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 17
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corner of Circle and Meridian streets. He had a remarkable constitu- tion-was never confined to his bed but one day in his life until his late illness. Raised a family of ten children-five boys and five girls. There have been but two deaths in the family. A son, Adam Haugh, Jun., died in July, 1850, at the age of twenty-four years, being the first death in thirty-seven years, and now the subject of this sketch, being the second death in fifty-six years. The balance of the family are all here at present.
" His disease was cancer on the face, from which he suffered most intensely, but with the greatest patience and resignation. His life has been that of an honest, truthful, upright man, and humble, faithful, zealous Christian. His wife survives him, but can not, at her advanced age, expect to remain very long on this side of the dark valley.
" The funeral services took place at the Second Presbyterian church at half past three o'clock, yesterday afternoon, the audience in attend- ance being a very large one. The opening prayer, which was a touch- ing and appropriate one, was made by Rev. William W. Criley, of the English Lutheran church. The sermon was delivered by Rev. C. H. Marshall, of the Fourth Presbyterian church, of which the deceased was a member, the text being from Job, 5, 26, ' Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in full season.'
" In commencing he said, "Death claims all seasons for his own, and claims for his harvest persons of all ages. The infant in its helplessness and budding beauty, youth in the time of its most lofty hopes and anticipations, middle age with its strength and its usefulness, all are liable to be gathered by the reaper, while we tenderly and gently lay away the man of age for his eternal rest. The grave opens to receive all. But here we read what seems to be a promise or a privilege which is granted to comparatively few. The analogy of the text is a beautiful one. Like the ripening wheat, our bodily powers increase for a season, and we steadily gain in strength and power until we reach a time when we gain no longer, and gradually pass to the stage of ripeness, and if this season is given to a man it is a great privilege. So it is with our mental powers. By and by we come to a time when we can go no further with our imagination or reason. We cease to acquire, and live in the knowledge of the past. So, also, with our spiritual powers. In early infancy we lie in our mother's arms weak and feeble; and again when we are born into a Christian life we lie in the arms of Infinite Love, waiting for the growth of the seeds of spiritual truth, which fall into the soul and go on until full maturity of Christian character is reached. To him nothing seems more beautiful than rich, ripe, and full Christian old age. It is more beautiful than the autumn leaves, or than any other object in nature.
"We are called to-day to follow to its last resting place the body of one who has passed through the full period allotted to man. Death comes as a shock at any other period of life. It is a great hardship to give up the little child upon whom we have placed our hopes. To the man in middle life, in the very time of his greatest usefulness, and when many are dependent upon his strength, the blow comes still harder. It seems like
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ADAM HAUGH.
taking the keystone from the arch, leaving it without the strength to support it. To the young man, just coming upon the stage of usefulness, and when hopes and aspirations are highest, death seems very sad. We find in our grave-yards emblems of these events, and when we see the little lamb or the broken bud on our tombstones, we can not feel other- wise than sad and sorrowful. And so, too, with the broken column, emblem of man cut off in the midst of his usefulness and strength. But, for old age, we should have some symbol of beautiful perfection, such as the tree in its strength or the column complete, for of all beautiful things ripe old age is the most so. The work of life has been done, not only in the household, but in society and in the church. Theirs can not be a history broken off in the middle. It is not like fragmentary form, of which we can read a few stanzas only to regret there is no more. It is a finished work.
"A long life is beautiful because of the opportunity it gives of usefulness, and the great influence which may be exerted by it. Here is one who has been for more than fifty years a follower of Christ. His life has not been a striking or brilliant one, but dur- ing all this time, as day has followed day and year has followed year, the influence of this Christian life has been felt, and the whole sum is wonderful. We may not see the whole result of this influence, but God notes it all, and it will be felt for many years to come. To you, as you noticed his last suffering, with all his peaceful submission, came up afresh all the intercourse of your lives with him, and the recollection of the times when you sat on his knee and listened to his counsel. When we fall in middle age we can have had no chance to exert an influence so perfect and complete.
