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 56
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CHARLES F. HARTMANN. If the old world had not contributed to the population of the new Indiana would not have reached its present high state of development. Germany bas furnished her full quota of vigorous, energetic men, but she has contributed none more worthy of mention than Charles F. Hartmann, who is a resident of Marion County and one of its most substantial citizens. He was born December 29, 1825, in the village of Frille, in Prussia, Minden, on the Weser River, one of the largest navigable rivers in Germany, and was the son of Charles and Louisa (Faulkaning) Hartmann, both natives of the old country. The father was a farmer and considered a wealthy one, for he owned 105 acres of
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land. The grandfather, Johannas Conrad, was also a lineal descendant of estates of the family of Hartmann. The father of our subject was an only son and had but one sister, Christina, who married Frederick Faulkaning. She and her husband settled in Prussia, Minden, and became the owners of 128 acres on the river. On this land to-day stands the railroad depot of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkaning became the parents of two children; one son inherited the old place, but died after becoming heir to his property. The other son, Charles Faulkaning, now resides near Five Points, on the Michigan road, in Warren Township, this county. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Frederick Faulka- ning, who was a member of an old, aristocratic and wealthy family of the German empire. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann began farming in the old country and Mr. Hart- mann became one of the wealthiest men in his section. He was a soldier in Bonaparte's army, and although their was a law in the old country that a widow can have one son exempt from the army, he was obliged to go, and in going distinguished himself. This was during the reign of William III. To his marriage were born six children, two of whom died in childhood. Christina, the first born, married Herman Fahring, by whom she had nine children. Her death occurred in her native country in 1887. Three of her children are in America and two in Germany. The remainder are deceased. The remainder of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann are deceased, except our subject and Louisa, who married John Fishback and resides in Terre Haute, Ind. The mother of these children died in the old country in 1836. She was a worthy and consistent member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church and her husband held membership in the same. After his wife's death Mr. Hart- mann sold his possessions, came to America, and subsequently married Miss Louisa Stein- muer, also a native of Prussia, who bore him three children: Antony, Henry and Mary. The last two are deceased and Antony resides in Warren Township, this county, where he is engaged as a carpenter. The subject of this sketch attended school in Germany until twelve years of age, having six years of schooling and only two studies-Latin and German. After coming to America he received only four months schooling and his first teacher was Elias N. Shimer. He remained at home with his father until the latter's death and assisted in clearing the farm of eighty acres, then an unbroken wilderness, except a few acres, upon which stood a log cabin. This was the only improvement and the father paid $2,200 for the farm, including four head of horses, four head of cattle, eight hogs and the household furniture. The money was paid in gold. At that time deer, bear and wolves were plenti- ful and Indians, although numerous, were friendly. Our subject delighted in hunting and often killed from fifteen to twenty squirrels an hour. When fourteen years of age young Hartmann commenced drawing grain to Cincinnati and other large cities, also heavy grocer- ies for the merchants, receiving $1 per hundred pounds. He made a trip once a week. On November 25, 1848, lie married Miss Katrina Henrietta Ruschhaupt, who was born in Germany March 25, 1829. Her parents came from Burgholtzhauser, Germany, and first settled in Marion County, Ind., but later settled in Hancock County, where they passed the remainder of their days. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Katrina Marie, born September 19, 1849; Louisa Charlotte, born November 2, 1851; William C., born November 13, 1853; August William, born November 29, 1855, and Charles F., born November 15, 1858. Katrina Marie married Frederick Bremer and now resides on the Michigan road; Charlotte died May 19, 1885; Charles F., died July 20, 1884 (he was educated and had started studying law); William C. married Miss Frances Hubert, an amiable young lady, who was born and reared in Warren Township, this county (they have had two children; one died in infancy; the other child, Charles F., was named after his Grandfather Hartmann); August E. married Miss Alice Thompson and has one child, Clara, a bright little girl of seven years (the mother of this child died in August, 1892); Mrs. Hartmann, wife of our subject, died November 25, 1858, leaving an infant son, ten days old. This son grew to mature years and died of lung dis- ease at the age of twenty-seven. Mr. Hartmann's second marriage was with Mrs. Louise Katherine Ruschhaupt, a widowed sister of his first wife, and their nuptials were celebrated June 7, 1860. One son has been born to this union, Albert E., whose birth occurred November 10, 1865. He died at the age of three months and seven days. Mrs. Hartmann had four children by her former marriage: Mary, Louise, Eda and William. Mary mar-
