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 50
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member of the A. O. U. W., in the deliberations of which order he takes an active part. On the Sth day of May, 1855, was solem- nized his marriage with Margaret, daughter of John Schræder. Mrs. Schælch was born in Germany, November 17, 1829, and was the mother of thirteen children, the following of whom are living, to-wit: John C., George A., Conrad, Robert and Valentine, twins, Mollie, Maggie and Henry. Mrs. Schælch died September 20, ISSI.
PHILIP J. SHAW, of the firm of Shaw & Sayler, was born in Laurel, Franklin County, Ind., November 29, 1864. He is the son of Daniel J. and Eliza L. (Sullenberger) Shaw, and is of Irish- German descent. His father was born in Courtland County, N. Y., February 9, 1831, and came to Indiana at the age of four years, stopping at Laurel until ten years of age; then he removed to Shelbyville. Subsequently, however, he went to Franklin County, and there was married. He died a resident of Shelbyville, De- cember 27, 1882. The mother of Mr. Shaw was born February 25, 1836, at Petersburg, Va., and became his father's wife January 3, 1854. Our subject is the sixth in a family of eleven children, four of whom are now living. He attended the public schools of Shelbyville, began clerking in the hat and cap store of George W. F. Kirk, in 1880, and continued a clerk in different stores until 1886, when he began business for himself as partner with Dix W. Say- ler, dealing in hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods. This firm is doing a good business, and the members are among the most pop- ular young business men in the city. Mr. Shaw belongs to Shelby Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F., and is a member of "The Club." In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Blaine.
FRANK CLARK SHELDON was born in Adrian, Michigan, March 9, 1852. He is the son of William M. and Elizabeth (Day) Shel- don, both natives of the Empire State. The father was born in 1807, and the mother in 1824. His parents now reside in Adrian. Our subject is the elder of two children by his father's second marriage, and was educated at the Adrian High School. He be- gan learning the jeweler's trade in 1866, in his native town. In 1867, he went to Toledo, and remained about six years, then went to Chicago, and stayed there until 1875, when he came to Shelby- ville and engaged in the jewelery business, and has since continued therein. He is now the leader in his line of business in Shelby- ville. He was married November 13, 1877, to Miss Harriet Major, daughter of Alfred Major, one of our wealthiest and most influen- tial citizens. Mrs. Sheldon was born October 23, 1856. This union has produced one child, Jane M. In politics, Mr. Shel- don is a strong Republican. He and his wife are members of the
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Presbyterian Church, and the former is a deacon, and at present Treasurer of the church. Mr. Sheldon is one of our most enter- prising business men. He is a courteous gentleman, one who does not interfere in the affairs of others, but attends strictly to his own business. He has been very successful and is on the high way to wealth and all of the good things which the word " business " sug- gests.
EDWARD SMALL was born in New York, September 7, 1835. His father was a native of Europe, born in 1808, and in 1834, came to America. A few years later he located in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he died in 1861. Soon after that time Edward came to Shelby County, where he has lived ever since. As a member of Company G, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Infantry, he served in the Civil War for a period of twenty months. At the Bat- tle of Stone River, he was taken sick, and after that spent consid- erable time in the hospitals until he was discharged for physical disability. For more than twenty years he has been engaged in the confectionery and news business, with a success that is almost without precedent. His wife was Mary Morrison, a native of this county. They are the parents of seven children, the eldest of whom is
WILBER M. SMALL, who was born July 26, 1865. He received a common school education in the schools of Shelbyville, and at the age of sixteen began business for himself in the confectionery trade. He moved into his present location in March, 1887, where he is conducting a successful business. He was married January 26, 1887, to Stella J. Pherigo, a native of this county, born March 31, 1866. She is a daughter of John W. and Esther (Spurlin) Pherigo. Mr. Small is an Odd Fellow and Democrat.
