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 53
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experience and excellent judgment entitle them to the fine reputation that they enjoy in the commercial world. Henry Rauh is also interested in other enterprises, being vice-president of the Indianapolis Abattoir Company, interested in the Moore Packing Company, the Union Trust Company, the Independent Hair Company and others. Mr. Rauh is one of the best-known citizens of Indianapolis, and in the fall of 1893 he was prevailed upon to become a candidate for councilman-at-large on the Republican ticket, and although in a city of 2,600 Democratic majority, was elected by a majority of over 3,300 votes, which speaks for itself as to his standing. He has been elected chairman of the finance committee by the council, in which capacity he has shown much good judgment and undoubted ability. He is an active member of the Commercial Club, and socially is a member of the Columbia Club, the American Club, and is one of the wide-awake men of the city, interested in every- thing tending to her benefit. April 6, 1881, he was married to Miss Marie Sterne, a native of Peru, Ind., by whom he has two children: Eugenia and Marie, but on September 4, 1889, was left a widower, and has since remained unmarried. . WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON PHILLIPS. Among the industries always in demand, and daily growing more so by reason of the rapid growth of cities and towns, is that of contract- ing and building. A single glance about us is all that is required to gain a conception of the number of builders required in the construction of a city. One of the prominent men engaged in this line of business is William H. H. Phillips, who is a native of Housierdom, born in Marion County in 1840. His father, Ben M. Phillips, was born in Virginia. When a young man the latter went to Henry County, Ky., and located near New Castle, where he remained until 1827, when he came to the village of Indianapolis, Marion County, Ind. He was a stone mason by trade and followed that for many years, but during the latter part of his life followed farming. His death occurred in 1863 when eighty four years of age. In politics he was at one time a Whig but afterward a Democrat. His farm was located six miles from the court-house near New Bethel, between Churchman Pike and Shelbyville Road. He was sergeant-major of the Fourth Kentucky Militia and was under Gen. Harrison for seven years, participating in the battle at Fort Tippecanoe. At one time he was taken prisoner by Indians but managed to make his escape, and he was at one time slightly wounded. He cleared up his farm of nearly 163 acres in this county and was one of the prominent pioneer settlers. His wife died January 7, 1890, when eighty-five years of age. They were worthy members of the Piner Baptist Church for many years, and Mr. Phillips was moderator until his death. Ten daughters and two sous were born to this union, Will- iam Henry Harrison Phillips being seventh in order of birth. He was named in honor of his father's old commander. His education was received in the city and at the academy in Marshall, Ill., and when the Civil War broke out he volunteered in the first company organized in the State, Company E, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, three months' service. Afterward he joined Company B, Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry as first duty sergeant, and continued with the same until discharged May 12, 1865. At the battle of Stone River he was taken prisoner and retained at Libby Prison nine months, experiencing during that time all the hardships and unpleasant features of prison life, besides having the measles. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, was on the road from Knoxville to Dalton, and then to Atlanta, where he was severely wounded, being dis- abled for two years. This wound troubles him at the present time, and was the result of a minie ball in the leg. Gangrene set in and it is a wonder to the physicians that he is now living. After the war Mr. Phillips passed two years on the farm and then opened a grocery store at the corner of Market and Noble Streets. The same year he quit business and went to Kentucky, where he began to work at his trade, carpentering, which he had learned before the war. He assisted in building the Insane Hospital at Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1867, but the following year he returned to Indianapolis, where he was with the Grover & Baker Machine Company for five years. For two years after this he was with the Pan Handle Railroad, after which he was elected city sealer, serving in that capacity two years, and one year on the police force. Again he returned to contracting, but soon after received the appointment as postal clerk by President Grant, holding the route from Cincinnati to Chicago five years. After this he was a bridge builder until 1889 and was with Massilion Bridge Company, all over the county as the superintendent. For four years he had charge of. the
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city bridge department, and then for two years was weigh master. Since then he has returned to contracting and building and enjoys an enviable reputation for satisfactory work. On November 8, 1869, he was married to Miss Gulia E. Bray, daughter of John S. Bray of Morgan County, Ind. To this union nine children were born, three of whom are living. Harry B., Clarence F. and Claude S. Mr. Phillips is a member of the Third Christian Church, and in politics is a Republican. Socially he is a Mason, a member of Centre Lodge, No. 23, Olive branch Lodge No. 2, K. of P., and George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R., Camp 80 Veteran Legion.
