USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
In 1910 Mr. Honan became the nominee of the Democratic party for the office of attorney-general of Indiana and was elected in November. Ilis administration of the responsible office of which he is now the incumbent has been noteworthy for its abil- ity, impartiality and promptness, and he quickly proved his pre- paredness and fitness in every respect for the high position. He bas by nature and training a judicial mind, clear in analysis and fair in decisions, and in this connection he has widely extended his circle of personal, legal and political friends, his popularity being the result of his ability and splendid personality. Having a prop- er conception of the dignity of his profession, he has pursued his calling with all the interest of an enthusiast and is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of his labors. A finished scholar and
701
polished gentleman, he is not narrow or pedantic, but is easily a man of the times, bread and liberal in his views and has the cour- age of his convictions on all the leading publie questions and issnes upon which men and parties divide. He keeps in trend with modern thought along its various lines and is a man of schol- arly and refined taste, while his familiarity with the practical af- fais of the day tanker him food at men with all classes and con- ditions of people whom he meets.
1
JAMES M. PURVIANCE.
Recurrence to the past, with reflections and association which make it appear in life-like review before our mental vision, will continue as of yore to be a source of much satisfaction; but especi- ally when our personamy and former friends, happily interwoven in some pleasant incident, will the picture thus reflected be more pleasing. These reminders, however, often vanish and pass away with the life of the participants when no landmarks remain to serve as a background for the picture engraved on the tablets of memory, the impressions of which are but remodelings of others. To preserve these from oblivion before they have lost their dis- tinguishing originality is the work devolved upon the writer of local history and biography. These both fail in their mission when they fail to preserve the life features connected with their trust. Biography, more than anything else, commands the most interested attention for the reason that it is a record of those who, in times gone by, traveled the thorny pathway of life as com- panions, acquaintances, friends or relatives. To preserve from forgetfulness the simple story of their experiences and record their acts, however uneventful, is a task attended with much plea- sure and fraught with great good to humanity. Especially is this the case when the subject, like that of the well remembered and highly honored citizen whose name forms the caption of this article, has led a useful, honorable and successful life and has been of distinct benefit to his community in all the relations with the world.
James M. Purviance, for many years one of the leading agri- culturists of Huntington county, Indiana, and a public-spirited citizen who in every way merited the high esteem in which he was held by all who knew him, was born in Jackson township, that county, December 8, 1844, on the farm of his father, James Purvi- ance, who was born in Kentucky in 1801, and there he spent his early life and married Sarah E. Ferguson, and they came to Hunt- ington county, Indiana, in 1844, being thus among the pioneer settlers here. The mother of the subject of this memoir was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1813. Both parents are now deceased. They became the parents of three children, and they became very comfortably established here on a farm.
703
James M. Purviance grew to manhood on the home farm and there assisted with the general work during the crop seasons, at- tending the neighboring schools in the wintertime, later studying at Roanoke Seminary, where he took a general course. Return- ing to the homestead. he assisted his father on the same until he decided to take up pharmacy. He accordingly went to the town of Huntington and worked in a love at . for two years, then again returned to the home farm, not having found the course of a pharmacist altogether to his liking, and he thus made general farming and stock raising his life work. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years old, finally buying a farm of his own three miles north of Huntington, and he remained one of the most progressive and active farmers in Clear Creek township dur- ing the rest of his life, making a specialty of stock raising of all kinds and varieties, and no small part of his large annual income was derived from the judicious handling of live stock. He made a specialty of sheep, Oxford Downs breed, which, owing to their fine qualities, always found a very ready market. On taking possession of his farm in 1870 he found an area of but thirty acres ready for cultivation, and he at once addressed himself to the work of clearing more land, a task beset with many difficulties that would have discouraged many of less sterling mettle. Having had a landable desire to provide as good a home as possible for his family, he spared little time from his labors, which, in due course of time, were rewarded, and he subsequently had one of the best improved and most desirable and productive farms in his town- ship, consisting of one hundred and eighty acres, all under a high state of cultivation but forty acres, the general condition of the farm bespeaking for the proprietor a familiarity with all the de- tails of advancing methods of agriculture. He had a large brick residence in the midst of pleasant surroundings. Like his father, he was very successful in his life work and was one of the county's most prominent citizens. From 1890 to 1893 he carried on a dairy business in connection with general farming, and this he found reasonably remunerative by reason of his proximity to Hunting- ton.
