USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 11
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with this noted jurist. He was also at one time associated with Hon. Joseph Claybaugh, his brother-in-law, an ex-judge of the Clinton county circuit court. Mr. Davidson became prosecuting attorney for Clinton county, and he served as judge of the common pleas court in the fifties. In the midst of all his various legal duties he found time to do considerable editorial writing on the Franklin Argus, later known as the Crescent, which name he gave the paper. He continued in the practice at Frankfort until Novem- ber, 1863, when he moved to Lafayette, during the most exciting period of the great Civil war. The rigid study of the law and his close application to his chosen profession made him profound in thought and broad-minded in the truest sense of the term. As a public speaker, while not a flowery orator, he was a strong, logical speaker, his language being of that clear, concise and forcible type that always had its weight with an audience, especially with courts and jurymen, who recognized the fact that he had a wonderful legal mind. In his personal bearing the Judge was of rather retiring disposition, always a gentleman, possessed of true politeness, courteous and obliging, very gentle mannered, true hearted and sympathetic, at all times and places. He always had the best interests of his client at heart, and was firm in the pre- sentation of his arguments in the court room. He remained a profound student of law up to the time of his death. His briefs in cases taken to higher courts were considered masterpieces.
His career in Lafayette was a series of triumphs, having in 1864 entered the law office of W. D. Mace, but subsequently formed a partnership with Hon. Richard P. DeHart. At one time he was a law partner of Capt. W. DeWitt Wallace and still later he was associated with his son, Joseph C. Davidson, who is now practicing in Chicago. His next law partner was Daniel E. Storms, ex-secretary of state, who now resides in Nevada. His last partner was Allen Boulds, admitted to the firm in 1897. Thus it will be seen that he was associated with numerous excellent attorneys during his long practice. From time to time he aided many young men to solve difficult legal problems and he has started them out on their careers as attorneys with a good degree of assured success. His knowledge of law made him an author- ity in many intricate legal cases in Tippecanoe and other counties. The fol- lowing, which appeared in an editorial of one of the newspapers of his home city the morning after his death, is an accurate summing up of his legal ability :
"He possessed an analytical mind, and being so well read in law. he scored every point the case would admit of. In court he was a fighter for every inch of ground and was always respected by his opponents. He was
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connected with some of the most important lawsuits filed in this and adjoin- ing counties, and his advice was sought by other attorneys who well knew the value of the legal lore he possessed."
Not alone in law did Judge Davidson become efficient, but as a political worker in the ranks of the Democratic party he did valuable work. During the Lincoln and Douglas presidential campaign, he was active in the interest of his party, and had the honor of being one of the Douglas electors, and four years later he was an elector for Abraham Lincoln for his second term. He was what is styled in political history "a war Democrat" and bitterly opposed the institution of human slavery. During our great civil strife, Governor Morton appointed him draft commissioner. After the war had ended Judge Davidson did not participate again in politics until he was elected a representative to the legislature, serving in the sessions of 1871-1872. In 1902 he was defeated for the state senatorship by Hon. William R. Wood. He was never a radical partisan, believing that all parties tried to make plat- forms for the good of the masses, hence he was charitable and never offen- sive in his political declarations.
The true test of manhood may generally be found about the home hearthstone, and in this phase of his interesting life Judge Davidson was shown in his best light, his domestic relations being of the most harmonious and happiest type. He formed a matrimonial alliance on May 15, 1849, with Jennie S. Claybaugh, daughter of the late Rev. Joseph Claybaugh, D. D., who was for many years professor of theology at Oxford Seminary (Ohio). This union was blessed by the birth of five sons and two daughters, five of whom survive, namely: Joseph C., of Chicago; Mrs. Mary P. Russell, also of Chicago ; Margaret B., who is living in Lafayette; Horace C., of Aurora, Illinois : and Dr. Edward C., of Lafayette. Robert P., Jr., died in 1889, and James T. died in 1904. After a beautiful Christian life, Mrs. Davidson closed her eyes on earthly scenes, January 26, 1908, a few months in ad- vance of her husband, who really never fully recovered from the sad affliction ·caused from being separated from one who had traveled with him so many years as a loving, faithful companion.