LEE NIXON occupies the responsible position of clerk of the city of Indianapolis, Ind. He was born in Carthage, Rush County, Ind., February 27, 1866, a son of Benjamin and Saralı (Risk) Nixon, the former of whom was born in the Old North State, in Perquimans County, June 10, 1819, and the latter in Virginia, September 12, 1824. The parents came to Indiana in an early day by wagon and settled at Carthage, of which place they were among the very earliest residents. The father was for twenty-four years a justice of the peace in that section and by occupation was a contractor and builder, carrying on this busi- ness with good success for a long period. In addition to these every-day duties he minis- tered to the spiritual wants of his fellows, as a local minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church for some years. He was called from life at Rushville, Ind., in December, 1883, his wife having paid the last debt of nature in May, 1877. having borne him ten chil- dren, three of whom are living: Charles O., Lucius and Lee. In the public schools of his native town Lee Nixon was educated, successfully graduating from the high school of that place. When nineteen years old he removed to Rushville, and entered the office of the Rushville Republican to learn the printer's trade, and after serving an apprenticeship he became the editor of the Rushville Graphic. In 1886 he came to Indianapolis and this place has since continued to be his home, during which time he has been connected with different printing establishments in the city, and for the past four years has been associated with the Indianapolis Journal. In the fall of 1893 he became the nominee of the Repub- lican party for the position of city clerk, receiving his nomination by acclamation at the con- vention, and after one of the hottest and most notable campaigns in the history of city pol- itics, he was elected by a majority of 3,246 votes, overcoming a Democratic majority of two years previous of 2,790. Mr. Nixon is a member of Indianapolis Typographical Union No. 1 .. also of the International Typographical Union. to which he was elected a delegate in March, 1893, by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office from the city of Indianapolis. there being six candidates in the field.
JAMES THOMAS HARDIN. Among the noble men of Marion County, Ind., who fulfilled their destiny and are now no more, may be mentioned James Thomas Hardin who was born in Wayne Township, this county, July 23, 1828, a son of Isaac Hardin. His walk through life was characterized by the most honorable business methods, by his devotion to his fam- ily and by the interest he took in the welfare of his fellow man. His death which occurred December 14, 1891, was not only a severe blow to his own family. but to the community at large. Mr. Hardin was reared upon his father's farm to hard work, and owing to the indifferent old fashioned subscription schools, his instruction consisted of about two months per year during his early boyhood days. November 17, 1846, when not yet nineteen years old, be married Frances Stout, and shortly after this event the young couple moved to a farm of eighty acres which had been given them by their fathers, situated about two and a half miles east of the home place. This, their first home, was a round log cabin and furnished with two beds, six chairs, one table, one set of dishes, one skillet, one oven and one tea kettle, and the cooking was done in the fireplace. About two years later they moved to Bridgeport where Mr. Hardin was engaged in the grocery trade abont a year. He then sold his interest in the store and their farm of eighty acres, and bought a 160-acre farm in Wayne Township where he remained about five years, then sold out and purchased another 160 acres east of this place where he resided until his death. Mr. Hardin was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. an Odd Fellow and a Democrat. He and wife were the parents of eleven children: Joanna, who married William Traub by whom she had two children, Henrietta (Shafer) and Emma F. (Brewer); Rebecca, who died in infancy; Theodore M. (deceased) who married Alice Berg; Ellen, married Alpheus Smith and bore him one danghter, Lillian;
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Charles I., married Mary Maines and has one son, J. Franklin; Laura (deceased); Indiana, wedded William Carter and has one son, Harry; George D., married Anna Robertson and is the father of four children, James, Joseph, Raymond and Francis; Noab, who married Agnes Hart and has two children, Lewis and Grace; Joseph, selected Rosa Hasselberg as his wife and is the father of one son, Joseph; and Cora E., who became the wife of J. Orlando Dunn and the mother of one son, Ovid Hardin Dunn. Mrs. F. Hardin's father, David Stout, was born in Butler County, Penn., January 22, 1801, and was there married to Joanna Hurd, formerly of New Jersey. Mrs. J. T. Hardin's father, Isaac Hardin, and his wife were among the earliest pioneers of Marion County. He was born in 1804, married Rebecca Jackson in 1826, and coming to this county purchased a farm of 160 acres where they resided until his death. J. T. Hardin became the owner of a 289-acre farm in Marion County, eighty acres in Hendricks County and eighty acres in Illinois. He was an enterprising man and his death was a loss to the community in which he resided.
