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 74
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WILLIAM H. HOLLINGSWORTH. This substantial and extremely well known citizen of Pike township, Marion County, Ind., was born on February 9, 1840, to Ira and Deborah (Ben- nett) Hollingsworth, and was reared to manhood in the township in which he now resides, receiving his education in the district schools. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, assisting in the duties of the farm, but at the opening of the great Civil War in 1861 he dropped his hoe to take up arms in defense of his country, enlisting in Company I, Seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, on August 22, 1861. After serving over three years his regiment returned to Indianapolis and there he was mustered out on September 14, 1864, having been on active duty while in the service. He was detailed at Culpeper Court House, Va., February 22, 1862, to carry dispatches for Gen. James Wadsworth, who commanded the First Division of the First Army Corps. After the expiration of his term of service he returned to his former occupation of farming in Pike township, with the consciousness of having performed his duties faithfully and well in the various engagements in which he was engaged. He was at Winchester, Va., March, 1862, under Gen. Shields, with whom he crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Seventh Indiana was assigned to McDowell's divis- ion, and about that time Gen. Lee's army invaded Maryland, and Mr. Hollingsworth partici- pated in the battles of Antietam and South Mountain. After recrossing the Potomac River, they camped at Belle Plain Landing, when Lee's army invaded Pennsylvania, and Mr. Hollingsworth with his regiment took part in the great battle of Gettysburg. On July 3, 1863, while Mr. Hollingsworth was carrying dispatches, he was wounded by a shell; the same shell having exploded killed Gen. Wadsworth. He was severely wounded in the left thigh,
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which still causes him much suffering, and for which he receives a pension. He remained at the corps hospital headquarters uutil he was fit for duty, then once more entered active service. His duties were numerous and arduous for at times he was compelled to work day and uight aud he was many times placed in very dangerous positions. He participated in the bombardment of the Weldon Railroad, leading up into Petersburg, which was one of the hottest engagements of the kind during the entire war, and where hundreds of Union men sacrificed their lives. He was afterward transferred to the Fifth Army Corps (withi which he remained until the expiration of his term) under Gen. Warren carrying dispatches for him, then returned home by way of Washington City. Two years later he was married to Miss Margaret A. Martin (March 1, 1866), a native of Fulton County, Ind., and a daughter of John T. and Martha (Molar) Martin. To their union the following children have been given : Martha, who was married to Omer Button August 15, 1893; Lillie; Grace, who died in infancy, and Lottie. Mr. Hollingsworth is the owner of forty-eight acres of the old family homestead, where he has resided ever since the purchase of the same from his father in 1868. He is a member of the George H. Thomas Post, No. 17, of the G. A. R. at Indian- apolis, in which he has served in different official capacities. He participated in the great parade September 6, 1893. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for the past twelve years and has passed through the chairs of Rural Lodge, No. 416, and represented the same in the Grand Lodge, No. 84, of Indianapolis. In politics he is a stanchi Republican and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party, being a member of the Tra- ders' Point Glee Club, in 1888, which has enlivened political occasions with music. His daughters are also accomplished musicians, and are beautiful and cultivated singers.
WILLIAM NORMAN BOWMAN. Architecture is one of the most difficult of all the arts, as it requires a highly-cultivated taste, a subtle knowledge of the harmonies of form and pro- portion and an observation sufficiently artistic to catch the spirit of a facade or an entire and complicated structure. It requires something more than a mere draughtsman to execute a piece of work like the Indiana State House or the Administration Building and the Fine Arts Palace at Jackson Park, Chicago. It is just as necessary in architecture that forms, colors and proportions should blend into harmonious unison. And so it happens that an architect must be an artist able to sound all the depths of the great art and create a struct- ure that will meet the aesthetic as well as the technical requirements of utility. Such an architect is William Norman Bowman, who was born in Carthage, N. Y., March 12, 1868, being the son of Lucius S. and Elizabeth A. (Hurd) Bowman, both of whom were also natives of New York State. The father was a mechanic by occupation, and in 1881 removed with his family to Jackson, Mich., where they continued to reside for some time, but at present are residents of Irvington, Ind. Shortly after the family settled in Michigan the subject of this memoir went to Detroit, where he began the study of the profession of architecture, and after completing a thorough course of artistic studies was employed for two years in the office of Mortimer L. Smith & Son, of Detroit, well known and eminent architects. In 1889 Mr. Bowman came to Indianapolis and associated himself in the pro- fession of architecture with John G. Thurtle, under the firm name of Thurtle & Co. This partnership continued until January 1, 1893, when Mr. Bowman opened an office of his own. Some of the contracts executed by them while the partnership lasted were the Burgess Hall, the power house and gymnasium building at Butler University and the two-story brick residence at the corner of Pennsylvania Street and Home Avenue. The plans fur- nished by the firm have included many of the well known and beautiful residences and sub- stantial business blocks of the city. During 1893 Mr. Bowman has furnished plans for twelve of the finest residences of Indianapolis and suburbs, among which are the elaborate residence for D. M. Parry, the remodeled residence for James F. Tailey, a business block at Franklin, Ind., and has some artistic plans in his office for a new court-house now contem- plated. Mr. Bowman is a member of the K. of P. and at present is keeper of the records and seal of Irvington Lodge, No. 324. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis. He resides with his parents at Irvington. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a young man of culture and artistic taste and gives promise of developing into one of the foremost architects of the great West.
