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 59
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are examples of faithfulness and efficiency. In 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Sewall opened the Classical School for Girls in Indianapolis. To this school Mrs. Sewall gives her life work and the fairest fruit of her genius. In its brief existence it has become large and flourishing and the cherished plan of its principals, of making it a school complete and thorough in every department from the lowest primary to the collegiate, has been carried out. It provides everything except a college course, to which its senior class is a stepping stone. Mrs. Sew- all is probably more widely connected in an active way with local and national organizations than any other woman in the country. She is interested first of all in the advancement and higher education of women. She was one of the founders and a most enthusiastic member of the Woman's Club, an influential literary club of Indianapolis. She has been a moving spirit in the Indianapolis Ramabai Circle, in the Indianapolis Suffrage Society and in the Propylæum, an organization which deserves much more than a passing notice. It is a woman's stock company, organized in 1888, which has recently carried out its chief purpose, the erecting of a handsome club building for club meetings and public entertainments, which is not only a useful and ornamental structure but promises to be a profitable investment for the stockholders. Mrs. Sewall is and has been from its beginning the president of the organization and its success is largely due to her business tact and skillful management.
Mrs. Sewall is an enthusiastic member of the Indianapolis Art Association, which holds yearly exhibitions, and is exercising a wide influence in cultivating artistic taste. And last, but by no means least, in her connection with local affairs she was the first president of the Contemporary Club, a literary club organized a year ago, whose large membership includes both men and women prominent in her city and State. Mrs. Sewall is a warm advocate of the political rights of women, and has been for a number of years prominent in the work of the Indiana and the National Equal Suffrage Societies. She is president of the National Council of Women, vice-president of the National Federation of Woman's Clubs, and one of the vice-presidents of the Association of Collegiate Alumna. She is a member of Sorosis, of the Association for the Advancement of Women, of the
American Historical Society, and of the International Council of Women. In 1889 she was a delegate to the Woman's Congress in Paris, and made an address in French which received praise for its eloquence from M. Jules Simon and others. Mrs. Sewall has since been made an honorary member of the Union Internationale des Sciences et des Arts, Paris. The latest public honor done to Mrs. Sewall is her appointment by Governor Hovey to a place on the Board of Commissioners for the World's Fair. If we add that Mrs. Sewall is in frequent demand as a lecturer on literary, education and reform subjects, her almost phenomenal capacity for public work may be more fully estimated. But this is not all of her achievements. Her versatility of talent and tireless energy have enabled her to do also a great deal of literary work. Her contribution on the education of women in the Western States to the recently published "Woman's Work in America" is one of the most interesting chapters in that wholly interesting and valuable work. Mrs. Sewall is still a young and youthful looking woman. She is fond of society and of social life, and has exerted a wide and good social influence in Indianapolis. She presides over an elegant and hospitable home, where her friends are frequently entertained, and where many stran- gers also, men and women of note who visit Indianapolis, are made welcome. Her weekly informal Wednesday afternoon receptions are always largely attended, and have become a prominent feature in the social life of Indianapolis. Probably no woman in America so completely represents the life of modern woman with its marvelous round of occupations and duties. Mrs. Sewall is a fine embodiment of the practical ideas of the day. Her unvarying success is dne largely to the system and thoroughness underlying her smallest as well as her greatest undertakings, and to the religious care she takes of her bodily health. A worker, a thinker, a writer, of virile ability, Mrs. Sewall is withal a most womanly woman, loving pretty dresses, pictures, books, and perhaps most of all, fine china. She has a beautiful collection, gifts of friends and souvenirs, whose history she delights to relate to sympathetic listeners. A large number of contributions to the press, on varied subjects, historical, literary, reform; in particular contributions, editorial and other, to the Woman's Journal, Boston; the American Woman's Journal, New York; the Indianapolis Journal; the Woman's Tribune; Dress; Journal of Speculative Philosophy ; the Woman's Magazine ;
MIT & English