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ried a Mr. Hunter and died leaving an infant. Mrs. Hartmann has been an invalid for thirty-two years. She is quite accomplished and a fine singer. Mr. Hartmann cleared up a farm of 100 acres and gave his son William forty acres. He is a Democrat of the solid kind, is public spirited and progressive and although he has been offered many local posi- tions he has seen fit to refuse all. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, a charter member of Ger- mania Lodge, No. 129, of Indianapolis. He has always been in good standing and would never receive benefit. He is also a member of Germania Encampment and a member of the Zion Church, as are all his children. He has erected his own buildings and was his own architect, being a natural mechanic. His barn cost $4,000 and he has $1,500 bushels of grain in it. For many years he acted as interpreter for the courts, also acted as guide in locating land for settlers when he came in after his father's death. In 1867 he was the originator of the Germania Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Hartmann is one of those strictly honorable and upright German citizens for which Marion County has become so well known, and possesses all the characteristics for which those of his nationality have become well known-unbounded energy, sterling honesty and much public spirit.
CONRAD BAKER was born in Franklin County, Penn., February 12, 1817. He was edu- cated at Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, and afterward studied law in the office of Stevens & Smyser, of that city, his preceptors being the late Thaddeus Stevens and Judge Daniel M. Smyser. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1839, at Gettysburg, and practiced law at that place for two years. He emigrated west, and settled at Evansville in 1841, and resided there until, having been elected lieutenant-governor, the office of governor devolved upon him by the election of Gov. Morton to the United States Senate in Janu- ary, 1867, since which time he resided at Indianapolis. In 1845 he was elected to represent Vanderburg County in the general assembly, and served one term. In 1852 he was elected judge of the court of common pleas for the district comprising the countries of Warrick and Vanderburg, and served about eighteen months, when he resigned. In 1856 he was nomi- nated for lieutenant-governor by the Republican party, without his knowledge and without having sought the nomination, on the ticket with Oliver P. Morton as a candidate for gov- ernor, and they were defeated. In 1861 Mr. Baker was commissioned colonel of the First Cavalry, Twenty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and served as such for over three years. From August, 1861, to April, 1863, he commanded either his own regiment or a brigade in the field in Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi. In April, 1863, an order from the secretary of war reached him by telegraph at Helena, Ark., requiring him to pro- ceed forthwith to Indianapolis, Ind., and report to the provost-marshal-general. He obeyed the instructions, and, on his arrival at Indianapolis, he received an order detailing him to act as assistant-provost- marshal-general for the State of Indiana, and as such to organize the provost-marshal-general's bureau in Indiana. He performed the duties of provost-marshal- general, superintendent of volunteer recruiting, and chief mustering officer until August, 1864, when, his term of military service having expired, he was relieved at his own request, and a few weeks afterward was mustered out of service with his regiment. The Republican convention which met in 1864 nominated Gov. Morton for re-election, and presented Gen. Nathan Kimball, who was in the field for the office of lieutenant-governor. Gen. Kim- ball declined the nomination, and thereupon the Republican State committee, without Mr. Baker being a candidate or applicant for the position, nnanimously tendered him the nomi- nation for lieutenant-governor. In 1865 Gov. Morton convened the general assembly in special session, and immediately after the delivery of his message started for Europe in quest of health, leaving the lieutenant-governor in charge of the administration of the executive department of the State. Gov. Morton was absent for five months, during which time the duties of the executive office were performed by Lieut- Gov. Baker. In February, 1867, Gov. Morton was elected to the Senate of the United States, and the duties of gover- nor again devolved upon Gov. Baker. He was unanimously nominated by the Republican convention of 1868 for governor and was elected over the Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks by a majority of 961 votes. He retired from the executive chair in 1873 and at once resumed the practice of law, becoming a member of the firm of Baker, Hord & Hendricks, of which firm he was a member at the time of his death. In the memorial adopted by his associates of the Indiana bar, the character of Gov. Baker is discussed in the following language: "The
