
At the August election of 1849, a majority of the voters of the State favored the proposition for a constitutional convention, to con- sist of 150 members, chosen from the senatorial and representative districts. Thomas A. Hendricks and James Vanbenthusen were chosen, the same being unsought by either, and the election with- out opposition. The convention assembled in October, 1850, and was presided over by George W. Carr, of Lawrence County. Mr. Hendricks served on two important committees - County and Township Organization, Powers and Officers, and on Finance. He won much distinction in the convention, especially by his speech on the resolution relative to the abolition of the grand jury system. On the 13th of November, 1850. the venerable colleague of Mr. Hendricks died, and on the ISth following, Mr. Hendricks made a very touching speech upon the life and career of the deceased.
The following year, in the spring, was the beginning of Mr. Hendricks' career in national politics. This congressional district was composed of several counties, extending far to the east and as far north as Tipton County, including Marion. The convention was held at Indianapolis, May 16th, 1851, and the candidates were numerous. Among them were: Jonathan McCarty, who had served with much credit for many years, James H. Rariden, Andrew Kennedy, Will- iam J. Brown, and William W. Wick. The contest was heated, but on the thirty-third ballot Mr. Hendricks was made the nominee for Congress from the then fifth congressional district. This was the last close contest for a nomination that he ever had. Col. James P. Rush, of Hancock County, was nominated by the Whigs
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as his opponent, and made a vigorous canvass of the district. Mr. Hendricks in this contest gained the appellation of "log-roller," from a little incident said to have occurred during that race: One day, while on his journey to fill an appointment some place in Ham- ilton County, and reaching the neighborhood in which he was to speak, he alighted from his horse to help a man who was trying to put a log on a heap. For one man this was a difficult task, but with the help of Mr. Hendricks it was easily accomplished. Mr. Hendricks, without explaining his purpose or giving his name mounted his steed and went on. The next day he spoke in New Lancaster, Tipton County. The day after he addressed a meeting in Boxleytown, Hamilton County, at the conclusion of which, a gentleman came forward and said to Mr. Hendricks:
"Did you assist a man rolling logs (at such a place) day before yesterday?"
" Yes, I believe I did." said Mr. Hendricks.
" Well, that settles it," said the man of toil, who had every ap- pearance of being a frontiersman. "We 'lowed that it was you, and I want to say to ye, stranger, that any man es will neighbor with a feller that way. an' not be blowin' 'bout such important busi- ness to his self es runnin' fur congress, is just our kind of a man. That feller you helped is my son-in-law. He and another son- in-law, my son and me are all Whigs, but every darned one of us intends to vote fur you."
The returns from that precinct showed that the tally was changed eight votes in Hendricks' favor. His log rolling had accomplished there an example worthy of emulation.
Since that campaign, the man who gets out among the people, mingles with them and neighbors with the voters, is called a politi- cal "log roller."
Of course Mr. Hendricks was elected. In congress he pro- gressed with signal ability, was called to act on some of the most important committees, and won not only a national reputation, but the good will and friendship of all with whom he came in contact. Scarce had Congress adjourned when he was required to make another campaign, for the constitution had transferred the con- gressional elections to even years and the month to October. The new district included six counties, Marion County as one.
The Whig candidate, John H. Bradley, of Indianapolis, was a brilliant man, and a public speaker of rare attainments. He had not been nominated by any convention but had declared himself the can- didate in response to a published card signed by three of his friends and admirers. The Whigs refused to call a convention, preferring to let him pose as the "People's candidate." He made a thorough
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canvass of Shelby County, but to no avail. The usual Democratic majority in Old Shelby was doubled and Mr. Hendricks was again triumphantly elected to Congress.
In 1854, when the Northern Whigs were in a chaotic condition, Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery, Free Soilers, Garrisonian Abolition- ists, Know-Nothings and Democrats commingling in a storm of confu- sion, a "Fusion" State and Congressional ticket was formed for the occasion. Opposed to Mr. Hendricks in this district, was Lucian Barbour, a talented lawyer of Indianapolis, who had been a Demo- crat, and now exerted himself to combine all the opponents of Democracy. Mr. Hendricks did not desire this nor the former nomination for Congress, preferring rather the pursuit of his pro- fession, but the charge that he had misrepresented his constituency in voting for the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and the challenges made to him personally by the opposition to defend his course, led him to accept the nomination, which his party was eager to bestow upon him. He made a strong, vigorous and manly contest for the elec- tion, but the tidal wave had started and politics of the State under- went a change. Mr. Hendricks was defeated. This he bore with becoming dignity, and, after serving a single session more, retired to his profession and his home in Shelbyville.
In August, 1855, he was commissioned by President Pierce, General Land Commissioner, one of the most important positions in the gift of the President. He served in this capacity nearly four years, when in 1859, he resigned, and again resumed his practice at home. In 1860, the Democratic State Convention was held at Indian- apolis, and Thomas A. Hendricks was made the unanimous nomi- nee for Governor. His opponent was Henry S. Lane, a soldier of the Mexican War, a patriot and an orator. These two men, even tempered, of the sweetest and most admirable character, spoke together in nearly every county in the State. It was, however, the most exciting canvass ever made in the State, yet each retained his composure, and each throughout the campaign showed the other the utmost courtesy and the fairest consideration. Defeat again came to Mr. Hendricks. In the same year he moved to Indian- apolis, where he lived to the day of his death. He immediately gained a large practice in law, which he always enjoyed.
