USA > Indiana > Morgan County > The pioneers of Morgan County : memoirs of Noah J. Major > Part 19
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In addition to his career in the Legislature, he was presi- dential elector of the Seventh Congressional District in 1872, and his bridal trip was interrupted by a call to Indi- anapolis to cast his vote for General Grant. He was also a delegate to the Republican convention that nominated General Grant, and also a delegate to the convention that nominated General Hayes. He was the Republican nomi- nee for Congress in 1884, but was defeated by Colonel C. C. Matson. In 1888 he was elected judge of the Fif-
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teenth Judicial District, and re-elected in 1896 by a largely increased majority.
November 28, 1872, he was married to Miss Viola Griggs, daughter of Judge Algernon S. Griggs, and twin sister of Mrs. Judge Parks. To them have been born four children : George Earl, who at the time of his death was a promising young attorney; Donald Roy, now married and in business in Indianapolis; Daisy I., the loving daugh- ter and companion of her invalid mother, and Sidney D., who is yet in school.
Judge Grubbs and his excellent wife have for many years been prominent members of the Methodist church, and the judge has been Sunday school superintendent for fif- teen years. He takes a high interest in the things that tend to the moral, spiritual, and intellectual elevation of the people. He is loyal to his country's flag, honorable in his business relations, and a devoted, faithful husband and father. The friends of Judge and Mrs. Grubbs are always sure of a welcome at their pleasant home, 610 East Wash- ington street.
CAPTAIN DAVID WILSON.
In 1880 Captain Wilson was accorded the honor of repre- sentative from Morgan county, which office he filled ac- ceptably to his constituents during the session of 1881. He was chairman of the committee on fees and salaries.
He was born in North Carolina, December 10, 1835, but at an early date of the settlement of Monroe township, his parents came from his native State and located in or near Monrovia. Here young Wilson grew into manhood, at- tending the common schools in winter and working in sum- mer at whatever was to be done.
He was one among the very first men in the county to join the Union army in the war between the States, having
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enlisted on the 19th of April, 1861, six days after the firing on Fort Sumter by the Confederates. He enlisted first in the three-months' service, and afterward in the Eleventh Indiana Regiment where he served three years.
He saw plenty of hard service, having participated in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. He was also in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg, and with General Banks in the Gulf campaign. The regiment re- enlisted as veterans in 1864, served in General Sheridan's division, and was afterward on duty at Fort Henry. This regiment was on duty in Georgia at the time Jefferson Davis was captured.
Captain Wilson was slightly wounded at Cedar Creek. He was mustered out with the rank of captain in 1865. Returning home he again began the pursuits of civil life. Always taking great interest in the public questions of each returning campaign, he soon became a leader of the Republican party in Monroe township. He served three years as school trustee, and, as before stated, was nominated by his party and elected in 1880 by a majority of 310 votes. Meantime he had given considerable attention to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1870.
In 1888 he was elected clerk of the Morgan circuit court, and served acceptably for four years. At the close of his term he took up his residence in Martinsville for the re- mainder of his life.
August 8, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Samantha Johnson, daughter of Gideon Johnson, one of the founders of Monrovia and for many years the leading merchant, farmer, and stock feeder in Monroe township. To them were born two children. The surviving one, Otis G., is living in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Soon after Captain Wilson's retirement from public life and its harassing cares, and while looking forward to "This
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is the end of earth, I am content," he received a paralytic stroke which almost obliterated his memory. He lingered a few months, soothed and sustained by his faithful wife, until the summons came to go from this to the next stage of existence.
Captain and Mrs. Wilson were communicants in the Methodist Episcopal church, and held in high esteem by their many friends and acquaintances.
GEORGE A. ADAMS.
Mr. Adams was first elected to the House of Representa- tives in the fall of 1882, and re-elected in 1884, and again elected in 1888. He was a prominent member of this branch of the General Assembly from the beginning of his first term to the close of his last term. He was appointed on several committees and spoken of as good timber for Speaker by several Republican members.
