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 23
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By the above it will readily be seen that Mr. Wright has been no idle spectator of what has been going on in Indianapolis for the last thirty-eight years, but has taken an active part in building up and for- warding the interests of the city. He has been for many years a worthy and acceptable member of the Methodist church, and as such enjoys the confidence of the members of that respectable denomination, as well as all with whom he has in any way been associated, either in the order to which he belongs or in business. Of Mr. Wright I speak from per- sonal knowledge and observation.
I must also add that with all the other luck which has been his for- tune to share he has been pre-eminently so in the selection of two of Indianapolis' handsomest women for wives.
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
CHRISTIAN E. GEISENDORFF.
Mr. Geisendorff is a native of Maryland ; born in Frederick City on the 10th of May, 1814. At an early age he went to Martinsburg, Vir- ginia, where he learned the woolen manufacturing business.
On the 13th of October, 1836, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Williams, of Baltimore. Immediately after his marriage he came west, and for four years carried on the business of manufacturing ingrain carpets at Dayton, Ohio.
In 1840 he removed to Cincinnati, and continued the same business for two years. . In 1842 he came to Indianapolis, and engaged in manu- facturing woolen goods for Scudder & Hannaman, but for a short time. He then rented their establishment and started the power-loom and spindles, the first of the kind in the central portion of Indiana.
In 1846 he took the old steam mill, and for five years ran his ma- chinery therein.
In 1852 he built his present establishment, which is in the immediate neighborhood of the first establishment he managed in the city. To say that this is one of the finest establishments of the kind in the west is but true, and that he there manufactured woolen goods of the finest texture from the raw material.
Mr. Geisendorff has associated with him in business his son-in-law, Isaac Thalman, Esq., a thorough and practical business man.
Mr. Geisendorff has five children, all living, four sons and one daughter ; two of the sons and the daughter are married.
During his thirty-five years' residence in Indianapolis, he has formed a large and general acquaintance with the farming community in several of the adjoining counties, and by his strict integrity in business and gentlemanly bearing as a man won their confidence and esteem.
Mr. Geisendorff's name is perpetuated in history by having a street named for him. Although a strict and punctual business man, he is yet liberal, especially for benevolent and charitable purposes. Age sits lightly on his brow; although he has passed his three score years, he is yet vigorous and active, which indicates that he is yet good for another score.
THEODORE P. HAUGHEY
Was born in Smyrna, Delaware, on the 27th of November, 1826, and was there educated. For several years after he had attained his major- ity he resided in Baltimore, Maryland, where by a close and actual
243
JAMES L. MITCHELL.
contact with business he gained a thorough knowledge of finances and trade. In the spring of 1848 he removed to Indianapolis, since which he has here resided, and has constantly been engaged in active business.
At first he was engaged as an accountant and bookkeeper. Always in important and responsible positions, he was for a number of years secretary and treasurer of one of the leading railroads that center in this city. During the civil war he was appointed, by President Lincoln, collector for the Indianapolis district of the internal revenue, which position he resigned to take the presidency of the Indianapolis National Bank, which he still holds.
For six years Mr. Haughey represented the old second ward in the city council ; during that time was chairman of the finance committee, and just before the war had the honor of reporting the city clear of debt.
On the 5th of November, 1853, he was married to Miss Hannah Moore, of Newark, Ohio, who is yet his helpmate.
As a first-class business man the best testimonials are the positions of trust and confidence he has held, in none of which has he ever been called on to surrender involuntarily.
As a citizen Mr. Haughey is respected by all with whom he has intercourse, either in a business or a social way ; as a friend, is constant and unwavering ; as a husband, kind and affectionate; as a father, lov- ing and indulgent. He has a record for integrity that will bear the most scrutinizing investigation.
JAMES L. MITCHELL
Was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, on the 29th of September, 1834; with his parents removed to Monroe county, Indiana, when he was eight years of age. His father being a farmer, he worked at farm-work until he was nineteen years of age, attending the district school during the winter season of each year.
