USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
540
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.
distinguished officers of the war of 1812. She was the step- daughter of John Nornavill, Washington's patriotic drum- major, who, though an Englishman by birth, warmly es- poused the cause of the colonies, and finally died, after years of suffering, from wounds received at Bunker Hill, having declined to receive any pension, saying, "Gentle- men, I did not fight for money; we have accomplished what we fought for; I am well paid." The party left I.an- caster, June 20, 1789), and with a single wagon and four pack-horses journeyed westward through an almost un- broken forest. Arriving at Fort Pitt ( Pittsburgh), August 17th, they sold their horses and wagon, and having pur- chased and fitted up a family boat, which they named the " Little Mary," started with a party of eight, comprising the families of Leonard Eckert, Daniel Peck and Daniel Light, down the Ohio, October 12th. They floated slowly down the river, occasionally grounding, until they reached the mouth of the Sun Fish, below Wheeling, October 28th; they were there attacked at sunset by a party of Indians in eight canoes; the savages were gallantly repulsed at the first onslaught, with the loss of two of their number, but soon returned to the attack, which they kept up until near midnight, when they were finally driven off, the darkness precluding a knowledge of their loss in the final repulse. Other hostile Indians frequently gave chase, but were, by a shot or two, put to flight. They landed at Marietta, whence, after a few days' rest, they proceeded to their destination,
" Limestone Old Fort " ( Maysville, Kentucky), where they arrived on Christmas eve, and were warmly welcomed. Leonard Eckert and Daniel Peck entered land back of Maysville, and laid out the town of Washington, Fleming county. After two years' residence they sold this property, Peck entering land farther back in the same county, where, with his wife Susan, he raised a numerous family and lived to a good old age; the latter reached the age of ninety. Leonard Eckert removed to Fort Washington (Cincinnati). After a time he purchased land in Campbell county, where he lived till his death, in his fifty-fourth year, leaving a wife and ten children. Thomas' educational advantages were limited, being confined to attendance during the winter at a school two miles distant ; but he laid the foundation upon which he has built, by reading and practical study, mitil he is recognized as a most thorough and systematic business man. Ile moved to Cincinnati on his fifteenth birthday, ostensibly for a visit, but really to seek an opportunity for an indulgence of his taste for mechanics. He engaged as an apprentice with Loader & Demint, then the largest engine builders west of Pittsburgh, and soon became a skilful workman, His residence now stands on the spot then occupied by their works. After the expiration of his term of apprenticeship he entered the finishing shop of Green & Hatch, where he assisted in the fitting ont of a large number of boats, including the " Robert Fulton," " ('rusader," "Amulet," " Native," " Fairy " and " Walter Scott," on the latter of which he engaged as engineer. Ile
left Cincinnati with Captain Fay, despite the opposition of his friends, May 28th, 1828, to enter upon the St. Louis and New Orleans trade. On his second and last trip his boat, which had been lying in port twelve days, with the merenry at tro degrees and the yellow fever sweeping off over four hundred per day, left New Orleans, September Ist, so densely crowded by those fleeing from the scourge as to leave scarcely standing room. During the fearful run which followed, the dead and dying were put ashore at almost every landing, and when they reached the mouth of the Ohio there were less than fifty souls on board, three officers, including the captain, five deck hands and four firemen having fallen victims to the terrible malady. In August, 1828, he invented a "stop-valve," in the supply- pipe for the relief of the pressure of steam on the force- pump, which has proved very efficacious and valuable. Ile also introduced the use of derricks, now considered an indispensable part of a boat's equipment, in 1829. After the death of Captain Fay he returned to the establishment of Green & Hatch, where he continued as foreman for two years. In 1831 he became engineer of the " Philadelphia," commanded by Anderson Miller, the friend of Henry Clay and bitter enemy of Andrew Jackson. This boat was then the largest on the Western rivers, being 183 feet long, with a carrying capacity of 450 tons. The name of Thomas F. Eckert had now become widely known among river men as one of the most skilful engineers and mechanics on the Western