" It is said by some that death in childhood is beautiful-when the infant is taken from all the trials and difficulties of a long life in this world ; but to me it does not seem so. Some may think it beautiful to be stricken down in the harness, in the very midst of activity and usefulness ; but to me there is nothing more beautiful than old age, after a life of usefulness and good influence, sitting quietly down and waiting for the Master to open the door and bid them 'come.' It is a blessed thing, at whatever time of life it may come, to find one looking hack over well-spent days and ready alike for active usefulness, if the time for that has not passed, or for the summons of the Master if the time for the reaper has come.
" The scriptures liken the perfect Christian growth to that of the palm tree. At first it is weak and feeble, but in time it becomes a stately tree, while from year to year the leaves and projections of the early growth, representing sin and deformity, drop off as the love of Christ is strengthened, and in time it stands the perfect trunk, with its perfect crest of beautiful·leaves.
" Death at old age, as in this case, reminds us of our gratitude to God. I remember, at an early period of my ministry here, I was called upon to attend a golden wedding, the first one occurring in my congregation. These children of the old couple will all remem- ber that fiftieth anniversary of their parents' marriage. I remember a large picture that was presented to them, containing portraits of all their children and their grandchildren. There was but one space left vacant, and I remember asking who it was for. The answer was, that it was left vacant in memory of one who had died in early life. And this was the only link in the long chain that was missing. How many families of our community have such cause for thankfulness that their home ties have not been broken. Very many there are who have never known a mother's love or father's guidance. In this case, the father lived to see his children come to the strength of manhood and womanhood. It was his privilege to welcome home, but a short time before his death, one who had come from a distant shore, and around his bed all were gathered before he breathed his last."
Mr. Haugh has four sons engaged in business in this city, Benjamin
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F., Emanuel, Joseph R. and John A. They started in a small way on North Delaware street, have several times removed to accommodate their increasing business, until now they have a large establishment west of the river in what is known as Haughsville. They devote their atten- tion to architectural iron work, and many business houses of this and other cities attest the quality and elegance of their work. They were the contractors for the iron work of the new Court House, which will stand as a monument of their skill when the present generation have passed away.
Mr. Haugh's daughters, I believe, all reside in this city. His sons are universally respected for their strict integrity, temperate and indus- trious habits and gentlemanly bearing, and are worthy sons of Christian parents.
SAMUEL H. PATTERSON.
Mr. Patterson was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, on the 9th of March, 1806. When quite young he came to Indiana a manufacturer . of the cases and vender of those old-fashioned clocks commonly called "wall-sweepers," from the fact that they reached from the floor to the ceiling of an ordinary room.
He first located near Paoli, Orange county, thence to the vicinity of Indianapolis, in 1829, and made his headquarters at the house of the widow Smock, two miles south of town, on the Madison State road ; from the latter place his peddlers were traveling in all directions, selling his clocks at from thirty to fifty dollars, taking notes for the same at twelve months' time. He finally purchased the clocks of Seth Thomas' manufacture, and sold throughout the country for a year or so, or until he was married, which took place on the 19th of February, 1832.
In the spring of the year 1833, he, in connection with James Beard (one of his former peddlers), commenced in this city the wholesale gro- cery and liquor business -the first wholesale establishment of any kind in Indianapolis; this they continued but a short time, as the town and country would not support such an establishment.
In May, 1836, in connection with Benjamin Hensley, of Frankfort, Kentucky, leased the Indiana State Prison, at about three thousand dol- lars per year. This did not prove very lucrative, as there were only about sixty convicts in it at that time.
In June, 1841, they were superseded as lessees of the prison by Jo- seph R. Pratt and John McDougall ; the intervening time, between 1841 and 1846, Mr. Patterson spent in farming and trading.
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SAMUEL H. PATTERSON.
