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 63
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JACOB H. SLATER. The entire life of Mr. Slater has been passed in ceaseless activity, and has not been without substantial evidences of success, as will be seen when this sketch is finished. He is a splendid type of the enterprise, industry and self reliance so noticeable in the Indianapolis business man and it is a pleasure to introduce him to the readers of this volume. He was born in Blackford County, Ind., October 17, 1848, and his father, Thomas Slater, was one of the early settlers of this State who left homes of comfort in the East to brave the perils and hardships of the pioneer life in the great West. But few of these old settlers are remaining but occasionally one is met with who has survived the storms and ravages of time, but his silvery locks and faltering footsteps tell us that ere long he will " pass to that bourne from whence no traveler returns." Thomas Slater left Ohio for Blackford County, Ind., when sixteen years of age, and when that county was an almost unbroken wilderness. In 1840 he married Miss Mary A. Hart, daughter of a neigh- bor who had emigrated from Pennsylvania about the same time. Having earned a small sum of money by hard work and economy, he purchased eighty acres of land, which was at that time very cheap, erected a log cabin and began the work of clearing up a farm. At that time the very best of timber was almost valueless, there being no way of disposing of it, and the best of walnut was sometimes split into rails or burned in log heaps. The eighty acres of timber were finally converted into a splendid farm to which from time to time Mr. Slater added a few more acres. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and almost without the aid of schools he obtained a moderate education to which he added a fair knowl- edge of law. In 1869 he sold his farm and located in Montpelier, the same county, where he practiced law successfully until his death in 1892, having reached the age of seventy- three years. He could well be called a pioneer for he built the first frame house and taught the first school in the county. His son, Jacob H. Slater, subject of this sketch, was born a few months after the above mentioned cabin was erected and consequently knows some- thing about the hardships, dangers, pleasures and disadvantages of pioneer life. His parents thoroughly impressed upon his mind the importance of an education but his opportunities in that direction were very limited. The public schools usually consisted of one term of two or three months each year, taught by very inexperienced and sometimes very ignorant teach- ers and as his time was needed on the farm for the most part, most of his education was received in the evenings at home. He often took a book to the field when plowing and would study diligently while the horses were resting. In this manner he obtained what was then considered a fair common-school education and when sixteen years of age he obtained a teacher's certificate. His first term consisted of fifty-five days and with the money thus obtained he attended a graded school at the county seat, for three months during the early spring. For the next five years he taught during the winter, attended school away from home one terin and worked on the farm the remainder of the year. Having obtained a fair education in that way he spent two years in the West and returned home in 1871. He then embarked in merchandising but later drifted into the insurance business. Starting in this business at the bottom of the ladder he mastered its details until by gradual promotion he became the trusted special agent of one of New York city's largest fire insurance compa- nies. Having a desire to become a professional man he abandoned traveling and for about five years studied and practiced law with his father. In 1874 he married Miss Ida B. Shull, daughter of Dr. C. Q. Shull, a prominent and wealthy resident of the same village. One son is the result of this union, Guy E. Slater, whose birth occurred August 26, 1875. The continued ill health of his wife compelled Mr.
