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 78
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HON, BYRON K, ELLIOTT.
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LEWIS GEORGE. The progressive farmer whose name heads this sketch was born in Highland County, Ohio, on the farm belonging to his maternal grandfather, Richard Bar- rett, December 19, 1820, and there he was brought up and received his education in thesub- scription schools of the period, one of his instructors being John W. Block, a noted teacher of that time, who taught the young idea in Union Seminary, an institution composed of three districts, which he attended from ten to fourteen years of age. When nineteen he left school and began working out as a farm hand at $8 a month and board for John W. Block, with whom he remained two summers, but in the winter of 1842 came to Marion County, Ind., and in January of the following year bought 120 acres of land, for a portion of which he went in debt. The typical log cabin served as his residence for some time, and after a short visit to his old home in Ohio, he returned to this section and began working for his cousin, I. George, with whom he made his home until January 9, 1844, when he married Harriet, daughter of Moses Alderson, a native of Kentucky, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. Soon after his marriage Mr. George moved on to the land he had purchased where he lived until 1855 when he bought 100 acres of Robert Milhous, onto which he moved and lived until 1885 when, some of his sons having gone to Oregon, he went there also. He pur- chased 160 acres of land in Washington County, but at the end of two years returned to this county, his wife having suffered a stroke of paralysis from the effects of which she died Aug- ust 3, 1892, after having been a cripple for nearly forty years. To them eight children were born, two of whom died young: Alberry who was called from life at the age of seventeen years and Cornelius who died at the age of three months. Those living are: Ellen, widow of Hope De Bolt, has six .children, Dalmon, Hattie, Minta, Alma, Nellie and Leslie (the last two being twins); Elias, who married and is now a resident of Salt Lake City; Curran, who is married and resides in Oregon, has two children; Willis is also married and resides in Portland, Oregon; Marion married Margaret Hadley and has four children, Alberry, Hat- tie, Leonard and Dony; Vernon married Alice Chitwood and is a resident of Ashland, Ore. Lewis George was formerly a Whig and Abolitionist, but is now a Republican. He has served in the capacity of justice of the peace, is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to no church although he was brought up a Quaker. Mr. George has a good farm of 175 acres and is now in the enjoyment of all the necessities as well as many of the lux- uries of life. His father, Ellis George, was born near Winchester, Va., in 1775, and upon reaching manhood moved to Ohio, where he married Amy Barrett, with whom he came to Indiana about 1840, locating in Hamilton County, where he died about 1844, after having become the father of five children : Lewis; Richard (deceased), who married Sarah A. Haynes and has three children: Elizabeth, Henry L. and Frank; Jesse (deceased), married Mary Haynes and had four children: Amy E., James, Henry C. and Dr. E; Harry and-
The father of these children was a Quaker and Abolitionist. He was left a widower in 1831 and took for his second wife Sidney Barrett, a sister of his first wife, who was the widow of Moses Roverts, by whom she had one son, Moses. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Richard George, was born in Virginia about 1752, and there he lived and died. He was married to. Mary Cowgill, by whom he had five sons and five daughters, four of the latter dying unmarried. Lydia, the surviving daughter, married Joshua Johnson, of Virginia, and afterward became a resident of Ohio and later of Indiana. The sons were named Henry, John, Evan, Richard and Ellis. Hope De Bolt, who married the daughter of Lewis George, was born at Newtown, Ohio, in 1842, and when abont twenty-one years old removed to Vincennes where he lived for about four years prior to removing to Indian- apolis. After locating in this city he clerked for Dan Lemon for two years, and in 1873 was married to Miss George, after which he moved to a farm owned by his wife's father on which he lived one year. He then lived in Vincennes for one year, after which he returned to the farm and there was residing at the time of his death, which occurred October 20, 1886. Politically he was a Democrat, as was his father, Henry De Bolt, before him, the latter serv- ing two terms as treasurer of Hamilton county.
