USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 48
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the practice of the law. By his associates at the bar he is accorded high rank as an advocate and counselor. During the course of his practice he has been intrusted with the management of much important litiga- tion, and throughout skill and ability have characterized his efforts. In 1879 he was chosen as one of the trustees of the Indiana University, his alma mater, which position he contines to hold, having been twice se- lected as his own successor. In January, 1889, he was appointed judge of the first judicial circuit, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Parrett.
CHARLES L. WEDDING, one of the promi- nent and most successful lawyers in southern Indiana, was born in Ohio county, Ky., October 17, 1845, on his father's farm, where his infancy and boyhood were spent in the usual monotony of farm life. His father, Mark Wedding, a carpenter, was a man of strong common sense, high honor, and belonged to a family noted for their good sense and force of character. His mother was Nancy J. Hale, a most excellent woman, and a member of an old and highly respected family, one which has given to the world several useful and distinguished men. The father survives, at the age of sixty-eight; the mother died in 1874. Mr. Wedding's parents were poor, and he was afforded only the facilities of a country school taught by very incompetent men. At the age of sixteen, when he began the study of law, he had but a very imperfect knowledge of the most elementary branches of common English education. To be a lawyer in the high sense that implies character, love of country, culture, learning, and usefulness to the community, was the early hope and settled determination of the boy. Though surrounded with apparently insurmountable difficulties and of a fragile constitution - always rather delicate- he | and by the time he had attained his majority
had moral courage, energy, and a firm resolve, which never weakened. He pressed on with a manliness which knows "no such word as fail." At the age of sixteen, his father bought him the elementary text books, and for the next year and a half he studied diligently about sixteen hours a day. This entire time was spent upon the same farm, and much of it in the beautiful forests - God's first temples -- as they existed in Ken- tucky thirty years ago. In studying law, general literature, and oratorical exercises, the inspiring and healthful influence of such a life, largely compensated for the lack of other training and advantages, regarded now as quite indispensable. At the age of eighteen he applied for admission to the bar, and passed a successful examination before those two distinguished judges, James Stuart, then of Brandenburg, and P. B. Muir, of Louisville, and was by them duly admitted to practice in all the courts of Kentucky. After his admission to the bar, he located at Cloverport, Ky., where he remained but eight months, having been engaged in sev- eral cases of local importance during the time. Owing to the disturbed condition of things in Kentucky at this time, Mr. Wed- ding moved in January, 1865, to Rockport, Ind. When he arrived at Rockport he was not only an inexperienced country boy, but among strangers, and without money, knowl- edge of the world, or a single friend to encourage him. The Rockport bar at that time was among the ablest in the state. There were Judges DeBruler, Laird and Barkwell, Gen. J. C. Veatch, Hon. Thomas F. DeBruler, all lawyers and politicians of great worth and eminent abilities, to say nothing of the young men of promise. Here, notwithstanding the established repu- tation and high character of his competitors at the bar, Mr. Wedding made rapid strides,
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had a leading business. On the 4th of July IS65, when he was but nineteen years of age, he delivered an oration at Rockport to a great audience, which at once gave him a reputation throughout the country as a speaker. The war had just closed, the sol- diers at home, and Lincoln recently dead. There was a golden opportunity for a great effort, and Mr. Wedding proved to be equal to it. From this time on until he moved to Evansville, he had a large and lucrative practice at Rockport, and in the federal and supreme courts of Indiana. After establishing and maintaining a most enviable reputation at Rockport for years, he moved to Evansville as stated, in 1880. Previous to moving he had bought a beau- tiful home on First street, where he has ever since resided. At Evansville he has been equally successful. It is prob- ably true, that no man of his age in southern Indiana has been employed in more important trials or made more money than Mr. Wedding. While not penurious, he has been frugal in his habits, intelligent and prudent in his management of his earnings, and in the result of his twenty-three years of practice at the bar in Indiana he has accu- mulated such a competency as all prudent men desire. This has all been done in the legitimate practice of his profession, for he never goes outside of it, except when force of circumstances, such as are inevitable in the management of all business, has obliged him to do so. He believes in, and often re- minds his friends of the truthfulness of the maxim -" Let the shoemaker stick to his last." Attracted to him by his success, Mr. Wedding has had many young men under his charge as law students, some of whom have made their mark, while others, acting upon his advice, have gone into other busi- ness to which they are better adapted. One of Mr. Wedding's traits is his perfect sin-
