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 31
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HON. WILLIAM H. CRAFT. The real estate agent has a function important alike to those for whom he sells, and to whom he sells, and if he be a man of integrity, fills an obligation to both classes with whom he deals. The business of more than one man has been unsettled through the fault of unscrupulous real estate agents and a man in this line who is really upright and honest and has at heart the best interests of all concerned is pretty apt in time to receive a large patron- age. One of the most reliable of the real estate agents of Indianapolis is William H. Craft, whose place of business is located at 16, Virginia Avenue. He is a member of the firm of W. H. Craft & Co., real estate, insurance, loan and rental agents, his two sons, Harlan and Ernest, being associated in business with him. The character of the gentlemen composing this firm is alone sufficient to commend it to the public favor and they are unhesitatingly acknowledged to be gentlemen of superior business qualifications. The head of the firm, William H. Craft, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 6, 1833 and in the common schools of that section he received the advantages of a thoroughly practical English education. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to learn the printing business and served three years as a compositor, at the end of which time he entered Neff Academy, a well conducted institution of learning, and there continued to pursue his studies for one year. He next served a three year's apprenticeship at the watch-maker and Jeweler's business and first came to Indianapolis in November, 1854. In 1860 he commenced business for himself in the Odd Fellows' Hall, but when the great. Civil War came up he cast aside personal considerations and
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enlisted in the service of his country. At the close of hostilities he resumed the jewelry business which had been interrupted by the war, and established himself at 24, East Washington Street. In April, 1886, Mr. Craft then sold out and quit the jewelry business and turned his attention to other avenues of labor. He has been twice married and has had born to him eight children, six of whom are living. In 1865 he was elected to the office of City Treasurer and to the City Council in 1870, to which office lie succeeded himself in 1872 and 1874. He has served as a member of the State Legislature, being a representative from Marion County to the House of Representatives, during which session the Bill for the erec- tion of the New State House was passed, in 1877. Mr. Craft has a wide acquaintance and has long been familiarly known as Harry Craft, many of the old settlers knowing him only by this cognomen.
GEORGE W. MILLER is successfully engaged in the manufacture of carriages, wagons, etc., and has been established in this line of work since 1870 and has continued the same ever since. At the present time the principle manufactures which he turns out are delivery wagons, and he is also extensively engaged in a general repair work. He owes his nativity to Wayne County, Ind., where he was born June 14, 1827, to Isaac and Mary (Witter) Miller, natives of the Keystone State. The father was reared in Virginia, however, but in 1826 removed to Wayne County, Ind., where he purchased a farm and resided on and tilled the same until his death, which occurred in 1862, his widow surviving him two years. George W. Miller spent his boyhood and early manhood on the old home farm in Indiana and like the majority of the farmers' boys of his day his education was limited to the common schools, but he improved his opportunities and made fair progress in his studies. At the age of twenty-one he began learning the carriage-maker's trade at Cambridge City, where he also later engaged in business for himself. Upon leaving that place he went to Dublin, Ind., where he engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and during Pierce's administration acted in the capacity of postmaster of that place. When the war opened he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry (August 8, 1862), and served until the close, receiving his discharge at Indianapolis, June 28, 1865, and being mustered out as corporal of his company. He is a member of the G. A. R., and since 1851 has been a member of the I. O. O. F., Meridian Lodge, No. 480, in which order he has passed all the chairs. He was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah E. Barrett, a native of Henry County, Ind., and a daughter of Aquilla and Elizabeth (Mellett) Barrett. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller two children have been given, William B. and Mary L., both of whom are deceased. Mary became the wife of Edward Dickinson. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have long been in communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church and are among its most active workers. Mr. Miller is one of its trustees and is a man whose character as a business man is above reproach. He is kind and considerate in his family, a faithful friend, an accommodating neighbor and an upright, law-abiding citizen, an honor to his family and to the State which gave him birth in which all his life has been spent.
