USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 63
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Mr. Yandes never married. His death occurred on October 5, 1903, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years.
HON. NATHANIEL RICHMOND LINSDAY.
True biography has a more noble purpose than mere fulsome emogy. The mstorie spirn, num to the record; the discerning judgment, moved by prejudice and uncolored by enthusiasm, are as essential in giving the life of the individual as in writing the history of a people. Indeed, the ingenousness of the founer picture is even more vital, because the individual is the national unit, and if the unit be justly estimated the complex organism will become correspondingly intelligible. The world today is what the leading men of the past generation have made it, and this rule must ever hold good. From the past comes the legacy of the present. Art, science, statesmanship and government are accumulations. They constitute an inheritance upon which the present generation have entered, and the advantages secured from so vast a bequeathment depend entirely upon the fidelity with which is condneted the study of the lives of the principal actors who have transmitted the legacy. This is especially true of those whose influence has passed beyond the confines of local- ity and permeated the larger life of the state. To such a careful study are the life, character and services of the late Nathaniel Richmond Linsday pre-eminently entitled, not only on the part of the student of biography, but also of every citizen who, guided by example, would in the present build wisely for the future. In studying a clean-ent, sane, distinet character like that of the sub- ject, interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. There is snell use for indirection of puzzling. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature. As has been said of him, " He was distinctively one of the notable men of his day and generation, and as such is entitled to a conspicuous place in the ammals of his city, county and state."
Nathaniel R. Linsday was a native of Canandaigua county, New York, where his birth occurred on the 4th day of March, 1815. When he was but a small child his parents moved to the wilds of Madison county, Indiana, where his father died soon after arriving in the new home in the wilderness, leaving a widow and five children to the cold charity of the world, the subject being
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but seven years old at the time. With no visible means of sup- port and nothing but a decidedly unfavorable ouilook, Mrs. Lins- day soon returned to her relatives in the East, but young Nathan- iel, who was elected to remain, made his home for some time with an umele, and during the ensuing seven or eight years endured all the hardships, privations and vicissitudes incident to life in the backwoods in these early days. Until his fifteenth year, he was reared, as he said, "God only knows how." Ilis relative being in indifferent eireumstanees, with a family of his own to provide for, he gave seant attention to the lad and his needs, and for some time the future jurist had barely sufficient clothing to cover his body, no books, for which he early manifested a decided taste, and no advantages in the way of obtaining the education for which he so ardently longed. Later he attended for a limited period such indifferent schools as the county afforded, making up for the deficiency in proper instruction by devoting his hours of leisure to study and by eagerly perusing what books and papers he was able to procure. lle grew up strong and rugged, however, and, being naturally optimistic, made the most of such opportunities as presented themselves, and in due time became not only well read and widely informed, but a leader among his young friends and associates.
Judge Linsday began the struggle of life for himself as a tiller of the soil on a rented farm in Madison county, and it was while prosecuting his agricultural labors that he was chosen jus- tice of the peace for his township in the year 1839, three years after his marriage and setting up of a domestic establishnnent. Ile appears to have been peculiarly fitted for this minor judicial posi- tion, and it was not long until his business grew to considerable magnitude, his reputation as a man of sound judgment and emi- nent fairness, together with the wisdom displayed in his rulings and decisions, attracting to his court quite a few cases of more than ordinary import and interest. While holding the office of justice of the peace he conceived a strong liking for the law and the few hours he could save from his labors were devoted to a careful reading of Blackstone. His evenings also were spent in the perusal of his favorite author, and not infrequently the small hours of the morning found him poring over the pages of his much prized volume. He purchased his first copy of Blackstone with wheat which he sold at seventy-five cents a bushel in Cin-
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cinnati, and later bought such other legal works as he was able to procure, until in the course of four or five years he had ar- cumulated quite a respectable law library . All the leisure he could command was spent in the company of these books, and in due tine he obtained a sound, practical knowledge of the principles of law, which, with his recognized judgment, sound common sense ity, being frequently consulted by his neighbors on vexed ques- tions, and by his judicions advice saving not a few of them from expensive litigation.
