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 16
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"Judge Morrison was also identified with the history of the church in this city ; he was one of the first class that was confirmed here about thirty years ago, and the rite was administered by the now venerable Bishop Kemper, of Wisconsin, who was then Missionary Bishop of the northwest. For twenty-five years he was Senior Warden of Christ Church, in this city, and since the organization of St. Paul's Church he has filled the same office in that parish. He was educated a Presby- terian, but became a Churchman after thorough investigation, and re- mained so with steadfastness through life.
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"Judge Morrison was a man of decided convictions, strong preju- dices, with fixed habits that only physical inability could change or overcome. He had opinions upon all subjects and questions to which his attention was directed, and, as would be expected from his peculiar mental organization, they were always positive even to ultraism. He was thoroughly a lawyer. His eminent talents and active mind were peculiarly adapted to the profession in which he attained such high rep- utation, only yielding active participation in it when compelled to sur- render to the great enemy of man. He was learned and profound, and had thoroughly mastered the science of law.
" As a husband and father Judge Morrison was affectionate, devoted and indulgent, and he leaves a wife, sons and daughters who will, through life, cherish the memory of his many virtues and unfailing affec- tion and kindness."
I can not add more than I have said in the beginning of this sketch, and what is said in these extracts from the Journal and Sentinel, anounc- ing his death.
" Friend after friend departs; Who hath not lost a friend ? There is no union here of hearts That finds not here an end."
WILLIAM H. MORRISON,
The younger and only survivor of three brothers so prominent in the early history of this city, was born in the city of New York. When a boy he came with his elder brother, the late Judge James Morrison (who was the subject of the preceding sketch), to Charlestown, Indiana, where he remained until his brother's election as Secretary of State and removal to this place in the year 1829. He was then quite young and a single man, and has remained a citizen since that time.
His first business, after acting for some time as his brother's clerk in the office of Secretary of State, was that of merchandizing in connection with John G. Brown, then one of our prominent and wealthy citizens. Their house of business was on the northwest corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets, where for several years he was a successful and popular merchant, enjoying the confidence of all who knew him. During this time he was a stockholder in and director of the branch of the State Bank of Indiana in this city.
He possesses many of the fine traits of character so conspicuous in his brother, Judge Morrison. Warm and devoted in his friendship ; and
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MAJOR ALEXANDER F. MORRISON.
when the citadel of his heart is once gained and possessed by a friend, no effort of enemies can change it. He is also strong in his prejudices ; but if he finds himself in the wrong he is quick to make the amende honorable, and set himself aright. He never suffers selfish or groveling feelings to mar the cordiality of affection or interfere with motives so upright and honorable.
Like his brother, he has contributed liberally, and without stint, of his means for the erection of churches of all denominations, and especi- ally for the construction of those two beautiful temples of worship, Christ's and St. Paul's Episcopal churches. I understand his house has been the home and stopping place for ministers for several years.
Mr. Morrison has also contributed to the growth and prosperity of the city by the erection of a fine residence on Circle street. He also built that splendid business house on the northeast corner of Maryland and Meridian streets, known as " Morrison's Opera House," at a cost of $65,000; but this fine building was doomed to destruction, and it was entirely destroyed by fire on the evening of January 17th, 1870, taking fire about 9 o'clock, and while John B. Gough was lecturing to a large and fashionable audience within its walls.
The smoke had scarcely disappeared from the smouldering debris before he had, with his accustomed energy, contracted for the rebuild- ing on the same site another fine business house, which in due time was finished and occupied by wholesale establishments.
Mr. Morrison is now and has for several years been president of the Indiana Banking Company. Although seven years have passed and gone since I wrote of him in a previous work, he is as assiduous to bus- iness as at that time. Duty has ever been the life spring of his actions, and all who are acquainted with him will bear evidence of his unwaver- ing qualities of mind.
Time has made but little inroad upon Mr. Morrison's personal ap- pearance for several years.
MAJOR ALEXANDER F. MORRISON,
The brother of Judge and William H. Morrison, was born in New York city, but with his brothers came to Charlestown, Indiana, in the year 1818. He there learned the printing business. In the Legislature that convened on the first Monday of December, 1830, he represented Clarke county, and while here made arrangements to commence, in the spring, the publication of a weekly paper, to be called the Indiana Democrat.
