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 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
340
MEMOIRS OF INDIANAPOLIS
was afterward rejected and began clerking in a grocery store, where he remained for about five years. At the end of that time he opened an establishment of his own on Virginia Avenue and has carried on a successful business for over twenty years, his stock being valued at about $2,000. He purchased the property where he is now doing business and erected thereon a good two-story brick building in 1881, and there he keeps constantly on hand a fine grade of general groceries which net him about $1,000 annually. Mr. Rotbert's suc- cess has been entirely due to his own efforts, and in addition to his business property of two lots, he owns four other lots, on two of which are two houses each, which he rents, the two other lots being vacant, his entire property interests in the city being valued at $20,000. He was married in 1872 to Miss Elizabeth Stolte, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, by whom be bas children as follows: Katie, William, John, Clara (dead), Fred, Lizzie and Rosa. Mr. Roth- ert is a member of the German-American Protestant Association, the Turner's Society, and politically is a Democrat, in local affairs voting for the one he considers the best man for the office. He and his family attend the Zion Evangelical Society, of which he and his wife are earnest and consistent members.
WILLIAM J. ROACH. This successful wholesale lumber dealer is a member of the well known firm of Roach & Clark of Indianapolis, Ind. He was born in Warren County, Ohio, August 4, 1841, a son of William H. and Eliza (Worley) Roach; who were also natives of the Buckeye State. The paternal grandparents were Virginians but were early settlers of Ohio, were tillers of the soil and in their religious belief were member of the Quaker faith. The maternal grandparents were of Scotch descent and the grandfather, Walling Worley, was a soldier in the War of 1812. William H. Roach followed in his father's footsteps and be- came a farmer. He was called from life in 1857 and his widow still survives him and is re- siding in Indianapolis at the advanced age of eighty years. To this worthy couple a family of six children were born, three sons and three daughters, five of whom are living at the present time. On the old home farm in Warren County the subject of this sketch was reared, his education being obtained in the common schools in the vicinity of his rural home. He re- mained under the shelter of the parental roof, assisting his father in the duties of the farm, until he was about twenty-five years of age, at which time he engaged in the livery, and saw- mill business at Morrowtown, Ohio, following these occupations with reasonable success until four years had elapsed, at which time he came to Indianapolis, arriving in the month of March, 1870. He at once engaged in the sale of saw dust, and operated several wagons throughout the city. This proved to be a profitable business, and he continued it for about ten years; then turned his attention to the wholesale lumber business as a member of the firm of Endley & Roach, which partnership continued about five years. The firm then became Roach & Clark and as such still continues. These gentlemen are doing a profitable busi- ness and carry a stock of goods valued at about $15,000, their annual sales amounting to some 75,000. They ship their goods to St. Louis, Chicago, Boston, Buffalo and many other eastern cities, their product being obtained principally throughout the States of Indiana and Kentucky. While a resident of Morrowtown, Ohio, Mr. Roach took an active part in the political affairs of that section and served in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff and constable for nearly ten years. Since locating in Indianapolis he has prospered financially and is the owner of a considerable amount of real estate besides his fine residence property. On November 4, 1861, he was married to Miss Jane Hyser, a native of Warren County, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Jeffries) Hyser, early settlers of Warren County, Ind., the father having been a soldier of the War of 1812. To this union four children were born: Lizzie B., Clyde C .; Harry D., who was killed in the lead mines in Missouri, May 18, 1892, of which he was superintendent at the time, and Helen. Clyde C. was a member of Richardson's Zouaves for five years and held the rank of captain. The mother of these children died April 20, 1884, having been a noble wife and mother, and a devout and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for many years of her life. Mr. Roach's second marriage was celebrated June 6, 1887, Mrs. Anna (Jack) Hyser, becoming his wife, she having also been born in Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Roach are members of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Roach has been a deacon for many years. In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican.
341
AND MARION COUNTY, INDIANA.