Politically, Mr. Purviance was a Republican and was influen- tial in the affairs of his party. He served as trustee of Clear Creek township eight years, and as a public servant discharged his duties in such an able manner as to win the hearty approval of all con- cerned. He was also active along educational lines and was the
704
instigator and one of the promoters in the building of a high school in the township in which he lived.
Mr. Purviance was one of the patriotic sons of the North who gave his services to the Union during the great war between the states, having enlisted during the latter part of the struggle in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer In- l'antry, in 1865, and was mustored into convince at Kokomo. From there he proceeded with his regiment to Indianapolis, thenee to Clarksville, Tennessee, and later to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he did various kinds of military duty. Subsequently he was transferred with his command to Louisville, where he was honorably discharged, returning immediately thereafter to Ihmt- ington county to again engage in the peaceful pursuits of a civil life. As a result of his military career he was a member of the James R. Slack Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Huntington.
On March 3, 1870, James M. Purviance was united in marriage to Mary Jane Mishler, a native of Huntington county, Indiana, born October 20, 1847, and a daughter of Abraham and Rebecca (Smith) Mishler, early pioneers of this county. Mr. Mishler was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and his death occurred on June 25, 1903; his wife was also born in the same locality in Buckeye state, and her death occurred in August, 1909. It was in 1843 that Abraham Mishler and wife removed from their old home and located in Huntington county, Indiana, and here they became prominent famers and well known. Of their three children, Mrs. Purviance is the only survivor. She is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Huntington. She is very active in missionary work. She belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah.
Six children were born to James M. Purviance and wife, named as follows: Grace M., who was educated at Central Col- lege, is now living in Los Angeles, California; Marshall R., who married Mande Mauerr, of Huntington, lives on the old home farm; Blanche R. married Paul Judson, of Los Angeles, California, and they make their home in that city: Clements A. lives in Rock Island, Illinois: Ruth S. lives at the family home, No. 725 East Tipton street, Huntington, Indiana; Agnes J. also lives at home. The family has lived in Huntington for some time, giving up the farm after the death of Mr. Purviance, which occurred on April 25, 1903. Ile was one of the county's most estimable citizens, with a well established character for integrity, public-spirit, hospital- ity, honorable living and an unblemished record.
FREDERICK SAMUEL COOPER GRAYSTON, M. D.
Among those who have stood as distinguished types of the woodd'e wood-ove was the late De Broderick Sommal Cooper Grays- ton, who was one of the able and honored pioneer physicians and surgeons of northern Indiana. He was a man of fine intellectual and professional attainents, of most gracious personality, of strong and noble character, and one who labored with zeal and de- votion in the alleviation of human suffering. As one of those who have lent dignity and honor to the medical profession in Indiana and who brought to his chosen vocation the strength and devotion of a great soul and a great mind, it is most consonant that an extended tribute to his memory be entered and perpetu- ated in this history.
Doctor Grayston was born at Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, April 6, 1823, being the third son of Bartholomew and Iney Grays- ton, who also were natives of England. His carly life was spent in his native country and at the close of his academie studies he became the assistant of his father, an attorney, passing several years in this manner. Law not being congenial to his tastes, he secured a position with the London Pharmacentical Society, where he studied pharmacy and practical chemistry. He subse- quently became the assistant to a physician, during which time his inclinations for the profession increased and definitely settled his purpose in life, and he made a study of various branches of medi- cine.