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In accordance with this arrangement Mr. Morrison, with his family, removed to this place early in the spring of 1831.
The Democrat was started in the interest of and supported General Jackson for re-election to the Presidency. Mr. Morrison was a ready political writer, and made the Democrat a spicy paper. Its editorials would compare favorably with those of the city papers of the present day. He was very bitter toward his opponents, and his articles some- times read as though he had dipped his pen in gall.
He was engaged from time to time in various kinds of business here during his life. He was one of the "bloody three hundred" that in 1832 went out to meet Black Hawk, but all returned without any other than their own scalps. During the Mexican war he was a quartermaster in the army, and it was while there his already feeble constitution was greatly impaired. I do not think he ever experienced a well day after his return. His eyes, that were naturally weak, were almost entirely destroyed.
Mr. Morrison was a very kind, generous-hearted man to his friends, but very bitter to his enemies, or those he had reason to believe were such. In his social relations and intercourse with his neighbors, he was deservedly popular, and a very hospitable man. As a husband and father, he was devoted and indulgent, anticipating every want of his family.
Major Morrison died in December, 1857, at the age of fifty-four years. Mrs. Morrison has now been dead about three years. They leave two sons, William Alec, who is well known as a disciple of Ike Walton, and Charlie, who is a jeweler. The daughters are Mrs. John W. Murphy and Mrs. Sellers.
VALENTINE C. HANNA.
Colonel was the eldest child of General Robert Hanna ; he was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on the 8th of November, 1813, and with the family of his father removed to Indianapolis in September, 1825. He received his education mostly in the private school of Ebenezer Sharpe.
He assisted in the survey of the western portion of the National road in 1838; on his return engaged in the dry goods business and continued at it for about two years. He then, in partnership with the late P. B. L. Smith, engaged in a general country business, trading in nearly every kind of merchandise and country produce.
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JOHN S. SPANN.
Colonel Hanna was a member of the first fire company organized in Indianapolis in the year 1835. He was also a member of the military company known as the Marion Guards. He was sheriff of the Supreme Court when that court was presided over by Judges Blackford, Stevens and Mckinney. During the legislative session of 1837-38 he was en- rolling secretary of the Senate. He was for several years one of the vestrymen of Christ Church.
He was married by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher on the 5th of November, 1840, to Mary Frances, eldest daughter of the late Justin Smith. Mrs. Hanna and her sister, in connection with Mrs. Dr. Mears, Mrs. William H. Morrison, Mrs. Jacob Cox, Mrs. Jacob McChesney and other ladies, got up the first church fair in Indianapolis, in 1838, by which three hundred dollars were realized.
During the rebellion he was appointed and commissioned a paymas- ter, with the rank of major, and served until the close of the war; he was then re-appointed to the same position in the regular army, with the rank of colonel, and assigned for duty in the department of Mis- souri, with headquarters at Fort Leavenworth; thence he was transferred to the department of the Platte, headquarters at Omaha. He was then transferred to the department of Dakota, with headquarters at Helena, Montana, where he remained two and a half years, then to the depart- ment of the Lakes, stationed at Detroit, then again to Chicago, at the headquarters of General Sheridan; from Chicago to Sante Fe, New Mexico. The labor and hardships through which Colonel Hanna had to pass in the line of his duty since he belonged to the regular army caused physical disability which made it necessary to retire him from active service ; he now resides at Detroit, Michigan.
He has three children, all daughters. Maria L., the eldest, is the wife of William Wilson, Esq., of Washington City; the second, Julia, is the wife of Mr. Edward Williams, of Detroit; the third, Sada, is sin- gle and lives under the parental roof.
JOHN S. SPANN
Was born in Jennings county, Indiana, on the 3d of May, 1823, and there received a fair English education. In 1839 he came to Indian- apolis and immediately engaged to learn the printing business. He was for several years connected with the leading press of the city.