GEORGE W. COMBS, M. D. The standing of every profession is marked by the char- acter of the man who represents it. Deplorable as it is, it is nevertheless true, that the inducements offered by the medical profession for the gratification of personal ambition and the accomplishment of selfish ends, have drawn into it men whose influence has been only to degrade the profession. When, therefore, we find a man of true worth and genuine ability giving his energies to the elevation of the profession, it is but just that he should receive the eulogies of men. Such an one is Dr. George W. Combs, who was born in Oakland, Marion County, Ind., March 10, 1859, his parents being John W. and Emma (Cole) Combs, early settlers of Marion County. The paternal grandfather, Jesse Combs, took up his residence at Indianapolis in the early twenties, and at one time owned a great deal of property, where many of the most substantial business blocks of the city now stand. The public schools of bis native county afforded Dr. George W. Combs his early education, but about the age of twelve years he was placed in the high school, where he remained until he was about seven- teen years of age. He thien began the battle of life for himself as a "Hoosier School- master," which occupation he followed very successfully in Lawrence Township for five years. During one year of this time he was principal of the graded school of Lawrence, and his last two years as a pedagogue were spent as principal of the Oakland schools. From early boyhood he had had a great desire to become a physician, and his leisure hours, while teaching the " young idea" were devoted to the study of this science, to which his kindly nature seemed to instinctively turn. After serving his native township and county as a teacher in its schools he entered the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he gave especial attention to the study of medicine. In the spring of 1880 he came to Indianapolis for the purpose of completing his medical studies, and for some time he pursued his investigations under the able directions of Drs. P. H. & H. Jameson. He then entered the Medical Col- lege of Indiana, and after a thorough course of three years graduated with honors in 1883. Upon taking the competitive examination for the interne to the city dispensary lie was suc- cessful, and soon after received his appointment to that position. which he filled with ability for one year. At the end of this time the board of aldermen of Indianapolis changed the time of service of internes to the dispensary from one to two years, and recognizing the valu- able services of Dr. Combs, they reappointed him for another term, at the expiration of which term he was tendered the superintendency of the dispensary, which he accepted and filled for one term of two years. During the time that the Doctor had charge of the dispensary great good was accomplished by him, and the standard of the institution for usefulness and efficiency was brought up to a high mark. He wisely introduced various appliances, instru- ments, etc., for the prosecution of surgical work, and many of the details and plans of work introduced by him are still followed to the letter, and the standard of exellence which obtains at the present time is in no small degree the result of his labor. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Association and Marion County Medical Society. He has served as assistant to the chair of obstetrics and diseases of children, and principles and practices of medicine in his alma mater-the Medical Col- lege of Indiana. The Doctor is a thirty-second degree Mason. Indianapolis bas practi- cally been the Doctor's home all bis life, for he was born but a few miles from it, and he has ever been closely identified with its best interests; and has always been ready to aid in every
Seall Combe
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good project. He is a member of the Commercial and Columbia Clubs, and in his social relations he is very pleasant and agreeable, an entertaining companion, a warm friend and, during the lifetime of his wife, was a dovoted husband. He led to the hymeneal altar Miss Carrie Kregelo, grand-daughter of David Kregelo, February 15, 1888, a native of Indian- apolis, but after a few short years of wedded happiness he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, which occurred February 4, 1892, of that dread disease-consumption, after an illness of nineteen months. Dr. Combs is a renowned physician and surgeon in Indiana, and his clearness of perception, accuracy of diagnosis and boldness of operation have won for him many admirers. He is in the enjoyment of good health, and is ever found ready to perform the arduous duties of his calling, which is the most wearing on brain and body of any in the field of science. The Doctor has always supported Republican principles, but has never been an aspirant for political favors, the honorous duties of his profession fully occupying his heart and mind.