PROF. J. B. ROBERTS. One of the most striking features in the early history of this country is the attention that has been given to educational matters. In those days wherever a considerable settlement has been formed, the village school was one of the first objects taken under consideration by the community. It has been truly said that " a good education
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is the best inheritance that parents can leave children." Riches may take to themselves wings and fly away, but a good education will last through life. Among the prominent educators of Indianapolis is Prof. J. B. Roberts, who is instructor in High School, No. 1. He has been a resident of the city for nineteen years and during that time has won a host of warm friends. He was born in Tazewell County, Ill., near Peoria, December 11, 1833, and is the son of John M. and Mary W. (Burhans) Roberts, natives of the grand old Empire State, and of Welsh-German extraction. The Roberts family settled in Connecticut at an early date and the paternal grandfather of our subject, Daniel 'Roberts, was the first to "seek green fields and pastures new." He moved to the State of New York and was there actively engaged in tilling the soil. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. Tempted by the fertile soil of the Prairie State, the father of our subject emigrated to Illinois in 1831, and with his father, three brothers and a sister, made the journey in wagons. They passed through Indianapolis, but did not stop there, and pushed on until they reached Tazewell County, Ill. Peoria at that time consisted of a few log cabins, and Mr. Roberts drew a picture of the town, the same now being in the possession of our subject. He was a natural artist, but had spent some time in a lithograph establishment in New York city. On his new farm he erected a rude log cabin and this he occupied one winter, after which he erected a more substantial dwelling in which he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1887. The mother received her final summons in 1838. At the time of their settlement near Peoria, . Indians were numerous and often visited the home of this worthy couple. Prof. J. B. Rob- erts was the only child born to this union, but four children, three of whom are living, were born to his father's second marriage. The latter was a very prominent farmer, was char- itable and kind, and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to the needy and afflicted. He was one of the early Abolitionists, was positive and outspoken in his views, and held a num- ber of township offices. The original of this notice attained his growth on the farm and like the majority of farmer boys received his primary education in the district schools. When sixteen years of age he decided that further education was necessary and entered Knox College, from which institution he graduated in 1855. Following this he was instructor in ancient languages of the same college for seven years and then secured the position of superintendent of the city schools of Galesburg, Ill., which position he held until 1874. At the latter date he came to Indianapolis and was principal of the high school for seven years, or until 1881. For four years following this he conducted a private school, and since then has been an instructor in the high school. Socially Prof. Roberts is a member of the K. of H., and secretary of the College Corner Literary Club. He holds membership in the Plymouth Congregational Church, and is a liberal contributor to the same. In the year 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy G. Gillette, of Galesburg, Ill., and three sons and a daughter have been born to this marriage: William B., George B., John G. and Margaret A. Politically the Professor affiliates with the Republican party.
T. M. WRIGHT. The career of a lawyer is a succession of contests and the successes made in the legal profession are probably more than in any other calling in life examples of the "survival of the fittest." To become distinguished at the bar requires not only capacity but also sound judgment and persevering industry and these qualities are admira- bly combined in Mr. Wright. Shrewd and quick in grasping points of law, his decisions are usually ready to be given when the arguments are given. Careful in the preparation of his cases, he has the ability to present them in a concise, logical and forcible manner. Mr. Wright, now deputy prosecuting attorney, is a product of Pennsylvania, born in Schuyl- kill County, near the city of Pottsville, November 22, 1847. His parents, Hiram N. and Anu (Glassmire) Wright, were also natives of the grand old State of Pennsylvania and were of German and French extraction, respectively. The father is now a resident of Indian- apolis and is foreman of the Belt Railroad shops. The subject of this sketch was brought to Indianapolis by his parents when six years of age, grew to manhood here and here received the principal part of his education, having attended school at Crawfordsville, Ind., for some time. After the death of his mother he gave up his schooling and began learning the painter's trade. He did not follow this, however, but began learning telegraphy and followed this for some time on the Bee Line Railroad. Subsequently he engaged in the theatrical business with William Riley, who had the only theater in town at that time. He
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took part in all the plays and continued this for some time. The study of the law then attracted his attention and he was admitted to the bar in 1874. Since then he has been in the active practice of his profession. He has been deputy city and deputy State prosecutor for several years, having been appointed to the former position in 1875. In 1887 he was appointed deputy State prosecutor by James L. Mitchell and served for four years under that gentleman. Upon the election of John W. Holtzman as State attorney he was again made deputy and has served in that capacity continuously for over six years. Mr. Wright is a member of the K. of P. and in politics is strictly Democratic.