cerity and frankness in his friendship, and also made manifest in the expression of his dislikes and prejudices. You always know where to find him; concealment has no place in his character. At Rockport, De- cember the Ist, 1866, he was married to Mary C. English, a woman of great worth, good sense and Christian character. They have two boys, aged respectively eleven and nineteen. In politics Mr. Wedding was an original republican, but went with the lib- eral republicans in 1872, and actively sup- ported Greeley. In 1876 he supported Tilden, making speeches in Indiana and other states, which will rank among the best arguments made in that famous campaign for the democracy. In 18So he supported Hancock, and took an active part in the campaign. He voted for Cleveland in 1884, but took no part or interest in the contest. He has never claimed to be a party man, but always asserted his perfect independence of party lines, and has rarely voted a straight ticket. He never took any part in ward or local politics, except to help his friends who have been candidates for nomination or election. As a lawyer, Mr. Wedding is an able advocate, speaking with energy, sincerity, and often eloquently. He tries his cases before the courts and juries with skill and ability. He advises with candor and accuracy, having at his com- mand one of the finest private law libraries in the state, kept with scrupulous care. In the supreme court the records show he has been nearly always victorious, demonstrat- ing his good judgment as to the result of legal controversies. With all this, he has excellent practical judgment of men, busi- ness and business problems, and he has, therefore, always had the confidence of the best business men wherever he is known. In all transactions involving money, charac- ter or integrity, his reputation is unquestion-
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able and without reproach. Outside of his professional practice, upon literary society and other public occasions, his services as a speaker are much sought after, and few merely private citizens have made more public addresses than Mr. Wedding. Some of them have been published, and highly commended, notably that at the funeral ser- vices of Gen. Grant in this city. It is proper we should state, that for much of the ma- terial in this sketch we are indebted to Mr. E. M. Swan, a prominent lawyer of Rock- port, and Vol. 1, page 56, of the Biographi- cal History of the Eminent and Self-Made Men of Indiana.
CHARLES H. BUTTERFIELD, whose distin- guished services in war and in peace, make a notable figure in the history of the city, is a native of Maine, born in Farmington, May 17, 1834. He remained at home until he was seventeen, assisting his father, and at- tending the winter schools. He then entered the Farmington academy, and in 1855 com- pleted a preparatory course for college. In the fall of that year he entered Bowdoin College, and was graduated in 1859. His favorite studies were Latin and natural sci- ences, in which he particularly excelled. In August of the same year, he came to Evans- ville and became the principal of the high school, in which capacity he had acted three years with great credit to himself and satis- faction to the patrons of the school, when the dire necessities of the national govern- ment, assailed by rebellion, called upon him irresistibly to drop all civil pursuits, and go to the front. In the spring of 1862 he as- sisted to recruit the Sixty-fifth regiment, expecting to go with it, but was detained by circumstances beyond his control. He then raised the Ninety-first, and was appointed its major, later being promoted to lieutenant colonel. His command saw active and in- portant service. The first exciting duty was
the chasing of the guerillas in the vicinity of Henderson, and they were then engaged in the expedition after Morgan in the spring of 1863. In the fall and winter of 1863-4, the regiment was a participant in all the battles of the East Tennessee campaign, and in the spring of 1864, it formed a part of the Twenty-third army corps, under the general command of Gen. Sherman, and made the march from Chattanooga, to Atlanta. This famous campaign ended, the regiment re- turned to Nashville, to fight under Thomas, and destroy the hopes of the confederacy in the crushing defeat of Hood. Then the Ninety-first was transferred to Washington, and took boat for Fort Fisher, North Caro- lina, landing in time to join Sherman at Goldsboro, and in the final battles and skir- mishes that followed, the regiment gallantly did its duty. Col. Butterfield was in com- mand at Salisbury the first day after the entry of the Union army. In July, 1865, he re- turned to Evansville, and resumed the study of law. He was soon appointed superinten- dent of the schools and he held this position one year, meanwhile improving whatever opportunity offered to keep up his study of law, in the office of Hon. Conrad Baker. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1865, and soon after engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. In 1869 he was elected judge of the criminal court, but re- signed this position in 1871, to accept the mayoralty, to which he was elected at the death of Hon. William Baker. He served for nearly three years as mayor, since which he has up to the present time, been engaged in the practice of the law in Evansville.
