USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of other portions of the state, both living and dead > Part 22
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AUSTIN B. PRATHER. Real estate, in the form of city or suburban lots, is a bank of interest. The demand for inside and suburban lots and acres, together with the steady increase in the value of such holdings, afford the best possible evidence of Indianapolis' steady growth in wealth and prosperity. Experience tells us that to the economical artisan, salaried clerk and business man, these suburban offerings are of inestimable value in per- mitting men to acquire, at reasonable cost and on easy terms, a pleasant home in a healthy location, which becomes more valuable as the owner grows in years. One of the most popi- lar real estate men of the city of Indianapolis is Austin B. Prather, who is also an extensive fire insurance agent and is doing a business highly satisfactory to himself and his large num- ber of patrons. He is an ideal business man and has a remarkable capacity for work. He is a native of Oldham County, Ky., his birth having occurred January 29, 1848, of which State his father, John Prather, was also a native, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing with fairly satisfactory results. He was a mau of great public spirit and was an ensign in the military affairs of Tippecanoe times and in various other ways showed his interest in the welfare of his native land, being at all times public spirited and progressive. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, a native of North Carolina, a daughter of Benjamin Jones, who belonged to a well-known family of the Old North State. In 1820 Mr. Prather
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came with his family to Indiana and became one of the pioneer families of Clark County. The father died at Columbus, Ind., in 1876, the mother having been called from life in 1865. The paternal grandfather, Basil Prather, was of Scotch descent and was born and reared in the land of "thistles and oatmeal." He came to America in his early manhood, first settled in Kentucky but afterward became a pioneer Methodist preacher of Indiana, being one of the first of that denomination to hold services within its borders. Austin B. Prather was about ten years of age when his parents settled in Bartholomew County, Ind., and there he received the usual common-school advantages and early learned the details of agricultural life on his father's farm. Later he spent two years at White River Academy at Brownstown, Ind., where he completed a practical education. In October, 1869 he came to Indianapolis and became a clerk in the old pioneer grocery house of Horn & Anderson, in which capacity he served about four years, or, until that firm retired from business. He continued to follow clerical pursuits until September, 1881, when he entered the employ of W. E. Mich & Co., the oldest real estate firm of the city, and remained connected with them for six years. In 1887 he became a member of the firm of Prather & Hankel, but at the end of three years retired from the firm and soon after formed a partnership with Col. Walker, in the real estate, loans and fire insurance business, which connection continued until April 11, 1893, when he purchased Col. Walker's interest and later formed a partnership with George W. Powell, the present name of the firm being Powell & Prather. Mr. Prather was married in October, 1872, to Miss Mary L. Horn, a native of Indianapolis, and a daughter of Henry L. and Minerva A. (Palmer) Horn. He is a Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-sec- ond degree and is a charter member of Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 398. He is a member of the board of governors, of the board of trade and has served on important committees of the former organization. He has always been a Republican in his political views.