After five years as justice of the peace and acquiring a credit- able reputation in the discharge of his official duties, Mir. Lins- day decided to discontinue his other pursuits and devote his entire attention to the law. Accordingly in 1811 he opened an office in Pendleton, and it was not long until his abilities were recognized and he obtained his proportionate share of business. In 1843 he was the Whig candidate for the Legislature, but by reason of the overwhelming strength of the opposing party failed of election. This canvass, which brought him prominently before the public, was the means of making him a political power among the people, and from that time on he took an active part in every campaign and was largely instrumental in formulating and directing the policies of his party in the county of Madison, besides wielding a wide influence in district and state affairs. He was an associate of the big men of the state in his day, being an especial admirer of Thomas A. Hendricks. In the winter of 1844 Judge Linsday had the honor of attending and taking no small part in the first court held in Howard county, then the county of Richardsville. In company with Dr. Corydon Richmond, a cousin, Dr. James Barrett and Louis Snell, he rode to the place where the court convened, and the first night camped on the present site of Ko- komo, then a dense woods in which but a single log cabin had been erected. Having faith in the future of the town and its pos- sibilities, cach of the above gentlemen purchased a lot, and before the close of the year they had their respective cabins built and ready for orenpaney. By May of the following year (1845) the men had their families domiciled, and from that time the lives of two of them were very closely identified with the history of the town and county, one as a leading lawyer and jurist, the other as a distinguished physician, each in due season becoming prominent
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in the local affairs and earning a state-wide reputation in his pro fession. Judge Linsday soon rose to prominent position in leg .! matters, and for a number of years was the recognized head of the Howard county bar. From the time of taking up his residence in the backwoods seat of justice in 1815 until his death he never missed attending a term of court, and such was his reputation doing the adly years of His praline that it was frequently a race between litigants as to who should reach his office first and seenre his services. In 1851 he was elected joint representative from Cass, Tipton and Howard counties, and his course in the Legislature fully justified the people in the wisdom of their choice, as he became one of the leaders of his party in the House, serving on a number of important committees and taking an active and influential part in the general deliberations and debates on the floor. In conjunction with Hon. Robert Dale Owen, chairman of the committee, and others, he assisted in drafting the measure by which the interests of the women of Indiana were advanced and their property rights safeguarded, and he was also influential in bringing about needed legislation concerning the liquor traffic, which he had previously agitated and of which he was to the end of his days a bitter and unrelenting for.
In the year 1856 Mr. Linsday was elected judge of the court of common pleas, which honorable position he held four years, during which time he discharged his official functions in an able and satisfactory manner and won recognition among the distin- guished jurists of the state. Retiring from the bench in 1860, he resmed the practice of his profession, but in 1864 was honored by being elected judge of the judicial court composed of the counties of Howard, Tipton, Clinton and Grant. The duties en- tailed by this position were so minnerons and ardnous as to be burdensome. Accordingly, after holding one term of court, he resigned the bench and again took up his practice, which had steadily grown in magnitude until his legal business at the time indicated was second to that of few lawyers in the state.
The Judge was an ardent friend of the Union during the Rebellion and by his voice and influence contributed greatly to the strengthening of loyal sentiment throughout his own and other conties and indneing young men to take up arms in defense of the national honor. He traveled extensively over the country, holding meetings in school houses, churches and other places, and
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not infrequently made strong and thrilling appeals from his buggy while en route to his various appointments. A powerful and eloquent speaker, he never failed to interest his auditors and often stirred them to such a pitch of enthusiasm that nearly every man within hearing capable of hearing arms signed the roll of enlistment and in due time went forth to fight, perchance to die, resided on a beautiful farm about one mile west of Kokomo, but in the latter year removed to the city in which he continued to make his home during the remainder of his life. He erected a fine, modern dwelling in one of the best residence streets, which he furnished comfortably and beautifully and which soon be- came a popular resort for the most cultivated and refined cireles of the community.
