USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Parke County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 12
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In 1854, Mr. Duree married Miss Lucinda C.,
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daughter of the late Dr. William B. Crooks, and a sister of Dr. James Crooks, of Bridgeton. A more complete record of the Crooks family will be found in the sketch of Dr. James Crooks, on another page of this volume. They have been the parents of nine children, of whom only three are living: William C., a resident of Terre Haute, Ind .; Eleanor, who married Frank Nickerson, a business man of Marengo, Ill .; and Annie, who is with her parents.
YRE G. WHITTINGTON. In a county like this, where there are so many men of excellent moral character, pronounced busi- ness ability and social nature, it would be hard indeed to determine who is most worthy. There are some, however, who are generally conceded to occupy a front place in the ranks of usefulness and influence. Such is the gentleman above named, who manifests great interest in the intel- lectual development and spiritual upbuilding of the community in which he lives, as well as in its material prosperity, and who while managing his own affairs in so prudent a manner as to take place among the solid men of the county, yet finds time to serve his fellow-men in various ways.
Tyre G. Whittington was born in Woodford County, Ky., in the year 1820, October 6. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Shelby Coun- ty, where he received a good common-school edu- cation. The parents of our subject were both na- tives of Woodford County, Ky., where they were married, the father being the eldest member of a family numbering fifteen children, all of whom reached years of maturity. The grandparents of Tyre G. Whittington were natives of Maryland, and were known as descendants of old English Colonial families. Many of our readers remem- ber the tradition of Dick Whittington, Lord Mayor of London, and those versed in the mu- nicipal history of that great British metropolis know that one of the most famous Lord Mayors
of that city was in verity a famous Richard Whit- tington. To the honor of Montgomery County be it known that a lineal descendant of this most honored British official is numbered among its best citizens, and loved by all for his gentle bear- ing and manly character.
When only thirteen years of age onr subject was left an orphan and was thus compelled to assume life's responsibilities for himself. After leaving school he decided to learn the trade of cabinet- maker, which business he followed for some years. In the year 1842 Mr. Whittington was married to Miss Julia Beatty, a lady in whom he found the ele- ments of womanhood which aided him toward suc- cess. On the 15th of December past, our subject and wife celebrated their golden wedding, and received many valuable presents from their many friends and relatives on that memorable occasion.
Coming to Montgomery County in the year 1850, Mr. Whittington invested in farm lands. Ilis first purchase was one hundred and thirty-two acres, which comprise the farm on which he now resides, all of which is in a state of good cultiva- tion and displays the thrift, energy and good management displayed by its owner. Eight chil- dren were born to our subject, his eldest son being William H., a prosperous farmer of this county; James L., of Indian Territory, and John T., who is engaged as a farmer in Brown Township, this State, come next; Sarah F., wife of Benja- min Easley. departed this life several years ago, leaving two children to mourn the loss of a lov- ing mother. Another member of our subject's family is Reese D., of Indian Territory; after whom come George W., a farmer, Luey E. and Sherman G. In addition to the one hundred and thirty- two acres already spoken of, Mr. Whittington has added another one hundred and sixteen acres, and is the proud possessor of one of the finest located farms in this part of the State.
In the early years of his manhood our subject was a member of the old Whig political party, but has since developed into a stanch Republican, always ready to uphold the principles of his party. So- cially, he is a member of the Moreland Order, A. F. & A. M., of which body he was First Wor- shipful Master, which position he held for seven
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years, and he only parted with the honor by posi- tively declining re-election. Poor health has pro- hibited him from taking the active part form- erly enjoyed in the work of his order, but he has the satisfaction of remembering that while serv- ing in a public capacity as a Mason he at the same time brought three of his own sons into the order, and himself helped to initiate them into the secrets of the brotherhood. Mr. Whittington and all his family are active members of the Bap- tist Church of Freedom, to which body they give hearty and liberal support. Quiet and unassum- ing in his manner, courteous to all who come in contact with him, and known for his kindness and generosity, our subject has a high personal stand- ing in the community where he has passed the ac- tive years of his life, and let ns hope that he will here rest from toil and care, surrounded by love, friendship and esteem; for many years to come.