In the fall of 1853 he entered the parepartory department of the State University, at Bloomington, and graduated from the same institution in 1858. While in college he was chosen by the Philomathean Society, of which he was a member, to deliver the anniversary address in July, 1858, and at the commencement exercises of the University in 1860 he delivered the annual address to the Alumni Society of the same insti- tution. He read law and attended the law school attached to the Uni- versity until the 28th of December, 1859, then came to Indianapolis and read law in the office of Ketcham & Coffin ; afterwards formed a partner- ship in the practice of law with his uncle, the late John L. Ketcham.
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
In July, 1862, was appointed and commissioned adjutant of the 70th regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, and served in the army until the close of the war; from November, 1864, to the close of the war, he was on the staff of General Lovell H. Rousseau.
After his return from the army he again commenced the practice of law with John L. Ketcham, the style of the firm being Ketcham & Mit- chell; afterwards William A. Ketcham was added to the firm. After the death of John L. Ketcham, in April, 1869, Judge Horatio C. New- comb became a member of the firm, it being Newcomb, Mitchell & Ketcham, until Judge Newcomb went upon the bench.
In the spring of 1873, Mr. Mitchell, without any solicitation on his part, and while absent from the city, was nominated as the Democratic candidate for mayor, and elected over Captain W. D. Wiles, by a ma- jority of seven hundred and seventy-eight votes, being the first Demo- cratic mayor since the commencement of the war; served one term of · two years, and I think gave as much satifaction as any person who ever filled the place since an office of that kind was created for Indianapolis.
. After Mr. Mitchell retired from the mayoralty he again commenced the practice of law in connection with his cousin, William A. Ketcham and Judge Claypool, the firm being Claypool, Mitchell & Ketcham.
Mr. Mitchell was married on the 4th of October, 1864, in New Albany, Indiana, to Miss Clara E. Carter, a niece of the late Hon. George G. Dunn. They have but one child, a son who delights in the name of James L. Mitchell, Junior. Mr. Mitchell being now in his forty-second year, is just in the prime of life. He is about five feet ten inches in height, a heavy, rotund form, light hair and complexion, with a seemingly healthy constitution and bids fair for many years of useful- ness. His bland and polite manner to all with whom he has business, either private or official, has made him many friends, regardless of politi- cal affiliations.
PETER F. BRYCE.
"'Twas in that part o' Scotland's Isle," rendered classic and immor- talized in history by Walter Scott's poem, Lady of the Lake; 'twas in the western highlands of Perthshire, near the spot the poet had refer- ence to when he wrote-
" At doune o'er many a spear and glaive, Two barons proud their banners wave. I saw the moraz's silver star, And marked the sable pall of Mar.".
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HERMAN WEINBERGER.
It was there on the 14th of March, 1826, the subject of this sketch was born. In 1843 Mr. Bryce bid adieu to the scenes of his childhood and sailed for the United States, landing in New York the same year ; he immediately came west and for several years resided in Cincinnati.
In 1870 he removed to Indianapolis and purchased the large steam bakery on East South street, near Meridian, where he has since continued the business without interruption, except from a fire during the fall of 1876, the damage from which was soon repaired and his business progressed.
Mr. Bryce has been twice married, first to Eliza Heath, by whom he has had four children, two of whom are dead. His wife died; he was then married to Mary Moore ; by her he has three children. All his five children are living under the paternal roof.
Mr. Bryce was imbued with that love of freedom inherent in the native Scotchman, and attached himself to the political party in his adopted country that was in favor of the emancipation of slavery. His first vote was cast in 1852 for John P. Hale, of New Hampshire, and George W. Julian, of Indiana, the first for President and the latter for Vice President of the United States. Of this vote he wishes his friends to know he has ever been proud. Since that time he has strictly adhered to the principles of the Republican party, voting as he did for Fremont in 1856, for Lincoln in 1860 and 1864, for Grant in 1868 and 1872, and for Hayes in 1876. He has lived to see the United States the "land of the free " in fact as well as profession.
Mr. Bryce loves the land of his nativity, and likes to talk and dwell upon the beautiful scenery of its highlands, which was "Once fondly loved, but now remembered dear." He is rather below the medium size, quick and active in movement; his once dark hair is tinged by time until it is a silver gray.
