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 5
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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth President of the United States and first governor of the Territory of Indiana, was a native of the Old Dominion, his birth occurring at Berke- ley, in 1773. His father was Gov. Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Receiving the final part of his schooling at Hampden, Sidney College, he began for himself at eighteen years of age, at which time occurred the death of his father. In opposition to the protests of his friends, he sought a position in the army of the United States, was commissioned ensign by Gen. Washington and ordered to report to the Com- manding General (St. Clair) of the Northern army. At this period the frontier was greatly harassed by depredations of marauding bands of savages, supplemented by covert support and aid of the British Government, and the duties of the frontier troops were to hold in check and keep within due bounds these attacks. The elevation of Gen. Anthony Wayne over Gen. St. Clair, in command of the Northwest, resulted in a more vigorous and active policy, and numerous battles were fought with varying success. Having obtained promotion to a lieutenancy, young Harrison was the hero in a bloody engagement August 20, 1792, and for this he was publicly thanked by his superior officer. In 1795 he was made com- mander of Fort Washington, with the rank of captain; the same year hie wedded the youngest daughter of John Cleves Symmes, the original owner of the present site of Cincinnati, and three years later resigned his commission to engage in farming. Very shortly after tending his resignation he was appointed Secretary of the Northwest Territory by Pres. Adams, and as such was ex-officio lieutenant governor, and in the absence of Gen. St. Clair was Governor. In 1799 he was elected a delegate to Congress, and during this session the Northwest Territory was divided into two Territories, named Ohio and Indiana. The latter comprised the present States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, and of this Mr. Harrison received the appointment of Governor. He immediately located at Vin- cennes, which was then the capital, and served as Governor sixteen years, having been twice reappointed by Jefferson and once by Madison. His influence with the Indians was greater than any other white man. He always kept strict faith with these children of Nature, was prompt to reward their good deeds and as decisive in punishing their treachery. Dur- ing his administration he commanded at the battle of Tippecanoe, and the good results. achieved by the success of the whites was made an event by the Legislatures of both Indiana and Kentucky extending the hero of the day a vote of thanks. Gov. Harrison is given a prominent place by historians for his services during the War of 1812, and was a partici- pant in the defense of Fort Meigs and the Battle of the Thames, as well as being the com- mander of the Army of the Northwest, with the rank of major-general. In 1816 he was elected to Congress and in 1824 to the United States Senate, from Ohio, and in 1828 was appointed minister to the Republic of Columbia by President Adams, but being almost
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immediately recalled by General Jackson. In 1836 he was nominated for the Presidency of the United States, but suffered defeat. In 1840 he was re-nominated by the Whigs and during one of the most remarkable campaigns this country ever experienced, was elected, and March 4, 1841, was inaugurated. Having spent the most of his life in the frontier, Mr. Harrison lacked the polish of his opponent, and the story was circulated by the Democrats, with the expectation that it would prove detrimental to him, that he lived in a log cabin and drank nothing but cider. The Whigs accepted the insinuation. The simpleness of the human life, divested of glamours and gildings, always appeals to the direct sensibilities of the people. So it did in this case. Log cabins were erected everywhere; kegs supposed to contain cider, were indispensable. Log cabin and hard cider songs were sung and are yet remembered by the old residenters, and the famous hero of Tippecanoe became the ninth President of the United States. His untimely death occurred one month after his triumphal inauguration.