L. H. DUNNING, M. D. Among the many able and well-known physicians of Indianapolis who are a credit to the city is the subject of this notice, who is a descendant of good and worthy English stock. He is a native of Michigan, having been born at Edwardsburg, in that State, April 12, 1850, the English head and founder of the family having settled in New York State. Dr. Isaac D. Dunning, the grandfather of our subject, was a leading practitioner of Aurora, Erie County, N. Y., for about thirty years, and then, in 1836 emigrated to Michi- gan. The father of our subject, Oscar M. Dunning, was a substantial farmer, and his wife, Mary (May) Dunning, was also a native of New York, being a member of the old May and Stanton families, who were very prominent in the public affairs of the Empire State. Dr. L. H. Dunning was educated at the Edwardsburg High School, studied medicine for two years in the medical department of the University of Buffalo, where special mention was made of the thoroughness of his work, he displaying a remarkable aptitude in all his studies, and thus early affording earnest of the signal ability of the coming man and physician. His examination demonstrated that he had grasped the subjects gone through with subtle force and energy. Later, he spent one year at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in January, 1872. After graduating Dr. Dunning went to Troy, Berrien County, Michigan, where he engaged in the practice, and was for some time district superintendent of Public instruction. He was appointed correspondent of the Michigan State Board of Health and while performing the duties of that office acquired his first experience as a writer on medical subjects, in which he has since become distinguished. In the year 1878, feeling himself competent for a wider field, Dr. Dunning moved to South Bend, Ind., where he was soon called into a large and lucrative practice. His contributions to medical litera- ture, which had attracted much attention while he was reading at Troy, were continued at South Bend and soon gave him a national reputation. A number of these, which appeared in leading medical journals, especially such as treated upon surgical diseases of the kidneys, and also upon subjects relating to diseases of women, are of especial value, and stamped the Doctor not only an original and courageous thinker and investigator, but also a writer of a high order of ability, his language being elegant in diction and smooth in its flow-m. ? like that of a professional author and editor than of one who makes the science of medic, & his great life work. Busy as was his life at South Bend, his writings and his practice making exacting demands upon his time, he still investigated, studied and availed himself of every opportunity for adding to his knowledge and skill. He took several special courses in New York and in
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1889 made an extensive trip abroad, during which time he pursued his studies in the hospi- tals of Vienna, London and Paris. In the same year, at the request of the members of the faculty of the Indiana Medical College, Dr. Dunning moved to Indianapolis in order to accept the position of adjunct professor of diseases of women in that institution and also to practice his profession as with reference to the diseases of women and of abdominal surgery. On the death of Dr. T. B. Harvey, who had held the chair of diseases of women in the college for twenty years, Dr. Dunning was elected his successor, a position he still fills, with great credit to himself and to the fame of the institution. He has taken very high rank in the State as a lecturer and teacher. and also as a safe and successful operator, a great many cases having attracted wide attention because of the difficult character of the operations and their successful issue. The Doctor is also consulting gynecologist to the city hospital and the city dispensary. The Doctor has strong faith in the benefits arising from the association of medical men in organizations for mutual improvement, by the interchange of views and by other means diffusing knowledge, being a member of the Marion County Medical Society, the Indianapolis Surgical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He has been honored with invitations to read papers before most of these organizations and has for the most part complied with these requests, his contributions in all cases being received with great favor by the distinguished gentlemen composing the several bodies. At the ninth ses- sion of the International Medical Congress, held at Washington, 1887, he read a paper before that body, which was most favorably received, a higher compliment than this it being scarcely possible to pay, the International Congress being composed of the ablest and most profound and progressive physicians of the countries represented. During the administration of President Arthur he was a member of the Board of Pension Examiners at South Bend. In 1892 Dr. Dunning established a private hospital for the treatment of diseases of women and abdominal surgery and his efforts in this direction have met with marked success. Outside of his regular professional work the Doctor has contributed considerable time and valuable services to the cause of humanity and to the good of the community, having for many years been closely identified with and greatly interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association. He was chairman of the executive committee of the State Association for three years, and at present is serving a second term as president of the Indiana Association. He takes a very active and useful part in literary matters and socially is a member of the Commercial Club and of the order of Odd Fellows and Indianapolis Literary Club. Dr. Dunning was married December 9, 1875, to Miss Harriet Beauchamp, of Edwardsburg, and to them have been born three children. The Doctor and his wife are honored and consistent, as well as most useful members of the Central Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Thus Dr. Dunning, who is yet young has a long career before him, and is destined to attain a still higher place in the ranks of his profession and to extend the sphere of his influence for good.