He was born on a farm about two miles north of Mor- gantown, this county, June 4, 1849. His father, Jacob Adams, moved the following March to the farm adjoining town, where young Adams spent his boyhood days, as most country boys do, in working, hunting, playing, and "hardening their meat."
As usual in such cases, he began his education in the common school of the village, afterward becoming a stu- dent in the Martinsville high school, where he was soon noted for his close application and good morals, and bid fair to make a man of mark. He next attended Indiana University with the view of qualifying for the practice of law. Here he spent two years, graduating from the Law School in 1872.
He was principal of the Morgantown high school one year, after which, in April, 1873, he began the practice of his profession in Martinsville and has ever since made law and politics a specialty.
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The law firm of Adams & Newby, while it remained, did a full share of the legal practice in this judicial dis- trict. Mr. Adams was one among the leading young at- torneys of his day, and, being fearless and free in speech, his sailing was not always smooth over legal seas; how- ever, his success in both law and politics is well-known.
He moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, October 22, 1889, and immediately began the practice of his profession, in which he is well established both in the city and judicial district. He is also prominent in political meetings as chairman of conventions and committees, and has lost none of the in- terest he has always taken in the success of the Republican party, even though he is a dweller in Colonel Bryan's State. He is a stalwart Indiana Republican with a Nebraska finish.
Mr. Adams comes of good, solid stock. The Adamses of Jackson township were among the first to let sunlight into the dense forests. They were choppers and log- rollers, grubbers and rail-splitters. The women were true helpmates for their pioneer husbands and fathers. They could hum the wheel, crack the reel, dart the shuttle, and bang the loom from dawn till dark, and then get supper by torchlight. You might as well have looked for a tele- phone office in Jackson township fifty years ago, as for lily fingers and diamond rings on the hands of an Adams. They were record breakers at the pioneer work of that day.
The elder Adamses were Kentuckians, and of Irish and German descent. In religion they were Baptists; in poli- tics, Jackson Democrats until the war, when Jacob Adams, Sr., father of George A., allied himself with the Repub- licans, and, for his fidelity to the party, was rewarded with the office of county treasurer two terms, being elected in 1862 and re-elected in 1864. His official career was with- out a blot.
December 28, 1876, Mr. Adams was married to Miss
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Mattie Bennett, of Brazil, Clay county. She had been for some time a very efficient teacher in the primary depart- ment of our city schools, and it was here that Mr. Adams formed her acquaintance. To them were born two chil- dren, the elder, deceased, and Roy B., now a bright, intel- ligent student at Lincoln University.
Mr. Adams is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He and his estimable wife are active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church and prominent in social circles. Mr. Adams has remembered the home and friends of his early years by a liberal contribution to the church at Morgan- town, which has been recently remodeled.
ALFRED W. SCOTT.
Our representative in the session of 1887 was A. W. Scott. With the exception of W. P. Hammond, his was the shortest stay in the county of any of our assemblymen. He was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the 8th of No- vember, 1856, and was raised on a farm near Connersville.
After the ordinary course in the country schools, he for a time attended the Spiceland Academy. He next studied law at Indianapolis, afterward taking a four-years' course at Indiana University, graduating with honor in 1881. The same year he came to Martinsville and began the practice of law, his partner for a time being the late F. P. A. Phelps. In 1882 he was deputy prosecuting attorney for this district. His ability as a speaker, as well as his affability, polished manners, and stalwart Repub- licanism, won for him his nomination by the Republicans in 1886 for a seat in the House of Representatives. He was elected by the usual majority of the party, and was a distinguished-looking as well as an intelligent member of the General Assembly of 1887. He was an honor to the party that chose him to represent its principles.
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While attending the University at Bloomington he made the acquaintance of Miss Alice Long, of Columbus, Indi- ana, who was also a student in the same institution. Their marriage followed later, and was a well-ordered and happy union. With unmeasured devotion to each other, the cares and burdens of life were made lighter, while hope pointed to the realization of their fondest and most ambitious de- sires.
