USA > Indiana > Daviess County > Living leaders, an encyclopedia of biography : special edition for Daviess and Martin counties, Indiana > Part 16
USA > Indiana > Martin County > Living leaders, an encyclopedia of biography : special edition for Daviess and Martin counties, Indiana > Part 16
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440
MARY VIRGINIA TERHUNE.
441
CELIA LAIGHTON THAXTER.
M ANY people will be interested to know that they are in a great measure indebted to the late James Russell Lowell for the pleas- ure they have derived from reading the exquisite poems of Celia Thax- ter, for it was he who discovered her genius. Mrs. Thaxter never sought admittance to the field of literature, but Mr. Lowell, while edi- tor of the "Atlantic Monthly," happened to see some verses which she had written for her own amusement, and, without saying anything to her about it, christened them "Landlocked," and published them in the " Atlantic." Mrs. Thaxter was born in Portsmouth, N. H., June 29, 1835. When she was four years old her father, Thomas B. Laigh- ton, took his family to the Isles of Shoals to live. The childhood of herself and two brothers was passed at White Island, where her father kept the lighthouse, which is described by her in her book, "Among the Isles of Shoals." During her later life she has continued to spend all her summers among those islands. In 1851 she was married to Levi Lincoln Thaxter, of Watertown, Mass., who died in 1884. After the publication of her first verses in the "Atlantic Monthly," she had many calls for her work, and at last, persuaded by the urgent wishes of her friends, John G. Whittier, James T. Fields and others, she issued her first volume of poems in 1871, and later the prose work "Among the Isles of Shoals." Her other books are: "Driftweed," "Poems for Children," and "Cruise of the Mystery, and Other Poems." Among the finest of her single poems may be mentioned "Courage," "Kittery Church-yard," "The Spaniards' Graves," "The Watch of Boon Island," "The Sandpiper," "A Tryst," and "The Song Sparrow." She is a most fastidious writer.
442
CELIA LAIGHTON THAXTER.
443
THEODORE RUGGLES TIMBY.
T HE famous inventor, Theodore Ruggles Timby, was born in Dover, N. Y., April 5, 1822. His remarkable cast of mind was manifested at an early age, and, when only fourteen years old, he made a practical working model of a floating dry-dock. The cir- cular form of Castle William in New York harbor suggested to him the idea of a revolving plan for defensive works, and in 1841 he submitted to the government the design of a revolving battery to be constructed of iron, the first practical suggestion for the use of iron in military defensive works. His first official record was made in 1843. He then sent a model of his turret to China, and in 1856 submitted his plans personally to Napoleon III. Later he patented a broad claim for a revolving tower for defensive and offensive warfare on land or water. The builders of the Monitor paid him a royalty of $5,000 for each turret constructed by them. Among the modifications of his revolving battery are the cordon of revolving towers across a channel, the mole and tower system, the subterraneous system, the tower and shield system, and the hemispheroidal system, together with the plan of firing heavy guns by electricity now in universal use. In 1888 Mr. Timby had a bill introduced in Congress to provide for the construc- tion of a sixty-inch refracting telescope. As early as 1856 he had become deeply interested in the solution of the laws of solar light and heat, and is now engaged on an exhaustive paper, the result of his researches and conclusions. He has received the honorary degrees of M. A. S. D., and LL. D. In 1890 the Legislature of the state of New York passed a resolution asking Congress to give to Mr. Timby national recognition.
444
THEODORE RUGGLES TIMBY.
445
BLANCHE DILLAYE.
T T O have acquired, while still a young woman, prominence in one of the most difficult of arts, and to be accepted in some respects as an authority in a field where far more men than women are in competition, is certainly sufficient cause for a just pride, and this is what Miss Blanche Dillaye has accomplished. She was born in Syr- acuse, N. Y., her parents being Hon. Stephen D. Dillaye, a widely known writer on economic subjects, and Charlotte B. Malcolm Dillaye, and was educated at Miss Bonney's and Miss Dillaye's school (now known as the Ogontz College) for young ladies. In the school, as had been the case from early childhood, Miss Dillaye evinced a talent for drawing, and she was finally allowed a year of study to develop herself in the art. She went abroad, but her final work came in connection with the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. She became a teacher in a young ladies' school and still pursued her art studies. Her fondness was for black and white, and she was attracted toward etching as a specialty. Masters in this branch aided her and found an apt pupil. She is the author of many notable etchings, and has even more than a national reputation. Her work has been exhibited successfully in England and in the Paris Salon, and she has occupied many official positions in connection with art matters. At the Colum- bian Exposition she represented the state of Pennsylvania in the judg- ment of etchings, and during the exposition's progress a paper on her art was read by her before the Congress of Women, which attracted wide attention. She is an artist of great gifts in the special field she has selected, a field rapidly attaining greater prominence in the Ameri- can world of art.
