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 22
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In January, 1865, he was appointed cashier of the First National Bank of Indianapolis, which position he held until July, 1875, when he was appointed United States Treasurer.
Mr. New is one among the most enterprising business men of Indianapolis, and is possessed of some fine property, both business and private, and is considered one of the reliable men of the city; he is yet quite young for one having held so many responsible positions as he has.
He is a gentleman of fine personal appearance and address, genial manners, and possessed of a great deal of general information, quick to discover the difference between a good or bad bargain when offered him. He scorns anything like duplicity or dissimulation in his busi- ness transactions, and is quick to discover it in others, which fact quali- fics him in an eminent degree for the responsible position he now holds. The people of Indianapolis might well be proud to have as citizens " a few more of the same sort."
In 1875 he was tendered by President Grant the position of United States Treasurer at Washington, which place, at the earnest solicita- tion of friends, he reluctantly accepted. After doing the duties of the office to the satisfaction of the public until the 6th of July, 1876, he re- signed, and was appointed vice president of the First National Bank. At the time of the resignation of Mr. English, as president, he was elected to fill the vacancy, and is now performing the laborious duties of the office. As a financier Mr. New stands inferior to none.
JOSEPH W. DAVIS.
This jolly, good-natured gentleman, as his very appearance indicates, has been one of the successful business men of Indianapolis for the last eighteen years.
Mr. Davis is a native of Boston, Massachuseets, but came to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, when a mere child, and lived there until 1852, when, with his family and but little else, he came to this city.
A short time after his arrival here he was preparing to erect a brass
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foundry in a densely populated part of the city, but was stopped by the common council, as they had made the discovery, or been informed, that brass foundries were explosive, and compelled Mr. Davis to seek another location.
Mr. Davis was the first engineer of our steam fire engines, and for many years managed them successfully and to the satisfaction of all who had property exposed to the devouring element.
He has represented different wards in the council, made a good and efficient member, ever watching the interest of his constituents, and ready to expose and put down corruption when and wherever found.
He has accumulated property, and now ranks as a first-class business man, and is universally respected for his urbanity of manners and strict honesty and integrity. To Mr. Davis, more than any other man, is the city of Indianapolis indebted for the present efficient fire department, he having first induced the city council to adopt the steam engines, thereby incuring the hatred of the different independant fire companies that existed at that time in the city; they even threatened to duck him for his interference with what they thought was their business.
JOSEPH K. SHARPE.
When I come to write of such men as the one whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and who have by perseverance, industry and economy so successfully carved out their own fortune and standing in society, I am at a loss for language to convey to the reader a proper appreciation of their true worth and merit.
Mr. Sharpe is a man of fine personal appearance, above the ordinary size, and in the prime of life, a smiling and genial countenance, with manners pleasing and captivating, and meets his numerous friends with a welcome recognition and open hands; a pleasant word for all that either circumstances or business brings him in contact with.
He was born in Windham county, Connecticut, raised on a farm, where he acquired the main-springs to success in life, i. e., industry and economy, without which but few succeed.
When quite young he sought a home in the great west, his only fortune a good constitution, temperate habits, sterling integrity and a good education ; with this capital he came to Indianapolis in the year 1845, although he had lived a while in Illinois and a short time in Ohio.
Mr. Sharpe came to this place for the purpose of settling up the business of a boot and shoe establishment belonging to other parties
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JOSEPH K. SHARPE.
than those who were managing it. He was not slow in discovering that this was a good point for business ; he purchased the establishment, but soon sold it to Jacob S. Pratt. Shortly thereafter he commenced the leather and shoe-finding business, which he has successfully carried on without intermission for about twenty-five years, and is now the oldest established house in that line in the city. In connection with his large commercial business in the city, he purchased a tannery and large tract of land in Monroe county, forty miles south of this place, hauling all his hides and leather from and to the city with his own teams, for at least ten years, and until railroads were made in that direction, adding not a little to our home manufacture and the prosperity of the city.
