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 55
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JONATHAN GRAY. A prominent brick contractor of Indianapolis, whose place of business is at 123 Hill Avenue, is Jonathan Gray, who owes his nativity to Washington County, Ind., where he was born October 5, 1833. His father, Columbus Gray, was a native of the State of New York, born in New York city, and in after years became a pilot on the Hudson, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Many years ago he located in the State of Indiana, his son Chaun- cey being the first white child born in Madison, now over seventy years ago. Columbus Gray, with his father, was in numerous fights with the Indians in Indiana and they had many narrow escapes from being killed. Hosea Gray, the grandfather, was a native of the State of Vermont. Columbus Gray died when a middle-aged man. He was married in Indiana to Lavina Hosey, a native of the Green Mountain State, and in the faith of the Baptist Church they reared their nine children, the father bringing up his son to believe in the principles of the Whig party also. Jonathan Gray obtained a good education in a Catholic school of Cincinnati, Ohio, attending St. John's school until he was twelve years of age, during which time he became quite proficient in the German language. In 1852 he came to Indianapolis with his mother and began learning the brick mason's trade with the well known Christopher Wysong, with whom he served an apprenticeship of three years, after which he began working as a journeyman but at the time of his enlistment in the Union army in August, 1862, he was in the employ of Springsteen & Theodore. He became a mem- ber of Company E, Seventieth Indiana Infantry (Gen. Harrison's Regiment) and remained in the service for fifteen months, being a participant in a number of engagements. Upon his return to Indianapolis he was a member of the police force for about eighteen months, after which he commenced contracting on his own account and has since given his attention to this business. He has erected the National Hotel, the business house of C. Vonegnt, the Dennison Hotel, the Bates House and numerous other buildings of importance throughout the city. To him belongs the honor of having laid the first pressed brick in the State. He has been remarkably successful in his business and during the long term of years that he has devoted to brick contracting he has been associated with the following gentlemen: Sam Wallace, eleven years, Isaac Lyons, William Amos and Al. Wallace, but is now associated in business with his four sons, all of whom are practical and experienced brick-layers. Their mother was Rebecca Baker of Martinsville. Mr. Gray has always been interested in the success of the Republican party and socially is a member of the Red Men and the G. A. R. He has been married thirty years to his second wife whose maiden name was Sarah E. Johnston and they have seven living children, six sons and one daughter, and he has one son by his first wife, all of this city.
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DR. ALEMBERT WINTHROP BRAYTON, of Indianapolis, Ind., was born in Avon, N. Y., March 3, 1848, a son of Elijah and Helen P. Brayton, also of the State of New York, at present residents of Chicago. The family is of Scotch descent, and like all those in whose veins course that blood, possesses fine order of intellect and is of a religious nature. During his early life Dr. Brayton's father. was a lumberman in the Lake George region and later was engaged in milling in Pike, Wyoming County, N. Y. His wife, Helen Parker, was of English descent and a native of Vermont. The early schooling of the subject of this sketch was acquired at his mother's knee, and he does not remember when he could not read. In order that he and his brothers might have better educational advantages and be brought up to a life of usefulness, rather than the enforced idleness which so often characterizes village life, the father removed westward and settled on a farm on the prairies of Kankakee County, Ill., about fifty miles south of Chicago, where he put his boys to work following the furrow, planting "sod corn" and harrowing in spring grain. These years were useful and happy ones, and lessons of morality and industry were learned which ever afterward remained with them. At odd times they attended the district school in the vicinity of their prairie home, and this, with the sunday school books, which they obtained at the Manteno Methodist Church, and such literary works as the farmers of the vicinity had in their possession, con- stituted the educational opportunities and material. Horace Greeley's Weekly Tribune, the New York Christian Advocate and Journal, the Ladies' Repository and the Atlantic Monthly also found a place in their home. In 1863 the family moved to Blue Island, a few miles south of Chicago, and this growing city was thereafter a considerable factor in the experience and education of its members. After attending the Blue Island High School for three years, Dr. Brayton and his brothers entered the Cook County Normal School, located at Englewood, Ill., and so came under the daily instruction of that most fascinating and suc- cessful