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 18
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It is quite unnecessary to my purpose to follow Mr. Hubbard in the different pursuits he has followed and trades he has made. 'Tis suffi- cient to know that with this beginning he now owns some of the most valuable business property in the city. One piece, known as Hubbard's Block, on the southwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets, once known as the Jerry Collins' corner. He also owns and lives in
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LAWRENCE MARTIN VANCE.
one of the largest, as well as finest, private residences on North Meridian street, and in that part of the city where the beau monde do mostly con- gregate. Mr. Hubbard, by his energy and enterprise, has not only built up a fortune for himself, but has added much to the improvement. of the city and advancement in price of other persons' property.
About the year 1840 he returned to his native State and was there. married, and was fortunate in the selection of a wife that reflected his. own disposition and was content to live in a frugal and rational manner, and in their dress and outward appearance showed no disposition to- imitate the follies and fashions of the day, and amid the hum and bustle of the more wealthy and showy remained the same they were when they first left the shadow of the parental roof, and by this means they have been enabled to accumulate a competency for the present and any future exigency that may arise, and is indebted to his own industry for what he has heretofore in a manner been indebted to others, and his highest hopes and aspirations have been more than realized.
Although Mr. Hubbard is the architect of his own fortune, he has- been aided by the advice and counsel of good and sound-minded men, such as James M. Ray, Edwin J. Peck, and that venerable old citizen, Colonel James Blake, whose friendships are invaluable to any person so- fortunate as to possess them. And he has been enabled to retain them by never allowing himself to be guilty of any breach of truth, trust, or good faith, which are the cementing principles of confidence in business men, and which many have made great sacrifices by not observing, and precipitated their own ruin.
Mr. Hubbard is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and was active and energetic in building the present fine edifice. He is a man of medium size, quick and active in his movements, and whatso- ever his hands findeth to do he does it with all his might. He has a pleasing address and affable manner, and is a much younger looking man than he really is.
In 1873 he rebuilt the block on the southwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets, since which time, with his wife, son and daughter,. he has traveled extensively in Europe.
LAWRENCE MARTIN VANCE
Was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the year 1816. When in his eighteenth year he came to Indianapolis and engaged as a clerk in the dry goods store of Joseph M. Moore & Co., known as the store of the Steam Mill
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Company, of which Messrs. James M. Ray, James Blake and Nicholas McCarty were the principal owners.
He was married in 1838 to Miss Mary Jane, eldest daughter of Her- vey Bates, Esq. He then, with his father-in-law as a partner, engaged in merchandising, and afterwards with other partners, and was a suc- cessful merchant. He was conductor on the Madison and Indianapolis railroad, and as such brought the first train that ever ran into Indiana- polis, in October, 1847. When the Indianapolis and Cincinnati railroad was being built he took the contract for and finished several miles of it.
Mr. Vance was one of the seventeen that left the Old School Pres- byterian church and joined the Second Presbyterian church when it was founded by Henry Ward Beecher. He was well known for his gener- ous and obliging disposition, his strict observance of every rule of morality and religion, and his kindness to those that either business or circumstances brought him in contact with.
During the war he was a devoted Union man, using his influence and means, without stint, for its successful prosecution. One of his sons, Samuel C. Vance, after serving in a subordinate capacity for two or three years, was selected as colonel of the 132d (city) regiment of one hudred days men, which position he filled to the honor of himself and benefit of the service.
Lawrence M. Vance was one of the enterprising and business men of Indianapolis, and as such enjoyed the confidence of the people. He died suddenly in April, 1863, leaving a wife and several children in good circumstances, if not wealthy. Mrs. Vance owns that splendid property on the corner of Virginia avenue and Washington street, on which she erected a fine business and banking house in 1876, which is the most imposing in appearance of any in the city.
JAMES B. RYAN
Is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in Thurles, Tipperary county, and came to the United States in 1842, and settled near Wash- ington, Daviess county, where they farmed for about five years.