At this point he also established a country store, which he has car- ried on for more than fifteen years, This would seem to be enough business to burthen one mind with, but the steady growth of the central business in the city demanded more facilities for supplying the demand and production of leather. To meet this demand he has added another tannery, which is sixty miles north in Grant county. This establisment he has carried on several years. Nor is this all ; having been raised on a farm and there labored in his boyhood days, gave him the knowledge and ability to direct, and a taste for agriculture.
He has farmed in this county as well as in several other counties in the State (some of his farms being over one hundred miles apart), rais- ing grain, hogs and cattle in large quantities for this market. All this business he has managed in adddition to his city business, without even apparently losing his equanimity, and its management and success are the natural consequence of great administrative talent and ability. He owns some fine business property as well as one of the fine residences of the city, the home of his family.
It is a commonly received opinion that men who carve out their own fortunes become penurious, but it is the reverse in this case. He has ever been liberal to the poor, donating largely for the erection of churches and for all charitable and benevolent purposes.
Mr. Sharpe is a member of the Fourth Presbyterian church, one of its trustees and principal supporters.
His good fortune and success have not been confined alone to busi- ness; he has been equally so in his domestic relations. He came to this place a single as well as a young man, but soon found one with whom he was willing to join in a lifetime partnership in the person of Miss Gray- don, daughter of the late Alexander Graydon, one of our most estimable
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citizens. In this partnership I understand Mr. Sharpe found his coun- terpart in many respects.
He has for years been the leader of the choir, assisted by his wife, in the church of which they are both acceptable members.
I have noted this case more particularly than most others I have written of that it may be a stimulus to other young men " to go and do likewise." Verily "honesty and virtue have their reward."
The above sketch was written and published in another work seven years ago. I can't see where I can add or take from it one word further than to say that Mr. Sharpe is yet one of the active business men of the city, content to mind his own business and let others do the same.
SAMUEL BECK
Is one of the staid and substantial citizens of Indianapolis, and one that. deserves to be, and is, respected by all who know him for his plain, unassuming manner, his strict integrity and upright walk in life. He is a strict and consistent member of the Methodist church and a Christian in the true sense of the word, being governed in his intercourse with his neighbors and fellow-men as near as he can by the golden rule.
I heard an incident of him the other day that illustrates his true character. A friend of his whose only fault had been that of drinking to excess, through the influence of Mr. Beck was induced to join the church, and for nearly a year had been an attentive member, and had lived up to its rules ; but in an evil hour was induced to drink, and fell from grace in that respect. Mr. Beck, hearing of it, instead of inform- ing the controlling powers of the church, sought out his friend and by his persuasive powers induced him to resume his duties to the church as though nothing had happened. Are not such acts more Christian-like than to have him exposed and turned out of the church, and, perhaps, seal his fate for life ? Such, however, is the writer's view.
Mr. Beck has worked at. the gunsmith business very near, if not quite, the entire forty-four years he has been a citizen of this city, and is yet as industrious and assiduous to his duties as when I first knew him, and at this writing has been longer in the same business than any other person in the city.
Mr. Beck is a native of Pennsylvania, but at an early day came to Connersville, Fayette county, and there resided until his removal to this place in the year 1833. Although he has passed the meridian of life he bids fair to live many years, which, if he does, no doubt, as the past have
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JAMES C. YOHN.
been, will be devoted to doing good, and usefulness to the cause of humanity. He is engaged in business in connection with his son. Mrs. Beck died on the fourteenth of September, 1877.
DOCTOR JOHN M. GASTON,
One of the prominent physicians of Indianapolis, is a native of Penn- sylvania, but, when quite young, came with his father to Indiana, and settled in Hancock county. His first residence in this city, for a short time only, was in 1833. About the year 1838 he returned and com- menced the study of medicine with Doctors Sanders and Parry. After finishing his studies and attending the lectures, he entered upon the practice of his profession in this place, and has continued it since that time. Although it is said that a "prophet is not without honor save in his own country," the doctor's success has proved that it is different with physicians, as he has ever had an extensive practice. He has gradually worked his way up the ladder until he is now near the top round, and stands high in his profession.
