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 51
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which he discharged in such a manner as to recommend him to a more responsible place, accordingly, in 1854, he was elected Sheriff of Shelby County, which position he held until 1858, having been re-elected in 1856. In 1858, he was the Democratic nominee for County Auditor, and after a spirited contest was triumphantly elected. His record in that office justified the party in renominat- ing him four years later, with the same result, and he discharged the duties of the position in an eminently satisfactory manner until 1867. For several years after the expiration of his term as Auditor, Mr. Vanpelt did not present himself for the suff- rage of the people, but in 1878, at the earnest solicitation of his party friends he was nominated for the Legislature, and elected by the unprecedented majority of over more than 2,000 votes, a fact which attests his great popularity throughout the county. His career as a legislator is similar to that earned in his other official positions, and the records of the Assembly show that he was always at his post ready to participate in the deliberations and discussions of all measures coming before the House for con- sideration. Since the expiration of his term in the Legislature, Mr. Vanpelt has devoted considerable attention to the political ques- tions of the day, on all of which he is well informed, being consid- ered one of the party leaders in Shelby County. He enjoys great personal popularity, and is a man of intelligence and generous im- pulses. He is a representative Democrat of the old school, and while an active partisan, against his official record no breath of sus- picion has ever been uttered. He married, in 1844, Miss Mary Major, who was born in Ireland in the year 1819. Mrs. Vanpelt died in December, 1863. Mr. Vanpelt's second marriage was sol- emnized in 1864. with Emily M. Shank. of this county. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, belonging to the Shelbyville congregation.
BENJAMIN J. WEAKLEY, one of the successful self-made men of Shelby County, is a native of Shelbyville, and dates his birth from the 27th day of September, 1850. His father, Jerry Weak- ley, son of John Weakley, was born in Scott County, Ky., Decem- ber 5, 1826, and died in Shelby County, Ind., February, 1884. The grandfather, John Weakley, was born in the year 1800, and departed this life in 1885. Subject's mother, Martha A. (Fisher ) Weakley, was born in the State of Delaware, April 23, 1831, and died in Waldron, Ind., December 30, 1885. Benjamin J. Weakley is the eldest of a family of six children. He was educated in the common schools and at the age of nineteen engaged to learn the tinner's trade, in which he soon acquired great proficiency and which he has since successfully carried on. In ISSI, he engage
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in the stove and tin trade at the Town of Waldron, and four years later removed to Shelbyville, where in March, 1886, he opened his present business house, one of the largest stove and tinware estab- lishments in the city. Mr. Weakley has made commendable pro- gress in his business, his present substantial trade having been built up by his own efforts, as he started in life with no capital save a determination to succeed. October 3, 1872, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in this county, August 22, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Weakley have one child, Lora B., born January 19, 1874, died November 6, 1879.
CHARLES F. WEBSTER was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, Eng- land, December 9, IS37: son of George and Martha (Gath) Webster. The parents of Mr. Webster were also born in the same English State. Father born in ISog, and died in 1874; mother born in 1810, and died in 1862. The Webster family came to America in 1843, and settled in Shelby County, Ind., and here the parents of our subject died at the time as stated above. The subject is the fifth of seven children. Received a common school education. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school and continued in that occupation for six terms, and during this time studied surveying, which in after years became so beneficial to him. Later, he held the position of Deputy County Surveyor of this county. In 1874, he was elected Surveyor of Shelby County: re-elected in IS78, and elected again in 18So-serving three full terms. For quite a num- ber of years he held the office of City Engineer of Shelbyville. It is stating the fact without exaggeration to say, that Mr. Webster was one of the most efficient Surveyors the county has ever had. During 1870, Mr. Webster made and had copyrighted a Surveyor's Record. During the winter of 1885, he made and had copyrighted a General Index of Roads. Mr. Webster continued surveying and engineering until April, 1886, when he engaged in the grocery business, which he now continues. He was married in 1861 to Miss Minerva Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union seven children were born: Cora M., Fannie M., George W., Gracie, Daisy, Gertrude H. and Bessie. He is a Democrat and an honorable man.