The session of the Legislature of 1845-46 was Democratic by a small majority. Pratt, then the lessee, and Simon Bottorff, of Jeffersonville, another Democrat, procured the passage of a bill through the Legisla- ture leasing the State Prison at eight thousand dollars per year for a term of ten years, having the bill framed to suit themselves, the lessee to be elected by the Legislature, not dreaming of, or fearing, opposition in the election. Mr. Patterson had spent the winter in Indianapolis, seemingly taking but little interest in what was going on, occasionally entertaining his friends with a champagne party or an oyster supper. The election for lessee came off a few evenings before the final adjourn- ment of the Legislature. Pratt and his partner were sanguine of suc- cess, as there was not known to be any opposition to them. When the balloting commenced, to the surprise of Pratt, the Whigs were voting for Patterson. He yet did not apprehend any danger of the final result, until the roll-call reached the name of David Herriman, of Noble county (a leading Democrat), who cried out, "Samuel H. Patterson." Pratt afterwards said he "saw in a moment that he had been outflanked by the adroit wire-worker, for he had never dreamed before the balloting commenced that Mr. Patterson was a candidate." As this incident will prove, he never lets his plans be known until they are well matured and: often nearly accomplished.
After his second lease of the prison expired, in 1856, he was the principal stockholder in a line of steamers between Cairo and New Orleans. This was one of the finest as well as largest line of boats ever established on the Mississippi river, a steamer leaving each port daily.
During the fifteen years he was lessee of the State prison he pur- chased twelve or fifteen hundred acres of land, lying between Jefferson- · ville and New Albany, principally for the wood, which he used in burning brick. This land he yet holds, and I understand has been offered one thousand dollars per acre for some of it that lies near the northern terminus of the bridge over the Ohio river.
He is now considered one of the wealthy men of the State. Although in his seventy-first year, he is as energetic and industrious and as willing to turn an honest penny as when we first knew him forty-six years ago, when the price of a " wall sweeper " was fifty dollars. His house has been the hotel of his friends and acquaintances from all parts of the Union since his residence in Jeffersonville, now forty-one years.
He was a member of the old National Whig party from its first organization in 1832 until it was disbanded in 1852 ; although a South-
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ernor by birth, and the owner of slaves, he was, during the war, a warm Union man.
Mrs. Patterson is the only surviving member (save the writer) of her father's family of nine that came to Indianapolis fifty-seven years ago.
JOHN L. KETCHAM.
In the short space I design in this work of sketching the characters of the old citizens, I do not think I could add one word to, nor would I willingly take one from, the eulogy upon the character of Mr. Ketcham, which I find as his obituary notice in the Evening Mirror, of this city, dated April 21st, 1869.
With Mr. Ketcham I was well acquainted for the entire thirty-six years that he was a resident of this city. I have transacted business with him as a lawyer, as a magistrate, and also as a private citizen, and will add my testimony to his worth in each capacity, and also to his many other noble qualities and Christian virtues.
The cause of his sudden and unexpected death that gave such a shock to, and cast such a gloom over the entire city, was by falling through a hatchway in the store of Alford, Talbott & Co., in the Opera House building on Meridian street.
He had stepped into the store but a moment before the sad accident happened, to speak with one of the proprietors, and by a backward step he lost his balance and was precipitated twelve feet into the cellar, and died of the injuries he received the next morning. I therefore cheerfully adopt the following, which I clip from the Mirror :
"The announcement this morning that the injuries received by Hon. John L. Ketcham, in the fall at the store of Alford, Talbott & Co., yes- terday afternoon, had proved fatal, has thrown a saddening gloom over the city. So sudden has been the removal from the activity of life to the stillness of death, that it seems hard to fully realize the painful truth. From the full vigor of a life, unusually earnest and active, he has been taken by one of those terrible decrees of accident that are ever remind- ing man that his existence is brief and uncertain in its termination.
"John L. Ketcham was born April 3, 1810, in Shelby county, Ken- tucky. His father, Colonel John Ketcham, removed to Indiana when he was an infant, but on account of Indian troubles was compelled to return to Kentucky. A few years later he came to Indiana, and settled in Monroe county, near Bloomington. Colonel Ketcham was a man of strong character, with marked energy and resolute purpose. An early
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advocate of the Free Soil movement, he continued in that party through all its obloquy and feebleness. His wife was a woman equally marked. She had a quick perception into the right, and was ever ready to sac- rifice to it. Her controlling spring seemed to be duty, and she never let pleasure lead her from it.
