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 43
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The son of a wealthy farmer who visited his uncle in this city, a few years since, and spent some time with him, on his return to his farm home, was asked how he would like to live in the city. "Not at all," was his quick reply; "I don't like the way they have of going out with a basket and buying a breakfast every morning before they can eat it." The thrifty farm of Mr. Johnson indicates that he generally keeps. sev- eral breakfasts on hand, as his large barn is always well filled with the products of his farm, as well as his larder with the smaller productions.
Oliver Johnson possesses, in a high degree, the frankness and can- dor peculiar to his uncles, the late Jerry and Thomas Johnson. The Johnson family were always noted for their generosity and hospitality, and Oliver has inherited a goodly share.
WILLIAM EVANS
Was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1812; came west and set- tled in the county of the same name in Ohio. In 1818 he was married to Miss Margaret Eliot. In 1823 came to Marion county, where he resided fifty years before he died, leaving his wife, who is now seventy-
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OLIVER PERRY MORTON.
nine years old, and resides with her son-in-law, Mr. A. J. Hinesley, of this city.
Mr. Evans worked on some of the first brick buildings erected in Indianapolis, such as the old Court House and State House. In con- nection with honest John Thalman, he contracted for and built some of the first public school houses. They then formed a partnership in a va- riety store, the firm being Thalman & Evans. Thinking every person, like themselves, honest, they credited too much, thereby losing largely. Mr. Evans also improved a farm a few miles southeast of the town, where he lived many years. He has therefore been farmer, mechanic and merchant.
Mr. Evans's life was that of a practical, as well as a professing Chris- tion, which was manifested by his everyday life, and his many charita- ble and benevolent acts to his fellow-man. He died on the Ist of De- cember, 1871. His death was regretted by all who knew him.
OLIVER PERRY MORTON.
Governor Morton was born in Center township, Wayne county, Indiana, on the 4th day of March, 1823. His parents having died when he was quite young, he was raised by his grandmother and two aunts. At a suitable age he was apprenticed to a half brother at Cen- terville to learn the hatter's trade. He worked at this business but a short time, and for awhile was out of employment. He was then placed at the Wayne County Seminary, at Centerville, of which Pro- fessor Samuel K. Hoshour was principal. After finishing a course of preparatory studies he was placed at the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, where he made considerable progress in his studies, but left the institution without completing the course. He returned to Centerville and commenced the study of law. In 1846 he was admitted to the bar and rose rapidly in the profession. In 1852 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Wayne county Judicial Circuit Court and served the unexpired term of the former incumbent.
Previous to 1854, at which time the Republican party was formed, Governor Morton acted with the Democratic party, and as such was appointed by Governor Wright a judge of that district. In 1856 he was the Republican candidate for Governor against Ashbel P. Willard, the Democratic candidate, and was defeated. In 1860 he was elected
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Lieutenant-Governor on the same ticket with Henry S. Lane as Gov- ernor. He served in this office but two days. Mr. Lane having been elected to the United States Senate, Governor Morton became Gov- ernor of the State by virtue of his position as Lieutenant-Governor. The war, which began in April, 1861, devolved the most weighty responsibilities upon the executives of the different States that they had ever encountered. Governor Morton, immediately after Fort Sumpter was fired on, convened the Legislature, and means were taken to put the State on a war footing. The promptitude with which he acted and efficiency of his whole course, soon gave him a national reputation, throughout all the Union States, and he was known as the "War Governor."
In 1864 he received the unanimous nomination of his party, and was elected Governor over the Hon. Joseph E. McDonald, who is now his colleague in the United States Senate. During this term he took a trip to Europe for the benefit of his healthi, the duties of the office being discharged in his absence by Lieutenant-Governor Conrad Baker.
In January, 1867, he was elected to the United States Senate, made vacant by the expiration of the term of the Hon. Henry S. Lane. He resigned the office of Governor, and Conrad Baker became chief magis- trate of the State. Again, in 1873, he was elected for another term of six years. At this writing he has been in the Senate ten years, and has been considered the leader of the Republican party in that body.
