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 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
In the fall of 1860 Mr. Harrison received his first and only political appointment, that of reporter of the Supreme Court of Indiana. Dur- ing his term of office he got out two volumes of reports, 15th and 16th, and had nearly completed the 17th when he entered the military service. A notable event in connection with his political canvass was his joint meeting with Governor Hendricks at Rockville, Parke county, which
405
GENERAL BENJAMIN HARRISON.
was quite accidental, but in which the youthful and brilliant orator suc- ceeded in thoroughly defeating his wily opponent. That joint debate is still remembered by all who heard it, and by all to the credit of Gen- eral Harrison, who then proved himself more than the equal of the chosen leader of the Democratic party.
In July, 1862, just after a repeated proclamation for troops was issued by President Lincoln, Mr. Harrison felt that the call was a personal appeal to his patriotism, and it occasioned a strong conflict within his breast as to what course he should take. He had just obtained a fair start in life ; he was the holder of a comfortable civil office, the husband of a young wife, and father of two little children, and the owner of a small cottage not more than half paid for. What should he do? His course was decided by the following incident recorded in his own words :
"I went one day to see Governor Morton with Mr. Wallace, to seek an appointment as lieutenant for a young man in the north part of the State. After getting through with this business Governor Morton invited me into an inner room. He there spoke of the call and of no response being made thereto. The Governor seemed quite discouraged at the apathy of the people, and, pointing over toward the Gallup block, where men were dressing stone, remarked that men were inter- ested more in their own business than in the safety of the nation. I said right there : 'Governor, if I can be of service to my country I am ready to go.' He said: 'You can ; you can raise a regiment in this district.' He went on to say: 'You have a good office, and it would be too much to ask you to give it up ; but you get up the regiment and we can find some one else to take it to the field.' I said: ‘No; if I make a recruiting speech and ask any man to enlist, I propose to go with him and stay as long as he does if I live so long.' 'Well,' said the Governor, 'you can command the regiment.' I said: 'I don't know that I shall want to. I have no military experience ; we can see about that.' "
After this conversation Mr. Harrison proceeded up the street with Mr. Wallace, bought a military cap; they got out handbills for a war meeting at Masonic Hall, hired a drum and fife and hung a flag out of his office window. Mr. Harrison took out a second lieutenant's recruiting commission, and raised and took the first company (A) of the 70th regiment into camp, and in less than thirty days from the date of the first recruiting commission he was in Kentucky with one thousand and ten men. This was the first regiment in the field under that call.
General Harrison continued in the army until 1865, when he was
·
406
SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
mustered out as a brigadier general. Meanwhile, in the fall of 1864, he was re-elected reporter of the Supreme Court, and was offered a place in the law firm of Porter & Fishback, which then took the name of Porter, Harrison & Fishback. Since that date General Harrison has been closely identified with the practice of the law, remaining with Mr. Porter and in company with Judge Hines, after Mr. Fishback assumed the editorship of the Journal, and afterwards becoming the head of the present firm of Harrison, Hines & Miller.
General Harrison united with the Presbyterian church in Oxford, in the year 1850, and has been, ever since 1860, an elder of the Third Presbyterian church of Indianapolis.
The people of the State know and are proud of the military record and civil life and character of General Harrison. His career as a soldier is stainless ; his practice as a lawyer is extensive, brilliant and successful, and as a public speaker no one is more convincing and effective. By universal consent the Republicans of the State settled upon General Har- rison as their candidate for Governor in the centennial year, and when he absolutely declined prior to the convention in the spring there was universal regret. The nomination to the vacancy upon the State ticket was in obedience to an imperious call from the people of every section of the State, and was hailed by the Republican party with rejoicing. Although General Harrison was defeated, he made a vigorous canvass. The great popularity of the Democratic nominee could not be overcome ; indeed it was Governor Williams who saved the Democratic Presidential ticket from defeat in Indiana.
JAMES L. FUGATE
Was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 28th of April, 1828, and there raised and educated. He was married to Miss Mary A. Love, of the same city, on the 16th of February, 1860. Soon after his marriage he came to Indianapolis, and engaged as a clerk in the hardware store of Mr. Vajen, on West Washington street. After being with Mr. Vajen some time, in the capacity of a clerk, he purchased an interest. He then, in connection with Mr. Hildebrand, bought the entire stock, and they are now doing business under the name and style of Hildebrand & Fugate, on South Meridian street. This firm are doing as large, if not the largest, business in the hardware line of any similar establish- ment in the State; being gentlemanly and obliging in their business has
407
COLONEL JAMES W. GRAY.
won them, both personally and in a business point of view, hosts of friends.
