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 46
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
with a note from Mr. Lincoln requesting General Streight to come to his house at once. On reaching the house and handing Mr. Lincoln the introductory letter from Governor Morton, he assured Mr. Lincoln that he was not seeking office for himself nor others, that that was no part of his mission. At this, said Mr. Lincoln, "Give me your hand again, for I am extremely happy to see you." The interview that followed related to the condition of the Southern States, and their relation to the general government. Mr. Lincoln seemed extremely anxious to know how the people throughout the country felt about the situation, and ex- pressed confidence in the future.
General Streight urged upon Mr. Lincoln the importance of inform- ing the people, or at least a few of his personal friends, as to the prob- able course of the new administration in relation to the rebellious States ; that unless he did something to unite the Republicans, to give them a rallying point, he would find his administration without enough support- ers to carry it through the coming storm. Finally, after an interview lasting near two hours, Mr. Lincoln remarked that what he was about to say was not for publication but could be used among personal friends. Mr. Lincoln then remarked: "I do not understand that the Presi- dent has any discretion as to whether he will enforce the laws or not, provided the people furnish the means." He then remarked that this was more than he had said to any other person, but hoped it would do no harm. General Streight then thanked him and urged him to speak words of cheer to the people on his route to Washington, and the inter- view ended.
General Streight returned to Indianapolis and acquainted Governor Morton with the result of the interview, and the week following, when Mr. Lincoln reached Indianapolis on his way to Washington, Governor Morton received him with one of his most patriotic speeches, and in response the President spoke hopefully of the country, predicting that it would not be divided, but on the contrary all would go on prospering and honored among the nations of the earth. This speech was heralded to the world as for war by the enemies of the President, but gave hope to the friends of good government.
Whether the course taken by Governor Morton and General Streight at this particular time had anything to do with shaping the course of Mr. Lincoln I do not know, but only mention the facts to show that at a time when many of our leading newspapers and thousands of good men were in doubt as to what course to pursue General Streight was at
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JOHN G. DOUGHTY.
work with all the energy and talent he possessed trying to prepare the people for the coming contest.
In 1864, while on a temporary leave of absence from the army he made stirring speeches in different parts of our State advocating the re- election of President Lincoln. Since the close of the war he has not taken a very active part in politics, though at all times an ardent sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. In 1876 General Streight was nominated and elected one of the Senators for Marion county. He thoroughly canvassed his own county and made several speeches in different parts of the State. His opponents were James. Hopkins as the workingman's candidate and Elisha Howland as the greenback. It will be seen that General Streight beat two factions com- bined. General Streight is a large, fine-looking man, florid complexion, sandy hair, and looks as though he had something better than Libby Prison fare. He owns and lives at a fine country-seat two miles east of the city on the National road.
JOHN G. DOUGHTY.
Mr. Doughty was born in Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana,. March 16, 1826. In 1838 his parents removed to Springfield, Illinois, where the subject of this sketch attended school until the year 1841, when he began an apprenticeship to the printing business. In 1843 he removed to Indianapolis, where he continued working at his trade in the Sentinel office until the year 1847, when he went to Greenfield, Hancock county, and engaged in the publication of a paper which he continued for some time. In 1848, while a resident of Greenfield, Mr. Doughty was married to Miss Frances S. Gapen who is yet his help- meet. In 1850 he again returned to Indianapolis, and in 1857 he bought a half interest in the Indianapolis Sentinel, which he sold in 1861 and entered the army as quarter-master of the 5Ist Indiana regiment, under the command of Colonel A. D. Streight, and served until the regiment was captured in 1863. He was a prisoner of war in Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia, for about a year. He was in the plot spoken of in the preceding sketch, but was unable to participate because of physical prostration. On account of his severe suffering and disability he was exchanged in May, 1864. From the effects of his treatment while a prisoner he has never entirely recovered.
Mr. Doughty has a family of four children, all residing in this city, and is in very comfortable circumstances. He is the oldest employing
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
printer in the city, having since 1855 been almost constantly engaged in the printing business, with the exception of the four years in the army. He is a member in good standing of the Odd Fellows and Masons and a Presbyterian.