446
Blanche Sillage
BLANCHE DILLAYE.
447
GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND.
K NOWN to the world as a war correspondent, historian, novelist, lecturer, and the most prolific writer for the newspaper press in America, George Alfred Townsend ("Gath") has had a remarkable career. He is the son of a Methodist minister, and was born in Georgetown, Del., January 30, 1841. He was educated mainly in Philadelphia, and immediately after leaving school, in 1860, became city editor of "Forney's Press." In 1862 he was war correspondent for the New York "Herald," describing for that journal "Mcclellan's and Pope's campaigns. Later in the year he went to Europe, where he wrote for English and American magazines until June, 1864, when he returned and furnished for the New York "World" graphic descrip- tions of the closing battles and incidents of the war. He edited the New York "Citizen" for a time, then went to Europe to report the Austro-Prussian war, and afterward lectured, and wrote constantly for several years. His engagements with the Chicago "Tribune," Cincin- nati "Enquirer," Boston "Globe" and other leading journals have made him famous as a political and descriptive writer and interviewer. He has used the pen-name "Gath" for twenty-six years. In addition to his other work he has published twenty books, several of them American historical novels. In 1885 Mr. Townsend founded a settlement and "literary factory," called Gapland, on South Mountain battle-field, fifty- eight miles from Washington. He spends his winters in Washington. In 1892 he made his sixth visit to Europe to study the haunts of Columbus and gather material for his novel, "Columbus in Love," which has since been published. Necessarily Mr. Townsend has a wide acquaintance with public men.
448
GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND.
449
JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE.
D ESERVEDLY one of the most popular writers for the young in this country is J. T. Trowbridge. That clever critic, John Bur- roughs, once said of him: "He knows the heart of the boy and the heart of the man, and has laid them both open in his books." Mr. Trowbridge was born in Ogden, N. Y., September 8, 1827. He was educated in the common schools, and after teaching and working on a farm for one year in Illinois he settled in New York City, where he wrote for the journals and magazines. He went to Boston about 1848, and was subsequently connected with various newspapers and magazines in that city. From 1870 to 1873 he was managing editor
He was one of the original contributors to of "Our Young Folks." the "Atlantic Monthly," in which magazine were published his poems, "The Vagabonds," "At Sea," and "The Pewee," and the popular short story, "Coupon-Bonds." His "Neighbor Jackwood" is the pio- neer of novels of real life in New England, just as "The Vagabonds" is the first specimen, and one of the best, of the school of poetry since made popular by Bret Harte and others. Mr. Trowbridge has led an active literary life, and is still writing in the same happy vein that delighted us so much when "Cudjo's Cave" was fresh from the press. Among his best stories, besides those mentioned are: "Neighbors' Wives," "Farnell's Folly," "The Drummer Boy," "Martin Merrivale," "Father Brighthopes," "The Fortunes of Toby Trafford." "The Three Scouts," "The Silver Medal," "Bound in Honor," "The Jolly Rover," "The Tinkham Brothers' "Tide-Mill," etc. Mr. Trowbridge portrays human nature through his sympathy and hearty affiliation with it, not through mere intellectual acuteness.
450
JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE.
451
WILLIAM FREEMAN VILAS.
P LACED in a conspicuous position before the nation as chairman of the Democratic National Convention that nominated Grover Cleve- land to the presidency in 1884, William F. Vilas leaped into public prominence at a bound. Prior to that time he had been merely a successful lawyer in Wisconsin, scarcely known outside of his own state. Senator Vilas was born at Chelsea, Vt., July 9, 1840. The family removed to Madison, Wis., in 1851, and he graduated from the Wisconsin State University in 1858, afterward receiving a legal edu- cation in the law school at Albany, N. Y. At the outbreak of the Civil War he entered the Union army and rapidly rose to the rank of colonel, distinguishing himself for bravery in many engagements. After the war he devoted himself to the practice of his profession in Wiscon- sin. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1884-85, and it was while occupying this position that he was a delegate to the Dem- ocratic National Convention held in Chicago, and was made chairman of that body. He was a revelation to the leaders of the party, who at once recognized in him a bright and able representative of that new Democracy which the party orators were preaching at that time. As a result of this recognition Colonel Vilas was appointed postmaster-gen- eral in President Cleveland's cabinet March 5, 1885, and served until January 16, 1888, when he became Secretary of the Interior, remaining such until the end of Cleveland's administration. He received the unanimous nomination of the Democratic legislative caucus for United States senator from Wisconsin in January, 1891, and was elected to succeed John C. Spooner, Republican. He is a speaker of remarkable clearness and brilliancy.