Hiram Gaston, his brother, made the first buggy ever made in Indi- anapolis, in 1833. Some years afterwards Edward and Hiram Gaston commenced the manufacture of carriages of all kinds, and successfully continued until the death of the latter in October, 1866. Edward is yet working at the business in this city. There were no finer car- riages manufactured than at the shop of the Gastons.
A few years since the doctor met with an accident which will proba- bly disable him for life. While walking in one of the most public thoroughfares of the city, he fell and broke his leg; he will scarcely ever be able to walk without the use of a crutch. This to the doctor was a sore affliction, as he has ever been a man of active habits.
JAMES C. YOHN.
· Shakespeare, or some other speare, once wrote something like this, that there "is a tide in the affairs of men which, if taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Mr. Yohn must have fallen into that tide, as he has floated gently on until he has reached the port spoken of by the distinguished writer.
James C. Yohn, with his mother, two sisters and a batchelor uncle (James Gore), came to this place from Baltimore county, Maryland, in November, 1834. The elder sister was soon married to a Mr. Walker,
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then of Danville, Illinois, afterwards a United States Senator from the State of Wisconsin. The younger sister died in this place several years since, unmarried.
Mr. Yohn, when but a mere boy, engaged as store-boy, then as clerk, with one of the leading merchants of this place, afterwards a · partner, and finally engaged in the mercantile business on his own ac- count, and was a successful merchant, and in the meantime he was mar- ried to a daughter of Hiram Brown, a distinguished attorney of this place.
During the war he was appointed a paymaster in the United States service, with the rank of major. This position was uncongenial to his feelings, and he resigned sometime before his services were not re- quired.
He owns some fine private as well as business property in the city. The elegant block, known by his name, on the corner of Washington and Meridian streets, he built and owns. He is considered a good man, upright and punctual in all his dealings, and remarkably quiet and re- tiring in his habits. He has been a consistent member of the Metho- dist church since his boyhood.
T. R. FLETCHER
Came to Indianapolis a boy in July, 1836, and engaged as a clerk in the dry goods store of Fletcher & Bradley. After the dissolution of part- nership of this firm, his uncle, Stoughton A. Fletcher, being the succes- sor, he continued with him as clerk, and then as partner, for several years, and since some time with his uncle in the banking business. He was successful in the accumulation of money while he was with his uncle, and made this city his home.
He left this place some few years since. For awhile he resided at Chicago.
About the year 1845 the name of Dick Fletcher, as well as that of Horace Fletcher, William Stewart, Ben and Henry Horn, was as famil- iar as household words to the people of Indianapolis.
Mr. Fletcher was considered a first-class business man, and possessed more than ordinary financial ability, and with his strict integrity won the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
He now resides in the vicinity of his birth-place, in Vermont.
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CHARLES ORMES.
CHARLES MAYER.
Who is it that has lived in Indianapolis for the last forty years but knows Charlie Mayer? What stranger that visited the place with the intention of purchasing something for the little ones at home, but has been referred to him?
Among the juvenile portion of this city, for the time above referred to, when they received a present of a dime or a quarter, the first name in their mouth would be Charlie Mayer.
He started with a few dozen ginger cakes, a jar or two of candy and a keg of beer, and, as his capital would permit, he would add a few toys, until now he has one of the largest establishments of the kind in the west, and I doubt if a more general assortment than he keeps can be found in the Union. In his store is found everything that either fancy or necessity might desire. His store extends from the street to the alley, one hundred and ninety-five feet, four stories high, and is crowded with goods from cellar to attic. He employs seven or eight clerks, and he tells me that it keeps him busy to do the correspondence of the es- tablishment.
Charlie is a native of Wurtemburg, one of the German States, and brought to this country with him that perseverance and industry pecu- liar to his countrymen. In him we have an illustration of what sterling integrity, business habits and industry will accomplish. He is now one of the wealthy men, of Indianapolis.