educator. President Daniel S. Wentworth, of Chicago. From this school Dr. Brayton graduated in 1879, and immediately after became principal of the Glencoe schools, Cook County, but the following year was elected professor of natural science in the Normal School. However, he decided to first take a course in Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., but owing to the great Chicago fire, he left the university at the completion of the sophomore year, and took up the work of biological teaching in the Normal School. In Jannary, 1877, being earnestly solicited by David S. Jordan, now president of Leland Stanford University, but then professor of natural sciences in Butler University and a classmate of the Doctor's in Cornell University, Dr. Brayton moved with his family to Indianapolis, and at once interested himself in zoological researches with Prof. Jordan. He there completed his university course, taking the degree of bachelor of science at Butler University, the degree of master of science being afterward conferred upon him by the State University at Bloom- ington, Ind., and by Purdue University at Lafayette, Ind., on account of the meritorious work he had accomplished in zoology. In company with Prof. Jordan and Charles Gilbert and some college students he, in 1877, visited the southern Alleghany Mountain region in the interests of ichthyological science. Many rivers and streams of the South were seined, the result being that some twenty new specimens of fish were discovered and were described and published by Prof. Jordan and Dr. Brayton in Bulletin No. 12 of the United States National Museum. "The following summer was also spent in these researches in the Alleghanies, at Beaufort, N. C. and the Smithsonian Institution. In 1879 Dr. Brayton contributed a list, witlı scientific and literary notes upon the "Birds of Indiana," which was published in the annual report of that year of the Indiana Horticultural Society. In 1882 the Doctor published a "Report on the Mammals of Ohio," which occupied 175 pages of Volume IV of the Geological Survey of that State. Dr. Brayton began his medical studies in Chicago, resumed them in Indianapolis, and in 1879 took the degree of doctor of medicine from the Medical College of Indiana. The following autumn he was elected professor of chemistry, toxicology and medical jurisprudence in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indianapolis, giving two full courses of eighty hours each term, and doing considerable expert work in criminal toxicology and allied cases in medical jurisprudence. In the fall of 1881 he was elected to the same position in the Medical College of Indiana. After four years of exacting work in chemistry he was elected to the chair of physiology in the same institution, and two years later to the chair of pathology, clinical medicine and dermatology, which he still holds. He
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has been on the consulting, clinical and teaching staff of the Indianapolis City Hospital and Dispensary since commencing the practice of medicine, and has devoted himself particularly to diseases of the skin. The result has been that in these charities skin diseases have received the attention of an expert. Some extremely unusual cases have have been met with in his dermatological practice and have received widespread attention by the medical journals of the country. Dr. Brayton has had a large consultation business in this department of medicine, to which he has devoted much thorough work and painstaking investigation. He has been a faithful attendant of the Marion County Medical Society, to which he has con- tributed numerous papers and discussions, and of which he has been both president and secretary. He also belongs to the Indiana State Medical Society, the proceedings and
transactions of which he has edited for the past four years. Since the establishment of the Indiana Medical Journal, September, 1892, Dr. Brayton has been almost continuously a member of its editorial staff, and when the journal came into possession of a stock company, in April, 1892,. Dr. Brayton was unanimously elected its editor-in-chief, a position he still holds, and for which he is admirably adapted. Under his management the journal has greatly increased its range and usefulness, and has become the recognized organ of the medical profession in Indiana, and now is one of the leading State journals of the West. Dr. Brayton was on the editorial staff of the Indianapolis Daily Journal for six years, his writings being limited to medical, educational and scientific subjects. He has always taken a great interest in the scientific education of young men, and has urged them to take a full collegiate course. He has been a member of the Gentlemen's Literary Club and the Con- temporary Club of Indianapolis, and of other organizations devoted to the advancement of the social and intellectual life of his community. His wife, Jessie M. Dewey, is a native of Chicago, a graduate of the Chicago Normal School, an ardent student of ornithology, and is of artistic tastes and literary habits. They were married in Chicago June 24, 1874, and have seven children, the two elder of whom, May and Nelson, are in the junior year of Butler University.
