Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana, Part 6

Author: Dunn, Jacob Piatt, 1855-1924. cn
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Brown
Number of Pages: 1674

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Fraternally, Mr. Miller was a worthy member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in his church relations he attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a liberal supporter. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. P. Mckinsey, of Plainfield. An unusually large number of country and town peo-

ple were present. The room in which the body rested was banked high with beautiful floral tributes, flowers and wreaths being sent by many friends and acquaintances, the last friendly offerings of many who admired the man for his estimable qualities. The Rev. MeKinsey told of a personal interview with Mr. Miller a few days prior to his death in which the latter stated that he was prepared for death and had no misgivings as to the future. Burial was made in Crown Hill cemetery.

On April 30, 1869, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Elizabeth Myers, a woman of many admirable characteristics and n daughter of a fine old pioncer family. To this union seven chil- dren were born, three of whom died in childhood. Those living nre, William E., who married Sallie Searight, of Nashville, Ten- nessee, November 14, 1895, has a successful hardware business on Massachusetts avenue, Indianapolis; his wife passed away on April 26, 1909; Emma May married Walter E. Ervin, June 17, 1896, lives in Streator, Illinois, and is the mother of two children, Robert Miller and Walter Evan; Estella married Rev. Joseph L. Stont, April 16, 1900; they live in Indianapolis, and to them two children have been born, Hiram Miller and Joseph L., Jr .; Samuel J., who married Katherine Light September 21, 1904, has a hand- · some home near the family homestead and is building up a large dairy.

Many men who had known Hiram W. Miller spoke in high- est terms of him as a man and neighbor. At his funeral one was heard to say, "I am a man of small affairs, and Mr. Miller was a man of large affairs, but he always had time to talk with me and be friendly." Former Judge Clay Allen said, "I bought wood of lliram Miller thirty years ago, and always received the biggest word I ever bought." Trustee George D. Hardin of Wayne town- ship said, "Wayne township loses a citizen who will be missed and whose place will be hard to fill."

At a called meeting of the board of directors of the Columbia National Bank of Indianapolis, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

"Whereas, in the death of Hiram W. Miller this bank has lost a director whose counsel was always wise, and always just, and,

"Whereas, in all our relations with him we have always found him to be a man of sterling integrity and of the highest

ideals-a man whose word was literally as good as his bond; therefore, be it

"Resolved, that this board desires to express, inadequate though it must be, its exceeding great sorrow over his death, and that our deepest sympathy be extended to his family in this hour of their great bereavement; and

"Resolved, that these resolutions be spread upon the records of this board and a copy be sent to the members of his family."

By his genial disposition Mr. Miller early won a large circle of friends and as the years passed the bonds of friendship, formed in these early associations, only grew the stronger. To him there was no time so delightfully spent as in the meeting and grecting of the companions of his youth. It has been said by those who knew him best, that he never betrayed a friend. He loved the country life and nothing appealed to him so much as the life of a farmer. From the day he entered the little cottage with his young bride, there rose before him the vision of a fine and highly developed farm and a comfortable home. Years ago he was able to realize the dreams of his early manhood. There was no place he loved so well as his home and he was never so happy as when he had his family about him. In the later years of his life his affections seemed to center in his grandchildren and, as he often said, "When the grandchildren come home it puts new life in me."

All the hospitality which was so dear to him Mr. Miller was ready to share with his neighbors. The poor and unfortunate always found him ready to give them assistance. He felt the obligations of his citizenship. There never was a time when he was not interested in the welfare of his country. There came a time when he believed that he could serve the community as a public officer and he accepted the offices enumerated in a preced- ing paragraph, not from a desire to gain publicity, but because he believed it his duty. He always attributed his election to the interest of his personal friends, whose faith in his integrity was stronger than party ties. The confidence of the public was never betrayed by him.

In business Mr. Miller was very conservative and it was sel- dom that his judgment was at fault in any business proposition. Men of large affairs sought his counsel in important business affairs. And in connection with his large farming and banking interests he conducted an extensive brick business. He especial-

I deserved praise as one of the organizers of the Columbia National Bank, which was later merged into the National City Bank and which has become one of the first financial institutions of Imhana. He was greatly interested in the success of the bank and ar a director gave much time to these interests.

