USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 18
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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
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HON. HIRAM FRANCISCO, a prom- inent attorney, of Madison, Ind., and at the present time judge of the circuit court, was born in Jefferson county, Ind., Jan. 28, 1851. He is a son of Hiram and Mary (McNutt) Francisco, the former a native of the State of New York and the latter of Switzerland county, Ind. The Francisco family is of Spanish origin. The McNutts came from Pennsylvania early in the nineteenth century. Judge Francisco's father settled in Jefferson county in 1840. He soon became iden- tified with nearly every movement that had for its object the ad- vancement of the county's welfare and was noted for his enterprise and public spirit. Although he did not seek office he was chosen to repre- sent the county in the state senate during the sessions of 1873-75, and while a member of the legislature the interests of his constituents were carefully guarded. He died in 1895. Of the six children born to Hiram and Mary Francisco four are still living. Oliver is a farmer ; Anna F. married a nephew of Senator Jesse D. Bright ; George is a farmer ; and Hiram is the subject of this sketch. Judge Francisco's life was passed on a farm until his fifteenth year, attending the common schools during the winter seasons. At the age of fifteen he entered a private institu- tion in Shelby county, Ky., where he spent two years, finishing his edu- cation. He then went into the law office of Harrington & Korbly as a student and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. For one year he was in partnership with his old preceptor, Henry W. Harrington, at Indian- apolis, after which he returned to the farm for two years and then began practice at Madison. In 1878 he formed a partnership with Edwin G. Leland, which lasted until 1881, when he became associated with Capt. A. D. Vanosdol, a veteran of the Civil war. The firm en- joyed a large and lucrative practice until 1902, when Mr. Francisco's merits as an attorney recommended him to the Democracy of the Fifth judicial circuit, composed of Jefferson asd Switzerland counties, for the nomination of circuit judge. At the ensuing election he was elected by a large majority and entered upon the duties of the office on Oct. 23, 1903. This office he still holds, his record as judge giving abundant. evidence that no mistake was made in selecting him for the position. Judge Francisco is a charter member of Syracuse Lodge, No. 104, Knights of Pythias, and as a member of the Commercial club is active
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in promoting the interests of the city of Madison. He was married,. Feb. 1I, 1877, to Miss Louisa Otto, whose parents, Henry and Mary Otto, were natives of Germany. To this marriage there have been born. seven children: Mary, Helen, Louise, Martha, Georgia, Graham and. Van Edwin. Mary is the wife of Warren Francisco, general freight agent of the Seaboard Air Line, at Montgomery, Ala. Louise is the. wife of Charles Horuff, of Madison, and Martha is the wife of Hon. Edward S. Roberts, private secretary of Comptroller R. J. Tracewell,. Washington, D. C. The family are members of the Catholic church.
HON. JOHN M. CISCO, mayor of Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Oct. 8, 1859. He is a son of Calvin and Ann (Scholl) Cisco, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. They were early settlers at Madison, where- they reared a family of ten children, five of whom are still living. For many years Calvin Cisco was one of the leading butchers and meat dealers of Madison. He served in the Mexican war, was for twelve years marshal of the city, and is still living at the advanced age of sev- enty-nine years. John M. Cisco was educated in the Madison public schools and after leaving school became associated with his father in business. In 1882 he embarked in business for himself and by square dealing has built up a large patronage. He recently erected one of the most substantial business blocks in the city, a building of modern de- sign, where he handles all kinds of meats. Mr. Cisco takes great inter- est in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the city. This led to his. election as councilman from the sixth ward in 1898, and at the next election, three years later, he was re-elected. At the close of his second term he was elected mayor, on May 3, 1904, over John G. Moore, who was a candidate for re-election. The success which Mr. Cisco has at -. tained, both is business and politics, is due to his energy and sterling integrity and he may feel justly proud of his career. On April 4, 1880, he was married to Miss Christiana Miller, an estimable young lady of Madison, and to this marriage there have been born three children : William H., Blanche and John Calvin. All of Mr. Cisco's family except himself are members of the Catholic church.