" Nothing is difficult beneath the sky, Man only fails because he fails to try."
Mr. Mayer has spent a considerable portion of his time for the past five years in his native land, and at this writing has just returned and en- gaged in superintending his immense business.
CHARLES ORMES.
Among the prominent" and well known farmers of Marion county is Charles Ormes. He was born in' Lewis county, Kentucky, in Decem- ber, 1819; with his father, the late Moses Ormes, came to Marion county, Indiana, in the fall of 1828, and settled seven miles south of the city on the Three Notch road.
Mr. Ormes now owns a large farm and lives one mile west of his father's old homestead on the Bluff road, part of which is the old Alcan
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farm. He has been engaged to a considerable extent in milling. After that he had several threshing machines, and took wheat for his work. His accumulation of wheat in this way and on his farm reached ten thousand bushels, during the rebellion, which he refused to sell until he obtained three dollars and fifty cents per bushel.
Mr. Ormes is an energetic business man, as well as a first-class farmer, always driving his work instead of his work driving him. The writer has known him from his boyhood.
COLONEL GEORGE W. PARKER
Was born at Cane Ridge, Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1827; came to Marion county in 1836. Mr. Parker tells me that the only education he ever received was such as could be "grabbed " in the common log school house of the neighborhood. He was married in 1844 to Miss Margaret Clark, daughter of Joseph Clark, one of the first settlers in the eastern part of the county.
He volunteered and served during the war in the 79th Indiana regi- ment, first as captain, major, and last as colonel of the regiment. Colo- nel Parker was wounded at Chickamauga, also in front of Atlanta ; he led the charge at the crossing of Peach Tree creek that brought on the great battle at that point. I have been told by persons who were present that he was the first man across the creek.
Colonel Parker was a farmer until 1866, when he was elected sheriff and removed to the city. During the real estate excitement in this place, he traded largely and yet owns valuable suburban property ; he built and yet owns a valuable business block on North Delaware street, opposite the Court House.
It is but simple justice to Colonel Parker to say that in his business transactions, both official and private, he has been strictly prompt and honorable, at the same time he has shown an accommodating disposition. In politics he is a Republican, and as a politician wields considerable influence with his party.
COLONEL BENJAMIN C. SHAW.
Colonel Shaw was born in Oxford, Ohio, on the 3d of February, 1832. He came to Greensburg in 1849, and there learned the carriage making business. After his apprenticeship was served he carried on the business on his own account until the beginning of the war of the rebel-
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ALBERT G. PORTER.
lion, when he enlisted in the three months service and was elected first lieutenant of company F, 7th regiment Indiana volunteers. He served as a captain and then as major of the 7th regiment in the three years service, until June, 1862. He was then appointed camp commander of the Fourth Congressional District, and organized the 68th regiment Indiana volunteers, and turned over several hundred unorganized recruits to Colonel Benjamin Spooner, his successor. At the especial request of Lieutenant Colonel E. A. King, of the 19th regiment of regulars, Colonel Shaw was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 68th regiment, which he had just organized, although he was offered the place of colo- nel, which he refused. In this regiment he served nearly one year in the army of the south, when he was compelled to resign in consequence of injuries received at the battle of Winchester, Virginia ; his wounds were such that the surgeons despaired of his life.
He came to Indianapolis in the fall of 1863, since which time he has been actively engaged in the business of his choice. In 1874 was nominated by the Democratic State convention for Treasurer and elected by a large majority. In 1876 was renominated for the same office and triumphantly elected ; he is not only deservedly popular with his party but has many personal friends with his political opponents that will weigh the matter well before they will cast a ballot against him.
Colonel Shaw is about six feet in height, with quite a heavy person, smooth, regular features, pleasing address. His silver-gray locks would indicate a greater age than he has attained.