GEORGE F. EDENHARTER, M. D. Fortunate as it is in its older physicians, Indianapolis is no less fortunate in the bright galaxy of younger physicians and surgeons, who during the past few years have made a reputation for themselves and added luster to the professional status of the city and State. One of the best-known of the latter class is Dr. George F. Edenharter, superintendent of the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane, who was born at Piqua, Ohio, June 13, 1857, a son of John and Elizabeth (Roseberg) Edenharter. His father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to America in 1848, and located at Cincinnati, Ohio, removing later to Piqua, where he was for many years a cabinet maker. At this time, at the age of seventy-two, he is very active for a man of his years and is a resident of Indian- apolis. Dr. Edenharter's mother, who was a native of Saxony, died September 11, 1889. Three children were born to John and Elizabeth Edenharter, and the one of them with which we have to do in this article was reared principally at Dayton, Ohio, where his parents removed when he was about nine years old. After acquiring an education in the public schools of that city, he learned the trade of a cigar maker and worked at it for about eight years, and, in following it, came to Indianapolis in 1877. The difficulties under which he began the study of medicine are suggestive of those which beset the celebrated Elihu Bur- ritt, the blacksmith, in his determined and successful attempts in the acquisition of knowl- edge. While working at the bench in the prosecution of his trade young Edenharter had before him the books necessary to the course of reading demanded of medical students before taking lectures, and gave to their study every moment he could spare from his work; and in course of time, by making the best use of every spare hour and by saving every cent possible from his earnings, he was enabled to enter the Physio-Medical College, of Indian- apolis, in 1881, and after taking two courses of lectures in that institution graduated there- from in 1883, with the degree of "M. D." At the city election in the fall of the same year he was elected a member of the common council in the city of Indianapolis, and he was re-elected in the fall of 1885. The time which he could spare from his official duties enabled him to continue his medical studies without great financial expense, and in 1884 he entered the medical college of Indiana, and was graduated therefrom in March, 1886. Immediately thereafter he was appointed physician and surgeon in chief of the Marion County Asylum, in which capacity he served two terms. In 1887 he received the Democratic nomination by acclamation for the office of Mayor of Indianapolis, and although defeated by a small plurality, his personal popularity enabled him to lead the ticket by about 1,000 votes. In December fol- lowing he was appointed physician and surgeon to the Marion County Workhouse, and at the expiration of his term of service was reappointed but declined to longer devote himself to the duties of the office. In 1890 he was unanimously elected superintendent of the City Hospital by a joint convention of the common council and board of aldermen composed of twenty-one Democrats and fifteen Republicans. During his term of service the law regu- lating the election of superintendent of the City Hospital was changed, vesting in the board of health the power to appoint that functionary, and in 1892 (December), he was unani- mously re-elected to the same position by the board of healthi, consisting of two Democrats and one Republican, his salary being at the same time increased. Under the supervision of Dr. Edenharter the work of carrying on the hospital in all its detail was performed in a manner that elicited many flattering expressions of approval from both press and public.
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Many of the devices contributed to the convenience of this institution are the products of the Doctor's originality, ingenuity and skill. The patients are given such excellent care and such close attention that complaints are unknown and the common prejudice against hospitals, based on a fear all too well grounded in many cases, of maladministration and malpractice, has no point to which to attach itself so far as this particular hospital is concerned. The high standard of excellence which has characterized the management of this hospital by the Doctor's predecessors in office, has not only been fully sustained by Dr. Edenharter but has gained additional luster through his administration of the affairs of the institution. Dr. Edenharter, though still a young man, possesses great energy and the most worthy ambition, and he is recognized by the best people of Indianapolis, not only as a physician of extraordinary skill, but as a man of the broadest intelligence and the highest order of business and executive ability. His good judgment, and discern- ing foresight in political affairs have won him many admirers in political circles. He is popular with the people because of the fact that he is a self-made man in all that the term implies, having had from the outset to depend upon his own resources and to fight his own battles unaided until he had won a place in the hearts of his fellow-citizens which has secured their hearty support and co-operation. He has attained his present high standing in the community by hard work, close application to the performance of every duty devolving upon him, and by the excercise of the most indomitable will. He is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, and the Indiana State Medical Society. June 6, 1838, he was married to Marion D., daughter of Michael and Maria Swadener, of Dayton, Ohio, who has borne liim one child namcd Ralph E., now a bright and promising boy. April 7, 1893, he was appointed superintendent of the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane, which position he now fills, resigning the superintendency of the City Hospital, May 1, 1893. Dr. Edenharter was not an applicant for this position, but was appointed over twenty-three applicants, refusing to accept the position until urged so hard by the officials and his friends that he felt duty bound.