In January, 1863, he was elected to the United States Senate, which position he held for six years, gaining for himself additional honors and a national reputation. In 1872 he was again nominated for Governor of Indiana. His opponent was General Thomas Browne, a Republican of considerable ability and an enviable repu- tation. This campaign was peculiar, in one particular. The Re- publicans had infused the crusaders with the idea that they were
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the salvation of their cause, while the Democracy opposed all' sumptuary laws. Yet, Mr. Hendricks went before the people as a temperance man. opposed to prohibition, but willing to sign any constitutional legislation looking toward the amelioration of crime and the advancement of temperance. He was elected, and kept his pledges to a letter. In the Legislature, elected at the same time, the Baxter bill, a mixture of high license and local option, was passed and submitted to Governor Hendricks for approval. He regarded the bill as unconstitutional, and was himself politically and indi- vidually opposed to the principles of its provisions ; but in his canvass for election, he had promised the people that if the Legislature, which would be elected with him, on the same issues, should pass a tem- perance law. he would sign it. and he did so. This was character- istic of Thomas A. Hendricks. He always kept his pledges inviolate, and ever remained true to his friends. He had a high sense of duty and a spirit of philanthropy pervaded his whole na- ture.
The writer sent to Col. Samuel Donelson, now a resident of Sedan, Kansas. but formerly, and for many years, a citizen of Shel- byville, and a close friend of Mr. Hendricks, for data and incidents he might remember of the late Vice President during his career in the county from 1822 to 1860. Col. Donelson's acquaintance with Mr. Hendricks began in the year 1852. The Colonel was the Dem- ocratic nominee for the Lower House of the General Assembly, to which he was elected in that year, and the subject of this sketch was the nominee for re-election to Congress -the short term- made so by the new constitution of the State. The Colonel was billed to speak at Black Hawk, and Mr. Hendricks was there. Col. Donelson made his speech - quite an arraignment of the old Whig party - in which he eloquently contrasted the policies and measures of the two great parties. To say the least, it was a statesman-like speech, during the delivery of which Mr. Hen- dricks was a few yards off, seated under a large sugar tree in com- pany with John Snepp. As the Colonel warmed up, Mr. Hendricks. drew near and listened attentively to the close of the speech, and at. its close, Mr. Hendricks went up to the Colonel, and said: " Mr. Donelson, you have made an ingenious speech." After remarking that they would dine with Mr. French that day, they started on their way to the hotel together, when Mr. Hendricks said: "Sam, where did you get the ideas of your speech?" The Colonel said: "I picked them up from what I could remember of a speech de- livered by. Hon. Bill Hill, of Ohio, at Maysville, Ky., in 1849." Mr. Hendricks laughed heartily, for it brought to his mind a little incident of his own experience. In 1842, a year before Mr Hen-
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dricks quit school, he made a speech in Johnny Young's Grove, on the occasion of a Fourth of July barbecue. It was well received, says a biographer, and added much to his reputation as a speaker. Two years later (1844) Captain Nathan Earlywine, a Whig poli- tician, who afterward became Hendricks' opponent for the Legis- lature, was invited to deliver an annual address, and he came to Mr. Hendricks to borrow his oration delivered in 1842, suggesting that the latter might make some alterations and additions suitable to the time and the man. Mr. Hendricks very generously consented to the plan, and, in revising the oration, inserted some very sound Democratic sentiments on the Oregon question, which was just then agitating the people. The obtuse and unsuspecting Earlywine made the speech and placed special stress upon the amended por- tion of his adopted oration, much to the chagrin of his Whig friends, and the astonishment of Democrats who grouped about laughing unseemly and nudging those who were " onto " the joke.
In speaking of the Vice President's fidelity to his friends and his devotion to those of his early association, Col. Donelson says: "Some years after Mr. Hendricks went into the practice of law, a little incident occurred which, to me, proved the true greatness of this man who was destined to fill the second highest place in the gift of the people. About one mile east of Shelbyville, lived a queer old man who had but two children, a son and daughter. The old man was very eccentric, and, at his death, he left the bulk of his estate to the society of colonization. In vain the children tried for several years to get a lawyer to undertake the breaking up of the will. Almost destitute and in despair, the daughter applied to Mr. Hendricks to take the case. She went to his office carrying her little baby. Mr. Hendricks listened attentively to her story, at the conclusion of which he turned to me-as I happened to be present - and said, ' Will you go and request Martin M. Ray to call at my office? ' ' Yes,' I replied, and I went immediately to Mr. Ray, and told him what Mr. Hendricks said. I accompanied Mr. Ray to the office. Hendricks explained the case to Mr. Ray, re- marking at its close, ' I want your assistance in this case. I went to school with that girl, and I intend that she shall have her share in the estate.' " Col. Donelson recites a conversation he had with the late Vice President, a few weeks before his death, in which Mr. Hendricks, in contrasting the conventions of to-day with those of former years, gave an account of a convention held in Brandy- wine Township, on the roadside near the residence of the late Capt. Hawkins. He said that after the meeting had been called to order and its object talked over by the moderator, one gentleman spoke up in a loud voice, " All of those who are in favor of Col. Miller,
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