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 30
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W. E. HACKEDORN. Among the citizens of Indianapolis who have carried their way from a modest beginning to the rank of its prominent men, not one occupies a more envi- able position than W. E. Hackedorn. Possessed of excellent ability, grafted upon a stock of sturdy honesty, he also possesses a goodly degree of those personal attributes that spring from a kindly heart, an honest purpose, a broad liberality and a fraternal sympathy. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 29, 1855, to George G. and Lucinda S. (Shur) Hackedorn, the former of whom was a physician by profession, but spent the greater part of his life as a banker at Lima, Ohio. He paid the last debt of nature September 1, 1874. The subject of this sketch was brought up in Lima and was educated in the public schools and in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, from which he graduated in 1875. Soon after this event lie began the study of law and began his practice at Lima. He moved to Indianapolis in the fall of 1887, and soon after became connected with the Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, as attorney, which connection has continued up to the present time to the satisfaction of all concerned. From 1878 to 1882 he was attorney for the Sandusky Division, and in 1883 was made general attorney for this road, and as such still continues. Since 1890 he has also been general attorney for the Fort Wayne, Cincin- nati & Louisville Railroad Company, and throughout his entire professional career he has been closely identified with railway interests, his advice and labors in their behalf being highly valued notwithstanding his youth. He is also secretary of the Indianapolis & Northeastern Railroad Company. Personally he is universally popular, and in all relations his life is without blemish or stain. In 1885 he was married to Miss Dell Hull, of Bucyrus, Ohio.
LAFAYETTE F. PAGE, M. D. Diseases of the nose, throat and ear, including catarrbal, bronchial and allied ailments, have during recent years received the special attention of many physicians of skill and eminence. One of the most conspicuous of the medical prac-
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titioners of Indianapolis devoting himself to these branches of practice, is Dr. Lafayette F. Page, who was born at Columbia, Ky., May 21, 1863, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Irving) Page, natives of Charlottesville, Va. Robert Page was a business man of prominence. Dr. Page was educated privately and at the public schools of Columbia, Ky., and later pursued a classical course at Columbia College, there obtaining the degree of A. B. For two years he was teacher of. higher mathematics in Kentucky and for one year afterward in Texas. In 1885 he removed to Louisville and began the study of medicine at the Louisville Univer- sity (medical department). After taking the first course of lectures, he came to Indianapo- lis and entered the Indiana Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1887, receiv- ing the Mears gold medal as a mark of special honor. At the same time he entered a com- petitive examination for the position of interne at the city dispensary and secured the appointment for one year. He then entered upon a general practice to which he devoted him- self with increasing success for two years. Later he took two post-graduate courses at New York with the end in view of perfecting himself in a knowledge of pathology and treat- ment of the specialties to which he has given his almost exclusive attention since 1890. Though still a young man, he has gained a reputation in this line which has made him well and widely known for his skill and success. He is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and since coming to Indianapolis, has been physician to the county asylum, and he is at this time con- snlting physician in diseases of the throat, nose and ear, to the city dispensary. He is a member of the K. of P. and in politics is a Democrat.
