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 37
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Henry returned to his home where he shortly after fell a victim to cupid's darts, and wooed and won for his wife Miss Eliza Jane Whitinger, and the two were made one on October 9, 1834, in Marion County, which has been their home ever since. To them a good old-fash- ioned family of fifteen children were given and they were named as follows: Susan, born August 2, 1835, was married to Jonathan Campbell in 1861 and is now a resident of Hamil- ton County, Ind; Mary Jane, born September 29, 1836, married J. S. Hinshaw in 1858 and resides in Hamilton County; Margaret, born December 8, 1837, married James Moulton (deceased) in 1857 and is a resident of Indianapolis, Ind .; Solomon, born August 22, 1839, married Nancy Jane Stultz, who is now deceased, and resides in Hamilton County; Leah, born September 30, 1841, married Thomas Campbell in 1866 and now lives in Argentine, Kan .; Martha, born December 21, 1842, married Jacob Cloe in 1865 and died one year later; Absolom was born May 14, 1844, married Myra Vance in 1871 and now lives in Clay County, Ill .; Henry, born November 17, 1845, married Sarab Heaton in 1869 and lives in Clay County, Ill .; Jacob, born December 16, 1847, married Sarah Pierce in 1870 and lives in Hamilton County, Ind. ; Daniel, born December 3, 1849, married Lucinda Imbler, and now lives in Boone County, Ind .; Saralı, born December 29, 1852, died in infancy; Eliza, born Novem- ber 16, 1853, married Jolin Kolyer in 1883 and now lives in Indianapolis; William, born November 25, 1855, married Sarah Sutton in 1880 and lives in Marion County, Ind. ; Peter, born November 5, 1858, married Ellen Newby in 1879 and lives in Marion County, and Thomas,. born September 13, 1860, married Delilah Sutton in 1885, and died in 1890. Henry, Absolom and Jacob served in the Civil War, the first two serving in the Seventieth Indiana Infantry, and all returned safely to their home with the exception of Henry who was wounded in the left leg in one engagement. The mother of this family is a plump and active old lady, still capable of doing a considerable amount of hard labor, and bids fair to live many years longer. She is a daughter of Henry and Susannah (Ernest) Whitinger, who were Ohio people, married in 1813. She had thirteen brothers and three sisters, making a family of seventeen children, all of whom lived to maturity, and six of whom are living at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Cruse are the grandparents of eighty-two children and have twenty great-grandchildren, which makes their family record almost unparalleled. Mr. Cruse's father and mother lived to be sixty five and ninety six years respectively while Mrs. Cruse's father lived to be sixty six years and her mother to the age of ninety-two years.
AMOS W. FISHER, M. D. The field of medicine and surgery has so widened, the reme- (lies in use being so many, the diseases so numerous and increasing through the modifications of life in our growing civilization, aud surgery being applied now in so many cases where previously medicines alone were given for relief, that the most conservative of physicians, even, have become persuaded that there are potent reasons why there should be specialists in the profession. It is manifest that the physician and surgeon who applies himself dili- gently to the study and practice of the profession in given forms only should become muchi more expert in them than he would be if he divided his time between all the ills of which flesh is heir. Every school of medicine now permits special practice and to this is due much of the knowledge and experience that have been given to the world in the past quarter of a century. The subject of our sketch, a well known and popular physician of Indianapolis, one whose fame and practice extend far out into the States on every side, was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 8, 1837. His father, John Fisher, was a farmer by occupation, born in Ohio in 1816, of German descent, and died at the age of thirty-three. His wife was Eve Raper, a native of Wayne County, Ind., and daughter of John and Elizabeth (Keesling) Raper, the former a native of Liverpool, England, who came to America when a lad and settled in Wayne County in 1808. John Raper was a soldier in the War of 1812, and after his death his widow drew a pension. She was a native of Virginia, of German descent, and lived until April 29, 1879, and was nearly ninety years old at her death. The mother of the subject of this sketch survives her husband and resides near Richmond, Ind., at the age of seventy six. John Fisher and his wife were the parents of five children, our subject being the eldest. He was reared in Union County, Ind., upon a farm and received his primary education in the old conventional school-house of logs. Subsequently he attended the college at Richmond, Ind., and later the Southwestern Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. After teaching school for about five years, or in the spring of 1861; he began the study of medi-