"From such parentage John L. Ketcham came, and well represented in his life the familiar characteristics of each, more especially being a counterpart of his mother. Colonel Ketcham died two years since. His wife still survives. Mr. Ketcham was educated at the University at Bloomington, under Dr. Wiley, to whom he was much attached. He was graduated in the regular course when quite young. In 1833 he came to Indianapolis and began the study of the law under Judge Black- ford. Soon after admission to the bar he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office one term. This was the only office that he was ever a candidate for, his subsequent life being strictly devoted to his profession. In 1836 he married Jane, eldest daughter of Samuel Merrill, Esq. He leaves his wife and a family of eight.
"In his profession he was associated in partnership from time to time with Napoleon B. Taylor, Lucian Barbour, D. W. Coffin and James L. Mitchell, his present partner.
"Such in brief is the history of one who yesterday, in the fullest vigor, was with us. There is, perhaps, no man in the city whose lead- ing traits of character are more marked. For thirty six years he was a citizen of Indianapolis, for the last twenty of which he has lived in the home he has been so sadly called from. It is a delicate thing to try to portray a character so well known. It lives so in the memory of all that it is a part of the history of the place. But we can but say briefly a little of that that comes quickest to the hearts that are so suddenly called to grieve over a loss so irreparable.
"The hospitality of Mr. Ketcham is well known. It was a part of the duty of life that he never forgot, but made it most pleasant to all who entered his family circle. The nobleness of the man, indeed, was quickest seen in his home. An exceeding tenderness marked his whole intercourse with his family and family friends. Regularity of life was a part of his faith. An untiring worker, he never allowed one duty to overshadow another. His idea of life was to fulfill every duty as it came. The boundaries of duty were never crossed. All his life a Christian, he let his Christianity follow him wherever he went. It is said by those nearest him, that in all his long residence in the city, he never missed a religious meeting of the church to which he belonged,
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if in the city or not unwell. A ready speaker at all times, he seemed especially gifted in the prayer meeting, always having something to add which was of value. The mainspring of his life was Christian duty. The influence he silently exerted in the regular observance of his daily devotions is past all expression. Those living near him have often spoken with the deepest feeling of the laborers, when passing his house in the morning, stopping to catch the hymns of praise that were the ushering in of the day to him and his family.
"Strong in his friendship, he never forgot a friend or failed him when needed. During the war his sympathetic patriotism was most marked. Two of his sons were in the army, and every battle was watched and prayed over as if they were there. A man of unostentatious benevo- lence, he literally did not let his right hand know what his left did. Many instances of his substantial kindness are now known, that before were buried in the hearts of giver and receiver.
" Mr. Ketcham was one of thirteen who left the Old School church on the division, and founded the Second Presbyterian church. Mr. Beecher, the first pastor of that church, was accustomed to rely upon him as confidently as he could upon himself. When the Second church became too full for usefulness, Mr. Ketcham was one of the handful of brave men who founded the Fourth church. He gave of his time and means without stint to bring that church to its present standing. An elder in the Second church, he was soon made an elder in the Fourth, in which position he worked faithfully to the last.
"John L. Ketcham died with his armor on. Working nobly for God and man, he was ready at the call. No preparation time was wanted. He stepped from life here to the life beyond. Vain are our words to say to his family that he has done his work. Vainly can we tender sympathy-vainly speak to the crushed hearts. It is the work of the God he gave his life-service to, and humbly we look to him for comfort for them.
""'Enoch walked with God and was not, for God took him.'"
WILLIAM SULLIVAN, ESQ.
Among those of the second decade in the settlement of Indianapo- lis, and who have been rather prominent before the people for the past thirty-five years, is William Sullivan, Esq., a native of Maryland, who first came among us in 1834, in the character of a schoolmaster, and pursued the business of teaching for several years.