JOHN C. GREENE. One of the well known and successful lawyers of Indianapolis is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is no less popular socially than atthe bar and is distinguished as being descended from a family of more than ordinary prominence during the revolutionary days. He was born in Rush County, Ind., February 17, 1831, a son of Lot and Anna (Cooper) Greene, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. His pa- ternal grandfather, who was formany years a resident of Guilford County, N. C., was Thomas Greene, whose father, a Rhode Islander, was first cousin to Gen. Nathaniel Greene. Gen. Greene and Thomas Greene were members of the Society of Friends, and Gen. Greene had many Quakers among his followers through the revolutionary struggle who suspended their relations with their peaceful brotherhood during the period when their country had such dire need of their services. When the independence of the colonies was assured, several of these made a request for themselves and for their comrades for reinstatement. A com- mittee was appointed on behalf of the society to consider their application and after due de- liberation informed them that they would be reinstated if they would acknowledge before the congregation that they had done wrong in taking up arms in mortal strife. Gen. Greene was appointed spokesman for the patriot "Friends." They were of one mind. They had risked their lives in the cause of liberty and they were not only not sorry for it but were proud of it. The General stated to the committee that in reply to its demand that they should acknowledge the act as wrong he had but one answer to make and that it was a de- cided one, "they would be damned if they would do it." From that time on Thomas Greene repudiated the Society of Friends. He left his people and went to Virginia, thence to Som- erset County, Ky .. and thence to Franklin County, Ind., where he died on his farm two miles below Brooklyn. Mr. Greene's grandfather, Cooper, also served the cause of the pa- triots for two years during the war for independence. He was a farmer and a Baptist preacher and closed his days in Rush County, Ind. Lot Greene, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was a farmer in Rush County all his active life. He was a man of fine attainments for those days and at different times taught school with such success that he is regarded as having been an able educator. For twenty years he was justice of the peace under the old constitution. He married Anna Cooper and she bore him eight children, named as follows: John C. (whose name heads this article), Samuel, Louisa (of California), Dr. James, Dr. W. F. (deceased), Amanda (deceased), P. M. (president of the First Na- tional Bank of Pasadena County, Cal.), and Mrs. Anna G. Porter, of California. John C. Greene was reared on his father's farm in Rush County, Ind., attending the district schools and working on the place until he was twenty-two years of age. He then entered DePauw (then Asbury) University, and was a student in that institution until compelled, nearly four
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years later, to relinquish his studies on account of failing health. Not long afterward he entered the law office of Davis & Wright, at Shelbyville, Ind., and read with them until he was admitted to the bar in March, 1856, and began the practice of his profession in associa- tion with his former preceptors as a member of the firm of Davis, Wright & Greene, a rela- tion which continued most pleasantly and profitably for all concerned for ten years. In Oc- tober, 1866, he came to Indianapolis. He was for about one year thereafter in the service of the United States Government, and afterward was for nine years a wholesale merchant, first in tobacco, cigars and teas, and later in drugs. But Mr. Greene gave up his mercantile career to return to the practice of his profession, which has since engaged his time and at- tention. As a lawyer he is noted for the skill with which he prepares his cases, the ability with which he presents them and the force and logic with which he argnes them. It is his invariable custom to advise against litigation as long as litigation can be avoided without detriment to his client's interests, but when he once takes a case in hand he leaves no stone unturned in the road to victory. He numbers among his clients many of the leading citizens firms and corporations of Indianapolis and its vicinity, and is specially retained by the Mu- tual Life Endowment Association. Politically Mr. Greene is a Republican, and while he can quite plainly state his reasons for so being, he is not in the ordinary sense a politician, and he has never sought nor accepted office, preferring to devote himself entirely to his busi- ness interests and having really no ambition in the direction of a public life. In a worldly way he has been quite successful. He was married in September, 1854, to Miss Catherine Houston, a cousin of Samuel Houston, of Texas, and who has borne him two children, Robert L. and Lucien, both of whom live in Chicago. His present wife, whom he married in March, 1885, was Azie McLean, of New Orleans. As a citizen Mr. Greene has always been most public spirited and helpful. He is proud of Indianapolis and of the grand State of Indiana and zealous for their progress and prosperity ..