CAPT. WILLIAM REAVIS, pension claim attorney, was born in what is now Gibson county, Ind., August 27, 1815. His father, Isham Reavis, was a native of North Caro- lina, born March 7, 1781, who died in Gib- son county, July 30, 1825; his mother was
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born in South Carolina, January 31, 1781, and died August 14, 1848. The Reavis family emigrated to Indiana territory in 1813, making their way against many hard- ships and obstacles into the wilderness and settling as pioneers within the limits of the present county of Gibson. They were hardy people of unswerving integrity, whose simple lives were characterized by the man- ners and customs of the early days in this section. William Reavis began the battle of life for himself when twenty years of age. This new country was then without a well ordered school system and its educa- tional advantages were few indeed. Only those endowed with natural acumen and an inate fondness for study obtained more than a smattering of the most elementary principles of learning. But because of stu- dious habits and his aptness Mr. Reavis was early fitted for the duties of a teacher. This calling he followed for some time, and with a pleasing degree of success. In 1846 he was elected treasurer of Gibson county, and was re-elected to the same office three years later by an increased majority. The county records indicate that he was a most efficient officer. In 1859 he removed to Benton, Ills., where he engaged in the prac- tice of law until the commencement of the the civil war. His active interest in the strife and his loyalty to the union early proved themselves. He was instrumental in raising many troops and served as captain of Company G, Fifty-sixth Illinois infantry. His record as an officer was indeed flatter- ing, showing throughout the most patriotic, unselfish, and soldierly conduct. Coming to Evansville in December, 1862, he began the business in which he is now engaged. He is one of the oldest claim attorneys in the state, and has been successful in his practice. He was united in marriage in 1836 to Eleanor C. Burton, to whom eight
children were born. Upon the death of his first wife he was again married in 1856 to Mrs. Lathena Damon, widow of the late Volney Damon, of this county.
JAMES T. WALKER, a worthy representa- tive of a distinguished pioneer family, and a successful attorney at law, was born in the city of Evansville October 22d, 1850. The name of his grandfather, William Walker, was closely woven into the early history of Vanderburgh county. Settling here in 1835, when Evansville, then a struggling village, was feeling the first impulses of that new life which soon bore it on from the condition of a village to that of a city, the family early took a prominent place among the sterling people of that period, and because of high character and lofty aims, stamped the Walker name indelibly upon the annals of their adopted county and city. Prominent as a citizen, of recognized ability, and pos- sessing the best qualities of magnetic manli- ness, William Walker, as soon as war was declared with Mexico, offered his own ser- vices to his country, and raised a company for duty at the front. In that company there were many men of high local standing, and later distinguished throughout the country. General Joseph Lane, resigning his seat in the state legislature, where he sat as a repre- sentative from this county, went to New Albany, whither Capt. Walker's company had proceeded to rendezvous, and there took his first lesson in company drill. On the field of Buena Vista, nobly and gallantly leading his command, soldier-like, sword in hand, Capt. Walker fell, pierced to death by the unerring aim of the Mexican lancers. Gen. Lane, many years later, in speaking of the heroic character of the man, said: " A truer soldier fell not upon any battle-field before or since." The immediate subject of mention in this connection, is the son of the late Hon. James T. and Charlotte (Burtis)
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Walker. His father was born in Salem, N. J., April 15, 1806, and after a long, useful and honorable life, died in this city May Ist, 1877. He was a lawyer by profession, and for many years was connected with the office of county auditor, during the long and efficient incumbency of William H. Walker. In 1844 he was chosen by the people to represent the county in the state legislature, and in subsequent years occupied many positions of public and private trust. His career was honorable throughout, and his death was generally lamented. The mother, Charlotte Walker, still living, and through the beauty of her womanly character enjoying the re- spect and love of many friends, was born in this county March 2d, 1822. Her parents, Josse Burtis and his wife, natives of New York state, came to the new west in very early times, and belonged to that noble and heroic class of pioneers who, undaunted by any form of hardship or severity, built their rude cabin in the wolf-infested forests, made small clearings, and