" When death's dark stream I ferry o'er, A time that surely will come ; In heaven itself I'll ask no more, Than just a highland welcome."
HERMAN WEINBERGER.
Mr. Weinberger was born in the city of Weissenburg, kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on the 10th of September, 1826. His ancestry were citizens of Salesburg in 1731, when the religious troubles prevailed be- tween the Catholics and Protestants. After great suffering and priva-
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
tions and confiscation of their property they were allowed to leave the country by order of the archbishop of said city. After they arrived in the then free city of Weissenburg they were admitted to full citizenship by the Protestant authorities of that city.
Weissenburg lost terribly in population by that thirty years of relig- ious and fanatical war. At the age of thirteen Mr. Weinberger was ap- prenticed to learn the cabinet making business and remained four years ; as it was the custom, he then traveled four years in foreign countries. His father died when he was but nine years old, leaving nine children living.
When the subject of this sketch had attained the age of twenty-one, himself, two brothers and one sister bid their old mother and family a long and last farewell, and sailed on the ship Westphalia for the United States, and after forty-nine days voyage arrived in New York on the 28th of March, 1848, that being their mother's birthday.
He remained in New York until July, 1849, working at his trade for four dollars per week, which he considered small wages. He then came west to Cincinnati and engaged as foreman in a passenger car manufac- tory at twelve dollars per week, and continued until October, 1855. He then came to Indianapolis, arriving here on the 31st of the latter month. He did not follow his trade but a short time after he came to this city. He joined with his brother John and engaged in the confec- tionery business at No. 10 West Louisiana street, where he yet remains, adding to his business rooms two other rooms where he carries on a res- taurant where the weary and hungry traveler can procure anything he may desire in the refreshment line. In 1857 he heard of the death of his beloved mother whom he cherished a hope of seeing again.
Mr. Weinberger's wife, Miss Anna B. Bornkessel, was born on the 20th of February, 1832, in the city of Saxe-Coburg. She arrived in New York city on the 10th of November, 1852, on board the ship Rich- ard Cosston, after a voyage of forty-nine days.
Mr. Weinberger's was rather a novel courtship to end in marriage. They by some means had heard of each other, exchanged two letters each and a picture, and at the request of Miss Bornkessel, he repaired to New York and met her for the first time on Friday, the 26th of Au- gust, 1853, and on Sunday, the second day after, they were married, and have lived happily together since that time. Their family now consists of three sons and two daughters. The oldest, Anna, was born July 30th, 1857; Albert, March 15th, 1861 ; Herman, March 4th, 1867; Edwin, December 17th, 1869; Bertha, April 13th, 1872.
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STEPHEN PITTS.
Taken altogether, Mr. Weinberger's life has been a romantic and checkered one, but he is happy in the fact that he is now in a land of religious and political toleration, where his children will never experi- ence the persecutions that their ancestry were subject to.
Mr. Weinberger is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, and particu- larly fond of the fumes emitted from his favorite meerchaum.
SIMON MCCARTHY.
There are but few persons now living in Indianapolis who do not know Mr. McCarthy by reputation, and a very large number are per- sonally acquainted with him ; his social and cheerful qualities have made him a general favorite. Mr. McCarthy has for several years been the lessee and manager of the Metropolitan Theater, where he earned and won a reputation for liberality toward all benevolent institutions of the city, and especially so in contributing through the winter months to the aid of the poor by benefit nights set apart for that particular purpose.
He is a native of Ohio, born in Richland county, on the 23d of May, 1823. He left his birth-place when quite young, and for several years resided in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He came to Indianapolis in 1851, since which time he has made it his home. Mr. McCarthy has had a fortune within his grasp several times, but his liberality to the poor and oppressed has had a tendency to keep him back in worldly goods, al- though he has a competency for all necessary purposes. He was scarcely ever known to turn the beggar away empty-handed.
