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 35
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
ingham, a well known citizen. Mr. Barbee was the brother of ex-Mayor Barbee, of Louisville, Kentucky, to whom he bore a strong resemblance. Although Mr. Barbee was over four-score years of age, he retained his mental faculties to the last.
HEZEKIAH MILES McCORMACK,
Oldest son of James and Patsey McCormack, and nephew of John McCor- mack, was born near Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, on the 13th of March, 1819; with his parents came to where the city of Indianapolis is now located, on the 7th of March, 1820. Mr. McCormack's uncle, John McCormack, had settled on the banks of White river near where Washington street crosses that stream about one month before.
Hezekiah received the principal part of his education in Marion county, under the tutorage of the late Madison Hume and Noah Jackson. In September, 1836, he settled in Bellville, Hendricks county, where he learned the tailoring business with Peter Koil. Two years later, October, 1838, he removed to Danville, in the same county, and worked at his trade with William A. King. In October, 1840, he engaged in the same business on his own account. On the 16th of March, 1841, he was married to Miss Lucinda Beattie, of Edinburgh, a sister-in-law of the person with whom he learned his trade.
He continued to reside in Danville until 1869, when he removed to Greencastle, Putnum county, in order to finish the education of his three sons. Remaining in Greencastle over four years, and having accom- plished the object for which he went there, they returned to Indianapolis on the 25th of December, 1873. Mr. McCormack is now engaged in the real estate and general collecting business. His residence is at 21 North East street.
On the 25th of September, 1839, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church at camp meeting, near Mooresville, Morgan county, Rev. James Havens being the presiding elder, and having charge of the meetings, John B. Burte the station or traveling preacher. I remember the subject of this sketch when no noise was heard where Indianapolis now stands save that which proceeded from the axe of the woodman, the rifle of the hunter, or the falling tree, and have always found him an honest, upright man, as he was a boy.
Mr. McCormack's mother is yet living, and the very oldest female settler of the city, having come here over fifty-six years ago, being the
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HENRY D. CARLISLE.
second family to settle in the New Purchase. She was the daughter of Jehu Perkins, well known as one of the first to build a mill in Rush county, on Little Flat Rock.
HENRY DOUGLAS PIERCE.
Harry Pierce, as he is more generally known by his numerous friends, was born on the 9th of April, 1849, while his parents were en route to California. He was named in honor of the late Stephen A. Douglas, who was a personal as well as political friend of Henry's father, Doctor Winslow S. Pierce.
In their younger days Doctor Pierce and Mr. Douglas agreed that whoever should first have a son, he should name him for the other, hence the Douglas occupying a middle position in Harry's name.
With his father he came to Indianapolis in 1854. He received reg- ularly the rudiments of his education in the public schools preparatory to college. He was with the Rev. L. G. Hay and Luther H. Crull, at their academy. He finished his education at Princeton, New Jersey. He attended two courses of medical lectures-one at the Ohio medical college during Doctor Parvin's connection with it; the other at Berk- shire medical college when at the age of eighteen. He passed the ex- amination, standing fourth in a class of thirty, and received a certificate entitling him to a diploma of M. D. on becoming of age. At the age of twenty-one he received his diploma, but never intended to practice medicine, but wished a knowledge of it as a part of his education. He then studied law in the office of his uncle, Governor Hendricks, in this city.
After he had finished the study of his profession he practiced one year alone. Since that time he has been connected with ex-United States Senator David Turpie in the practice of law.
On the 30th of June, 1875, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Stalls, daughter of the late Almus E. Vinton, of this city.
HENRY D. CARLISLE
Was born in Indianapolis on the Ioth day of April, 1838, while the canal was in course of construction, and resided near its banks. Lived here until 1856, then took charge of the mills at Waverly, Morgan county, there remained two years; thence to Connersville, Fayette county, where he also remained two years; then returned to Indianap-
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
olis, remaining eighteen months ; thence to Minnesota and lived one year, again returning to his native town. In 1868 he built the Home Mills, and managed them until 1874.
Mr. Carlisle was married in 1860 to Miss Jane A. Teal, of this city. In September, 1875, he was elected secretary of the Board of Trade of this city. Mr. Carlisle is the son of that well known citizen and veteran mill owner, John Carlisle. Henry D. Carlisle is about six feet in height, quite stout build, florid complexion and light hair, and is an active business man.