JOSEPH A. RINK. One of the most successful and progressive enterprises in Indian- apolis is that conducted by Mr. Joseph A. Rink, dealer in cloaks, furs, etc., and who is one of the thorough-going business men of the city. He is a native of Lawrenceburg, Ind., born April 15, 1858, and the son of Michael and Ruffina (Spades) Rink. Our subject was reared in his native town until twelve years of age, and while yet a boy laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career, having the agency and route for sale of all news- papers in that place. When he had reached the above mentioned age, the family removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where young Rink received a limited education in the Catholic schools. In 1874 he came to Indianapolis with his parents, and shortly afterward entered the employ of M. H. Spades, retail dry goods merchant, in the lowest position of the store. He con- tinued in the employ of Mr. Spades until 1888, and during that time was promoted to the highest position, being manager and buyer. This establishment was known as the Boston Store and was the largest retail enterprise in the city at that time. By economy and care- ful management Mr. Rink had accumulated some means, and in 1888 he embarked in busi- ness for himself on a small scale, his cash capital being $1,000. His stock of cloaks was in an up stairs room, 20x40 feet, and he was the originator of the exclusively cloak house in the west. He met with unusual success in his venture and prospered from the start. Although he has been but five years in the business he has one of the finest estab- lishments in the country, carrying a stock of goods valued at from $40,000 to $50,000. He deals exclusively in cloaks and furs in his salesroom which is 50x150 feet, on the ground floor, and fitted up in modern style during the past year at a cost of $15, 000, and considered one of the finest stores of its size in the United States. In addition to this Mr. Rink estab- lished a dry goods store in 1891, as Rink & Co., M. H. Spades being his partner. The latter retired in 1892, and Mr. Rink has since carried on the business and carries a stock of everything to be found in a first-class dry goods store. He carries goods valued at from $15,000 to $18,000, and the store is known as the Bee Hive. In addition to these vast enterprises Mr. Rink manufactures all seal and fine fur garments, working summer and winter in this branch, there not being another manufacturing concern of this kind in Indian- apolis. The cloak room and manufacturing department give employment to forty- five hands,
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being now in its infancy, but next year there will be 100 hands employed, and eventually several hundred. Mr. Rink also owns valuable real estate in Indianapolis, the Rosevelt House belonging to him. It is a four story brick situated on Ohio Street, in the central part of the city, and is very valuable. He also owns considerable handsome residence prop- erty in North Meridian and some in this city. The garments manufactured by Mr. Rink have no superior in the American market for quality of materials, fashionable elegance and finish, and are equal in every respect to those imported from the most noted European houses. Mr. Rink is a keen, intelligent business man, thoroughly conversant with all the requirements of his various enterprises, and eminently popular in meeting all its demands. On September 29, 1891, our subject was married to Miss Carrie Pfau, daughter of the wholesale liquor merchant, George Pfau. Mr. and Mrs. Rink are the parents of one child, Loretta, who was born November 2, 1892. They are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Rink is a Democrat.
GEORGE H. ROBERTS. The practice of veterinary surgery is even more intricate than that of medicine as applied to the human family, demanding in addition to a perfect knowl- edge of the anatomy of the horse and a thorough practical knowledge of drugs and medi- cines, also an intimate knowledge of equine habits under varying conditions, coupled with a quick, intuitive. perception to grasp the seat and nature of the disease-since the patient can never tell their symptoms. The possession of these qualifications and endowments in a high state of development, satisfactorily accounts for the success of George H. Roberts, the well known veterinary surgeon of Indianapolis. He is a native of New York, born in Alabama, Genesee County, November 1, 1864, and is a son of Horace and Mary (Easton) Roberts, the former a native of York State, and the latter of England. At the present time the father is a prosperous farmer of his native State, and has filled many responsible positions in his county. Our subject was but six months old when his parents removed from Genesee County, N. Y., to Orleans County, that State, and he there became familiar with the ardu- ous duties of the farm, and received his early education in the district schools. When four- teen years of age he entered the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and there com- pleted his literary education. When seventeen years of age he began the study of medicine, and when twenty he entered the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons, from which institution he graduated March 14, 1888. He established himself at Akron, N. Y., in 1887, having previously graduated from the school of Comparative Medicine at New York, and at that time he also took a full laboratory course at Bellevue Hospital. Until the spring of 1890 he carried on a successful business in Akron, N. Y., and then moved to Indianapolis, where he ranks among the foremost veterinary surgeons of the city. Socially he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O F., and politically he is a Republican. He has the best and most com- plete facilities for the treatment of sick and lame animals, and his building, 60x100 feet, will accomodate thirty horses. In connection with the veterinary business the Doctor has a livery and boarding stable. He also pays special attention to the treatment of dogs, and is veterinarian of the Illindio Kennel Club. The infirmary is located at 276 East Washington Street.