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the Arena; the Cycle; the Union Signal; the Indianapolis Times; the Boston Traveler ; the Woman's Penny Paper (London, England). A large number of pamphlets and mono- graphs, principally on educational and reform topics, in particular relating to organization and work among women. Among these may be mentioned: Disinherited Childhood (pub- lished by the Moral Education Society, of Washington, D. C., 1881); Report on the Position of Women in Industry and Education in the State of Indiana (prepared for the New Orleans Exposition, at the request of the Commissioners for Indiana, 1885); Women as Educators (an address before the Association for the Advancement of Women, New York, October, 1887); The Domestic and Social Effects of the Higher Education of Women (an address read before the Western Association of Collegiate Alumna, Ann Arbor, December, 10, 1887); Report on the Higher Education for Women in the United States (read at the session of the Interna- tional Council of Women, March 26, 1888; printed in the Report of the proceedings); The Industrial Relations of Women to the State (an address prepared for the Indiana Board of Agriculture); Woman's Work in America (the chapter on the Education of Women in the West; Holt & Co., 1891); Exposition Day in the Schools (prepared at the request of the Com- mittee on Education of the Indiana Board of World's Fair Commissioners, Indianapolis, 1891; Preliminary Address for the World's Congress of Representative Women, Chicago, 1892; Form of Constitution of Local Councils of Women, Indianapolis, 1892; Pamphlet out- lining the work of the Committee on Woman's Work of the Indiana Board of World's Fair Commissioners, 1892; History of the Indianapolis Art Association (Vouga's Art Folio, March, 1892; The General Federation of Women's Clubs (in the Arena, August, 1892); Intro- duction to a Symposium on Woman's Dress (in the Arena, September, 1892).
HON. WILL E. ENGLISH, ex-Representative in Congress from the Seventh Congressional District of Indiana. The subject of this sketch, Hon. Will E. English, is a prominent Indianian, and is the only son of the Hon. William H. English, Democratic candidate for vice- president of the United States on the ticket with Gen. Hancock. He was born at Lex- ington, Scott County, Ind., but removed to Indianapolis at an early age, where he has since resided. He studied law and graduated in the law department of the Northwestern Chris- tian University, and entered practice with the Hon. John R. Wilson, under the firm name of English & Wilson. He retired from the firm at the end of five years in order to devote par- ticular attention to the new and magnificent structure, known as English's Opera House, of which he was proprietor and manager. At the end of six years he leased the opera house, and arranging his business enterprises traveled extensively abroad for some three years, visiting every country in Europe from Norway to Greece, and various portions of Asia, Africa, Mexico, Cuba, South America, etc. Mr. English is a graceful and ready writer, well informed and well read, and during his varions foreign tours he wrote a series of letters, which appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel, and attracted general attention, evidenc- ing marked literary ability. His letters from the Holy Land, North Africa, Turkey, Egypt, etc., were so favorably commented upon that they will shortly appear in book form. Al- though the son of a distinguished father and a member of one of the most prominent fami- lies of the State, Mr. English is an unspoiled child of good fortune. Wealth, power and adulation could never make him other than he is, a man who is of the people, not above them, possessing as he does the instincts of democracy to such a degree that they are a sec- ond nature to him, and his universal and exceptional popularity with all classes is the best evidence of that fact. Pleasant, genial, talented and attractive, with always a pleasant word for all, high or low, rich or poor, it is not strange that he should be so general a favor- ite. As a natural result of these social characteristics he is connected with various social and benevolent organizations, has been the worshipful master of Center Lodge of Masons of Indianapolis, past grand ruler of the B. O. of E. for the United States, and past presi- dent of the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution, besides being a member of the Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Humane Society, Indianapolis Commercial Club, etc. Mr. English has for years been an active politician and one of the leaders of the Indian- apolis Democracy, and has repeatedly represented them in delegate capacity in conventions of every character and description-municipal, township, county, State and national. He began active participation in politics some years previons to his majority, and has been an officer in every organization of the Young Democracy of Indianapolis since that time. He
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was treasurer of the Greeley Club of 1872, president of the Tilden Campaign Club of 1876, president of the Hendricks Club in 1876-77, and president of the Young Men's Democratic Club in 1878. In 1875 he was the Democratic nominee for council in the eleventh ward of Indianapolis, but declined. In 1882 he was elected chairman of the Center Township Democratic convention. In 1885 he was elected chairman of the Indianapolis City Demo- cratic convention. In 1890 he was elected chairman of the Marion County Democratic con- vention, and again in 1891 was elected chairman of the Indianapolis City Democratic con- vention. At the national convention of Democratic Clubs, held in New York, October 4, 1892, Mr. English was elected vice-president of the organization and a member of the national committee for the State of Indiana for the ensuing four years.