In 1876 his name was presented to the convention that met at Cin- cinnati for the nomination of President. I suppose there is no man living who has more warm aud devoted friends, nor is there one who has bitterer enemies than Governor Morton. This is not at all strange. It was so with Henry Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Benton, Douglas, and in fact every person who has ever aspired to the Presidency. Nor are his enemies confined alone to the opposition party. Jealousies spring up and make enemies of rivals in the same party. Governor Morton has had his full share of that class of enemies. He is a skillful leader of his party, stern and impetuous at times ; a man of serious and commanding appearance.
In the spring of 1845 Governor Morton was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda M. Burbank, daughter of Isaac Burbank, a respectable merchant of Centerville. By this union they have three children, all sons, John M., Walter S., and Oliver T. Morton. At this writing, October 6, 1877, it is extremely doubtful whether Oliver P. Morton will ever see the Senate chamber again. He is lying at Richmond very low, yet his friends have hope of his ultimate recovery.
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SAMUEL E. TILFORD.
ANDREW J. HINESLEY
Was born near Harrison, which is situated on the line that divides Ohio and Indiana, on the 27th of December, 1827, and with his father, the late John W. Hinesley, came to Marion county about the year 1830. When he had attained a sufficient age he was apprenticed to Isaac H. Roll, and learned the saddle and harness making business. After the completion of his term of apprenticeship he began the business on his own account and for twelve years. followed it very successfully, a large por- tion of the time in what was known as Griffith's Block.
For the past ten years he has been engaged with J. R. Budd in the shipping of poultry, butter and eggs to the east, part of the time as a partner and now as a clerk. This house has done as large a business, if not the largest, in that line as any similar establishment in the west. How many turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens will testify against them on the day of judgment is hard to tell, but if they rise at all their num- ber will be millions.
During the rebellion he volunteered in the hundred days service and was elected first lieutenant of Company C, of the 132d Indiana regiment. After his term of service had expired he again volunteered in the 148th regiment, and was elected second lieutenant of Company A, and served to the end of the war.
In 1851 he was married to Miss Eliza Evans, daughter of the late William Evans, one of the early mechanics and farmers of Marion county.
SAMUEL E. TILFORD.
Mr. Tilford was born at Madison, Jefferson county, Indiana, March 31, 1843, and there received a primary education. In 1855, with his father's family, he removed to Indianapolis. He was some time at the North Western Christian (now Butler) University, and finished a good English education. He afterwards learned the printing business. He volunteered in the 11th Indiana regiment, at the first call for men, in 1861, and served three months, until the regiment was mustered out of service. He then enlisted under Colonel Wheatley, in the 126th regi- ment, as the colonel's orderly, where he served eighteen months. Af- ter being at home a short time, he enlisted in the 132d, and served three months, until the regiment was discharged. He then served as clerk for Colonel Carrington for eighteen months. It will be seen by this that "Sammy" has seen some service, and is not without a mili-
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tary record of no mean pretensions. He was for some time mail agent on one of the lines of railroad that center at Indianapolis.
On the 12th of October, 1864, he was married to Miss Ollie E. Grooms, of this city. They have three children-Eddie, twelve years old; Nellie, seven; and Maxie, three.
Since his father retired from the Indianapolis Printing and Publishing House he has taken his place, and is now one of the owners and active managers of it. This house is doing a large share of the book publish - ing and job work of the city at this time, besides the press work for several of the weekly papers. In addition to the work in which this sketch is contained, they have at this time several other books awaiting publication. Mr. Tilford and his partner, Mr. John Carlon, both being practical printers, and understanding the whole routine of a printing office, are enabled to do their work with dispatch and to the satisfac- tion of their numerous patrons. The reader can form an idea by this work of the kind of work they turn out. I hope the writer may live to write a dozen more books for them to print.
JOHN HENRY VAJEN.
John Henry Vajen was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 19th of March, 1828 ; his father, whose name was also John Henry, was a pro- fessor in the university at Stade, in Hanover.
Mr. Vajen, Sen., came to this country, with his family, in 1836, and settled in Baltimore, where he continued his occupation as teacher for one year when he removed to Cincinnati. Here he taught school and was organist at the old Sixth street church until 1839, when he purchased land in Jackson county, near Seymour, and there organized a colony of Ger- man Lutherans. He, together with several hundred families, moved there and erected what is, perhaps, the largest log church in the State. Having joined the ministry of the Lutheran church some time previous, he went to preaching in Jackson and Bartholomew counties, and during the time of his ministry he organized four congregations, which are now in a·flourishing condition.
