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 34
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At the time Mr. Cain first came to this place there were very few men that supported the claims of General Jackson to the Presidency. Of the two newspapers then here both opposed the old hero, and sup- ported Henry Clay. He immediately became known as a warm Jackson man, and was ever found in any assemblage of that kind.
After the election of General Jackson, and in the spring of 1829, he was appointed postmaster, which position he held through his eight years administration, and four years of Mr. Van Buren's, always taking an active part in political meetings and elections, and he was so violent a partisan that in that ever memorable year, 1840, brought down upon himself the displeasure of some of our best and leading citizens, for whatsoever his hand found to do in a political way he did with all his might. Shortly after the inauguration of General Harrison, in 1841, he resigned, but after the deffection of President Tyler from the Whig party, he was replaced in the post office, but held it a short time only.
It was during the time he was postmaster, and through his exertions, that this was made a distributing office, and also the express mail from Washington and Baltimore via the National road through this place was established by Amos Kendall, then Postmaster General.
After he had quit the post office the second time he engaged in merchandising, but, owing to dishonest clerks and a temperament not suited to the business, he was not successful. At that time he owned some very valuable city property, as well as the farm now owned by Calvin Fletcher, Junior, adjoining the city on the Pendleton road ; he also owned the ground where the Trade Palace clothing store is located, and many other pieces of city property, which would now make him very wealthy.
About the year 1847 he sold out his entire property and removed to one of the lower Ohio river counties in Kentucky, bought a farm and mill, and commenced merchandising again. His farm was stocked with negroes, and although he was raised in a slave State he did not under- stand the manageing of them ; he thought, in order to keep them under subjection, it was necessary to flog them occasionally, whether they needed it or not, to give them a proper appreciation of their true situa- tion and his authority. In consequence of this rigorous course the
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negroes set fire to his mill and store, and almost burned him out of house and home. He then, with his family, returned to Indianapolis, and for a while kept the Capital House, which was noted for its fine table, for he had ever been a good liver and a bountiful provider for the culin- ary department of his family ; in living he never exercised economy.
In 1853 he was appointed by President Pierce Indian agent for Washington Territory, and with his eldest son, Andrew J. Cain, went there and remained some years, and somewhat recuperated his damaged fortune, and returned to his family and remained until his death in 1867. He died very suddenly and unexpectedly to his family.
John Cain was a generous, warm-hearted man, devoted in his friend- ship, but equally bitter to his enemies; there was no duplicity or deceit in his composition ; there was no mistaking his position on any subject; he never practiced dissimulation in any way; this, if a fault, was his greatest one, and he sometimes made an enemy by his plain, blunt manner of speaking.
As a husband and father he was ever kind and indulgent, and a bountiful provider for the various wants of a family. When I say no more hospitable man in his house ever lived or died in this city, I speak of personal experience of forty-one years, and of which many of the recipients yet living will testify.
He had a very good command of language, and possessed fine con- versational powers. In person he was about five feet eight inches in height, a rotund form, inclined to corpulency, and a florid complexion ; in movement very quick and active for a person of his build.
Mrs. Cain is yet living, and a resident of the city, and, unlike most ladies, thinks the place of her husband can never be filled on this side the grave. As she was ever a devoted wife, so she is a weeping widow.
DANIEL MACAULEY.
Daniel Macauley is a native of the Empire City, born in New York on the 8th of September, 1839, of Irish parentage.
When he was seven years of age his parents removed to Buffalo, where his father died of cholera in August, 1849. He was then ap- prenticed to learn the book-binding business, and there worked at his trade, with but few years intermission, until 1860, when he came to In- dianapolis. He then worked for Messrs. Bingham & Doughty in the Sentinel book-binding establishment until the beginning of the war in 1861. He at once entered as a private in the Indianapolis Zouaves, and
-
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was elected first lieutenant of the company, which was assigned to the IIth Indiana regiment, commanded by Colonel Lew Wallace. He was appointed by Colonel Wallace adjutant before the regiment left for the field. In one year he was made major. In September, 1862, was made lieutenant-colonel ; in March, 1863, colonel, and was twice brevetted brigadier general for services in battle; was in command of a brigade about one year ; was twice severely wounded, once through the thigh during the battle before Vicksburg, and again on the day of Sheridan's ride at Cedar Creek, Virginia, in the hip, the last bullet remaining in his body beyond the reach of extraction.
