USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Sketches of prominent citizens of 1876 : with a few of the pioneers of the city and county who have passed away > Part 14
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Mr. Hanway's father brought the first barrel of whisky that came to Indianapolis, which rendered his house very attractive while it lasted. He was the first to put a shingle roof on a house in the place. This house stood on the north bank of the river, near Washington street, where the Kingan pork house is located. Mr. Hanway is brother to Samuel Hanway, treasurer elect of Marion county. The two brothers are the only living members of the original family. Mr. Hanway is quite popular as a minister.
JUDGE FRANKLIN HARDIN.
Judge Hardin is a native of Kentucky, born in Fleming (now Nich- olas) county on the 27th of July, 1810. His father, Henry Hardin, was a relative of Ben Hardin, a noted lawyer and prominent politician of Kentucky ; also a connection of the late Colonel J. Hardin, of Illi- nois, who fell at the battle of Beuna Vista during the war, and for whom a county each in Illinois and Iowa is named. Some of Franklin Hardin's brothers and sisters settled in the northwest portion of John- son county, Indiana, in October, 1824. After the death of their father, which occurred in October, 1825, Franklin, his mother and the younger members of the family, Franklin being the junior member of the fam- ily, also settled in the same neighborhood in October, 1827. Judge Hardin taught school for about five years, a large portion of the time in Washington township, Marion county, a portion of the time in Perry township, in the same county, and a short time in White River town- ship, Johnson county.
In October, 1831, he returned to Kentucky and was there married to the daughter of a farmer who had been a near neighbor of his father. He became a permanent citizen of White River township, Johnson county, late in the year 1832, where he has resided ever since on a farm twelve miles southwest of Indianapolis, on the Bluff road.
In the spring of 1836 he was appointed by the late Judge William W. Wick, surveyor of Johnson county, and served six consecutive years. He was elected a member of and served in the House of Representatives in the State Legislature in the years 1842-43-44, and elected to the Sen-
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
ate in 1845 and 1848, serving as a legislator nine consecutive sessions. In 1850 he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention, serving in the capacity of both Senator and delegate at the same time. He was then again elected county surveyor and served until he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in October, '1852; was re-elected in 1856, and served as judge of that court eight years, and has held several other offices of trust and emolument, but was never a justice of the peace, an office for which Mr. Hardin had no particular love.
His first vote was cast a few days after he had attained his majority, at the old Court House in Indianapolis, in 1831, for Dr. Samuel G. Mitchell, for Representative and Calvin Fletcher for Senator. These votes were given through personal friendship. In November, 1832, at the same place, he cast his first Presidential vote for General Jackson against Henry Clay. In 1836 he voted for Van Buren against General Harrison ; he also voted the same ticket in 1840. In 1844 he voted for James K. Polk against Henry Clay. In 1848 he voted for General Lewis Cass against General Zachary Taylor; in 1852 for Franklin Pierce against General Winfield Scott. In 1856 he was a delegate, in connection with the late A. F. Morrison, to the Cincinnati convention, and supported Stephen A. Douglas for the Democratic candidate for President, but at the election voted for James Buchanan, the nominee of the convention, against John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate.
In 1860 he was a candidate for election on the ticket in the interest of John C. Breckenridge, and voted at the election for him against Lincoln and Douglas, "repudiating Douglas on account of his defection and forced nomination." In 1864 he voted for the Democratic electoral ticket, tearing off the name of the Presidential candidate, General McClellan, whom he disliked for some of his military maneuvers, as it was well known that Judge Hardin for conscientious reasons, and from principle, opposed the war, which he thought could have been prevented.
In 1868 he voted for Seymour against General Grant. In 1872 refused to vote, as the nominee of the Democratic party, Horace Gree- ley, was repugnant to him.
In 1876 he voted for Samuel J. Tilden against Rutherford B. Hayes. It will be readily seen that Mr. Hardin has worked pretty evenly along in the Democratic traces, except when influenced by principle, when no consideration would induce him to violate it. It will also be seen that a large portion of his life has been devoted to the public, taking into consideration the time he was an educator, a full half century.