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WILLIAM SULLIVAN, ESQ.
Mr. Sullivan, having married a young lady of this city and made it his permanent home, accepted the office of county surveyor, and subse- quently that of city civil engineer in 1836, then first created; it was under his directions our first street improvements were made.
While acting as engineer he constructed a large map for the use of the city, and published a smaller map for the general use of the citizens, a valuable but a very scarce map at the present day.
Mr. Sullivan took an active part in school matters before the intro- duction of the present system of graded schools, and was instrumental in organizing the Franklin Institute, or High School, then located near the northwest corner of Market and Circle streets, an institution of great utility at that time, and successfully conducted by the Rev. Mr. Ches- ter, now deceased, and afterwards by General Marston, late a member of Congress from the State of New Hampshire, and lastly, I believe, by the Hon. W. D. Griswold, now of Terre Haute, Indiana.
Mr. Sullivan has served as councilman of his ward, and as president of the City Council, discharging magisterial duties similar to those of police judge, now exercised by the mayor of Indianapolis.
From November, 1841, to November, 1867, twenty-six years, he held the office of justice of the peace for Center township, in this city, a longer time than any office has been held by any other person since the settlement of the place, doing a large amount of business, and fre- quently discharging the duties of city judge in the absence or inability of the mayor.
Meanwhile he has given of his means and devoted his spare time to public improvements, particularly railroads centering at Indianapolis ; surveying for several years; as a director of the Central railway from Indianapolis to Richmond during the construction of that road, and sub- sequently as trustee of the Peru and Indianapolis railroad.
Mr. Sullivan is of a quiet and retiring disposition, but has a mind and will of his own, and acts promptly and vigorously, as occasion may require. He is a man of genial manners and great kindness of heart, quick to notice an intended injury, and as quick to forgive and forget it when due reparation is made.
He has by close application and attention to business, economy and temperate habits, accumulated a competency sufficient to enable him to live at ease and without business the balance of his life, and leave a handsome property for each of his three children, but I can not see that he has relaxed his energy or industry of a quarter of a century ago.
Esquire Sullivan is a man of fine conversational powers and at home
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in any genteel society, and never fails to entertain those he meets by his great fund of anecdotes and his cheerful spirits.
In politics he was an original Democrat, acted with and gave that party a hearty support until the passage of the "Kansas-Nebraska act ;" since that time he has voted with the Republicans, but with no very high opinion of the radical wing of that party. He is now chiefly en- gaged in attending to his own private business.
Mr. Sullivan's oldest daughter is the wife of Mr. May, formerly of Cecil county, Maryland, now sojourning in Helena, Montana Territory, and has recently been appointed receiver of public moneys in that land district. His second daughter is the widow of the late Colonel Robert Stewart, who was a daring and dashing cavalry officer of the Union army. She, with her son George, resides with her father. His remain- ing child, a son, lives under the paternal roof.
WILLIAM S. HUBBARD
Is one of the citizens of Indianapolis who has proved by demonstration and success in business that some things can be done as well as others, i. e., that a man with a reasonable share of industry, perseverance and economy can achieve what capital often fails to accomplish-the building up a fortune-and that brain is sometimes indispensable.
Mr. Hubbard is a native of Connecticut, having been born in Middle- town, in May, 1816. In 1837, at the age of twenty-one, he came to Indianapolis as clerk to the Board of State Fund Commissioners-Dr. Coe, Caleb B. Smith and Samuel Hanna-at a salary of five hundred dollars per year. Dr. Coe advanced him the necessary amount to pay his traveling expenses from the east to this place. Out of the first year's salary he was enabled to save two hundred and fifty dollars. This moiety of his salary he invested in a lot and cabin which he pur- chased of Judge Blackford and Henry P. Coburn, and it was here, with that two hundred and fifty dollars, the foundation of a fortune was laid, and proved that it was as necessary to have capital in the cranium as in the pocket.
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