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Slater to abandon the law practice in 1880 and he began seeking for a climate better suited to her constitution. The following six years of his life were full of trouble and sadness. In 1887, accompanied by his son, Mr. Slater returned to his native State and very soon received several flattering offers to again engage in his chosen profession. About this time the principle of building and loan associations on an extensive basis, was becoming popular with the public and as Mr. Slater, during his insurance experience, had devoted a large amount of time and study to the actuarial or mathematical principles of that science, he at once became deeply interested in this popular system. After carefully master- ing its varied principles and plans, testing them by all the known rules of mathematics, he determined to locate in Indianapolis and make it his life's work. In 1889 he formulated the plans and organized the Fidelity Building and Savings Union, with a board of directors com- posed largely of State officers. Two years later he also organized the Fraternal Building and Loan Association in both of which associations he has ever since held official positions
and has been prominently identified with their management. His long business experience and energy, united with the keen business foresight of his chosen associates, has placed these associations among the strong financial institutions of the country, commanding to a large degree the confidence of the public in almost every neighborhood of the State. The second marriage of Mr. Slater occurred October 13, 1890, to Miss Mary E. McDowell, a very intelli- gent young lady born in Newburg, N. Y., July 16, 1862, but for a number of years a resident of Indianapolis. Immediately after marriage they established their home on North Jersey Street, and there they now reside. In church matters Mr. Slater is not very active. He joined the Methodist Church when twelve years of age and upon leaving his native village he carried with him a card from his minister which he has not as yet deposited with any organization. While he is somewhat liberal in his views regarding the several orthodox churches, his preference would probably be slightly in favor of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican and during his early manbood he entered actively into the work of several campaigns but never as a candidate for office. He was accorded considerable ability as a forcible and logical speaker both on the stump and before courts and jurics while practicing law. During recent years he has been so thoroughly interested and active in his varied business interests that the only attention given to politics is to care- fully study the principles of the parties and cast his vote. He takes some interest in frater- nal and benevolent orders, being a member of Centre Lodge, F. & A. M., of Indian- apolis and past chancellor of Pythagoras Lodge, No. 380, K. of P. He also holds a com- mission as colonel and A. D. C. on the staff of the major-general of the Uniform Rank, K. of P. of the world. Mr. Slater is a man of strong convictions but has no hobbies. He is proud of the fact, however, that he has never takeu a drink of whisky as a beverage in his life and does not think it essential to our happiness.
JOSHUA H. VAN DEMAN. This progressive tiller of the soil probably enjoys the dis- tinction of having lived continuously on one farm longer than any other inhabitant of Marion County, Ind. His parents, John and Mary (Heizer) Van Deman, were natives of the Keystone State, but in childhood were taken to Ross County, Ohio, where they made their home until 1819, when they came to Fayette County, Ind., and about 1826 took up their residence in Marion County, where the father entered the land in Warren township, at the intersection of the Michigan with other roads, locally known as "Five Points." He spent the rest of his days on this farm with his family, and there was called from life in 1867. In 1848 he deeded this land to his son, Joshna, who has lived on the place ever since he was one year old. This worthy old couple became the parents of three sons and two daughters: Samuel H. ; John E. ; Joshua; Eliza J., who died at the age of twenty-four years, and Rebecca A. When John Van Deman came to Marion County, Ind., it was almost a wilderness, but being of a sturdy disposition and greatly desirous of securing a home for his family, the life of a pioneer had no terrors for him, and he at once set energetically to work to clear the eighty acres of land which he had entered, in which he was assisted in later years by his children. He eventually entered two more eighty-acre tracts, and thus became the owner of 240 acres of fine farming land. He was a Whig in politics and died March 27. 1867, his wife having passed from life in December, 1858. Joshua H. Van Deman was born March 27, 1825, in Fayette County, Ind., and was married on September 29,
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1858, to Miss Lucinda Denny, daughter of Theodore V. and Elizabeth Denny, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Van Deman two sons were given, Ordo L. and Roy L. He and his wife are members of the Missionary . Baptist Church at New Bethel, and politically he is a Republican. He is a wide awake and intelligent farmer, always up with the times in agricultural appli- ances and methods, and is recognized as a man of probity and correct business methods. By his thrift and industry he has accumulated an estate which places him among the list of "fore-handed" and he has the respect of all citizens throughout his section. Mr. Van Deman is building a modern and comfortable home in the city of Indianapolis where he expects to remove and enjoy the fruits of his industry.