AVID II. MAXWELL. The Bar of Parke County numbers among its most honored representatives the firm of Maxwell & Max- well, of which the subject of this sketch is the senior member. Not only at Rockville, where for many years he has been continuously engaged in the practice of profession, but also through this portion of Indiana, he is known as a lawyer of high talents and great ability. The qualities of dis- crimination for which he has always been distin- guished, together with his perceptive qualities and power of analysis, have led to the attainment of a position of prominence among the legal fra- ternity of the State.
At Bloomington, Ind., on the 7th of August, 1825, occurred the birth of the subject of our sketch. His father, Dr. David II. Maxwell, served in the War of 1812 as a surgeon and became one of the earliest settlers of Indiana, as well as a pioneer phy- sician of Bloomington. He and his wife, who was born in Kentucky and bore the maiden name of Mary D. Dunn, became the parents of eight chil-
dren, our subject being the sixth. He was reared in Bloomington and attended the Indiana State University until the Junior year, when he aban- doned his literary studies and, boarding a river steamer, proceeded down the Mississippi. He landed at Grand Gulf, Miss., and thence took pass- age on a steamer to Lonisville, Ky., from which place he walked a distance of ninety miles to Bloomington, carrying his rifle on his shoulder.
In 1845, shortly after his return from the South, our subject came to Rockville, and commenced the study of law in the office of Wright & Maxwell. Three years later he came back to Bloomington and entered the law department of the State University of Indiana, then under the control of Judge David McDonald and Judge William T. Otto. From that institution he was graduated in 1849, and was li- censed to practice at the Bar of the State. Return- ing to Rockville, he formed a legal partnership with Samnel Magill, who had been his classmate in the law school. The connection continued for twelve months, when Mr. Magill accepted a posi- tion at Washington, D. C.
With his brother Samuel, our subject formed a partnership and remained in practice at Rockville for two years. Meanwhile the Legislature had in- stituted the Court of Common Pleas, the district being composed of Parke and Vermillion Counties. Judge Porter, of Vermillion County, had been elected to fill the position of Judge of the Court, but his death occurred while an incumbent of the office. Joseph A. Wright, then Governor of In- diana, appointed Samuel F. Maxwell to fill the un- expired term, and the partnership was accordingly dissolved. When Judge Patterson succeeded to the position, the legal connection was resumed. Af- terward, however, Samuel F. Maxwell was re-elected Judge, and onr subject then took into partnership his nephew, Frank M. Howard, with whom he re- mained in practice for two years. Later he was alone until 1889, when he formed the partnership with his son, under the title of Maxwell & Maxwell, which firm is still in existence.
The marriage of our subject in 1864 united him with Miss Anna F., daughter of Samuel S. Smith, a prominent agriculturist of Parke County. Two children have been born of the union : Howard, the
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law partner of his father; and llugh, who is at home. Mr. Maxwell has devoted his entire active life exclusively to the duties of his profession, and has for forty-four years been engaged in active and continuous practice. He was reared a believer in the principles of the Whig party, and in later years has been a consistent adherent of the platform of the Republican party. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Gen. Taylor. During the war he en- listed for sixty days, and served as a member of * the Seventy-eighth Indiana Infantry. In his re- ligious belief he is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and gives to that denomination his gener- ous and active support.
C HARLES W. STRYKER, the efficient and genial Postmaster of Rockville, Parke County, is well and favorably known in this locality. He has held the office of Chairman of the Republican Central Committee for three successive terms, and has always been very active in political circles. Ile was born in Clark County, July 28, 1824, and is the son of James Stryker, who located there about the year 1820, having emigrated from the Empire State. James Stryker was, however, a native of New Jersey, and fol- lowed the occupation of an agriculturist, princi- pally, throughout life. On his arrival in Clark County, be purchased land, where he continued to live until removing to Springfield, Ill., when our subject was a lad of about seven years. This was about 1831, and only two years afterward he re- turned to the neighborhood of his former home in Indiana, where he purchased a farm, and there resided for some eight years. Going to Paris, Ind., he engaged in merchandising for a year, and then went to Brownstown, Jackson County, where he engaged in the same avocation until January, 1844, at which time he became a resident of Parke County. Ile made a settlement at Rockville, where he was a merchant for about three years.