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death of Gov. Baker deprives Indiana of one of its worthiest and most eminent citizens. On its dead-roll of soldiers and civilians there is not any name that occupies a more honorable or conspicuous place than his. Its history would be grossly incomplete without any mention of his life and public services. His name is written in the records of its courts as a lawyer and as a judge; it is on the journals of its Legislature; it may be found among the archives of its executive department, and it has an important place in its military annals. Wherever it appears the State has reason to be proud of a name that was never stained by a single vice or sullied by one dishonorable act; whose owner always and everywhere wore upon his breast the white flower of a blameless life. The fierce light which beats upon every candidate for political distinction disclosed no spot upon his character; slander was disarmed by his purity and detraction was stricken dumb. Mortuary literature abounds in benevolent falsification, but it can be guilty of none in its unstinted praise of him. The most sensitive conscience is not strained in the commemoration of his virtues or by the concealment of any shortcomings. It would be impossible to overrate him, for the highest eulogy is the simple truth. In every act and relation of his long and useful life the simplicity and goodness of his nature were manifested, as they were revealed in every lineament of his singularly benignant features. As a lawyer he was conscientious, painstaking and industrious, a safe and judicious counselor, faithful to the interests of his clients, and regardful of his own duties to the court. He had the implicit confidence of the courts, because they knew he would not consciously mislead them, or suffer them to be misled. His forensic triumphs were due to the sincerity and earnestness, the skill and judgment with which he advocated and managed a cause, instead of the arts and devices of the orator, for which he indulged a quiet and humorous contempt. The bar of Indiana may have had more brilliant members, but it never had one more justly distinguished for the depth and accuracy of his professional learning. His brief period of service on the benchi was long enough to demonstrate his peculiar fitness for the discharge of judicial functions, and to afford an unmistakable earnest of subsequent distinction as a judge had he chosen to continue as one. Indiana has never had a wiser or better administration of
its affairs than while he was its governor. He gave to the administration of them a dignity and elevation of character which had its source in himself. In the field and at the head of his regiment he displayed a tranquil courage and a calm fortitude which never deserted him under any of the vicissitudes of war. A striking illustration of these qualities is afforded by an act of his while he was provost-marshal-general at Indianapolis. An unruly and bellig- erent mob of soldiers was threatening with destruction the office of a newspaper which had incurred their hostility. He went among them alone and at great personal risk, and stopped the assault as soon as it began. It was at a time when the Union sentiment was intense and proscriptive, and his interference in behalf of a newspaper that had become the object of its passionate fury was simply heroic. His sense of justice could not be subjugated by popular clamor, and it was broad enough to include those who were regarded by his associates and comrades as the enemies of his country. The patriotism which made him a soldier actuated him as a citizen, and it never degenerated into mere partisanship. In his social and domes- tic life the virtues which marked his professional and public career had their counterpart. The 'honor, love, obedience and troops of friends' which, according to the poet, 'should accompany old age,' have followed him to the edge of the grave, and attest the universal and heartfelt esteem in which he was held. He has left a fragrant memory and the precious legacy of a good example which, through many years that are yet unborn, will stimulate and encourage the virtuous efforts of those who have known and survived him. What Anthony said of the dead Brutus is applicable to Conrad Baker: "His life was gentle; and the ele- ments so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man.' "'
ALBERT BAKER. Among the well-known lawyers of Indianapolis is Albert Baker, a man of unquestioned integrity, and competent in his profession. To a thorough knowledge of the legal science he joins the general culture derived from a varied and extended course of reading. Skillful in the presentation of the most involved or intricate facts, forcible in his manner of dealing with difficult and entangling subjects, accurate in his perceptions of the true bearing of a case, he takes an enviable position among the more prominent practi- tioners of Indianapolis, He is a native of Evansville, Ind., born November 22, 1851, where
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he made his home until February, 1867, attending the public schools of that city. He then came with his parents to Indianapolis, Ind., and prepared for college at the City Academy, going from that institution in November, 1868, to Wabash College, where he graduated in 1874. During that period he spent one year in Kansas upon a ranch. Leaving college he became a law student with Baker, Hord & Hendricks, of Indianapolis, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, and in 1881 entered into partnership with Edward Daniels. Afterward in January, 1883, his firm was merged into the firm of Hord, Baker & Hendricks. Mr. Baker holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and is an honored, upright and useful citizen. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Anna S. Campbell, daughter of Prof. John L. Campbell, of Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind., and their nuptials were celebrated Octo- ber 19, 1876. Four interesting children have been born to them: Ellen S., Conrad C., Ger- trude J. and Rosemary, the three daughters being still living. Prof. Campbell was the origi- nator and secretary of the Centennial celebration.