GEORGE F. MILLER. The subject of our sketch is a widely known and very popular citizen of Indianapolis, who is now filling the office of deputy county and city treasurer. He comes of a worthy stock, having been born in Cabell County, W. Va., the son of Will- iam C. and Eliza (Gardner) Miller, natives of Gallipolis, Ohio. and of Greenup, Ky., respectively. The Miller family were early settlers of the valley of Virginia, and the great- grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, as, also, in the Indian wars. He was the founder of Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, and built the fort where the city named now stands. At that place he followed the vocation of a farmer and there he died and was buried. The paternal grandfather, John Miller, lived and died in Virginia, and the maternal grandfather, Joseph Gardner, was a native of Boston, Mass., but removed to Virginia, where he died. In his earlier life he was a seafaring man and captain of a vessel which plied between Boston and San Domingo, as well as other islands of the West Indies group. The last days of this voyager were spent in quiet and uneventful retirement. The father of our subject was a merchant and trader and resided at Bar- boursville, Va., where he died in 1886. The mother of our subject survived him two years, dying in 1888. This couple were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: Mrs. B. H. Thaxton, of Huntington, W. Va .; C. H. Miller, of Huntington, W. Va .; George F. Miller, our subject; John W., of Barboursville; Joseph Miller, late com- missioner of internal revenue under the first administration of President Cleveland, now liv- ing at Kanawha, W. Va., and Florence, wife of George F. Miller, Jr., president of the First National Bank, of Huntington, W. Va. The subject of our sketch was born in Virginia, where he was reared and attended school, and from which, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted, at the outbreak of the war, in Company A, Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, and served four years; being with the army of West Virginia, with Longstreet's corps in Tennessee, and surrendered with Johnston at Greensboro, N. C. He was captured at Mossey Creek, Tenn., and carried to Camp Douglass near Chicago, where he remained seven months, when he was exchanged. Mr. Miller served as first lieutenant and bore the record of an excellent officer and a brave soldier, courageously contending for a cause his conscience approved. After the surrender he went to Cincinnati, where he was book-keeper in a wholesale grocery house for two years; then, in 1869, he came to Indianapolis and engaged in the coal business for about eight years, following which he was in the foundry business. In the year 1884 he was appointed deputy United States marshal during Cleveland's administration and served until 1885, when he went into the county treasurer's office, under John Osterman, as deputy, and has been in the office ever since, proving himself a most efficient and accommodating public servant, who has gained the respect and confidence of the public without reference to politics. He was married in 1868 to Miss Catharine A. Davidson and one child has blessed this union, Catharine L. Mrs. Miller and her daughter are prominent members of the Second Presbyterian Church, as well as very popular among a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Miller has a number of social affiliations and is a member of the Masonic order.