DR. CHARLES ALMER BARNES. The State of Vermont is always suggestive of the honest, hard and rugged characters in human life. It presents to the mind pictures of the bold Green Mountain boys and brave Ethan Allen before the gates of Ticonderoga. It was peo- ple like those who won their independence from the British king and erected the basis of this great American nation. It is their descendants wbo have come out in the West and formed the nucleus of a great territory and a great people. Charles Almer Barnes, of Southport, Ind., came of this stock. He was born in Ferrisburg, Addison County, Vt., October 11, 1836, to the union of Jesse G. and Mary (Barron) Barnes, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Canada. Mrs. Barnes' father, Maj. Barron, was an officer in the English army during the War of 1812. The father of our subject was justice of the peace in White County, Ind., many years, and was a man highly esteemed by all favored with his acquaintance. His death occurred in 1863 and the mother died in 1884. He had been married twice, first to a Miss Alvord who bore him three children, Alfonso, William and Richard H., all deceased. To the second union nine children were born, Cyrus B., de- ceased; Jesse G., James E., D. F., Charles A., subject; Sarah J., wife of George W. Glover; Richard H .; George W. and Mary E., who married William Saylor. Our sub- ject was only four years of age when his parents left Vermont and made their way to
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St. Lawrence County, N. Y. There young Barnes remained for five years, attending school for a short time, and then moved with his parents to Huron County, Ohio, where they resided for two years. From there they moved to Indiana, locating near Monticello. White County, and there our subject remained until 1857, attending school and receiving most of his educational training. In the spring of that year, while young Barnes was read- ing medicine in the office of Dr. H. P. Anderson, the struggle began in Kansas and he left his studies and went to that Territory. This was after the repeal of the Missouri compromise bill. Later Mr. Barnes entered the army at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., as civilian employe, and served as courier. He was also in the quartermaster department, was with the ammunition train at the battle of Bull Run, and with the ambulance on the field at the battle of Antietam. On account of ill health, after eighteen months of service, he was discharged and returned to Monticello, Ind., where he finished his med- ical studies. He had four brothers in the service, as follows: James, who served in the western army for three years; Richard H. was in the western army for three years; George W. enlisted in 1864 and served until cessation of hostilities, and D. F., who was a Methodist minister, served in the sanitary commission. Our subject graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1870, and then began practicing at Goodland, Newton County, Ind. Previous to this, however, and previous to graduating, he had practiced his profession for six years at Monon, Ind. In 1877 he went to Brightwood, Ind., and there remained until 1887 when he came to Southport, Ind., and here he has since practiced his profession. He is a member of the Marion County and the State Medical Societies and for some time was a mem- ber of the Newton County and White County Medical Societies. He was a delegate to the American Medical Association from White County, Ind., that met at Cincinnati. The Doc- tor was a Republican, but of late years has been voting the Prohibition ticket. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Southport Lodge, No. 270, in which he has held the office of Worthy Master, and he was master of the lodge in Newton County, Ind. In his religious views he is a Presbyterian, but is of Quaker descent. In the year 1865 he was married to Miss Henrietta Tharp, daughter of Amariah Tharp, of Jasper County. Ind., and four children were born to them, of whom only two are now living. Dr. Arthur L. married Miss Mary E. Glenn, daughter of A. J. Glenn, and Charles Albert Barnes. The Doctor has been more than ordinarily successful in the practice of his profession, and is an excellent and reliable all-around physician, of which fact the public is thoroughly aware.