JAMES WILES, Ex-Auditor of Shelby County, is a native of War- ren County, Ohio, and the third of a family of four children born to Edwin A. and Catherine F. (Wood ) Wiles, parents both natives of the same State. Edwin A. Wiles was born in the year IS09, was by occupation a tanner and cabinet maker, and died at Le- banon, Ohio, July 28, 1858. The mother was born in 1813, and departed this life in Shelbyville, Ind., on the Sth day of September, ISSI. James Wiles was born in the city of Lebanon, July 13,
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IS41. He acquired a good English education in the city schools, and at the age of eighteen entered the office of The Western Star, to learn the art of printing, in which he soon acquired great pro- ficiency, and which he continued uninteruptedly until 1863. In that vear he accepted a clerkship with the Paymaster of the United States Navy, at Cairo, Ill., in which capacity he continued until the close of the war. In 1867, he came to Shelbyville, Ind., and after working at his trade a short time was appointed Deputy County Auditor, the duties of which position he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner for a period of twelve years, having served two terms as City Clerk and once as member of the City Council in the meantime. On severing his connection with the Auditor's office, Mr. Wiles became Deputy Treasurer of Shelby County, and four years later, 1882, was nominated and triumphantly elected to the office of Auditor, an office he recently vacated. He is an ac- complished business man, and as a painstaking and accommodating official, is highly esteemed by the citizens of the county, irrespective of politics or party affiliations. Politically he is a Democrat, and is one of the recognized leaders of his party in both county and city. January II, 1871, was solemnized his marriage with Sarah E., daughter of J. M. Randall. of Shelby County, a union blessed with the birth of two children: Jessie B., born July 22, 1877, and Harry, born March 10, 1874, and died August 9, 1876.
"UNCLE" ISAAC H. WILSON, as he is familiarly known through- out Shelby County, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., May 20, 1807, and was the son of James and Nancy (McCarty ) Wilson. William Wilson, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Vir- ginia. He, with four brothers, entered the Colonial Army in the War for Independence, and was the only one who survived that severe struggle. He married in Virginia, a Miss Mckay, and came to Franklin County, Ind., a number of years before the State was organized. James Wilson, father of Isaac H., was born near the James River, in the Old Dominion, in 1779. He came when a young man to Jefferson County about 1800. He met and married Nancy McCarty in 1801. They then removed to Franklin County, where the family resided until November, 1818, whence they came to what is now known as Shelby County. He died here February 5, 1824. His wife, and the mother of the subject of our sketch, was a native of Nelson County, Kentucky, born February 24, 1785, and died in Adams County, Ill., December 30, 1874. Isaac, at the time of his father's death, was nearly seventeen years old. In the fall of IS25, he came to Shelbyville and engaged to learn the cab- inet maker's trade with Jacob Shank, with whom he remained five years. Portions of the four following years he spent in the south
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investing the money he had earned in government lands which he still owns. September 26, 1836, Rebecca A. Montgomery became his wife. She bore him six children, four of whom are now living, Martha A., Susan E., Sarah Z., and J. Marshall. James W. died at the age of thirty-three in 1881. He lost his beloved wife in 1860. He was elected Treasurer of Shelby County in IS54, and served one term. In after years, he was elected Trustee ofAddison Township, and served a number of terms. He was also elected Assessor of the same township, serving two terms. Uncle Isaac is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a conscientious Chris- tian gentleman. He is the repository of county lore and tradition, and the publishers of this history seek this opportunity of thanking him for many past favors.
DAVID B. WILSON .- Among the successful business men of Shelbyville, we may class the gentleman for whom this biograph- ical sketch is prepared. David B. Wilson is a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery County, November 27th, 1836, the son of David B. and Cordelia A. Wilson. David B. Wilson, Sen., was born in the City of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1797; came to the United States in 1820, and died in Paducah, Ky., in the year ISSI. His wife whose maiden name was Cordelia A. Brown, was born in Virginia, in 1815, and is still living, making her home at this time in the City of Shelbyville. D. B. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, spent the greater portion of his early life in the City of Dayton, Ohio, receiv- ing in the public schools an education which, although not of a high scholastic order, was of a character that has since enabled him to participate successfully in the details of an active business life. In 1852, he went to Paducah, Ky., and after several years' residence in that city, returned to Indiana, locating in Shelbyville in IS72. Mr. Wilson's business prior to ISSo, in this city, was that of car- riage making, which he abandoned the above year, and engaged in undertaking, being at this time the proprietor of the largest estab- lishment of that kind in the place. Mr. Wilson enjoys great per- sonal popularity, and is well known and universally respected throughout the county for his sterling qualities and manly integrity. His political views have ever been in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party, and his first presidential vote was cast in 1856, for James Buchanan. He was Whisky Inspector during the administration of Andrew Johnson, and in 1879 and 1880, held the position of Door Keeper of the Indiana House of Representatives. He is pre-eminently identified with the Masonic and K. of P. fra- ternities, and in religion holds to the creed of the Presbyterian Church. On the 16th day of August, 1858, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Ellen Bolan, a native of Ireland, and daughter
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of Thomas and Maria Bolan. Mrs. Wilson was born in the year IS39, and is the mother of two children, viz .: Emma C. and Thomas D. She is a worthy member of the Episcopal Church.