Mr. Fugate has four living children-Flora A., Willis, Walter, and Fanny L.
JONATHAN M. HACKER
Was the first person who put up and run a steam engine in Indianapolis. He came here in the employ of Messrs. McCarty, Ray & Blake, and put up the engine in the old steam mill (situated where Geisendorff's mill now stands), in April, 1831.
Mr. Hacker was born in Clarksburg, Virginia, in 1804. He learned the blacksmith and machinist business in Cincinnati. After finishing these trades, he was employed as a steamboat engineer for some time, running between New Orleans and the "Queen City."
In 1832 he was married to Miss Lucinda Van Blaricum, youngest daughter of the late John Van Blaricum. Mr. Hacker died on the 16th of August, 1838, leaving four children-John A., James V., Mary Ann, and Louisa-John A. and Louisa being twins. One of the daughters is the wife of George Coble, a well-known grocer, at the northwest corner of Washington and Mississippi streets. Mrs. Hacker is yet living, and makes her home with Mr. Coble.
With Mr. Hacker the writer was well acquainted, and can speak from personal knowledge of his integrity, having had considerable busi- ness transactions with him.
COLONEL JAMES W. GRAY.
Colonel Gray was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 18th day of May, 1834, and received an academic education in one of the institutions of his native city. After finishing his education he learned the business of building marine and locomotive engines, and followed his profession until April, 1861, when he came west and assisted in organizing the 40th Indiana regiment at Vincennes, Knox county.
In 1864 he came to Indianapolis and leased the Spencer House, situated on the northwest corner of Illinois and Louisiana streets, at the west end of the Union Depot ; he continued to keep this hotel until July, 1875. During the nine years he kept the Spencer House it was considered one of the best hotels in the city, and the proprietor a popu- lar and accommodating landlord. On New Year's day, 1874, he gave a free entertainment to the common council of the city. In 1874 he
408
SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
gave the widows and orphans of the fifth ward a dinner, at another time he gave the newsboys and bootblacks a dinner. Colonel Gray being a mechanich imself, his sympathies have ever been with the me- chanics and laboring classes. In 1874 when the journeyman printers struck and quit work in consequence of a reduction of their pay, he presented them with three car loads of coal to be distributed among such of them as had families. His many acts of disinterested benevo- lence speak more for him than can be expressed in language. Colonel Gray is a very large framed man, over six feet in height but not inclined to corpulency, of dark hair, eyes and complexion.
CHARLES M. RASCHIG
Was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1836. He came to Indianapolis and commenced the cigar and tobacco business at No. 11 East Washington street, and remained in the same location until the building was razed to make room for the Citizens' National Bank building. He then re- moved to West Washington street, and remained until the bank build- ing was completed, then returned to the old location in the new build- ing, remained there for nearly six years, and then removed to No. 21 East Washington street, for the purpose of getting more room, where he still remains.
Mr. Raschig is perhaps the largest dealer in fancy brands of cigars and tobacco in the city, and if outside indications are any criterion, is doing a fair business in the wholesale trade. He is a man of fine busi- ness qualifications, industrious habits, and is quite popular with his cus- tomers.
GEORGE H. HEITKAM.
Mr. Heitkam is well known as one of the most popular merchant tailors of the city. He was born in the northern part of Germany in April, 1837, and there learned the tailoring business.
In 1853 came to the United States, and in July of the same year came to Indianapolis, where he has been doing business since that time. He was for some time engaged in the manufacture and sale of ready made clothing with Mr. Kenney as a partner. He is now doing busi- ness on his own account at No. 13 West Washington street.
In 1862 Mr. Heitkam was married to Miss B. W. Kindel, of this city. Mr. Heitkam certainly can not be excelled in the fine quality of the goods he deals in and the superb fit of his suits.
409
WILLIAM W. SMITH.