During all those years John Henry, Jun., was spending most of his time on the farm and in school. In 1845 his father died, and John, then seventeen years old, went to Cincinnati to seek employment. He obtained a situation very soon with an old friend of his father, Mr. G. Herder, who had a large wholesale and retail hardware store. Mr. Vajen com- menced as clerk, receiving for his services four dollars per month, which
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JOHN HENRY VAJEN.
was gradually increased until 1848, when he received an interest in the business.
Mr. Vajen was married to Miss Alice Fugate in October, 1850. In August, 1851, he severed his connection with Mr. Herder and came to Indianapolis, and in September of the same year opened a wholesale and retail hardware store on East Washington street; he also com- menced the manufacture of planes, which he discontinued three years later. His business went on successfully and gradually increased, and in 1856, in order to have better and more commodious quarters, he built the large four story building, No. 21 West Washington street, and removed thereto in 1861. Mr. Vajen gave J. S. Hildebrand and J. L. Fugate an interest in the business. In a few years they accumulated capital and became active partners. In the first year of business in this city Mr. Vajen's trade amounted to about twenty-five thousand dollars, which has increased up to this time to about two hundred thousand dol- lars per annum. In 1871 he sold to his partners the entire business and stock, and retired, on account of failing health, from the cares of busi- ness. In the Journal of Commerce, printed at that time, we find the following notice :
" J. H. Vajen having sold his interest in the establishment of which he was the founder and so lately stood at the head, has retired from the soil and toil and care of business to the quiet of a private life. That he has been crowned with such eminent success is due both to his excellent business capacity and many genial qualities, which made those with whom he came in contact his friends. He retires as one of the heavy capitalists of Indianapolis, and as he subsides into the calm which is his due after the battle so well fought and ably won he takes with him the heartfelt good wishes of all with whom he came in business contact, while assisting to build up the city and at the same time he built his own fortune.
" In 1861, when the rebellion broke out, Governor Morton was looking about him to find active and competent men to assist him in the emer- gency, and on the recommendation of many prominent business men in the city and State he appointed Mr. Vajen Quarter-Master General of the State, which he reluctantly accepted. It is a matter of history that of the troops which rushed to the field under the first call the Indiana sol- diers were better equipped and generally better prepared than those of most any other State. It was Mr. Vajen's duty to inaugurate all plans with regard to the equipment of the first levies ; his duty was a difficult one as can be easily seen when it is considered that purchases of every-
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thing necessary for the comfort of many thousand men entering on camp-life had to be provided for at very short notice. That his work was promptly, energetically and faithfully done the official reports of the time will testify. Mr. Vajen went earnestly to work and pushed things, often making himself personally responsible for the fulfillment of con- tracts, and the result was that, in a great measure owing to his exertions, the volunteers started to the front well equipped at a cost to the State of much less money than Ohio and other States were compelled to pay. Mr. Vajen was Quarter-Master General for about one year when he re- signed. In March, 1864, Mr. Vajen assisted in organizing the banking house of Fletcher, Vajen & Co., which continued successfully for one year when it was merged into the Fourth National and afterwards into the Citizens' National Bank, of which latter he is a director and large stockholder."
During the twenty-six years of his residenee in this city Mr. Vajen has been engaged to a considerable extent in real estate, buying and selling in that time over five million dollars worth in and adjoining this city. He has assisted in increasing the city limits by laying out fourteen additions, and has added to its beauty by erecting twenty-two good and substantial dwelling and business houses, among which was the first stone front house ever built in this city. Mr. Vajen's health being restored and several of his children having grown to manhood, he again embarked in business January, 1, 1877, by buying out the hardware establishment of Story, New & Co., at No. 64 East Washington street, and is now conducting the same successfully under the firm name of Vajen, New & Co.