DAVID LEONIDAS WILSON .- The grandfather of David L. Wil- son was David Wilson, a native of Kentucky. He moved to Rush County, Ind., in 1824, where he lived until IS5S. He then moved to Shelby County and settled in Union Township. In 1865, he came to Shelbyville, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the summer of 1867. The father of David L. Wilson -John W. Wilson - was born in Rush County, Ind., in 1825, where he grew to manhood. In 1846, he was married to Miss Martha A. Mauzy, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Gooding ) Mauzy, natives of Kentucky, who settled in Rush County in 1829. Mrs. Wilson was born in Kentucky in 1828. They have reared a large family, to-wit - ten children, of whom David L., the subject of this sketch is the second. John W. Wilson, after marriage, settled in Laurel, Franklin County, Ind., where he engaged in the harness trade until IS49, when he moved to Shelby County, and settled in the southern part of Addison Township, where he has since devoted his attention to farming. Here, on the farm, David L. Wilson was born, January 34, 1850. He was raised on the farm, assisting his father in tilling the soil until his twenty-first year, at which time he entered Hartsville University, in Bartholomew County, Ind. He spent three years in college life, during all of which time he strove to attain the first position in his classes. By his untiring efforts and courteous treatment of others, he always enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow-students, and it was with great reluctance that the Faculty saw him quit the college, when but one term more was necessary for him to graduate with high honor. He taught five winter terms of school in all, giving entire satisfaction, and in IS74, he entered the law office of Hord & Blair, where he remained until the spring of 1877, teaching school in the winter season for the purpose of paying his expenses while a student. On the 5th day of March, 1877, the day of the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes as President of the United States, "he swung out his shingle " as an attorney at law, and since that time he he has been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Politic- ally, he is a Republican, and was nominated, in 1878, by that party for Prosecuting Attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial District. The District being strongly Democratic he was defeated, although he greatly reduced the majority, and even carried Johnson County by a small majority. He now devotes himself exclusively to the law practice, which he finds steadily increasing. He is a close student, and is always to be found about his office. Among the people, he
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is known as an honest and upright young man. Among the attor- neys, his reputation for fair dealing and honorable practice in his profession, is established. He was elected Mayor of Shelbyville in 1885, and served one term. June 11, ISS5, he married Mary C. Jonas, who has borne him one child named Irene. He is a mem- ber of the F. & A. M., and K. of P., fraternities.
LEE F. WILSON, attorney at law and prominent member of the Shelby County Bar, is a native of Jackson County, Ind., and son of William T. and Sarah (Hosea) Wilson. the father born in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1829. and the mother at Jonesboro, Tenn- essee about the year 1831. The subject is the oldest of a family of six children, and was born in the town of Seymour, February 8, 1850. At the early age of nine years he began learning the shoemaker's trade, from which time until 1869, he continued the same, attending school at intervals during that period. In the latter vear he entered the Hartsville University, Hartsville, Indiana, where he pursued his literary studies for one year, providing himself with books and defraying his necessary expenses in the meantime by working at his trade. In 1870, he began teaching in the public schools, and in connection with the duties of that calling took up the study of law, continuing both until 1879, at which time he abandoned the former and entered upon the active practice of the legal profession. He was elected City Attorney of Nashville, Brown County, in 1879, and one year later went to Danville, where for four years he was editor of The Hendricks County Gazette, the Democratic organ of Hendricks County. Abandoning the field of journalism in 1884, he went to Indianapolis, and the following year came to Shelbyville, where he has since resided in the active prac- tice of his profession, having at this time an extensive business in the courts of Shelby and adjoining counties. Mr. Wilson's legal career presents a series of continued successes, and since locating in this county, has been an important factor in the Shelbyville Bar, standing deservedly high in the profession. Mr. Wilson was mar- ried in 1883 to Miss Fannie Tucker, daughter of Judge N. W. Tucker, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, by whom he is the father of one child, viz .: Harrold T. Mr. Wilson is a Methodist in his religious belief, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, being one of his party leaders in this county. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Episcopal Church.