Mr. Spann, being a good practical printer, and thoroughly under- standing the whole minutia of a printing office, rendered him a very de-
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sirable partner in conducting a newspaper. In November, 1846, he be- came a partner in the State Sentinel, the firm being Chapman & Spann. On the 4th of September, 1850, E. W. H. Ellis and John S. Spann commenced the publication of a weekly Democratic paper from the old office of the Sentinel, known as the Indiana Statesman. In September, 1852, the Statesman was merged with the Sentinel. On the 4th of De- cember, 1855, Mr. Spann and John B. Norman purchased the Sentinel, but sold again on the 24th of January, 1856; by this time it will be seen that Mr. Spann has had considerable newspaper experience.
On the 2d of June, 1847, Mr. Spann was married to Miss Hester A. Sharpe, daughter of the late Ebenezer Sharpe, and sister to Thomas H. Sharpe, Esq.
In 1862 he began the real estate business, since which time he has been actively engaged in it. He has laid out several additions to the city, and has, perhaps, done as large a real estate business as any person of the city. A great portion of his business has been on his own ac- count, and while others have seemingly done a large business, and have fallen by the way-side, he has stood firm and unwavering.
Mr. Spann is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and one of the ruling elders. This church, it will be remembered, was organ- ized by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher in 1838, with about fifteen mem- bers who had been dismissed from the old and first church in conse- quence of some disagreement with the general assembly. It is now one of the largest in the city in point of numbers, with a magnificent stone temple of worship, situated on the corner of Pennsylvania and Vermont streets.
WILLIAM H. MCCLINTOCK.
The father of the subject of this sketch, Thomas McClintock, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, in the month of January, 1787. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Holliday, was born Sep- tember 2Ist, 1791, in Harrison county, Kentucky. They were married May, 1812.
Thomas, immediately after his marriage, commenced to keep house in the house in which he was born. This house was built by the father of Thomas, and was one of the first hewed log houses built in this county. As was necessary in those days, it was furnished with port- holes for defense. The windows were grated with iron bars to keep out the Indians, and they were the size of four eight-by-ten glass. This house was the birthplace of William as well as of his father. A. sugar-
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WILLIAM H. MCCLINTOCK.
trough was the only cradle used by the pioneer mother in those days to rock the babies in.
Thomas removed to Indianapolis in November, 1829, and lived in a log house in town until the 10th of March following, when he moved to another situated on what is now the southeast corner of Central avenue and Eighth street, remaining here until the next March, when he moved to his own land, in Center township, three miles north of the city.
William was sixteen years old when his father came to Indianapolis, with whom he remained and helped to clear and improve his farm, and also his neighbors to roll their logs and eat their " chicken pot-pies" and "' nettle greens."
The only occupation which presented itself to the mind of Mr. McClintock, of a business character, aside from the regular occupation of a pioneer, was the manufacture of refined ginseng. In this business he embarked in 1830. He entered into the employ of the firm of Nich- olas McCarty, Sen., David Williams, Sen., and John Blake, who estab- lished their "'seng factory " about this time. Some time during the second year of his employment with the above firm, the hands who were working in the brickyard of Mr. McCarty were nearly all sick, and Ja- cob Turner, the moulder and foreman of the brickyard, requested him to keep up the fires over Sunday, which he did, and for which he prom- ised to give him an order to the store of Mr. McCarty for a dollar. On Monday morning, when he called for his order, Mr. Turner threatened to report him to the elders of the Presbyterian church (of which he was a member), if he should work for wages on the Sabbath. This fright- ened young McClintock very much, and he did not get his dollar for a month.
In 1836 he went to Anderson town and started a ginseng factory for Mr. Williams, one of the above firm. In this he acted as foreman, and for which as wages for himself and horse, he received his board, horse feed, and eighteen dollars per month. He frequently had hundreds of dollars in his possession belonging to his employer, Mr. Williams, which he invested in stock, that is dried ginseng, procured at the little village stores, visited by him regularly every two weeks. The dried roots were brought then by the settlers and exchanged for groceries of vari- ous kinds, dry goods and whisky. His route lay from Anderson town, Cicero and Muncie towns, and all the intermediate villages, back to the factory, where he collected in the stock.
Much of this refined ginseng was exported to foreign countries, some 11
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of which were heathen, and the natives burned it on their altars before their imaginary wooden gods, and some of it they used in the manu- facture of medicine.