MISS ELIZA G. BROWNING is a lady of much intelligence, energy and executive ability, and is in every way competent to fill the responsible position of librarian of the Indianapolis Public Library, thus illustrating what has long been known and acknowledged that women are in every way competent to fill with distinguished success positions requiring the most versatile mental powers and no ordinary degree of energy. She belongs to a family which for many years has been largely identified with both the political and literary interests of the city of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. The Hon. William J. Brown, her mater- nal grandfather, was a man of note in the day and age in which he lived, and as a repre- sentative of the people in this portion of Indiana in the halls of the Congress of the United States, he was a power, especially in the lines of truth, justice and right. His son, Admiral George Brown, United States Navy, has a record too well known to need additional words of commendation liere, suffice it to say that his reputation is world wide. Hon. Austin H. Brown, a brother of the Admiral, has often served in public offices of trust in national, city and civic capacity, and is a man of mark. Some thirteen years ago when Miss Eliza G. Browning found it necessary to engage in some remunerative employment, the workings of the public library had many attractions for her, and although a near relative offered her employment, her independent spirit would not allow her to accept the offer, and she shortly afterward entered the public library, first as a substitute, and for one year labored without compensation. In April, 1892, she was elected librarian, and a year later was re-elected by acclamation. Her election was made because of her peculiar fitness and adaptability for the position, combined with a thorough knowledge of books, and it has met with the hearty ap- proval of the citizens of Indianapolis. She is ever on the alert to institute new and im- proved methods which have greatly improved the convenieniences for the library. She is a fine conversationalist, a deep reader and thinker and an accomplished musician.
JAMES H. WOODBURN. The physician comes closer to the confidence of his patients than any other man is privileged to do with his fellow men. In the hour of agony which comes to the household when a loved one is stricken with a dread disease, the doctor is the one stay and hope of the family. It is especially pleasing to reflect that it is the most rare ex- ception that a medical man is false to his trust. An exalted sense of honor pervades the
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entire profession. Prominent among the successful practitioners of the healing art in ยท
Indianapolis stands the name of Dr. James H. Woodburn. He is a product of Jefferson County, Ind., born January 15, 1822, and is a son of Robert and Sally (Davis) Woodburn, the former a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of the Blue-Grass State. The parents came to Indiana in 1814, settled in Scott County, and were among the pioneers of that part of the State. He was a tanner by trade, but in connection with that business was also engaged in farming, and followed both until his death in 1825. His widow sur- vived him many years. Dr. Woodburn passed his youthful days in assisting his father on the farm in Jefferson County, and his early scholastic training was received in the common schools. Later he took a course at Hanover College, and in 1841 began the study of medi- cine with a private tutor, and subsequently attended lectures at the medical department of Louisville University, graduating in 1846. He had practiced three years before entering that institution. Immediately after graduating Dr. Woodburn began practicing in Shelby County, Ind., and for seven years was engaged in the practice of his profession in that and Clark and Johnson Counties. In March, 1851, he came to Indianapolis, and here he has been engaged in active practice ever since. In 1861 he was elected superintendent of the Insane Asylum, and this position he held in a satisfactory and efficient manner until in March, 1865, when he resigned. The Doctor has been a member of the city board of health, and was elected to the city council about the year 1867, serving in that capacity continu- ously for eight years. He has also been identified with the Indiana Medical College, was elected vice-president of the board, and that position he holds at the present time. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State and Marion County Medical Societies, and has been president and treasurer of the last two societies. Dr. Wood- burn has also been a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders. although not an active member at present. In the year 1847 he was married to Miss Ann E. Cravens at Madison, Ind. She was a native of Orange County, Ind., and the daughter of Benjamin H. and Mar- garet (Moore) Cravens, both natives of the grand old State of Virginia. Four children were born to our subject and wife, but only one is now living. The Doctor and his estimable companion are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was formerly a Whig in politics, but upon the formation of the Republican party he advocated its policies, and has voted with that party ever since.