ISAAC SORDEN, deceased, was born in Sussex County, Del., May 8, 1806. At an early age he was left an orphan, to grapple with the " stern realities " of life alone. A part of his early man- hood was spent in Philadelphia. In 1837, he came west, and set- tled for a time in Greensburg, Ind., but two years later moved to Shelbyville, where he continued to reside until his death, a period of thirty-nine years. During all that time his chief occupation was that of a merchant, and he always sustained the reputation of an
honest and upright man, and was a worthy citizen. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of its prin- cipal supporters in this community. As a member of the Masonic fraternity he was held in high esteem. His death occurred May 8, 1878, on his seventy-third birthday, and he was lamented by the entire community. Nancy Toner became his wife, and they were the parents of ten children, these seven now living: Anna, Martin T.,
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Lizzie, Fannie, Alice, Maggie and Laura. Martin Sorden was
born January 27, 1843. His education was obtained in the Shelby- ville schools. For two years he engaged in the grocery trade and then went into the livery business, which he has followed for sey- enteen years continuously. He was married to Belle Warren in 1867, by whom he has two children, namely, Albert and Effie. His
Clark became his wife. By this union he is the father of five chil- second marriage took place in November, 1877, when Clara L.
dren, these four living: Harry, Jennie, Anna and Clara Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Sorden are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JASPER HAZEN SPRAGUE was born in Hartford, Vermont, June 6, 1812, and graduated at the Norwich Military University in the same State in 1836. Immediately after his graduation he came west, stopping at Madison, where he soom secured employment as Assistant Engineer in Surveying the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. He was soon promoted to the position of Chief
Engineer, and assumed the responsibility of performing correctly some of the most difficult mathematical calculations known in sur- veying. Although young and somewhat inexperienced, he did his
six years following 1842, in surveying short lines from Shelbyville work remarkably well. Mr. Sprague was also employed for about
to Rushville: from Shelbyville to Kinghtstown, and from Shelby- ville to Edinburg. In 1849, he was employed as Chief Engineer in surveying the line of Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railroad, now known as "Big Four." In 1846, Mr. Sprague moved to Shelby- ville, from Columbus, Indiana, and after remaining here until 1849, he went to Lawrenceburg, making that place his headquarters
until 1853, when he again returned to Shelbyville. Immediately after coming back he entered into the manufacture of staves and barrels, which business he carried on until 1883, then retired from
business altogether. In 1840. Mr. Sprague was wedded to Miss Dul-
six children, Laura, Harriet L., Walter, H., Walter K., Charles T. cina C. Town, of Vermont. As a result of this union there were born
and Carrie. Of these but two are living, Charles T., city editor of the Shelbyville Daily Democrat, and Harriet, wife of Dr. James P. Robins, of this city. Jasper H. Sprague is one of Shelbyville's most Christian gentlemen. In times of public discord, he is one of those who ever seek to bring about tranquility and confidence.
" Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children
of God." He has devoted a long life to the cause of truth and
right, and now, though quite old and very deaf, he is still cheerful and happy. His wife and he are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Shelbyville. Mr. Sprague has always been ready to act and speak in the Master's cause. He has also held every
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position in the church to which a layman is eligible. May the sun- set of his life be made bright with the glory of the good deeds he has done.
CHARLES T. SPRAGUE was born January 20, 1854, in Shelby- ville. His parents are Jasper H. and Dulcina (Town) Sprague. He received a good education in the schools of the town, and after- ward attended Asbury, now De Pauw, University. On his return to this place in 1871, he began practicing civil engineering for which he had prepared himself. In 1875, he began the study of law in the office of Hord & Blair, and was soon after admitted to the bar. In 1877, he was appointed City Engineer of Shelbyville for one term. He next engaged in the stave business in which he con- tinued until 1880. In that year he began doing local work on the Daily Republican, which he followed for one year. In 1881, he ac- cepted the position of city editor on the Daily Evening Democrat, which position he now holds. He was married March 13, 1882, to Miss Minnie Skinner.