DR. RICHARD FRENCH STONE. He whose name heads this sketch was born near Sharps- burg, Bath County, Ky., April 1, 1844, and is of English, Scotch and Irish lineage. His mother, whose maiden name was Sally Lane, is still living at about the age of eighty years, and retains to a remarkable degree her intellectual vigor and rare conversational powers. She was the youngest daughter of Col. James H. Lane and a sister of the late Hon. Henry S. Lane, United States senator and first Republican governor of Indiana, and a man conspicuous in the affairs of his country. On his father's side Dr. Stone is descended in the fourth generation from Josiah Stone, a native of England, who in the early part of the last century came to America as a cabin boy, and was left in Prince William County, Va., while the captain of the vessel made another voyage, but the ship was lost at sea and all on board perished, thus Josiah was left alone in the world when a mere lad. He was apprenticed to a Mrs. Magaw, who reared him to manhood and bequeathed to him a considerable fortune. He married a Miss Coleman, who bore him three sons and four daugh- ters, but this family afterward became scattered, some continuing their residence in Vir- ginia, others moving to Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas, and distinguishing themselves in nearly every avocation of life. Valentine Stone, the third son, was a soldier of the Revolution, was married twice and became the father of five sons and five daughters. His second wife was the daughter of William French, of Virginia, the grandfather of Judge Richard French, the famous orator of Kentucky, for whom the subject of this sketch was named. Valentine Stone was noted for his strength, being broad shouldered and muscular, and many anecdotes are told of his physical prowess in old Virginia. In 1790 he removed to Boonsboro, Ky., and became an associate of Daniel Boone. He acquired the title for 2,000 acres of land lying on Bald Eagle Creek, which is to-day perhaps as rich a body of land as can be found within the borders of Kentucky. His patent was signed with the name of Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia. He settled on this land in 1799, when his son Samuel was but two years old. The latter received such education as was to be had in his youth, and early became interested in political affairs, being frequently elected to office by the Democrat party, serving many terms as representative in the Legislature, his first election taking place in 1824. He was also connected with the State Militia for about thirty years, and was promoted from an ensign to the rank of brigadier-general. He possessed a fine physique, like his progenitor, had a fine, courteous and soldierly bearing, and in his political speeches was able, convincing and impressive. He was a man of gen- erous impulses and sympathetic nature, enjoyed a good story, and was, himself, an excellent raconteur. He was a prominent slave holder, his slaves were well cared for, and he main- tained that he had a moral and constitutional right to own them, but he believed that his sons would be more likely to acquire habits of industry and self-reliance in an anti-slavery State, and for that reason he removed to Putnam County, Ind., in 1851, where he lived the retired life of the farmer until the opening of the Civil War. As many of his relatives in the South, among them Gen. Jolin B. Hood, had enlisted in the cause of secession, he was a strong Southern sympathizer and often engaged in heated discussions with his neigh- bors of opposite views. Although he was himself too old to engage in active service, three of his six sons entered the service of the Union army, one being the late Maj. Valentine H. Stone, of the Fifth United States Artillery, who was twice promoted by the personal recom-