DR. FREDERICK C. WOODBURN. The subject of our sketch is a young man of much promise in his profession, being one who has had the most favorable opportunities for re- ceiving a thorough classical and professional education, and has availed himself of them to the utmost. The honors that have come to him are indeed well deserved and are but pre- ludes to higher and more distinguished stations that await him. Dr. Frederick C. Wood- burn was born at Indianapolis April 11, 1866, and is the son of of Dr. James H. and Anna E. (Cravens) Woodburn. He was reared in this city, was educated in the common and high schools and Butler University, and afterward graduated from the classical department of Racine (Wis.), College, in June, 1885, when but nineteen years old. Without losing a mo- ment's time he began the study of medicine in the office of his father, an eminent practi- tioner of Indianapolis, entered the Medical College of Indiana and graduated at the age of twenty-one. He began the general practice and in the following year took a post graduate course in the New York Medical Post Graduate School. From January, 1889, to January, 1891, he was superintendent of the Indianapolis City Dispensary, and from 1888 to 1891 he was physician to the Indianapolis Orphan Asylum. At the present time he is consulting physician on diseases of the chest at the City Dispensary and assistant to the chair of ob- stetrics in the Indiana Medical College. For two years he has been Chairman of the com- mittee of arrangements of the Indiana Medical Society, and in 1892 he beld the same posi- tion in the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, of which Association he is now secretary. In 1888-9 he was treasurer of the Marion County Medical Society and in 1891 was assistant secretary of the same body. He is now secretary of this society. Dr. Woodburn is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Mitchell District Association, the Mississippi Val- ley Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society and the Marion County Medical Society. He was married May 29, 1889, to Miss Grace D. Gilbert, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and daughter of Rev. James E. and Sarah (Thompson) Gilbert, also natives of New York.
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Dr. and Mrs. Woodburn are the parents of one child, James H. They are members of the Central Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and are very popular in that large and influen- tial body. While the Doctor does not take a very active part in politics he has very decided views and is hearty in his subscription to the principles of the Republican party, the candi- dates of which he always supports. Dr. Woodburn is a studious and investigating physician, earnest in his convictions and strong in his faith in the virtue of medical association, and interchange of views and relation of experiences. He is a man of the most agreeable man- ners, pleasant and gifted in conversation, sympathetic and generous; in fact he combines qualities that eminently fit him for a practitioner, while his earnest investigations and care- ful weighing of subjects fit him for the position of instructor of others. His career has been rapidly upward, but all the distinction he has received is deserved and he has filled every position to which he has been called with distinguished ability. His acquaintance is a large one, not only in the city, but, especially with the profession, extends throughout the State and he has ardent friends in various parts of the country.
HENRY H. BEVILLE. This well-known real estate man enjoys distinction as a soldier, a citizen. a business man and an inventor. He was born in Monroe County, Ky., May 1, 1846. His paternal grandfather, Howell C. Beville, was a native of Guilford County, N. C., born about 1776. His parents came to America from Paris, France, for that was their native land. He received a liberal education, and was a school teacher for several years in North Car- olina. While yet quite a young man, he removed to Virginia, and settled on a farm near Abingdon, Washington County, and there he married Sarah Fulks, of Welch descent, who was born near Culpeper Court House, Va. He served as ensign of a company in the United States army in the War of 1812. Some years later the family removed to Kentucky and located on the Cumberland River, in Monroe County, where Howell C. Beville became a successful planter. He served the county as coroner and was otherwise prominent as a citizen, and died in 1862 on his old home farm. His wife survived him about three years, and she died at the home of her daughter, in Warren County, Ky. Of the children of Howell C. and Sarah (Fulks) Beville, Granville H. Beville, father of Henry H. Beville, was born at Abing- don, Washington County, Va., April 22, 1820. He removed to Kentucky with his father's family, but returned later to his native State, where, in 1844, he married Susan Crowell, also a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Young) Crowell, the former a native of Germany, the latter a native of London, England. After his marriage he returned with his