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 43
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for the Legislature, come on this side of the road!" Then Jerre Odell. standing on the other side of the road, said, " All those who favor Thomas A. Hendricks, for the Legislature, come on this side of the road, with me!" They then counted noses, and Mr. Hen- dricks was declared the choice of Brandywine Township, for rep- resentative.
Reference has been made to his first nomination and election to the General Assembly in 1848. As a matter of fact he did not seek this nomination. Under the old constitution, all the State offi- cers (except Governor and Lieutenant Governor), the circuit judges and the judges of the supreme court, were elected by the Legislature. In the winter of 1847, a vacancy in the judgeship of Shelby County occurred, and Judge William W. Wick was a can- didate before the Legislature, which. met in December, for re-elec- tion. Judge Wick was a very able lawyer, an impartial judge, and in every way much of a gentleman, and well known to the people of the State. Judge J. M. Sleeth, of Shelbyville, was then serving his third term in the lower house, and in that Legislature strongly urged the election of Thomas A. Hendricks to the judgeship. Mr. Hendricks was then scarcely twenty-eight years of age, and as yet had not become much known to the members of the Legislature, and Judge Wick was re-elected by a small majority. At that time the Legislature met in the first week of December, each year. Representatives were elected each year, and Senators every three years. In 1848, Judge J. M. Sleeth desired to go to the Senate from Shelby County, which, at that time, was entitled to one Sen- ator and one Representative, and Thomas A. Hendricks wished also to go to the Senate. Judge Sleeth, however, defeated him for the nomination, and the friends of the former, without his consent or even desire, nominated him for the lower house. As has been said, he was elected, and did much valuable service as a Repre- sentative, making himself felt on every important occasion.
During all his career in Shelbyville, the Hon. Martin M. Ray was ever his near and confidential friend. To him he confided his political plans and aspirations. The friendship was mutual and re- ciprocal. After the death of Martin M. Ray, he became the intimate friend of W. Scott Ray, a son of Martin M., whom he always visited when in Shelbyville. About two weeks before the Vice President's death, he came to Shelbyville, and in the evening from 6 o'clock till 9:45 P. M., he spent in the office of the Democrat, talking with its proprietor, Mr. Ray, and a number of friends who had assembled to see him on that occasion. He talked freely on . the topics of the day and his intended trip to Washington to re- sume the duties of President of the Senate. During the evening
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he made frequent mention of his old friend, the father of his auditor. Shelby County was, to him, always a pleasant place to come. Here he met true and devoted friends, friends who both loved and admired him. From 1860, to his death, he always came to the county on or about the eve of election to speak to the Democracy of the home of his childhood.
In 1876, he was nominated for the Vice Presidency on the Democratic ticket, with Samuel J. Tilden, of New York. Of this election, it was claimed, they were flagrantly defrauded by return- ing boards and the electoral commission selected for that purpose, or for the purpose, as was claimed, of arbitrating the rights of both political parties, and of averting an impending civil war if Tilden should take his seat. In 1880, the name of Thomas A. Hendricks was placed in nomination for the Presidency at Cincinnati, by Indiana, and his nomination strongly urged in the convention. In ISS4, he was delegate to the Chicago convention, and as chairman of the Indiana delegation, presented. in befitting terms and a mas- terly manner, the name of Joseph E. McDonald for the Presidency. After the latter had positively refused to accept the second place on the ticket, Mr. Hendricks was almost unanimously chosen, and the successful ticket for. 1884, the first in twenty-five years, be- came Grover Cleveland for President and Thomas A. Hendricks for Vice President.
In 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks made a trip to Europe, visit- ing Great Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. This they enjoyed very much, and he often spoke of the many pleasures of that trip. Of Major John Hendricks' family there now remain but two. The family consisted of Abram, Thomas A., Jane, Anna, John, James, and two others. Abram became a Presbyterian minister, and died in 1860. Jane married Dr. Webb, of Shelbyville, who, in 1850, died of cholera. She afterward married Dr. Pierce, of New York, and moved to that city where she died. Dr. Pierce. a few years after married Anna, the only remaining sister of Thomas A., and she and Dr. Pierce are still living in New York City. John lived here until about 1870, acting for a number of years as post master of Shelbyville. He moved to Delhi, Ohio, where he died a few years ago. James Hendricks, the youngest, still lives here (Shelbyville), himself and Mrs. Dr. Pierce being the only survivors of a family of eight.