ROBERT ZENER. This gentleman, who alone composes the firm of Robert Zener & Co. of this city, came from Chicago to Indianapolis in September, 1885. He is a native of this State, however, and was born in Newport, Vermillion County, April 23, 1841, his parents being among the earliest settlers of that county. His father was possessed of valuable estates in and about Newport which was the county seat. As was the custom in those days the subject of this sketch, with his brothers, was required at an early age to assist in the operation of his father's mills and the farm of several hundred acres which adjoined the town, relying mainly on the winter terms of the public schools for his education. After reaching his majority Mr. Zener began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Clark Leavitt, then of Newport and now living in Danville, Ill. Finishing his course of studies at the University of Michigan he began the practice of medicine at Clinton, Vermillion County in March, 1865, about one month before the close of the Civil War. His success was far beyond his expectations but he remained in Clinton until October of that year only when in company with his two elder brothers he emigrated to western Missouri, locating at Clinton, the county seat of Henry County. The brothers mentioned had passed through this portion
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of Missouri with Gen. Curtis' division of the Western army in 1861 and being pleased with the appearance of the country resolved to make it their home after the war was over. Mr. Zener remained in Missouri, latterly at Sedalia, for eleven years then, in 1876, he removed with his family to Bloomington, Ill, and thence to Chicago. Prior to leaving Missouri he had connected himself with the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Massa- chusetts, as their special agent and adjuster, which position he held until January 1, 1887, when he resigned. In the year 1885, having taken charge of his company's interests in Indiana and Ohio he removed to Indianapolis and a year later, in July, 1886, he purchased the local agency of Cleaveland & Brown of this city, but did not sever his connection with his company until six months later. The agency which he purchased had on its books at the time about $27,000 in premiums. Under Mr. Zener's management the business increased rapidly and in 1892, over $120,000 in premiums was written. The building up of this immense business in so short a time was made possible only by Mr. Zener's thorough understanding of the science of underwriting and his habit of close attention to minutest details. In his profession Mr. Zener has taken high rauk and his patrons have learned to have the utmost confidence in his integrity, and in his ability to take care of their interests. Five years ago the general agency for Indiana and Kentucky of the Employers Liability Assurance Corporation (limited) of London, England, was placed in Mr. Zener's office with- out solicitation and during the year of 1892 he wrote in premiums for that corporation alone over $40,000. This company was the first to introduce into this country what is known as employers liability insurance which insures employers of labor against liability for accidents to their employes. This form of insurance has become very popular and as Mr. Zener set- tles and pays all claims from his office he has been enabled to build up for the corporation a large business in his field. To conduct such a business requires not only system but a superior grade of help to take charge of the different departments. In November, 1869, Mr. Zener was married at Clinton, Mo. to Miss Catharine F. Dodge, then of Clinton, but for- merly of Brooklyn, N. Y. There are three children and the family home at 316 College Avenue is one of the most desirable on that street of beautiful residences. The eldest son, Clarence M. Zener, graduated from the grammar school in Chicago and from the high school in this city, in both cases at the head of his classes, and in June of this year received his diploma from Wabash College in this State. He is now in his father's office and will no doubt make his mark in the business. Mr. Zener, while in love with and devoted to his business, has not forgotten that one of the results sought after is the " laying up of something. for a rainy day." In addition to his Indianapolis property he has large interests in the State of Kansas which require all the time of his youngest brother to look after for him.