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cine with Drs. Hasty & Weeks, in Henry County, Ind. Two years afterward Dr. Fisher entered the Physio-Medical Institute at Cincinnati and attended one course of lectures, when he began the practice in Wayne County, which he continued, with the exception of two years spent in Illinois, until his coming to Indianapolis in 1880. At this time he entered the Physio-Medical College of Indiana at Indianapolis, from which he graduated one year later, and since that time has continued to practice in this city, confining himself to treatment of piles and diseases of the rectum. In this special practice he has been eminently successful, ranking among the foremost physicians in Indiana in his specialty. Since 1881 Dr. Fisher has filled the chair of diseases of the rectum in the Physio-Medical College of Indiana at Indianapolis, and he has also been a trustee of the institution for the past several years. The practice of Dr. Fisher extends all over the country westward to Nebraska and Colorado, southward to Mississippi and also north and east. Dr. Fisher has been for five years secre- tary of the American Association of Physio. Medical Physicians and Surgeons, and has held the same position in the State association of that body for an equal length of time. Since the organization, over thirty years since, he has held numerous positions in that body and was its second secretary. The Doctor is a gentleman of social impulses, finding much pleas- ure in the companionship of agreeable people, and he takes much interest in the Masonic order, with which he has been connected for a great many years. Dr. Fisher was married April 28, 1862, to Nellie A. Pennock, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Ira and Aurora (Gilbert) Pennock, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Fisher died April 16, 1888, and Dr. Fisher again married June 16, 1889, his last wife being Mrs. Martha E. (Coddington) Green, a native of Union County, Ind., and daughter of Enoch Coddington. Dr. Fisher is a member of Plymouth Church. In politics the Doctor is a Republican, earnestly supporting the candidates of that party.
HON. JOHN CAVEN. Few men have lived more quietly or unostentatiously than John Caven, and yet few have exerted a more salutary influence npon the immediate society in which they move, or impressed a community with a more profound reliance on their honor, ability and sterling worth. His life has not been illustrious with startling incidents or striking contrasts; but it has shown how a laudable ambition may be gratified when accom- panied by pure motives, persevering industry and steadfastness of purpose. In presenting to the readers of this volume a sketch of his life, character and public acts, it will be found that his name is closely connected with the peace and prosperity of the capital city of Indiana. For ten years he ably performed the duties of chief magistrate of the city of Indianapolis, and during this time evinced qualities of head and heart which shed lustre upon his name and won the hearty approval of all right thinking people. His career points its own moral, and it is not to be wondered at that a history of his life would be of more than ordinary interest, for it enables society to arrive at correct conclusions and to establish theories of life, its obligations and possibilities, which cannot fail to be of benefit to thoughtful people. He comes of Scotch-Irish and English-Scotch parentage, and was born in Allegheny County, Penn., April 12, 1824, his parents being William and Jane (Langhead) Caven. He was left with but little means, but he inherited what was far better, a healthy body and a vigorous mind and a reverence for the good and beautiful and the true, which were the stepping stones to success in later years. He was always very generous in his judgments, for he studied every side of a question carefully, and in the councils of his city bas ever been considered a leader whose judgment could at all times be relied upon. In yonth he was innred to hard work and his labor brought him into direct contact with the children of toil, for which reason he has every right to be considered a self-made man. His ad- vantages for acquiring an education were not of the best, but he was a student by birth, and although his books were few and his instructors inferior, his mind was retentive and what he learned he did so thoroughly. In time he acquired a wide range of knowledge and a polish that would have done credit to a graduate of any university. At school he mastered the old English reader and Daboll's arithemethic, and with this foundation he went fourth to master all branches of learning that would better prepare him for a successful career at. the bar. He spent some time as a workman in salt works and coal mines and also as a flat- boatman, unhesitatingly putting his hand to any honorable employment he could find to do. In 1845 he came to Indianapolis, and in 1847, at the age of twenty-three, entered the law