ADRIAL SYLVANUS KINGSLEY. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Erie County, N. Y., twenty miles from Buffalo, February 1, 1818, a son of Sabin and Betsey (Abbot) Kingsley, the former of whom was a native of Huntington, Rutland County, Vt., and the latter of Concord, N. H. ; she being a relative of the Abbotts of New England, well known writers. The mother was born in a block house. Mr. Kingsley was a tiller of the soil, and this occupation followed after his removal to Indiana, which was in a very early day. They went down the Ohio River on a raft, leaving Pittsburgh in November, 1818, and before reaching their destination passed through many hardships and perils. At the end of six weeks they arrived at Cincinnati (January 1, 1819), and on account of ice between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati landed only once. They settled in Switzerland County, Ind., in January, 1819, and resided there until their removal to Indianapolis in March, 1855, in which city the father died on February 25, 1865. He was a strong Abolitionist, and upon his death bed, among the last words he uttered were, that he had only one desire and that was to live to see the Rebellion put down. His widow survived him until February 3, 1881. The youthful days of the subject of this sketch were marked by many thrilling adventures, for the State of Indiana was in its primitive condition at that time, and until he was thirty-five years of age he lived on farms twenty years half a mile from the town of Jacksonville. In the spring of 1854 he removed to Aurora, Ind., and in the spring of the following year to Indianapolis. He had obtained a common-school education in his youth, and after reaching a suitable age taught school in Switzerland County for a number of years, and under the shades of Hanover College, and had among his pupils some men who have become eminent in the affairs of the State and nation. Upon locating in Indianapolis he opened a boarding-house, and during the five years that he conducted this establishment he became well known as one of the best hotel men of the city. Succeeding this he engaged in the dairy business, and in April, 1877, established the creamery, which business he is operating in a highly successful manner at the present time. On November 16, 1840, he was united in marriage to Roxy J. Aldrich, a native of Montgomery County, N. Y., and to their union eight children have been given: Mary E. J. (deceased), Harriett E., widow of C. J. Shawver; Royal A .; Mary E. J., wife of James A. Johnson, of Dakota; Loring B. S. (deceased), Loring B. S. (another child, deceased), Charles E. A. and Frank E. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley celebrated their golden wedding about three years ago, at which time all the family were present. Although Mr. Kingsley is quite advanced in years, he is yet hale and hearty and carries on an active business. He has a fine mind and is a frequent con- tributor to newspapers, being an interesting writer of the early history of Indiana, in which State he has lived for seventy-five years. He is a strong temperance man, and as early as 1832 began alone to promote temperance work by refusing to drink whisky, and in 1847 aided in the organization of a division of the Sons of Temperance in Jacksonville, Ind. On coming to Indianapolis he nnited with the division here and was one of its most active mem- bers while it was in existence. He became a member of the Baptist Church at the age of fifteen years, and, although not a member of any church organization at the present time, is a moral and upright Christian gentleman. In politics he was originally a Whig, but cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840. He was a strong Abolitionist and an ardent sympathizer in that cause, and, owing to his pronounced ideas in this particu- lar, he was subjected to many threats and insults, and at one time his life was threatened. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its stanch supporters. While a resident of Switzerland County, in 1852, he was the nominee of the Free Soil party for county treasurer, receiving forty-five votes, the entire strength of the party in the county at that time. Mr. Kingsley is a man of unblemished reputation, and his honorable walk through life points its own moral to the rising generation.