CHRISTIAN KLINGENSMITH
Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and with his father's family came to Indiana in the spring of 1833, and settled in Pike town- ship, Marion county. Mr. Klingensmith being industrious and ener- getic, he soon accumulated enough money to purchase a small farm. He was then married to Miss Elizabeth Reveal, of Hamilton county. Some years since he sold his farm in Marion county and bought a large farm five miles south of Noblesville, in Delaware township, Hamilton county, where he was a successful farmer for several years before his death, which occurred on the 23d of December, 1874. He leaves his wife and five children-William, Christian and Silas, Mrs. Lacy and Mrs. Davis. Mr. Klingensmith was a great reader and took a lively interest in politics. He was a Democrat at the time he cast his first vote for Van Buren and during the remainder of his entire life.
He was a hospitable and generous man ; kind and devoted to his family and friends. He left his family in comfortable circumstances.
WILLIAM W. SMITH
Was born in the town of Westville, Franklin county, New York, on the 2d of June, 1822. His parents were natives of Massachusetts; his father died at the age of eighty-seven, his mother one hundred years.
The life of the son has been a checkered one; he left his home at the age of twenty years, since which time he has endured many trials and afflictions. His business for several years was that of railroading, having engaged in it about the time of the railroad war at Erie, Penn- sylvania. When the war of the rebellion broke out he was among the first to help fill up the ranks and march to the field. He was first ap- pointed sergeant of the company and then promoted to colonel, which position he held until the close of the war.
His long experience in railroading has been the means of his adding many valuable improvements, which will be long remembered after he has passed away. He came to Indianapolis in 1858, and I understand was considered one of the best railroad men in the city. In conse- quence. of having lost an eye, he thought it prudent to retire from the business. He is now engaged in the insurance business, representing several solid companies, among them the Franklin (fire) of this city. Mr. Smith is a man of great energy and perseverence, and whatsoever his hands findeth to do he does with all his might. He owns some val- uable property and resides on West South street.
410
SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
WILLIAM MEYER
Is a native of Hanover, Germany, born on the 8th of August, 1830; he came to the United States, landing in New Orleans in 1848; from the latter city he went to Cincinnati and there lived seven years, thence to Indianapolis in 1855. He has been doing an extensive grocery and produce business for eight years at the northwest corner of Meridian and Ray streets, a portion of the time as a partner of Mr. Hermann Altmann.
Mr. Meyer is well known to the farming community in the southern part of Marion and northern portion of Johnson counties, with whom he does a large business. He was married some years since to Miss Louisa Steinkuhler of this city.
CYRUS T. NIXON
Was born in Salem, Washington county, Indiana, on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1831. He was educated in the common private schools, in Charles- town, Clarke county, where he studied law, but became a farmer. He was elected to the State Senate from Clarke county in 1857. In 1859. he was the Democratic nominee for clerk of Clarke county. Since the war Mr. Nixon has been a Republican, and was a Presidential elector from the Second Congressional District in 1872. He was elected prin- cipal clerk of the House of Representatives at the sessions of 1865, 1867, 1870, 1871 and 1877. He served two years as assistant asses- sor of internal revenue. He came to Indianapolis in 1872, and engaged in the real estate business in 1873, and has been actively at work therein since that time. For two years past he has been secre- tary of the Manufacturers' and Real Estate Exchange. Mr. Nixon was. married to Miss Emily M. Beeler, of New Albany, Indiana, 'on the 15th of November, 1866. Mr. Nixon is nephew of the first wife of Governor Jonathan Jennings.
GEORGE LOWE.
Mr. Lowe was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of November, 1823, and was there educated and remained until he was. sixteen years old. He then went to Cumberland, Maryland, and took charge of the bookstore of Stewart & McGuire. Two years subsequent he engaged to learn the carriage making business at Chambersburg, in
411
GEORGE LOWE.
his native State. His grandfather wished him to study a profession, but he thought he saw more money in the vocation of a mechanic.
After he had finished his trade he engaged with Buck & Morgan as a clerk in their wholesale dry goods house on Market street, Philadel- phia, where he continued until the spring of 1845, when he came west, and for ten months was a clerk in Cincinnati, which was long enough, however, for him to select a wife in the person of Miss Mary W. Wright.
In the spring of 1846, with his new wife, he came to Indianapolis by the only old traditional mud wagon, the only public ingress to the village at that time. Mr. Lowe brought with him a letter of introduc- tion to the late Calvin Fletcher; on presenting his letter Mr. Fletcher wanted to know if he came to live by speculation or labor; on being answered the latter, Mr. Fletcher remarked "that he was glad of it, that we already had too many who wished to live without work." Mr. Lowe took encouragement from what Mr. Fletcher said and sought work immediately.