Judge Linsday was married in the year 1836 to Rachel Shawl, of Pendleton, who departed this life after a mutually happy and prosperous wedded life of twenty years, leaving three danghters and one son as pledges of her love and affection. Lon- visa, the oldest of the daughters, married Thomas J. Harrison, of Kokomo; Clementine, the second in order of birth, makes her home with Mrs. Harrison; Aaron H., the son, who served with a creditable record during the war of the Rebellion, died in 1907, leaving a widow, who, prior to her marriage. was Elizabeth Arm- strong; Ella, the youngest of the family, is also deceased. Some time after the death of his first wife, the Judge entered into the marriage relation with Mrs. JJulia Foudray, of Indianapolis, who died three years later, the umion being withont issue. On Jan- ary 2, 1876, he took a third wife and helpmeet in the person of Melvina F. Sherman Fowler, the widow of Major Manning A. Fowler, of Kokomo, who survives him and is now one of the highly esteemed and popular ladies of the city. Mr. Fowler, for- merly one of Kokomo's prominent men of affairs, was major of the Seventy-second Ohio Infantry in the Civil war and distin- guished himself by meritorious service during the three years he was at the front. Mrs. Linsday's father, Thomas Sherman, was related to General Sherman, and was born and reared in Now Hampshire. Her mother, Minerva (Allen) Sherman, was also born in New Hampshire, coming to Trumbull county, Ohio, with her parents when two years of age, coming in a wagon drawn by oxen. In their new home they first lived in a tent, the wolves often howling at their door. Mrs. Linsday was born in Trumbull
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county. By her marriage to Major Fowler two children were born, namely: William, a hotel man in Peoria, Hlinois, married Clara Carouthers, of Ravenna, Ohio, and they have one son, Will- iam, Jr .; Florence, who married W. J. MeElwain, of Massachu- setts, now lives with her mother at the family home, No. 712 West Sycamore street, Kokomo. Mrs. Linsday is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the in a very active sivil. and she is also deeply interested in the work of the Orphans' Home. Judge Linsday was a great lover of his home and often remarked that home was the best place this side of heaven.
Sufficient has been said to indicate Judge Linsday's high character and eminent success in the profession to which he de- voted his life and energies. In many respects he was a great law- yer in that he had broad views of the law, a profound knowledge of its basic principles and the ability and tact to apply the same in the trial of cases, both in the local courts and the court of last resort. As a judge he brought to the bench a mind enriched by years of close study and profound research, which eminently qualified him for the duties of the position, and among lawyers and litigants as well as the public at large he was held in the high- est esteem. Widely read and thoroughly informed on many sub- jects, he was an independent thinker and had the courage of his convictions on all matters and issues concerning which men differ and parties divide. Ilis legal and judicial experience opened his eyes, as stated, to a number of time-honored customs in the inter- pretation and application of the law which he considered weak and faulty, one of which was the requiring of the unanimons as- sent of a jury to arrive at a verdiet, instead of a majority vote. This custom, which has come down throughout the centuries as the surest and most satisfactory way of rendering justice and subserving human rights, he looked upon as illogical, and while in the Legislature he thought to remedy the matter by introduc- ing a bill embodying his ideas, but it found little favor with the committee to which it was referred and few if any advocates he- sides himself on the floor. Ile cared little for popular measures if founded upon false or incorrect principles, but stood firmly for the right as he saw and understood the right and fearlessly as- sailed deep and long established prejudices at the expense some- times of public favor and the sacrifice of personal friendships. It can truthfully be affirmed that Judge Linsday dignified every