But few greater calamities ever befell a people than the death of Vice President Hendricks. He was one of the Nation's greatest men, deep, broad minded, diplomatic and above all, a true man. On the 25th day of November, 1885, he died at his home at In- dianapolis, of heart disease. At the moment of his death, he was
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alone. His loving wife, who had ever been his companion, his solace and his adviser, had, a moment before, left the room after hearing him say "I am free at last, " meaning that he was at last free from pain, and had responded to a call at the door, when upon her return to her distinguished husband, she found him dead, his eyes partly closed, his face shapely, with no signs of pain or strug- gle and his countenance placid as if fallen asleep. The doctor was summoned, but it was too late. The great statesman, lawyer, and citizen had passed beyond the reach of human aid. The funeral was the largest ever known in the State and thousands went from Shelby County to pay their last respect to the honored dead. The ladies of Shelbyville and vicinity, made and sent to the persons in charge of the funeral, a beautiful miniature floral cabin, represent- ing the house of his birth, with appropriate wreaths to be used on that occasion. This floral tribute expressive of the tender affec- tion of the ladies for the Vice President, was the finest, both as to quality and design, ever made in the State.
We have thus briefly traced the life of one of nature's noble- men, giving only an outline of his public career without attempting to narrate his individual efforts in the discharge of the duties of the many trusts conferred upon him. To do this would require more space than we are allowed in the performance of our difficult, though pleasant task. His acts and speeches in Congress, both in the House and Senate, his defense of what he conceived to be right, his labor for the poor, the oppressed and the wronged of every class in this and other countries would be of great interest to his people and worthy of emulation by all. His devotion to his party, his candor and honesty of purpose, his noble ambition to faithfully serve his people. his philanthropy and universal love of mankind combined to make him one of the noblest of men. Strong in his profession, yet courteous to his opponents. Great in intel- lect. yet approachable by the humblest of men. High in position,
he met every man as his equal. Independent in thought, self-reliant in principle and rich in pleasant greetings to all whom he met. He had few critics and fewer enemies. He rejoiced when others re- joiced and wept when they wept. He gave alms to the poor and sympathised with them in adversity. His life has taught a lesson of the past, the duties of the present and a glorious hope for the future. Though dead, he yet lives in the hearts of his people, and his noble characteristics stand out in bold relief as beacon lights to guide and direct generations vet to be. His place in life may be occupied, but can never be filled.
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SHELBYVILLE SKETCHES.
EDMUND K. ADAMS. -- The subject of this sketch is descended from an old Scotch family, several representatives of which emi- grated in an early day to Ireland, the latter country being the na- tivity of James Adams, the grandfather of Edmund K. James Adams came to America in Colonial times, and often participating in the struggle for independence, settled in Pennsylvania, where he married and where he remained until after the birth of John H. Adams, father of subject, when he emigrated to Ohio. John H. Adams, at the age of thirty years, came to Indiana and settled in Bartholemew County, where he subsequently married Amanda, daughter of Nathan and Jane Graves, who bore him six children, the subject of this sketch being the second in number. Edmund K. Adams was born on the 14th day of August, 1852, and spent the years of his youth upon his father's farm, obtaining a rudimentary education in the meantime by attending such schools as the country afforded. In the fall of 1869, he entered the Hartsville University where he pursued his literary studies until the spring of 1874, spending a portion of his vacations in the meantime as teacher in the counties of Shelby, Bartholemew and Johnson, in all of which he held first-class certificates of qualifications as an instructor. Early in 1874 he conceived the idea of preparing himself for the legal profession, and at once entered as a student the law office of Messrs. Hord & Blair. of Shelbyville, a law firm of superior abilities, and at that time possessing one of the most extensive practices in Southern Indiana. Under the instruction of these able tutors, he applied himself arduously until the spring of 1877, at which time he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. He continued the practice alone until December. 1879, when he united in a co-partnership with Hon. O. J. Glessner and L. J. Hackney, which at once took rank as one of the strongest and most successful law firms in Shelby County. Since 1883, Mr. Adams has been senior member of the firm of Adams & Hackney, and is justly accorded a place among the most efficient and painstaking as well as one of the most suc- cessful lawyers in the southern part of the State. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics and a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having identified himself with the order in 1884. December 29, ISSO, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Ludlow, of this county, daughter of Stephen and Teressa ( Blankenship) Ludlow. Mrs. Adams was born November 17, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have one child - Ethel.