Mr. Vajen has seven children, Willis C., aged twenty-six years, Frank, aged twenty-four, John Henry, aged twenty-two, Fannie B., aged nineteen, Alice J., aged seventeen, Charles T., aged fourteen, and Carrie, aged seven. It will readily be seen that Mr. Vajen need never lack for company to fill his palatial residence on North Meridian street between Ohio and New York ; he could go far toward it out of his own household. He is yet in the prime of life and may live to add another seven to the number. His sons inherit a great deal of the father's indus- try, enterprise, perseverence and the faculty of making friends, for Mr. Vajen has made many friends since his residence in Indianapolis; he possesses the happy faculty of suiting himself to surrounding circum- stances. 'Tis said that "life is like a mingled yarn," but it seems that Mr. Vajen's has been all of one color, as he has moved along smoothly through life and added to his wealth as he went, and in his advancing
479
DOCTOR TALBUT BULLARD.
years will be privileged to live a calm and quiet life, surrounded by all that is calculated to make a home happy.
DOCTOR TALBUT BULLARD.
I clip from a city paper the obituary notice of Dr. Bullard, which gives a brief but correct sketch of his useful life. With Dr. Bullard I was acquainted from the time he became a citizen of Indianapolis to the time of his death, which occurred on the 18th of June, 1863. During his nineteen years residence in this city he made many warm and de- voted friends. As a physician he stood high in the profession. As a man he was without reproach. He was a successful practitioner, and had built up a large and lucrative business. .
Dr. Bullard's first wife was Miss Susan B. Catton, of Marietta, Ohio, by whom he had three children, two of whom were killed by a railroad accident. His wife having died, he was married in September, 1847, to Miss Catharine Phalan, of this city. By her he had six children, two only of whom are living-the eldest, W. B. Bullard, is a practicing physician of this city; the younger, Fletcher Bullard, is yet at school.
Dr. Bullard left his family quite wealthy. Mrs. Bullard has added to the growth of the city by the erection of several fine tenement houses. She yet resides on Ohio street, between New Jersey and Alabama, at the old homestead.
"Yesterday morning, about eight o'clock, Dr. Bullard, one of the most eminent physicians of the State, and most honored of our citizens, died at his residence in this city, of chronic diarrhea. His disease was contracted in camp, last December, during his visit to our troops at Murfreesboro as the State's sanitary agent. It clung to him, with fre- quent intermissions in its violence, from that time till his death, some- times almost prostrating him, but never so far overcoming his intense energy as to entirely prevent his attention to his large practice. When the news of General Grant's battles in the rear of Vicksburg reached here, Governor Morton, with characteristic promptness, made arrange- ments to send down a corps of surgeons and nurses to take care of the wounded, and requested Dr. Bullard to take charge of it. The doctor, though very weak, and feeling a sort of presentiment that the trip would be injurious, if not fatal, to him, willingly consented, for he never stop- ped to consider himself when the good of others was in view. He started, though he really should have been in bed, and his indomitable will carried him to his destination in spite of his suffering. But during
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his stay at Vicksburg he was compelled to make a journey through the hot sun, and with no conveniences for his enfeebled condition, to Gen- eral Grant's headquarters, in order to carry out the purposes of his ex- pedition, and the exposure brought on a renewed attack of his disease. It almost or quite prostrated him, but he continued in charge of the expedition till its termination by the return to Evansville. There he fell, never to rise again. He could not come home. No improvement took place, but, with slight fluctuations, he grew worse till yesterday morn- ing, when he died.
"Dr. Talbut Bullard was born in West Sutton, Massachusetts, on the 8th of August, 1815. Of his early life we know but little. When. quite a young man he came west, and attended college at Marietta, Ohio, the same, we believe, that his two promising sons were attending when they were killed, in a fearful accident on the Marietta railroad, as. they were coming home on a visit. He subsequently went to New Orleans, where he kept a select school, from which we are assured. sprang the free schools of that city. During the last years of his resi- dence there he studied medicine, and attended in Stone's celebrated hospital. From that city, we believe, he came directly here, being in- fluenced, no doubt, by the fact that his brother-in-law, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, was living here. He arrived here on the 4th of July, 1844, and has ever since been a constant resident, growing in the regard of our citizens, and prospering in his profession all the time. Few men in any walk of life have ever been more sincerely respected, both for abil- ity and unswerving integrity, than he. In all his relations he was a just,. true and generous man. As a citizen he was loyal to the core, and lib- eral to a fault; as a physician no man held a higher place in the regard of the profession ; as a father and husband he was all that the most ten- der, kind and manly nature could make him. Since the war broke out he has held himself at the service of the country, never hesitating an in- stant to throw aside a most lucrative business to go upon any duty re- quested of him. He may be truly said to have given his life to his coun- try, as truly as if he had died in the front of battle. His character is sufficiently described in this fact, a noble, impulsive, generous, self-sacri- ficing man, who hated meanness, and loathed disloyalty. A soul that can be but illy spared from earth has gone to heaven.".