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position to which called, and, with a character above reproach and no stain upon his judicial ermine, "he stood alone, four square to every wind that blew, " an upright, mauly man of noble aims and high ideals, a progressive citizen with the welfare of his kind at heart and a splendid type of the broad-minded, virile Ameri- canism which gives moral bone and sinew to the body politie and : ...!:. earth. The biography of such a man as he may well serve for an example and inspiration to the youth who seriously meditate life, vet hesitate to lay the foundation for the stern realities of life which awaits them. He began his career under hard conditions, but, with a persistence which is as rare as it was admirable ad- hered to his purpose, and in due time achieved notable success. The crude, inhospitable environments of his youth, however, were not without their compensations. The usual and persistent effort required to obtain liberal qualifications for professional pur- suits, in spite of adverse surroundings, develop and strengthen the mind as labor hardens and renders flexible the museles. Not satisfied with existing conditions, he determined to rise above them, and to this end he lost sight of every other consideration or made it subordinate to the one object in view. Every step in his progress was the result of matured plans and well defined pur- poses. By his courage and energy he climbed steadily and per- sistently and stood firmly upon cach round of the ladder until he could reach the next above and plant himself thereon. Although beginning the study of law at an age when the majority are well settled in their life work, he determined, regardless of hindrance, to master the principles of his profession and rise above medioc- rity, instead of being satisfied with a mere superficial knowl- edge, such as so many professional men under similar circum- stances are content to acquire. Whatever success he achieved during his long, strenuous and honorable career was due to a careful preparation, a high sense of justice, candor as a counselor, a religious regard for the truth and courteous demeanor and gen- tlemanly conduef in all relations with his fellow men. As a prac- titioner or on the bench no charge or suspicion of any wrong- doing ever tarnished his name or marred his official record, his personal honor was never compromised and his private life was always pure and free from fandt. His friendships were warm, steadfast and never without the best canses were they marred
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or broken, while his sterling worth made him a power for good among all with whom he came in contact.
Judge Linsday was a believer in the Bible and a profoundly religious man, who measured his life according to the high stand- ard of excellence which he found in the personality and teachings of the Man of Nazareth. A lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a pillar in the Kokomo congregation, he contributed liberally of his means to the support of the Gospel at home and abroad and was ever ready to encourage and co-oper- ate in all lines of religious and charitable endeavor or make any reasonable sacrifice to advance the moral interests of the com- munity. An uncompromising antagonist of the saloon, he strove long and earnestly to remove this plague spot from his fair city and save the young life from its contaminating influences and to him as much perhaps as to any one man is due the credit of re- ducing the drink evil to a minimum and inspiring a wholesome regard for law and order in the municipality. Judge Linsday's life, protracted beyond that of the majority, was replete with good to his fellow men, and the world was not only honored great- ly but blessed by his presence and influence. He died as he had lived, at peace with his conscience and with his God, and entered the valley of shadows fearlessly, assured of the welcome awaiting him on the other side.
FREDERICK DORNER.
To indulge in prolix encomimm of a life which was one of dis- tinetive modesty and unpretentiousness would be most incon- grnous, and yet in reviewing the career of the late Frederick Dor- ner, who was long one of the best known florists of northern In- diana, and who held a position of unequivocal confidence and es- teem in the community where he labored to so goodly ends, feel- ings of admiration are prompted, for he always looked to the gen- eral good of his fellow men while advancing the interests of his own household, ever discharging his duties, whether private or publie, in a most conscientious manner, thereby winning the ad- miration and confidence of all who knew him. He belonged to that sturdy element of German-American citizens to whom this country owes so much and who have ever been welcomed, for they have shown all the high qualities of good citizenship and have been loyal to our institutions in times of peace and national conflict. His life was exemplary in every respect and his memory will long be cherished by a wide cirele of friends and acquaint- ances throughont this section of the state.