JOSEPH R. STEWART was born in Mercer County, Penn., Jan- uary 6, 1831. He is the son of David M. and Lucia (Bierce) Stewart, and is of Irish-English origin. His father was born in New Jersey in 1867, and died in Shelbyville, December 25, 1874. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Stewart was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and emigrated to America, and died in Mercer County, Penn. The mother of Mr. Stewart was born in New York, November 29, ISIo, and is yet living. Joseph R. Stewart came to Shelbyville in December, 1851. He received a fair com- mon school education. He began to do for himself in 1852, at which time he engaged in the planing mill business. Since 1861, he has constantly been occupied in that occupation. For the last four years, he has added a lumber and coal vard to his other busi- ness, and has taken a partner, Mr. Will E. Blakely, his son-in-law. Mr. Stewart was married in October, 1852, to Miss Artlissa Evans, a native of Pennsylvania, born October 30, 1830. They have only one child, a daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Blakely. Mr. Stewart was formerly an old line Whig, but is now an ardent Republican. He has been elected a member of the Common Council of the City of Shelbyville five terms, serving in all ten years. He belongs to the A. O. U. W., and he and family are Presbyterians, save Mrs. Stewart, who is a Baptist. Mr. Stewart was Chorister of the Presbyterian Church choir for thirty-four years. He is also one of the city's most valiant firemen, and for a long while was Chief of the Fire Department. Shelbyville has few better men than Joe Stewart. There is no one more universally popular than he. He
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is sociable, big-hearted and generous. He is always in the lead of enterprises to suppress or avert public calamities.
NORMAN H. STRONG, dealer in hardware, is a native of Elkhart County, Ind., and son of Samuel S. and Ann Harriet B. (Stillman) Strong, parents both natives of Ohio, the father born 1819, and the mother about the year IS21. Norman H. is the third of a family of seven children, three of whom are at this time living. He was born on the 31st day of August, 1845, received a rudimentary education in the common schools and subsequently entered Wabash College where he made substantial progress in the higher branches of learning. In 1862, when but little more than seventeen years of age, he tendered his services to the Government to do battle in defense of its rights, enlisting in Company I, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, for the three years' service. He remained with his com- mand for only eighteen months, having been discharged at the end of that time on account of sickness. During the years IS66-7 and 8, he carried on the dry goods business in Elkhart, and the follow- ing year came to Shelbyville, of which city he has since been an honored resident. In 1870, he became a member of the hardware firm of Gorgas, Strong & Wilson, which continued until I871, when the style of the firm became Gorgas & Strong. On the death of his partner in 1886, Mr. Strong succeeded to the control of the business, purchasing the entire stock a little later, being at this time sole proprietor. He carries a complete line of all kinds of hardware demanded by the general trade, and in business circles enjoys more than a local reputation. Politically he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. May 21, 1868, he was married to Miss Emma Gorgas, daughter of Solomon and Mary F. Gorgas. Mrs. Strong was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 11, 1844, and is the mother of two children, Frank G., born November 17, 1869, and Ursula V., born January 11, 1872. Mr. Strong was made a Mason in 1872, since which time he has risen high in the order, having taken a number of degrees including that of Sir Knight, belonging to Baldwin Commandery No. 2.
HON. BELLAMY S. SUTTON was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, June 3rd, 1841, a son of Rev. John S. and Mary A. (Addis) Sutton, and of English descent. His father was born in Mercer County, Pa., 1807, and died at Blanchester, Ohio, January 6, 1876. His mother was born in Fayette County, Pa., May 20, 1815. His paternal grandfather, born in England, came to America about 1790, and was a Brigadier.General in the War of ISI2. He died in Hamilton County, Ohio, prior to the birth of our subject. The father of Mr. Sutton was a Methodist minister,
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and was in the active ministry for twenty-seven years. Our sub- ject is the fourth of six children, four of whom now live. He was raised on a farm until sixteen years of age, then learned telegraphy. He began the study of law in IS58, in the office of Judge W. H. Baldwin at Blanchester, Ohio. In 1860, he went to Lawrence County, Ill., and then as a partner of Hon. Aaron Shaw continued the law practice until 1862, and then went into the service of the United States, in the Department of Military Telegraph and con- tinued that until 1864, when he was employed by the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railway, now " Big Four, " being stationed at Lon- don, Fairland and Shelbyville. In 1874, he was elected Circuit Clerk of Shelby County, and served one term. In 1880 and ISSI, he practiced law in Shelbyville, in partnership with Hon. J. V. Mitchell, and in 1882, elected Joint Repesentative for the counties of Marion, Shelby and Bartholomew, serving one term. He is a Democrat of the kind that believe to the victors belong the spoils, and has always taken an active part in the affairs of his party. He is a Mason, and in 1879 was honored by being made Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Indiana. October 19, 1865, he was married to Miss Matilda C. Crum, of London, this county, born February 7, 1845. Their two children are named Minnie E. and Myrtie I. Mr. Sutton has long been one of the representative men of this part of Indiana.