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JOHN J. YOUNG, one of the leading farmers of Trimble county, Ky., residing near Bedford, was born in the neighborhood where he now lives, June II, 1833. His grandparents on the paternal side were James L. and Frances (Whitaker) Young, early settlers of Bedford, where the grandfather ran the first store and hotel in the town. He was a veteran of the war of 1812 and came from Maryland. Frances Whitaker was a daughter of Col. Aquilla Whitaker, commander of Whitaker's Station in pioneer times, and a sister of Gen. Walter C. Whitaker, who died in Louisville. In 1830 James L. Young bought the farm upon which the subject of this sketch now lives. The parents of John J. Young were James F. and Fannie M. (Hunter) Young, both natives of Kentucky. James F. was born in Shelby county in December, 1812, and is one of a family of four children. R. H., John J., Mary M., and Adeline K. Mary is married and lives in Bedford, and Adeline is the wife of Capt. Thomas English, of the Fourth Ken- tucky cavalry during the Civil war. James F. Young was a Whig in his early life but in later years became a Democrat. He was a member of the Catholic church and his wife was a Baptist. John J. Young en- listed in the Union army in 1863 as a private in Captain Harris's com- pany of the Thirty-fourth Kentucky infantry. About a year later he was transferred to Company L, Fifth Kentucky cavalry, and served until the end of the war. After the war he returned home and has ever since followed farming. He owns 400 acres of fine land and is regarded as one of the prosperous and up-to-date farmers of his community. In politics he is a solid Republican and is always ready to defend his political principles. Mr. Young was married in 1877, to Georgia M., daughter of Dr. Robert Foster of Bowling Green, Ky. She was born in Allen county, Ky., was a member of the Methodist church, and died in April, 1899. On Jan. 1, 1901, he was married to Cora Brewington, a native of Aurora, Ind., though they were married in Kansas. Mr. Young has one son, Robert, who is a farmer in Trimble county. Mrs. Young is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CAPT. ARGUS D. VANOSDOL, one of the leading attorneys of Madison, Ind., was born in Jefferson county, Ind., Sept. 18, 1839, and is a son of Thomas J. and Charlotte (Eastwood) Vanosdol, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Jacob B. Vanosdol, was a Kentucky Ranger during the Indian troubles in the Northwest Indiana Territory in 1810 and the succeeding years, serving under Maj. Zachary Taylor in the defense of Fort Harrison. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home in Mercer county,
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Ky., married a Miss Susanna Smith, and in 1818 came with his family to Indiana, settling in Switzerland county. Twenty years later the family removed to Jefferson county, where the grandparents passed the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandfather was also a soldier in the war of 1812. Thomas J. Vanosdol learned the trade of stone cutter and was for many years engaged as a contractor in the towns of Vevay and Madison. The later years of his life were passed in retire- ment on a farm in Switzerland county, where he died in 1887. Cap- tain Vanosdol was educated in the public schools and at the Indiana State university at Bloomington. On July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany A, Third Indiana cavalry, and was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment. In the following February he was promoted to the rank of captain and transferred to Company I of the same regiment, and on March 9, took command of the company at Nashville, Tenn. He served in the Department of the Cumberland until May 13, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disabilities incurred in the Kentucky cam- paign, and at the battle of Stone River. In the meantime he had mar- ried, in August, 1862, Miss Mary Henry, daughter of Hon. David Henry, of Pleasant, Switzerland county. In the spring of 1865 his health was sufficiently recovered to enable him to again enter the service and he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Indiana battalion. He was soon promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and served with his command until August, 1865, when he was mustered out with his battalion. His only brother, Christopher G. Vanosdol, was mortally wounded in Wilson's raid near Richmond, Va., in 1864, and after being wounded was captured by the Confederates and died in their hands. His grave is one of those marked "Unknown" at Poplar Lawn, Va. After the war Captain Vanosdol's health was such that he took up his residence on a farm, occasionally teaching in the common schools, until the summer of 1870, when he had so far regained his health that he entered the law department of the State university and graduated in March, 1871. He then located at Madison in the practice of law, where he has continued ever since. For nearly twenty-three years he was the senior member of the firm of Vanosdol & Francisco, the partnership being dissolved by Mr. Francisco's election to the position of judge of the circuit court. For four years Capta'n Vanosdol was prosecuting attorney of the Fifth circuit, his administration characterizing him as an able, conscientious and fearless official. He is well known in the political life of Indiana; is a stanch Republican ; has served as county chairman in several campaigns, and as a member of the state central committee. He is also prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic.