JAMES O. WOODRUFF.
Mr. Woodruff is a native of the Empire State, born at Auburn in 1840. Was educated at Andover College, Massachusetts. To him Indianapolis is largely indebted for her water works, having come for the purpose of constructing them in 1870. In 1872 he purchased the eighty acres of land now comprising that beautiful northeast portion of the city known as Woodruff Place.
This tract of land was purchased by the late Rev. Rezin Hammond at the first sale of land in the New Purchase, at Brookville, in July, 1821. I recollect well when Mr. Hammond was traveling through the country making selections to purchase. This land had remained without any improvements whatever until purchased by Mr. Woodruff; he paid the heirs of Mr. Hammond two hundred and forty thousand dollars, and since has expended two hundred and fifty thousand in improving and ornamenting the grounds. Woodruff Place is now one of, if not the most beautiful place in the entire west, ornamented as it is with statuary, fountains, parks and drives ; it is a credit to the city and an honor to its liberal projector. There is no man whose residence has been of such recent date to whom Indianapolis is so largely indebted.
In person Mr. Woodruff is rather below the medium size, light hair and complexion, courteous and affable in manner; his whole contour at once stamps him as a gentleman of culture and education, and such as would command respect from all with whom he is associated.
PETER LIEBER.
Mr. Lieber was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, on the 27th of May, 1834; came to the United States in 1854, and to Indianapolis in 1856. In 1863 he began the brewing business on Pennsylvania street near the
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JUSTIN SMITH.
southeast corner of that street and South. Here he carried on the business successfully until 1871, having in the meantime erected his large brewery on Madison avenue, where he is yet doing a large business.
To say that his establishment, in size, is second to none in the city, except that of C. F. Schmidt's, and his articles inferior to none, is but doing simple justice. Mr. Lieber enjoys, to a high degree, the confi- dence and esteem of all classes of citizens, more especially so of those of his own nativity. His is a fair illustration of what perseverance and industry, coupled with strict integrity and punctuality will accomplish in business. It is to such men as Mr. Lieber that this city is largely indebted for her present prosperity. While he is a good business man he is yet liberal, especially for charitable and benevolent purposes.
PETER GOTH.
There are very few of our German citizens but are acquainted with our genial friend Peter Goth. Mr. Goth is a native of Bavaria, born at Palatina, on the Rhine, on the 13th of June, 1826. When he first came to the United States he settled at Moore's Hill, Dearborn county, Indiana, and there remained five years. In 1853 he came to Indianapolis, and is known as one of our most respectable citizens.
Mr. Goth owns a fine property opposite the fair grounds, being a portion of the farm originally belonging to the late Thomas Johnson. He has a son in the grocery business on Fort Wayne avenue.
JUSTIN SMITH.
The connection that existed between Mr. Smith and the writer makes it somewhat embarrassing to him to say what he would under other circumstances.
He was a native of the central part of the State of New York, and when quite a young man went south, and for a few years engaged in the shipping business in Charleston, South Carolina. He then returned north and engaged in the wholesale liquor business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thence to New York city, and was there married to Miss Maria B. Lloyd, who was the mother of his several children. From New York city he removed to the neighborhood of his birthplace, and established a furnace for the manufacture of iron. Thence to
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
Rochester, Monroe county, where he resided until his removal to Indi- anapolis, in November, 1838.
At the latter place he contributed considerable to the improvement of the city and making it what it is to-day, one of the most beautiful cities of the Union.
When he left Rochester to find a home for himself and his family it was a formidable undertaking, as there were no railroads, as now, to. facilitate their journey, and when he parted with his friends it was. thought to be a last and long farewell, but such has been the progress and improvement in locomotion that they now often meet, in what was- then the western wilds, those whom they never expected to again meet on this side of the grave.
In less than one short year after Mr. Smith's arrival at his new home, she, who had thus far in life's journey been the partner of his bosom, fell a victim to a malignant fever, and left him without the counsel and advice of his best friend, and his children without a mother whom they loved so well. Mrs. Smith was a lady of fine accomplishments, having been educated at one of the best female institutions in New York, and endowed with such personal attractions that her place was never filled in the heart of him she left behind.