JOHN ST. GEORGE THURTLE, architect, was born in England October 13, 1859, a son of
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Walter John and Elizabeth (Loughton) Thurtle, who were natives of England, where they still reside. By occupation the father is an architect, but at the present time is a building contractor on Governmental work. The immediate subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native country, receiving the finishing touches to his literary education by attending Shrewsbury Grammar School, and graduating from St. Mark's College, London, in 1876. Beginning the study of architectural drawing at South Kensington Science and Art Schools, the City Guild's Institute, successfully passing all examinations, he obtained admission to the Academy Schools of Architecture and Design, from which he received his diploma. As a student Mr. Thurtle was exceptionally brilliant, receiving, on three different occasions, the Queen's prize, and at the last examination being awarded the silver medal. After traveling two years pursuing architectural studies he entered his father's office as one of the corps of architectural draftsmen, taking charge of the work for about a year. Later Mr. Thurtle opened an office for himself, which he continued about two years. From 1882 to 1885 he was in the service of the Government in the civil branch of the army. In 1886 he came to America, remained a short time in the cities of New York and Buffalo, but in April, 1889, located permanently at Indianapolis, Ind., having previously practiced his pro- fession at Jackson, Mich., for some time. Very shortly after his location in Indianapolis Mr. Thurtle attracted the attention of the various contractors and the public as an excep- tionally able architect, and since that time he has commanded a lucrative business, which is steadily on the increase. Notable among the buildings for which he has furnished plans can be mentioned two structures at and the remodeling of the main edifice of Butler University, the Grubbs, the Tuttle and Jacobs buildings, numerous residences, various schools and churches, and his work has extended not only to surrounding counties, but States as well. At Indianapolis, in 1891, Mr. Thurtle married Miss Edith Bradford Grover, a native of Terre Haute, Ind., and their pleasant and happy home is in this city, where they have many friends. Mr. Thurtle is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is independent in his political views and he and his wife are members of Plymouth Church.
MARTIN C. ANDERSON. One of the most prominent and useful citizens of Marion County, Ind., is Martin C. Anderson, who was born in Hancock County, Ind., November 14, 1844, a son of William H. and Susan (Wilson) Anderson, who were born near Williamstown, Ky., but were taken by their parents to Rush County, Ind., at the settling of that section and were brought up there on woodland farms. After they had reached maturity and were married they removed to Greenfield, Ind., where the father began following the calling of a plaster contractor. He died in 1863 at the age of fifty-one years, his widow surviving him until a few years ago when she died at the age of eiglity-one years, at which time she was making her home with her children. To their union five children were born, two sons and three daughters, three of which family are living at the present time. When Martin C. Anderson was one year old his father came with his family to Indianapolis and here the subject of this sketch received his finishing education in the city high schools. At the age of seventeen years he began learning the plasterer's trade under his father, with whom he continued to be associated until the death of the latter, when he commenced business for himself and eventually became the largest plastering contractor in the city. He first entered the polit- ical arena in 1873, at which time he made the race for councilman in the old eighth ward and served one term. At the end of this time he became the Democratic nominee for city clerk and ran several hundred votes ahead of his ticket but was defeated and went down with the rest of the ticket. In 1890 he was a candidate before the Democratic convention for the nomination of recorder but was defeated by Peter Carson. In 1891 when the county commissioners wanted a superintendent for the Marion County Workhouse, Mr. Ander- son was unanimously chosen and has made a faithful and exceptionally efficient official. The highest compliments have been paid him for the excellent and efficient manner in which this penal institution is managed and disciplined. These things are easily explained, how- ever, when it is taken into consideration that Mr. Anderson is an industrious workingman himself. A large per cent. of the inmates of this institution are men who have fallen by the wayside, but who have been workingmen, and Mr. Anderson has always proven a true friend of the workingman. In June, 1886, when the plasterers of the city were on a strike, Mr.
