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 44
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MICHAEL COONEY was born in the southwestern part of Ire- land, December 26, 1833, and is the son of Patrick and Bridget (Corey ) Cooney, parents both natives of the same country. Pat- rick Cooney was born in 1782, and died in the year 1846. Mrs. Cooney was born in 1795, and departed this life about the year 1839. Michael Cooney is the third of a family of six children, three of whom are at this time living. He was educated at a pri- vate school in his native country, spent his youthful years on a farm, and in 1863, came to the United States, and accepted a posi- tion with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, with head- quarters at Cincinnati. February, 1864, he came to Ripley County Ind., where for three years he was in the employ of the " Big Four " Railroad Co. At the end of that time he was transferred to Shel- byville, where, since 1876, he has been foreman of Section 17, on the above named road, making in all twenty-three years spent in railroading. Mr. Cooney is one of the trusted employes of the " Big Four," and one of the leading and public spirited citizens of Shelbyville. He was elected to the City Council in 1882, re-elected in 1886, and at this time is Chairman of the Ditch and Sewer Fund and the Water Works Committees of that body. He takes an ac- tive interest in all the deliberations of the Council, and is justly es- teemed one of the city's most faithful and efficient officers. He was married in 1858, to Miss Catherine Hines, a native of Ireland, born in the year 1843. Four children have been born to this mar- riage, viz .: Patrick, John, Mary and Annie Cooney. Mr. Cooney is a Republican in politics, and with his wife, belongs to the Cath- olic Church.
HON. EDMUND COOPER. - Conspicuous among the leading citi- zens of Shelby County, is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical sketch. Edmund Cooper was born in Virginia, March 19, 1819, and is the son of Edmund and Catherine (Mason ) Cooper, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in the year 1768, and in an early day emigrated to Indiana, settling in what is now Washington County, as long ago as 1819, having been one of the prominent pioneers of that part of the State. He was a farmer by occupation, and departed this life in the year IS35. Mrs. Cooper was born in 1772, and died at her home in this State about the year 1858. The immediate subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on a farm, and early chose agriculture as a life work, in which he has been more than ordi- narily successful. His early educational advantages were limited
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to the country schools, but having always been a great reader and an intelligent observer, he has since obtained a fund of general and practical knowledge such as schools fail to impart. In 1847, he came to Shelby County and settled in Noble Township, and two years later went to Iowa, in which State he remained for only a limited period, returning to this county in the fall of 1850. He then resumed farming in Noble Township, and was thus engaged until 1885, at which time he retired from active life and removed to Shelbyville. He has always taken an active interest in political and public affairs, and a number of years ago was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and later County Commissioner, in which capacity he served two terms. In 1880, he was elected to represent Shelby County in the General Assembly of Indiana, and as a member of that body discharged his duty in a manner credit- able to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He has been a life long Democrat, but enjoys great personal popularity with all parties irrespective of political affiliation. He has been twice mar- ried, the first time in 1848, to Miss Margaret Van Pelt, by whom he had several children, three of whom, Squire J., Lewis W., and Laura A., are now living. Mrs. Cooper died in 1874, and two years later Mr. Cooper married his present wife, whose maiden name was Harriet E. Stockton.
SAMUEL D. DAY, retired physician and surgeon, was born in Dalton, Mass., March 2d, 18II. His parents were Amasa and Hannah Day, who lived and died in Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district school at which he was a student during the winter. and his summers until the age of fifteen, were spent at Pittsfield Academy. Later he began the study of medicine, and by the time he had gained his majority, he had taken two courses of lectures at the Birkshire Medical Institute in Massachusetts, and was graduated therefrom in 1831. In 1832, the General Assembly of New York attempted to prevent the spread of cholera by quarantine, and Dr. Day was appointed quarantine phy- sician at French Creek, where he remained until August, 1832. In 1836, Dr. Day located for the practice of his profession at Wil- mington, Decatur Co., Ind. He only remained there a short time and then removed to Rush County. Dr. Day came to Shelbyville in 1838, and here he has since resided. Here he continued the active practice of medicine until 1878 - was a regular protitioner in Shelbyville for forty years. Quit the practice on the account of failing health. He was married October 28th, 1847, to Miss Jane Thomson of Pittsburg, Pa., a cousin of the late lamented Vice President T. A. Hendricks. Mr. and Mrs. Day have spent many years in Shelbyville and always have been held in exalted esteem.