From the latter place he went to Edinburg, in Johnson county, where he engaged in merchandising for three years; from there he came to Indianapolis in the year 1850, and engaged as clerk in the store of the late P. B. L. Smith, then located on the northeast corner of Penn- sylvania and Washington streets, and continued with Mr. Smith until
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MARTIN BYRKIT.
that establishment was sold to C. C. Elliott & Bro. He remained with the latter firm until after the death of the senior partner.
He then, in connection with Calvin A. Elliott, continued the busi- ness under the Masonic Hall until they built their business house on the northwest corner of Meridian and Maryland streets in 1854, where he remained until elected Treasurer of State.
He has been connected with this house in all its changes for twenty years, and, to judge from his present health, energy and industry, bids fair to remain for twenty more.
Mr. Ryan is a nephew of the late P. M. Brett, of Daviess county, who was its first auditor, a man of learning and culture. Although having lived in Indianapolis twenty years, Mr. Ryan yet claims to be a citizen of the " Pocket," as that was his first home in the United States, and many of his relatives yet reside in that portion of the State.
His first wife was the daughter of the late Judge John Smiley, who was the first white man that settled in Johnson county, and its first sher- iff; he was, also, the first to represent, in the Legislature, the district composed of the counties of Johnson, Shelby and Bartholomew. The father and daughter both sleep in the family burying ground at Edinburg.
Mr. Ryan was nominated by the State Democratic Convention three successive times as its candidate for Treasurer of State, i. e., 1866-68-70. The latter year he was elected and served two years. Again, in 1872, he was a candidate and defeated by John B. Glover, the Republican can- didate. Since that time Mr. Ryan has built a fine business block and hall, known as Ryan's Hall, on the corner of Tennessee street and Indi- ana avenue, where he has resumed the wholesale liquor business.
Mr. Ryan is an active and laborious politician of the Democratic school, and took a lively interest in the ever memorable canvass of 1866.
MARTIN BYRKIT
Was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 9th of July, 1812, and with his father came to this county in October, 1825. His father purchased land and made a farm southwest of the then village of Indianapolis. Martin assisted him in clearing the land and working on the farm for six years. This portion of Marion county was one of the heaviest tim- bered of any portion of the State, and like all the first settlers their labors were most arduous.
Mr. Byrkit came to the village with a York shilling in his pocket.
12
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
His whole wardrobe would not have exceeded five dollars in value. He apprenticed himself to Samuel Goldsberry and Seth Bradwell, the lead- ing carpenters and builders at that time. After finishing his trade he worked as a journeyman for Goldsberry, then for sometime as foreman of the establishment. In 1833 he was married to Miss Hannah Wag- goner, of Miami county, Ohio. The same year he purchased prop- erty and commenced business on his own account on the northwest cor- ner of Tennessee and Georgia streets, where he yet resides.
In the forty-three years Mr. Byrkit has been a master carpenter he has done a large share of the building in the city. He is now one of the oldest builders in Indianapolis. Although Mr. Byrkit is now in his sixty-fifth year he yet makes a full hand of ten hours per day. During the last year he removed a building he assisted in erecting forty-four years ago, and put in its place a fine business block of modern style and finish. Mr. Byrkit put in the first plate glass ever used in this city. He also made and hung the first rolling blinds; assisted in hanging the first church bell in the place. He assisted in starting the first Sabbath school in Wayne township. Mr. Byrkit has ever been ready to con- tract to build any kind of a house, from a palace to a cathedral, and · warrants the work to be equal to that of any builder in the west. His long experience and a personal acquaintance with him of over fifty years warrants me in making the assertion. Mr. Byrkit is yet vigorous and energetic, and bids fair to yet add much to the improvement of the city.
HENRY COBURN,
The youngest son of the late Henry P. Coburn, and brother of General John Coburn, was born in Indianapolis, on the 17th of September, 1832. He was educated in the common schools of the city. In 1859 he en- gaged with William H. Jones in the lumber business, since which time they have done as large, if not the largest, business in that line as any similar firm in this city, taking their timber from the forests of Michigan, and having the lumber cut by their own mills. They have, within a few years, added to their business an extensive planing-mill.