REV. JOSEPH MARSEE.
Perhaps to our Methodist friends there is no name more familiar than that of Mr. Marsee, as he was one of the oldest pioneers in their minis- try. He was born in the State of Virginia in the year 1800. We re- print the following from the Journal of this city, published at the time of his death :
" His parents dying while he was yet quite young, he was taken by friends to Kentucky, of which State he was a resident for many years after. Before he was twenty years old he was converted, and deeming it to be his duty, soon afterward entered the ministry of the Methodist church, becoming a member of the Kentucky Conference. As a mem- ber of this conference he was stationed in various sections of the State, until about the year 1840, when-having married in the meantime-he removed with his family to Indiana and joined the Indiana Conference. He was actively connected with the conference in this State for more than fifteen years, when his failing health compelled him reluctantly to assume the superannuated relation to the conference, which he held at the time of his death, which occurred January 20, 1872. At all times after ceasing his active work, he was a faithful member, and most of the time an official member of Asbury [Fletcher Place] M. E. church of this city.
" Mr. Marsee had an imposing and noble personal presence. Tall, well-formed, white-haired, keen-eyed, with high, strongly-marked fea- tures, he attracted attention in any assemblage. Intellectually he was a solid and reliable rather than a brilliant man. Calm, thorough and discriminating in his mental processes, his conclusions were safe, and his judgment as to men and affairs seldom erred. Slow to make up his opinions, but firm and quiet in their expression, they carried weight and commanded respect. His business ability was extraordinary, and was made useful for many years to the church, and more lately to himself. Simple in his tastes and habits, frank, straightforward and thoroughly honest in all his business transactions, he passed through life at peace with all men, and compelled the respect and love of all who knew him. He reached a ripe old age in the daily practice of the Christian virtues he professed, and died with an assured hope in the life to come."
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DR. THEOPHILUS PARVIN, LL. D.
Although Mr. Marsee was past three score and ten his death came unexpectedly, as his illness was of short duration, and fell heavily on his family and the church of which he seemed to be the pillar. Mr. Mar- see left quite a large estate, owning the entire block on South street be- tween East and New Jersey streets. He left a large family, who still reside at the old homestead, with the exception of Mrs. Ignatius Brown, his eldest child, recently deceased, and Dr. Joseph W. Marsee, who is mated to Miss Flora, the only daughter of Benjamin Davis, the promi- nent southsider and popular railroad man. John L. Marsee, the eldest son, is well known in city politics, having been a member of the city council several terms and of which body he is still a member.
DR. THEOPHILUS PARVIN, LL. D.
Dr. Parvin was born in Buenos Ayres, South America, on the 9th of January, 1829. His father, the Rev. Theophilus Parvin, of Cumber- land county, New Jersey, went to Buenos Ayres as a missionary. He then became professor of Greek and English in the University of that city. His mother, Mary Rodney, of Wilmington, Delaware, was the second daughter of the Hon. Cæsar A. Rodney. Mr. Rodney, after filling several prominent positions at home, among which were United States Senator and Attorney General, was appointed Minister to the United Provinces, and died at Buenos Ayres.
Dr. Parvin graduated at the State University of Indiana, in 1847. He also graduated at the medical department of the Pennsylvania Uni- versity in 1852. In June, 1853, he was married to Miss Rachel, young- est daughter of the late Amos Butler, of Hanover, Indiana, and soon after came to Indianapolis, which has been his home since, with the ex- ception of about two. years spent at Cincinnati as professor in the Ohio Medical College; he also lectured in that school for five years. He then resigned that chair to accept a similar position in the medical de- partment of the University of Louisville, which he resigned after lec- turing three years. Dr. Parvin received the degree of LL. D. at Hanover College. Amos Butler, Mrs. Parvin's father, belonged to the society of Friends and emigrated from Chester county, Pennsylvania, to Indiana at quite an early day and settled at Brookville, Franklin county. Dr. Parvin's mother died a few days after his birth, and his father when he was between six and seven years old.