DR. ROBERT GEDDES GRAYDON, now retired from the active duties of his profession, is probably one of the best known physicians of Marion County, Ind. He has been unusually successful in the practice of his profession, and that he deserves the good fortune that attended his efforts is indisputable, for he is not only honest and reliable and intelligent, but he has ever been sympathetic yet cheerful in the sick room. and possessed the happy faculty of winning the confidence and liking of his patients, which had much to do with their restoration to health. In fact, throughout the county he is considered an authority in medical lore, and is highly regarded by the medical fraternity. The Doctor first saw the light of day in Lancaster County, Penn., August 17, 1819, his parents being Alexander and Sarah (Geddes) Graydon. The father was born in Harrisburg, Penn., his birth occurring in 1791, and the principal part of his life was spent in merchandising in his native town. In 1843 he went to Indianapolis, Ind., where he was engaged in merchandising until 1858, and ten years later his death occurred. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the cam- paign when the British burned the capitol and bombarded Baltimore. He was married first, in 1818. to Miss Sarah Geddes, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union was born one son, our subject. The mother's death occurred at that time. On September 10, 1822, Mr. Graydon was married to Miss Jane C. Mckinney, daughter of Mordecai Mckinney, and fourteen children were born to this union, nine of whom reached mature years. Of these three died unmarried. Those who married were named as follows: Mary E., who became the wife of Joseph K. Sharp, of Indianapolis; William M., who married Miss Mary Merrill, resides in Indianapolis; Alexander, who resides in St. Louis, married Mary Frances Foster; Emma is the widow of James C. Alexander, and resides in Indianapolis; Andrew, married Miss Lavinia Doxon, and now makes his home in Indianapolis; and James W., who resides in London, England, first married Miss Mary McCullough and after her death was married to Miss Mary Bodine. William Graydon, the grandfather of the above mentioned chil- dren, was born in Bristol, Penn., on the Delaware River, in 1759. He was a lawyer by profession, and in his early manhood moved to Harrisburg, Penn., where he was soon after appointed justice of the peace by George Mifflin, Pennsylvania's first governor, and held that position for fifty years. His death occurred in October. 1840. He assisted in suppress- ing the whisky insurrection in Pennsylvania, and was under Gen. Washington. The grandfather was first married to Miss Eleanor Scull, who bore him six children. After
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her death he was married to Miss Eleanor Murray, and four children were born to them, two of whom are now living: William, who now resides in Philadelphia, and Henry M., who lives in Harrisburg. Alexander Graydon, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in County Longford, Ireland, in 1709, and was educated for the Episcopal ministry in Dublin. He came to America in 1730, settled in Philadelphia, and at once commenced the study of law. A number of years later he was appointed judge of the Bucks County Court, of which Bristol was the county seat, and he moved to that town and made his home there until his death in 1760. He was married in Philadelphia to a Miss Marks, and several chil- dren were born to them, of whom two sons, Alexander and Andrew, were soldiers in the Revolution, Alexander serving as captain and Andrew as cornet player. The former was captured and confined in New York city for some time by the British. He was afterward prothonotary or clerk of Dauphin County Court, and held that position for many years. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1793, and was one of the electors who voted for George Washington. He died in Harrisburg in 1817. Although married twice, he left no children. The Doctor's earliest maternal ancestor of whom he has any trace was Paul Geddes, who was a native of the Emerald Isle, born in 1660. Ho married the Widow McElroy, and died in 1720 or 1730. His son, James Geddes, was born in 1704 and died in 1764. The latter married Miss Margaret Muir and came to America in 1752, settling in the Keystone State. He and wife had three sons, Paul, William and Samuel, all born in Ire- land. William Geddes' birth occurred in 1735, and he married Miss Sarah McAllen in 1762. They had.seven children, one of whom, Robert Geddes, whose birth occurred in 1771, was the maternal grandfather of our subject. He married Miss Jane Sawyer, in March, 1797, and the mother of our subject was one of his children. Dr. Robert G. Graydon never knew the tender care of a mother, and when ten days old was taken to Harrisburg, Penn., by his father, and there grew to sturdy manhood. He attended the schools of that city, and he also attended a private academy, thus receiving a fair education for his day. In 1838, when nineteen years of age, he went to Hanover, N. H., and there entered Dartmouth College, from which institution he graduated in 1842. Returning to Harrisburg, Penn., he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. William W. Rutherford, and later attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the medical