452
WILLIAM FREEMAN VILAS.
453
DANIEL WOOLSEY VOORHEES
F EW living men in America can point to a longer or more active political career than that which the "Tall Sycamore of the Wabash" is now rounding out in the United States Senate. Daniel W. Voorhees was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 26, 1827, but was taken to Indiana in infancy by his parents. He was gradu- ated at Asbury University and first practiced law at Covington, Ind., where he was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress in 1856. In 1858 he was appointed United States District Attorney for Indiana, and in 1861 he was elected to Congress, in which body he served until February 23, 1866, when his seat was contested success- fully by Henry D. Washburn. He again sat in the National House of Representatives from 1869 until 1873, and upon the death of Oliver P. Morton was appointed to fill his seat in, the United States Senate, serving from November 12, 1877, until 1879, when he was elected for a full term. He was re-elected in 1885 and 1891, and is today one of the leaders in the Senate. Senator Voorhees has achieved a wide
reputation as an orator and legislator. His tall, commanding figure and intellectual stature early won for him the name of the "Tall Syc- amore of the Wabash." His eloquence in debate and on the stump is liberally embellished with flashes of wit, humorous illustrations and sarcastic hits that always insure the close attention of his audience, and enable him to send his arguments home. He has advanced views on the silver question and is enthusiastic in all he undertakes. He is warm-hearted and earnest, and there is a great personal magnetism about the man which commands staunch friends. Senator Voorhees resides at Terre Haute, Ind.
454
DANIEL WOOLSEY VOORHEES.
455
JOHN GRIMES WALKER.
T O have made a good record in the American Navy at any time since the "Constitution" fought its battles or Paul Jones sailed the seas, has been a distinction for any man. The American Navy has never lacked its ready heroes, though, and the Civil war brought them out in abundance. Among those ranking well is John Grimes Walker. He was born in Hillsborough, N. H., in 1835. He gradu- ated at the United States Naval Academy in 1856 and was made a master in 1858. With the beginning of the war he served for a time on the "Connecticut" patroling the Atlantic coast, and then in the "Winona," in the western blockading squadron. He was made a lieutenant-commander in 1862, and had command of the "Baron de Kalb" iron clad operating on the Mississippi river. He was in the command co-operating with Sherman, was in both attacks on Haines' Bluff, in the Yazoo river expedition, and in various other enterprises, including command of the naval battery, which bombarded Vicksburg in the rear, and was highly commended by Admiral Porter for the part he took in various affairs. It was here, in fact, that he showed the strength and intelligence that was in him and what sort of a sen- sible fighting naval officer he was. He was recklessly brave in all times of action, but never allowed his daring to affect his judgment as to what was best to do at any moment. He commanded the steamer "Saco" in the North Atlantic blockade in 1864 and the "Shawmut" in 1865. He was made commander in 1866, and for a time served at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. His course of promotion has been rapid, and he ranks deservedly among the sturdy and highly con- sidered naval officers of the world today.
456
JOHN GRIMES WALKER.
457
ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS WARD.
S TRIKING originality and a peculiar aptness for mingling the seen and the unseen elements in life have had much to do with mak- ing the author of "The Gates Ajar" so popular with a large class of readers. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps the name by which she is known to the world-was born in Boston, Mass., August 31, 1844. Her father was Rev. Austin Phelps, professor of sacred rhetoric in Andover Theological Seminary, who, in 1848, removed his family from Boston to Andover. The daughter received a thorough education, and began to write for the press at the age of thirteen. Her mother, Mrs. Eliz- abeth Stuart Phelps, was an author of note, and after her death, in 1852, Miss Phelps, who had been christened with another name, took her mother's name in full. Much of her life has been devoted to benevolent work in Andover, to the advancement of women, and to temperance and kindred reforms. In 1876 she delivered a course of lectures before the students of Boston University. Her published works include "Ellen's Idol," "Up Hill," "The Tiny Series," "The Gypsy Series," "Mercy Gliddon's Work," "I Don't Know How," "The Gates Ajar," "Men, Women, and Ghosts," "The Silent Partner," "Hedged In," "The Story of Avis," "My Cousin and I," "Old Maid's Para- dise," "Sealed Orders," "Jack the Fisherman," "The Master of the Magicians," and many others, besides numerous sketches, stories and poems for magazines. In October, 1888, she was married to Rev. Herbert D. Ward. Her most popular book is "The Gates Ajar," which reached its twentieth edition within a year after its publication. All her works are marked by elevated spirit and profound thoughtful- ness.