EDWARD E. SCHROER. The subject of our sketch, Edward E. Schroer, is a model type of the unpretentious citizen, content to persue the even tenor of his way, without osten- tation, filling his position in life acceptable to the world. His parents, Herman H. and Elizabeth C. Schroer (nee Schoppenhorst), came to America in 1840, from the Province of West- phalia, Germany, where they were born July 9, 1815, and November 11, 1819, respectively. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 10, 1841, where Herman H. Schroer was engaged in mercantile business. They removed to Indianapolis, Ind., in 1848, where ou October 31, 1853, the subject of our sketch, Edward E. Schroer, was born, he being the sixth of nine children. After receiving a very ordinary education, such as was afforded by the country district schools, he was thrown upon bis own resources at the early age of fourteen years. He learned the trade of piano finisher, at which he worked steadily during the day. At night he applied himself assiduously to study for the purpose of ex- tending his meagre education. Having a natural aptitude for books and accounts, he de- termined to make himself an expert bookkeeper and accountant, and has succeeded as thor- oughly as he could have wished. At an early age he was attracted toward secret societies and fraternal organizations, and on December 17, 1874, he became a charter member of Indianapolis Lodge, No. 56, K. of P. He served several years as assistant grand keeper of records and seal in the grand lodge, K. of P. of Indiana. He then became identified with
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various other organizations, among them the Royal Arcanum, which he joined October 29, 1879, becoming a member of Indianapolis Council, No. 328. His thorough knowledge of fraternal orders, and his wide awake appreciation of their demands, soon led to his election to official positions in his council, and on March 1, 1882, he was chosen as its representa- ive to the grand council of Indiana, where he was a prominent member of the committee on appeals and grievances. At the session of the grand council held March 7, 1883, he was unanimously elected grand secretary, which position he has effectively filled without opposition ever since. He has seen the order grow in power and numbers under his ad- ministration, and not a little to his own earnest efforts does it owe its success. Mr. Schorer is also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, O. of E., K. of H. and I. O R. M. He enjoys a wide acquaintance, aside from his secret society connections, and has filled many positions of trust and importance. He was one of the organizers, and is now an active member of the Commercial Club, which has done so much to improve the city of Indianapolis. In his political opinion Mr. Schroer is a Republican, and is actively identified with the interests of that party, being a member of the Marion Club, and taking part in the political councils. He is interested in various charities in a quiet way, and while not strictly a church man, he is uniformly correct in morals and deportment. Edward E. Schroer was happily married April 17, 1878, to Miss Bettie M. Marley, who now, together with two children, Clifford Edward, aged fourteen, and Irene Agnes, aged seven, graces his home. Mr. Schroer has for a year past devoted himself almost wholly to the interests of the R. A., in the conscientious discharge of his duties as grand secretary. He is still a young man, and if his future achievements are to be judged by his past, he has many years of usefulness yet before him.
THOMAS TAGGART. There is not a more popular citizen and official in Marion County than Thomas Taggart who has been twice elected county anditor and whose conduct of the affairs of that office has been such as to commend him to the good opinion of the general public irrespective of party affiliation. Mr. Taggart is an Irishman by parentage and nativity. hav- ing been born in County Monahan, Ireland, in 1856; a son of Thomas and Martha (Kings- berg) Taggart, both of whom were descended from worthy families long prominent there. The family removed to the United States when young Thomas was a child and located at Xenia, Ohio, where the elder Taggart found employment with a railway company and where he resides at this time, in the enjoyment of a moderate competency gained by his years of honest and prudent industry. Young Thomas Taggart was educated in the public schools of Xenia and began his active business career while yet a boy in the hotel and ralway restau- rant of E. Cory, who was succeeded by N. & G. Ohmer of that city. In a way, his employ- ment gave direction to his after career. Coming to Indianapolis in 1877, he engaged in the same business at the Union Station, and through his subsequent political career lie has retained the proprietorship of the Union Station hotel and restaurant which is popular with the entire traveling fraternity. In 1886 Mr. Taggart, who had for some time been a leader among the young and progressive element of the Democracy was nominated by his party for county auditor and was elected by a majority of 1,700 votes, a most flattering test of his popularity. He was made chairman of the Marion County Democratic committee during the presidential campaign of 1888. In Indianapolis, the home of the Republican nominee for the presidency, the Republican managers confidently counted on a majority for Mr. Harrison in Marion County of not less than 1,500 and the Democratic leaders scarcely hoped for any- thing better than a reduction of the Republican majority. The brilliant management of Mr. Taggart, as chairman of the Democratic County committee, was a surprise to both Repub- licans and Democrats and, for the first time in her history, Marion County gave a Democratic majority in . a presidential year. As county auditor Mr. Taggart gave such complete satisfaction that bis renomination and re-election were assured long before the time for nomination came, and his majority at his second election, in 1890, advanced to 3,580 votes, more than double that by which he was first elected. Mr. Taggart probably achieved his greatest distinction when he was chosen in January, 1892, to act as chairman of the Democratic State committee. Never in the history of the Hoosier State has a party been so thoroughly organized as under his generalship during the campaign that followed in the Fall of that year. In the face of the fact that the home of the presidential candidate of the opposing
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party was in Indiana, and that the whole force of Federal office holders in the State was arrayed against him, he succeeded in winning a decided victory for his party. Mr. Taggart was married in 1877 to Miss Eva D. Bryant, daughter of C. B. Bryant, of Rock Island, Ill. He is a member of the Hendricks, Cleveland and Gray clubs; Knights Templar, Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine of Masonry, and is identified with other important organizations and interests. Being a young man, full of vigor, and popular, it is generally conceded by his friends that a bright future is before him.