JOSEPH L. FISHER. In reviewing the industrial enterprises of Indianapolis, it is the aim of this history to mention those men who are the best representatives of each separate calling and which contribute most to its reputation as a source of supply. Among those business men of the city who are worthy of distinct mention is Joseph L. Fisher, who is engaged in general contracting. He was born on the Ritsinger farm in Perry Township, Marion County, December 15, 1833, a son of David and Elizabeth (Hodges) Fisher, both of whom died when the subject of this sketch was a child. David Fisher and his wife were among the pioneers of this section and he was the second person to establish a tannery in this section of the country, and one of the first, if not the very first, missionary Baptist churches in the county was organized at his house. Prior to his removal to this section in 1826 he had been a resident of Ohio. His wife was a native of Virginia, and they were married in Kentucky. Joseph L. Fisher was the tenth of their eleven children, and after the death of his parents he made his home with an elder brother who sent him to such schools as were held in the vicinity where he acquired a fair common-school education. At the early age of thirteen years he started out to make his own way in the world, and in order to clothe and feed himself he turned his hand to anything honorable that he could find to do, but labored principally for the farmers in the vicinity until his marriage, when he began farming on his own account in Perry Township, and did some gravel contract work on the Madison Road. In 1869 he was appointed superintendent of the county asylum, which position he held for three years, then moved back to the farm of 172 acres which he had purchased near Southport, where be made his home until 1874, then came to Indianapolis, since which time he has done nearly all kinds of contract work, such as excavating, building foundations for buildings, the stone work on bridges, and has paved several of the streets of Indianapolis. He did the stone work on twelve or thirteen bridges in Hendricks County, three in Hancock. County, two in Crawford County, one in Miami County, one in Boone County, and several in Marion County, all this work being characterized by firmness and durability. Before he had attained his majority he spent one summer in Clark County, Ill., but since that time he has been a resident of Indianapolis. He has helped to make the place what it is both by his influence and labor, and is public spirited to a degree, being ever ready to lend his assistance to any good work. He has at times given employment to from twenty-five to 125 men, and in his line of human endeavor he has gained an excellent reputation. He was married in 1854 to Martha J. Mccollum, of this county, to which marriage a family of four children have been given: two sons being the only survivors: John D., who is at home with his parents, and Ezra Morton, who is chief clerk of the Aniline Works of the city. When a boy of fifteen he entered the employ of the I. B. & W. Railroad in the anditor's office, and afterward became traveling auditor of that road. He held the same position on the Union Pacific stationed at Omaba, after which he engaged in the real estate business in Topeka Kan. After a time he entered the auditor's office of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and was then connected in the same capacity with the St. Louis Railroad, and later was with the St. Paul & Minneapolis Railroad, then with the Union Pacific Road, but on account of poor health he gave up his position, returned home and secured employment in the Cerealin Works of this place. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Commercial Club and the Marion Club, and is a stanch Republican. He has long been a communicant of the South Baptist Church. He is interested in secret benevolent orders, as is attested by his member- ship in Logan Lodge, No. 575, of the Masonic fraternity, and of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 2, K. of P. The fall of 1893 Mr. Fisher was appointed street repairer by the board of pub- lic works, and is now filling that position in a highly satisfactory and efficient manner.
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ALEXANDER M. HANNAH. For many years, or since his location in this county, the reputation Mr. Hannah has enjoyed has been not only that of a substantial and progressive farmer, but of an intelligent and thoroughly posted man on all the current events of the day. Although now in bis seventy-third year time has dealt leniently with him and he is still in the enjoyment of comparatively good health, and if possible takes a deeper interest in all public affairs than he did in more youthful days. He is a son of the Hoosier State, born in Wayne County, September 17, 1821, on a farm belonging to his father, and when our subject was two years of age his father was elected sheriff of Wayne County, and moved to Centreville. In this city young Hannah remained until sixteen years of age, attending a seminary there, and then entered the employ of M. R. Hiatt, at Milton, Ind., to learn the harness-maker's trade. He remained with Mr. Hiatt four years, became proficient in his trade, and then returned to Centreville, Ind., where he attended school one year. Later he opened a shop there, carried