STEPHEN PITTS
Came to the vicinity of this place in the year 1827, and soon rose to distinction in his profession-that of trapper and hunter. Indeed, there were but few coons within twenty miles of this place but knew him by reputation, and none wished to extend it to a personal acquaintance ; or if they knew of his intention to call on them, would make it convenient to be from home, or, like the ladies of the present day, have him told. so ; or, if he should come upon them unexpectedly, they would, like Captain Scott's coon, come down and surrender, sometimes without a struggle.
He was familar with every "otter slide," or muskrat hole, between Strawtown and the Bluffs of White river, and many an unsuspecting mink fell a victim to his deep laid schemes. Mr. Pitts was a man that
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
minded his own business, paid his debts, voted the unterrified Demo- cratic ticket, and worshipped God according to his conscience; he was a backwoodsman in every sense of the word. He died many years since.
His only surviving son, George W. Pitts, yet resides in the city, and is one of the coolest men, in his business transactions, we have ever known; however, he is not willing to confine his coolness to himself, but is anxious to keep his neighbors cool also; where his father once speared the salmon, trapped the otter and shot the muskrat, George now cuts and gathers his beautiful crystal ice.
He also has a daughter, the wife of John L. McCormack, one of our most enterprising and industrious master carpenters, who is the nephew of John McCormack, who built the first log cabin in Indianapolis.
WILLIAM N. JACKSON.
Billy Jackson came to Indianapplis in the year 1833, quite a young man, and has remained such, in many respects, ever since. He was the first iron merchant of this city, or the first that dealt in that article exclusively. His store was the second door west from the northwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets. The place at that time would not support an establishment of that kind, hence he continued the business but a short time.
There are few persons throughout the State better known to the public than is Mr. Jackson, nor has any enjoyed the confidence of the citizens of Indianapolis to a greater extent during the forty-five years he has called it his home. He has been identified with the railroads that center in Indianapolis from the start; indeed, he was engaged in the office of the Madison and Indianapolis railroad some time before it reached this place, and when the business of the road was transacted at Madison.
He is now, and has been for several years, the treasurer of the Union Railway Company, where his genial countenance is very nearly always seen on the arrival or departure of trains on the various routes that there center. He is ever ready to assist any unprotected female, whether acquaintance or stranger, on and off the cars, and is assiduous in all the duties that pertain to his position.
Mr. Jackson is a member of the Second Presbyterian church (gener- ally known by the old settlers as Beecher's); has been one of the elders for several years, and exercises a considerable influence in the govern-
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JOSEPH LOFTON.
ment and management of its affairs. He is a very benevolent and char- itable man, and I understand from one of his associates and particular friends that the larger part of his salary for several years has been devoted to such purposes. In the meantime he has defrayed the expense in the education of several young ladies whose parents' circum- stances precluded the possibility of their doing it. He has also educated some young men, who are now engaged in the ministry.
As intimated in the beginning of this sketch, Mr. Jackson is yet without the pale of matrimony, but is as much of a gallant as he was forty-five years ago, and it is considered a compliment to any lady, young or old, to receive his attention ; he seems to be blessed with per- petual youth.
JOSEPH LOFTON,
The father of Doctors Sample and Alman Lofton, and Joseph, was a native of Davidson county, North Carolina. He came to Marion county, and lived a while in Pike township in the year 1827; he then returned to his native State for a short time, but again came to Indiana, and lived a short time in Lawrence county, but was not satisfied until he was again a citizen of Pike township, where he died.
Mr. Lofton was a Jackson man, and a warm supporter of the old hero in all his campaigns for the presidency, and afterward a strong and warm friend and member of the Democratic party. He is well repre- sented in that particular by his three sons above alluded to.
Joseph is one of the wheel-horses of the party in Pike township, and 'tis said can make as long and as strong a pull, when the load is heavy and roads are bad, as any one; though he is a poor horse to go down hill, he can't be made to back and wants to go as fast as possible ; neither does he ever look back or balk, but always keeps his collar warm and dislikes to pull with a cold one. He is one of the prosper- ous farmers of the county, and trades a great deal in stock of all kinds.
Dr. Sample Lofton is also a farmer, of Wayne township, and trader, and furnished the government with many fine horses during the war.