CHARLES E. HEINRICHS. The name above mentioned is one well known in Marion County, Ind., and the possessor of it was born at Osnabruck, Germany, July 25, 1819, his parents being Henry and Johanna (Hoffman) Heinrichs, the former of whom died when Charles E. was very small, and his mother in her native town at the age of sixty-eight years. She was first married to Ernest Ropky, who was a Prussian officer, and was killed at the battle of Waterloo. Her son by this husband, Ernest Ropky, Jr., came to Indianapolis, where he died leaving a widow and three children, the former of whom soon followed her husband to
342
MEMOIRS OF INDIANAPOLIS
the grave. Charles E. Heinrichs was educated in the schools of his native land, paying for his education by his own labor, and at the age of sixteen he left school, and entered a tobacco factory, in which he worked for thirteen years, supporting his mother with his earn- ings, but he soon realized the fact that if he wished to lay up any money he must look else- where for it. He was at that time engaged to Amelia Bosse, and lacking funds of his own, he borrowed $40 of her, which she had saved from her earnings with which to commence house-keeping, and set sail for America, landing at New York December 2, 1847, with not $1 in his pocket. He at once went to an old German tavern keeper, named Bick, of whom he bor- rowed $10, which took him to Delaware County, N. Y., and during that winter he secured employment in a tan yard. He then worked in a brick yard in Newport, Ky., but owing to the dishonesty of the man for whom he worked he was cheated out of his summer's wages. He then pawned his watch and a suit of clothes, and sent for his sweetheart, who embarked for the United States in the fall of 1848. One month after her arrival they were married, and for two years thereafter the table from which they ate was a trunk, but they saved in the meantime $200. This brought them to Indianapolis,, and after working three months in a brick yard he and another man bought a yard of their own, and during that summer they made abont $500. The following winter he worked for Col. Blythe in his pork packing house, and in the spring of 1853 he rented a little house and opened a grocery store, in the care of which he was assisted by his good wife. In this manner they cleared about $1,000 a year until 1861, when they opened an establishment at Cumberland, their capital at that time amounting to about $6,000. Mr. Heinrichs finally traded his city property for a farm of 110 acres, to which he added from time to time until he became the owner of about 800 acres. He recently sold 200 acres in Marion County, and is now engaged in managing his fine farm of 400 acres, and looks after his five houses and lots in Indianapolis, which he rents. The most of his land is now rented, and he simply oversees his extensive interests. Six sons and one daughter blessed this union: Charles E., born in 1851, is a carpenter by trade; William F., born in 1855, is an attorney; Ernest Edward, born February 25, 1858, is a resident of Cumberland; John H., born in 1860, is a stenographer of ability, and the other children died in childhood and infancy. Mr. Heinrichs is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Germania Lodge, of the F. & A. M , has been a life-long Democrat, and is a member of the Lutheran Church, as was his worthy wife, who departed this life December 4, 1890, at the age of seventy-one years. Their son Ernest Edward is a young merchant of enterprise and intelligence, and the people of the section in which he resides repose in him the utmost confidence, for he has ever proven the soul of honor in his transactions with them, and thoroughly understands their wants. He has the management of the old established general mercantile house, which was founded by his father, and the business is conducted on sound and upright principles. Ever since his school days Ernest E. has been connected with mer- cantile life, the most of his time being in his father's store, and in this manner he became admirably qualified for the responsible position he occupies. It has ever been bis ambition to grow up an honorable and successful business man, and that he has reached the goal of bis ambition cannot be doubted when the large patronage he has is taken into consideration. He was born in Indianapolis, and received the rudiments of a primary schooling there, which he completed at Valparaiso and Moore's Hill Colleges, and before succeeding his father in business he was traveling salesman for a boot and shoe house of Columbus, Ohio. February 27,1881, he was married to Rosabel Buchanan, daughter of John Buchanan,a prominent farmer of Warren Township, this county, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mrs. Heinrichs is an intelligent and talented little lady, possesses fine conversational powers, is her hus- band's right hand in many ways, and also "looketh well unto the ways of her household."
They have two children: Harry H., born December 12, 1881, and Bertha L., born October 30, 1884. Mr. Heinrichs is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 124, of the I. O. O. F., Indian- apolis, and politically is known as a conservative supporter of the Democratic party. He is a gentleman wide awake to his own interests, and to the welfare of any deserving enterprise, yet is so fair and honorable withal, so public spirited, generous and honorable, that his name is highly respected wherever known, and he counts his friends by the score.
JAMES T. EAGLESFIELD, a member of the well-known firm of William Eaglesfield Com- pany, is one of the young business men of Indianapolis. Connected with him in business is
343
AND MARION COUNTY, INDIANA.