Next, going to Illinois, he located near Bloom- ington, and after some time he removed to Texas, which was his place of abode for about five years. Returning thence to the North, he engaged in farming near Collinsville, and finally made Evans- ville, Ind., his permanent home, living there until his death in 1858.
Charles W. Stryker is the second in order of birth in a family of nine children, and passed the greater portion of his boyhood days in Clark County, Ind. When he was about seventeen years of age, he began to assist his father in the store, and in the year 1845 engaged in business with him. When the latter left Rockville, our subject re- mained in the place, engaged in collecting for about two years. At the expiration of this time, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which was his occupation for twenty-one years. He became the owner of a farm southeast of Rock- ville, a place of a hundred and twenty acres, which he still owns. Prior to 1879, he operated a saw- mill for some three or four years, and was Super- intendent of a flour mill and woolen factory, which were the property of his father-in-law, Mr. Adam- son.
In the year 1846, Mr. Stryker and Miss Nancy A. Adamson were united in marriage. The lady was a daughter of Elisha Adamson, a carpenter of this county. Mrs. Stryker, who was a lady posses- sed of many amiable and lovable qualities, was called to her final rest in 1888. Her loss was deeply deplored by the many friends she had made during her long residence in this vicinity. She was the mother of nine children, who are all de- ceased but one, John W., the eldest, who is now running the old homestead, owned by his father.
While at Bowling Green, to which place he went in October, 1858, Mr. Stryker was Superintendent of the Clay Mills Company, and in 1861 he located on his farm east of the town. In 1879 he became a resident of Rockville, and was appointed Post- master in October, 1882, which office he held un- til the Ist of February, 1887. He was re-appointed to the place on the 9th of October, 1889, since wirich time he has continued to occupy the same. He is considered the most capable and efficient Postmaster who has served for many years. Prior
yours Truly M.D. White
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to the organization of the Republican party, he was a Whig. Since that time he has voted in every Presidential election for the candidates of the Republican party. For three years he was County Commissioner of Parke County, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and constituents. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in the lodge. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is now one of the Trustees. Ile stands high in the regard of his fellow-citizens and all who have in any way been thrown in con- tact with him, for he is a man of correct principles, courteous and fair in all his dealings with his fel- low-men.
ON. MICHAEL D. WHITE, ex-Member of Congress. This distinguished gentleman is the senior member of the firm of White. Ilumphrey & Reeves, attorneys-at-law, of Crawfordsville, Ind. The firm to which be be- longs is recognized as able and reliable. Mr. White was born near Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, September 8. 1827. His paternal ancestors came from Vermont, and his maternal from Ire- land. His grandfather White was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. in which he was wounded, and died in LaFayette, Ind., about 1837. The parents of our subject were Alanson and Mary (Daugherty) White. In 1829 they removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and there our subject was reared on the farm and attended the common school. At the age of twenty-two years, he en- tered Wabash College, where he enjoyed superior advantages for four years, but left the college in his senior year on account of failing health.
One year on the farm so restored Mr. White's strength, that he felt able to begin the study of law, and entered the office of Gen. Lew Wallace After his admission to the Bar, he formed a part- nership with Gen. Wallace, which continued until
1858. Mr. White carly in life displayed some of those gifts of speech which afterward placed him among the orators of the State. ITis legal attain- ments were acknowledged during his first year of practice, as he was then elected Prosecuting At- torney for Montgomery and Boone Counties. For a time he was a partner with the distinguished James N. Binford, and gave special attention to criminal law.
In 1860, Mr. White defeated Gen. Manson for the State Senate, in which body he served as a member of the Committee on Federal Relations, a com- mittee of much importance at that time. In 1876, he was called still higher, and received the election to Congress over the Democratic Greenback can- didates. His majority of fourteen hundred and ten over the Democrats was with one exception the largest Republican majority attained by any Congressional Candidate in the district. The Hon. Godlove S. Orth, the next candidate, had a major- ity of only ninety-eight votes.