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JOHN C. DEPREZ, prominent citizen and manufacturer of Shel- byville, is a native of Ohio, born in the city of Cincinnati, Novem- ber 8, 1844. His parents, John and Mary (Corwein) Deprez, were natives of Germany. the former born, 1803, and the latter in the year 1817. They came to the United States in 1832, and after a short time spent in Shelby County, Indiana, removed to Cincin- nati, which city was their home until their return to Shelby County in 1855. The father died in August, 1867, the mother is still living in this city. The subject of this sketch is the oldest son of seven living children. He enjoyed the advantages of a common school education, and in 1855. accompanied his parents to Shelbyville, of which city he has since been a resident. In 1866, he became inter- ested in the woolen mills at Shelbyville, and from that time until 1873, continued the same, abandoning the business the latter year and affecting a co-partnership in the manufacture of furniture with Messrs. Conrey & Wallar, a firm which still continues. The fac- tory operated by this company is one of the largest manufacturing establishments in Shelby County, and the goods turned out i. e., all kinds of furniture, will compare favorably with that made in any other city of Indiana or the west. He is a Mason, having identified himself with that order in 1868, and in politics votes the Republi- can ticket. He was married April 11, 1871, to Miss Zera Miller, of this county, daughter of Col. Alexander and Lucy (Templeton ) Miller. Mrs. Deprez was born in this county in 1850, and is the mother of four children, whose names are as follows, to-wit: John D., Harry W., Herbert B., and Russell, who died June 15, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Deprez are members of the Presbyterian Church.
THOMAS DEVOL was born in Washington County, Ohio, July 28. IS17, son of Arphaxed and Mary (Dye) Devol. His father was born in Rhode Island, and was raised in Massachusetts. He came westward to Ohio, in a very early day, and died in Morgan County, in 1840. His mother was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Morgan County, about 1846. The subject of our sketch is the fifth of eight sous, and is the only one now living. He was raised on a farm in Morgan County, Ohio, and came to Indiana in IS35. He did not move to Shelby County, however, until 1839. Since 1842, this county has been his permanent residence. Mr. Devol carried on the business of farmer until I871, after which time he lived in Shelbyville, and since 1874 has been a grain merchant. In 1842, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Priscilla B. Ross, who is a native of Ross County, Ohio. They have been blessed with three children: Aurilla V., Mary M. and Clarke R. Mr. Devol was once a member of the Whig party, but is now a Republican, although very liberal in his political views. Mr.
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Devol became a Mason about twenty-eight years ago, and was the sixteenth member to join the I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most zealous Christians in this city. He is one of the leading spirits in all reforms and revivals. He attends the other churches as well as his own, and loves to mingle his voice with other congre- gations in worship. He is honest and upright in all of his business dealings, and is one of the best men in Shelbyville.
DOULAS DOBBINS, Ex-County Superintendent of Schools was born in Shelby County, July 27, 1860, the son of Hugh and Clarissa (Miner) Dobbins. The father was born in Virginia in 1813, and at an early age accompanied his parents to Indiana, the family set- tling in Shelby County about the year 1822, having been among the first pioneers. Mrs. Dobbins was born in Delaware County, New York and came to this county in 1856 or '57. Mr. Dobbins was raised on a farm and obtained a rudimentary education in the common schools of the county. He made rapid progress in his various studies and at the early age of thirteen was sufficiently ad- vanced to obtain a teacher's license, although he did not engage in school work until several years later. His first experience as an instructor was in 1878, from which date until 1883, he was regu- larly employed in the schools of the county, earning the reputation of an able and painstaking teacher in the meantime. In the latter year he was chosen Superintendent of the Shelby County Public Schools, the duties of which he discharged until 1887, having been re-elected in 1885. As a teacher Mr. Dobbins has been very successful and possesses in a marked degree the traits of character which insure his success and popularity. He is prominently identi- fied with the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and politically supports the principles of the Democratic party. December 24, 1885, he mar- ried Miss Lena Smith, daughter of H. H. Smith, of Indianapolis a union blessed with one child, Jessie.