In 1837 he was called home to the sick-bed of his father, and after his death he remained at home to take charge of the farm for his mother. He was married January 7, 1843, to Miss Sarah A. Matlocks, of Union county, Indiana, with whom he has lived in perfect peace and happiness. The fruits of this marriage were three sons; the oldest, T. A. McClintock, is a farmer, lives three miles north of the city; the sec- ond son, E. A. McClintock, is also a farmer, and lives in Santa Clara county, California; W. D. McClintock is a physician, and lives in Knightsville, Clay county, Indiana. All three of the sons are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He joined the Presbyterian church in Kentucky when fourteen years of age. Samuel Taylor was then pastor. When he came to Indianapolis he brought a letter from Mr. Taylor's church, and joined Dr. Coe's church. John R. Morland was then pastor. He remained a member of the Presbyterian church till 1857 ; he then became a member of the Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is still a member. He never was sued, never had a fight, or paid a fine in his life.' He remained on his farm on Fall creek until April, 1873, when he bought property, and now resides at No. 87 Peru street, Indianapolis.
REV. JOHN A. BROUSE
Was born in Hillsboro, Ohio, on the 29th of March, 1808. Was edu- cated in the academy of his native town. He came to Indianapolis in October, 1832. Joined the Indiana Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal church in 1833, and appointed to the Crawfordsville circuit, where he remained one year. In 1834 to the Greencastle circuit, where he also remained one year. In 1835 to the Princeton circuit, embracing four county seats, Princeton, Evansville, Mt. Vernon and Petersburg. In 1836 stationed at Logansport. In 1837 at Terre Haute. In 1838 he was agent for the State of Indiana for the Asbury University. In 1839 stationed at Lafayette. The same year was married to Miss Mary E. Downey, of New Albany. After this he filled various stations, such as Greensburg, Charlestown and Utica, and then twelve years as presiding elder in the Lawrenceburg, Jeffersonville and Indianapolis districts of the Southeastern Indiana Conference, with which he now sustains a superannuated relation, but lives in Chicago, Illinois.
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COLONEL JOHN W. RAY.
Mr. Brouse served his conference two years as secretary and treas- urer in its incorporated capacity, entrusted with its finances. One year he served on Governor Morton's staff, as secretary of State colonization, and two years as chaplain in the army, and marched with General Sher- man to the sea.
From this it will be seen that Mr. Brouse has worked extensively in the gospel field, and filled many important positions of the church. The places and towns he has been called by the people to preach is a high testimonial of his ability as a minister and worth as a man. We have known Mr. Brouse for over forty years and can speak understand- ingly of him. Although verging on the time generally allotted to man, he seems yet to be in full vigor and strength of manhood.
DAVID JOHNSON, SENIOR,
Was a native of New Jersey, and with his family removed to Ohio in 1814; he there lived until the fall of 1821, then came to Marion county and settled on a piece of land three miles east of the original town plat. Mr. Johnson had a large family of children, six sons, William, Isaac, Theodore, Lawrence, David and Samuel-all are dead except the eldest and younger, William and Samuel. The daughters were Mary Ann, who is the wife of Charles Robinson; Sarah was the wife of Nicholas Robinson ; Eliza was the wife of James Hanna; the latter two have been dead some years.
David Johnson died in 1832. The homestead is now owned by his son Samuel, and is one of the finest farms in the county. The rapid growth of Indianapolis has brought this farm within one mile of the corporation line. Samuel Johnson was married in 1848 to Miss Eliza- beth Jane Johnson, by whom he has two children, both sons, one of whom is a physician, the other a farmer. Mr. Johnson was born on the farm on which he now lives, on the 15th of September, 1822, and has lived to see the land for which his father paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre worth over five hundred dollars per acre.