Mr. Coburn was married in May, 1862, to Miss Mary Jones, daugh- ter of his partner.
Mr. Coburn is said to be a man of fine business qualifications, as his success plainly indicates. The lumber yard of the firm of Coburn & Jones is situated on Georgia street, between Tennessee and Mississippi, and their planing-mill opposite, on the north side of Georgia.
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REV. EDWIN RAY.
MICHAEL SELLS
Was born in White river township, Johnson county, Indiana, twelve miles south of the city, on the Bluff road, on the 19th of October, 1831. Mr. Sells is the only son of David Sells, who was one of the prominent farmers of that township from 1823 to the time of his death, in the win- ter of 1863-64.
Mr. Sells' education was such as could be obtained in the country school houses of the day. He received his at what was known as "Laws' school house," in the immediate neighborhood of his father's residence ; but since his boyhood days he has received considerable ed- ucation in the school of experience, and, I might say, has graduated in the knowledge of human nature.
From his boyhood he has been an active trader. In 1857 he came to Indianapolis and engaged in the family grocery business ; not finding it remunerative, he abandoned it, and removed to Stilesville, Hendricks county, where he engaged in the dry goods trade and was successful. In 1864 he returned to the city and entered upon the purchase and sale of live stock on his own account. During the last four years he has been the buyer for Kingan & Co.'s large packing establishment, whose yearly purchases amount to several hundred thousands of dollars. Mr. Sells' familiarity with the values of all kinds of stock, and his general acquaintance with the farming community in this and several adjoining counties, render him well qualified for the business.
On the 18th of December, 1853, Mr. Sells was married to Miss Thirza A. Allen, daughter of David E. Allen, of Putnam county. Miss Allen's mother died when she was quite young. She was raised by her aunt, Mrs. Emily Pinney, who was a daughter of Jacob Whetzel, and sister of the late Cyrus Whetzel, of Morgan county.
Mrs. Sells was born in what was then called Port Royal, in the same township and county, and within three miles of where her husband was born.
Mr. Sells tells me that he is now permanently located, and expects to spend the balance of his life in this city. His present residence is 321 North New Jersey street.
REV. EDWIN RAY.
This talented young minister, in connection with Constant B, Jones, was assigned to the Indianapolis circuit in the fall of 1826. The circuit
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then embraced several of the adjoining counties, and it took two weeks to make the round, so that one of them was here every Sunday, and the same one every other Sunday. They preached in the old log church on the south side of Maryland, on the corner of the alley between Meri- dian and Illinois streets. It is a well known fact that young ministers have, from time immemorial, possessed the faculty of gathering into their congregations the young ladies of all denominations, as well as those outside the pale of any church. It is not surprising, then, that the young minister above named should exercise a similar influence, as he was young, talented and good-looking, and just at that period of life when ministers, as well as worldly people, are supposed to be looking for a partner for life.
Suffice it to say, that every other Sunday at least, the beauty and · fashion, as well as those that were not the beauty and fashion, of Indi- anapolis, were assembled in that log church; old maids primped their mouths, and young ones cast their glances and sly looks. The old maids and mothers were not slow in discovering that the young minister was frequently found accompanying one of the young ladies home who was not a member of the flock, and, oh! what solicitude for the safety of the church, and the cause of our blessed Redeemer, was felt and manifested by them. There was a family of five of those church and moral guardians more exercised than the rest ; they thought that should the young minister bestow his affections outside the church Methodism would suffer beyond redemption.
The consequence was, that great preparations were made for the young minister when he should have accomplished his semi-monthly round ; invitations were showered upon him to dine, take tea, etc. Many a yellow-legged chicken's head paid the penalty for the young minister's indiscretions. Those old maids last referred to usually dressed very plain, in the good old Methodist style; now, it was noticed that a curl sometimes hung down behind the ear, supposed to be intended for the minister's eye, as he was pouring forth the word of God to his devout con- gregation. At last one of them, more solicitous for the welfare of the church than the others, ventured to approach him on the subject, and wanted to know if he was aware that the young lady to whom he was paying attention danced. "Yes, she dances," said she ; "Oh, my, my, my, brother Ray, she dances ; how can people be so wicked and sinful ?" The only reply she elicited and comfort she got in her interview with the minister was, " the wilder the colt the tamer the horse."