ALBERT G. PORTER
Was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on the 20th of April, 1824; received his primary education in the common schools of that place. At the proper time he was placed in the Asbury University, at Green- castle, where he graduated in 1843; he then studied law and settled in Indianapolis and commenced the practice in connection with the late Hiram Brown, in 1845. He subsequently married the daughter of Mr. Brown, his partner.
In 1853 he was appointed reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Indiana, publishing five volumes. Served two terms as city attorney for Indianapolis. He was twice elected a member of the city council. In 1858 he was elected a Representive in Congress from the Indianapolis district, serving on the judiciary committee. In 1860 re- elected to the thirty-seventh Congress, serving on the committees on the
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judiciary and manufactures. He lost his wife by death in the latter part of 1875, and is yet a widower.
Mr. Porter's many friends urged him for the nomination for Governor before the Republican convention of 1876. He is considered one of the most able and effective political speakers of the State. As a lawyer and advocate he has but few equals. He is now practicing in partnership with his son and William P. Fishback, Esq., the firm being Porter, Fishback & Porter.
ROYAL MAYHEW
Was among the early settlers of Shelbyville, Indiana. He was a native of Penobscot county, Maine, born on the 18th of January, 1805 ; his father, Elisha Mayhew, was also born in the same county in 1769. They were lineal descendents of Thomas Mayhew (governor and patentee of Martha's Vineyard and Elizabeth Isles), who removed from Water- town, Massachusetts, and commenced the settlement of Martha's Vine- yard, Nantucket, in 1842.
Elisha Mayhew and family emigrated to the west in 1818, landing in Cincinnati on the first day of January, 1819. He then removed to Dearborn county, near Lawrenceburg, where he remained until 1822, settling the latter year in Shelbyville, which was then but a village of about a dozen log cabins.
In 1844 Royal Mayhew was elected Treasurer of State, and removed to Indianapolis. After serving out his term of office, which was three years, he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He then purchased the well- known and valuable property known as "West's Mills," together with the residence and lands adjoining ; here he continued until the time of his death, the 11th of March, 1865.
At the time of his death Mr. Mayhew owned some valuable city property on the south-east side of the Circle, on Circle street.
He has several children yet residents of the city. Oscar Mayhew, the eldest son, has been for several years connected with the agricul- tural and geological departments of the State.
The youngest son, James Nelson Mayhew, is and has been for some time connected with Moses, the well-known optician. A daughter, relict of the late William Cox, the once popular druggist of East Washington street. During Mr. Mayhew's twenty-one years' residence in Indian- apolis, he enjoyed the confidence and respect of the entire community, and long will he be remembered as one of the best State officials, looking more to his duty to the public than to accumulating money for himself.
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WILLIS W. WRIGHT.
WILLIS W. WRIGHT
· Was born in the town of Denton, Caroline county, Maryland, on the 4th of October, 1817. He came to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1835, thence to Indianapolis in August, 1838, as a clerk in the store of the late John H. Wright, a relative of his.
On the 12th of September, 1839, he was married to Miss Lavina, daughter of James and Margaret Gavin. Mrs. Wright died in January, 1850; he then was married, on the 12th of June, 1852, to Miss Francis F., youngest daughter of John Strange, who was one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Indiana, and one of the most eloquent that ever lived in the State before or since.
In 1850 he was declared to be elected county treasurer by one major- ity ; the election being contested the re-count showed the majority to be four. He was re-elected in 1852, the majority being one hundred and eleven, the only Whig on the ticket elected. At this election Joseph A. Wright, who was the Democratic candidate for Governor against Nicholas McCarty, carried the county by three hundred and twenty- five majority. By this it will be seen that Mr. Willis W. Wright was stronger than the party that nominated him. He was the first secretary of the Indianapolis Gas Light and Coke Company.
He was a director of the Indianapolis and Peru railroad from its or- ganization until near the time the road was completed ; served as treas- urer of the same road for several years, and for one year was general superintendent. For several years was grand secretary of the Grand Lodge, and as grand scribe of the Grand Encampment of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows of the State of Indiana, and is at present the W. G. Master of the American Protestent Association of Indiana.
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