CARL L. BARNES, M. D. Although a young man Dr. Carl L. Barnes bids fair to become a model physician. His cheerful confidence in the sick chamber is often as potent as his medicines, and he has been and still is a student in his profession, ever grasping after new truths in science. He keeps himself thoroughly posted in his profession, his diagnoses being almost instantaneous and very rarely incorrect. He is a young man of great steadfastness of purpose, and seldom fails to accomplish what he undertakes, while his tenderness and com- passion, kindness and consideration in the sick room, cannot fail to be recognized and appre- ciated. He was born in Connellsville, Penn., May 18, 1870, a son of Zepheniah E. and Elizabeth (Dawson) Barnes, who were also born in the Keystone State. The Barnes family was well-known in Pennsylvania, and in that State the father became widely known as an extensive stockdealer. One of his uncles was United States senator from that State, pos- sessed a fine intellect and as a congressman made a name for himself. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was the well-known orator of Philadelphia-A. S. Barnes. The maternal ancestors of the subject were of German Quaker origin, and the history of this family may be traced back many years. In the town of Connellsville Dr. Carl L. Barnes was reared, and his education was acquired in the public schools and an academy of Connellsville, and after graduating from the latter he turned his attention to the study of medicine and shortly after came to Indianapolis and entered the Medical College of Indiana where he pursued his researches successfully and thoroughly until March 20, 1892, when he graduated. Dr. Barnes has made a special study of surgery and for the purpose of perfecting himself in this branch of his profession he has visited the principal hospitals of the city of New York at different times. His practice is confined almost exclusively to surgery and office practice, and he has already built up a patronage of which the oldest medical practitioners of the country need not be ashamed. He has given much time and study to
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the process of embalming, and was the originator and one of the incorporators of the Embalming College of Indiana, of which institution he is president and one of the demon- strators. This college was incorporated February 24, 1893, being the second one of the kind to be incorporated in the United States. The Doctor filled the chair of anatomy and minor surgery in the Eclectic College of Physicians and Surgeons the past two years and has been given an honorary degree from that institution. Dr. Barnes is a most generous- hearted man, full of the milk of human kindness, a close student, a hard worker, and with- out doubt one of the most promising young physicians of the State. He is a correspondent of The Casket and Western. Undertaker, two leading journals pertaining to the undertaking business, the former periodical having a circulation extending all over the globe. He has written articles on embalming, which have been widely published and circulated and have given him a wide reputation for an extensive knowledge of such subjects. He has always been a Republican in politics and socially belongs to the Masonic order and the Marion club.
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J. C. McNUTT. This well known young lawyer and popular public speaker, who occupies the responsible and honorable position of State Law Librarian of Indiana, was born in Johnson County, May 25, 1863, a son of James and Cynthia J. (Hunt) McNutt, also natives of that county. His paternal grandfather, John McNutt, was a pioneer in Johnson County, and one of his sons, an uncle of J. C. McNutt, is Judge Cyrus F. McNutt of Terre Haute. His great-grandfather, Hensley, was the first settler in what is now Hensley Township, Johnson County, which was named in his honor. The old McNutts and Hensleys did patriot service in defence of liberty of the colonies during the Revolu- tionary War and were men of the sturdiest character and the most solid worth. James McNutt was a prominent farmer. His life was busy and successful, thoroughly devoted to his family, and he died in August, 1867, leaving four children of whom the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, then a little more than four years old, was next to the eldest. He lived the life of a farmer boy of all work, attending school during the winter months, until he was seventeen years old, when he engaged in teaching school and studying law. Four years later he was admitted to the bar and within twelve months thereafter, in 1885, he began the practice of his profession at Franklin, Ind., where he continued it with in- creasing success until March 1, 1893, when he was appointed by the Supreme Court State law librarian. In 1888 Mr. McNutt was elected prosecuting attorney from the sixteenth district, consisting of Johnson and Shelby Counties. He was re-elected in 1890, and his second term expired in November, 1892. In this position he most clearly and ably demon- strated his superior qualifications for criminal and other important practice. His cases were always prepared with the utmost care, his presentation of them was masterly and his forensic efforts were of such a character as to mark him as one of the conspicuous natural orators in the State. He is extremely popular at the bar, but no more so than so- cially. He has been, since he was twenty-one, a member of the I. O. O. F. He is identified with other prominent organizations and as a citizen is liberal and public spirited, having a real desire to see the advancement of the whole people along the lines of morality, enlightenment and civil and religious liberty. He was married in July, 1886, to Miss Ruth Neely, and has a son, Paul, born in 1891. Mrs. McNutt is a member of the Method ist Episcopal Church, of whose leading interest Mr. McNutt is a generous and helpful supporter.