JAMES WALTER HERVEY, M. D. There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the spectacle of a life that has reached its autumn with a harvest of good and unselfish deeds on behalf of humanity. It is like the forest in October days, when the leaves have borrowed the richest colors of the light and glow in the mellowed sheen of the Indian summer, reflect- ing in their closing days all the radiance of their brief existence. The man who has lived for others and has brought into potential exercise the best energies of his mind that he might make the world the brighter and better from his being a part of it cannot fail to enjoy a serenity of soul that reveals itself in his walk and conversation. When such a life is preserved in its strength and energy so that even in age its work continues unabated, it challenges the added admiration of those whose good fortune it is to be brought into con- tact with it. Such a life has been and is that of Dr. James Walter Hervey, of Indianapolis, a man, who, after preparing himself fully for the noble profession of medicine, entered upon his career with a noble purpose of helping his fellows journeying along the road, and this consecration of himself has been life long and demonstrated in the most valuable service to individuals, the city, the State and the Government. Such a life merits a record of its deeds, that the debt due it may be acknowledged and that it may serve as stimulus to others to endeavor to emulate it. The subject of our sketch was born of Scotch-Irish parentage, near Brookville, Ind., April 5, 1819, and had the misfortune to lose his father when he was but five years old, his mother being left a widow with five children, in a new and wild country, where there were no schools nor educational facilities of any kind. The devoted woman was so solicitous that her offspring should not grow up in ignorance that she moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where she had the pleasure of seeing her loved ones enjoy the privileges so necessary to their after success in life. Our subject passed through the common schools of that place and thien spent two years at a select school at Cincinnati, kept by Prof. Kemper. This completed his primary education and before his twentieth year he was a student of medicine in the office of Dr. John C. Fall, of Preble County, Ohio, with whom he remained four years. The mind of the young student was a very receptive one, and at the same time, was most investigating and inexorable in its demands for more knowledge. Hence, while the library of his preceptor was a very good one, it was too limited for Dr. Hervey, who was resolved to acquire everything possible to be known that would better qualify him for the noble profession. So he sought and readily obtained access to the valuable libraries of Dr. Christian Sayler and Prof. Baker, of Cincinnati, and the very superior one of Dr. Crookshank, of Fairfield, these worthy and eminent gentlemen being greatly impressed with the studious and ambitious young man and were glad of an oppor- tunity to contribute to his sources of gaining knowledge. But the investigating spirit of the medical student was not satisfied with these many opportunities and privileges, but invested every cent of his spare money in the best books that were procurable. Like so many worthy and ambitious youths of America, the young man lacked the means to defray his expenses through medical college, so that after this faithful preparation he went to Chicago, in the expectation of finding employment with some of the physicians there until he could complete his course and gain his diploma. This was before the days of railroads in that section of country, and with a brave heart and $50 in his pocket, which a friend had . loaned him, he mounted a pony, the gift of a friend, and turned the head of the animal toward the goal of his desires. This money was all he had to purchase a complete outfit, and it was so nearly gone that when he reached Indianapolis, he found it necessary to stop for the purpose of recouping his depleted purse. Friends rose up to help him with counsel and more material aid, and he accepted an offer of free board, horse feed and a log cabin in Hancock County, where the little village of Mount Comfort now stands. Entering upon the practice, which he designed should be but for a season or two at most, things so 9