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During the years 1886-87 he was inspector general on the staff of Commander-in-chief S. S. Burdett, and in 1888 he was department commander of the Department of Indiana, G. A. R. For four years he was one of the board of control for the Reform School for Boys, at Plainfield, Ind., and for sixteen years was colonel of the Fourth regi- ment, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias. He has received many sou- venirs and testimonials from his comrades and associates in token of their appreciation, which he prizes very highly.
RICHARD JOHNSON, one of the most progressive business men of Madi- son, Ind., was born in Belfast, Ireland, Jan. II, 1829. His parents, John and Margaret (Warring) Johnson, passed their entire lives on the Emerald Isle, where the father was a manufacturer of soap and candles, at Belfast. They had eight children, only two of whom sur- vive; Richard, the subject of this sketch, and Bella, who lives in Belfast. Richard was educated in the private schools of his native town and upon leaving school served his time with the pork packing firm of O'Neilly, Bayly & Co., of Belfast. He then engaged in the butter business for himself but after one year sold out and came to America, landing in New York city on St. Patrick's day, 1849. He came directly to Madison, where he entered the branch house of the firm with which he had served his apprentice- ship in his native land. He remained with this firm until their failure, which resulted from their embarking in the business of making starch, after which Mr. Johnson began the manufacture of starch on his own account. His venture was successful and he continued in that line until 1890, when he, with twenty other concerns, sold out to the trust. At that time the Madison starch works employed about one hundred and fifty people. Mr. Johnson then purchased the Eagle cotton mills, which had twice failed, and by his energy and tact built up a successful busi- ness, the mills now running every day in the year with a force of some four hundred operatives. In 1900 he established the R. Johnson yarn and cordage mills, which has also proved to be a paying industry, em- ploying about one hundred and fifty people the year round. Besides his manufacturing interests Mr. Johnson owns one of the best farms in Jefferson county, consisting of 300 acres, though he resides in the city.
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He is also president of the First National bank, a position he has held for several years ; president of the Firemen's and Mechanics' Insurance Company, the No. 3 fire company, and the Madison Chautauqua assem- bly. Few men have done so much to advance the social and industrial interests of Madison as Mr. Johnson, and none have done more. He came to Madison a poor boy and his business standing has been ac- quired by diligence, and a strict adherence to correct principles. He has two sons and two daughters, David, William J., Margaret and Anna, all of whom have been brought up to become useful members of society. David is the superintendent of the Eagle cotton mills; Wil- liam J. is manager of the yarn and cordage mills; and Margaret is the wife of Manly D. Wilson, the bookkeeper of the Eagle mills. Since coming to America Mr. Johnson has crossed the Atlantic Ocean fif- teen times on visits to his old home in Ireland, which is still dear to his memory.