Mr. Miller was not altogether absorbed in things temporal, Int had an interest in moral and religious life of the community. He served many years as trustee of the Methodist church. Churches, hospitals and charitable institutions found in him a trady supporter. There are many churches throughout Marion county that received help from him.

In summing up the life of this worthy and useful man, we enn truly say that the family has lost a loving father, the com- munity a good and faithful neighbor, his personal associates a atmunch friend, and the state and nation a loyal citizen. Peace- fully he passed from those who loved him most, "out of the land of the Here to the land of the There."

"Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me,

And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea. Though such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound or foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep, Turns again home.

"Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark,

And may there be no sadness of farewell When I embark;

l'or though from out this bourne of time and place The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar."

(5)

NEWTON BOOTH TARKINGTON.

In the domain of literature Indianapolis has gained a place of distinction and pre-eminence, being now, by universal consent, the successor of Boston as the literary center of America. No state has produced such a brilliant galaxy of stars in the literary firma- ment as has Indiana. To give a comprehensive reason for this would be indeed quite out of the question, whether it has been the result of the meeting of the sterling pioneer element of the East and the West, or a superior system of education, or whether there is greater natural inspiration and more effort is being made to produce literature here than in other states must be left to con- jecture. But the state should be proud of its eminence in this respect. Among those who have contributed materially to its prestige as a literary center, stands Newton Booth Tarkington, who is a native son of the Hoosier capital and whose productions, marked by gracious fancy, depth of thought and adroit polish, have given him a high reputation and a stanch following among the readers of the best in the fields of fiction and dramatic art. It is, of course, extraneous to the functions of this publication to enter into manifold details concerning the career of the many rep- resentative citizens whose names find a place within its pages and in the case at hand it can be hoped to present only a succinct but we hope accurate and worthy tribute to this talented son of the great commonwealth of Indiana.

Booth Tarkington (as the reading world knows him, the name Newton being dropped for literary purposes) was born at what is now No. 520 North Meridian street, Indianapolis, Indiana, July 29, 1869. He is the son of John Stevenson Tarkington and Eliza- beth (Booth) Tarkington, each representing prominent old fami- lies. The father, for half a century a well known attorney of In- dianapolis, was born at Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana, June 24, 1832, the son of Rev. Joseph and Maria (Stevenson) Tarking- ton. After receiving his primary education in the public schools, he entered Asbury (now DePauw) University, Greencastle, In- diana, from which institution he was graduated in 1852 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1855 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by his alma mater. He and Eliza-

In the Hooth were married in Terre Haute, this state, November 19, Iii. She was born in Salem, Indiana, in 1834. She possessed mais estunable attributes of head and heart, and after a happy and harmonious wedded life of over a half century she passed to I oferim| rest on April 17, 1909. John S. Tarkington, on Sep- tomber 10, 1910, married Linda H. Schulz. He has been success- fully engaged in the practice of law in Indianapolis since 1855, wimmung and retaining a high position at the local bar, and al- though he is at this writing in his eightieth year he is still active and physically and mentally strong, as a result of wholesome liv- mg and thinking from his youth up. He is a man of pleasing address, genial and obliging, and is highly esteemed by a wide udle of friends and acquaintances. He is an author of no mean nlality, and in 1910 appeared a novel of more than ordinary merit from his pen, entitled "The Hermit of Capri." He has long mani- frated an abiding interest in public affairs, and in 1863 was elected on the Republican ticket to the Indiana Legislature. He proved Inn patriotism and loyalty to the Union during the war of the Rebellion by enlisting in 1864; his merit as a soldier being at once wrognized, he was commissioned captain of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After bin faithful career in the army he returned home and resumed the practier of law, and in 1870 he was elected judge of the seventh juwial cirenit. During the two years that he was incumbent of tuy important office he discharged his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfac- tim of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment, his deci- mums hring noted for their fairness and profound knowledge of all phones of jurisprudence. He has always been a loyal Republican, and in religious matters he is a Methodist. He holds membership mn the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion, the Beta Theta l'i, the University and Contemporary Clubs.