Dr. Alman Lofton is a practicing physician of Augusta, in the north- west portion of the county, and is universally respected as a man as well as a physician.
Neither of the M. D.'s will allow Joseph to outdo them in their de- votion to the old party and its principles, although it forms a consider- able portion of his religion.
The three brothers are large, fine-looking men, and in their personal
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
appearance indicate that they are in the enjoyment of a goodly share of this world's goods, with philosophy enough to enjoy life as they go along, and in the possession of cheerful dispositions, casting a glow of good feeling around them ; and Joseph's smiling countenance " smiles to the smiling morrow," and his social qualities and large fund of anecdotes which he relates to his numerous friends, render him a very interesting personage.
GOVERNOR DAVID WALLACE
Was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Mifflin county on the 24th of April, 1799. When quite young, with his father's family, emigrated to Ohio, and from that State, through the friendship of Gen- eral William H. Harrison, received the appointment of cadet, and was educated at West Point.
He afterwards became a citizen of Indiana, and for several years practiced law at Brookville, and represented Franklin county in the State Legislature.
In the year 1834 he was the candidate for, and was elected, Lieuten- ant Governor on the ticket with Governor Noah Noble. In 1837 he was the Internal Improvement candidate for Governor against the Hon. John Dumont, the Anti-improvement candidate, and was successful. It was during this canvass that he said that an extra hen and chickens would be sufficient to pay all the extra taxation that would be levied against the farmers for internal improvement purposes. After the scheme proved a failure, he was often twitted by his friends for this ex- pression of false prophecy.
In 1841 he was elected to Congress at the special election ordered by the Governor for members of Congress for the extra session called together by President Harrison.
Governor Wallace's first wife was the daughter of the Hon. John Test, an eminent and early Indiana lawyer, and sister of Judge Charles H. Test, now of this city. By her he has three children yet living. The eldest, William Wallace, is one of our most respected citizens, and a prominent lawyer. The second son is General Lew Wallace, now of Crawfordsville, whose history is well-known, not only in Indiana, but throughout the nation. The third son, Edward, I think, also lives in Crawfordsville.
His second wife was the daughter of Dr. John H. Sanders, late of this city, and one of its prominent physicians. By her he also has
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WILLIAM H. H. PINNEY.
three children, a daughter, the wife of Wm. W. Leathers, a lawyer of this city, now dead, another daughter yet single, and a son, a namesake.
Governor Wallace was a fine lawyer and one of the most eloquent public speakers of his day, a warm and generous hearted man, a stranger to anything like duplicity or deceit, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
He died in September, 1859, in the sixty first year of his age. 1
WILLIAM H. H. PINNEY.
Major Pinney was a native of Thetford, Windsor county, Vermont, and inherited a considerable of the true Yankee character-industry, enterprise and perseverance. He was blessed with a good English edu- cation, such as is obtained in the common and high schools of Yankee- land. At the age of nineteen he engaged as a guard at the State prison of his native State; served about four years as a guard and shopkeeper, then as deputy warden, and had entire control and management of the prison ; then as clerk in a large manufacturing establishment, and early earned the reputation of a good business man. He was then appointed aid-de-camp in the State militia, and there acquired the title and rank of major, which is not bogus; and to be a major in Yankeedom meant something.
In 1828 Major Pinney first visited Indianapolis as the traveling agent of the American Hydraulic Company, in order to try to sell to the town, or its citizens, a fire engine. He saw most of the leading and business men of the place, and they concluded that the people were not able to purchase one at that time. He had traveled over his native State, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Upper Canada, Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri, and visited all the towns of note in those several States, and found no place that cared as little about an engine as Indianapolis. What a change fifty years have wrought ! Now our seven steam engines are considered inadequate for the safety of property, and on occasions powerless for awhile to control the devouring element.
Mr. Pinney, after remaining here a few days, left for Madison, and was three days, hard traveling through mud and mire, in reaching it, thence homeward. He returned to Indiana in 1831, and settled at the Bluffs of White river, where he engaged in merchandising, and followed it for several years ; in the meantime he married Miss Emily, youngest daughter of Jacob Whetzel. He was appointed postmaster at that
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