About the year 1889, Mr. Scott moved to Lincoln, Ne- braska, where he was for some time associated with George A. Adams in the law practice. Here he made hosts of friends and was winning his way to success, when in the summer of 1899 his wife was taken seriously ill and after weeks of intense suffering, passed away. Mr. Scott, who was somewhat given to despondency, and who was much worn by incessant watching at the bedside of his suffering wife, was completely unnerved by his irreparable loss, for Mrs. Scott had always been his stay and counselor in all the affairs of life. After her death he was shrouded in gloom from morning till night, and worse still, from night till morning, so that sleep, "tired nature's sweet restorer," did not come to his relief.
From the death of his wife to his own decease he seemed to take little interest in business affairs, but to be dead to all things terrestrial. July 18, 1901, he was found in an unconscious condition in his office in the Burr Block, Lin- coln. Physicians were called, but too late, and Mr. Scott died in a few moments. One child survives, an intelligent and interesting son, who inherits, if nothing else, a good name.
ELDER W. H. BROWN.
Next came William Harvey Brown, of Adams township, who carried off the honors in 1890. He was elected to the
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House of Representatives by the usual Republican majority and served acceptably in the session of 1891. He was an industrious and painstaking member, especially so on the lines of moral and economical reform. He soon had the esteem and confidence of the members with whom he was associated in committee work.
But it appears that his life was not to be spent on the stump, but in the pulpit, a place much better suited to his social and genial nature than the warring elements of poli- tics. Our subject comes of good ancestors on both sides of the house. The Brown and Trowbridge families were in at the very first settlement of Owen county on its east- ern border and near Alaska, Morgan county.
Elder John Brown, the father of William H., owned land in both counties seventy years ago, and was as good an all- round pioneer as ever swung an ax, cracked a whip, or preached a sermon. Like "Ossawatomie Brown," he op- posed slavery, but not in an unlawful way, as did the hero of Harper's Ferry ; but when the Civil War broke out he loaned four sons to the Union army, and was much inter- ested in that struggle to its close.
About the year 1850 he and John H. Phillips, of Hall, and Butler K. Smith, of Indianapolis, were employed as county evangelists by the thirteen Christian churches of this county. It was then we became acquainted with Elder John Brown, and heard him relate some of his experiences as a first settler in the woods of Owen and Morgan counties.
As is well known, all merchandise was then hauled from some point on the Ohio river to the interior settlements in Indiana. Elder Brown was a thorough, trained wag- oner ; he loved a good horse above all domestic animals, and had owned scores of them. He told me he once owned and drove a five-horse team consisting of a mother and four of her colts, the mother being the best fifth leader
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he ever cracked a whip over. She was of the celebrated Cherokee stock of horses.
Elder Brown was a man of affairs, taking special interest in the common school system which was inaugurated long after the days he could have been benefited by it. He stood for positive Christianity, morals, and good citizen- ship.
William H. Brown was born on a farm near Alaska, this county, September 14, 1855. He is the oldest of three sons born to John Hume and Malinda Trowbridge Brown. His mother died August, 1860. His father enlisted in the army in July, 1862, and died in the service the following December.
To one who looks at an orphan of only seven years from a human standpoint, it seems a calamity ; to Him who notes the fall of a sparrow it is an opportunity. The Good Shep- herd keeps watch over his lambs, as well as the more ma- ture ones of his flock.
We lose sight of this little Brown boy for almost ten years, when in 1871 he appears in view as a hand em- ployed on a farm near Paragon. Here he spent three sum- mers guiding the plow, driving the planter and harvester, the last one on Mr. Samuel Smith's farm. Mr. Smith was so well pleased with the skill and fidelity of the young granger that at the close of his summer's work, when he handed him his wages, $75, he also gave him a silver watch in evidence of his respect and good will.
In the fall of 1875 he taught school in Harrison town- ship, Owen county. Keeping a close watch over his earn- ings and living economically, he was enabled to continue his studies, first in the Spencer schools, then at Valparaiso, and finishing up at the State Normal, Terre Haute. He is, in the best sense of the phrase, a self-made man, self- reliant, self-examining, and self-educated, for the reason
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that he earned with his own hands the money wherewith he paid his own way through the above schools.