Booth Tarkington is a descendant of Rev. Thomas Hooker, a noted scholar and orator of Revolutionary fame. His great-grand- mother was the beautiful Mary Newton, who figures in the an- nale of old Woodbridge, Connecticut. Mary Newton married Walter Booth. Mr. Tarkington was named Newton Booth after un unele of that name, and senator and governor of California, who was a prominent orator during his career. The dramatic qualities of Mr. Tarkington's writing may be evidence of a herit- age from the Bonth family.

Mr. Tarkington's boyhood was spent in Indianapolis in much the same manner as that of other boys of his time, and when he became of proper age he entered the high school, where he re- mained two years, then prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, being graduated from that school in 1889. While there he began to display remarkable talent as an orator and writer, besides attracting some attention as an illustra- tor of school publications. After spending a year there he tutored in Indianapolis a year, then entered Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, where he remained one year. He then began a course of study at Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. Of his career there much has been written. He made a splendid record with the class of 1893, and was given the degree of Master of Arts two years later. There he was among the most popular men of his time. Many considered it a great treat to hear him tell a story or sing a song. He wrote his first serious story for the "Nassau Lit." It won the prize and he was shortly afterward elected editor of the magazine. He was also an editor of "The Tiger," the college fortnightly humorous paper, illustrated it for a long period and gave it an important place in college litera- ture. Together with Post Wheeler, he wrote an opera, which he staged and directed, taking at the same time an important part in the cast. The play proved so popular that it was given for three successive years. He was one of the leading members of the Ivy Club, wrote a prize song, and was soloist in the Princeton Glee Club, in which last connection he wrote some of the songs used by the club. Poe's "Raven" was one of the pieces he set to music. As an amateur actor he was very popular, both while in college and later in connection with the Dramatic Club of Indianapolis.

All the while Mr. Tarkington was writing and submitting stories to the Eastern magazines. In 1897 McClure's Magazine ran "The Gentleman from Indiana" as a serial, and it was pub- lished in book form in 1899. After a lapse of thirteen years this virile, representative American story is still popular, having reached an edition of considerably more than one hundred thou- sand copies, and it is now running serially in scores of newspapers throughout the United States. This. was followed by one of his most popular works, "Monsieur Beancairc," published in 1900. Both these novels were dramatized, the latter being played two years in London by Lewis Waller and eight weeks in New York by Richard Mansfield. "The Two Vanrevels" appeared in 1902.

Then came from his pen a satirical novel, "Cherry," in 1903, ap- jwming first in Harper's as a serial, then in book form.

About this time Mr. Tarkington was elected to the Indiana Legislature, and he served one term in a very creditable and sat- isfactory manner. As a result of his political career "In the Arena" was published in 1904. He spent the following year abroad, principally in Paris and London. The year 1905 saw two of his books appear, one, "The Conquest of Canaan," being an- other fine portrayal of Indiana life, which appeared in Harper's and later in book form. The other production of that year was "The Beautiful Lady." About this time, 1907, appeared another novelette, "His Own People." "The Guest of Quesney" was pub- Ished in 1908 serially and in book form; and in 1909 Harper's published "Beasley's Christmas Party." In a comedy, "The Man From Home," he collaborated with Harry Leon Wilson, and the play has become one of the most popular of recent years on the American stage, William Hodge appearing in the title role. Mr. Tarkington and Mr. Wilson also collaborated in the produc- hun of the following successes: "Cameo Kirby," in which ap- prared Nat Goodwin and Dustin Farnum; "Getting a Polish," played by May Irwin; "Foreign Exchange," produced by Leiber & Company, who had previously produced "The Gentleman From Indiana"; "Spring Time" was played by Mabel Taliaferro; "Your Humble Servant" was presented by Otis Skinner. "A Man on Horseback" opened the season in San Francisco in 1912 with Janies K. Hackett in the title role. Mr. Tarkington's latest play, "Beauty and the Jacobin," appeared serially in Harper's in the autumn of 1912. He has won a brilliant reputation as a play- wright as well as a novelist, during the decade that has elapsed since he collaborated with E. G. Sutherland in dramatizing his "Monsieur Beaucaire."