ITHAMAR H. DRAKE, M. D., was born in Warren County, Ohio, near Lebanon, September 4th, 1828. His father, Peter Drake, was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1787, and died in IS71, at Le- banon, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the pioneers of Ohio. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Drake, was Peter Drake, a native of New Jersey. The family dissented from the Church of England, and the ancestors of Dr. Drake came to America in the noted Mayflower. The family is of Baptist faith. The grand- father of Dr. Drake was accidentally killed while raising a log house in Warren County, Ohio. The mother of our subject was Sarah Drake, whose maiden name was Merritt, a native of Delaware in 1793. She was the daughter of Isaac Merritt, a Delaware slave holder,
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who early became impressed with the idea that slavery was wrong, and brought his slaves to Ohio and emancipated them, and gave them homes in Ohio. Isaac Merritt died in the early part of this century. The subject of this biography is the sixth of nine chil- dren, five of whom are vet living. The boyhood of Dr. Drake was spent on the farm of his father. He attended the common school; afterward entered Lebanon Academy where he remained for three years. Subsequently he entered the law office of Lauren Smith, at Lebanon, Ohio, and continued the study of law for about one year. From 1848 to 1851, he was principal of Pearl River Academy in Madison County, Minn. He also began the study of medicine about this time. Returning from Minnesota in 1851, he entered the office of Drs. Van Halangen and Drake, at Lebanon. He graduated from the Cleveland Medical College in the class of 1852 and 1853. In May, 1853, he came to Indiana and located in Putnam County, at Brick Chapel. Here he remained for fifteen years. In 1869. he removed to Delaware, Ripley Co., Ind., and there remained until ISSo, when he came to Shelbyville. He has been in the ac- tive practice of medicine for thirty-three years. In 1855, he was President of the Medical Society of Putnam County. Was elected from Ripley County to the legislature of 1879 and 1880. IIe was married in September, 1853. to Miss Christiana Morrison, of Cleve- land, Ohio, a native of Scotland, born in 1832. They have three sons, viz .: Lauren, Dr. Morris and Frank.
HIRAM J. DRAKE, Ex-County Commissioner, was born in Wash- ington Township. Shelby County, Indiana, September 13. 1835. He was the son of Ephriam and Sarah (Fulks) Drake, and is of English descent. The Drake family came to Shelby County in the spring of 1831, and settled in Washington Township. The first dwelling which sheltered this pioneer family was a rail-pen. The father died December 11, 1867, and the mother followed three vears later November 16, 1870. Mr. Drake is the sixth member of a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. The boyhood of this gentleman was spent in work upon the farm. He did not have very many chances to obtain an education, but at- tended the few subscription schools which were then taught. After he attained his majority, he began doing for himself. In 1856, he commenced the occupation of a farmer upon his own responsibility, and has continued in that line until now. Politically, Mr. Drake is a Democrat. In ISSo, he was elected Commissioner for the second district, which position he filled for two years. The family have quite recently moved to Shelbyville, and now reside in Love, Major and Morrison's Addition to the city. Mr. Drake still owns a farm in Hendricks Township. April 2, 1857, Miss Mary Ellen Farns-
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worth became the wife of our subject, and three children had been born to this union, Amanda E., Sarah M., and Phobe M. Mr. Drake is one of the old settlers of this county and is well known in this community.
MORRIS DRAKE, M. D., began life's career on the 4th day of March, 1856, in Putman County, Indiana. He is the son of Dr. Ithamar H. Drake and Christiana ( Morrison ) Drake. He received such an education as is generally obtained in the common schools. He also attended Moor's Hill College in Dearborn County, Indiana, several terms. He began the study of medicine in 1878. Immed- iately he began attending lectures at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and graduated from that institution in ISSI, and the same year, began the practice of his profession at Shelbyville. He was appointed County Physician several years ago, and has held that position ever since, save one year. During the year 1884-5, he served as Secretary of the Shelby County Board of Health, a pos- ition of considerable importance. He is a member of the Shelby Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F., and has been secretary of said lodge for two years or more. He is also a member of the Shelby En- campment. He is one of the most prominent young physicians, and has acquired an enviable reputation as a surgeon. He is a very popular citizen and a most elegant gentleman.