Alonzo E. Robbins, who is not actively associated with the business but is superintendent of the Toledo division of the Hocking Valley Railroad with headquarters at Columbus, Ohio. They established their business at their present location in 1886, handling lumber and almost all kinds of building material, adding to their business in 1890 a well-equipped planing mill, and at present have ample facilities for everything in the lumber and building business, carrying a stock of from $10,000 to $15,000 and having an annual business of from $80,000 to $90,000. James T. Eaglesfield was born in Clay County, Ind., in 1856. William Eaglesfield, his father, was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born in 1815, and his parents having died, he came to Indianapolis in 1822 with his uncle, Caleb Scudder, a cabinet maker, and they were among the first settlers of Indianapolis, the old house being on the corner of Market and Tennessee Streets, opposite the State House. He went to school here and has many stories and reminiscenses to relate of the old times. In 1835 he went to Putnamville, Ind., where he married Miss Margaret E. Townsend, a native of Kentucky. Some eight or ten years later they went to Clay County, where Mr. Eaglesfield operated a saw-mill and engaged in the lumber business. In 1860 he went to Terre Haute, where he carried on a prosperous business till 1875. His connection with the timber interests of the State through so long a time made him an acknowledged authority on all subjects relating to it. He died in 1888, leaving a memory of a long life well spent. His wife, though well advanced in years, continues in fair health and finds a comfortable home among her children in Indian- apolis. James T. Eaglesfield has been reared in the lumber business, and received an educa- tion in the schools of Terre Haute, Ind., and at Ann Aabor, Mich. He is a member of the Commercial Club which has contributed so much to the advancement of the city.
JOHN W. COMBS. The subject of this sketch is one of the old settlers of Marion County, Ind., having resided here for sixty-six years, and during all that time his career has been above reproach. All his life has been passed in the Hoosier State, his birth occurring in Dearborn County, January 4, 1824, to the union of Jesse and Lititia (Walton) Combs, the former a native of Laurel Hill, Penn., born March 20, 1787, and the latter of Virginia, born August 12, 1792. The parents resided in Pennsylvania until about 1818 when they moved to Hartford, Ind., and after making their home there for ten years, or until 1828, moved to Indianapolis. There both passed the remainder of their days. Three children were given them, as follows: Nancy, born April 8, 1814, married Oliver Morris, of Indianapolis (she is now deceased), William Franklin, born July 14, 1816, was married first to Adelia Lumen and afterward to Miss Ellen Mitchell. and John Watson, our subject. The father of these children was in the War of 1812 and was stationed at Fort Meigs, in the northern part of the State, under Gen. William Henry Harrison. John W. Combs, the subject of this sketch, was about four years of age when he moved with his parents to Marion County, Ind., and here he has since resided. In this county his scholastic training was received and here he has since resided, honored and respected by all. On February 27, 1847, he was married to Miss Emma Cole, daughter of Allen and Adeline Cole, of Hamilton County, Ind. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Combs: Teressa, born June 26, 1848, single and at home; Annetta L., born January 27, 1850, died May 20, 1851; William F., born April 29. 1852, married Miss May Cory, and is now at home; and George W., born March 10, 1859, married Miss Carrie Kregelo, who died February 11, 1892. Mr. Combs is a public- spirited man and takes an active interest in all good work. He has held a number of public offices in the township and is well informed in politics and the affairs of the county. For eighteen years he was justice of the peace, has been township assessor two terms, and notary public for eight years. He now owns a fine farm adjoining the town of Oaklandon, this county.
MRS. SARAH T. BOLTON (deceased). The picturesque type of women to which Mrs. Sarah T. Bolton belonged is fast passing away, and soon it will become merely traditional in this part of the country. As the years go on this type recedes farther and farther by the advancement of civilization. Sarah Tittle Barrett, the eldest child of Jonathan B. and Esther (Pendleton) Barrett, was a native of Newport, Ky., born December 18, 1811. Her ancestors were of good lineage, her grandparents being distinguished by their ability and for their patriotic services. When Sarah was a little girl she came with her parents to Indiana to reside. Her reminiscences, quoted from her life, written by the late J. W.