JOHN A. LANG. The first purchase of real estate named in the Bible was made by Abraham, from Ephron, of the cave and field or Machpelah, consideration four hundred shekels of silver, and the instrument of transfer reads much like the modern guarantee deed. Land has been bought and sold among all nations; but the business reaches its climax in the United States, where general distribution of realty and spirit of speculation, incised by advancing values, combine to give great activity. Indianapolis, like all live American cities, does a large real estate business, and among the large number of influential men who turn their attention to this business is John A. Lang, a member of the firm of Lang & Shaw, who also do an insurance and pension agency business. Mr. Lang was born in Indianapolis, November, 1854, to Daniel A. and Grace (Stevenson) Lang, both of whom were born in Scotland and were there reared and married. They came to America about the year 1849, locating at Pittsburgh, Penn., later residing successively in Madison and Howard Counties, Ind., in each of which Mr. Lang was engaged in operating saw and grist- mills and carrying on a successful lumber business. In 1861 the family came to Indianapolis where Mr. Lang became a contractor and builder, which business he carried on for several years, his office and shop being located where the new county jail now stands. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Indianapolis, but when still a youth began working at the carpenter's trade, which he continued until he was twenty years old, then was an employe in the service of the Adams Express Company for three years. Following this he established a grocery store of his own in 1876, carrying on a prosperous retail trade until 1883, when he disposed of his establishment, and from that time until 1886 was superintendent of police, succeeding Maj. Robins. Since that time he devoted his attention to his present business and it may be said of him that there are few, if any, better judges of real estate in the city. He gives his close and prompt attention to all orders and special commissions and may be implicitly trusted in all business transactions. This fact must be appreciated by a large number of the residents of the city and owners of farm property throughout Marion County, as he has a large list of patrons in the territory mentioned. In 1880 he was elected to the position of councilman from the twenty-fourth ward on the Democratic ticket and served one term. He is a member of and State president of the P. O. S. of A. November 30, 1882, he was married to Miss Amanda Gregory, a native of Boone County and a daughter of Thomas Gregory. They have two children, Raymond G. and Grace.
ROBERT GILBREATH. The steady growth of Indianapolis and the rapid increase in popu- lation have opened up a wide and important field of enterprise in the line of building and contracting. Many prominent citizens are engaged in this line of business. Among those well known in this city, and among those who have won a first-class reputation for reliable work is Robert Gilbreath, contractor and builder. Mr. Gilbreath was born in Guilford County, N. C., in 1844, and is a son of Jesse Gibreath, who was also born in Guilford County, of the Old North State. The latter was a wagon maker by trade and remained in his native State, following his trade, until 1851, when he came to Indiana. He located in Greensboro, Henry County, but died in Marion County while on a visit, when sixty-two years of age. Robert Gilbreath received a good practical education in Greensboro and Car- thage, Rush County, and when the tocsin of war sounded he was filled with a patriotic desire
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to fight for the old flag. In November, 1863, he enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, Company E, and served until August, 1865. He participated in the battle of Nashville, Franklin, was in many skirmishes with Forrest and Hood, and although never wounded, was taken prisoner December 1, 1864, and confined in Cahaba. He was in prison five months and during that time was nearly starved to death. Although on board the fated "Sultana," when it blew up, he was one of the few who escaped without injury, and floated on staging to Memphis in ice cold water from 2 o'clock until daylight, after which he returned to Henry County, Ind., and assisted his father in the lumber business and in a saw-mill in Knightstown. He learned his trade and worked at it for some time in Knightstown; then brauched out for himself, moving to Indianapolis and working at his trade until 1875; he engaged in farming in Rush County for four years, after which he returned to Indianapolis and has been engaged in contracting, principally by himself, although he was associated for a time with William Bowman and William Maul, and was with the Indian- apolis Tile Roofing Company and with the cabinet works for a few months. He has had a number of narrow escapes from the "Grim Reaper" during the time he has followed his trade, falling twice from high buildings, but his time had not come. Politically he is a Republican, and socially a member of George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R. In 1869 he was married to Miss Emily White, of Carthage, and they have an interesting family of three children, two sons and a daughter.