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turned out that he remained there seven years. Thus the life work of this worthy man and eminent physician and publicist began in a rural district among a plain and simple but honest and good people. But it was the best possible school for him. Here as in the crowded city the varied forms of disease presented themselves, and to an ardent student like him it may be sure that he spent every hour profitably, and with conscientious care he studied each separate case, knowing that he must rely upon his own resources. Here he acquired self reliance and confidence, so essential in the physician. Dr. Hervey has had a most varied experience in his memorable career. He has had patients in the rude log cabin, in village, city and hospital; in the homes of the wealthy, in cellars and garrets, where poverty and crime dwell. He has fought and conquered disease in the camp and on the march, and has defeated death on the battle-field and in the hospital by his superior knowledge of surgery. His advantages have been infinite. He has seen disease treated and surgical operations performed at the most famed centers of the old world, and has availed himself of every pos- sible means of gaining knowledge in his profession. His life in Hancock was most successful, and every day of it was a means of preparation for the larger and more influential fields in which he was destined afterward to glean. Many strange and notable events have chanced to the Doctor, some of them highly romantic, others that were near to having a tragical termination. On one occasion he had a night ride with a maniac, a happening that caused much excitement and interest on account of it being published in the newspapers at the time. Wherever he has been, whatever the duties he has had to perform, he has always discharged them faithfully, and has never failed to win the confidence and the esteem of those to whom his services were rendered. Dr. Hervey began the practice of medicine at a time when the leading members of the profession were learning that phlebotomy and other means of reducing the vital forces to control sthenic condition of the system were inimical to success at the bedside. The studious young Doctor become thoroughly persuaded that the practice was dangerous, and should be obsolete, and hence, when a severe form of malarial fever, designated as "Congestive Fever" broke out in his neighborhood, and the old practitioners treated it after the then orthodox methods laid down by Bell and Stokes, McIntosh and others, Dr. Hervey borrowed money and bought quinine at $5.00 an ounce and administered it in full doses. The result was that he scarcely lost a case, while the older physicians lost many of theirs in the cold stage. The Doctor, as may readily be supposed, encountered much opposition in his course, for it is always the fortune of independent and courageous thinkers and doers to be persecuted. He was sued for malpractice because he used nitrate of silver and tincture of iodine in small-pox, to prevent pitting; but he was vindicated com- pletely in his course and was afterward highly complimented for this course of treatment. The case was reported to the Indiana Medical Journal and other professional periodicals and commented on very freely. This case demonstrated fully to the profession that ignorance is the very worst enemy that it has to encounter. In 1850, after seven years of most success- ful practice, Dr. Hervey started for Philadelphia, with the object of attending medical lect- ures there, but on reaching Indianapolis was persuaded by his old friend, Dr. John S. Bobbs, to attend the medical department of Asbury University. After graduating it was his purpose to go to Chicago, an intention that had clung to him in the seven years of his resi- dence and practice in Hancock, and his old patrons, grateful for the services he had rendered them and iu admiration of his high character as a neighbor and citizen, made up for him a purse of $800, to be used by him whether he rendered service for it or not. This testimo- nial so affected him that he decided to protract his stay among the appreciative people, and, as a result, he remained in that region nine years longer. Returning from the University, he transferred his office to the little village of Oakland, in the northeast corner of Marion County, near the junction of Hancock, Marion and Hamilton Counties, and he entered at once upon the practice in the three counties. During his residence at Oakland he was a most ardent temperance worker, and wrote a temperance story, entitled "The Scroll and the Locket, or the Maniac of the Mound." Busy as was his professional life, for his practice was constantly extending, he found time, as all good citizens should, to bestow upon political affairs, and his friends, in appreciation of his services and prompted by a desire to have him where he could be of the greatest possible good to his constituency, nominated and elected him to the Legislature in 1854 from Marion County, it being then
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