Mr. English has been a member of the Democratic County Committee of Marion County, for over fifteen years continuously, and has for years been a member of the Democratic City Committee, of Indianapolis also, and in. 1878 was elected chairman of the city committee. Iu that capacity he so satisfactorily conducted the affairs of the city campaign at the spring election of 1878, that in recognition of his ability as a political organizer and manager, be shortly after was also unanimously chosen to the position of chairman of the Marion County committee, and given the general management there, during the exciting State campaign of 1878. It was while holding these two important positions that he was unanimously nomi- nated by the Democrats of Marion and Shelby Counties, as their candidate for Joint Repre- sentative, notwithstanding there were several worthy and talented competitors for the nomi- nation. His canvass for this office attracted general attention throughout the State, and although the district was carried by the Republican party two years before by a majority of nearly 700, and at this election, on the general ticket by over 200, Mr. English was elected leading his ticket nearly 500 votes. He had the honor of being the youngest member of the House of Representatives, although representing the then largest district in the State, and of being the third of his immediate family to hold a seat in that body, his father and grand- father both having previously been members of the House of Representatives. He served with distinction during both the regular and extra sessions, and was a recognized leader of his party. He was considered one of the best parliamentarians in the body, and Speaker Cauthorne frequently called upon him to preside over the deliberations of the House. The Speaker appointed him to the chairmanship of the standing committee, on the affairs of the city of Indianapolis, and a member of the committee to reapportion the State for congres- sional and legislative purposes. His bill upon congressional apportionment-"House Bill No. 486" -- passed both Houses, and became the law, after one of the most bitter partisan struggles ever witnessed in the State Legislature. Mr. English was also author of the popu- lar law limiting the indebtedness of Marion County, and various other bills and resolu- tions of like importance were proposed by him. Among them were the first bill providing for a reduction of official fees and salaries, the bill abolishing the unnecessary offices of city treasurer and assessor, the bill providing for a reappraisement of real estate and the reduction of taxation thereon, and the original bill providing for a Metropolitan police system in Indian- apolis. Mr. English was prominently spoken of as a candidate for Congress at the expiration of his legislative term in 1880, but declined to allow the use of his name before the convention of that year. However, at the succeeding election two years later, there was a general desire among his party friends that he should become the Democratic candidate in his district, and although several prominent and able gentlemen were candidates for the position, Mr. English was unanimously nominated at the convention held at Shelbyville, May 8, 1882. The Re- publican candidate against him had the advantage of being a candidate for re- election, having been elected two years before by nearly 1,000 majority. But in the face of this large majority to overcome, Mr. English entered upon a vigorous campaign, making a thor- ough personal canvass, besides speaking in every township in the district. His ability as a canvasser being well known, his nomination alarmed the opposition, notwithstanding their previous majorities in the district, and every effort was made to insure his defeat. The extreme Prohibitionists were particularly aroused against him, because of his decided and pronounced position upon that question, and while, as before, he received a number of Re- publican votes among the younger men, he was largely scratched by the ultra-Prohibition element and lost some votes thereby that were otherwise given to his party ticket. He,
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however, was ahead of his party vote upon the local county tickets, and notwithstanding the majority to overcome, and the exceptional fight made against him, he carried the district and was elected after one of the hottest political campaigns ever known in the State.