department of that institution in 1845. Again he returned to Harrisburg, but only to remain there a short time, for in 1846 he came to Indiana and located at Indianapolis. He practiced there a short time and in 1849 started for California, overland, making the start from Independence, Mo., together with a company of about fifty or sixty individuals. The party split up along the road and only about a dozen stuck together. They landed at Sutter's Mill after a trip of five months, during which time they had no trouble with Indians and no bad luck to amount to anything. Dr. Graydon remained in California from Angust, 1849, until September, 1850, digging for gold most of the time, and he then returned home by way of the isthmus. He stopped at many places on the way, and after an ocean voyage of fifty-five days reached New York City. From there he went to Philadelphia, thence to Harrisburg, where he visited friends, and then came to the Hoosier State with about $2,000 he had made in the Gold State. In 1852 he located in Greenwood, Johnson County, and practiced his profes- sion there until 1858, with the exception of six monthis spent in Texas, and then came to Southport, Marion County, where he has since remained and where he practiced his profes- sion nntil 1887, when he retired. He was a member of the Marion County Medical Society, also the State Medical Society, and was a charter member of both. In his religious views he is a Presbyterian and a member of the session. In the year 1886 he was elected justice of the peace for four years, but his successor failing to qualify, Dr. Graydon continues to serve. In politics he is a Republican; originally a Whig. He was not able to vote for William H. Harrison, being in college, and as a consequence his first presidential vote was for Henry Clay. He voted for Joli C. Fremont, then for Douglas, then MacClellan, but since then, for the most part he has voted the Republican ticket. In the year 1851 the Doctor was married to Miss Sarah C. Todd, a native of Kentucky, as was also her father, Levi L. Todd. One child was born to this union, but it died in infancy. Mrs. Graydon died in 1857, and the Doctor's second wife was Miss Eliza B. Todd, daughter of Thomas J. Todd. One child, a daughter, was born to this union, but died in infancy. The second wife died in August, 1867, and his
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third wife's maiden name was Flora A. Finch, daughter of Moses Finch, a native of New York. No children have been born to this union.
L. P. HARLAN. The Harlan family is one of the honored old American families mem- bers of which have been prominent in about every important period of our civilization. Early
representatives of it were able lawyers and eloquent divines. The name has made itself honored in war and in peace, in the celebrations of the church and in the counsels of the nation. One of its best known representatives at this time is Levi P. Harlan, of Indian- apolis. This popular lawyer was born in Marion County, Ind., March 3, 1853, a son of Austin B. and Elizabeth L. (Conwell) Harlan. His father was a native of Connersville, Ind., and his mother of Xenia, Ohio. The latter was brought to Marion County when but an infant, by her parents, who settled on a farm which became known widely as her family home. Nathan Harlan, Levi P. Harlan's paternal grandfather, removed, when only about sixteen years of age to Connersville, Ind., from his native state, Kentucky. In 1825 he came to Marion County and was a well known farmer here until his death, which occurred in 1847. He entered a tract of land in 1827 about nine miles east of the city, which is now the home of the father of the immediate subject of this sketch. His father, Joshua Harlan, was one of the most prominent early settlers of the State and was a pioneer judge at Connersville. He came from Kentucky to Connersville, and with him came his son, Nathan, then about sixteen years old. Before the latter came to Marion County, in 1825, he had married, and he brought with him Austin B. Harlan (L. P. Harlan's father), then three months old and certainly entitled to be written down as one of the youngest pioneers here- about. Here he was reared and still lives, having made his home on the same place for sixty-six years. He began as a boy to aid in the task of clearing and cultivating the land. He was a pupil in the old red log school-houses of his time and availed himself to the utmost of such educational advantages as were afforded him, and later supplemented them with systematic reading uutil he is regarded as one of the best-informed men anywhere in the country. Considering his years he is exceptionally hale and hearty. He is prominent in all the affairs of his neighborhood, and is known the country over as a stanch and uncom- promising Democrat. He bas been twice married and has a large family of children. The subject of this sketch and bis brother, Allison W. Harlan, a well known dentist of Chicago, are the only ones by the first marriage now living. The following by the second marriage are living, Isaac, Jacob, George, Harry, Clara, Adeline and Bessie. Mr. Harlan's boyhood days were passed on the farm and in the district school. He was early practically familiar with the rough work of producing from the soil the food of the people. The foundation of his education was primary in its character. He