THOMAS MCCONNELL. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a member of the well-known firm of McConnell & Mount, contractors and builders, but was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1833, a son of Francis McConnell, which name his paternal grandfather also bore. The latter was a native of the land of "thistles and oatmeal," but prior to the Revolutionary. War came to this country and later became a member of the Continental army, serving in Washington's army for seven years. He later became a pioneer of the State of Ohio, where his son, Francis, the father of the subject of this sketch was born in 1803. Be- sides being a successful tiller of the soil the latter was a shoemaker, which business he fol- lowed in Bridgeport, dying there in 1881 at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a Re-
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publican in politics, held the position of township trustee for many years, also that of assessor and beld other offices of trust. Thomas McConnell, the subject of this sketch, was educated in his native county and at.the age of eighteen started to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. In 1856 he located at Marietta, Shelby County, Ind., and there on June 24, 1862, be enlisted in Company B, Seventieth Indiana (Gen. Harrison's Regiment), with which he served until the war closed, being a participant in all the battles in which his regiment took part. At the close of the war be returned to Indiana and after a time located in Indianapolis and commenced working at bis trade, and in 1875, with his brother John A. for a partner, he commenced contracting. They continued together successfully nntil 1886 when John A. went west by himself and Thomas associated himself with Mr. Mount, with whom he has since been connected. They have erected many of the handsomest buildings of Indianapolis, among which was Dr. Eastman's Sanitarium. They also superintended the building of the city hall, and the other buildings which stand as monuments to their credit are too numerous to mention. Mr. McConnell bas always been interested in politics and at all times works for the success of the Republican party. He is a member of the Contractors' Association, the Masonic order, the Chosen Friends, and Major Anderson Post of the G. A. R. In 1853 he was united in marriage with Miss India Weyer, of Ohio (Belmont County), and out of a family of two sons and five daughters born to them, one son and three daughters are living.
PATRICK J. O' MEARA. The American product, man, is the finest type upon the face of the earth, for the reason that he is not pampered and spoiled by luxury and for the further reason that he knows he may aspire to any height without prejudice against him as to birth or previous condition. In every community may be found numbers of solid, representative men, leaders of thought and influencers of action who have been brought to their exalted places by the sheer and sole force of their own plnck and energy. The subject of our sketch, yet a young man, is the superintendent of buildings and grounds of the Indianapolis School Board, a position of responsibility and trust which came to him because be deserved it and because he is in every way qualified to discharge its duties. Patrick J. O' Meara was thrown upon his own resources at a very early age, having to support himself when but thir- teen years old. With unfaltering courage the lad pressed on his way, working hard by day and attending school by night, his bright and receptive mind craving knowledge and his intelligence telling him that an education was indispensable to success on the road which he had thus early marked out for himself. He was born at Buffalo, N. Y., February 9, 1856, being the son of Patrick and Bridget (Sheehan) O'Meara, natives of the city of Limerick, Ireland. They were married in their native city and sailed for America in 1855, landing at New York city, where they remained for a while and then going to Buffalo, at which place they lived until 1865, in which year they came to Indianapolis. They now reside at Ander-
son, Ind., the father being now retired, after a busy life; he having been for a number of years book-keeper and head clerk in the New York Central freight depot. This worthy couple have had ten children, five of whom are living, namely: Anna, Mary, Michael, Patrick J. and Henry, of Muncie. The subject of our sketch was a mere youth when he accompanied bis par- ents to this city and bere be attended school until be was thirteen years old, when he began to be self-supporting; but, as stated, he was resolved to gain understanding and he was enrolled regularly in the night school and applied himself diligently to his studies. His first employ- ment was in a grocery store and afterward in a restaurant at Anderson, Ind. In the year 1886 he was employed by Hetherington & Berner, the widely known and extensive manufacturers, with whom he remained for six years, enjoying the confidence of the house and faithfully dis- charging his duties. At the end of this time, in 1892, he was appointed to his present position and entered upon the discharge of its responsibilities in July of that year. Mr. O'Meara was married June 5, 1889, to Miss Georgia Branham, of Anderson, Ind., the marriage being a most happy one, the two being congenial and the husband finding in the wife a helpmeet indeed. Our subject is a man of large social development, finding great pleasure in the society of his friends, and inclines to social organizations, being chancellor commander of Indianapolis Lodge, No. 56, K. of P. and is also a member of the order of Red Men. In politics Mr. O' Meara is a Democrat of the most pronounced type and has rendered his party most efficient services in the way of organizing and holding men in line for the support of the nominees dur-
CROCOCUP & MEGT FHO. OG
PHILA. PAY'
HON. CALEB S. DENNY.