Dr. Parvin is now a professor in the College of Physicians and Sur-
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
geons at Indianapolis. When Indiana was a territory there was a peti- tion presented to Congress to legalize the holding of slaves in the territory. The petition was referred to a committee of which the Hon. Cæsar A. Rodney (the grandfather of Dr. Parvin), was chairman. He reported adverse to their wishes, and said that the people did not know what a curse they were trying to bring upon themselves. At his death he emancipated his slaves.
Dr. Parvin is of medium size, of fine physique, fair complexion and light hair. He has drank deep at the fountain of knowledge and still thirsts for more. He has delivered some very interesting lectures ; his style is clear and fluent, and his elevated character has christened him a gentleman of many fine points; at the bedside of the poor as well as the rich he gives hopeful words and encouragement, and is kind and attentive to all. For a man that has scarcely reached the noonday of life he has filled many important positions, and not, perhaps, without some portion of the martyr's lot. Being the master of several lan- guages knowledge seems essential to his well-being.
JOSEPH M. MOORE
Was born in the city of New York on the 9th of April, 1813, but with his mother lived in Newark, New Jersey, the most of his life, until he came to Indianapolis in the summer of 1823. Mr. Moore was the cousin of our esteemed fellow citizen, James M. Ray, who had sent for him for the purpose of educating and fitting him, as he did, for business. Mr. Calvin Fletcher had been visiting friends in the east, and took charge of Mr. Moore (who was only in his eleventh year), and brought him to this place; from the Ohio river they both rode the same horse.
Mr. Moore received the most of his education .in the same school with the writer, which was taught by that benevolent and Christian man, Ebenezer Sharpe. When he had finished his education he was deputy in the office of county clerk, then filled by his cousin, and it was there, under the instruction of that good man, his habits and character were formed, which afterward proved to be so useful to society. He then was the active partner in the store of J. M. Moore & Co .; the other partners were James M. Ray, James Blake and the late Nicholas Mc- . Carty. They did business on the west corner of the alley, on the north. side of Washington, between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets.
In the year 1840 he was selected to edit the campaign paper, the Spirit of Seventy-Six, that advocated the election of General Harrison
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ELIJAH W. HALFORD.
to the Presidency with signal ability. After the old hero was installed as President, Mr. Moore was appointed postmaster in this city, but after the defection of President Tyler from the Whig party, in 1841, he was the first victim to proscription ; he was removed and his predecessor re- instated.
About the year 1844 he was appointed cashier of the branch at Mad- ison of the State Bank of Indiana; when the affairs of that bank were wound up he filled the same position in the branch of the Bank of the State, and continued there until his death in January 1858.
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Mr. Moore was a member of the First Presbyterian church, and was among the first to leave it and join the Episcopal church when it was first organized by the Rev. J. B. Britton as its rector, in 1837.
As a business man he was of more than ordinary ability, and with his strict integrity and attention to business made him a valuable acquis- ition to any business institution. He was a fair political writer, and, as such, rendered great service to the Whig cause in editing the paper above mentioned.
After Mr. Moore's death his family returned to this city.
Joseph A. Moore, the eldest son of Mr. Moore, was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio, on the 27th of August, 1840. He was married on the 14th of October 1862 to Miss Mary Y., eldest daughter of Thos. H. Sharpe, Esq. Mr. Moore has been engaged in the mortgage brokerage busi- ness for several years. . He, in connection with his brother, Thomas C. Moore, built several fine business blocks, which have added much to the growth of Indianapolis.
Thomas C. Moore was born at Madison, Indiana, on the 12th of No- vember, 1845. After the death of his father he came to Indianapolis. He was engaged in the railroad business for ten years, was also in the wholesale dry goods house of Murphy & Co. as book-keeper for some years, and is now, and has been for some years, in the brokerage busi- ness. He was married on the 5th of May, 1875, to Miss Lou Speed, of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Moore is now in business on his own ac- count at No. 46 Vance Block. The Messrs. Moore, both Thomas and Joseph, like their father, possess fine business qualifications ; their mother and sisters are still residents of the city. .
ELIJAH W. HALFORD.