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HON. JOHN BEGGS, President of the Shelby Distilling Company, is a native of Ireland, and son of Edward and Elizabeth ( Gibson ) Beggs: parrents both born in the same country, about the year 1798. Edward Beggs was for many years a merchant in the town of Ballinamallord, Ireland, where his death occurred in the year 1872. John Beggs is the second of a family of seven children and dates his birth from the 6th day of April, 1830, having first seen the light in the town where his father carried on the mercantile business. He received his primary education in his native country, and at the age of ten years, came to America, locating at Cincin- nati, where for some time he pursued his studies under competent instructors in a select school. Having completed his preparatory course he subsequently became a student of Woodward College, which institution he attended for a period of three years, making substantial progress during that time. In the spring of 1845, he began to learn the distillery business, at New Richmond. Ohio, un- der David Gibson. and after becoming proficient in the same, put his knowledge into practice by taking charge of a distillery in the city of Troy, thence to Ashville, Ohio, where he was similarly en- gaged for more than four years. In 1852, he engaged in distillery business at Metamora, Franklin County, Ind., and after remaining there for a period of twenty years sold out in 1872, and removed to Shelbyville, in which city he operated a distillery, until 1883. In that year he suffered severely by fire, his loss aggregating about $25,000. Immediately after this disaster. Mr. Beggs founded the Shelby Distilling Company, of which he has since served as Presi- dent. This company under the efficient management of Mr. Beggs, has succeeded in building up a very prosperous business, and is one of the largest and most successful corporations of the kind in southern Indiana. In addition to his business enterprises, Mr. Beggs has given a great deal of attention to public and political affairs, having been elected to the State Senate in 1876. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and as such has rendered valuable service to his party in this county. He married in 1853, Miss Rebecca Lewis, who was born in Frank- lin County, Indiana, in the year 1831. To this marriage were born eight children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Elizabeth C., Belle, Clara, John E., Kate, Harry and Thomas.
JOHN E. BEGGS, Superintendent of the works of the Shelby Dis- tilling Company, and also one of the stockholders, was born at Metamora, Franklin County, Indiana, July 28, 1861, and is the son of John and Rebecca (Lewis) Beggs. He is the eldest son of seven children. The greatest part of his education was obtained in the public schools of Laurel, Ind., but his father moved to Shel-
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byville in 1879, and John E. had the benefit of attending the Shel- byville High School a year or so .. After having learned the trade of yeast maker at Cincinnati, he entered his father's distillery at Shelbyville in 1881, and having applied himself with great care, was made superintendent of that institution during the year follow- ing. It was while holding this position, that Mr. Beggs made some rare and valuable discoveries in the art of yeast making, which greatly increased the amount of alcohol a given quantity of grain will produce. Not long after he became superintendent of his father's distillery, a serious fire broke out which entirely de- stroved that establishment. A fine new building was immediately erected in its stead, by the Shelby Distilling Company, in which company, the subject of this sketch is now a stockholder, and is also superintendent of the distilling department. In politics, Mr. Beggs is an uncompromising Democrat, and cast his first vote for Cleveland for President. He is a member of one secret order, the Knights of Pythias, which he joined in 1886. He was married February 13, 1887, to Miss Kate C. Webb, of this city. Mrs. Beggs is the daughter of Robert and Clara ( Mason) Webb, who are natives of Virginia.