Mr. Hardin is an earnest, positive man, and when he makes up his-
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WILLIAM B. MCCLELLAND.
mind that he is in the line of his duty, and feels assured he is right, no consideration will swerve him from it. Of this the writer can speak from a personal acquaintance of nearly fifty years.
His ancestors were French Huguenots; the name, perhaps, was, originally Hardoine. His relatives, the early Hardins of Kentucky, were the companions of Daniel Boone, and rendered him essential aid in subduing the savages during the early settlement of "the dark and bloody ground," the time that tried men's patriotism, and their services were appreciated. As a memorial of their services the Legislature named a county for them.
Colonel John Hardin, who commanded under General Harrison during the disastrous campaign in the North Territory, was of the same family. Although Mr. Hardin has spent a large portion of his- life in the public service, he has taken time to manage his farming inter- est in a way that will furnish him a competency for declining years. The lady whom he chose forty-five years ago as his companion for life is yet the mistress of his home, and such a one as is calculated to make it a home in reality as well as in name, kind, hospitable and generous.
No person, after five minutes conversation with Judge Hardin, can mistake him on any subject alluded to. There is no duplicity or deceit in the composition of Frank Hardin. Frank by name and frank by nature, frank in speech, and frankness characterises his every action.
WILLIAM B. McCLELLAND.
Among the prominent and well-known farmers of Marion county is Mr. McClelland, the writer having known him over half a century. He was born in Dickson county, Tennessee, on the 26th of July, 1812. In the fall of 1814 he, with his father's family, emigrated to the terri- tory of Indiana, and settled on Indian creek, in Union county ; moved. to Marion county in March, 1822, when the city of Indianapolis was but a village of log cabins, without any pretentions to be much more. He was for several years the near neighbor of the late Colonel George L. Kinnard, and was on intimate terms with that distinguished indi- vidual.
Mr. McClelland has lived to see the forest, as it were, blossom like- the rose ; the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savage give way to the plowshare and pruning hook, and the yell of the wild " Injun " to the screams of the locomotive. May he live in Marion county another fifty-five years, and " may I be there to see."
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
ABRAM COBLE
Was one of the pioneers of Marion county, coming to it before the county was organized. Mr. Coble was a native of North Carolina, but at an early age removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled ten miles north of Dayton, where he remained until 1821, at which time he came to Marion county, and purchased land three miles northwest of the city, where the Lafayette State road was afterwards laid out and made. While the late Colonel George L. Kinnard was surveying this road he made Mr. Coble's house his home. One of Mr. Coble's sons, yet unnamed, took such a liking to Mr. Kinnard that he named himself for him. He is our worthy fellow-citizen, George Coble, who for sev- eral years has been a prominent grocer on the northwest corner of Washington and Mississippi streets.
Mr. Coble built one of the first sawmills in the county, which was near his residence, on Crooked creek. This mill furnished the lumber for the National road bridge over White river. Mr. Coble loaded on White river, near his mill, a flat-boat with lumber, which was the first boat of the kind to descend White river.
He died in May, 1842, much regretted by the whole community, for nearly every person in the county respected him as an honest, upright man. He has two sons now residents of the city. He sleeps in the graveyard on his old farm, the land having been donated for that pur- pose by himself. His grave is marked by a neat but unpretending mon- ument, giving his age and time of death.
WILLIAM HOLMES,
Father of William Canada Holmes, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, 1792. When eight years of age he emigrated with his parents to Butler county, Ohio, where he remained until 1820, thence to Wayne county, near Richmond. While in Ohio he was married to Miss Elizabeth Lyons, in the year 1821. He removed to what was then called the New Purchase, now Marion county, and settled three miles west of Indianapolis, on Big Eagle creek, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1858. His wife survived him several years. Mr. Holmes was blessed with a goodly number of children, born in the order in which they are named: John B., Marcia Ann, Jotham L., Martha Ann, William Canada, Ira N., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Uriah, Sarah and Noah P. During the Black Hawk war of
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AARON WRIGHT.
1832, Mr. Holmes was among the first to volunteer for that ever mem- orable campaign.