Mr. Halford was born in the city of Nottingham, England, in 1843, and came to the United States in the spring of 1850. He went direct
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
to Ohio, from thence he came to Indianapolis in 1861, where he learned the printing business, and for some time worked at his trade. He was for a while special war correspondent of the Indianapolis Journal. He was managing editor of the Chicago Inter-Ocean the first two years of its existence, commencing March, 1872. He then returned to Indiapo- lis and engaged again with the Journal, and at the present time is the managing editor. That Mr. Halford is a ready and gifted political writer the many readers of the Journal throughout the State are aware, although plain and unpretentious.
He was married in the year 1866 to Miss Armstrong, of this city, who is well known as an accomplished lady, possessing fine vocal mu- sical attainments.
DR. DAVID FUNKHOUSER
Was born at Shenandoah, Virginia, on the 3Ist of May, 1820. He at- tended the Woodstock Academy, in Virginia, and graduated at Betheny College, in the same State. He received his medical education at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., and was also a pupil of Dr. McClintock, an eminent physician of the same city.
He came to Indianapolis in the spring of 1847, and immediately en- gaged in the practice of medicine. Dr. Funkhouser was connected with the old medical college of Indianapolis, as demonstrator of anat- omy, which was a branch of the Asbury University at Greencastle. The doctor formed a partnership with Dr. Patrick H. Jameson, and jointly carried on their professional business for seventeen years, when they dissolved with the best of feeling toward each other. Dr. Funk- houser did not marry until he was forty-five years old. He was then married to Miss Amade F. Linn, of Indianapolis. Dr. Funkhouser's father was a farmer of Virginia. As the doctor did not marry early in life, he is certainly entitled to more than an ordinary share of connubial felicity the balance of his life. He is a sensible and well informed man on most any subject. He has a mild and pleasant countenance, which is a letter of recommendation to anyone, and generally stamps them the true gen- tleman. As a practitioner of the healing art, Dr. Funkhouser is very popular, and is universally known as a successful physician.
HON. DAVID MACY,
Now one of the prominent citizens of Indianapolis, is a native of North Carolina, but when a boy came with his parents to Wayne county, Indi-
513
ISAAC KINDER.
ana, thence to Newcastle, Henry county, where he successfully prac- ticed law for several years, and represented that county three years in the State Legislature. From Newcastle he removed to Lawrenceburg and became the law partner of Judge Major ; this (Dearborn) county he also represented one year in the State Legislature.
Mr. Macy was induced to leave Lawrenceburg in consequence of the too great water privileges of that city; he, not being amphibious, pre- ferred a dry land residence. He became a resident of this city in 1852, and in 1854 he was chosen president of the Indianapolis and Peru rail- road, and under his supervision that road has became one of the popu- lar as well as paying roads of the State, and is considered a first-class road.
While a member of the Legislature he made the acquaintance of and married the eldest daughter of Robert Patterson, who was one of the pioneers of this city, and for many years one of its most respected citizens.
He is now, in addition to his other duties, president of the Meridian National Bank. His only child is the wife of Mr. V. T. Malott, super- intendent of the Indianapolis and Peru railroad. In writing brief sketches of our business men I must enroll the name of David Macy as one of un- tiring energy. He still takes as great an interest in, and is as attentive to business as he ever was. It is not for the emolument that it brings, for he is quite wealthy. Mr. Macy is a frank, open hearted and candid man, with some of the primitive manners and customs that prevailed in Indiana in our early days, which render him an agreeable and compan- ionable gentleman. It is natural for us to look back to the good old times with pleasure, when what we lacked in the refinement and luxu- ries of this day was made up in the good feeling toward each other" Time has touched lightly on Mrs. Macy, as she looks young for one of her years.
ISAAC KINDER.
Among the citizens of Marion county that were prominent in early years was Mr. Kinder. He had bought a half section of land at the sale in Brookville, in the year 1821, and in March, 1822, moved to and improved a farm located three miles north of town, on the east bank of Fall creek, for many years known as the property of John Sutherland. While living on this farm he was county surveyor, and as such ran out the lines of the first farms that were improved in the county. About the year 1831 he sold this farm to the present owner, John Sutherland,
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and removed to town and engaged in merchandizing, and for about ten years successfully carried on that business.