The young minister married outside the church, the church survived
Hammer. ein Bro" & " Indianapolis Lithographie Instr"."
James D. Williams
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GOVERNOR JAMES D. WILLIAMS.
the shock, and now, instead of the old log church we have eight or ten magnificent Methodist churches inside the city limits, and at least two hundred within the territory that then composed his circuit.
Edwin Ray was a man of marked ability, perseverance and industry. He studied and mastered the Greek and Latin languages on horseback, traveling from one appointment to another, and had he lived even to the meridian of life, would have ranked among the first theologians of the country. He fell a victim to his industry and zeal in the cause in which he was erigaged, and died at the house of a friend on the Otter Creek Prairie, in Vigo county, on the 15th day of September, 1831, in the twenty-ninth year of his age. He was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, near Mount Sterling, and there entered the ministry, but soon came to Indiana, where there was a wider field for usefulness.
He had but two children, a son and daughter; the daughter died several years since; the son, John W. Ray, is the present Commis- sioner in Bankruptcy for this district, and is also treasurer of the Indi- anapolis Savings Bank.
GOVERNOR JAMES D. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 16th of January, 1808, and with his parents emigrated to Knox county, Indiana, in 1818, where he has resided ever since. His parental ancestors were of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather emigrated to the United States about the middle of the eighteenth century. His grandmother was from Scotland. They settled in Virginia, where they raised a fam- ily, among whom was George Williams, the father of the subject of this sketch. His maternal ancestors were of English-Welsh origin, and also settled in Virginia during the eighteenth century. The parents of Governor Williams were both of Virginia birth and education. The father, George Williams, being a farmer, followed that vocation up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1828. He had a family of six children, of whom James D. was the oldest.
After the death of his father he resided at home, working on the farm until he had attained his majority, receiving only a common school education, like many others who have persevered and carved out their own fortunes. His labors have been crowned with plenty. So in his declining years he finds his garner well stored with this world's goods. At the time the elder Williams sought in the boundless contiguity of shade a home, Knox county was but sparsely settled. There was
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
nothing heard but the stroke of the woodman's ax, the crash of the falling trees, or the crack of the hunter's rifle. There was naught else to disturb or mar the pleasant anticipations of the hardy pioneer.
In 1831 Mr. Williams was married to Miss Nancy Huffman, the daughter of a neighboring farmer. By this union he has had seven children, two of whom are yet living, as well as Mrs. Williams.
Mr. Williams has endured all the labors, privations and hardships incident to the settling of a new country, having cleared and aided in clearing over one thousand acres of heavily timbered land. The great labor can only be appreciated by those who have performed similar service. And now in the decline of life he can pass off the stage of action conscious of not having been a drone upon society, and of having performed his every duty to God, to his family, to his fellow-man and to his country.
He commenced public life in 1839, having been elected a justice of the peace ; this office he held four years and resigned. In 1843 he was elected to the Legislature over Abner T. Ellis, a lawyer, by one hun- dred and twelve majority; up to that time the county had generally given from three to four hundred majority for the Whig party. In 1845 he ran against Robert A. Carnan, another lawyer, but was defeated by only ninety votes, always running ahead of his party. In 1847 he was elected over George D. May, a merchant of Vincennes, by a majority of ninety-three votes. In 1848 he was a candidate against Abner T. Ellis for the Senate, and defeated him by two hundred and fifty votes. In 1851 he was a candidate against Doctor John G. Freeland, Hon. John Ewing (ex-member of Congress), and John B. Dunning for Repre- sentative, and was elected over Doctor Freeland, the highest of his opponents, by a majority of thirty-five votes. In 1854 he was again a candidate for Representative, and was elected over Judge Clarke Willis by a majority of four hundred and eighty-eight votes. In 1858 he was elected to the Senate without opposition; since that time up to 1874 he has been almost continuously a member of that body. He was for sixteen years a member of the State Board of Agriculture, four years its president ; during that time the State fairs were a success, with money always in the treasury to meet the current expenses of the institution.