A younger brother of Mr. Holmes, John, came to the country with him and built the saw mill for many years known as the "Kunkle Mill." John Holmes died but a few years after he became a resident. William then built the saw mill just below the National road bridge on Big Eagle creek, known as "Billy Holmes' Mill." The two brothers took the contract for and laid the. brick in the old and first Court House, in 1824. Mr. Holmes was a large man, full six feet in height, power- fully muscular, without any surplus flesh. Although he did not live out the time generally allotted to man, he lived to a good old age, and to see the wilderness blossom as the rose. No pioneer of the New Pur- chase lived more respected or died more regretted by his numerous friends than " Billy Holmes," as he was familiarly called. His young- est son, Noah P. Holmes, is the owner of, and resides at, the old home- stead, which will long be remembered as the Holmes farm.
AARON WRIGHT.
Among the early settlers of the Territory of Indiana was a large family of Wrights, who emigrated from Randolph county, North Caro- lina, and settled in Union county in 1813. From Union county a por- tion of them went to Wayne, and some to Washington counties; later four of the sons came to Marion county. Eli remained in Wayne and Levi in Washington; the latter was for several years sheriff of that county, and Eli held several responsible offices in Wayne. Joel, Jesse, Noah and Aaron came to Marion early in the history of the county. Joel died several years since from the effects of an accident ; Noah died a few years since at his farm, four miles south of town on the Madison State road ; Jesse was a leading man of this county, and while county commissioner, purchased the present Poor Farm ; he afterwards removed to Iowa and there died; Aaron, the last of the six brothers, died on the 22d of February, 1877, at the house of his son Jesse, of heart disease.
He was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, in August, 1799; came to Marion county in April, 1822. During Mr. Wright's fifty five years residence the writer knew him well ; it was something more than an acquaintance, it was a friendship from the writer's boyhood ; when I was but a store boy he dealt with me, and in after years when doing business for myself.
Mr. Wright for several years past made his home with his son Jesse,
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
who lives three miles west of the city, on the Vandalia railroad. Jesse Wright, the son, is one of our well-known and prominent farmers, own- ing one of the best farms in that portion of Wayne township. Aaron Wright was what Pope denominates
"The noblest work of God, an honest man."
WILLIAM CANADA HOLMES,
Third son of William Holmes, named in a preceding sketch, was born at his father's old homestead on the National road, on the 23d of May, 1826. When only seventeen years old contracted with his father for and took the management of his saw-mill, and continued in its manage- ment until he was twenty years of age; in the meantime, when the mill was idle, going to school, and received a fair English education. When the time had expired for which he took the mill, he had laid by a nice capital besides extracting his father from financial embarrassment, consequent upon the building of the mill; he then continued sixteen years longer in the lumber and milling business. In 1857 he purchased the old Isaac Pugh farm, seven miles from the city on the Crawfordsville State road; on this he built one of the finest farm residences in the county.
In 1865 Mr. Holmes purchased the interest of T. R. Fletcher in the Fourth National bank, and acted as president. Six months later this bank was consolidated with the Citizen's National bank. One year after the consolidation he was elected president, and for two years in succes- sion thereafter, superceding Isaiah Mansur. After performing the duties of president of the bank he resigned in consequence of failing health, but is yet a director in the same institution.
He then formed a partnership with Messrs. Coffin & Landers, for the purpose of purchasing and packing pork, the firm being known by the title of Coffin, Holmes & Landers. In this firm he remained one year. He then formed another partnership, the name of the firm being Holmes, Pettit & Bradshaw, and built the extensive establishment at the foot of Kentucky avenue ; this house has a capacity for slaughtering, packing and keeping through the summer fifty thousand hogs, the building and ground costing one hundred thousand dollars or over. Their average business disburses between five and six hundred thousand dollars annually. The last season they purchased and packed thirty- one thousand hogs.