Concerning his religious faith, it can be said that he very naturally found his church home within the fold of the Presbyterian church, as his forefathers had all been of that faith. For almost a half century he was an exemplary member and was long an elder of the First Presbyterian church of Lafayette. He was a home man, and he was usually found at his fireside when not at his office, for he affiliated with no clubs or secret societies. This love of the quietude of home was perhaps responsible for his limited traveling.
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He also took a delight in looking after his farming interests, which were extensive. He was always entertaining, a man of much universal knowledge and a companionable conversationalist.
At his funeral, the members of the bar, who held him in the very highest esteem, attended in a body. The Rev. A. C. V. Skinner, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, conducted the services, paying a high tribute to the departed dead. Friends came from long distances to pay their last respects to the mortal remains of him who in his lifetime had befriended and mingled with them as companions on the road of life. Thus, beneath a wealth of beautiful garlands, surrounded by sorrowing old-time and younger friends. the pallbearers bore the tabernacle that had held this worthy man's great soul to its last resting place in Springville cemetery, where it sleeps the sleep of the just.
At a meeting of the bar association, held April 24th, eulogies were pro- nounced by leading members, and appropriate resolutions were passed and spread upon the records of the superior and circuit courts.
JAMES M. STINGLE.
Incumbent of the office of county assessor and holding worthy prestige as a citizen, the subject of this sketch has been much in the public gaze and merits more than passing notice among the representative men of the county which has been his home since his birth. James M. Stingle was born near Purdue University in Wabash township on the 28th day of August, 1862. being a son of Levi and Emily (Kellogg) Stingle, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Levi Stingle came to Tippecanoe county a number of years ago and in due time became widely known as a successful farmer and stockraiser; by industry and frugality, directed and controlled by sound judgment and business ability of a high order, he accumulated a handsome fortune and at the time of his death left a large estate, including the family homestead in Wabash township and other valuable realty, besides personal property of considerable amount. He was greatly esteemed throughout the county, enjoyed the confidence of his fellowmen to a marked degree and in his efforts to promote his own interests was not unmindful of the interests and welfare of others. He lived to the age of seventy-two and was called from the scenes of his earthly labors and triumphs in 1899. his death being deeply mourned and profoundly regretted by the people among whom he had spent
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so many years. Mrs. Stingle, who proved a worthy wife and helpmeet and to whose judicious counsel her husband was indebted for no small part of his success, departed this life in 1889, when sixty-two years of age. Levi and Emily Stingle were the parents of seven children, three of whom died in infancy or early childhood, the names of the surviving members of the family being as follows: James M., subject of this sketch; Harry E., who lives in California; Eva A., wife of James A. Bell, of West Lafayette, and Lillie E., who married Pogue Myers and lives in the city of Lafayette. Both parents had been previously married and each had one child when they be- came husband and wife.
James M. Stingle was reared amid the bracing airs and wholesome in- fluence of rural life, and his early experience on the farm had much to do in developing a strong, well-rounded character and directing his future course of action. He was educated in the public schools and the Lafayette Com- mercial College and, on leaving home to make his own way in the world, engaged in the livery business at Lafayette, which he conducted with fair success for a period of ten years. Disposing of his establishment at the ex- piration of that time Mr. Stingle, in 1904, was appointed deputy county assessor, the duties of which position he discharged in a very acceptable manner, for one term, during which time he became so widely acquainted throughout the county and made so many warm friends that when he an- nounced his candidacy for the office held by his superior, his nomination was a foregone conclusion. In the election which followed he defeated his com- petitor by a majority of five hundred and ninety-five votes.