took up the labor of study in earnest at Butler University, and in June, 1873, went to Chicago and began to read law in the office of Wilson, Martin & Montgomery and remained there about two years. Upon his return to Indianapolis he was elected superintendent of the schools of Marion County and held that important position for ten years, until 1885. For something more than two years there- after he was cashier in the city and county treasurer's office. This position be was obliged to relinquish' on account of extreme and protracted illness, and when he was sufficiently recovered to do so, he devoted himself to restful and recuperative travel, which was con- tinued about a year. On his return he became a member of the law firm of Mccullough & Harlan, his partner being Senator Mccullough, which existed for three years, and since its termination he has been engaged alone in the practice of his profession. He has attained a prominence at the bar which is but the just reward of his merits and his success. He bas never had any political ambition to gratify, and such official preferment as has been accorded to him has come to him as the one conspicuous man who could most worthily assume it and
perform its duties. In all the relations of life be has borne himself with credit, and to the honor and gratification of his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is most liberal aud helpful to all its interests. He was married in 1877 to Miss Sarah L. Mc Vey, a talented and most estimable lady, and has five children: Horace, Ethel, Clara, Dayton and Loren. His suburban home is one of the most comfortable and elegant about Indianapolis and breathes welcome and good cheer in its every appointment. Here Mr. and Mrs. Harlan dispense a generous hospitality which has made the place known to the most solid and substantial people, and, with their children, live quietly and contentedly away from the noise and bustle of the city.
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CORNELIUS W. SULLIVAN. Special adaptability to any particular calling in life is the one necessary adjunct to permanent success. No matter the vim and determination which characterizes a man's start in business, unless he is to the manner born, he will find to his sorrow that his line has been falsely cast, and the quicker he draws aside and takes up an- other calling, the better will it be for him. That Cornelius W. Sullivan is especially fitted for the calling which now occupies his attention, that of plaster contracting, cannot be doubted, for he has a large amount of work constantly on hand, some of which is of consider- able importance and demands the utmost care and attention. Although he is quite young be commands his full share of work, and with reason may be accounted one of the most suc- cessful and extensive contractors in his line in the city. He was born on Delaware Street, Indianapolis, January 1, 1860, a son of Timothy and Anna (O'Donnell) Sullivan, the former of whom was born in the State of Kentucky, and the latter on the Isle of Erin. She was brought in childhood to this country, here grew to womanhood, and upon reaching a suitable age was united in marriage with Timothy Sullivan. This gentleman learned the trade of a plasterer in Louisville, Ky., and in 1856 came to Indianapolis and followed his trade with success for quite a number of years. He is now deceased, but his widow still survives him and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. In the public schools of the city of Indianapolis Cornelius W. received his education, and later was an attendant of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Upon starting out in life for himself at the early age of eleven years he began laboring in a stave factory and afterward in a pork house, but when he attained the age of fourteen years he began learning the trade of plastering with Matthew Hartman, one of the old-time contractors of the city, with whom he remained until the death of Mr. Hartman. In 1885 he went to Cincinnati and the following year to Chicago, but shortly after returned to Indianapolis and again worked for Mr. Hartman until the time of his employer's death, which occurred August 6, 1893, then commenced contracting plastering, having purchased Mr. Hartman's business, and has since been contracting for himself and has filled some very important and extensive contracts successfully. He has taken an active interest in politics for years, and in 1891 was assistant doorkeeper of the State Senate, and is now a member of the executive committee of the Democratic party, of which he has long been one of the most enthusiastic supporters. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange, and has very lately been elected secretary of that organization. He has always taken an active interest in labor organizations; was a member of the Operative Plasterers Association, of which he was presi- dent until his resignation, when he engaged in business with others. He is a member of the Operative Plasterer's International organization, of which he has been president nineteen months (United States and Canada), and has been secretary of the local organization and a member of the board of trustees. He is a man of much intelligence, public spirited to a degree, and a useful and influential citizen.
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