344
MEMOIRS OF INDIANAPOLIS
Gordon, were to this effect: "As there was no road for wheels, we were obliged to travel on horseback." They accomplished their journey in safety and reached their home, which was a log cabin with puncheon floor and all the rude furniture of the pioneer. It was at this time that the first inspiration of poetical thought came to the little girl, who in later years became the poetess whose name and verse are known to the world around. Amid the rude life of the early settler Sarah passed her youth, sharing the duties of the household. She had no educational advantages. She learned to cook, sew, knit and wash. None could afford to be idle. But in that life she established good habits of mind and body, and in it were laid the foundations for a noble character. When Sarah was quite a young woman the family moved to Madison, that the children might be educated. She was much behind children of her own age, but it was an incentive to her. She advanced rapidly and was soon among the foremost in the school. Hon. Jeremiah Sullivan allowed her the use of his library, and this delighted her. Sarah T. Barrett's first published poem appeared in the Madison Banner when she was about fifteen. From that time on until she was mar- ried she wrote nearly every week for the newspapers of Madison and Cincinnati. She attracted the attention of literary people by her productions and in this way became acquainted with Nathaniel Bolton, who owned a paper in Madison, and this led to their marriage October 31, 1831. They removed to Indianapolis and Mr. Bolton went into busi- ness with his step-father, Judge Smith. They established the Indianapolis Gazette, the first newspaper ever published in the State capital. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton settled upon the tract of land upon which the hospital for the insane now stands. They moved into the town for awhile, where a daughter was born to them, and then went back to the farm, where a son was born. At this date Mr. Bolton planted the trees that now line the land from the national road to the hospital. So many people stopped at their house that they finally decided to make it public, and a sign "Tavern by Nathaniel Bolton " was raised. Mrs. Bolton attended to all the housework. Here parties were given at every meeting of the General Assembly, and among those who were there were Robert Dale Owen, Jesse D. Bright, Michael G. Bright and others. In October, 1840, Col. Richard M. Johnson, Vice-President of the United States, visited there and a grand reception was given. Mrs. Bolton wrote a poetical address for the occasion. There was no great occasion from that day to the time of her death that she did not write poetically upon the subject. Her power of imitation was very stroug, and it is said her poem on "Poe's Death " in the style of his " Raven " equalled his owu immortal verses in rhythmic measure and poetic thought. In 1847 Mr. Bolton was elected State librarian, and at that time the general supervision of everything pertaining to the State House devolved on the librarian, and Mrs. Bolton assisted him in his work. There was great need of carpets for the Senate chamber and House of Representatives, as the Legis- lature would soon convene. Mrs. Bolton went to Cincinnati and purchased some, and after their arrival there was no one to sew them. Mrs. Bolton did this work. While thus engaged she planned and wrote a poem, " Paddle Your Own Canoe," which has been trans- lated into many languages and sung all round the globe. A verse from it:
"Nothing great is lightly won, Nothing won is lost. Every good deed nobly done Will repay the cost. Leave to Heaven in humble trust All you will to do, But if you succeed you must Paddle your own canoe."
Mrs. Bolton wrote fifteen songs which were long popular, and yet she was never enriched one dollar by them. "I Cannot Call Her Mother " and " A Reply to Katy Darling" were among them. Mrs. Bolton accompanied her husband to Switzerland, where he was appointed a consul, and while there she traveled extensively. Mr. Boltou was taken ill abroad and only lived to reach home. He died in 1858. Love of country was always an inspiration with Mrs. Bolton, and no poem of the war did more to rally the friends of the Union thau her " Union Forever," written in March, 1861. She was a woman of keen intellectual powers, which she retained to the last. She had the ecceutricities of genius, and
345
AND MARION COUNTY, INDIANA.
these were as interesting in their way as her more conventional moods. The music of her imagination has sung to many another heart. In 1880 "The Life and Poems of Sarah T. Bolton " was compiled by Hon. J. W. Gordon. Some of her best poems are not included- one especially, " The Wentworths." Some of her poems are as popular and well known as scriptural stories, but often the name of the writer none who repeat them could tell. To the knowledge of her friends, no writing of hers was ever rejected by a publisher. Her sym- pathetic nature found expression in lines at all times. The songs she sang will ever be conspicuous in the literary annals of the Hoosier State. She was not a believer in any par- ticular creed. Her death occurred August 4, 1893. Of two children born one son, James P., only survives her.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.