He worked in an establishment on Delaware street for some time, until he found he would never get the pay for his labor, and then en- gaged with the late Frederick Foltz, whose shop was on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania and Market streets; with the latter he worked three years, averaging about eighty-seven and a half cents per day. In 1849 he commenced business on his own account on New Jersey street. Mr. Lowe tells me the first few years after commencing business he had great difficulties to encounter ; at one time he had to trade a hog that would weigh three hundred pounds for a stove not worth as many cents, but such was his situation he must make the trade in order to have a fire in his shop. How changed are the times as well as Mr. Lowe's circumstances. He has now an establishment, Nos. 71 and 73 West Market street, where he puts up some of the finest carriages in the west ; this establishment cost him about thirty thousand dollars. In 1872 he sold and shipped a buggy to Lowell, Massachusetts, for B. F. Butler ; in 1872 he shipped a fine carriage to E. N. Gibbs, of Norwich, Connecticut.
I was shown a gold medal (weighing fifty dollars) he received from the Real Estate Exchange of Indianapolis, for the best display of carri- ages at the State Exposition of 1874, also one from the State Board of Agriculture at the same time. Mr. Lowe also has silver medals, several in number, he has received at different times as testimonials of his superior work. I doubt if there is any mechanic or artisan in the west that has received such testimony of his superior skill.
412
SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
He has three children living, two sons and a daughter ; his sons are unmarried and live under the paternal roof ; the daughter is the wife of Caleb S. Denney, a well known attorney of the city.
Mr. Lowe has accomplished much by patience, industry and perse- verance, and overcome obstacles that would have discouraged many persons with a less determined mind. He now lives to enjoy the fruits of a well spent life, with the entire confidence of his neighbors and friends, some of whom have known him for thirty years or more.
ADOLPHUS ABROMET
Was born in eastern Prussia on the 30th of June, 1830. He came to the United States in the fall of 1856, and resided in different southern cities, and in Havana, Cuba. In the fall of 1858, he was married to Miss Eliza Flynn, of Manchester, England. He came to Indianapolis in 1861, and was engaged in the United States arsenal as clerk for some time during the rebellion. He then engaged as clerk in the Ætna Fire Insurance office. On the retirement of Mr. William Hen- derson he became the general agent at this point. Mr. Abromet's fine business qualifications, together with his kind, genial, and accommodat- ing disposition, have done much for that old reliable company, and have won for himself a host of personal friends in the city of his adoption. He is a large man, fair complexion, with a voice that imparts to the Prussian accent a musical and winning charm. Such is Adolphus Abromet, the agent of the Atna Fire Insurance Company for 1876. Mr. Abromet served in the same regiment in the Prussian army, and was a friend and personal acquaintance of Baron Von Humboldt.
THOMAS J. BARLOW-
Was born in Ireland, on the 24th day of August, 1844, and came to the United States in 1848, landing in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he remained but a few months, thence he came to Madison, Indiana, where he remained until October, 1856. He then came to Indianapolis, where he has since made his home. His education is limited, what lit- tle schooling he received being taught him while he resided in Madison ; the balance of his education he acquired through his own industry and perseverance while engaged in different branches of business since 1859. He engaged with John Ott, then the leading furniture manufacturer in the State, to learn the business of wood carver. In the course of time
413
JOHN BROUGH.
he discontinued that branch of the business, and became salesman in the store for some time, after which he was engaged in the State arsenal under General Sturm, until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the 99th regiment Indiana volunteers, Colonel Alexander Fowler, and was as- signed to the western army. He was with Sherman's army from Mem- phis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Kennesaw, Atlanta, and down to the sea; was commissioned a lieuten- ant, and was assigned as A. D. P. to Major General N. B. Hazen, of Ohio, commanding the 2d division 15th army corps. He went through with Sherman from the sea to Washington City, passing through North and South Carolina. In June, 1865, he was mustered out of service, and returned to Indianapolis and engaged in the liquor business for a short time, but becoming tired of the business he became connected with the postoffice, then under the management of D. Garland Rose as postmaster. In 1868 he retired from the postoffice, and was married to Miss Harriet Carpenter, of Binghamton, New York, after which he again embarked in the liquor business and continued until 1876, when he sold out for the purpose of studying law.
There are but few people of this city who have not heard of or know Tom Barlow, and all would join in awarding him the credit of being a liberal, kind, and obliging gentleman.