Mr. Holmes is the present owner of the Sentinel building. Since his purchase of it from Richard J. Bright he has built an addition on Circle
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SAMUEL GOLDSBERRY.
street, in which is kept the Public Library. He has also added materi- ally to the growth of the city by the erection of several fine private houses, and a donation of twenty acres of land, worth about forty thou- sand dollars, to aid in the erection of manufacturing establishments: seven acres to the Novelty Iron Works; thirteen acres to the Haugh Iron Railing Manufactory. Mr. Holmes was married on the 15th of December, 1849, to Catharine, second daughter of the venerable James Johnson, since which time they have glided down the stream of time together. This union, like that of his father, has been blessed witlı sev- eral children, six daughters and two sons-Hannah Elizabeth, Sarah Alice, Mary Helen, Samuel, Martha Ann, Canada Johnson, Catharine Snively, and Rose Hannah ; the first and fourth died when infants; six are yet living under the parental roof. Two of the daughters are young ladies, two and the son are at school, the sixth an infant. Mr. Holmes, like his father, is quite tall, but of slender build, florid complexion and prepossessing in manner ; while he is frank and candid in his expressions yet he is courteous; in social life he is hospitable and generous, in his family he seems to be the center of their affections.
Mr. Holmes' success as a business man is a fair illustration of what industry and perseverance, coupled with strict punctuality in engage- ments, will accomplish. He is now one of the wealthy men of the city.
SAMUEL GOLDSBERRY
Was from Berkley county, Virginia, and came to this place, a young man, in 1824. He was a carpenter, and followed his business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1847 He had accumulated con- siderable property, and left his young family in good circumstances.
Soon after he came to this place he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter and only child of George Smith, Esq., one of the proprietors and editors of the Indianapolis Gazette.
He left a family of ten children-six sons and four daughters - nearly all of whom are still living in the city. His second daughter is the wife of Thomas Cottrell, Esq., one of the enterprising business men of the city.
His widow was married several years after his death to Mr. William Martin, one of the respectable farmers of the county.
Mr. Goldsberry was esteemed as an honest, upright and industrious man. He was for many years a member of the Methodist church, and died lamented by all who knew him.
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
HENRY P. COBURN
Was one of the estimable citizens of Indianapolis, gained when the cap- ital was removed to it. He, with his family, came to this place in De- cember, 1824, only a few weeks previous to the time the first Legisla- ture convened. He had been a citizen of the State since its first admis- sion into the Union in 1816, and was Clerk of the Supreme Court, and as such came to this city and remained in office for several years.
Mr. Coburn was a native of Massachusetts, born and raised in the village of Dracut, but as an adventurer in search of a home and fortune, he first settled in this State at Corydon, at the time above stated.
Mr. Coburn was one of the most conscientious men I have ever known, honest in his dealings with his neighbors, and punctual in every- thing he undertook.
He ever took an active part in the cause of education in the city and throughout the State, and did, perhaps, more than any other person toward bringing into existence the present free school system, which is such a blessing, especially to the poorer classes and laborers of the country, and is educating their children along with those of the wealthy and more favored citizens.
He also took a lively interest in agriculture and horticulture, and State and county fairs, and was always, from the time they were first introduced in the State and county, among the exhibitors of fruits, flowers, etc., that had been cultivated by his personal labor.
Although a lawyer of fine attainments he did but little in the prac- tice of his profession after he came to this place, but contented himself with attending to the duties of his office and his large and splendid gar- den of four acres, which he took great pains in cultivating. This garden spot is now almost in the center of the city, and a large portion of it is yet owned by his son, the Hon. John Coburn.
Mr. Coburn was a very unobtrusive and retiring man, never trying to force his opinions, either religious or political, upon others, though firm and decided in them himself. His manner had in it the affa- bility and social qualities calculated to make all feel easy and at home in his society. He was ever ready to contribute anything in his power to promote the happiness of his friends. He was for many years one of the leading members of the Second Presbyterian church, and died in 1854, regretted by all who knew him.
Mr. Coburn's eldest son, Augustus, was drowned in Lake Superior a few years since. His second son, Hon. John Coburn, raised and com-
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GENERAL JOHN COBURN.
. manded the 33d Indiana regiment in the war for the preservation of the Union. He has since been twice elected to Congress, and it is to his exertions and influence the people of this city are mostly indebted for the present free delivery system, by which they receive their mail matter at their doors.
A third son, Henry, is engaged in the lumber business in connec- tion with his father-in-law, Mr. William H. Jones, anothar old citizen.