CURTIS MARSHALL, a rising young lawyer of Madison, Ind., was born in Gal- latin county, Ky., March 10, 1868. When he was six months old his parents re- moved to Jefferson county, Ind., where they both died before the subject of this sketch was three years old. He was adopted by a kindly old couple, and by them carefully and conscientiously reared to manhood. They were not very well to do, and consequently young Curtis was compelled to rely, to a great extent, upon his own efforts to make his way in the world. He attended the common schools, and afterwards the private academy of Prof. A. W. Blinn at Paris, near his home. He also attended a teachers' normal school at Lancaster, Ind., one term. Until he was twenty-five years old he continued to reside in the coun- try, teaching in the common schools during the winter months, and working on the farm during the summer. He taught in all eight schools, and in 1893 went to the city of Madison, where he entered the law office of Judge John R. Cravens, one of the ablest lawyers in Southern Indiana. In September, 1895, he was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of law at once, remaining in the office of his preceptor, and upon the death of Judge Cravens in 1899, he succeeded to the greater part of that eminent lawyer's business. He
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has built up a leading and lucrative practice in all branches of the profession, and is noted as being especially strong in real estate, com- mercial and probate law. At the present time he is the city attorney for Madison, and has had to deal with a number of very knotty legal problems since assuming the duties of that office, particularly in the matter of the renewal of a lighting contract with the city, which carried with it a contract to operate a street railway within the city, and to build and operate an electric interurban road from the city to the town of Hanover, some few miles distant. This contract necessitated the granting of certain privileges and franchises, and called for an unusual degree of care and legal skill on the part of the city attorney, but Mr. Marshall measured up fully to all expectations. Another very impor- tant matter which confronted him was the defalcation of a city treas- urer, and the refusal of his bondsmen to make good a shortage of more than eighteen thousand dollars. This matter is pending yet, but there is entire confidence on the part of the citizens that the city's interests will be taken care of by the city attorney. Mr. Marshall is an influential and enthusiastic Democrat. Before reaching his major- ity he acquired quite a local reputation as a public speaker, and in every campaign in the past sixteen years he has either been on the stump in behalf of his party, or else has been engaged in the manage- ment of the campaign as chairman of his party committee. During the campaigns of 1902 and 1904 he was chairman of the Jefferson county Democratic central committee, and, although the county is normally Republican by 800 majority, he succeeded in cutting that majority down very materially upon the general ticket in both years, and in the former year over half the Democratic county ticket was elected-the first time a Democrat had been elected in the county for twenty-six years-and in the latter year a small part of the county ticket was elected, the county being one of the only two counties in the State of Indiana that showed a gain for the Democratic party over the vote of 1900. Mr. Marshall was also chairman of the Democratic city central committee during the city campaign in the spring of 1904. and, although Madison is normally Republican by 250 majority, yet almost the entire Democratic ticket was elected by good majorities. He was elected a member of the school board of the city of Madison in 1897 and served as a member and president of the board for a term of three years, his knowledge of school affairs, acquired by teaching in his earlier years, enabling him to fulfill the duties of that office most acceptably to the general public. In fraternal circles Mr. Marshall stands high. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and he filled the posi-
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tion of Worshipful Master of Union Lodge, No. 2, during the years of 1903 and 1904; is a member of Juniata Tribe, No. 24, Improved Order of Red Men; a charter member of Clifty Falls Camp, No. 5751, Modern Woodmen of America, and its first Venerable Consul; has a reputation extending all over the state as a leading Odd Fellow, being a member of Madison Lodge, No. 72, of the subordinate branch of that order; of Wildey Encampment, No. 2; La Belle Reviere Rebekah Lodge, No. 624; is a Past Grand of his local lodge; is nearly always a member of one of the important committees in the Grand Lodge; is at the present time the District Deputy Grand Master for District No. 39, consisting of Jefferson county, and is ever alert in the interests of that great order, whose motto is Friendship, Love and Truth. Al- though he was brought up in the Christian church, Mr. Marshall belongs to no religious denomination, yet his conduct is governed by high ideas of morality and charity toward his fellow-men. He is un- married, and is devoted to his profession, his lodges and his party work.