He was constantly in service for five years, with the exception of thirty days. He was at Donaldson, Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg ; with Banks in Louisiana, Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, and in all the battles and campaigns in which the regiment participated.
General Macauley was married March 26, 1863, and while in the army, to the daughter of Bishop Ames, and when the war was over he again engaged in the book-binding business.
In April, 1867 he was nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for mayor of this city, and elected in May, and in April, 1869, was renominated and re-elected for another term of two years; also, in 1871, making a successive term of six years.
The reader will readily perceive that Mr. Macauley has been the architect of his own fortune, and has risen quite early in life to a high and responsible position, and possesses in a high degree the requisite qualifications for the trust reposed in him.
He is a man of pleasing and agreeable manners, and. in his inter- course with his subordinate officials seemed void of that vanity too often found in persons who reach high positions early in life ; this fact ren- dered him quite popular with his colleagues in the city government. Amid the noise and confusion that was sometimes observed in the council as well as in other deliberative bodies, the sound of his hammer never failed to restore order and decorum.
General Macauley was one of the projectors and stockholders of the beautiful suburb Woodruff Place, and is at this time secretary of the Woodruff scientific expedition which contemplates a trip around the world.
JOHN T. PRESSLEY.
Mr. Pressley was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1831, and the first thirteen years of his life were spent on a farm, where
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he made himself useful by hoeing corn, feeding the stock, milking the cows, and the performance of such other miscellaneous duties as fall to the lot of a farmer boy. He never shirked his work, or slighted any job at which he was put, but, like boys in the aggregate, had to be thrashed at regular and irregular intervals to subdue the exuberance of his animal spirits. He never whined when luck was against him, but took his lickings in a philosophical spirit, justly remembering that where he got one which he didn't deserve he escaped a half dozen which he did deserve.
Mr. Pressley's parents removed to this city in 1843, and he shortly followed. For two years he drove a team at the deaf and dumb asylum, and while he was engaged in this line the steward was discharged and Mr. Pressley was appointed in his place ; this position being filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the board for four years, when he resigned, and took service with the Bee Line railway company as engineer. The fact that he held the throttle on this road for thirteen consecutive years speaks well for the manner in which he discharged his duties. He was known from one end of the road to the other as a sober, careful and competent engineer.
After leaving the road Mr. Pressley went into the saw-mill business, and ripped walnut for nine consecutive years. While engaged in this business he traveled all over this county buying walnut trees, and there is not a man, Republican, Democrat or Independent, of whom he ever bought a tree that did not vote for him for sheriff. This fact simply shows the personal magnetism of the man, and the fairness and square- ness of his dealings.
Mr. Pressley has never been an office seeker. In 1872, at the earnest solicitation of his Republican friends, he became a candidate for coun- cil in the eighth ward. This was when the eighth and thirteenth were together, and there was a conceded Democratic majority of three hundred in the ward. It was admitted that Pressley was the only Repub- lican in the ward who had a ghost of a chance, and very much against his inclination he was induced to make the race. The vigor with which he contested the race is shown by the result-his election by a majority of one hundred and forty-seven. The Democratic citizens of the ward who voted for him had no cause to regret their action. No member ever watched the' interests of his constituents more closely, or secured more benefits for them. Up to Pressley's time, the southside had been snubbed on more than one occasion through the indolence or incapacity of its representatives, and the northern wards usually got the cream of
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the expenditures. There was no gas in Pressley's ward, and its streets were in a bad condition. He forced the northern members to "tote fair," and secured for his ward, and other southern wards, all that they were justly entitled to, if not a little more.