JOHN BLESSING was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 3d of March, 1828. 3 His father John Blessing, was a native of Virginia, but died in Maryland when our subject was quite young. The mother of Mr. Blessing was Mary Ann ( Kesselring) Blessing, a native of Frederick County, Maryland, and where she died. Our subject was raised on the farm, and at nine years of age began supporting himself. In 1847, he came to Ohio and settled in Mont- gomery County. In February, 1848, he enhsted in the United States army and was attached to Company D, 8th Regiment Regu- lars and ordered to the seat of war in Mexico. He only served six months, then was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, August, 1848. He returned immediately to Montgomery County, and for some time was engaged in the distilling business. From IS5I to 1852, he was engaged in raising tobacco. In I853, he be- gan running a canal boat from Cincinnati to Toledo. In 1857, he engaged in the distillery business at Little York in Montgomery, upon his own responsibility. In August, 1863, he came to Shelby- ville and was engaged in the distillery near this city until 1866, when he sold out and during the following year engaged in the hardware business until 1869. During the latter and the year fol- lowing, he erected the large and commodious structure known as " Blessing's Opera House." Mr. Blessing has invested some of his capital in bank stock and has been a director of the First National Bank since 1865. He has also for many years been President of
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the Shelby County Joint Stock Agricultural Association. Mr. Bless- ing is one of the most progressive men in the city. He has been a leading spirit in all of the public enterprises of this vicinity. He is a self-made man, and as such deserves high honor for what he has accomplished. He was married in 1851, to Miss Martha J. Otey, of Montgomery County, Ohio. They have three children, Emma R., Jennie and Gertrude. Mrs. Blessing died in 1875. Her husband has since wedded Miss Mary Linville, of Lancaster County, Penn. In politics, Mr. Blessing is a Republican. He is a member of Shelby Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are Presbyterians.
CHARLES H. CAMPBELL .- Conspicuous among the enterprising and public spirited citizens of Shelbyville is Charles H. Campbell, who was born in the town of Lexington, Indiana, November 28, IS53. His paternal ancestors were among the early colonists of Virginia, his grandfather Andrew Campbell having been born in that State about the year 1777. The family came to Indiana in an early day, settling in Scott County in 1823, where Andrew Camp- bell's death occurred 1856. Subject's parents, A. H. and Mary J. E. (Doolittle ) Campbell were both natives of Indiana, the former born in Scott County, October 17, 1825, and the latter in the southern part of the State, June 27, of the same year. Charles H. Camp- bell's early educational experience embraced the studies apper- taining to the course prescribed by the public schools, in which he made commendable progress, obtaining a practical knowledge of the common branches of learning. In 1872, he accepted a position with the railroad locating in Shelbyville the following year and mak- ing this city his headquarters, until 1875. In the latter year he was transferred to Cincinnati. but in 1876, returned to Shelbyville and accepted the position of ticket agent for the C., I., St. L. & C. Railroad, the duties of which responsible trust he is still discharging. Mr. Campbell is a faithful and accomplished business man, alive to the interests of the company, by which he is employed and enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. In addition to his official duties he takes an active interest in all measures having for their object the public good deserving special mention for his efforts in behalf of the city's welfare as member of the common council to which body he was elected in 1885. and in which he displayed wisdom, and rare executive ability. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first vote in 1876, for R. B. Hayes. He is a member of the Odd Fellows faternity, having identified himself with the same in 1885. He married in 1876, Miss Lucy Harding, daughter of Will- iam and Margaret Harding, of Ohio, a union blessed with the birth of two children viz .: Ada L. and George W. Campbell.
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MOSES CARITHERS Was born in New York City, April 9, IS23. He is of Scotch descent, both parents having been born in Scot- land. His father, John Carithers, born March 12th, 1792, came to America in youth; died in Jefferson County, Kan., October 23, 1886. His mother, Lydia (Speer) Carithers, was born in 1793, and died in Hillsdale County, Mich., in 1870. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of six children, of whom four are now living. Mr. Car- ithers received a common school education. In 1839, he went to Lucas County, Ohio, but from there removed to Covington, Ky., in 1847, and engaged in the lumber business until 1856. In 1871, he removed to Madison. Ind., and engaged in the manufacture of car- riages. Since 1875, when Mr. Carithers came to Shelbyville, he has also engaged in the manufacture of carriages. In 1849, Mr. Carithers married Miss Martha Patterson, who was born in Phila- delphia, in 1831. There are three children to this marriage living, viz .: Frank E., Mary A. and Lee B. Mr. Carithers is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville; in politics he is a Re- publican.