wife to Kentucky and assumed the management of his father's planta- tation, which he purchased a few years later. There he lived until 1860, when the family moved to Indiana and settled in Hancock County. The period of the war draws near, and it was a most important period in the life of Mr. Beville. His father, Granville H. Beville, late in the struggle, enlisted in Company E, Eighth Indiana Volunteers, and died in hos- pital at St. Louis, September 28, 1865, from effects of disease contracted in the service. As for himself, he had accompanied the family to Indiana and had been fairly educated in the public schools. At the beginning of the war he was too young to enter the service, but in March, 1864 (he was eighteen in May following), he enlisted in Company K, One Hun- dred and Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, and served until discharged, September 28, following. He was with his regiment in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, and was most of the time stationed at Decatur, Ala., on guard duty. He participated in the remarkable engagement at Athens, which resulted in the capture of about 7,000 of Forrest's men. Through all this service he passed without the slightest injury, but it is a remarkable fact in this connection that, four days after his return home an old musket exploded as he was firing it and its tube and breech-pin were blown into his right eye and against his forehead, wounding him so severely that he lost the sight of that eye totally. The first year after the war Mr. Beville spent on the farm. Then going to Indianapolis, he found employment for a few months in Smith & Osgood's spoke factory. During the winter of 1866-67 he trav- eled through Illinois and Iowa, in the interest of fire insurance. In the spring of 1867, at the solicitation of his widowed mother, he returned home and assumed control of the farm. September 28, following, he married Nancy P. Mullis, a native of Fayette County, Ind., and daughter of Ambrose and Mary (Tullis) Mullis, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter reared near Cincinnati, Ohio. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Beville
James L. Mitchell
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located at Cleveland, Ind., and Mr. Beville entered the employ of the company operating the Panhandle Railroad. The following spring they removed to Knightstown, Ind., and Mr. Beville engaged in the nursery business. Later he was in the meat trade at Carthage. Here a misfortune overtook him. Everything he possessed was swept away by fire. He then removed in turn to Dublin and Milton, and at the latter place established himself in a transfer business, which he continued successfully until 1870. At that time he became a traveler for an agricultural implement concern at Dublin, Ind., and was thus employed for `ten years, meantime, in 1878, removing to Indianapolis. While on the road he invented the "Iron Duke" windmill. He secured a patent on it in 1880, and since that time has sold the right of sale for it in ten or twelve different States, and has realized therefrom about $20,000. It was in 1880, too, that Mr. Beville engaged in the real estate business, opening an office for that purpose in Indianapolis. He has transacted about every kind of business properly falling to a real estate agent, but has made a specialty of buying and selling real property on his own account. A number of valuable additions have been made to Indianap- olis by him, among which may be mentioned the Englewood Addition, on East Washing- ton Street; Ragan Park, College Avenue and Fifteenth Street, and University Park, at Ervington, and he controls the greater portion of the property in North Indianapolis. Through Mr. Beville's supervision and executive ability he was largely instrumental in securing for the city such industries as the Dugdale & Co. tin can factory, D. E. Stone furni- ture company, J. B. Allfree & Co. milling machinery, American Canning Company, The Cerealine Manufacturing Company, etc., and he has within the last five years placed nearly 500 families in homes which they bought on monthly payments. Mr. Beville is justly popular in both business and social circles. He is a member of the G. A. R., is a Scottish Rite Mason, a Red Man, a K. P., and for a number of years was master of exchequer of his lodge and is a member also of the Uniformed Rank of the order. He and his family are members of the Third Christian Church of Indianapolis. His children are three in number: Burton L., Henry M. and Erial C. Three others, Bessie S., Monerie I. and Effie are deceased, Bessie S. having been called from life at the age of seventeen, just on the threshold of a prosperous and happy young womanhood. Mr. Beville's mother is still living in Hamilton County, Ind. Brief as is this sketch, it is yet sufficient to indicate the sterling quality of Mr. Beville's character. He has always been a busy man, and though dark misfortune has surrounded him at times, he 'has been a successful man, as the world goes, and is regarded as a most useful and public-spirited citizen.
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