Mr. Pressley received the nomination of the Republican party for sheriff of Marion county, and was elected in October, 1876, and it is said. that he is one of the best officials that has ever filled that responsible position.
EX-PRESIDENT VAN BUREN'S VISIT TO INDIANAPOLIS.
Martin Van Buren, of New York, who was the successor of General Jackson as President of the United States, and served as such from the 4th of March, 1837, to the 4th of March, 1841, with his late Secretary of the Navy, Paulding, made a tour of some of the western States in the months of May and June, 1842.
After visiting his old friend General Jackson, at the Hermitage, near Nashville, Tennessee, he paid his respects to Mr. Clay, at Ashland, near Lexington, Kentucky. Although no public men had ever denounced each other politically in so severe language as they, yet they were warm personal friends, so much so that Mr. Van Buren traveled out of his way to pay his respects to the Sage of Ashland. They had a mutual admiration each for the talent of the other.
From Ashland he came by the way of Columbus, Ohio, to Indiana- polis, over the National road, in the common stage coach of that day. He arrived here on Saturday, the 9th of June, and was met on the east- ern outskirts of the town by an immense concourse of people, and wel- comed to Indiana by the late Judge James Morrison in behalf of the citizens' committee of reception, to which the Ex-President replied in one of his happy and eloquent speeches, paying a glowing eulogium to. the " log cabin boys of the west," by whom he was so ingloriously de- feated but two years before.
From the place of reception the distinguished visitor proceeded, in an open barouche, direct to the Palmer House, where a public dinner was given to him and invited guests. In the afternoon he was called upon by many of the public men of the State, who were here in attend- ance upon the United States and Supreme Courts. Mr. Van Buren was. introduced by James Whitcomb, afterward Governor of the State. In the evening a banquet was given to him at the same hotel, where the elite of the town vied with each other in their attentions to the distin- guished gentleman, which was returned by him in his usual gallant style.
Elfnalink
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MAJOR ELISHA G. ENGLISH.
The next day being Sunday Mr. Van Buren attended the Methodist church on the southwest corner of Meridian and Circle streets, and in the evening Henry Ward Beecher's church, on the northwest corner of Market and Circle streets.
On Monday he proceeded on his journey to St. Louis, via the National road. Mr. Van Buren had, when President, vetoed a bill making an appropriation of several hundred thousand dollars for the completion of this road through Indiana. This was considered a fit opportunity to retaliate upon him by a practical joke. Asa Wright (now but lately deceased) was the driver of the team between this place and Plainfield. Asa was asked if he could, without any seeming intent, turn the stage over without any personal danger to the passengers, save the water and mud they would probably get on their clothes. Asa knew exactly the place where the thing could be done. A short dis- tance this side of Plainfield was a low, wet piece of ground where, by a seeming avoidance of the mud in the middle of the road, he could run the wheels on one side of the coach in a rut, and those on the other over a projecting root and turn the coach over, and for a ten dollar bill he would do it. This was readily given him, and he performed his contract to the satisfaction of his employers. But Asa thought the joke worth nothing unless the Ex-President knew why the stage was turned over, and asked the next driver to inform Mr. Van Buren. This was done, and Mr. Van Buren laughed heartily at the joke. To Mr. Van Buren was attributed much of the success of General Jackson's administration. Indeed, he was considered the power behind the throne. To him was credited the authorship of General Jackson's celebrated nullification proclamation, and for which, it was said, Mr. Calhoun never forgave him. Mr. Van Buren was rather below the medium height, would weigh about one hundred and fifty pounds, large, projecting forehead, with but little hair on his head; indeed, almost entirely bald. What little hair he had was inclined to be sandy, with light side-whiskers and irregular features. In manners he was a disciple of Chesterfield. Such was Martin Van Buren, one of the most adroit politicians of his day.
MAJOR ELISHA G. ENGLISH.
Major English was a native of Kentucky, and inherited many traits of character peculiar to the citizens of that State, hospitable and kind to all he had intercourse with. No duplicity or equivocation was to be
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found in his composition. There was no mistaking his opinions on any subject ; plain and frank in his expressions, though courteous to all.