this on two years with fair success, and then went to Cambridge City, where he continued his former occupation until the spring of 1850. He was then seized with the gold fever and started overland for California. He left St. Joe, Mo., with a company of about 150, called the "Express Company." This company furnished the conveyances, meals, etc., and the passengers paid $200 each. The trip lasted about four months but our subject left the company at Salt Lake City, where it abandoned the enterprise, and he bought one fourth interest in a team going through-four mules and a wagon-and he and a man named Hughes bought half interest in a wagon and two extra mules, and started. In August they landed at Sutter's Mill, and Mr. Hannah at once com- menced placer mining which he continued for two years, making $125 per day for six months. After that he started a ranch in Calaveras County, and raised barley, vegetables, etc., but finally sold his half of the ranch for $4,000, and soon after started home. He went by way of Nicaraugua, New York and Indianapolis, his father residing in the latter place. Soon after he entered the office of the Indiana Central Railroad Company to look after freight bills, and was thus engaged for six months, when he purchased 240 acres of his father, Samuel Hannah, in Perry Township, and moved on the farm. He was not married and he employed a family to keep house for him. Two years later, or in 1858, he erected a large brick house in which he resided alone until 1872, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of Samuel Jackson of Illinois. On this farm he has made his home ever since. When he purchased the farm where he now lives about forty acres were partially cleared, and since then he has cleared 150 acres. Later he bought forty acres of the Demott heirs, again forty acres and still later ten acres and then twenty acres, making 350 acres that be has bought and now owns. Annually he raises about 1,200 bushels of wheat and he now has three crops in his barn (1893). He also bas about sixty acres in corn, from ten to twenty acres in oats, and from 150 to 300 tons of hay annually. In his political views Mr. Hannah has ever been a Republican. He is not a member of any church but con- tributes to all of them and pays his quarterage as regularly as any of the members. He is public spirited and interested in all enterprises for the good of the county, and no man is more highly esteemed. Samuel Hannah, father of subject, was a native of Delaware, born December 1, 1789. When six years of age he moved with his parents to Brownsville, Penn., thirty miles above Pittsburgh, and there grew to manhood. On July 11, 1811, he was mar- ried to Miss Eleanor Bishop, and subsequently, with his wife and two children, went to Cin- cinnati by flatboat, and thence by wagon to Warren County, Ohio. In 1817 he settled in Wayne County, Ind., and in December, 1823, lie was elected sheriff. Two years later he resigned because as a Quaker he was opposed to the collection of fines for refusal to do mil- itary duty. In August, 1825, Mr. Hannah was elected to the Legislature but declined re election. In 1826 he was elected justice of the peace and served four years, acting as president of the board until 1829. Previous to that he was appointed post-master at Centre- ville, by President Adams and held that office until removed by President Jackson, in 1829. He was one of three commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate the Michigan Road from the Ohio River to the Lake, and to select the lands secured to the State by treaty with the Indians, held as the Upper Wabash in 1826. In 1830 Mr. Hannah was elected clerk of Wayne County, Ind., and served in that capacity for seven years. In 1843 he was again elected to the Legislature and in 1846 he was elected by the Legislature treasurer of the
J . K. Finder.
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State, serving in that responsible position for three years. After his election to this office he removed to Indianapolis, and there resided until his death, with the exception of two years spent at Centreville, during the building of the Indiana Central Railroad. In March, 1851, he was chosen first president of the company but resigned in July following. The same summer he was elected treasurer of the Indianapolis & Bellefontaine Railroad Company. In May, 1852, he accepted the office of treasurer of the Indiana Central Railroad Company, and held that position until January, 1864, when he retired from active life. He died Sep- tember 9, 1869, when nearly eighty years of age. He was married July 11, 1811, to Miss Eleanor Bishop, as before mentioned, daughter of Joseph Bishop, and eleven children were born to their union: Anna, deceased, was the wife of Solomon Meredith; Eliza, deceased, was the wife of John S. Newman; Sarah, deceased, married Rev. Dr. F. C. Holliday; Ellen, deceased, married John M. Ross; James died unmarried; Alexander M. (subject), who mar- ried Elizabeth M. Jackson; Israel, deceased, unmarried; Henry R., deceased, was the husband of Jerusha Kane; William P., who married Margaret A. Dunham and Thomas and Septimus, both died unmarried. The mother of these children died September 26, 1864. James Hannah, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Delaware and a Quaker in his religious belief. His ancestors came from Wales.