JOHN C. EAGLE, A. M. - The gentleman whose name intro- duces this biography, was born March 23, 1845, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a son of David B. and Ann Eagle, whose maiden name was Mason. The family here treated, is of German descent on the one side, and Scotch-Irish on the other. The father of Prof. Eagle was a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery County in 1806, and died in that State in 1876. By occupation he was a farmer and contractor. The mother of Prof. Eagle was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1813, and died in Illinois in 1871. Our subject is one of four children now living and was raised on the farm. His first, or primary education, was acquired at the country schools of his native county .. At fourteen years of age, he began for himself, a self-education at his Ohio home. So thoroughly had he prepared himself, that upon an examination in 1866, he was permitted to enter the senior class of Denison Uni- vesity at Granville, Ohio, and from which he graduated in 1867. In 1868, he went to Clay County, Illinois and for two years, was Superintendent of the Lewisville Schools. He then returned to Ohio and for some time, was engaged in the life insurance business. From 1873 to 1879, he was Superintendent of the Union City Schools and from 1879 to 1887, had charge of the Edinburg Schools. In June, 1887, he was elected Superintendent of the Pub-
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lic Schools of Shelbyville. His success as an educator, at Union City and at Edinburg was of the highest order and as a school man in every sense, he is a pronounced success and Shelbyville is very fortunate in gaining his services. Prof. Eagle removed to Shelby- ville in July, 1887. His marriage occurred in 1870, to Miss Mag- gie Grant, a native of Kentucky and born in 1852. They have one child, viz .: Mable. Mr. Eagle is a Mason and a member of the G. A. R. He enlisted in 1862, in Company G, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was honorably discharged after one year's ser- vice, at Nashville, Tenn. Prof. Eagle is a most pleasant and refined gentleman and a true friend of the public schools, and extended education.
JOSHUA H. ENOS. - The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 5, 1823, being the son of Joshua S. and Nancy (Pearson ) Enos, natives of the State of Delaware. Paternally, Mr. Enos is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors, and on the mother's side, is of English descent. His father moved to Philadelphia at an early day and died in that city in 1824. The mother, in 1852, came to Shelbyville, Ind., and resided here until her death, about twelve years later. Joshua H. Enos in early life learned the stone cutter's trade in Cincinnati, and after becom- ing proficient in the same, began working and contracting in vari- ous places. Ile did the first cut limestone work in Indianapolis, aside from the old State house, the material for the building he put up being hauled by wagons from this county. In 1852, he came to Shelbyville, where he has since resided, being at this time one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of the city. He served as a member of the Common Council from IS71 until 1882, and was again elected a member of that body in 1886. During the year 1883, he served as Mayor of Shelbyville, in which office he displayed wise judgment and good executive ability. He was originally a Whig, but when the standard of that old party was trailed in the dust, he identified himself with its successor, the Republican party, of which he is an earnest supporter. He joined the Odd Fellows fraternity in 1852, and for thirty years has been a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. Mr. Enos was married in IS43, to Miss Louisa Layton, by whom he is the father of four children, viz .: Mary, Nannie, Joseph and Lulu.
CHARLES J. FASTLABEN. - The gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented, is a native of Shelby County, Ind., and dates his birth from the 4th day of June, 1859. His father was Henry Fastlaben, a native of Germany, born March 13, IS28, and his mother whose maiden name was Caroline Markley, was born in the same country, on the 24th day of March, 1828. Mr.