On May 1, 1849, he was united in marriage to Isabella Cust- ance, who was born in Sutton, on the Isle of Ely, England, July 3, 1830. The city of Ely has long been noted for its old historic cathedral. The house in which she was born was almost exactly like the home of Shakespeare. She was the youngest of six chil- dren, the daughter of James and Sarah (Ellis) Custance, who were born in England. Her father died when she was a small child, and she can scarcely remember him. She was eight years old when she left for America with her mother and stepfather, William Baron Heath, who was sent from England to Canada to be ordained as Episcopal minister. They were shipwrecked on
(45)
706
Sable Island and her mother died in the county, fifty miles from Halifax, from exposure on the rocks, where she was compelled to remain all night. The steamer crashed on the rocks, in a fog, near the site of the sinking of the "Titanic." Mrs. Grayston's mother was brought to Nova Scotia for burial. Then the family started for New York, and again their ship was wrecked on Sandy Hook, the vessel sinking very soon after the remp of the pas sengers and erew, having struck a sand bank with such force as to shatter her hull. Finally reaching New York, they went to Poughkeepsie, where they remained two years with Fannie Cust- ance, sister of Mrs. Grayston. Then she and her sister returned to England and she attended boarding school in Cromwell House in St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, about three years, then, when nine- ten years of age, she was married to Doctor Grayston, in Chat- tress, in the Episcopal church. In 1850 the couple came to Amer- ica and was shipwrecked on the coast of Wexford, Ireland, making the third shipwreck before she was twenty years old. Coming west to visit a brother, James Boston Custance, they decided to locate in Huntington, Indiana, but the following spring they moved to Cincinnati temporarily, where the Doctor became a student of Professor Lawson, attending private classes in the hospitals. He next matriculated in the Medical College of Ohio, receiving a full course of lectures in that institution. He then returned to Huntington and practiced until 1860, when he entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated with prize honors. Next he entered Rush Medical College, after which he pursued a special medical course in the Chicago Medical Col- lege, in which he gave special attention to the study of discases of women. In 1862 he was graduated in the polyelinie department of the Bellevue Medical College, New York City. He was elected professor of the discases of children in the Fort Wayne Medical College and subsequently filled the chairs of pathology and theory and practice. In 1864 he was appointed, by President Lincoln, an examining surgeon for invalid pensioners, which office he filled twenty years. In 1880 the degree of Master of Arts was con- ferred upon him by Butler University. Ile contributed several articles to medical science which were widely published. He was one of the charter members of the Cosmopolitan Club, having served as its president for one year. He very much enjoyed the meetings of this club and was an enthusiastic participant in all
707
its discussions. In all public affairs of the city and in national polities, he always showed a willing hand and patriotic participa- tion.
Doctor Grayston was very successful in his chosen life work and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, ranking with the lead- ing medical men of the state and the middle West, and he gave caninein satisfaction w all com equed in vey position of uusl which was bestowed on him. He held a membership in the National Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Huntington County Medical Society and an honorary mem- bership in the Grant County Medical Society. He was an active, persistent and progressive worker and recognized the fact that a man is never too old to learn. He was a charter member of the Cosmopolitan Club and did more for its success than any other, active in the discussion of all papers presented before the club, and himself preparing some of the best ones given since the club's foundation.
The city of Huntington was startled on October 28, 1898, at the announcement that Doctor Grayston was stricken with paralysis. All that love could suggest and skill accomplish was done to help and restore him. All efforts were in vain, and he passed to his eternal rest on November 5, 1908, at the age of seventy-five years, seven months and twenty-nine days. During his eventful life of over the Psalmist's allotted three score and ten years, many incidents of deepest interest have occurred. So far as his medical profession was concerned he was a self-made man and fought his own way to the inevitable position which he so long held at the head of the medical profession in Indiana. He was a man among men and a child among children. Nothing ever gave him more unadulterated pleasure than to romp and joke with his grandchildren. Both he and his wife were members of the Epis- copal church in England. In 1869 he became a member of the Christian church, having been preceded in membership by Mrs. Grayston. He remained to the last an ardent, active worker in the church and was president of the board of officers for a number of years. Politically he was a Republican and was very active in party and public affairs in general. He was a man of charitable impulses, and was very liberal. He was a great reader, remain- ing a profound student all his life and he had one of the most extensive and finest libraries in northern Indiana. He delighted
708
especially in history, and he knew the names and history of every prominent royal family in Europe. He was a great lover of his home and spent as much time as possible with his family and among his books at his commodious residence at No. 708 North Jefferson street where Mrs. Grayston still resides and where her many warm friends frequently gather. She is a devont member of the Centred Gaiodan Church, and is very active in the work of the same. During her continuons residence in the old home- stead of forty years she has seen the town grow from a village of little importance to a city of consequence, and she recalls many interesting reminiscences of the early days.