LOUIS SULZER, proprietor of the firm of Sulzer Bros., wholesale dealers in crude drugs, Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Oct. 10, 1862. His parents, Raphael and Rachael (Heimerdinger) Sulzer, were natives of Alsace, Germany, but came to this country in 1854, locat- ing at Madison, where the father founded the business that has since grown to large proportions. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years. The mother died at the age of seventy. Two sons and two daughters of the chil- dren born to them are still living. Louis Sulzer was educated in the Madison public schools, and upon completing his education he became associated with his father in the business of buying up roots and herbs for the manufacturing chemists over the country. In time he became the manager of the firm's affairs, and he has conducted it so successfully that today it is the largest concern of the kind in the world. Foremost among the crude materials handled by the firm are golden seal, mandrake, blood root, wahoo, slippery elm, etc., the annual volume of business running from $175,000 to $250,000. Mr. Sulzer is known to all the pharmaceutical chemists of the United
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States and throughout Europe, most of whom he supplies with the raw materials for the preparation of their various remedies. Although he never studied botany, he can readily give the scientific name of any root or herb and give its medicinal properties. Besides the office of the firm, at 318 Mulberry street, two large buildings are occupied at the corner of Second and West streets. The firm also handles thou- sands of dollars worth of raw furs every year. In addition to his large interests in this line, Mr. Sulzer is also connected with several other important enterprises. He is secretary and general manager of the Root-Herba Company, manufacturers of Houz's blood purifier, and a number of other remedies. He is also secretary and general man- ager of the Ohio Valley Shell and Pearl Company, dealers in pearls and manufacturers of pearl button blanks, with a factory at Madison. In March, 1903, he organized the People's bank and served as vice- president of the institution until May, 1904, when he resigned. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Bnai Brith, of which he is presi- dent, and is the treasurer of the Adath Israel congregation, of which he was also president for several years. On June 8, 1892, he was mar- ried to Miss Rose Lefly of Cincinnati. They have two children: Helen, aged eleven, and Rachael, aged seven, both of whom are in school.
JOHN W. THOMAS, manufacturer of spokes and barrels, Madison, Ind., was born in Jefferson county, Ind., Oct. 30, 1849, his parents being Joseph and Amanda A. (Remley) Thomas. About a century ago his paternal grandfather, John Thomas, came down the Ohio river on a flatboat from Pennsylvania and set- tled about two miles from Madison, where he built a two-room log house. At that time the Indians were quite trouble- some in Southern Indiana and the port- holes left in the walls may be seen in the old building, which is still standing, and which is now used as a grist- mill. He lived upon the land he entered from the government until his death. The maternal grandfather, Rev. Michael A. Remley, came from Virginia early in the nineteenth century and was a Presbyterian minister. He and his wife traveled over the country in a sort of dog
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cart, finally locating in Jefferson county. Here he engaged in raising silk worms, and the farm where he lived is still known as the "Silk Farm." He also once owned a farm where part of the city of Chicago now stands. Joseph Thomas was a farmer in his early life, but later learned the coopers' trade, at which he worked until his death. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, only three of whom are now living: John W., the subject of this sketch, Joseph and Alice. John W. Thomas received a limited education in the public schools, the years of his youth and early manhood being spent in working on a farm. During the war he was employed on a steamboat, and after the return of peace he went to Arkansas, where he found work as a farm hand. In 1867 he returned to his old home, learned both the carpenters' and coopers' trade, and for several years worked as a journeyman, the last place he was employed being at Frankfort, Ky. Borrowing sixty dollars to start with, he began business for himself in a little shed at Madison, making flour barrels for the mills there. From this modest beginning he has built up his present establishment, manufacturing all kinds of spokes and whisky barrels for a number of the leading distilleries of the country. He ships spokes to several points on the Pacific slope, as well as to a number of European cities. Mr. Thomas is also at the head of the Madison Coal Company, own- ing the steam towboat Minnie and a complement of barges. He is an extensive dealer in real estate, a director of the trust company, vice-president of the People's bank a member of the Commercial club, and owner of five farms in Jefferson county, one of which, consisting of 360 arces, is the largest farm in the county. He also owns a large farm in the State of Arkansas. He served as county commissioner for two terms, and was for eighteen years a member of the city council. Mr. Thomas has always favored every movement for the upbuilding of the city and is regarded as one of Madison's most progressive citi- zens. No one envies him his success or popularity, for all realize that they have come to him through his energy and perseverance, and are the just reward of untiring industry. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Firemen, and in all these orders he has a high standing. In December, 1872, Mr. Thomas and Miss Susan C. Smith were united in marriage. Three of the children born to this union are now living, viz .: Gaylord, Raymond and Anna.
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