JOHN BROUGH.
Mr. Brough was born in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, on the IIth of April, 1836. His father at that time was editor of the Ohio Eagle. In 1840 his father was elected auditor of Ohio and removed to Columbus. His official term expired in 1844, at which time he removed to Cincinnati, and became associated with his brother, Charles Brough, in the publication of the Cincinnati Enquirer. In 1848 he removed to Madison, Indiana, having been elected president of the Madison and Indianapolis railroad. In 1855 he removed to Indianapolis, at which time he took charge of the Bellefontaine railroad.
John's primary education was acquired in the public schools and at St. Xavier college. After the removal of his father to Madison and then to this city, John attended a term each at Hanover and Asbury colleges, this State, and at College Hill, Ohio. His education at these places was more mathematical than classical. In 1849 he took French leave of home and made a voyage before the mast in a ship from New York to Shanghai, China, and return, the voyage lasting ten months.
414
SKET CHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
His experience on this trip he considers the best part of his education. After this he was engaged on railroads for a number of years, begin- ning as a train boy. In 1855, while acting as baggage master, he was seriously hurt by a train accident on the Bellefontaine line. This event cooled his ambition for a life on the rail, and he engaged as a tally clerk in the Bellefontaine freight depot in this city ..
He gradually received promotion, and at the time he severed his connection with the road and railroading, he held the position of freight receiving clerk, clerk of machine shops, assistant auditor, and purchasing agent for the road. He began newspaper life during the fall campaign of 1868, reporting political meetings for the Sentinel until 1874, when he joined what was called the Indiana Colony, and went to St. Louis and had three weeks experience on the Times. He then returned to Indianapolis and was engaged on the Journal staff as telegraph editor, from which position he took the city editorship of the Union. After the demise of the Union, he became city editor of Bigham's Globe, and was with it at its death, and says that he mourns the death of both papers one hundred and fifty dollars unpaid salary. In September, 1875, he became connected with the People as advertising agent, which position he still holds. About four years since, by reason of violent exercise, he acquired what is called locomotor atascy, a species of par- alysis, progressive and incurable. This disease for the past two years has left him unable to perform the more active duties of newspaper life than those in which he is now engaged. Mr. Brough was married in May, 1857, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Isaac H. Taylor, Esq., of Madison. They have had five children, three of whom are living, a boy and two girls. The eldest daughter is the wife of Joseph W. Bing- ham, a well-known newspaper man of this city. Mr. Brough is con- sidered one of the best newspaper men in the city. The truth of this is attested by the fact that he is always engaged on some one of the city papers.
AUSTIN H. BROWN
Was born on the 19th of March, 1828, at Milroy, Rush county, Indi- ana. His father, William J. Brown, and mother (formerly Miss Susan Tompkins) soon afterwards removed to Rushville. Here Austin received a limited education, sometimes attending school a few months in town and sometimes going to a school two miles in the country; removing with his father to Indianapolis, January, 1, 1837; he then went to school under the tutorship respectively of Josephus Cicero Worrall, Heman H.
Finnerstein Bro Et, Indianapolis Lithographie Institute
AustinSA Brown
417
AUSTIN H. BROWN.
Barlow, Jacob S. Kemper, a Mr. Tuffts, John Wheeler and Alexander Jameson. When not in school he worked as roller boy (printer's devil) and carrier in the office of the Indiana Democrat, The Mechanic and the Indiana State Sentinel. In the fall of 1844 he went to Indiana Asbury University, at Greencastle, remaining there until February, 1845, when he was summoned to Washington City to take a clerkship in the auditor's office of the treasury for the Post Office Department, under the administration of President Polk (at that time he was but seventeen years old), serving in that position and as assistant chief clerk of the same bureau until May, 1, 1850, when he returned to Indiana- polis. Having purchased of the Messrs. Chapman the Indiana State Sentinel, he assumed the control of that paper and the management of a large book and job printing office ; was elected printer to the consti- tutional convention in 1850, and subsequently State printer. In March, 1855, he sold out the establishment and paper to Colonel John C. Walker and retired from business. During his connection with the Sentinel it was a model for typography, and the paper which had before been only a semi-weekly was permanently established as a daily, but at great pecuniary loss to the proprietor. He was assisted in the editorial department by his father, Nathaniel Bolton, Alexander F. Morrison, Oliver B. Torbet, John W. Duzan and Charles Nordhoff.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.