Mr. Dorner was born in Baden, Germany, November 29, 1837, and he was the son of Frederick and Christina (Von Shol- der) Dorner. Ilis paternal grandfather was also born in Ger- many, reared a family of several children, and died in the land of his birth at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The mater- nal grandfather followed the dyer's trade in the fatherland for a source of livelihood, and died in middle life. Frederick Dorner, father of the subject, operated a flouring mill for many years, this being his principal life work, and his mill was popular in his com- munity. His death occurred in 1873, at the age of eighty-three years, his wife having preceded him to the grave six years pre- vious. They spent their entire lives in Germany, never coming to the United States, even on a visit. They were worthy mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and they had the respect of all who knew them, being hard-working, honest and upright. They were
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the parents of six children, two of whom died in early life; the other four were named, Carl, who lived in Geneva, Switzerland; Philip, who came to America and settled at Frankfort, Indiana; Adolph, who made his home at Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany; and Frederick, whose name forms the caption of this biographi- cal memoir.
Frederick Dorner spent his boyhood days in Germany and there attended the common schools, receiving a good practical education, and he gained some knowledge of business the mean- time by assisting his father in the mill. Having heard of the great opportunities that awaited the ambitious young man in the United States, he bade farewell to his home and carly friends and, when eighteen years of age, set sail for our shores, in 1855. He came direct to Lafayette, Indiana, where he established him- self in business and spent the rest of his life, becoming well-to-do through his industry and close application. For a number of years he followed various employments that would yield him an honest living, but in 1870 embarked in business on his own ac- count as a florist. For a number of years he rented greenhouses and engaged in the cultivation of flowers. In 1891, however, he purchased nine acres of land in the eastern section of the city, and began the development of an extensive establishment. At first he erected three hothouses, to which he later added from time to time until his extensive establishment embraced twenty-six fine greenhouses, with one hundred thousand square feet of glass, which is still maintained by the family, carrying on a wholesale and retail trade, shipping all over the United States and to Eng- land. This magnificent trade has been gradually built up from a very small beginning. This splendid, modern and superbly equipped plant is located on Indiana avenue, Lafayette, and there is none better in the state.
Mr. Dorner raised all varieties of flowers, but made a spe- cialty of carnations, and no more beautiful or perfect varieties of that flower could be found than those which came from his con- servatories. He soon had a trade which extended to most of the states of the Union, from New York to San Francisco and from New Orleans to Winnipeg, and he made exhibits of flowers in all sections of the country at different flower shows. Twenty-five persons are now engaged in carrying on the business, twenty-one
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of the number being employes unconnected with the family; the other four are members of the Dorner family, all of whom have been trained in floriculture and understand every phase of the same. The business is carried on under the firm name of F. Dor- ner & Sons Company, and their stamp upon goods is guaranty of its excellence. They enjoy a most enviable reputation, and their patronage is very extensive and of an important character, and contimies to grow with the years.
On March 2, 1861, Frederick Dorner was united in marriage to Margaret Eihl, a daughter of Lawrence and Sophia (Kramer) Eihl. Her father came to America, with his wife, in 1848, and after remaining in the East for a year they came on to Lafayette, Indiana, and established a good home. Mrs. Dorner was the only child of her parents, and is now the only representative of this branch in the United States.
Thirteen children were born to Frederick Dorner and wife, five sons and eight daughters. Those yet living are Frederick, third in order of birth, married Eda Prass, and they have two children, Dorothy and Frederick; Emily is at home; Anna, who married Fred E. Hudson, has one child, James Frederick; Emma married Claude Riddle and has three children, George, Margaret and Claude; Theodore, who married Lillian Harrington, has two danghters, Catherine and Lneille; Hermann lives at Urbana, Illi- nois, where he is professor of florientture in the school there, teaching flowers alone, no other branch, and he is regarded as an authority on this subject; William married Hazel Rinard. These children were provided with excellent educational advantages, several of them having been students in Purdue University. Those who have passed away are Margaret, who died at the age of nine months; Margaret, the second, of the name, who died at the age of ten years; Frederick, the first, who died at the age of two years; Christina, who passed away at the age of twenty-three; and two who died in infancy.
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