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office of Smith & Yandes, and in due time entered upon the practice of the profession be later adorned. In 1863, when thirty-nine years of age, he was elected to the mayorality of Indianapolis without opposition, and his administration was so able that in 1865 be was again elected without opposition, and during this time, which comprised eight years, and while Indianapolis was rapidly developing in every way, he gave much impetus to her prog- ress and development. In 1868 the residents of the city elected him to the State Senate for four years, during which time he made an enviable record for himself, and his speeches were eloquent upon all matters touching political, educational and humanitarian subjects. He voted for the fifteentli amendment, and earnestly advocated the establishment of schools for colored children. He was again elected to the office of mayor of Indianapolis in 1875, and the two terms following he succeeded himself in the position. In the routine work of the office of mayor he filled the requirements of a just and humane magistrate, and his efforts to reform the fallen who were brought before him will ever remain as monuments to his faith in the good that lies in every human heart, and the powerful effect of moral suasion. He was instrumental in securing the Belt Railroad, and establishing the stock yards at Indianapolis, and at the time of the great strike of 1877 he proved himself equal to the demands of the hour, and made a record for himself and the city, which has been com . mented on favorably by the press of the entire country. Mr. Caven is an honored member of the ancient order of Masons, in the mysteries of which he is thoroughly drilled, and he is deeply devoted to its principles. He was the first and for seven years continued to be the deputy for Indiana of the supreme council A. & A. Rite, northern jurisdiction. He was the first worshipful master of Mystic Tie Lodge, F. & A. M., and held the position seven years. He was the first grand chancellor of the K. of P. for Indiana and was re-elected, and was the only one who ever was, and was the first officer of the first Uniform Rank in Indianapolis. Mr. Caven is a fine specimen of physical manhood, is six feet tall and weighs 210 pounds. He is a bachelor, but by no means a recluse or cynic, for he loves liome and social enjoyments. Time has dealt kindly with him, and many years of usefulness are yet before bim.
WILLIAM HENRY WAGNER. The question of demand and supply is one which agitates the mind of every thinking man to-day. The rapid growth of cities, the abnormal increase in population tend to raise to a higher pitch the, call for more products to sustain life, and there are constant opportunities for bright men to array themselves as public providers. The groceryman is especially essential and from him may be obtained everything that goes to supply a well set table. A well conducted and well supplied house is that of which William Henry Wagner is the proprietor in Haugliville. He is the oldest citizen now residing in the town and in days of yore cultivated the land on which the town of Hanghville is located. He was born in Jackson County, Ind., in 1844, a son of Jolin Wagner, who is still living and a resident of Jackson County. The latter was born in Kentucky and came to Indiana seventy-four or seventy-five years ago and took up his residence in Jackson County with his father, George Wagner, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth. George Wag- ner went to Kentucky when a young man and there lived among the Indians for some time bnt died in Indiana at the extreme old age of ninety-eight years. He was a man of fine constitution and great vigor and when in his ninety-seventh year he walked from Jackson to where Haughville now is, preferring this mode of locomotion to riding. He was a farmer by occupation, as is his son, John Wagner, who has attained to the age of seventy-nine years. He has been successful in the accumulation of worldly goods and is now in the enjoyment of a liberal competency. He was one of the pioneers of Jackson County and has been a healthy and rugged man the most of his life, his fine constitution being without doubt inherited from his father who was never sick a day in his life, never had the toothache, even, and never took a dose of medicine throughout his Jong career. William Henry Wag- ner was one of a large family of children born to his parents and his early education was obtained in the district schools of Jackson County. On October 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fiftieth Indiana Infantry, and during his service was in many hard fought battles among which may be mentioned Murfreesboro and Mnmfordsville, Ky., where he . was taken prisoner and was kept in captivity three weeks before being paroled. Some time after rejoining his command he was again taken prisoner at Lexington, Tenn., this time by Gen.