Mr. Stingle has proven a very efficient and obliging public servant. He conducts his office in an able and straightforward business-like manner, exer- cises sound discretion in the matter of values and is absolutely fair and im- partial in his treatment of property holders, so that the public, irrespective of political allignment, have the utmost confidence in his judgment and in- tegrity. As indicated above, he is a Republican and an active worker for the success of his party, especially in local affairs, concerning which his opinions and advice always carry weight and command respect. Mr. Stingle is con- nected with several secret fraternal orders, including the Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men, in the former of which he holds the title of past chancellor. The local lodges to which he belongs are indebted to him for much of the success they now enjoy.
Mr. Stingle's domestic life dates from March 9, 1885, at which time he was united in marriage with Drusilla Belle Huffman, of Lafayette, and a daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Nagle) Huffman, the father a son of Rev.
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Jonathan Huffman, a pioneer of Tippecanoe county and one of the first Methodist ministers in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Stingle have three children, namely: Robert, a student of Purdue University, Ethel and Bernice, the former pursuing her studies in the high school of West Lafay- ette, the latter a student of the lower grades. In religious belief Mr. Stingle subscribes to the Baptist creed, his wife being a Methodist and a zealous and useful member of the local church to which she belongs.
SAMUEL S. WASHBURN. M. D.
Dr. Samuel S. Washburn, who is now the longest in practice of any physician, save possibly one, in Tippecanoe county, and still enjoying the confidence of the populace in his present-day practice in the city of Lafayette, was born September 1, 1839, at Rushville, Indiana. He is the son of Isaac and Mariah ( Bratton) Washburn. The father was born in Ohio and was by trade a tanner and followed it until the Mexican war came on. He then enlisted in the army raised to put down that conflict and was promoted to sergeant-major of the Second Kentucky Regiment of Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Buena Vista and died a pensioner, by reason of his Mexican war service. After that war he located at Owensboro, Kentucky, where he became the editor of a newspaper, continuing in that profession until his death in December, 1876. He was the father of six children, as follows : Nancy, Elihue, Robert R., Sarah, Zarelda, and Samuel S. of this notice. The mother of this family died in 1885; she was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, having united at the age of fifteen years. The sub- ject's father, Isaac Washburn, was of the Universalist faith. Politically, he was a Democrat.
Doctor Washburn had the advantage of the public schools in Rush coun- ty, Indiana, and later studied under a private tutor. He chose the science of medicine as his profession, and studied under Dr. D. W. Stirman, of Owens- boro, Kentucky, and entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from which most excellent institution he was graduated in the month of March, 1861. He then saw the country was in need of men to suppress the Rebellion which had opened in April of that year, and enlisted as a member of the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until the autumn of 1863, when he was discharged by reason of disability, hav- ing contracted typhoid pneumonia. During his entire army career he was on
Ss. Mashburn, M.D.
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the medical staff and was assistant surgeon and hospital steward. After he returned from the army, he located at Decatur, Illinois, where he practiced medicine four years, then located at Dayton, Indiana, where he continued seven years and built up an extensive medical practice in that section of the country. In 1874 he came to the city of Lafayette, where he has ever since practiced and is now the longest in practice of any physician in the place. He is a member of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, as well as a member of the State and American Medical Associations. He reads the latest medical works and is a subscriber to and benefits by the reading of the various medical publications. By keeping fully abreast with the modern methods in his profession, he is accounted an up-to-date physician and surgeon. He has a large and successful practice, being the "family doctor" for many of the leading families of the city and its environments.
Politically, the Doctor is a believer in the general principles of the Democratic party. In 1889 he was a candidate for state representative, and at a time when the county went a thousand majority Republican he was only defeated by about four hundred votes.
In civic society relations, the Doctor is connected with Masonry, being a past master of the Masonic lodge, having held that office four years, and is always interested in all that pertains to this ancient and honorable frater- nity. He is known as a bright Mason.
Coming to his domestic life, it may be said in this connection that he was united in marriage November 22, 1864, to Lucy B. English, daughter of James English and wife, of Mt. Auburn, Illinois. The issue by this union was five children, as follows: Alva C., Savilla, Van Clifford, James H. and Olivia Belle, all deceased, except the sons, A. C. and J. H. James H. is an actuary for the Hartford Life Insurance Company, and resides at Hartford, Connecticut; A. C., the Doctor's other son, is actuary for the Mexico-Amer- icana Life Insurance Company and resides in Mexico.