Mr. Smith was not a fashionable Christian, but practiced the genuine as he went along in kindness to the poor and acts of charity. He sel- dom gave to societies, but found the objects of charity on the highway or in the by-ways.
In the year 1844 a distinguished man of the State died. Mr. Smith was asked if he was going to the funeral ; his answer was, "As this was a rich and distinguished man there would be plenty there to bury him." A few weeks after this a well known pauper died ; the funeral proces- sion consisted of the hearse, a country wagon, with the relatives of the deceased, and Mr. Smith in the rear in his buggy.
At the time the Roberts Chapel congregation worshipped in the Court House, Mr. Smith heard that their preacher (Rev. Mr. Bayliss) was a Democrat, so he attended his meetings quite regularly. One even- ing there was considerable religious excitement in the congregation. The minister invited the mourners to come forward to be prayed for. Mr. Smith, having a curiosity to know who wanted praying for, rose to his feet, and resting on his cane, was discovered by the minister, who invited him in this way: "Will father Smith come forward ?" Mr. Smith very deliberately went forward, took a five-frank piece from his pocket, laid it on the table, and remarked : "If that will pay you for the trouble
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PAUL B. L. SMITH.
I've been to you, I shall not visit your church again." So he never again went to hear Mr. Bayliss; nor did he like to be called father Smith, nor singled out in that way.
Mr. Smith was a large, portly man, and possessed considerable poli- tical information. He said to the writer, forty years ago, that the seed was then being sown which would produce the bloodiest intestine war the world ever knew of.
Mr. Smith's eldest daughter, Mary Frances, was the wife of V. C. Hanna, eldest son of General Robert Hanna. Mrs. Hanna died at De- troit, Michigan, on the 15th of August, 1877. The second daughter, Amelia Theresa, the writer claims by right of pre-emption.
The third daughter, Julia Anna (now dead) was the wife of Elwood Fisher, who was one of the readiest political writers of his day. He was, in 1850, the editor of the Southern Press, in Washington City. This paper was the organ of the extreme southern party that opposed the compromise of that year. Mr. Fisher went south when the war broke out in 1861, and died at Atlanta, Georgia, in the fall of 1862.
The fourth daughter of Mr. Smith was the wife of the late Doctor Charles W. Stumm, a well-known and eminent homeopathic physician of Piqua, Ohio, who died in March, 1877. The eldest son, P. B. L. Smith, died at Marseilles, France, in February, 1868. The second son, Adolphus Henry, is a retired banker. The third and youngest son, Frederick A. Smith, is a resident of Cincinnati.
Mr. Smith was the uncle of Generals Morgan L. and Giles A. Smith, who were prominent in the war for the preservation of the Union. The latter was General Grant's second assistant postmaster. They are both deceased. .
Justin Smith died on Friday, the 29th of December, 1854, and now sleeps by the side of his daughter (Mrs. Fisher) in that beautiful city of the dead, Spring Grove Cemetery, near Cincinnati.
Of the nine persons that composed Mr. Smith's family when they came to Indianapolis in the fall of 1838, there are but four living, and but one, Mrs. J. H. B. Nowland, a resident of this city.
PAUL B. L. SMITH.
Nine years ago I wrote the obituary notice of Mr. Smith, he having died at Marseilles, France, on the 2d of February, 1868. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, but when a mere child he removed with his
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
father (the late Justin Smith), to Rochester, in his native State, where he lived until he came to Indianapolis in the fall of 1838. His father had purchased a large farm, with mills and distillery, near Edinburg, in Johnson county. There he established a dry goods store, and the whole . was managed by Adolphus H. Smith, a second son, while P. B. L. Smith was engaged in the mercantile business in this place.