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Forrest. He served his country faithfully in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, and besides the engagements above mentioned, was at the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Mobile, Fort Blakely and others. He was mustered out of the service September 20, 1865, and returned to Jackson County, Ind., and was married to Miss Abigail Carman, who died in 1890. He has since been united in marriage to Miss Maggie Longfellow, of Haughville. Soon after wedding his first wife he came to Haughville and turned his atten- tion to farming and teaming, in fact, did not hesitate to engage in anything that was honor- able in order to obtain a livelihood. He has many a time plowed the ground on which his present grocery store is standing, and at one time or another has cultivated the entire ground on which Haughville is situated. In 1889 he opened a grocery store and meat market and since that time has been successfully engaged in following this occupation. He keeps a first-class line of goods, a large stock at all times, and has a patronage which speaks in an eloquent manner as to the popularity of his house. He has served two terms as marshal of Haughville, and for six years acted in the capacity of constable. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of P. and for some time he has been major of Anderson Post of the G. A. R. Politically he has always been a Republican. Mrs. Wagner's father was a successful physician of Decatur, and was extremely well and favorably known throughont that section. He was born in New York State, on Lake Champlain, removed from there to Ohio where he was married to Miss Sarah Williams, then came to Decatur County, Ind. Mrs. Wagner is the only surviving member of that family and was the youngest of their six children, four of whom lived to be grown. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are members of the Christian Church, and he has been an officer in the same. He comes of sturdy Penn- sylvania Dutch stock, and is a man of sound business principles, to be relied upon at all times.
EDWIN R. LEWIS, A. M., M. D. The philosophy of the German, to learn one thing, but to learn that well, is being adopted by the medical profession to a very considerable extent, the olden prejudice against any member becoming a specialist having practically died out. Time has demonstrated that the physician who devotes himself exclusively to given forms of disease, or to surgery, or given forms of surgical cases, becomes far more successful than if he generalized, and at the same time he confers inestimable benefits upon the gen- eral practitioner by imparting to him the general results of his investigations, practices and triumphs. The subject of this sketch, Dr. Edwin R. Lewis, has devoted himself to diseases of the nose and throat, with the result that he has become eminent in his profession and has conferred inestimable benefit upon his fellow creatures who have suffered from attacks in those members, and at the same time the results of his practice have aided his brethren. Dr. Lewis was born at Madison, Ind., April 2, 1839, being the son of James and Sophronia (West) Lewis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather settled in Madison, Ind., in the year 1818, being one of the pio- neers of the place, and he was previously a soldier in the War of 1812. The maternal grandfather of our subject was in the navy in the War of 1812, and his great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Thus it will be seen that the blood of loyalty and patriotism pervades the veins of Dr. Lewis. The father of Dr. Lewis was reared in Madi- son, where he engaged in business when he grew to man's estate, and resided there until his death. Our subject was reared in his native place; receiving instruction in the graded schools, and subsequently attended Amherst (Mass.) College, whence he graduated in the year 1861. In that same year, August, and directly after he passed from college, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and served three years, being mustered out in August, 1864, with the rank of captain. Previous to enlisting he served three months on the staff of Gen. Wallace. During his service with the gallant Twenty-first le partici- pated in the battles of Antietam; Fredericksburg, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and numerous skirmishes, being constantly in active service. At the battle of Knoxville he was wounded in the right arm, a most serious injury, and he narrowly missed losing that member. After being mustered out with a record of which he may well be proud, for he was always at his post of duty and was brave in battle and a gal- lant and skilled officer, he entered, in the fall of 1864, the medical department of Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1867. He then engaged in practice at Amberst, 14
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Mass., until 1870, when he went to Syria as professor of chemistry in the medical college at Beirut. Here he remained for thirteen years, or until 1883, and then returned to America and entered the Polyclinic College in New York. In April, of the following year, he came to Indianapolis and entered upon his practice, but left in the fall to accept the professorship of chemistry in Wabash College, a position he held until the fall of 1888, pursuing the practice of his profession during this time. He thien returned to Indianapolis, where he has since remained, being a specialist in disease of the throat and nose, and has built up a very large and lucrative practice and has attained great eminence. He is a patient, studious and persevering man, possessed of a vast fund of general knowledge, learned and skillful in his profession, and a gentleman of culture and refinement. His is a nature that attracts and he