CHARLES MEADOWS. Many of the successful business men of America received their early education in the institutions of Europe and among them was Charles Meadows who is now a prominent boot and shoe dealer of Brightwood, Ind. He was born in England in 1847 and when but sixteen years of age came to the "land of the free," and settled in the city of Brotherly Love. In 1881 he came to Brightwood, Ind., where he has been in business ever since. He first branched out as a shoemaker, but getting tired of the bench, he invested his frugal savings in a stock of boots and shoes in 1889 and since then has been doing a very good business. He is a man whose business career is a decidedly interesting one showing the competency that can soon be attained by the natives of other lands. He is an honorable, reliable business man and his store has become very popular with all. Mr. Meadows is a son of George and Emily (Arnold) Meadows, natives of England where they were married in 1834. Ten children were born to the parents, five sons and five daughters, as follows: Emma E. married Samuel Page and resides in England; George died in England when twenty-five years of age; Letichia Meadows, and all the others are deceased except our sub- ject. The mother of these children died in England in 1858 but the father is still living and makes his home in his native country. The original of this notice was married in 1873 to Miss Mary E. Lathberry, daughter of John and Phoebe Lathberry, who were among the old settlers of Bridgeton, N. J., and native born Americans. They had but two children, Mrs. Meadows and a son. To our subject and his wife have been born eight children, six of whom are now living: Emily A., born February 10, 1874, is now at home with her parents and
assists her father in the store; George W., born May 13, 1879, is. at home as are the re- mainder of the children; Willie, born December 16. 1882; Alice, born April 24, 1884; May, born August 18, 1886, and Charley, born July 6, 1889. The other children died in infancy. Mr. Meadows is an active member of the K. & L. of H. and is at present treasurer of the lat- ter society. He is an honorable, trustworthy citizen and well respected by his large circle of friends. In religious and educational matters as well as in all other worthy enterprises he takes a deep interest and contributes liberally to all.
ORVILLE L. HAHN. Brightwood can well be proud of the amount of brains and energy possessed by her representative business men, for, taken as whole. there are none brighter, more intelligent, or with more ability and push in any direction, and among the number is Orville L. Hahn. Those who deal with him find him a very pleasant gentleman, courteous and affable, and in every respect of the term, a true man of business, a man whose experi- ence and thorough knowledge of his work have placed him among the leading merchants of this thriving suburb. He is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Jonesboro, September 9. 1863, son of Ezra and Sarah Jane (Dever) Hahn who were married at Sidney, Ohio, in 1861. The father was a native of Maryland his birth occurring in 1821, and came from Philadelphia to Indiana in 1855. His wife was an Ohio lady, and shortly after her marriage
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accompanied her husband to Indiana. The fruits of their union were four children, all sons: Archie V., born February 15, 1862, married Miss Laura Stevens and now resides in Marion, Indiana; Orville, L., subject; Jean M., a school teacher and single, resides in Cali- fornia; and Ezra Clyde was killed by a horse when but fourteen years of age. The subject of this sketch bas passed his entire life in his native State and on January 22, 1891, he was married to Miss May Keener of Indianapolis, Ind. She was the daughter of F. L. Keener and Elizabeth (Coppersmith) Keener, both born in America and married in Indiana. Mr. Habn learned the wood turner's trade when young and worked at this until 1890, when he invested his savings in dry goods and started out on his career as a merchant in Bright- wood, Ind. He has now one of the most complete dry goods stores in the city and has the best selected stock of goods in his line in this part of the county. He is careful and pains- taking and he and his estimable wife attend to the store in all its details. He is upright and honorable in all his dealings and has the esteem and confidence of the entire community. His store is near the depot, is located in the finest block in town and has a metropolitan appearance about it. His mother died in 1871 but the father is still living and enjoys com- paratively good health. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn have but one child, Ezra Vernon, a bright little fellow born October 23, 1891.
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