He became a citizen of Scott county, Indiana, in 1818, and resided there until a few years before his death, which occurred at the home of his son, the Hon. William H. English, in this city, on Saturday night the 14th of November, 1874. Mr. English was identified with the his- tory of Indiana from the time of his first residence up to the time of his death ; although for a few years past he had not taken an active part in politics, there were but few persons so well versed in the political his- tory both of the State and general government as he was. In the ex- citing Presidential canvasses both of 1840 and 1844 he took an active part. I remember Major English as a prominent member of the Legis- lature over forty years ago ; he was ever a leader of his party. He was a member of the Legislature at the time James B. Ray retired from the gubernatorial chair and Noah Noble was installed (1831), where were James Rariden, George Dunn, John Vawter, Elisha M. Huntington, George H. Proffit, Samuel Bigger, Caleb B. Smith, John H. Thompson, Joseph A. Wright, Amos Lane, and many others who were prominent in their day, all of whom preceded Mr. English to the grave. Of his Leg- islative associates there is scarcely one living.
He was for several years United States Marshal for the district of Indiana. Under his administration of that office the census of the State was taken in 1860. He served as sheriff of Scott county several terms, and held many other official positions, showing that he always had the confidence of the people who knew him best.
Major English was a positive, earnest man, of strong prejudices. He was, nevertheless, a man of the kindest and most charitable dis- position, warm and devoted to his friends. His public life was char- acterized by honesty of purpose and fidelity to his principles, pursuing at the same time an open, frank and upright course toward his oppo- nents. He was a supporter of the Sage of the Hermitage, and ever continued a member of the Democratic party.
Without the benefit of an early education, he was a self-made man in every respect. His career as well as his person clearly indicated that he had a sound mind in a sound body. He died possessing all his fac- ulties at a ripe old age.
Mr. English left but one child, our fellow citizen the Hon. William H. English, long a Representative in Congress from the second district of Indiana. He was also founder and president of the First National
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HON. WILLIAM H. ENGLISH.
Bank of this city-a position he has retired from in consequence of failing health.
Major English's estimable wife and companion for over fifty years still survives him, and resides with her son in this city.
HON. WILLIAM H. ENGLISH.
Mr. English has been a citizen of Indianapolis since 1863, although he has been well acquainted with our citizens almost since his boyhood. He came to this city and organized the First National Bank before he removed his family. Being a native of the State and favorably known to our citizens, he immediately took rank as a first-class business man, and identified himself with several enterprises whichi have proved beneficial to the city and redound to his credit as a man and public spirited citizen.
His career in the southern part of the State, where he was born and raised, was eminently successful. His father was one of the pioneers of that section and a member of the Indiana Legislature for nearly twenty years, and we remember him as one of the leading men of his party in that body. The son entered political life at an early age. He was principal clerk of the House of Representatives is 1843, and an active participant in the Presidental canvass of 1844 that resulted in the elec- tion of Mr. Polk over Henry Clay.
He was an officer in the treasury department at Washington during the whole of Mr. Polk's administration, and a clerk in the United States Senate during that ever-memorable session of 1850, when the com- promise was effected. Mr. English was principal secretary of the con- vention that framed the present constitution of Indiana, a member of the House of Representatives (Scott) in 1851, and was elected its speaker at that session. He was a member of Congress during the whole of Mr. Pierce's and Mr. Buchanan's administrations, from the second con- gressional district of Indiana, and regent of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington the entire eight years.
During his long service in Congress he took a prominent and active part in several important national questions. He was the author of a bill which passed Congress, known as the "English Bill," long a subject of bitter controversy between the political parties of the day. This bill was a compromise, removing an angry issue between the Senate and House of Representatives, placing it in the power of the people of Kansas, by a vote, to either prevent or secure the admission of Kansas under the Lecompton constitution, as they might determine.