Mr. Kinder's only son living at the time, Captain T. B. Kinder, raised a company of volunteers for the Second Indiana regiment in the Mexican war, and fell at the head of his company during the battle of Buena Vista, on the 23d of February, 1847. In 1848 his father went to that distant and ill-fated battle-field and identified the body of his son, and brought it to this place, where it rests in one of the city cemeteries.
Isaac Kinder was a native of Delaware, having been born in Sussex county in 1792. When quite young he emigrated to Pickaway county, Ohio, and was there married in the year 1819, and at the time above mentioned became a citizen of Indiana. The death of his son sat heavily on his mind and greatly impaired his health, and hastened his death, which occurred in December, 1849.
His widow yet resides in this city, and though advanced in age is quite active, and may be seen attending to the ordinary duties of life as she did twenty-five years ago. Mrs. Kinder has several daughters living in the city. . Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs. Igoe live in the immediate neighborhood of their mother. Mrs. Clark and a younger sister reside with their mother. Mrs. Kinder has lost several children by death. There is no name more familiar to the people of Indianapolis than that of the Kinder family. Martin Igoe, the son-in-law, is well-known to our citizens. He is now and has been for several years engaged in the real estate business. He was a quarter-master during the rebellion in the Union army.
Mr. Kinder was an industrius and frugal man, and left his family in comfortable circumstances. They own some fine business property on East Washington street, known as the Kinder block.
WILLIAM O. ROCKWOOD.
Mr. Rockwood was born at Westborough, Massachusetts, on the 12th of February, 1814. When quite young he went to sea as sailor for two years. Having a violent attack of sea-sickness on the voyage from Savannah to Liverpool, in 1833, he abandoned " a life on the ocean wave." He then taught school two years in his native town. In July, 1836, he removed to Warsaw, Illinois, thence to Missouri, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber on the Waconda river; thence to Quincy, Illinois, where he resided two years in the capacity of a book-keeper.
In July, 1842, he established himself in the wholesale grocery bus-
515
SAMUEL A. AND WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON.
iness in St. Louis. On December 6th, 1842, he was married to Miss H. M. Moore .. In October, 1843, he sold out his establishment and removed to near Madison, Indiana. In 1850 he removed to Shelbyville a's superintendent of the Shelbyville Lateral Branch railroad.
In August, 1853, Mr. Rockwood removed to Indianapolis, and in company with J. Farnsworth established an extensive railroad car man- ufactory. In 1855 he was elected treasurer of the Indianapolis and Cincinnati railroad and resigned the position in 1868. In 1867 he was elected president of the Iron Company of Tennessee and continued in that position until 1872. During his term the company built a blast furance in Rockwood, then purchased the extensive rolling mill at Chattanooga, Tennessee, which has been successfully operated since 1872. He was then elected treasurer of the Indianapolis Rolling Mill, which position he now holds. He is now United States receiver of the Cincinnati, Rockport and Southeastern railroad.
It will be seen that Mr. Rockwood has held many responsible posi- tions, which require business qualifications of no ordinary character to perform. As a man and citizen he stands pre-eminent, as a business man, without reproach.
SAMUEL A. AND WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON.
Samuel A. Johnston was born on the 22d of June, 1835, in Johnson county, Indiana. On the 14th of February (Valentine day), 1865, he was married to Miss Estella Pullis, of St. Louis, Missouri.
William J. Johnston, brother of Samuel A., was born on the John- ston farm one and a half miles south of Indianapolis, on the Ist of April, 1837. He received his education at Pendleton Academy and in the Indianapolis schools. He was married to the eldest daughter of the Rev. F. P. Cummins, of Laporte, Indiana. In 1851 he engaged in the stove business with the Munson brothers, and has been engaged in the same place and business now over twenty-six years, and is now with his brother, the firm being Johnston Brothers. They are extensively en- gaged in the manufacture of galvanized iron work and slate roofing. Their trade extends over the entire west-they furnished the galvanized iron work for the insane asylum at Lincoln, Nebraska. Their work has given satisfaction in every instance ; this is quite a compliment to their establishment, coming as it does in direct competition with similar houses of the kind in surrounding cities. Mr. Johnston bought an interest of Messrs. Munson in 1859, and the firm for some time was known as
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
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