In 1874 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress against Levi Furguson, and was triumphantly elected by a majority of 8,000, and served until near the close of the first session of the 44th Congress, when he resigned to accept the nomination for Governor. Godlove S. Orth had been nominated by the Republicans for the same office, and
.
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GOVERNOR JAMES D. WILLIAMS.
resigned the position of Minister to Vienna to make the race, and had begun a vigorous canvass when Mr. Williams took the field. But a few weeks sufficed to prove to the friends of Mr. Orth that his defeat was inevitable. Mr. Orth was induced to retire, and General Benjamin Har- rison, a grand-son of the late President Harrison, was placed, by the State Central Committee, to make the canvass.
General Harrison was well-known as an able political debater, and many thought that it would require no great effort to defeat the old farmer of Knox, but there were those who knew Mr. Williams who thought different.
The gubernatorial canvass was conducted by the Republicans some- thing like that by the Democrats in 1840, when Martin Van Buren was defeated for the Presidency by General William Henry Harrison, grand- father of Mr. Williams' opponent. In that canvass the Democrats tried to ridicule the Whig candidate by calling him the " log cabin and hard cider candidate," but never attacked the integrity or patriotism of the old hero ; the result was a most inglorious defeat to themselves. The Republicans took pretty much the same course in the gubernatorial election in 1876. They assailed the farmer-like habits of Mr. Wil- liams; they attacked and ridiculed the manner of his dress (his integ- rity and honesty were too well known). To all this Mr. Williams paid no attention but pursued the even tenor of his way undaunted. He bore the flag of his party to victory, his majority being between 5,000 and 6,000, his great popularity bringing strength to the Demo- cratic presidential ticket, and, no doubt, was the means of carrying the State for Tilden and Hendricks.
Mr. Williams has been called the Abraham Lincoln of Indiana, re- sembling the late President very much in form and features, full six feet three inches in height, strong and muscular form, an even, well- balanced head, and like the early men who participated in the forma- tion of our State government, few were inheritors of distinction. Our leading men at that time were nearly all from the common sphere of life ; but their foresight, wisdom and great energy have stamped their names upon the State records and in the heart of every Indianian.
Mr. Williams possesses the dignity of manners, efficient and practi- cal talent which have secured him the confidence of the whole people, without regard to party, as his long life and public service will attest, having been almost continuously in public life for thirty-eight years. He has already been spoken of as Indiana's favorite for the Presidency in 1880.
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There is not another instance on record where a man has retained his place in the legislative councils of the State as long as he has. As a legislator he has had a large experience, and is perhaps better posted on the routine of legislative labor than any man in the State. During his legislative career he has favored the passage of some of the most judicious laws upon the statute books of the State. Among those acts may be enumerated the one relating to widows, allowing them to hold the estate of their deceased husbands, when it did not exceed three hun- dred dollars, without administration. Some years since he advocated the law in regard to loaning the school sinking fund the same as other school money, so that the schools could receive the benefit of interest, instead of its lying idle in the hands of the State Treasurer. He has. been the firm and working friend of the common school system, as well as all benevolent and charitable institutions and in favor of aiding them by law as far as practicable.
In all his public duties he has performed his part well. No personal interest could swerve him from what he conceived to be the line of his duty. Politically he has ever been a Democrat of the Jackson school, having cast his first Presidential vote for the hero of the Hermitage.
In 1872 he was supported by the Democracy of the Legislature for United States Senator against Governor Morton, who was elected by the Republicans by nineteen majority. This was a fit manifestation of esteem for a long life of integrity and official worth.
"Experience," says Goldsmith, "is the ripest school of knowledge." Mr. Williams has graduated in that school.
Such is James Douglass Williams, Governor elect of Indiana in the Centennial year, 1876; inaugurated in January, 1877.
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