JOHN HARDACRE. In a work which has for its object a comprehensive review of the leading industries of Indianapolis, it is highly important that special attention should be given to those great artisans whose skill and labor have been utilized in the construction of her buildings and public institutions. Foremost among this number is John Hardacre, who is one of the prominent builders and contractors of the city. Like many of the rep- resentative citizens of Marion County, Ind., Mr. Hardacre is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Dayton, Montgomery County, in 1834. His father, Joseph Hardacre, was a native of West Virginia, and remained in that State until a young man. He then went to Ohio, and located in Dayton, where he was engaged as a carriage manufacturer for some time. Later, he moved to Miami County, that State, and there passed the closing scenes of his life. Our subject received a good practical education in the common schools of Miami County, and subsequently learned the trade of carriage and wagon making from his father. The latter gave him his time after nineteen years of age, and young Hardacre commenced learning the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship at the same. From there he went to Greenfield, Hancock County, Ind., and worked at his trade there until 1871, when lie came to this city as journeyman carpenter. One year later he was engaged in contracting in partnership with Joseph Taylor, with whom he continued one year, and since that time he has been contracting alone. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the battle of Missionary Ridge, when he was severely wounded by a bursting shell, in the head and back. After this he was transferred to the Invalid Corps. Previous to this he was wounded at Chickamauga, but was never
AND MARION COUNTY, INDIANA. 307
taken prisoner. He was discharged in 1865, lacking just thirteen days of being three years from the time he enlisted. He was in many prominent engagements and skirmishes, and was a brave and loyal soldier. In politics he has ever advocated the cause of the Republican party, and is deeply interested in its welfare. He is a member of the Murphy Lodge and a member of the Seventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Rocky, who also holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
SYLVESTER S. GORBY. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is State geologist of Indiana, and is unquestionably one of the ablest and best posted men on that subject in the State. He came originally from the Buckeye State, which has contributed so much of population and intelligence to his adopted State; and from a parentage marked by strength of character and by a certain hospitality and largeness of nature. Born in Morgan County (now Noble County), February 5, 1848, he is the son of Thomas Gorby, who was a Virginian by birth. The elder Gorby left his native State after reaching mature years, became a prominent lawyer, and died in Kentucky in 1879. He was colonel of a Missouri regiment in the Confederate army during the Civil War but was captured and held a prisoner for two years. He married Miss Mary E. Dean, a native also of the Old Dominion and our subject is the only surviving child of two children born to them. She was his second wife and died in 1854. Mr. Gorby was of Scotch-English descent and his ancestors came to this country and settled first in New Jersey, but later in Virginia. While a resident of Iowa he was elected circuit judge in 1856, and in 1860 was elected judge in Missouri, but served only a few months. When three years of age he accompanied his parents to Iowa, and remained there until 1858, when they removed to Knox County, Mo. There he was edu- cated by a private tutor, and fitted for the State University at Columbia, Mo., from which he graduated in 1867. "After finishing his education he went west in the employ of the Govern- ment as civil engineer, locating roads, surveying lands, establishing section lines, etc., in Montana, Washington, Idaho and Utal. For years he was located in the West, and then returned to his father's home, near Lafayette (now New York), Ky., whither the latter had moved in 1865. Two or three months after his return home our subject located in Orange County, Ind., where he taught school and wrote for various papers, contracted, etc., until 1873, when he located at Lawrenceburg, Ind. There he taught school but at the same time edited the American Home Monthly, a magazine at that time published in Cincinnati. He wrote "Saddle, Camp and Trail or Pen-pictures of the West, "which was afterward published in book form and many thousands sold. Mr. Gorby was connected with this monthly maga- zine for two years, or until 1876. During his residence in Lawrenceburg he also wrote sketches for various eastern journals, and some articles for scientific journals. In April, 1891, he moved to Franklin, Ind., where he has made his home. He presented to the college there his magnificent geological collection, called the "Gorby Cabinet," and this is placed in a large room by itself, being worth many thousand dollars. This collection was acquired during the last twenty-five years in the United States and Europe. He has traveled as an expert in the employ of various mining companies, all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. In 1887 Mr. Gorby was appointed by Gov. Gray to fill out the unex- pired term caused by the resignation of Maurice Thompson, whose assistant our subject was at that time. During the session of the Legislature in 1889, Mr. Gorby was elected director of the " Department of Geology and Natural Resources," and in 1890 was re-elected to the same office by the people for a term of four years. He was also a member of the Indiana Board of World's Fair Managers. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his religious views is a Baptist.
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