Elder Brown entered the ministry of the Christian church some twelve years ago. He is a strong pastor, but a more excellent evangelist. We quote from the Greencastle Ban- ner a report from Fillmore, Indiana, at the close of his ministry there: "The work of God in all this part of the country has been nobly fostered and blest by his timely ministry. His natural ability, together with his untiring zeal and love for his work, has won for him an honorable place among the ministers and churches of western Indi- ana, and none rejoice at his success more than the brethren and citizens of Fillmore. He has touched all sides of our life, the social, the business, the educational, as well as the moral and religious."
During his stay with the Fillmore church, one hundred and ninety-four persons were added to the congregation. At the time when the thoughts of young men are turned to love, his were centered on Miss Lucella Bourn, the charming daughter of Henry Bourn, a leading farmer of Adams township. They were married August 19, 1879. Mrs. Brown has been a true helpmate, and Elder Brown frankly acknowledges that much of his financial, educa- tional, and ministerial success is due to her indomitable will and physical endurance. They now have four chil- dren, and live in their own beautiful suburban home at Greencastle.
In politics Elder Brown was a staid Republican until 1896, when, "learning the way of the Lord more perfectly," he espoused the principles of the Prohibition party-a political sect everywhere spoken against.
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JAMES F. Cox.
In 1886, when the Democrats of the senatorial district composed of Johnson, Brown, and Morgan counties, were looking for suitable timber for nomination, they centered on James F. Cox, of Martinsville, who was then practicing law in company with James V. Mitchell. As Mr. Cox was "looking a little out" for the lightning, he was not seriously hurt; and as the district was Democratic beyond doubt he had an easy walk over his opponent. Notwith- standing all this he worked like a beaver for the whole ticket. He was one of the boys who became a politician before he was a voter. Indeed, the whole family liked to work for "Uncle Sam," his brothers having held county offices at different periods of time.
In the political uproar of his party in 1872, he cast his first vote for Horace Greeley, and is exceedingly proud of it. He came before the Democratic convention as a candidate for prosecuting attorney of the Fifteenth Circuit. But after being nominated over three prominent competi- tors of this county, he was defeated by a meager vote by a coalition of Greene and Owen counties, the latter receiv- ing the judge and the former the prosecutor. In 1878 he was made deputy prosecuting attorney for this county, in which capacity he served eighteen months.
After leaving Martinsville he located in Columbus, Indi- ana, where he continues to practice his profession and in- dulge his love for politics. In 1900 he was elected to the House of Representatives by the voters of Bartholomew county.
James F. Cox was born in Monroe county, this State, May 15, 1852, and is the son of Rev. J. Bridgeman and Martha (Mosier) Cox. Rev. Mr. Cox was a minister of the Baptist church. James F. was reared on a farm, at- tended the country schools, and when fifteen years old
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began his own support, dividing his time between labor and school. At nineteen he became a teacher, and attended the Indiana University three years, after which he taught during the winter and studied law in summer.
In 1878 he matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, whence he graduated in 1880, and returned to this county and resumed the practice of law.
August 1, 1877, he was joined in marriage with Mattie E. Armstrong, daughter of Robert Armstrong, of Brown county, a sensible and estimable young lady. Her death occurred unexpectedly February 14, 1880, leaving one child, Leon J.
His second marriage was to Miss Lilly Tarleton, of Maysville, Kentucky, who is quite well known and has many friends in Martinsville.
WILLIAM DAVISON BAIN.
Following W. H. Brown comes Will D. Bain, our repre- sentative in the session of 1893. Mr. Bain had not aspired to this honor. He had steadily declined to allow his name to go before the convention up to the morning of the assem- bling, when, pressed by several friends, he finally yielded to their wishes. In the election that followed, his strength was shown by his receiving the largest vote for any candi- date on the local Republican ticket at that (1892) election.
This was one of the years that the frost came too late to bite the Democrats, and they harvested a good crop of offices in both State and nation. As they had a full, work- ing majority in both branches of the Assembly, Mr. Bain says that he had nothing much to do other than answer roll call, help kill bad bills, tear foolscap paper, sit with elevated feet, look dignified, and draw his per diem. He was ap- pointed on the committees on labor and reformatory insti-
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tutions ; however, he did not see any of the former legis- lators while visiting the aforesaid reformatories.