Politically, Mr. Tarkington is a Republican. He belongs to the Sigma Chi fraternity. He holds membership in the following Clubs: Players, Lambs, Princeton, of New York; Ivy and Nassau, of Princeton, New Jersey; Cliff Dwellers, of Chicago; University, Columbia, Country, of Indianapolis; also the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

Mr. Tarkington was married on June 18, 1902, and he has one child, Laurel Louisa Fletcher Tarkington.

The works of Booth Tarkington are too well known to the readers of this volume to render it necessary for the writer to

give a critical estimate of them, and in closing this article we re- produce the following tribute from "Current Literature," in its issue of March, 1901, in the days when Mr. Tarkington had just awakened to find himself famous wherever the English language is spoken:

" 'The Gentleman from Indiana' and 'Monsieur Beaucaire' have been really genuine successes. The author is one of those who are spoken of as having 'sprung into popularity.' Back of the spring there was in reality much and long training and prae- tice. 'The Gentleman from Indiana' was the outgrowth of years of preliminary writing, and of much painstaking effort in that par- ticular story, and 'Monsieur Beaucaire,' says Mr. Tarkington, lay ripening two years in his desk before he ventured the final draft for publication. Indeed, Mr. Tarkington's success in writing was obtained by hard, careful and painstaking labor. Indeed, this young man is remarkable, because of a variety of talents which only his best friends are aware he possesses. He takes an active part in the social life of his home city. In personal appearance Mr. Tarkington is said to bear a striking resemblance to Edwin Booth's youthful pictures. Tall, broad-shouldered, possessed of keen dark eyes and strong features, he would be selected from a group of distinguished people as an unusual young man. Ask his friends about him and they will tell you that there is none better, and that to know him is to know a broad-minded, big-hearted fellow, whose sympathies are as wide and encompassing as his talents are various.

"Perhaps it is the strength of his dramatie quality which calls for most admiration in the reading of Mr. Tarkington's stories. The characters live and act and move much as if they were on the stage; very likely the author creates them and sets them playing in his fancy in just this fashion. At any rate he makes one feel the reality of his creations, and that it is the real art of the author as well as of the dramatist. Mr. Tarkington is for- tunate in possessing the qualities of both."

MARION A. WEBB.

The memory of the worthy subject of this memorial biog- raphy is revered by a host of friends and acquaintances among " hom he labored, having spent his energies through a long life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportunities as well uw to assist as best he could his neighbors to improve their con- dition, for he did not believe in living to himself alone, having an altruistie spirit and kind heart, his sympathies going out to those about him who needed assistance or encouragement, and in all the relations of life he proved signally true to every trust. He possessed a social nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to those with whom he came into contact he won the confidence and respect of everyone.

Marion A. Webb, who for many years was one of the best known traveling salesmen in northern Indiana, and one of the representative citizens of the city of Fort Wayne during the gen- eration that has passed, was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 19, 1816. With a sister, now Mrs. George Davis, of Chicago, he was left an orphan at an early age, and came to make his home with a family of the name of Tilden, near Huntertown. When about thirteen years of age he was taken into the family of D. S. Beaver, a well known pioneer miller, whose flouring mill at Beaver dam, south of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was prominent in the early days. He was reared as one of the family, the companionship with Mr. Beaver's children being as close as that of brother to brother. He was given every opportunity as to early training and br rrrrived a good education in the common schools.

On May 9, 1871, Mr. Webb was united in marriage to May I. Hamilton, the ceremony being performed in Fort Wayne. The widow survives, together with two daughters, Clara May Webb and Marian Agnes Webb, the latter at the head of the children's department of the public library in Fort Wayne. Other relatives melde three cousins, C. B. Beaver, Edwin L. Beaver and Minnie Beaver.