inspires confidence and respect on all sides. Dr. Lewis was married in 1864 to Har- riet Goodell, at Amherst, Mass., who died in Syria in 1878. A son born to this union, Edwin S., graduated from Wabash College in 1888 and then spent four years in John Hopkins University, at Baltimore, where he took the degree of Ph. D., and during his study there took two scholarship prizes, which entitle him to two seasons of study in Europe, under the direction of the University. After graduating he received an appointment as professor of the Roman languages at Princeton College, which distinguished position this remarkably talented young man is now filling. The attainments of Prof. Lewis in scholarship are truly extraor- dinary and he has before him a brilliant future. Dr. Lewis was married a second time in 1885, at Crawfordsville, Ind., to Ellen Poole, of Philadelphia, who died in April, 1889. In April, 1892, the Doctor was married to Rose Baldwin, of Indianapolis. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Marion County Medical Society, of the Indiana Medical Society, American Medical Association, the American Rhinological Society and the American Academy of Medicine. Besides his connection with these several bodies of distinguished men, he is also a member of the G. A. R., of the L. L., and of the various orders of masonry up to and including the Scottish Rite, or thirty-second degree. He is likewise connected with a number of prominent social organizations, among which is the Columbia Club, Country Club, and the Indianapolis Literary Club, the latter being a most exclusive association, the membership being based upon merit. The Doctor is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, as also is his wife. In politics he is an independent, being influenced in his vote largely by the character and merit of the candidates for office, having, of course, pronounced views upon the great ques- tions that divide parties, but neither of the great parties properly reflects his opinions. He is a warm personal friend of Secretary Gresham and ardently endorses the independent stand of that gentleman. Dr. Lewis' connection with the many organizations named above, . in all of which he takes active interest, would indicate a very large personal acquaintance, but these represent only in part those with whom he has association, for he enjoys the friend- ship and esteem of distinguished people all over this country and in Europe, who are attached to him on account of his noble qualities of mind and heart, and who admire him for his scholastic and professional attainments.
JUDGE ADDISON L. ROACHE. Seventy-six years have passed over the head of the gen- tleman whose name heads this sketch, leaving their impress in the whitening hair and lined features, but while the outer garment of the soul shows the wear and tear of years, the man himself is richer and nobler and grander for the experience that each successive decade has brought him. He is one of the old settlers of Indiana, but was born in Ruther- ford County, Tenn., in 1817. In 1828 he moved with his parents to Bloomington, Ind., and was educated in the State university, graduating in the class of 1836. All his class- mates except one have passed over to the silent majority and he is left almost alone. After finishing his schooling, young Roache went to Rockville, Ind., and entered the law office of Gen. T. A. Howard, being admitted to the bar in 1839. After traveling for about two years he located in Rockville, Ind., in 1842, and began practicing law, remaining there until April, 1859. In the meantime he was elected to the Legislature from Parke County, Ind., first in 1847-48, and re-elected, serving two terms. In the year 1852 Mr. Roache was elected to the State supreme bench, and after serving eighteen months resigned and resumed his practice at Rockville. In April, 1859, he removed to Indianapolis, and formed a partnership with the late Joseph E. McDonald, which continued until the latter part of 1869. During the eleven years they were together Mr. Roache and Mr. McDonald built up
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a very large corporation practice, and were attorneys for the defendant in many of the whisky cases, then very numerous. As a result, Judge Roache's health became shattered, and in the latter part of 1869 he was obliged to abandon his practice, which he did not resume until 1876. At that date he began practicing with his son-in-law, E. H. Lamine, the partnership continuing until the fall of 1887, when Mr. Lamme removed to Los An- geles, Cal., where he now resides. Judge Roache has not practiced any since 1887, and is now retired from the active duties of life, satisfied with a long career of usefulness. In the year 1871 he was one of a committee of five to devise a city school law, which they did, and which law is now, with minor amendments, the school law of Indiana. The section which made the public libraries, now so common, possible, was originated by Judge Roache, and the people of the State are now reaping the benefit of his wise foresight. He served on the school board of Indianapolis for years, and also served for years as one of the trustees of the State university at Bloomington, Ind. He is of English descent on the paternal side, and his father, Dr. Stephen Roache, was a native of the Old North State. The latter came to Indiana in 1828, located at Bloomington, but later removed to Rockville (1855), and died at the home of our subject in 1873, when seventy-eight years of age. His wife died in August, 1891, when ninety-three years of age. Socially Judge Roache is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In June, 1842, he married Miss Emily A. Wedding, and to them were born seven children, of whom five survive, one a son, A. L. Roache, Jr., and the remainder daughters.
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