FRANKLIN TALBERT (deceased), was born in Union Township, Shelby County, March 3, 1842, and was a son of Paris C. and Nancy A. Talbert. His youth was spent upon the farm owned by his parents. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he enlisted (August S, 1862), in the Third Indiana Battery, continuing through the war, until 1865. He came back July 24, of that year, with an honorable discharge. On the third day of December, 1864, his father died. In September, 1867, the subject of our biography was married to Mary A. Wright. To them was born three chil- dren, William, Lulu and Verlin. On April 14, 1874, the wife died. In 1869, Mr. Talbert, in company with his brothers, Syl- vanus and William, and his brother-in-law, Jacob Bower, started a saw mill. In time, the subject of our sketch bought out the entire mill, and in 1879, moved all of the machinery to Shelbyville, locat- ing on East Hendricks Street, at the intersection of the J., M. & I., and " Big Four " Railroads. The mill was started in a small way but the business grew rapidly and he soon erected manufacturing establishments of various kinds in connection with it. He began manufacturing wagons in ISSI, and it was not long until the " Tal- bert wagon " was famous everywhere. Next the planing mill was added, and in July, of the next year, another saw mill was built.
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Mr. Talbert did an extensive business and employed a large num- ber of hands. On the 14th day of September, 1877, he was again married, this time to Angeline Westerfield, of Union Township, from which marriage there were three children born, two of whom are dead. Mr. Talbert was for several years a member of the City Council of Shelbyville. He was a member of Shelby Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F. He was also a member of the G. A. R. He wasstruck by a falling beam while at his mill, and a few days thereafter, October 22, 1886, died, leaving a whole community to mourn his loss. Frank Talbert, had, during his brief residence in Shelbyville, contributed more to increase the population, and build up the manu- facturing interests of the city, than anyone else. He was public spirited in a high degree, and was always ready to help on popular enterprises.
ARTHUR J. THURSTON was born in Hendricks Township, Shelby County, April 11, 1849, and is the son of David and Laurinde (Lang) Thurston, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The family came to Indiana in 1842, and settled first in Johnson County, and afterward removed to Shelby County. The father of the subject * of this sketch still resides upon the old home place in Hendricks Township. Arthur is the second child of a family of seven children. He was brought up on a farm, where he remained until nineteen years old. In 1868, he entered Franklin College at Franklin, Ind., and spent two years at hard study. He then engaged in teaching school and while in the profession was considered one of the most progressive members in Shelby County. He spent seven years in the school room, and then in 1877, came to Shelbyville, and in- vested his savings in an establishment handling agricultural imple- ments and other machinery. He has since added a carriage and buggy department to his business. He has been very successful and is now a man of considerable property, owning several farms, a great deal of town property, and his own business house. Mr. Thurston was married to Miss Mary J. Hackney, of this county, May 9, 1875. They have two children living, Frederick Neal and William Eden. In politics our subject is a strong Democrat. He is a member of Shelby Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F., and is a Knight of Pythias since 1886. His wife and he are members of the First Baptist Church of this city, and are faithful in attendance thereat. Mr. Thurston is one of the most prominent business men in Shelby- ville, and his standing as a citizen is above reproach.