458
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ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS WARD.
459
CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER.
D OWERED with a photographic power of reproducing what he sees, a humor which plays gently around whatever topic it touches, and a style distinctive in the possession of certain qualities as irresistible as they are delightful, Charles Dudley Warner occupies a high place in American literature. He was born in Plainfield, Mass., September 12, 1829, and graduated at Hamilton College in 1851. His recollections of his youth are embodied in that popular book, "Being a Boy." While in college he contributed to the "Knickerbocker" and "Putnam's Magazine," and did other literary work. He then studied law, and practiced in Chicago from 1856 to 1860, when he returned to the East, obtained control of the "Press," an evening paper of Hartford, Conn., consolidated it with the "Courant" in 1867, and dur- ing the following two years gained a reputation by a series of foreign letters to that journal, written from abroad. Subsequently he traveled extensively in Europe, and upon his return in 1884 became co-editor of "Harper's Magazine." His most important work in connection with that monthly was a series of papers beginning with "Studies in the South," followed by "Mexican Papers" and "Studies in the Great West." Mr. Warner has written and lectured much on educational and social science topics. He was an ardent Abolitionist during the anti-slavery agitation. His career as an author began in 1870, and among the best of his books are "My Summer in a Garden," with an introduction by Henry Ward Beecher; "Saunterings" and "Back- Log Studies." He also published, in conjunction with Samuel L. Clemens, "The Gilded Age." His other works include contributions to the magazines on social, artistic and literary topics.
460
CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER.
461
KATHLEEN BLAKE WATKINS.
C ERTAINLY no other woman on this continent, and possibly no man below the rank of editor-in-chief, exercises so direct an influence upon the prestige and circulation of a newspaper as does Mrs. Kathleen Blake Watkins, of the Toronto "Mail." By her bril- liant work Mrs. Watkins has made a splendid reputation for that jour- nal and for herself. She is a native of Ireland, born in Castle Bla- keny in May, 1863, and educated in Dublin and Belgium. She was married at the age of sixteen, and came to this country in 1884. Shortly thereafter she entered upon a journalistic career in Canada, where, with the exception of extended visits to the United States and abroad, she has since resided. A remarkable feature of her work is that she conducts successfully two entirely separate and distinct depart- ments of the newspaper she represents, being special traveling corre- spondent and editor of the page devoted to the "Woman's Kingdom." This latter department is one of the most striking and attractive on any journal in the world, and has gained a large and steadily growing constituency. Mrs. Watkins has published a series of popular sketches on "Dickensland," being the result of explorations in every portion of London made famous by the great English novelist. Her letters from the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 were remarkable for their brilliancy and literary merit, and she has since been induced to issue in book form a resume of the exposition. Mrs. Watkins is best known by her pen-name of "Kit," over which she has done the greater portion of her work. She has recently ventured into the field of fic- tion, and there is no doubt that should she turn her attention to that class of literature her success would be great.
462
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KATHLEEN BLAKE WATKINS.
463
JAMES B. WEAVER.
C REDIT should be given to the man whose loyalty to his convic- tions and devotion to a theory have twice prompted him to become the standard-bearer of a small following, and thus take upon himself the brunt of inevitable defeat. General Weaver, of Iowa, has made himself famous as a leader of forlorn hopes. He became the Greenback candidate for the presidency in 1880, and conducted a vig- orous campaign against the two large parties that were engaged in a struggle for supremacy. In 1892 he accepted the nomination of the People's party and again made a brave fight, receiving over a million votes for president. James B. Weaver was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 12, 1833, and graduated at the law school of the Cincinnati Col- lege in 1854. He served with distinction in the Union army during the Civil war, attaining the rank of brigadier-general through gallant conduct in various engagements, and at the conclusion of hostilities he began the practice of law in Iowa. He was elected district attorney of the Second Judicial district of that state, and filled the position of revenue assessor, besides that of editor of the "Iowa Tribune," issued at Des Moines. He was elected to Congress in 1878, and again in 1884, and was re-elected in 1886. General Weaver is a plain, unas- suming man of the people, impatient of the buncombe and claptrap employed by the professional politician, sternly honest and uncompromis- ing, even though he may be mistaken, in his views on questions of national policy, and too broadly patriotic to submit to the restraint of party lines, or party dictation. With him consistency is almost a fault. Believing firmly in the cause he advocates, General Weaver is a noble example of unswerving devotion to principles.