FREDERICK BALLWEG. The career of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is but another evidence of what can be accomplished by those of foreign birth who seek a home and fortune on the free soil of America. He possesses the push, energy and enterprise for which his countrymen are noted, and as a natural consequence he has been successful in the accu- mulation of means, and has won a reputation for honesty and fair dealing that is in every respect justly merited. He was born in Huntheim, a little village of about 120 inbab- itants, in Baden, Germany, March 20, 1825, to the marriage of Sebastian and Marianna (Schussler). Ballweg, both natives of the old country. The father was a cabinet maker and was the owner of twenty acres of land. He passed liis entire life in Germany, dying there in 1866, when seventy-five years of age. Five children were born to his marriage, as follows: Generosa, Cornelia (married Josepli Ballweg, and is now deceased), Frederick (our subject), Joseph (deceased) and Ambrose (who died September 9, 1881, in Indianapolis). During
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the Rebellion the latter was in command of the arsenal at Indianapolis with the rank of captain. He married Miss Amelia Engelman. They left four living children, Cornelia, Alfret, Charles and Emma. Cornelia and Alfret are married. The mother of our subject died in 1866. Frederick Ballweg attended school from the age of six to fourteen, and then spent five years in learning the cabinet maker's trade. He then left home and went to Paris and Toulon, also other places in France, and worked at his trade until twenty-four years of age, when, on April 1, 1850, he sailed from Havre de Grace, France, to America. On June 7 of that year he landed in New York city and at once went to Rahway, N. J., where he began working at his trade the next day after his arrival. For two years he was thus engaged and during that time learned to speak English and saved some money. The first year he received $7 per month and his board, but the second year he made from $10 to $12 per week. In the spring of 1852 he went to New York city and worked at his trade there for a year. He then came direct to Indianapolis, arriving September 17, 1853, and he at once went to work for John Ott; one of the first cabinet makers in the city. Mr. Ballweg worked for him for about five years and then embarked in the lumber business in that city. This he carried on successfully for about fifteen years, and then in 1878 he bought eighty acres of land in Perry Township, Marion County, for $75 per acre. He at once erected a handsome two-story frame house and in this he resides at the present time. Of the eighty acres fourteen acres are in timber. He is wide-awake and progressive and one of the best agriculturists of the county. A Republican in politics Mr. Ballweg cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and has never since failed to vote for the Republican candidate. He was born and baptized a Catholic, which religion his people professed, but Mr. Ballweg himself is not a member of any church but is in favor of anything that tends to morality and good govern- ment. Formerly our subject was a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married January 1, 1854, in Indianapolis, to Miss Elise Stanger, daughter of Gustav Stanger, and the ceremony was performed by Squire Sullivan. Twelve children have been the result of this union: William, born September 29, 1855, died April 2, 1856; Frederick W., born February 4, 1857; Annie M., born January 22, 1859; Louis G., born March 15, 1861, and died May 29, 1869; Franklin A., born May 15, 1863, and died June 4, 1864; Lena E., born June 11, 1865, died September 22, 1892; Clara M., born December 22, 1867; Lilly, born February 22, 1870, died the same day; Louis E., born April 7, 1871; Bertha A., born April 22, 1873; Robert M., born September 20, 1875; and Otto, born December 15, 1878, died January 9, 1879.
VERY REV. ANTHONY SCHEIDELER, V. G. The able and distinguised pastor of St. Mary's Church, at Indianapolis, Ind., Very Rev. Anthony Scheideler, V. G., was born in Borgholz, Westphalia, Germany, May 23, 1836, a son of Anthony and Anna Mary (Crote) Scheideler, both of whom spent their lives in the old country. The father was a man of intelligence and his artistic tastes and inclinations led him to follow the calling of an architect. He served in the army, was later appointed a public official-receiver of taxes; and of a family of seven children, born to himself and wife, four are now living; William, of Hoboken, N. Y. ; Mary Frizenhousen, a resident of Auenhousen, Westphalia; Wilhelmina, who resides with her brother, Very Rev. Anthony Scheideler, for whom she keeps house, the latter being the subject of this sketch. When not occupied with his studies, Anthony Scheideler fol- lowed various occupations under the direction of his intelligent father, who wisely taught his son that to labor was honorable, and also instilled into his youthful mind lessons of hon- esty, thrift and frugality. At the age of fourteen he began to study for the priesthood in a fine educational institution of his native land, at Paderborn, Westphalia, where he suc- cessfully continued his Latin studies for three years. In 1854 he sailed to America, landing at New York city on May 20, and until 1858 continued his studies at St. Vincent, Penn., after which he came direct to Vincennes, Ind., and was here ordained a priest of the Catholic Church on October 21, 1860, just nine days before the election of Abraham Lin- coln to the presidency, by Right Rev. Bishop Morris De St. Palais, and soon after was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Dearborn County, Ind., on November 28, 1860, where he continued to reside until July 28, 1874, when he came to Indianapolis and has since been pastor of St. Mary's Church. He has been Vicar-General of the Diocese of Vin- cennes, Ind., since September 6, 1878, to which he was appointed by Right Rev. Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, D. D. Father Scheideler has shown great energy in discharging 12