During his Congressional term at Washington Mr. English, in the language of the Washington Cronicle, made "a useful, capable and attentive Representative," always in attendance upon the sessions of the House and ever watchful of the interests of his constit- uents. Among other important bills introduced by him while in Congress were those pro- viding for an international copyright law, the issuance of silver certificates of small denomi- nations and the increase of the pensions of crippled soldiers and sailors. His comprehensive report on the proposed alcoholic liquor traffic commission from the committee of which he was chairman was adopted by the House and attracted general attention and much favorable comment. At the close of his official term it was the general desire of his Democratic constit- uents that he accept a renomination, but influenced by personal considerations he positively declined to be a candidate. His declination was received by the Democracy with regret and the Congressional convention upon assembling at Indianapolis, August 31, 1884, to nomi- nate his successor, unanimously adopted the following resolution in reference thereto: "Resolved that we herewith regret Mr. English's wish and determination not to be a candi- date for re-election and we unqualifiedly express our confidence in him as a Democrat and a faithful representative." To quote the words of the Indianapolis Daily Democrat of the following day, this was "a high and well deserved compliment. The Convention would not listen to any declination and came very near nominating him in spite of all his protests. It was a splendid endorsement given in a splendid manner." Mr. English was not only thus warmly approved by his Democratic friends but his course in Congress received endorsement from many of his Republican constituents as well. One of the leading Repub- lican papers of the State at that time, the Indianapolis Daily Times said: "He is fair and liberal toward his political opponents and always ready to do a favor. He won the repu- tation of being a working and successful member of the Indiana Legislature and we are glad to find him on the same line in Congress." The able Republican organ of Han- cock County the Greenfield Republican said: "He makes a faithful and efficient represent- ative and in his official duties does not discriminate against those who differ from him polit- ically. As a business representative he is now, as when a member of the Indiana Assembly, far above the average, and entitled to the confidence of his constituents." Thus Mr. English left official position with kindly words from both political friend and foe, after never having suffered defeat in convention or at the polls. In the language of the Washing- ton Free Press at the close of the Congressional session, "Mr. English came into the House of Representatives the youngest member of that body, going out with the good will and respect of the entire House and with as many personal friends as the most popular mem- bers. Although frequently spoken of in that connection Mr. English has declined to be a candidate for election to any office since that time, but has continued as ever an active, zealous worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. In the Presidential campaign of 1892, he was an active and prominent participant both before and after the Presidential nominations. In the heated preliminary contest within the Democratic ranks between the friends of the various aspirants for the Presidency, Mr. English was one of the leaders in Indiana of the Cleveland following, and as a result thereof was selected by his fellow Democrats of the Indianapolis district as a delegate to the national Democratic convention at Chicago over several well-known and active competitors. He was one of the most prom- inent members of that body, having been chosen in the organization as chairman of the important "Committee on Rules and Order of Business " for the government of the conven- tion and having been later unanimously selected by the Indiana delegation to make the speech to the convention on behalf of the State of Indiana seconding the nomination of Grover Cleveland for the office of President of the United States.
In the performance of this distinguished duty he acquitted himself with great credit and honor, his speech being generally pronounced by press and public to be, in the language of the Daily News, "one of the best oratorical efforts," delivered before that magnificent assemblage. The Associated Press declared it "eloquently" rendered, and the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel's telegraphic special from Chicago voiced the general verdict in the state-
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ment "That it was generally conceded that Mr. English made the best seconding speech of the convention." Mi. English is a young man of fine appearance, and of great personal popularity, a quick and ready debater, a forcible speaker and an excellent presiding officer, and when occasion requires and he is called to preside over or address public meetings or conventions his capacity is made most manifest and his abilities show to their best advantage.
HON. SAMUEL H. BUSKIRK (deceased), was a representative of one of the best known families of Indiana, one brother being Judge Edward C. Buskirk, of Indianapolis, another the late Judge George A. Buskirk, of Bloomington, and himself having served on the supreme bench of the State. He was born January 19, 1820, at New Albany, Ind., receiving his collegiate education at the State University at Bloomington, and graduating from the law department of that institution in 1841. He early displayed ability of a high order in his chosen profession, but having a strong liking for politics his professional and political career became hopelessly mixed. In 1848-52 and 1854, he served by election in the legis- lative assemblies of Indiana; was a candidate for elector on the Democratic ticket in 1856, and in 1862-65, was again elected a member of the Legislature, serving two terms as speaker of the House. In 1870 he was elected a Supreme Court judge, served one full term of six years, aud during that time prepared and published " Buskirk's Practice," a standard work of practice in the Supreme Court. At the time of his death, which occurred very suddenly April 3, 1879, he was a resident of the city of Indianapolis, and actively engaged in the prac- tice of law. Judge Buskirk ranked exceptionally high as a lawyer and jurist; was a man of unexceptionable character, and was the possessor of the respect of all classes regardless of religious creed or political conviction.