JOHN THOMAS PARK is decended from substantial Virginia stock, for in that State his father and grandfather were born. Samuel Park, his grandfather, was born in 1767 and died in 1825. His grandmother, Martha Park, was also born in Virginia, her birth occur- ring in 1778 and her death in 1851. William Park, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1793, married Henrietta Thomas, of Kentucky, and in 1840 immigrated westward, finally settling in Morgan County, Ind., where he died nine years later. To himself and wife a family of eight children were given, of whom Samuel R. Park was one. Upon reaching maturity the latter took for his first wife Mary McNabb, by whom he became the father of one daughter, Mary S. McKinsey, and for his second wife espoused Mary Gurley, by whom he had one son, Alphonso. The second child born to William Park was Mary, who became the wife of H. T. Swearengin (deceased), by whom she had five children. Benjamin and Alexander were twin brothers. The latter, who is now deceased, married Mary Edwards, by whom he had five children, and Benjamin married Mary McNabb, by whom he had six chil- dren. Elizabeth Jane, the next child born to William Park, is now deceased, but became the wife of W. R. Harrison, by whom she became the mother of one son, Walter J. Jolin Thomas, the subject of this sketch, comes next; then Henrietta, who married Joseph Cop- land, by whom she had six children. William P., who first married Susan Swearengin, wlio bore him six children, and for his second espoused Roxanna, a sister of his first wife and widow of Robert Ray. The mother of these children was born in Kentucky in 1800, and died in Morgan County, Ind., in 1878. She was a woman of much intelligence and sound, good sense, and she and her worthy husband endeavored to instill noble principles in the hearts of their children, and that their precept and example was heeded cannot be doubted in look- ing over the honorable and useful careers of their children. John Thomas Park first saw the light of day in Mason County, Ky., November 27, 1836, and in 1840 he came with his parents to Indiana, and settled on a partially cleared farm of 160 acres which his father had purchased. Here he was brought up, receiving the education incident to that period, that is he attended school for about three months out of the year until he was about twenty years old, one of his instructors being Hon. Franklin Landers. In 1862 he was united in mar- riage with Maria E. Baxter, daughter of Peter D. and Martha Baxter, her birth having occurred in Ohio. and after his marriage Mr. Park farmed on rented land in Morgan County until 1873, when he came to Marion County and settled on 120 acres of land which he had purchased the previous year, about sixty acres of which were cleared and on which a house had been erected. Here he lived until about 1886, when he sold out and bought 170 acres of A. C. Remy, about thirty acres of which tract were heavily covered with timber, the remainder being under cultivation. On the improved portion of this land the subject of this sketch raises the usual farm products, such as wheat, corn, oats, hay, etc., and he also gives some attention to the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Park is a Democrat in his political proclivities, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan for president. A family of seven children were born to himself and wife, but one died in infancy. Those living are:
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Walter K., who married Bell C. Kinnan and has three children, Ralph, Roy and Charley; Baxter D., who married Mary A. Burge; Otto, William, Vasque, and Martha, the unmarried members of which family still remain under the shelter of the parental roof.
GEORGE W. LARIMORE. Among the most intelligent and highly respected families of Marion County, Ind., we may well note this one, whose beautiful farm is located in Wash- ington Township. Mr. Larimore was born January 18, 1813, in the Old North Carolina State, and with the exception of about a year spent there, he has ever resided in this State, and his history has run along the same lines chronologically with that of the Hoosier State. He is a son of Daniel M. and Mary (Brooks) Larimore, both natives of North Carolina, where they were married in 1810. To this union were born ten children, five sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of our subject and his brother, A. J. Larimore, who is married, has a family of five children, and resides in Jefferson County, Ind. Our subject's brothers were Joseph, Daniel M., James and Andrew J., and the sisters were Jane, Nancy, Mary, Catherine, and one who died in infancy. The father of these children was a farmer by occupation. He was an upright citizen, and a man possessed of an unlimited amount of good, practical common sense. The incidents in the early life of our subject differed very little from those . of other boys who were reared on farms. As soon as old enough he became familiar with the duties of farm life, and in common with other boys, attended school in his neighborhood, principally in the winter seasons. After reaching mature years he was married to Miss Malvina Hammond, their nuptials being celebrated January 6, 1835. Her parents, Jonathan and Martha (Pepper) Hammond, were natives of Maryland, where they were married. To Mr. and Mrs. Larimore were born nine children, who were named as follows: James M., born August 2, 1836; Marcelia J., born November 30, 1838; Mary A. E., born July 22, 1840; Sophronia M., born May 4., 1842; Daniel M., born February 5, 1844; Thomas J., born January 22, 1846; William W., born March 25, 1849; Jonathan S., born March 29, 1853, and Martha E., born March 28, 1857. All the children are now deceased except Daniel and William. The former married Henrietta McCarthy, and now lives in Indianapolis. William married Louella Smith, and resides with his father on a farm just north of Indianapolis. He had but one child born to his marriage-Hattie, who died at the age of nine months. The father of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served throught the entire war.
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