To have practiced in the homes of Tippecanoe county so long as Dr. Washburn has, and met with success; to have seen service in his country's war days; to have been connected with county and municipal government and advocated his political principles, against fearful odds, and reared a family, members of which are today holding places of trust and responsibility in this and a foreign country, is an indication that his career has been fraught with more than ordinary success. In the city of Lafayette he has been coun- cilman from the sixth ward for eighteen years and was president of the- board of city commissioners four years.
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JUDGE CYRUS BALL.
An enumeration of the representative citizens of Tippecanoe county of a former generation who won success and recognition for themselves and at the same time conferred honor upon the community, would be decidedly incomplete were there failure to make mention of Judge Cyrus Ball, who long held worthy prestige in legal and political circles. He was always dis- tinctively a man of affairs, who wielded a wide influence among those with whom his lot was cast, ever having the affairs of his county at heart and did what he could to aid in its development, then passed serenely on to his eternal rest, leaving behind him a priceless heritage to his family and friends- the record of a life well spent and a good name.
Judge Cyrus Ball, long a prominent citizen of Indiana, was born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, May 30, 1804, the youngest of a family of six children, four brothers and two sisters. His early education was meager, having attended schools of a primitive kind for three months during the winter, his work on the farm depriving him of further time to devote to his text-books. However, he spent a great deal of time reading history and miscellaneous subjects, and while quite a young man was enabled to begin teaching in one of the country schools. In 1825 he left the farm and read law awhile, having at an early age decided to enter the legal profession, and he was admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1826. He came west with his cousin, Justice Harlan, in that year. In the spring of 1827 he went to Baltimore, Maryland, and bought a stock of merchandise and brought the same to Lafayette, Indiana, and he and his brother started a general store here. After two and one-half years, Cyrus assumed entire control of the business, which had steadily grown from the first. In 1828 Cyrus Ball was admitted to the bar in Indiana and the following year he was elected justice of the peace, serving five years. In 1835 he was defeated for the office by Mathias Peterson, a Democrat. He then formed a partnership with James Hill and Peter S. Jennings, embarking in the dry goods business. Mr. Hill died in 1837 and the firm became Ball & Jennings. The former sold out to the latter, and. in connection with his brother, purchased the property at the northwest corner of Third and Main streets, paying the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars for the lot.
In 1832 Mr. Ball was married to Cornelia Smith, who died within three years after their marriage. On May 8, 1838, he was married to Rebecca Gordon, of Philadelphia; she was born in that city, May 16, 1816, and she
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came to Lafayette in 1837. To this union five children were born, namely : Gordon, Seneca, Eugene, Cornelia and Richard. Mrs. Ball was of a decided- ly poetic nature, and she was always bright, cheerful and happy. She was a woman of rare intellect, of fine judgment, having wonderful powers of tact and discrimination. She penned many dainty gems of verse, some of them manifestly from the depth of the heart, and displayed a wealth of poetic genius.
When the Black Hawk war began Judge Ball and William Reynolds went to the front, passing through Chicago, at that time an insignificant little trading post. Upon their arrival there they were unable to buy enough feed for their horses, there being practically no business of this nature there.
The Wabash & Erie canal made Judge Ball collector of tolls in 1840, and in 1841 he was appointed cashier in the branch at Lafayette of the State Bank of Indiana, retaining that position until the charter expired and the bank went into liquidation. Business was carried on at the southwest corner of Sixth and Main streets until the charter expired in 1859, at which time Judge Ball purchased the lots and improvements, which are now the property of his son, Gordon Ball.
Cyrus Ball was elected one of the three associate judges in 1840 for this district, and he was soon regarded as a splendid jurist, fair and possessing the highest integrity. He had a mind capable of the most careful judicial analysis and he carefully weighed in the balance all problems submitted to him and soon displayed a profound knowledge of jurisprudence, his decisions seldom meeting with reversal at the hands of a higher tribunal.