JOHN J. WINGATE, Business Manager of the Shelby Republi- can, and one of the contracting stockholders, was born in Shelby County, Indiana, July 1, 1839. He is the son of Smith and Cath- erine (Titus) Wingate, who came to this county from Owen
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County, Kentucky. The latter remained a resident of this county until her death, but the former married again, and moved to Tay- lorsville in Bartholomew, where he died in 1882. In 1856, our im- mediate subject engaged to learn the printer's trade with Solomon Alter, who was then the publisher of the Independent Banner, with whom he continued until the election of Mr. Lincoln, as Presi- dent. Mr. Alter receiving an appointment under the new adminis- tration, went to Washington, leaving the Banner in charge of young Wingate. The latter soon suspended publication of his paper, and accepted the position of foreman in the Volunteer Office where he continued until 1863. From this time until 1865, he was engaged in the grocery business. In January, 1866, the Shelby Republican was founded by Mr. James Cumback, as editor. The subject of our sketch accepted a position on that paper then, and has been ever since in different capacities with the exception of eighteen months. during which time he filled an appointment in the mail service. In 1872, the proprietorship of the Republican passed over to S. J. Thompson. In 1884, Mr. Thompson sold his paper to the Shelby Printing Company. This was a Stock Company, and chose Charles X. Mathews, Editor, and John J. Wingate, Busi- ness Manager. Mr. Wingate now owns a large number of shares of stock in this company. September 3, 1861. Mr. Wingate was married to Miss Lucy A. Lacy, at Edinburg, Indiana. They have only one child, William L. Both Mr. Wingate and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of this city. The former is also a charter member of Chillon Lodge No. 129, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Wingate has always been an ardent Republican. He is a first rate business man, sociable and friendly, and conse- quently is very popular among many in both parties.
GUSTAVE G. WINTER, Doctor of Philosopy, is a native of Ger- many, born at Leimbach, August 22, IS4I. His father was Rev. Carl G. Winter, born at Bueschdorf, Germany, in 1796. He was a minister in the Lutheran Church for more than fifty years. The mother of the subject here treated, was Wilhelmine Winter, whose maiden name was Kaiser, a native of Leimbach, Germany, born in 1817, and died in her native town, in 1849. The early ed- ucation of Dr. Winter was acquired at the common schools at Leimbach. Later, he received private instructions, which was suf- ficient to admit him to the fourth class in the Gymnasium at Eisleben (the famous place where Martin Luther was born and died). in 1854, and from which he graduated in 1863. Subse- quently, Dr. Winter entered the University at Halle, and prepared himself for the ministry, and was ordained in 1868. During 1866,
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he was an Acting Lieutenant in the German Army, and was in the Prussian-Austrian conflict. Since 1868, Dr. Winter has been preaching; came to Shelbyville, January 3, 1869. For seventeen years he has been Pastor of St. Zion's Church, in Union Town- ship, this county, and since ISSo, Pastor of the Evangelical Luth- eran Church, of Shelbyville. Since 1873, he has been connected with the Shelbyville High School as teacher of languages, and for two years past, has been Principal of Building No. 1, Shelbyville High School. Without question, he is one of the most efficient teachers of languages in Indiana. The marriage of Dr. Winter took place in 1872, to Miss Rosa Thebold, a native of Shelby County, born in 1856. To this marriage are three children, in this order: Carl G., born September 28, 1873; Paul G., born Sep- tember 22, ISSO, and Emil G., born October 3, ISS5. Dr. Winter was made a Mason in 1879; a member of the Chapter, Council, and a Knight Templar in ISSo. He is a forcible preacher, a lead- ing teacher and a true Christian gentleman.