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mendation of Gen. Grant, for gallant conduct in the field, and who had the immediate charge of Jefferson Davis while a prisoner of war at Fortress Monroe. He died of yellow fever during the epidemic of 1867, at Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas. Another son, Hon. H. L. Stone, a prominent lawyer of Louisville, Ky., served in the Confederate army, and was with Gen. Morgan on his famous raid. The father died near Bainbridge Ind., January 11, 1873, and was buried with Masonic honors, having been a member of that order for more than fifty years. Dr. R. French Stone was eight years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Indiana, and his early days were spent in attending the common schools and Bainbridge Academy and laboring on the farm. He supplemented his education by home study and instruction under private teachers, and thus acquired some knowledge of the languages and sciences. He selected the "healing art" as his future calling in life, and in order to defray the expenses of a medical education he began teaching school, and although the district in which he began his pedagogic labors was said to be one of the worst and most refractory in the county, he met the unruly leaders with their own weapons, and was soon the perfect master of the situation, although he was at that time but sixteen years of. age. Four years were devoted to this pursuit and the study of medicine, under the instruc- tion of Dr. J. B. Cross, and in 1863 he entered Rush Medical College, and while there made several efforts to call upon his brother, who was a Confederate prisoner in Camp Douglas, but was unsuccessful, and this news coming to the ears of his brother, the latter scaled the prison walls one dark night and made the call on his own account. He disguised
himself, went to the medical college and made himself known to his brother. They went to a hotel, took a meal together, viewed the city throughout the day, and then bade each other an affectionate farewell and met no more until the war was over. During the follow- ing spring Dr. Stone tendered his services to the United States Government, and after being examined was appointed a medical cadet in the United States army. In May, 1864, he was assigned duty at the United States General hospital, at Madison, Iud., and was afterward assigned to one of the large military hospitals at Philadelphia, and while there attended the University of Pennsylvania and received the degree of M. D. during the one- hundredth anniversary of the foundation of that institution, at which time he was not quite twenty-one years of age, being the youngest in a class of 117 graduates. He was later appointed acting assistant surgeon in the United States army, and when an appeal came from Key West, Fla., for medical aid during the yellow fever epidemic among the Union soldiers stationed there, Dr. Stone, though entirely unacclimated, bravely offered his serv- ices and faced the pestilence on that panic-stricken island. He had a serious attack of that malady, but remained there until the epidemic had subsided, after which he was ordered to Cedar Keys, near the mouth of Suwanee River, Florida, and was later placed in charge of the First and Second Florida Cavalry, being the youngest man in the medical department to hold positions of such responsibility. He afterward had charge of the post hospital at Monticello, Fla., and remained with the Department of the Gulf until 1866. At his own request he was released from duty, and in 1867 established himself ai New Albany, Ind., but shortly after removed to the village in which his childhood had been passed and there spent two years. He then resided in Bainbridge until 1880, then came to Indianapolis, and upon the establishment of the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons he was mnade professor of materia medica, therapeutics and clinical medicine. This chair he held until 1886, in which position he won eminent distinction. His didactic lectures were noted for their clear, concise and practical character. Many years' experience in the general prac- tice of his profession had not only made him familiar with disease in its varied forms, but gave him a just conception of the powers of nature, an abiding faith in the resources of medical art, and a well-defined knowledge of the uses, effects and capabilities of remedies suggested for its cure. He was thus enabled to reject as useless that which was speculative in therapeutics, as well as to speak with authority of all that was valuable in that depart- ment of medical science. Having been a close and almost constant student of medical literature for many years, having also studied disease in the great book of Nature, at the bedside in private practice, and in the wards in civil and military hospitals in various parts of the United States, from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic seaboard, and from the northern lakes to the inter tropical regions, there was no lack of material to illustrate the
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