When the Lafayette Artificial Gas Company was started, Judge Ball became president and held considerable stock in the same, and its large suc- cess was very largely due to his able management. With Albert S. White, the Judge was chiefly instrumental in the construction of the railroad to Indianapolis, many years ago, which is now a part of the Big Four system. When he retired from the banking business, Judge Ball built an elegant residence on South Ninth street where he lived until his death, June 30, 1893, having reached a ripe old age, full of honors and success. Although it was dangerous to do so, he entertained the noted William Lloyd Garrison and other well known abolitionists at his home. Mrs. Cyrus Ball joined her distinguished husband in the silent land on January 16, 1900. Her son, Seneca Ball, who became prominent in business and railroad circles, died De- cember 19, 1907. Eugene Ball died in Vienna, while United States consul to Budapest. Cornelia Ball died just as she had blossomed into womanhood. Thus Gordon Ball, of Lafayette, is now the only living member of the family.
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Judge Ball was a man of unusual business ability, having been an or- ganizer and a promoter, possessing the rare ability to foresee the outcome of business transactions and he was regarded as a leader in business circles for a half century. He died without a blemish on his character, there having been manifest in his character the highest sense of honor and the strictest integrity. In disposition he was kind, tender, yet firm, straightforward and no man was more determined in the execution of his plans when once he decided that he was right. Broad and liberal in his views, enterprising and resourceful, he was a power in every enterprise he undertook. He took the delight of a boy in innocent sports, and nothing delighted him more than to romp with his children. His old age was cheered by frequent fishing trips to the Kankakee, Wild Cat and the Wabash. His useful life ended as he had lived it-without a shade to darken its passage into the great beyond. Tip- pecanoe county will never know a more useful, grander character than he.
MAJOR WARREN R. KING, M. D.
The subject of this sketch, who is chief surgeon of the Soldiers' Home and for many years recognized as one of the leading members of the med- ical profession, is a native of Hamilton county, Indiana, born February 6, 1842. His parents, Benson and Esther (Robinson) King, natives of New York, came west in an early day and settled about fourteen miles north of Indianapolis, Indiana, where the father purchased land and in due time be- came a prosperous agriculturist. He spent the remainder of his life on the beautiful farm, which he improved, accumulated a comfortable competency and died in August, 1845, his faithful companion departing this life within six minutes after he ceased to breathe, both being interred in the same grave at Eagle Village. Four children constituted the family of this worthy couple, the oldest, Minor M., dying in Iowa in 1881 ; Dr. Warren R. was the second son in order of birth; Mesdames Harriett Ellis and Martilla Sparks, the third and fourth, respectively, reside in Connersville, this state. Being a mere child when his parents died, young King was taken into the family of Daniel Shortridge and wife, his uncle and aunt, to whom he attributes all the success in life which he has attained. Mr. Shortridge was quite wealthy and, becoming interested in the lad, decided to look after his training and educa- tion and fit him for some useful calling. At the proper age, therefore, he attended the Fairview Academy, and, having chosen medicine as the profes-
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sion most suited to his tastes and inclinations, he subsequently began the study of the same in the Iowa Medical College at Keokuk, where he com- pleted their prescribed course.
Dr. King prosecuted his professional studies under many disadvantages and discouragements, superinduced by a somewhat disastrous military expe- rience, in which he received a severe wound, which rendered him a cripple for life. Entering the army in opposition to his uncle's wishes caused an estrangement between the two, and when his relative ceased supplying the necessary funds for his support, the young man was thrown upon his own resources, which, by reason of his injury, were somewhat limited. Determin- ing to finish his studies, however, he let nothing deter him from this accom- plishment, but his poverty was such as to cause him great inconvenience and no little suffering while prosecuting his collegiate course, being at one time compelled to rent a miserably poor little room for one dollar per month and sleeping on the floor with a soldier's blanket as his only bed and covering. Despite unfavorable environments and a scanty diet, he applied himself zeal- ously to his studies and researches. During his last course of lectures he served as a medical cadet in the hospital at Keokuk.
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