Mr. Webb's first employment was with the old Bond Bank, "pwm the site of the present Old National Bank, Fort Wayne. Later he entered the dry goods house of A. S. Evans and was

finally made a member of the firm of A. S. Evans & Company. This was succeeded by the wholesale dry goods house of Evans, McDonald & Company, Mr. Webb still retaining an interest in the partnership. When the institution failed in 1882, Mr. Webb began his career as traveling salesman, which he continued down to the time of his death. He had been the representative of a Philadelphia house, as well as of James H. Walker, of Chicago, before he took his last position with the DeWald dry goods house in 1894. Mr. Webb was a successful salesman, very widely known and extremely popular. He gave the utmost satisfaction to the firm with which he was connected, greatly increasing the prestige of the same wherever he went. His admirable qualities won warm friends everywhere and retained them steadfastly.

Mr. Webb was a member of Post A, Travelers' Protective As- sociation, and he was active and influential in the same. He had for many years been identified with the Westminster Presbyter- ian church and was faithful in his support of the same.

The death of Marion A. Webb occurred suddenly and with little warning, at his late residence in Fort Wayne, on Monday, August 25, 1902.

Juro Arrabella Gernous

MRS. ARRABELLA WINANS.

Mrs. Arrabella Winans was the widow of Dr. Henry Clay Winans, deceased, and a prominent resident of Muncie, Delaware county, Indiana, since 1862. At the ripe age of seventy-sevenl, with all her faculties keen and alert, with no premonition that the transition time was at hand, quietly and peacefully as she had lived, she answered the Master's summons and went to dwell with Ilim. At two-thirty o'clock, in the morning of December 9, 1908, in the home where she had exemplified the teachings of her Lord, by a life of devotion and loyalty to every known duty for over forty-six years, and blessed by the love and constant care of her only child, Mrs. Mary Winans Spilker, suddenly she felt the angel's touch, bidding her lay aside the temporal for the eternal.

"And softly from that hushed and darkened room, Two angels issued where but one went in."

Friends who knew her best often heard her say, "Death is only an incident in life." So to her it was the summons to life not death.

"There is no death; what seems so is transition; This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Whose portal we call death."

Mrs. Winans was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Paullin, one of the fine old families of the Buckeye state. She was born in her parents' rural home near Jamestown, Ohio, October 27, 1831. ller early education was obtained at the little district school house nearby. After attending school at the academy at Xenia, Ohio, she obtained a license to teach, and taught one term of school in Ross township, Greene county, Ohio, when only sixteen years of age.

Desirous of obtaining better school privileges for his children, her father moved his family to Springfield, Ohio, and Arrabella became a student of the Ohio Conference High School, graduating

from that institution June 25, 1852. Being very fond of music, and having considerable talent in that direction, she had pre- pared herself to teach the art, and after her graduation secured a class in musie in South Charlestown, Ohio, which she taught very successfully for some time.

Talented, beautiful, possessing many womanly graces, it was but natural that she should have a host of friends and many ad- mirers. In the summer of 1860 she yielded her heart and hand to Dr. Henry Clay Winans, of Xenia, Illinois, to whom she was united in marriage September 6, 1860. The ceremony was per- formed in her father's beautiful home on Prospect Hill in Spring- field, Ohio.

A tender-hearted Christian woman, full of noble impulses, her heart overflowed in loving sympathy for the two motherless boys she found in her husband's home in Xenia, Illinois. Passion- ately fond of children, she opened wide her willing arms and gath- ered them close, while with a prayer for guidance she resolved they should never miss a mother's love and devotion. Having once accepted this heavy responsibility, she faithfully and con- scientiously performed her duty throughout the years. By and by a dear little baby girl came to gladden her heart and she knew the sacred holy joys of motherhood. From day to day maternal love increased with the nestling of the baby head against her bosom, and the soft touch of the tiny fingers on lip and cheek, which none who have experienced can ever forget, yet she never failed to perform her duty to those who had been committed to her care.

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Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana, Part 6

Author: Dunn, Jacob Piatt, 1855-1924. cn Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Brown Number of Pages: 1674

Author: Dunn, Jacob Piatt, 1855-1924. cn
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Brown
Number of Pages: 1674