In the death of Mr. Coburn Indianapolis lost one of its best citizens, the church one of its most active members, and the poor a sympathiz- ing friend.
"The dead are like the stars by day, Withdrawn from mortal eye; But not extinct; they hold their sway In glory through the sky."
GENERAL JOHN COBURN.
General Coburn was born on East Ohio street in the then village of Indianapolis, on the 27th day of October, 1825. He was the son of Henry P. and Sarah Coburn who came to Indianapolis in the latter part of 1824.
He was educated at the old County Seminary on University square, and at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, where he graduated with signal honors in 1846. He was for a time his father's deputy clerk of the Supreme Court of the State. He studied law with his father and was licensed to practice in 1849. In March, 1852, he was married to Miss Caroline, daughter of the Hon. Charles H. Test. He practiced law in this city first as the partner of Hon. Napoleon B. Taylor, and then with Governor David Wallace.
In 1859 he was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court for the district composed of the counties of Marion, Hendricks and Boone, and served as such until 1861, when he was appointed colonel of the 33d Regiment of Indiana Voluteers. He took command at once and went into Kentucky and served with the army of the Cumberland. His was the first regiment in that army to engage in a battle, which was on the 2Ist of October, 1861. He participated with his regiment in all the arduous services in the field, on marches, battles and seiges and was once captured with his regiment and for awhile detained in Libby Prison.
The record of General Coburn and that of his command is without reproach. His last service was in the Atlanta campaign; to him the city was surrendered. He commanded a brigade during the most of his
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
service in the field, and was breveted a brigadier general for meritorious and gallant conduct throughout the war.
After his return home he again engaged in his profession. In the fall of 1865 he was elected circuit judge of the district composed of the counties of Marion, Hendricks and Johnson, and served as such with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the public until August, 1866, at which time he resigned. In October, 1866, he was elected a member of Congress, and re-elected three times, serving eight years. His career as a member of Congress was a most brilliant one. He was considered one of the most laborious members of the House. He was chairman of the committee on military affairs, and such was his services that he was urged for the place of Secretary of War after the resigna- tion of Secretary Belknap.
In politics General Coburn was an old fashioned Clay Whig, then with the most of that party fell into the Republican party.
At the beginning of the war, when men were found wavering, he was for using the whole power of the nation to suppress treason. He did much by public speeches to arouse the people to a true sense of the situation. In the latter part of 1860, and early in 1861, our people were in favor of temporizing with rebellion, while he remained firm and uncompromising. He is a forcible and eloquent writer as well as speaker, and has written much for the press, as well as addressed the public on almost all matters of general interest. He has taken much interest in local as well as general politics. His standing among his neighbors and citizens is of the most enviable character; asking for himself nor others but what is right, and submitting to nothing wrong neither for himself nor others.
General Coburn takes great pride in the prosperity and progress of his native town, which he has seen grow from an obscure village to a large and beautiful city. No one takes a livelier interest in all public improvements or anything that will redound to the interest and growth of Indianapolis. He is now practicing law in this city in partnership with his father-in-law, Hon. Charles H. Test, and living upon the street ·of his birth.
EBENEZER SHARPE.
To this worthy old gentleman the writer is indebted for the most of what little education he has got. After the venerable James Blake had learned him the A B C's at Sunday school in Caleb Scudder's cabinet shop, Mr. Sharpe learned him to put them and the balance of the alpha-
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EBENEZER SHARPE.
bet together and make the b-a ba's, b-i bi's, b-o bo's and b-u bu's, and afterward to spell b-a-k-e-r baker, c-i-d-e-r cider. Although I could spell the latter we got none of it, as Mr. Sharpe was by practice, as well as precept, a strict temperance man.
He came from Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky, to this place in the year 1826. Shortly after he came he opened a school in the back part, or school-room, of the old Presbyterian church, on the alley that runs · north and south between Pennsylvania and Circle streets, north of Market. Mr. Sharpe was a man of a fine, classical education, and was peculiarly adapted by nature and disposition for the profession of a teacher, mild and genial in his manners, and believed more in moral suasion to gain the respect and obedience of his pupils than he did in the rod, although he sometimes made a gentle application of the latter, never, however, without prefacing its use with a lecture.
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