COLONEL JOHN W. RAY
Was born at Madison, Indiana, on the 15th of August, 1828. His father, Rev. Edwin Ray, died when John was but three years old. The most of his primary education he received in the common schools of Jeffersonville. In September, 1845, he entered Asbury University, at
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Greencastle, as a student, remaining there until July, 1848, at which time he graduated. In April, 1849, he commenced the study of law with the late Richard H. Rousseau at Bloomfield, Indiana, and remained until he completed the study of his profession. During his collegiate course he formed the acquaintance of Miss Catherine N. Phipps, daugh- ter of Isaac N. Phipps, who was one of the early friends of his father ; the friendship between him and Miss Phipps ripened into a matrimonial engagement, which was consummated in February, 1851. By this wife he had two daughters, one of whom is the wife of Edward Porter, the other is the wife of H. C. Newcomb, Jun. Mr. Ray's wife died in October, 1865. On the 6th of December, 1866, he was married to Eleanor L. McDonald, daughter of the late Judge David McDonald of the United States Court.
In 1860 he was chosen Republican elector for the Second Congres- sional District, and cast the vote of the district for Abraham Lincoln, sometimes canvassing on foot. He was colonel of the 49th regiment of Indiana volunteers, from October, 1861, to October, 1862. It was at the organization of this regiment that Colonel Ray manifested his great dislike to anything being done under false pretenses, or for empty show. He had purchased for himself a sword; some of the officers of the regiment wished to have a formal presentation of it to him, which was very common at that time. This empty honor he declined, inasmuch as he had purchased the sword himself; all the honor he claimed was its use in behalf of his country.
He was pension agent for the Indianapolis district from January, 1865, to December, 1866. He was appointed register in bankruptcy for the Indianapolis district in June, 1867, which office he yet holds.
In November, 1871, he aided in organizing the Indianapolis Savings Bank, and was elected treasurer and secretary of the institution. He has also been treasurer of the Asbury University since July, 1867. Colonel Ray is a man of untiring industry and activity, and whatsoever his hand findeth to do he does with all his might, whether it be in the cause of morality, religion or temperance, in all of which he is an earn- est worker. He is above medium size, rather inclined to be fleshy without corpulency, dark chestnut hair, round, full and smooth features, plain and frank in manner though courteous.
MILTON MORRIS LANDIS.
Mr. Landis was born in Indianapolis, on the 12th of April, 1830. He is the only living son of the late Jacob Landis.
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ADAM HAUGH.
He received the most of his education in the old County Seminary, situated on what is now known as University Square. During vacation he engaged in purchasing live stock for his father. For several years he was clerk for Blythe & Holland. He was engaged in the office of the Terre Haute and Richmond railroad for thirteen years, and during the war worked day and night forwarding munitions of war and provis- ions to the army. He was then the local agent for this city of the New York Central railroad. He then became general agent of the White Line, which was the largest and most successful line that passed through Indianapolis. He was for some time connected with the late John M. Caldwell, in the wholesale grocery business, at the southwest corner of Meridian and Maryland streets. When Mr. Caldwell retired from busi- ness, the firm continued as Landis, O'Conner & Co. This is one of the largest as well as most successful wholesale grocery establishments in the city.
Mr. Landis was married several years since to Miss Virginia, daugh- ter of Captain J. H. Oglesby, well known as one of the most popular steamboat captains on the western waters. Captain Oglesby has suc- cessfully navigated the Mississippi from the Balize, below New Orleans, as far up it as was possible for a steamer to ascend ; also the Missouri river (as he says) until the boat began to climb the Rocky Mountains.
Mr. Landis, from boyhood, has been considered as possessing fine business qualifications, coupled with energy and industry, which has been the cause of more than ordinary success.
Mr. Landis was named for the second son of the late Morris Morris, and brother of General Thomas A. Morris, the families being connected by marriage.
ADAM HAUGH.
We clip from the Indianapolis Journal of the 16th of August, 1869, this sketch of the life and of the funeral sermon of this venerable man : "The Journal of Saturday last contained a notice of the death of Adam Haugh, an old resident of this city, which occurred on the day previous. Mr. Haugh was born February 9, 1789, in Frederick county, Maryland, and was married September 28, 1813, to Mary E. Reck, sis- ter of the Rev. A. Reck, who organized the first Lutheran church in this city. He emigrated to this city in the fall of 1836, arriving here Novem- ber 19th. At this time the city had a population of 3,000. For two 'years he was engaged in blacksmithing, in partnership with John Van , Blaricum, and then built a shop on the site of the old Journal building,
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