planted the seed which, ripening, yielded the rich fruits of civilization and Christian enlightenment. Charlotte Burtis was the second wife of Hon. James T. Walker. The present James T. Walker was the second of their children. His boyhood was spent in the city of his birth, and here in the public schools he received the foundation of his intellectual training. In 1866, having success- fully passed through the schools of the city, he entered Wabash College, at Crawfords- ville, Ind., and after a year's work there was matriculated at Hanover College, at IIan- over, Ind., one of the leading educational institutions of the state, where he graduated in 1870. Because of subsequent literary at- tainments his alma mater conferred upon him in ISS7, the degree of A. M. In 1872, he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Charles Denby, an eminent member of
the bar and now United States minister to China, and continued to enjoy the beneficial guidance in the pursuits of his studies of this able instructor, until he was ready for ad- mission to the bar. He remained in the office of Mr. Denby until 18SI, when a partnership with R. D. Richardson was formed. His natural and acquired abilities as a counselor and advocate, his close atten- tion to the interest of his clients, and the honorable methods of his practice have won for him an enviable position among the members of his profession. Mr. Walker affiliates with the democratic party, but has not sought political preferment. In 1884 he was elected a trustee of the public schools, in which capacity he served three years. His ideas being progressive he is identified with the business advancement of the city. In the prime of life his past achievements give promise of continued usefulness and an honorable career. February 20, 1882, his marriage to Lucy A. Babcock was solem- nized. Mrs. Walker, a native of Evansville, was born December S. 1856, her parents being the well-known Henry O. and Mary E. (Howser) Babcock, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, and long prominently identified with Evansville's pro- gress. Of this union two children, Henry B., was born March 10, 1885, and James T., jr., born December 22, ISSS.
GEN. JAMES M. SHACKELFORD has achieved eminence as citizen, lawyer, statesman, and soldier. He was born near Danville, Lin- coln county, Ky., July 7, 1827, his ancestors being among the most illustrious citizens of that state. His mental training was intrusted to the best instructors. His mind early ex- hibited superior strength. At the age of twenty those manly characteristics which have marked his entire career were fully developed. The war with Mexico was then being waged, and because of his peculia
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talents he was offered and accepted a lieu- tenant's commission in the Fourth Kentucky infantry, under Col. John S. Williams. The Fourth Kentucky infantry did not reach the seat of hostilities until after the decisive bat- tles of the war had been fought, but the soldierly conduct of Lieutenant Shackelford gave his name a creditable place in the history of that period. In July, 1848, he returned with his regiment to Kentucky. Choosing the legal profession for his field of effort, he entered the office of Judge Cook, a well-known lawyer of Madisonville, Ky., and began his studies. Upon his admission to practice in 1851, a partnership was formed with his old preceptor. A few days thereafter the young lawyer was retained to de- fend a prisoner charged with murder. The evidence against the accused was very strong, and the prosecution was conducted by able and experienced lawyers. Young Shackelford's case was well prepared and ably managed. His argument was clear, direct, convincing, and because of the true eloquence of his utterances, and the breadth of learning displayed, he achieved a triumph. Upon the conclusion of his argument the judge and bar congratulated the young man upon his success. From that time he rose rapidly, and soon became an honored and suc- cessful practitioner. For a time he figured in the major part of the important litigation in southwestern Kentucky, and many of his cases were among the most noted in the state. His career as a lawyer was inter- rupted by the call to arms in 1861. Eager to aid his country in its hour of peril, he offered his services, and was authorized by Pres. Lincoln to raise a regiment for the Union army. The regiment was re- cruited with difficulty, most of his neighbors being in sympathy with the confederacy. At length the regiment was designated as the Twenty-fifth Kentucky infantry, was