JAMES T. CAUGHEY, city editor of the Republican, is a native of New Paris, Ohio, born February 2, 1861. His father was George W. Caughey, born in Preble County, Ohio, September 17, 1831. and died in Shelbyville, Indiana, November II, ISS3. He was, by occupation, a merchant tailor, and carried on that business in this city for quite a number of years. The paternal grandfather of the subject here considered, was John Caughey, a native of one of the Eastern States. The family first settled in Ohio, and in I87I, came to Shelbyville. The mother of our subject is Sarah Caughey, born August 31, 1833, and whose maiden name was Johnson. Mr. Caughey is the younger of two living children. He was a student in the common schools at New Paris, Ohio, and on coming to Shelbyville, entered the public school and gradu- ated from the High School in this city in 1879. Subsequent to his graduation, he entered the law office of Adams & Michner, and there remained for several years. In 1885, he became city editor of the Shelbyville Republican, and his success as a newspaper man is unquestioned. The prosperity of the Republican is in a great measure due to the energy and untiring effort of Mr. Caughey. He is also Secretary and Treasurer of The Shelby Printing Com- pany. In politics, he is a pronounced Republican, and in IS85, was a candidate on the Republican ticket for city clerk, and owing to a slight difference in his own party, was defeated by twelve votes cast in favor of Charles Major. In 1885, he became a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a leading, active member of the order, and now holds the position of Vice Grand. Mr. Caughey is a promi-
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nent and highly respected young man, and a firm friend of the Re- publican party and of education.
EDWARD H. CHADWICK, attorney at law, was born at Eaton, Preble Co., Ohio, March 12, 1852. His earlier days were spent on a farm, and in the district school-house. Later on he passed through the preparatory department of Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. He also completed the academic course at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, graduating from that institution in a class of eighty-five, in 1878. In 1879, he came to Shelbyville and began studying law in the office of Ben. F. Love. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of ISS1, since which time he has engaged in the practice of his profession. He married, May 6, 1879, Miss Mary Hughes, who has borne him the following children: John Erwin, James Manning ( deceased ) and Edward Hughes. Mr. Chadwick is a charter member of Chilion Lodge No. 129, Knights of Pythias. He is a very faithful attendant at the same, and has filled some of its most important positions. Politically he is an ar- dent Republican. Socially he is polite and affable. He has many friends, and no doubt will make a success in the business he has chosen.
LESTER CLARK, Superintendent of Schools of Shelby County, was born March 27, 1856. and is the son of Barrack E. and Sarah (Bilby) Clark, and is of English descent. Our subject is the younger of two children, and the only one now living. He was raised on the farm by his maternal grandparents, and received a fair common school education. He afterward was a student at normal schools. Both of his parents having died while he was an infant, Mr. Clark has had to work his own way up in the world, hence his education is entirely due to his own energy and effort. He began teaching school in 1876 in Hendricks Township, this county. Since then he has taught seven terms in that township and two terms in Johnson County. About two years ago he moved to Shelbyville, and spent the winter of 1886 and 1887, teaching school in Addison Township. June 6. 1887, he was elected Super- intendent of Shelby County over eight competitors, which position he now holds. Mr. Clark has been married twice. August 24, ISSO, Miss Bettie Hoover, of Johnson County, became his wife, and bore him two children, Arthur B., who died March 12, ISS3, and Willie. She died March 1, 1883, of that dread disease con- sumption. December 24, ISS5, he was wedded to Miss Rebecca Trew of this city, and to them one child has been born, Charles Trew. Politically, Mr. Clark is a Democrat. He is a member of Chillon Lodge No. 129, K. of P. He and his wife are both mem- bers of the First Baptist Church of this city. Mr. Clark is a con-
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scientious Christian gentleman, and his friends predict that his adminstration as County Superintendent will be eminently suc- cessful.
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