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Anderson was the first man to come to the assistance of the journeyman plasterers, by agree- ing to pay ten hours' pay for eight hours' work and for a time this state of affairs continued. He is a member of the Cleveland Club, the Masonic lodge, the K. of H., the A. O. U. W., and the K. of P., and is an active member of the Builders Exchange. On June 20, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Glazier, a native of this city, her father, Charles Glazier, being the first engineer on the Indianapolis and Terre Haute Railroad, and ran the first train over the road after its completion. Three children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, but only two are living at the present time: Harry C. and Hervey G. Charles M. died in infancy. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Fletcher Place Church and is a woman of much intelligence and nobility of character, in fact, a worthy helpmate to ler worthy husband.
COL. BENJAMIN W. HARTLEY. Since the year 1850 this gentleman has been engaged in the occupation of brick contracting. He was born in Clarke County, Ohio, February 13, 1826, and is a son of Josiah K. Hartley, whose birth occurred in the vicinity of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, of which State his father, William Hartley, was one of the pioneers from Kentucky, although a native of England. After his marriage, which occurred in Butler County, he came to Indiana. Josiah K. Hartley was a very successful contractor and built one of the first brick houses ever put up in the town of New Carlisle. In this business he was succeeded by his son, Benjamin W., the subject of this sketch, although for a number of years prior to his death they were associated in business. Benjamin W. built the paper mills, the Niles Tool Works, the Malt House, the school house, and many other buildings in Hamilton, and since his residence in Indianapolis, whither he came in 1851, he has put up some very important structures in partnership with Robert Taylor, who was the pioneer brick man of the town. About the first building they erected after they had associated them- selves in business was the gas works, then the Christian Church at the corner of Delaware and Ohio Streets. In the meantime he began the study of medicine with Dr. Lawrence Abbott, and shortly after went to Rockville, Parke County, and began practicing. In 1856 he went to Kansas, and the following year took up his residence in Wyandotte County, where he remained until the winter of 1864. While in Wyandotte County he was a mem- ber of the city council, and was next elected assessor of the county. After he removed to Johnson County he was elected trustee of Shawnee Township, and was afterward elected to represent that county in the State Legislature. May 9, 1861, he became first lieutenant of Company A, Second Kansas Infantry, and on May 25, was promoted to the captaincy of that company, becoming lieutenant-colonel of his regiment October 29, 1861. He served three years throughout southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, and was in the engagements at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge in the border service. In 1864 he returned to Hamilton, . Ind., and opened a tobacco factory, but later disposed of it, and in 1876 came to Indianapo- lis and formed a partnership with John W. Thompson, and again commenced contracting. During the panic of that time and for six years thereafter, he was on the police force of the city, at which time Mr. Thompson was justice of the peace. After his term of service on the police force had expired he and Mr. Thompson resumed business and have since had all the contracts they could possibly attend to. They have been doing a great deal of foundation work and for some time were associated with William Landmeier, but for a short time Mr. Hartley has been pursuing his operations alone. He has been quite a politician in his day. and has been a member of Republicau conventions and on committees on numerous occasions. August 9, 1849, Mr. Hartley was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cornthwait, a native of Butler County, Ohio, but on September 3, 1893, he was left a widower. She bore him nine children, five daughters surviving. Mr. Hartley is a member of the I. O. O. F., and at the opening of the war was deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas, and at the present time he is a member of the Indianapolis Lodge, No. 465. In 1841 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, bnt two years later he united with the Christian Church, became an officer in the same, and ever since 1852 has preached the doctrine of that denomination on various occasions in the Shelby Street Christian Church.