464
JAMES B. WEAVER.
465
JAMES ABBOTT McNEILL WHISTLER.
T O be recognized throughout the English-speaking world as a great painter, a brilliant man, intellectually, and one with the love for fight abundantly developed, is the fortune appertaining to the famous American artist who makes his home in London, with Paris as an occasional playground. James Abbott McNeill Whistler was born in 1834, and, after receiving the ordinary school education, was appointed to a cadetship in the United States Military Academy at West Point. He did not remain in the army, but, impelled by his artistic instincts, studied drawing later in Paris, and finally in 1863 settled in London. Since that time his career has been equally brilliant and eccentric. He holds decidedly original views concerning his art, and it would proba- bly be denied of him as little as of any one in the world that he has the courage of his convictions. His views of art may be icono- clastic, but he at least believes in them, and is as ready to fight for them and over them as a tigress over her young. The collisions with conservatives, which have resulted from time to time, have aided largely in making Mr. Whistler renowned. His aggressiveness has partly made his fame, but he is a great artist that is admitted every- where. His experiments with colors in search of novel effects have produced magnificent results. His paintings are telling, and indicate a daring and knowing genius. His etching attracted more attention than any other work of the class at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and, as for his queer fantasies, the story of the peacock room has gone around the world. He is a remarkable man, undoubtedly a great artistic genius, and as undoubtedly one of the most deliciously belligerent of human beings.
466
JAMES ABBOTT Mc NEILL WHISTLER.
467
EDWARD DOUGLAS WHITE.
W T ELL versed in all that pertains to the theory and practice of law, with a judicial mind and a valuable experience on the supreme bench of his own state, Edward Douglas White is not likely to disappoint the expectations of his friends as associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. Mr. White was born in Lafourche parish, Louisiana, November 3, 1845. He was educated at Mount St. Mary's, near Emmitsburg, Md., at the Jesuit College in New Orleans, and at Georgetown College, District of Columbia. During the Civil war he served in the Confederate army, and in December, 1868, was licensed by the Supreme court of Louisiana to practice law. He soon gained a reputation as an accomplished lawyer and as a public speaker of much force and influence. In 1874 he was elected state senator, and served in that capacity until 1878, when he became judge of the Louisiana Supreme court. In 1888 he was elected United States sen- ator as a Democrat to succeed James B. Eustis, taking his seat the following year. President Cleveland appointed him associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in February, 1894, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Samuel Blatchford. Justice White's legal training and practice has been principally under the code of Louisiana, which is an adaptation of the French code, and which is derived from the Roman law rather than from the common law of England, which lies at the basis of the law practice and judicial decis- ions of all states except Louisiana. It is believed that the business of the Supreme court will be facilitated by the acquisition of a judge who is also familiar with the French and Roman systems of law. Mr. White is a scholar in more than the legal sense of the word.
468
EDWARD DOUGLAS WHITE.
469
FRANCES ELIZABETH WILLARD.
T is doubtful if there is another woman in the United States who has accomplished more for the cause of reform and education than Miss Frances E. Willard. She was born in Churchville, N. Y., Sep- tember 28, 1839, and graduated at Northwestern Female College, Evan- ston, Ill., in 1859. She became professor of natural science there in 1862, and was principal of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in 1866-67. The following two years she spent in foreign travel and study. From 1871 to 1874 she was professor of aesthetics in Northwestern Univer- sity and dean of the Woman's College, where she developed her sys- tem of self-government which has been adopted by other educators. Miss Willard left her profession in 1874 to identify herself with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, serving as corresponding secre- tary of the national organization .until 1879, when she became its pres- ident. She organized the Home Protection movement, and sent an appeal from nearly two hundred thousand people to the Legislature of Illinois, asking for the temperance ballot for women. On the death of her brother, Oliver A. Willard, in 1879, she succeeded him in his position on the Chicago "Evening Post." In 1886 she accepted the leadership of the White Cross movement in her own unions, and ob- tained enactments in many states for the protection of women. In 1888 she was made president of the American branch of the Interna- tional Council of Women and of the World's Christian Temperance Union. She visited England twice in 1892, and was at the head of the women's committee of temperance meetings at the World's Fair in 1893. She has published nine volumes in addition to numerous mag- azine articles, and is editor-in-chief of the "Union Signal."
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