Five children were born to Doctor Grayston and wife, namely: Boston JI. B., Sarah I .. Charles E., Anna and Frederick WV. Both the daughters are deceased, but the sous survive. All received excellent educational advantages and made splendid records as medical students, and they are now well known and successful physicians of Uuntington, having formed, years ago, with their father, the firm Drs. Grayston. Up to the time of his death the elder Doctor answered many calls and attended many patients, though all of the heavy work of the firm was done by the sons for years during the latter part of his life.
The Huntington Herald, in speaking of Doctor Grayston's death, said, in part: "Huntington has lost a man whose citizen- ship has been an honor to humanity. Clean, courteous, honorable in all the walks of life, he won and retained the respect of all dur- ing the nearly fifty years he was identified with this people. Be- loved as a man and physician, honored and esteemed by old and young, his death is regarded as a personal calamity in hundreds of households in the county. The example of his life is worthy of emulation, and the world is brightened by his carthly career."
The Rev. Il. C. Kendrick, who was for eight years the pastor of the immediate subject of this memoir, paid him, in part, the following tribute:
"There is no more important study, especially for the young, than the biography of the wise and good. The lives of the noble and pure remind us that we also may become worthy and useful. It is well to tell the story of the life and work of that many-sided man, Dr. F. S. C. Grayston. To be intimately acquainted with him was an inspiration. The much-loved boys who read these lines, which but feebly describe this beautiful character, as they look
709
into the future may ask, 'Can we become men? Can we achieve anything for ourselves or others? Can we be as courteous to all, as affectionate in our homes, as pure in our thoughts, as industri- ous and ambitious in our professions and pursuits?' They may be moved to press toward the goal of some high calling. Every- thing about Doctor Grayston spoke of largeness and nobility. He looked and acted like a nobleman. He had faith in his fellow men. He had high conceptions of what it is to be a man. Ilis character was of such a high order as any father may well desire to place before his son, as any teacher before his pupil. There are many witnesses to the splendid qualities which have endeared him to his friends, and made his name honored and respected. He had noble qualities of mind and heart not appreciated by the many. His was a rare and fine intelleet. Ilis physical powers were marvelously developed. He would see more and feel more in a moment than the phlegmatic could see in a week.
"The Doctor was a scholar. He had no superior, if an equal, in this particular, in the community. He was not only a great student of medicine, but a careful student of many questions. He was a voluminous and thoughtful reader of the best books, journals and papers. He was not only familiar with the stirring scenes and rapid progress of his own country, but was well in- formed concerning the current events and restless spirit of mod- ern Europe. If he had given his thought and time to literary pursuits, he would have made a writer that would have com- manded the respect of the thoughtful. Those who heard his able papers read before the Cosmopolitan Club or have read them in printed form will readily acquiesce in this statement.
"The Doctor's home was his castle. There was no spot so dear to him. Here he found rest, peace and consolation. After the abrasions of a busy day he joyfully turned toward the old home. In the hour of trial, anxiety, or sickness, he had one chief consoler-the dear wife. Her presence, words and touch would frequently act like a talisman to drive away the enemies to his comfort. How he loved and appreciated the companion who so long shared his joys and sorrows. And how beautiful was his affection for his children and grandchildren. If he could, how gladly would he have borne for them all their sorrows and griefs. The Doctor's great day was Thanksgiving Day. This was the glad time of reunion, when the children and grandchildren, and
710
some special friends, always including bis pastor and family, were invited to come and eat Thanksgiving dimmer.