FREDERICK J. MEYER. The calling of the merchant is one of the oldest as well as one of the most honorable of all lines of industry. Exchange and barter are two of the world's most important factors, and without these the public would indeed find themselves in a sad
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plight. Above all, it is necessary that the goods should be first class and the merchant hon- orable and reliable, two features combined in the mercantile career of Frederick J. Meyer. This gentleman was born in Prussia, Germany, January 2, 1847, a son of Henry J. and Eleanor (Schaekel) Meyer, who spent their entire lives in their native land. The father was a farmer by occupation and served three years in the German army, his death occurring in November, 1846. His widow survived him until March, 1889, when she, too, passed away. The birth of Frederick J. Meyer occurred after the death of his father, and as is the custom in Germany, he attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he entered a high school, which he attended for two years. He then turned his attention to farming, which he continued until emigrating to America, in 1867. Upon his arrival in this country he came immediately to Indianapolis and soon began working in the flour-mill of C. Heckman, but one year later entered the wholesale establishment of Holland & Oster- meyer, also remaining with them about one year. He then engaged in contract work for himself until 1875, when, having saved some money, he engaged in the grocery business on a small scale at the corner of East and McCarty Streets, having purchased a lot there on which a small building, 16x60 feet had been erected. By close attention to business and good management he prospered and is now the owner of a store 60x150 feet, two stories high, erected by him in 1884, in which he carries a stock of goods valued at about $12,000, con- sisting of groceries, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, in fact, a fine line of general merchan- dise, and does a business of about $45,000 annually. He also owns, in addition to his busi- ness property, six houses and lots, all of which he has accumulated since coming to this city, his capital, on locating here, amounting to $49. He is a member of St. Paul's German Lutheran Evangelical Church, and has been one of its trustees for fourteen years and presi- dent for five years. He is one of the directors of the German Lutheran Orphan's Home Society, and on November 6, 1893, was appointed a member of the board of public works by Mayor Denny, and entered upon the duties of this position November 20. He is a well- known and substantial German citizen and has always taken great interest in everything for the welfare of the city. He was married October 21, 1870, to Mary Buddenbanm, a native of Prussia, Germany, by whom he has one child, Harry C., born in August, 1871, and died at the age of nine months and ten days. Mr. Meyer has always been a stanch Democrat and has given his active support to that party on all occasions.
CORYDON R. SHIMER. The subject of this sketch was born May 20, 1838, on the farm where he now lives and his education was received in the common schools of Marion County. This was such as to qualify him to teach in his home district for a period of twelve months to the satisfaction of his patrons. He remained in common with his parents, Elias N. and Mahala Shimer, until twenty-six years of age, or until the death of the father who requested him in his will to take charge of the homestead, consisting of 240 acres which was left intact for the benefit of Mrs. Shimer. As this was the mother's wish also, our subject remained with her during the remainder of her days, a period of twenty-two years. The father was born December 6, 1798, and the mother June 8, 1802. They were married April 4, 1822, near Zanesville, Ohio, and remained there until 1829, when they came with their three little boys to their western land, consisting of 160 acres unimproved. To this eighty acres more were added in 1848. Mr. Shimer and family remained with the family of their brother-in- law, Henry Brady, while a cabin was being built, and then began their career as early set- tlers. In the course of time churches were established and Mr. and Mrs. Shimer attached themselves to and were prominent members and active workers in the Pleasant Run Baptist Church (Old School), Mr. Shimer serving the church association as clerk for many years. Mr. Shimer was a man of more than ordinary ability and intelligence which qualities were greatly improved by his industry in reading and study. He was a man of sound judgment, unsullied reputation and honorable deportment. He was in every respect an exemplary citizen. He served the community in several offices with credit to himself and general satisfaction, unwavering in his notions on religion and politics. He never compromised principle let the consequences be what they might. He died July 29, 1864. Mrs. Shimer was a woman whose whole mind and strength were employed in the arduous duties and loving care of her home and family. Her character was one possessed of all the beauties, charms and loveliness that the word mother implies. The twenty-two years she and our subject spent together after