mustered in, with Col. Shackelford in com- mand, and was placed in Gen. Cruft's brig- ade, Callender's division. The division participated in the engagement at Fort Don- elson, where Col. Shackelford performed a gallant part. The exposure incident to the service seriously impaired his health, and upon the advice of the surgeons he tendered his resignation, which was accepted with re- gret by those who knew his worth as a sol- dier. His health being improved, he went to Pittsburg Landing and witnessed the fight at that place. Gen. Buell strongly recommended him for a command. He was authorized to recruit a regiment of cavalry, and within two weeks after receiving orders raised over 1,600 men, from among whom the Eighth Kentucky cavalry was enlisted. At Henderson, Ky., before muster-in, the regiment was engaged with the guerillas, and in the skirmish Col. Shackelford was seriously wounded in the foot. He was re- moved to hospital but returned to his com- mand before he had completely recovered. His command had frequent encounters with the guerillas, and in the summer of 1863 Col. Shackelford was nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate as brigadier-general, assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third army corps, and given the task of captur- ing the famous guerilla John Morgan. His successful accomplishment of this difficult task is related in the military chapter of this work. The pursuit of the noted raider was characterized by gallantry and seldom equaled powers of endurance. The per- sistent valor displayed by the general in command as well as by the subordinate officers and men was remarkable, and the achievements of that campaign placed the name of Gen. Shackelford upon the roll of American heroes. Soon after Morgan's capture the general engaged in the East
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Tennessee campaign, and was chiefly in- strumental in causing the surrender of the rebel, Gen. Frazier, at Cumberland Gap. For three months he was fighting in the valleys of Virginia and Tennessee. He was then placed in command of an army corps composed of sixteen regiments of cavalry, numbering over 15,000 soldiers. While in command of this force Gen. Shackelford rendered efficient and gallant service. Brave to the verge of rashness, always capable of making the best disposition of his forces, a good disciplinarian, yet much beloved by his men for his magnanimous impulses, and strictly conscientious, he manifested rare ability and proved himself under all circumstances a true soldier. In the latter part of 1863 for domestic reasons Gen. Shackelford resigned and returned to his home in Kentucky. He came to Evans- ville in 1864, resumed the practice of law, and at once took a prominent place among the foremost attorneys of the Evansville bar. His legal career has been brilliant and his reputation as an able and erudite lawyer extends throughout the state. His charac- teristics are accuracy in the preparation of cases, adroitness in their management, skill in the examination of witnesses, fluency and power in speech, and a great familiarity with every branch of the law. Politically he has been a staunch republican. To his able and eloquent discussion of national questions and the power of his personal influence, may be attributed much of his party's success. In 18So he was elected as a presidential elector for the state at large. He was made presi- dent of the electoral college, and was unan- imously chosen by the college to carry its vote to Washington. In ISSI, his appoint- ment as minister to Mexico, was urged by the republicans of the state, and would doubtless have been made had not the un-
it. Prominent republicans, the state electors and many members of the legislature united in urging his appointment. The Evansville Courier, though not his political friend, said of him: " No man in the state, no man in the nation has been a more consistent or a more positiverepublican. No republican orator has used gloves as little as he in dealing blows at the democratic party. It is the nature of the man to be true as steel to his convictions and to carry them before the eyes of all men as buckler and shield. Loyal to the right, as he understands the right, his splen- did courage compels the respect and admi- ration of those who differ with him - chiefly of his opponents, it would seem -for his modesty, when his personal interests are at stake, exceeds his bravery, and notwith- standing the great services he has rendered his party, he has never sought nor held office. He is a gentleman of rare social gifts and is well versed in the graces of life. Few men in Indiana are more widely en- dowed intellectually. He is a fine lawyer, and as an advocate has no superior at the Indiana bar. He is studious, energetic and industrious in his habits, and in temper- ament possesses that kind of amiability which blends prudence with high resolve." His name was afterward prominently men- tioned in connection with the gubernatorial nomination, but he was not an aspirant for that honor. In ISSS he was again elected presidential elector for the state at large, and was unanimously chosen presi- ident of the electoral college. In recognition of his high standing as a citizen, his eminent qualifications as a jurist, and his promi- nence as a republican, Pres. Harrison ap- pointed Gen. Shackelford as judge of the United States circuit court at Muscogee, Indian territory, on March 23, 1889.
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