Since his retirement from Congress, Mr. White has attended closely to his profession, in which he has been eminently successful. The marriage of our subject took place April 29, 1858, to Laura E., the daughter of Dr. J. G. McMechan, an old phy- sician, now living at the age of eighty-six years. Mrs. White's birth took place May 14. 1837, in Crawfordsville, Ind., and the following children do honor to their parents' name: Millie, now Mrs. W. A. Stillwell, of Minneapolis, Kan .; John L., of Buffalo, N. Y .; George R., a telegraph operator in Monroe County, Ind .; Grace, a graduate of the High School of the Class of '89, and who has for three and a-half years been delivery clerk in the post- office; Anna L., who is at home; and Robert, a child of thirteen, at home. The family are members of the Christian Church, in which Mrs. White is a faithful worker. Mrs. White is a pleasant lady of culture and refinement, and one whose friendship it is worth one's while to cultivate. She commands the respect of the people equally with her husband, and is a most fitting companion of the honorable man with whom her married life has been passed.
Mr. White is a member of Masonic fraternity, is a plain, unassuming man, popular with all par- ties, an able lawyer, and has gained the cogno-
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men of "honest Mike White." IIe is one of the most popular members of the Montgomery County Bar, and no complaint has ever been made as to trickery in connection with his life. He has quite a reputation as an orator, and has modeled his ca- reer after that of the Ilon. Henry S. Lane. His efforts on the platform are frequently marked by flashes of fire equal to those of his great predeces- sor, and in earnestness of purpose and logical eluci- dation, he is not inferior to Indiana's gifted orator.
ON. HENRY S. LANE. Among the names enlisted on the roll of fame in the State of Indiana stands that of the subject of this sketch. In him was recognized the ac- complished lawyer, the patriot stateman, the genial companion and the Christian gentleman. He has passed off the stage of life, but the memory of this man's noble, kindly life remains as an example to the future youth of the State and as a precious possession to those whose existence was bound to his by ties of kindred.
The subject of this sketch was born in Mont- gomery County, Ky., February 11, 1811. The groundwork of his education was well laid, and at the early age of eighteen years the natural bent of his mind so clearly pointed out the path in which he could find success, that he at once took up the study of law, which, after reaching the age of twenty-one years, he began to practice, and then opened a long career of brillianey that was only ended by the death of this distinguished man. In 1835 he came to this State and settled among the good people of Crawfordsville.
Our subject had not long to wait for laurels, as his winning oratory, full of anecdotes and mirth, alternated with pathos, made his name early known as an orator at the Bar, and a fine practice came to him without the usual struggles of young and un- known talent. In 1837 he received the election to the State Legislature as the candidate of the
Whig party. In 1840 Mr. Lane beat Edward A. llannaghan, the Democratic candidate for Con- gress. These men were much alike, both fluent and eloquent on the stump. The result of the can- vass was the election of Lane by a majority of fifteen hundred votes, and the next year he de- feated John Bryce by a big majority.
In 1844 Mr. Lane stumped the State of Indiana and mourned over the defeat of the great Ken- tuckian, IIenry Clay. During the Mexican War, he assisted in evoking the proper patriotic spirit through the State, and in May, 1846, he was a member of a war meeting held in Indianapolis. One who was present has put upon record the fol- lowing comment upon our subject: "Henry S. Lane, being called for by the meeting, addressed it in the peculiar strain of inspiring eloquence for which he is so distinguished, and which is possessed by few men of the country." Mr. Lane raised a com- pany of volunteers, and when the first regiment was organized he was chosen its Major and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. His regiment did duty in guarding supply trains and protecting posts. The colors of the regiment were presented by Mrs. Lane from the porch in front of the handsome residence in Crawfordsville, when she was a beautiful bride of nineteen, only one year married. Those same colors are among the treasures of Wabash College Museum. On the night of the return of our subject from the army, he made a ringing speech in Madison, and his fiery eloquence rekindled the war spirit, and brought about the formation of a new company, which became a part of the Fifth Indiana Regiment, un- der Col. James II. Lane. In 1849 our subject be- eame a candidate for Congress against IIon. Joseph E. McDonald, who was elected. When the Repub- lican party was formed Col. Lane was its natural head in Indiana. His popularity was such that when the National Convention was held in 1856 he was chosen its President, and when Fremont and Dayton were nominated he took the stump for them through Indiana.