DAVID W. SNIDER.
With Mr. Snider the writer has been acquainted over forty years,
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DOCTOR THOMAS B. HARVEY.
and knows whereof he speaks. He has been prominent among the farming community, and well-known in Indianapolis, since he first came to the county. Mr. Snider was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, on the Ist of September, 1808. In 1830 he was married to Miss Han- nah Cale, of the same county. Three years later he emigrated to the west and settled in Indiana. In 1834 he. came to Marion county, and has lived in the county and city since that time. He now owns and lives on a well-cultivated farm, six miles southeast of the city, on the Shelbyville pike. Two of his sons, James and Jackson, live on the same farm. He has raised a family of seven children, three girls and four boys, all married. Dr. William H. Snider, a well-known physician and druggist, and a member of the board of Aldermen, was married to Miss. Missouri Smock, daughter of Richard Smock, Esq. ; J. H. W. Snider, to Miss Clara E. Coffman; D. C. Snider to Miss Mary E. White; Miss. Mary C. Snider married to Mr. Joseph Lackey ; H. I. Snider to Miss. Ella Todd; Miss Jane Snider to Mr. Drumm. Mr. Snider is a Demo- crat, of the old Jackson school, and has never voted any other ticket to my knowledge. In the matter of politics he has trained up his children in the way he thinks they should go. Mr. Snider is a very liberal and hospitable man. Nothing pleases him so much as to have his friends call on him. He gives the best that is in the larder, and is always well supplied.
DOCTOR THOMAS B. HARVEY
Was born at Harveysburg, Warren county, Ohio, in 1827, and was educated at the high school of that place, which was the best. high school in the western country at that time. He received his med- ical education at the Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. He com- menced the practice of the profession at Plainfield, Hendricks county, Indiana, in 1851, where he remained several years. In 1862 he was. , appointed by President Lincoln examining surgeon for the Indianapolis district, which position he held without intermission, and terminated with the war. In 1864 he became a resident of Indianapolis, and has built up a large practice. In 1869 he was appointed professor of dis- eases of women and children in the Indiana Medical College of this city, and still holds the position.
In 1853 he was married to Miss Delitha Butler, formerly of Liberty, Union county, at that time a citizen of Plainfield, Indiana. They have had five children, four of whom are living. Doctor Harvey has talent and energy of character sufficient to overcome almost any obstacle that
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may be in his path ; with the entire absence of these qualities it is almost an impossibility for a person to make much headway in any profession. Now in the autumn of his life he has by industry and perseverance acquired an enviable name as a surgeon and physician, and is now reaching the high pinnacle of science.
ALFRED HARRISON.
Fifty years ago, when the writer was in the habit of riding Mr. Har- rison's horse to water, either little dreamed that the little boy who was ever anxious to perform that task would live to be his biographer, or that either would live to see the then village of hamlets transformed into a city of palaces. Mr. Harrison is a native of Tennessee, but when young, with his parents emigrated to Indiana, the family, I think, set- tling in Fayette county.
Mr. Harrison, after being engaged with Conner & Tyner as a clerk in their store, came to this place with a branch of the establishment, in June, 1823. For some time their place of business was on Washington street, opposite where the New York Store is now kept. Subsequently, Mr. Harrison became a partner of William Conner, and commenced business on the north side of Washington street, between the alley and Pennsylvania street. Here they remained several years. They then built what was then a fine business house where Odd Fellows' Hall now stands, where they did business for many years. It would be almost out of my power to follow Mr. Harrison through the different firms he was connected with and places of business. Suffice it to say that he has been connected with more dry goods firms in this place than any other man, living or dead. I believe his last partner in the dry goods business was his present partner in banking. The latter business they engaged in about twenty years ago, and are still successfully pur- suing it.
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