ALBERT F. WRAY, attorney at law, is a native of Shelby County, born near the city of Shelbyville, December 4, 1852. He is the son of Isom Wray, also a native of this county, and a very prominent and wealthy citizen, who was born April 5, 1829. Isom Wray's father was James Wray, a North Carolinian, born in 1793. The old gentleman came to this county in an early day, and died in 1869. Mr. A. F. Wray's mother's maiden name was Miami Bowen, and she was born in Ohio, in IS2S. Her father was a cap- tain in the War of 1812. The subject of this writing is the eldest son of four children. He was raised on his father's farm, and at- tended the common school. In 1868, he entered Asbury Univer- sity, now De Pauw, and graduated therefrom in 1873, with the degree of A. B., and in 1876, was further honored with the degree of A. M. He began the study of law in the spring of 1874, in the office of Love & Conner. Here he remained until 1877. He was admitted to the bar during the latter year. In 1879, he formed a co-partnership with the Hon. E. P. Ferris, which continued for two years. Then Mr. Wray formed another partnership with David L. Wilson, and this partnership lasted for three years. Since the fall of 1884, he has been alone in the practice of the law. In the fall of 1882, he was appointed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixteenth Judicial District, and reappointed in ISS4, and again in 1886. He has exclusive control of all the criminal business of this county. In politics, Mr. Wray is a Democrat, and voted first for Tilden in 1876. He was made a Mason in 1875, and an Odd Fel- low in ISSO. Mr. Wray was employed in the famous criminal
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case, " The State vs. Edward Kennedy," for the murder of Sheriff Albert McCorkle in ISSo, and made himself quite prominent. He is one of the leading young members of the Shelby County Bar.
MATTHIAS WRIGHT, a leading, substantial citizen of this county, was born in Ross County, Ohio, at what is now Frankfort, Octo- ber 22, ISIS. He is the son of Caleb and Mary A (Sleeth) Wright, who were natives of New Jersey and Virginia, respect- ively. Mr. Wright was reared to manhood in Logan County, Ohio, his parents were in limited circumstances and could not offer him many advantages for obtaining an education, but he improved every one that was afforded, and the knowledge obtained was the germ of a liberal education acquired latter by close application and hard study without the aid of a teacher. He taught for several years in Ohio and this State: he had determined to make the law his pro- fession, and in 1839, entered the office, as a student, of Cyrus Wright, then located at Lebanon, this State. He pursued his legal studies at such intervals as he could, being compelled during the time, to continue teaching for a livlihood. In 1845, he reached Shelbyville, with a cash capital of fifty cents and a library valued at $30, with which to begin the practice of his profession. Owing to failing health he was compelled in 1850, to retire and seek a less sedentary pursuit. He then removed to a farm now occupied by his sons, Charles M., and David A., where he remained until Janu- ary, 1887, when he removed to Shelbyville. November 5, 1846, he married Miss Amanda Young, by whom he is the father of eight children, these three now living, David A., Charles M., and Nancy M. In his farming, the same effort characterized his work as did every undertaking made during his life, and it is al- most unnecessary to say that he was very successful. He is now the proprietor of 340 acres of well improved land. Politically he is a Republican, and during his career as a lawyer served efficiently as Prosecuting Attorney.
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CHAPTER VIII.
BENCH AND BAR - FIRST COURTS - ADOPTION OF SEAL - RIDING THE CIRCUIT - EARLY CAUSES - MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS - ADMISSION OF THOMAS A. HENDRICKS -- EARLY JUDGES - COURTS UNDER THE NEW CONSTITUTION - LATER JUDGES - COMMON PLEAS COURTS -RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAR - LIST OF PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES -- ROLL OF ATTOR- NEYS.
'N every community the Attorneys and Judges of courts form the most conspicuous class of its residents, and a brief history of them cannot fail to be of interest. The account here given, pertains more to the individuals than to the transactions of courts, although some of the incidents pertaining to the methods and acts of the court are interwoven with the narrative. The history of the Shelby County Bar is of more than ordinary interest, and its roll contains some of the most distinguished names in both State and National affairs. The Circuit Court has from the first been the principal medium of administering justice in Indiana. On this account the records of that court are taken as the basis of this chapter. The other courts will, however, be mentioned in the course of the work. The first session of the Shelby County Cir- cuit Court began on the 10th of October, IS22. In conformity with the act of the Legislature creating the county, the court met at the house of David Fisher. John Sleeth and William Goodrich presented their commissions as Associate Judges, signed by Jonathan Jennings, as Governor of the State. Hiram Alldredge was Clerk and Sevier Lewis, Sheriff. After all these were prop- erly qualified by taking the oath of office, the business of the court began.
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