In 1844, P. B. L. Smith determined to gratify a desire, he had long cherished, of visiting the continent of Europe, and, in the fall of that year, sailed from New York. He spent the winter in Paris, and the summer of 1845 in traveling over the continent, and returned home in the fall of that year, his business being carried on, in the meantime, by his brother. Again, in the spring of 1851, he returned to Europe, hav- ing taken a partner in his business here who was interested only so far as the profits were concerned. About a year after he left, his partner sold out the establishment and a fine lucrative trade that Mr. Smith had been fourteen years in building up. His place of business will be re- membered by most of the old citizens as situated where Odd Fellows' Hall stands, on the northeast corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets. When he returned from Europe, in the fall of 1852, and found his business closed, he became low spirited and did not seem to care for business after that, although he had abundant means to engage in any kind he wished.
As there are dark hours in the history of every human being, when despondency and gloom reign supreme, and the future is shrouded in melancholy, so it was with him, and he determined to again visit Europe until his mind became tranquil and again prepared for business. In accordance with this design, he again sailed from New York in April, 1856, taking with him his youngest sister, Justine. Little did either of them dream, as they took a last look at the many church spires of New York, as they receded from their view while the magnificent steamer was leaving the harbor, that he was bidding a long and last farewell to his native land, leaving behind all that was near and dear to him on . earth, to find a grave among strangers, and without the sympathetic tear of brother or sister to fall upon his coffin.
The two years his sister remained with him were spent principally in Paris. After her return to the United States he traversed the conti- nent from one end to the other, spending the winter seasons in Algiers.
In the last letter one of his sisters received from him he expressed
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ADOLPHUS HENRY SMITH.
a desire once more to see his native country ; but his health was so im- paired as to render it almost impossible.
" The home of my childhood ; methinks I can see Those forms that in youth were familiar to me ; And oft on the tablet of memory I trace
The image enshrined of each dear loving face."
But he has solved the problem of life, and now sleeps in the Prot- estant Cemetery at Marseilles, France. Previous to leaving this coun- try the last time he placed a large amount of money at interest, the income from which considerably more than supported him.
There are some men now in business in this city, on the high road to wealth, who did business for Mr. Smith, and acquired much of their business knowledge while with him; among whom are William E. Featherston, who came to him when a boy. Also Charles Bals, who is now deceased, once a prominent wholesale liquor dealer on Meridian street.
During the fifteen years residence of Mr. Smith in Europe, he was proficient in acquiring a knowledge of the French, Italian and German languages, and spoke them with the ease and fluency of a native.
He was a man of fine address and agreeable manners, and was ever a welcome guest at the fireside of his friends and acquaintances. Dur- ing his eighteen years residence in this city he ranked as a first-class business man, punctual with all he had dealings with, and expected them to be so with him. His word he valued above money.
From 1838 to 1856 there was no name more familiar to the people of Indianapolis than that of P. B. L. Smith. It is the sincere hope of the writer that he sought and found his portion of that inheritance which fadeth not away.
ADOLPHUS HENRY SMITH.
Mr. Smith was the second son of the late Justin Smith, once well known to nearly every citizen of Indianapolis. A. H. Smith was born in North Moore street, New York city, on the 24th of February, 1814. At an early age, with his father's family, removed to Rochester, New York, where he was raised. When quite young he developed business qualifications of more than ordinary character. At the age of sixteen he readily commanded the highest salary given to clerks. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in business for himself; later he became a
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
partner with his elder brother, the late P. B. L. Smith, in a large whole- sale dry goods and grocery establishment.
In the fall of 1838, he, with his father's family, removed to Indiana- polis. P. B. L. Smith took charge of the store in the city, while Adol- phus was in charge of the farm, store, mills and distillery in .Johnson county, three miles north of Edinburg, on Sugar creek. This business he managed successfully and with profit to himself and father. In 1841 he sold the latter establishment and went to Cincinnati and engaged in business with the late John Bates, of that city. His first speculation in the Queen City was a whole cargo of nails, upon which he realized seven. thousand dollars profit. His foresight in that large transaction gave Mr. Bates unbounded confidence in his great judgement.
In 1842 he was married to Miss Sarah E., daughter of his partner. In 1843, engaged with his brother-in-law, James Bates, in the dry goods business in Piqua, Ohio ; this business he continued but a short time. He then came back to Indianapolis and was for a few years engaged with his brother in business on the northeast corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets, now Odd Fellows' Hall. In the spring of 1847 he returned to Cincinnati and purchased the White Mills and distillery near Brighton, which he successfully managed for several years ; in the meantime he engaged in the banking business in connection with Henry O. Gilbert, at the corner of Main and Third streets.