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the father's death were of the most pleasant character throughout, "the last were the most precious." Says Corydon: "I had attained an age when I could more fully appreciate a mother's worth." She died December 13, 1886. Six children were born to this worthy couple as follows: Caleb D. ; William R. ; Isaac H .; Asa N. ; James N. H., and Corydon R., our subject. The eldest of these children, Caleb D., is seventy years of age, and resides in Hancock County, Ind. He has been three times married, first to Mrs. Margaret Mitchell by whom he had one child, Catherine M., who died in 1871, aged twenty-three years. His sec- ond wife was Miss Susan Birdwhistle, by whom he had two children, Anna and William. The former died at the age of two years, and the latter is married. Caleb's third wife was Miss Ellen Bingham, who bore him four children, Martha A., married Amie Geroude, and has two children, Donald and Eva; Emma, married Mr. Campbell; James C., married and has two children, Robert and Grace; and Katie, has been twice married, first, to Mr. Walter Tate, by whom she had one child Walter, and the second time to Hulbert McNeily, by whom she has two children, Temple and Lizzie. Emma, James C. and Katie reside in Topeka, Kan. William R., the second child born to Elias N. and Mahala Shimer, is now sixty-seven years of age and has been twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth O'Neal, who bore him eight children, Mahala C., who married George Adams, and became the mother of seven children, William, Daniel, Elizabeth, Susan, Carry, Mary and Henry; Isaac H., who is now thirty- nine years of age, married Miss Jennie Hart, by whom he has four children, William, Mag- gie, Myrtle and John; Willie, a very exemplary boy, died when sixteen years of age; Daniel V., another bright, intelligent child, died when eight years of age; Nelson R., married Miss Mila Murphy, and has five children, Nellie, Grover, Carl, Clara B. and Lizzie; Richard O., married Miss Josie Patterson, and had one child; Thomas and Charles. William R. Shimer's second marriage was with Miss Sue M. Dunn, who bore him one child, Carrie. Isaac H., the third child born to the marriage of Elias Shimer, is now sixty-four years of age, and has been three times married. His first union was with Miss Indiann Moorhouse, by whom he had one child, Thomas. His second marriage was with Miss Jane Gunning, who bore him three children, Howard, who married Miss Lelia Hovey, and had four children and died, Nellie, Charley, Willie and Lee; Jennie, married Edward Cook, and has three children, Nina, Guy and-an infant, and Flora was married in 1892 to Robert McGinnis, of Indian- apolis. Isaac H. Shimer's third union was with Miss Lititia Harris, who bore him nine children, Elias, Viola, Henrietta, Ray, Myrtle, Mabel, Erie, Grace and Eddy. Asa N., the fourth child born to Elias N. Shimer, is mentioned in another part of this work, and James N. H., the fifth child, died when two years of age. The paternal grandparents of these children, Isaac and Sarah Ann (De Lasbmutt) Shimer, were natives of Maryland, the former born in 1765, and died near Zanesville, Ohio, in 1848, and the latter in 1773, and died at her son's, Elias N. Shimer's, in 1856, and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, and removed from that place with eight others to Crown Hill by C. R. Shimer, in 1887. Five children were born to this union, Elias N., Elizabeth, Catherine W., Susan and William J. Elizabeth was twice married, first. to John Wilson, by whom she had five children, William D., Sarah, Frankie, Eliza and Catherine, all married. Her second marriage was with John P. Demp- ster, by whom she had four children, Henry, Ellen, Virginia and Thomas, all married. Catherine W., married Thomas J. Northup, who died in 1856. " Mrs. Northup was a woman of great magnetism, she was a model woman; several years of her life were spent in Washington City among the elite. To say that she was accomplished, generous, noble, lovely, simply describe her character. Never would human being in need leave her presence ungratified if it was within her power to alleviate their wants. She died in full possession of all her faculties, October 26, 1882, at the residence of our subject. after a sojourn with the family of twenty- six years-cherished sojourn, a sojourn cherished by all with whom she came in contact." Susan was married to the late J. B. H. Bratshaw, of Detroit, Mich. Two children were the fruits of this union, Sarah Ann and Matilda, both married. William J., the youngest of the family, made his home with his brother and nephew for nearly thirty years, and died in 1884, when seventy-three years of age. Our. subject's maternal grand- parents, Caleb and Susanna (Strader) Dunn, were natives of New Jersey, the former born in 1777, and died in 1849, and the latter born in 1779 and died in 1859. They were united in marriage June 11, 1797, and from this union resulted eight children, Hannalı, Mahala, Mary,
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