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his pastoral duties, and since his residence in Indianapolis he has made a great many im- provements and has caused to be erected a chapel and vault in the cemetery. His church has been beautifully decorated, he has built a fine school-house and a handsome hall for the meeting of societies, and by unwearied and earnest efforts he has increased the member- ship of his church to about 2,000. At the time of his location in Indianapolis, in 1874, he was the only German-speaking pastor in the city and as a consequence his church was largely patronized by those of his nativity. His genial disposition makes him a general favorite and he is one of the most charitable and kind-hearted of men, sincere in his friendships and devotedly attached to the church with which he is connected. He never forgets. a kindness and never stoops to resent an injury. He is rich in the love of his people and of him it may be said: " Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
JOHN BARGER DOBYNS is a native Virginian, born near Christiansburg, Montgomery County, January 8, 1819, and he there remained until fifteen years of age, receiving his educa- tion in the early schools of those days. He attended the school at Taylor's Springs, almost on the summit of the Alleghany mountains. This house was in the country, built of logs with rails for seats and greased paper for window lights, puncheon floor, clapboard door with wooden latch, and other rude furniture of pioneer days. This was a subscription school and only lasted about three months. When fifteen years of age our subject left his native State with his parents, Dangerfield and Eva (Barger) Dobyns, and came by wagon to Indiana, landing at Flat Rock, in Shelby County, one month after starting. This was on November 9, 1834. The next summer the father sent our subject to Indianapolis to enter some land, provided he could find any that was not taken. He started on foot for that city with a $50 bill in his jacket and on arriving entered forty acres at $1. 25 in White River Township, John- son County. He also discovered 160 acres more of desirable land not yet entered. Return- ing home he told his father who at once started for Indianapolis on foot, although seventy- four years of age. He walked within thirteen miles of Indianapolis and there met with a neighbor who carried him to the city. He there entered 160 acres more land in Johnson County and returned home on foot, wading Blue River and Sugar Creek. Arriving home he was attacked next day with fever and chills, then so prevalent, and so violent was the attack that he died on the third day. He was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1760, and died in 1834, the same year that he came to Indiana. He was a school teacher by profession and among his pupils was Ballard Preston, afterward a general in the Confederate service, and John Floyd, who was in command of the Confederate forces at Fort Donelson. Mr. Dobyns married Miss Eve Barger, daughter of Philip Barger, and children were given them nine of whom reached mature years, as follows: William A., deceased; Samuel, deceased; Mahala, deceased; Thomas; Margaret, deceased; Henry M., deceased; Katherine, widow of Marvin Adams, resides in Spencer County, Ind. ; John B., our subject; Kennerley, deceased, and Christian, deceased. The mother of these children died at the advanced age of ninety- three years. Both parents were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly all their lives and were highly respected in the community in which they lived. Thomas Dobyns, grandfather of the above mentioned children, was a native of the Old Dominion and there passed his entire life. This family was an old and prominent Virginia family. During his father's last illness our subject was also taken sick and was in bed far about ten days. When not fully recovered he started for Hamilton County, Ohio, on borseback, to see his elder brother, Thomas, and get his advice and assistance in closing up the affairs of the father. He traveled every day until his chills came on, and then stopped until the fever came on, and in this way finally arrived at his destination. Reaching that place he decided to stay there, and commenced hauling wood to the river for $10.25 a month. There he remained until the next spring and then he returned to Indiana, where he helped his mother with the crops. Later he returned to Hamilton County, Ohio, and in January, 1836, apprenticed himself to Philip A. Hill for three years to learn the carpenter's trade. During his apprenticeship his master sent him to school three months, and at the end of his time presented him with $50. He began working at his trade and on October 7, 1840, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Gaston, now deceased. The next spring he came to Indiana and built a log house on the forty acres he had entered four years previously. There they lived four years and then our subject bought 100 acres near this, moved on it, and there made his
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