In 1855 he sold out the White Mills and with his wife and his father in-law made a tour of the continent of Europe. On his return from Europe he built the Queen City Mills and distillery on the Cummins- ville pike, which was one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the west. In 1861 he sold out his interest in the banking estab- lishment.
When the tax of two dollars per gallon was levied on whisky in 1862, that which was already manufactured was exempt. He had in his warehouse two thousand barrels, or eighty thousand gallons, awaiting an advance of a few cents on the gallon. This tax advanced his whisky from about seven dollars per barrel to eighty-seven dollars per barrel He then sold the Queen City Mills and purchased a farm of fifteen hundred acres near Springfield, Clark county, Ohio. This is one of the finest cultivated farms in Ohio.
On the 22d of June, 1873, he lost his wife. He then sold his resi- dence on Dayton street in the city, alternating his home between the city and his farm. In November, 1874, he was married to his present wife, Mrs. Sarah K. Morse, widow of the late Judge - Morse, of
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JUDGE FABIUS M. FINCH.
Hamilton county, Ohio, and daughter of John M. Chever, one of the oldest citizens of Piqua, having settled there in 1823, and is yet living.
In the will of the late John Bates he made Mr. Smith administrator of his estate, without bond. This estate, of which Mr. Smith's wife was an heir, was estimated at one and a quarter millions of dollars. The settlement of this immense estate he is now managing besides his own business. Mr Smith is of a hopeful and cheerful disposition ; takes the world as he finds it, and enjoys life as he journeys through. He is a loving husband, a kind and indulgent father, a generous brother and a true and devoted friend.
Mr. Smith has five children-three daughters and two sons-all mar- . ried. His eldest daughter, Amelia H., is the wife of Dr. Graham A. Wells, a prominent dentist of this city; the second, Maria L., is the wife of General Andrew J. Hickinlooper, vice president of the Cincin- nati gas light and coke company ; the third, Sallie, is the wife of Harbine, and lives at Harbine Station, near her father's residence. The oldest son, Adolphus H., is a farmer, and lives near his father, in Clark county ; William, the youngest child, lives on a farm near Win- namac, Pulaski county, Indiana.
It will be readily seen by his record that Mr. Smith has had his troubles as well as pleasures; however, some of his days have been spent as a sparkling brook in summer time.
He now takes great pleasure in catering for his numerous friends who visit him at his elegant home, Enonside, Clark county, Ohio, where he has the elegance of the city and substantial comforts of the country.
JUDGE FABIUS M. FINCH.
Judge Finch emigrated with his father, Judge John Finch, from Western New York to Ohio in 1816, from thence to Marion county, in the New Purchase, in 1819, settling on White river, near the present site of Noblesville.
At that time there were no white inhabitants within sixty miles of the settlement there formed, except the trading post of Conner & Mar- shall, three miles below, on the same river. With Judge Finch came a colony of ten or twelve families, which formed the society of that whole region for a year or two.
After the land sale at Brookville, in July, 1821, the population in- creased upon the more favored spots, such as the prairies on the river. The hardships of those early pioneers, arising from sickness, mostly
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chills and fever, and the ignorance of medical practitioners, and the want of the delicacies of life needed in such cases, no one who has not had the experience can conceive. Malarial diseases were treated by bleeding and with calomel, gamboge and severe emetics, mostly tartar emetic, and the wonder is that any one was left. Judge Finch having a good constitution survived in spite of the doctor.
At the age of seventeen he came to this city, where, after complet- ing a not very thorough education, he studied law with his brother-in- law, the Hon. William W. Wick. At the early age of twenty, in 1831, he was admitted to the bar by Judges Eggleston and Bethuel F. Mor- ris. He then settled at Franklin, Johnson county, where he resided until 1865, when he removed to this city.
He has made law his profession (with varying success) ever since, and is now the oldest member of the Indianapolis bar. Judge Finch recollects distinctly the selection of the site for the capitol by the com- missioners, on the 7th of June, 1820, and a number of the commission- ers afterwards visiting his father as the principal man in the county, he being head of the colony.
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