"As a physician Doctor Grayston was thoughtful, careful, sympathetic, and conscientious. Ile never suffered himself to become a 'back number.' He was familiar with all new discover- ies in surgery and medicine. He was prond of his profession. He aspired. as every time physi ian die, to be a healer of men. He was in tenderest sympathy with his suffering patient. He would suffer with him. While others slept he would sit up to think and study for some sick one that he had attended the pre- vious day. He will be long and tenderly remembered by hun- dreds of patients in Huntington and adjoining counties.
"Doctor Grayston was a Christian. He was an honored and most worthy member of the Central Christian church of Hunting- ton. He was liberal in his offerings and wise in his counsels. Ilis love and appreciation of the church increased until he was stricken. Ile took the greatest interest and pride in all its ad- vaneements and improvements. He had great faith and beautiful hope. He was a man of daily prayer, and he frequently said, 'I never saw the day when I was not a believer in God, Christ and the Bible.' This one who so thought, and loved, and lived, still lives and loves. The grave is not the end of the one we so much loved. Dying is not folding the wings, but pluming the pinions for new and larger flight."
Hundreds of letters of sympathy were received by Mrs. Grayston at the time of Doctor Grayston's death. Of the many compliments paid him, one said he was to Huntington what Glad- stone was to England. Doctor Graystou was a great admirer of the great English statesman, and the compliment thus paid had a peculiar significance.
SIMON YANDES.
A man who gave the best of an essentially strong, noble and lvyai Hatuss w the service of his fellow man, one of the workl's practical philanthropists, was Simon Yandes, the results of whose life are full of inspiration and incentive. Ile was the son of Daniel Yaudes, also a prominent pioneer citizen of Indiana, and he was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1816. When he was two years old his parents brought him to Fayette county, Indiana, where they established their home and continued to re- side until March, 1821, when they removed to Indianapolis and were thus among the earliest residents in the straggling frontier village; thus from the age of five years until past four score years the subject continued a resident of Indiana's capital, where he made his life count for good in all its relations and where his men- ory is revered by all who knew him, for his history and that of the world's greatest inland city is pretty nmch one and the same, he having witnessed its every vicissitude and played well his part in its wondrous growth. He made the best use possible of his meager educational advantages, and later attended the University of Indiana, and he was graduated from the law school of Harvard University in 1839 in a class which bore among its names which later became distinguished those of James Russell Lowell, Riel- ard Henry Dana, E. R. Iloar, W. M. Evarts, W. W. Story and others equally noted. Upon no less an authority than the eminent poet and diplomat, James Russell Lowell, rests the early impres- sion that Mr. Yandes was one of the best men in his class. After his graduation Mr. Yandes returned to Indianapolis and became associated with the leading law firm of the state at that time, Fletcher & Butler, with which he continued for four years, later condneting an individual practice for four years, then formed a partnership with Oliver IE. Smith, still later with Cyrus C. llines. In 1858 he was a candidate for the office of associate justice of the supreme court, but was defeated with the rest of the ticket. Just before the Civil war he retired from practice, as he had ac- cumulated what was then considered a fortune and thereafter he gave himself to the management and supervision of large business
712
affairs. He had been regarded as one of Indiana's greatest law- yers.
As a business man he was the peer of any in his day and generation and accumulated a large fortune, which he distributed during his old age to various just causes, giving away to charities and churches and struggling educational institutions a half million dollars, Wald. College at Grammasvine receiving one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He gave sixty thousand dollars to the Indiana Missionary Society and one hundred thousand dollars to foreign missionary societies, fifty thousand dollars to home mis- sionary societies; abont four hundred thousand dollars was also distributed among relatives, making his total gifts something like a million dollars. Of him the Boston Globe said, in part: "The Indianapolis lawyer, Simon Yandes, has, to all intents and pir- poses, stripped himself of an entire fortune, which he might today have counted in seven figures, and is content to live among his books, in a city block, on plain food, and clothed in raiment just fine enough to be respectable. The Hoosier philanthropist prac- ticed economy, as well as law, maintained his integrity, and has thereby been enabled to help the poor, educate aspiring boys and girls of parents who are strangers to him, spreading the gospel at home and abroad, and without forgetting his own worthy rela- tives, making the world better and brighter."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.