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His thoughts and logic were clear, and he depicted facts with a fresh reflection of youth, and with a ready pen he fitted his thoughts to cir- cumstances. On the breaking out of the war Mr. English retired from Congress, and, comparatively, from an active political life, and without ever having sustained a defeat before the people.
The First National Bank of this city was a pioneer of the system in Indiana, and it has been very successful under his management as the chief executive officer of the institution. I see by the city papers its stock is worth fifty per cent. premium, and holders refuse to sell at these figures; this certainly speaks well for the financial ability of its head. He was for several years the principal stockholder of the differ- ent street railroads. He is a man of fine native as well as acquired ability, a well-read lawyer, but not in practice for many years, and a man of large wealth.
It is but seldom we see a man who started with such prospects of a brilliant career in politics voluntarily relinquish them for that of an ac- tive business life. And it is still more remarkable that an only child as he is, reared in the lap of luxury and ease, and never knew what it was to have a reasonable wish ungratified by indulgent parents, that had never experienced the necessity of exertion of either body or mind, should make the energetic business man he has.
Mr. English is now just in the prime of life, a tall, finely framed and symmetrical figure, dignified and gentlemanly in his bearing, a fine ad- dress. His whole contour would at once commend to and attract atten- tion in any intelligent assemblage.
During the time he was engaged in the treasury department he met with a young lady of Virginia, then visiting the national capital, and they were married; she yet shares his great prosperity and the reward of his untiring energy and industry. They have two children, daugh- ter and son. The daughter, Rosalind, was married on the 24th of June, 1876, to Dr. Willoughby Walling, a prominent physician of Louisville, Kentucky, where they now reside. The son, Will English, a rising young lawyer of this city, resides under the paternal roof.
After organizing the First National Bank, and acting as its president for fourteen years, Mr. English voluntarily retired from its management on account of failing health, and for the purpose of attending to his private business.
Never in the history of banks or banking has there been an insti- tution of the kind managed more successfully, or more to the advant- age of its stockholders and all interested ; while they have ever been
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SAMPSON BARBEE, SENIOR.
liberal to their customers and the public, the bank has incurred little or no loss of consequence. This is remarkable in an institution doing mil- lions of dollars of business annually, and is the best evidence that can be adduced of the great financial ability of Mr. English.
JAMES SKILLEN.
Mr. Skillen is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in the county of Down on the 6th of September, 1814. He came to Canada in 1841, from there to Indianapolis in 1843; since then he has been engaged nearly the whole time in the milling business.
In 1844 he navigated White river with a boat-load of produce for the southern market. From 1851 to 1855 he was lessee of the Fall Creek mills, known as West's mills. He then purchased a portion, and subsequently the whole, of a mill in Carroll county, which he traded Robert R. Underhill for property in Indianapolis. In 1860 he built the Ætna mills on the arm of the canal on West Washington street ; this mill he ran for fourteen years, when he sold it and for a short time retired. He now owns and runs a mill at Trader's Point, on the Lafay- ette State road, some ten or twelve miles from the city.
In 1847 Mr. Skillen was married to a neice of John Carlisle, of this city, with whom he yet lives. Mr. Skillen is a practical miller, and it is said understands the whole minutia of the business.
SAMPSON BARBEE, SENIOR.
Mr. Barbee was a native of the Old Dominion, born in Prince Wil- liam county on the IIth of June, 1787. He resided in various places in his native State in the capacity of a farm overseer until 1828, at which time he removed to Zanesville, Ohio. In October, 1836, he removed to Indianapolis, and here resided until the 10th of October, 1872, the date of his decease. Before leaving Virginia he was married to Miss Lucy Payne, who survived him seven months.
During their thirty-six years residence in this city they were highly respected, possessing as they did a large share of the frankness, candor, hospitality peculiar to the citizens of their native State. They leave five children, Sampson Barbee, Jun., Robert Barbee, for several years connected with the police of the city, and - Barbee, a farmer living a few miles southeast of the city; Mrs. Ann Young, widow of the late Granville Young, and Mrs. Van Laningham, wife of Lemuel Van Lan-
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