Something happened while he was in the political arena that has always puzzled Mr. Bain. That was in 1894, when a Republican convention turned him down and Adam Howe up. Howe may know how it was done, as he afterward had a bite from the same "dorg"; but Mr. Bain cherishes none other than the kindliest feelings toward Mr. Howe. Political conventions feed on tricks and partake of the nature of their food.
William D. Bain is a pure-blooded Scotchman. His father, Donald Bain, and his uncle, John Bain, left Scot- land and came to America about the year 1839. They kept moving westward from the seaboard, until they came to Jefferson township, this county, where in 1841 they located and remained to the close of life. They were farmers and men of solid worth, bringing with them the Scotch thrift, industry, and love of books. Their descendants are remarkable for education and general intelligence.
Three or four of the sons were soldiers in the Union army. At the present time, there can be found among the Bains a lawyer and postmaster, an ex-postmaster and editor, an ex-auditor, as well as representative. The other side of the house is equally well equipped, some of the granddaughters ranking high as teachers.
The subject of our sketch, like the Republican party, was born in 1856, not in a convention, however, but in Jeffer- son township, Morgan county, Indiana-as great a place to come to light in as the Highlands of Scotland.
He is the youngest of a family of seven children, all of whom are living except the oldest, who died in youth. One sister is living in Owen county, this State, and one is near Bolivar, Missouri; the other members of the family reside near the old homestead. His mother died in 1864, and his father in 1896.
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Mr. Bain was brought up on a farm, and has been a farmer all his life. But he is much more than a granger. He ranks as a first-class teacher. After attending the dis- trict schools during the winter months until the age of nineteen, he borrowed the needful funds and entered the Valparaiso Normal School, completing the commercial and teachers' courses.
He has taught in district schools for several years, and as principal of the Hynsdale and Centerton graded schools made an enviable record as instructor. He helped organize the Morgan County Teachers' Association, wrote its con- stitution, and served as its first secretary and afterward as president.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has represented the local in the Grand Lodge. In faith he is a Presby- terian, though not a member of church. He is modest and unassuming, reticent and observing, keen-eyed but close-lipped. He has no wife to sew on buttons, arrange ties, or darn socks. He still clings to the delusion of single blessedness.
WILLIAM E. McCORD.
In 1894 William E. McCord was elected joint senator for the counties of Johnson and Morgan. He has held steadily to the principles of the Republican party from the time of his majority until the present, and while giving liberally of his time and means for the promotion of its interests and the election of its candidates, has not cared much for the loaves and fishes so much longed for by the empty stomachs of "jack-pot" politicians.
The senatorial honor with its per diem is about all the sop he has had, so far as we remember. His course in the two sessions, 1895 and 1897, was dignified and accept- able to his party. He was industrious and felt the responsi-
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bility of his position, and was regularly in his seat. The district which he represented has generally been Demo- cratic, and his election indicates a vigorous canvass and popularity on his part. Mr. McCord was a good speaker, presenting his views with clearness, and seldom indulging in anecdotes or witticism.
He was born in Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana, March 21, 1850. His father, Rev. Elam McCord, was joined in marriage to Miss Jane Freeland, whose father, in 1822, entered a large tract of land in the river bottom, a little southwest of Martinsville. This tract was long known as the Freeland farm. It was afterward owned by Dr. Sims. We are not certain that Mr. Freeland ever lived on it, as he disposed of it in an early day. The Freelands were first-class pioneers.
Rev. Elam McCord came to Martinsville in 1840, and remained until 1847. He organized the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church in this place, and became its pastor and elder, and was the first resident pastor ever in Martins- ville. Among the charter members were Isaac D. and Mrs. Sheppard, James Maxwell and wife, Robert Hamilton, Mrs. Frances Wilson, widow of "Hero Bill" Wilson, and Mrs. Ann Williams, a widow, of Clear Creek. These and others among the most substantial citizens formed the nu- cleus of the present Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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