GEN. JOHN COBURN. Among the prominent and able lawyers of the State, noted for his skill in handling cases, is Gen. John Coburn, who possesses far more than the share of ability with which the average man is endowed. He has won his enviable position in the legal profession by the exercise of the talent with which nature endowed him, allied to great application, and few can conscientiously accept the praise which he so well merits. He was born on West Ohio Street in what was then the village of Indianapolis, October 27, 1825, his parents being Henry P. and Sarah Coburn, who settled there in the latter part of 1824. His education was obtained in the old County Seminary on University square, and at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, from which he graduated with signal honors in 1846. For some time thereafter he assisted his father as deputy clerk of the Supreme Court of the State, after which he studied law in his father's office, receiving his license to practice in 1849. He served one term as a representative in the Legislature in 1850 and 1851, from Marion County. He soon after formed a partnership with Hon. Napoleon B. Taylor, and was later thus associated with Gov. David Wallace. His ability as an able advocate soon became recognized and he was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court for the district composed of the counties of Marion, Hendricks and Boone, in which capacity he served with distinction until September, 1861. when he resigned and was appointed colonel of the Thirty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers and at once took command, going with his regiment into Kentucky, as a part of the army of the Ohio, afterward known as the army of the Cumber- land. His was the first regiment in that army to engage in battle, which was on October 21, 1861. With his regiment he participated in all the arduous services of the field, the marches, battles and sieges and was once captured with a portion of his brigade, and for a short time was a captive in Libby Prison. His record as a soldier is without reproach and his last service as such was in the Atlanta campaign, which city surrendered to him. He commanded a brigade during the most of his service in the field, and was breveted a Brigadier-general for meritorious and gallant conduct throughont the war. Upon his return home he resumed the practice of his profession and in the fall of the same year was elected judge of the circuit composed of Marion, Hendricks and Johnson Counties in which capacity he served with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public in general until August, 1866, at which time he resigned. In October of the same year he was elected a member of Congress and was honored with a re-election three times, and served in all eight years, his career as a Congressman being a brilliant and honorable one. He was a faithful and conscientious worker in the House. He served four years on the committee on banking
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and currency and for four years was chairman of the committee on military affairs, and so deep and thorough was his knowledge in this line that he was considered by many to be a most suitable person to fill the responsible and honorable position of Secretary of War, after Secretary Belknap had resigned. His greatest and most successful labors, in Congress were those in which he struggled against the attempted contraction of the currency by the retirement of the greenbacks; and in various reforms in the laws governing the army. He was the author of the measure providing for the publication of the Rebellion Records and of the law providing headstones for deceased soldiers, also of the law establishing the military prison at Forth Leavenworth. In his political proclivities he was a Whig, then became an advocate of the principles of the Republican party, which he has earnestly supported up to the present time. When the great Civil War seemed inevitable and men were found waver- ing, he was enthusiastic in his support of the Union, and his powerful and fiery eloquence on the public platform did much to arouse the people to a true sense of the critical state of affairs. He has always been noted as a forcible and eloquent writer, as well as public speaker, and has written numerous able articles for the press, as well as addressed the public on all matters of general interest. His speeches in Congress on the various great subjects of debate would fill a volume; among which are those upon the currency, the tariff, the impeachment of President Johnson, army reform, reconstruction, the Kuklux law, and national election laws. He reported in the winter of 1875 the bill to secure honest and fair elections, commonly called the Force Bill, which after long fillibnstering. passed the House in February, but failed in the Senate. He led the Republican side and Mr. Randall the Democratic. In 1877 he was appointed by President Hayes one of the Commissioners to settle the vexed questions of land titles at Hot Springs, in Arkansas. This occupied the commission two years, and resulted in giving the settlers there-more than 1,000-the right to purchase the lots improved and claimed by them against the few men, three or four speculators, who asserted their right to the entire tract, which was of enormous value. This ended satisfactorily many bitter and bloody controversies. In February, 1884, he was appointed by President Arthur one of the supreme judges of Montana territory. He held
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