CHARLES A. TINDALL, M. D., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Shelby County, Indiana, and son of Job D. and Susan ( Warner) Tindall, the father born in Kentucky, and the mother in Ohio. This family came to this county as early as the year IS37,
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and settled on a farm near the City of Shelbyville. Dr. Tindall's early life was spent on his father's farm, and in the common schools he received the elements of a good English education. He subse- quently attended the Central Normal School at Danville one year, and in ISS5, began the study of medicine, in which, by diligent ap- plication, he soon made commendable progress. In order to more thoroughly prepare himself for the duties of his profession, he subsequently entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, where he pursued his studies three, terms, and from which he graduated June, IS87. Having thus finished his medical educa- tion, the Doctor began the active practice of his profession in Shelbyville where he has already won a conspicuous place among the successful medical men of the city. He is a diligent student, thoroughly devoted to his profession, and has before him a future of great promise. Politically, he votes the Republican ticket, but is in no sense of the word a partisan.
H. HENRY TORLINE, successful farmer and stock-raiser, and ex- County Commissioner, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and son of B. H. and Adelheit (Grimmps) Torline, parents born in Germany. The family in 1840, came to Indiana and settled in Franklin County, where the mother subsequently died, and where the father is still living. The subject of this sketch was born on the 17th day of December, 1837, and at the age of three years was brought to Indiana, of which State he has since been a resident. He was reared a farmer, and in the common schools received an English education, which supplemented by an experienced business training in subsequent years has enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of a very active life. In 1863, he came to Shelby County and settled near Fairland, where he resided until purchasing his present beautiful place near Shelbyville in 1885. As a successful farmer, Mr. Torline has few, if any, superiors in the county, and as an intelligent and public-spirited citizen, fully alive to all that interest or benefits of the public, he occupies a conspicious place. He is a Republican in politics, and as such has rendered valuable service to his party in this county. In 1882, he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners, a fact which attests his great personal popularity in a county overwhelmingly Democratic. He was married June 9, 1859, to Miss Mary Bohman, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Torline are members of the Catholic Church, and among Shelby County's most estimable and highly esteemed citizens. In 1882, after repeated and urgent solicitation upon the part of his friends, both of the Democratic and Republican parties, he was induced to accept the nomination on the ticket of the latter party for County Commissioner, to which position he was elected.
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Prior to that time he had been identified with the Democratic party, but since that time has affiliated with the Republican party, but in no case does he allow party prejudice to control him in voting for local officials. Mr. Torline's portrait can be seen on another page of this volume.
HON. SQUIRE L. VANPELT. - Among the many illustrious men of Shelby County, few are entitled to more prominent men- tion than the gentleman whose brief biographical sketch is here- with presented. Mr. Vanpelt was born near the city of Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, September 21, IS19, and is descended from an old and highly respectable Holland family, several members of which came to America in the early part of the last century and settled in the eastern colonies, where they enjoyed much more than ocal distinction. Daniel Vanpelt, the grandfather of subject, was born in New Jersey about the year 1750. He served with distinction in the War of Independence, and fell while charging the enemy at the bloody battle of Long Island in 1776. His son, Alexander Vanpelt, father of the subject, was born in New Jersey, 1773, and was also a soldier, having done valiant service on many a battle field in the last war with Great Britain in 1812. He emi- grated to Ohio in an early day, and from thence in 1821, to Shelby County, Indiana, having been among the first pioneers in this part of the State. He was a farmer by occupation, a man of more than ordinary powers of mind, and died in the county of his adoption in 1849. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Pearce, was born in New Jersey in 1781, and departed this life at her home in Shelby County about the year IS25. Squire Vanpelt was the third child by his father's second marriage. When two years of age, he was brought to the county, where amid the stirring scenes of pioneer life were spent his early years, and where in the rugged school of experience were de- veloped those powers of perseverance and industry which have made him conspicuous among his fellow men. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in 1844, began life for himself, choosing for a vocation that most useful of all occupations, farming, to which he has devoted the greater part of his attention, and in which he has met with encouraging success. In connection with the farm he was for several years engaged in buying and shipping grain in this city, but this branch of trade was not entered into for the pur- pose of making it a permanent business. Mr. Vanpelt early be- came interested in politics, and as an active worker in the Democratic party, his abilities as a leader in local affairs soon began to be felt and appreciated by his friends and political enemies. His first official position was that of Justice of the Peace, the duties of
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