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ing election campaigns and elections. The education of our subject in religious matters was in the Catholic Church, in which he was baptized and confirmed and his matured judgment holds him firm in the faith of bis fathers. A manly, upright and straightforward citizen, a careful, methodical man of business and a wholesouled good fellow, Mr. O'Meara has by no means reached the height of his powers or the end of the favor of his fellow citizens. What- ever they may call him to do he will do it faithfully and well.
GEORGE W. STANLEY. The name of George W. Stanley is a very familiar one in the business circles of Indianapolis, he being one of the leading contractors of the city and the president of the Builders Exchange. He was born in Fayette County, Ind., June 1, 1836, and is the son of Lewis and Ann (Johnson) Stanley, natives of North Carolina and Cincin- nati, respectively. They came to Indiana at an early day and settled in Fayette County, the father following the trade of a wagon-maker. He died in Hancock County, Ind., in 1890, and the mother in the following year. The subject of our sketch was reared in his native county until he was about twelve years old, attending the schools, and then removed with his parents to Hancock County, where he grew to manhood. After attending the Northwestern Christian University for one year he learned the trade of a carpenter, chiefly under his father. This he followed, varying it with teaching, up to the time of his marriage, in Hancock County. He was elected trustee of Vernon Township and served one term in Hancock County, in the year 1862. Subsequently he was appointed agent for the Bee Line Railroad and was sta- tioned at Oakland, Marion County, Ind., holding the position for about ten years. In 1874 he was elected township trustee of Lawrence Township, and served for three consecutive terms, or six years. Our subject removed to Indianapolis in 1884 and engaged in the busi- ness of a general contractor, which he has followed ever since. Among the many contracts he has executed is the Tomlinson Hall, the Bank of Commerce; Claypool Block, on Pearl Street; the Lombard Building; Macey Building, on Delaware Street, and numerous promi- nent residences. Mr. Stanley is one of the leading contractors of Indianapolis and employs a very large force of men during the building season. Mr. Stanley is president of the Builders Exchange, having served two years as secretary immediately before his election as such. He is a man of unimpeachable integrity and his work is always done well, his con- tracts being carried out to the letter. He is in fellowship with the Masonic order and has other social connections in the city. Our subject was married in 1859 to Miss Ann Wood, of Marion County, by whom he has had three children: Carrie M., Flora P. and Clarence. Politically he is a Democrat and believes firmly in the principles of that party. The name of the firm of Salisbury & Stanley-such is the style of his firm-is an honored one in the city, and the house is located at 177 Clinton Street.
THOMAS SHEEHAN. The subject of our sketch is a man who possesses a quality, the value of which cannot be overestimated, and that is the one of pleasing, or, in other words, an accommodating spirit. In this day when the strife for place breeds so much selfishness the virtue is the more apparent. Our subject, the bailiff of the Marion County Criminal Court and secretary of the Hendricks Club was born in Fayette County, at Connorsville, Ind., August 10, 1855. He is the son of Michael and Margaret (O'Conner) Sheehan, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1840, first reaching New Orleans, and then proceeding by the river to Covington and going thence to Fayette County, Ind. The father was a farmer and pursued that vocation until his death in 1857. The mother, who is living in Fayette County, bore her husband seven children, namely: Lizzie and Thomas (these two were by her first husband), William, Mary, Lewis, Ellen and John. The subject of our sketch was reared in Fayette County, where he received a common-school education; the early years of his life being spent on the farm, after which he went to the work of a molder at Connors- ville. Coming to Indianapolis in 1879 he worked here at his trade until 1891, when he was appointed by the court as bailiff, and in January, 1893, he was elected secretary of the Hendricks Club. Mr. Sheehan is an enterprising young man, full of energy and devoted to the principles of the Democratic party, for which he works with untiring zeal in every cam- paign. Our subject was married in June, 1881, in Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Helen L. Richter, by whom he has two sons and two daughters, namely: George T., Mary M., Alice G. and Paul C. He and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic Church, in which faith they were reared as their parents before them.
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