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and Mrs. Fastlaben were the parents of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the second in number. His early educational training was obtained in the Shelbyville city schools, supplemented by a course at St. Joseph's Academy, Cincinnati, and later at the St. Mary's Institute, Dayton, Ohio, where he made substantial pro- gress in the higher branches of learning. August 2, 1873, he ac- cepted the position of Deputy Clerk, Shelby Circuit Court, the duties of which position he discharged in an eminently creditable manner, until March 4, 1886, when owing to the death of Albert J. Gorgas, Clerk, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. He acted as Clerk until November II, 1886, at which time he again became Deputy under Thomas S. Jones, the present incum- bent of the office. Mr. Fastlaben is an accomplished business man, thoroughly familiar with all the details of the office with which he has so long been identified, and has the respect and confidence of the public irrespective of political affiliation. He is a Democrat, and as such has been a potent factor in local politics, though in no sense a bitter partisan. Religiously, he is a Catholic. Mr. and Mrs. Fastlaben are the parents of an infant girl, unnamed, the source of much pride to them.
HON. EDWIN P. FERRIS was born July 13, 1829, at the town of Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y., and is the youngest son of a family of eight children. His parents' names were Sylvester and Rhoda (King) Ferris, natives of the Empire State. The father was a Baptist minister. The family moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1835, and during the following year they came to Hogan Hill, Dearborn County, Indiana, and resided there until 1846, when they removed to Ripley County, and located about seven miles from the county seat. Here he assisted his father in clearing a small farm, and during the winter attended the common schools. About the time he became of age he went to the county seat to attend the county seminaries, but in a short time was promoted to be one of the teachers. He afterward attended a Commercial College and re- ceived a diploma therefrom. He also began attending Franklin College, where he remained until 1854. During the same year he was elected County Surveyor of Ripley County, serving two years. December 31, 1854, Mr. E. P. Ferris was married to Miss Sibyl F. Stephens, who was born in Ohio. They have had eight children, six of whom are now living, two boys and four girls. After Mr. Ferris' term as Surveyor had expired, and while working on the farm. he spent all of his spare time studying law. He began the practice thereof in 1858, with Hon. A. C. Downey. He soon se- cured a good practice. In 1862, he was elected representative in the State Legislature, and had the pleasure of voting for Hon.
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David Turpie, for United States Senator, vice Hon. Jesse D. Bright, expelled, and also voted for Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, for a position in the same august body. In the canvass of 1876, Ferris was one of the Democratic electors, and again voted for Governor Hendricks for Vice President. In April, 1878, Mr. Ferris removed from Versailles to Shelbyville, where he has since resided. The subject of this sketch and his family are members of the Presby- terian Church, and the former has been for many years a faithful and earnest Sabbath School worker, meeting two classes each day, one in the morning at the Christian Church, and one in the even- ing at his own. Mr. Ferris is a prominent and influential Chris- tian gentleman.
THOMAS FINLEY, County Surveyor of Shelby County, was born in Indianapolis, October 18, 1860. He is the son of Morris and Bridgett (McVey) Finley, and is an Irish-American, both of his parents having been born in Ireland. The father came to this country about 1852, and landed at New Orleans, subsequently coming to Indiana. Thomas is the eldest of six children. He has received a good common school education, together with quite an ex- tensive course at two of our best Normal Colleges. He attended quite a number of terms at the Central Indiana Normal School at Danville, where he completed the course of Surveying and Civil- engineering, and a term or so at the Northern Indiana Normal School, located at Valparaiso. The family came to this county about 1872. and settled on a farm near Boggstown. For several years Thomas worked at the various duties which usually fall to the lot of a farmer's boy. He afterward by means of hard study, and perseverance succeeded in obtaining a teacher's license and be- gan teaching school, about the fall of 1880. In his teaching he be- came very successful. and the best schools of the county were offered him. In the spring of 1886, he became a candidate for County Surveyor, and received in the Democratic primary election a large plurality over several competitors. In the fall, he was still further honored by being elected to that responsible office by a large majority as already intimated. Mr. Finley is a Simon-pure Democrat, and cast his first vote for Cleveland, in 1884. He is a member of St Joseph's Catholic Church of this city. He is a self- made young man, and has worked his own way up in the world. He deserves great credit for what he has already accomplished, and his friends hope that "the end is not vet."
GEORGE W. FLEMING, M. D., is a native of Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania. He is a son of Dr. George W. Fleming, and Belinda ( McGrew) Fleming, and was born November 27, 1843. The father of Dr. Fleming, born in Washington County, Pennsyl-
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