In 1856 Col. Lane and Col. McCarty received a majority of the votes cast by the Legislature, and went to Washington to contest the seats held by Senators Bright and Fitch, but the Senate decided
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against them. In 1860 Col. Lane was nominated by the Republicans for Governor, with Oliver P. Morton for Lieutenant-Governor. The Demoera- tie competitor was Thomas A. Hendricks. In his message to the Legislature Gov. Lane used very strong language against the idea of the States se- ceding, congratulating the people of Indiana upon its true position of adherence to the Union, and declared that they would uphold at every hazard the glorious form of free Government in which we live. After a few days he was unanimously elected to the United States Senate, and at once resigned his gubernatorial chair, leaving Mr. Mor- ton as Governor. This was the shortest record of office in the State of Indiana.
In the Senate Mr. Lane attained distinction, and he was recognized as one of the able men of that body. A year before his term expired he wrote a letter to his constituents declining to be consid- ered as a candidate, on account of poor health. Ilis first marriage was with Miss Amelia Jameson, at his old home in Kentucky, but she died about 1842. In Washington, February 11, 1845, he was married to Miss Joanna Elston, who was very close to him in his publie and private life. For years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and although he loved his own denomina- tion he was in no way narrow-minded. His pure affection and refined sympathy remained with him until the last. Innocent and prattling child- hood always claimed his attention, and he onee said, "I wish it to be remembered of me that I always loved a little child."
For many years our subject had been a sufferer from heart disease, and for a long time he had realized that the end must be near. He calmly and peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 18, 1881, and was mourned throughout the State of Indiana. Gov. Porter ordered the State offices to be draped in mourning, and the State officials at- tended his funeral. Most beautiful sentiments were uttered at that time by Ex-Gov. Hendricks, Senator MeDonald, Gen. Cobum, Judge Gresham and other distinguished men, and numerous letters of condolence came to his bereaved wife. The distinguished pall-bearers were Samuel Binford, Gov. Porter, James lleaton, R. B. F. Pierce, Peter
S. Kennedy, Senator Voorhees, Senator Harrison, B. T. Ristine, Prof. Campbell and Gov. Ilendricks.
The monument which marks the illustrious dead is an obelisk of Scotch granite from the quarries of Aberdeen, and it rests upon a double base of American granite, which is eight feet, two inches square. The shaft is thirteen feet high, is surrounded by a finial, the terminal of which is a polished ball, and the weight is forty-five tons. It is a piece of magnificent workmanship and is worthy of the distinguished man whose resting- place it marks.
TOW S. DETCHON, M. D., now a pros- perous farmer and stock-raiser of New Richmond, Montgomery County, Ind., attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and is a member of the American Medical Society, and also belongs to the County Medical So- ciety, of which he has been President. In 1891 he was sent as delegate to the National Society, which convened in Washington. Beginning practice in 1861. Dr. Detchon actively engaged in the ardnous and responsible duties of a family physician for over a score of years, but in 1888 abandoned the practice of medicine and devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits.
Although our subject is not a native of Indiana. he is the only man now living who resided in the town of New Richmond when he located here. He was born in the Buckeye State in 1830, his birthplace being that portion of Ohio now known as Mahoning County. His parents, John and Maria (Hoadley) Detchon, were early resi- dents of the State in which their family was born and reared. The father, who was of English ancestry, was born in New Jersey soon after his father and mother emigrated from England to America. The mother of our subjeet was born in the good old State of Connecticut.
Gideon Hoadley, the maternal grandfather of
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