waters, and in the winter of 1832-33, when Colonel Robert Beveridge, of Florida, took a contract for carrying the mail three times a week from Appalachicola to Colum- bus, Georgia, he selected him to superintend the mechan- ical arrangements of his six boats. After six months in this service he was detailed to go Worth to build a new boat ; and, finding the yards and shops at Cincinnati already over- run, he proceeded to Wheeling, where he completed his task in the allotted time, and produced in 1833 the beanti- ful steamer "Andrew Jackson." At the expiration of the year he was commissioned to build the " Floridian ; " in it he had one-fourth interest, and ran her a season on the Appa- lachicola and Chattahoochee rivers, Returning to Cincin- nati in 1834 he built the " Hyperion," which he ran a season; and then followed the " Paul Jones," on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, the " President," " Commodore," the second " Paul Jones," the second "Andrew Jackson " and the " Walnut Hills," He left the latter in 1852 to retire to private life, having been engaged in steamboating twenty-two years, four as engineer and eighteen as captain ; but he was not permitted to remain idle, for the Democrats elected him to the State Legislature in 1852 by an over- whelming majority. Among his distinguished services in that body was his anthorship of " The Ten Hour System of Labor." After the expiration of his term he was elected President of the Western Insurance Company, then in its infancy, but which, nuder his management, has taken rank among the best in the country. To him the city is indebted
541
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
for the magnificent avenue connecting it with Carthage, | His services earned for him a still higher rank, but owing which, after years of patient labor, was thrown open to the public in 1561. Ilis publie spirit and indomitable enter- prise has materially advanced the interests of the city, and he has done much to promote and perpetuate the river trade, so essential to the vitality of the mercantile interests of Cincinnati. During all his river experience he never lost a life or a dollar by accident, and has persistently used his influence to make common carriers responsible for loss of life or property, and thus to insure greater caution and care in the selection of engineers and the construction of boilers.
ONES, WELLS S., was born, August 3d, 1830, in Ross county, Ohio, the third of a family of eight children. His parents, R. P. Jones and Nancy Smith, are both natives of Berkeley county, Vir- ginia, from which they emigrated to Ohio in her early history, his father settling on a farm in Pax- ton township, Ross county, where they still live. He had the benefit of pious practical training and education, till he reached his majority, his boyhood being spent on his father's farm. In the year 1851 he went to MeLean county, Illi- nois, there following his old avocation, connecting teaching therewith for about two years, when he returned to his ok home. He chose the medical profession and at once entered upon his studies with that energy and assiduity which characterize all his undertakings. He attended the Starling Medical College in 1855, and began the practice of medicine in Jasper, Pike county, in 1856, where he re- mained only a few months, removing to Waverly, where he industriously and successfully practised his profession for one year and a half. Returning to Jasper, he secured a large and lucrative practice by industry and application. In the fall of 1861 he entered the service of his country. Recruiting a full company, he was commissioned Captain, Company A, 53d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being the first full company taken to camp from Pike county. His regi- ment joined General Sherman's army at Paducah, Kentucky, in February, IS62. He was in every engagement in which his regiment participated, and several battles in which his regiment was not engaged. He was in the heavy fighting at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and Jones- boro', and was in General Sherman's famous march to the sea. General Jones, with his brigade, the 2d, of the 2d Division, 15th Army Corps, made the memorable assault on Fort McAllister near Savannah. In this engagement he was wounded by a Minie ball ; disabling him for active ser- vice about one month. His gallant bearing before Shiloh won for him a Colonel's commission. On the 13th of March, 1865, he was made a Brigadier General for brave and meritorious conduct on the field, having been strongly recommended by both General Sherman and General Logan.
to a personal difficulty with Governor Brough, his promo- tion was prevented. After the grand review in Washing- top city, he served with his brigade in Arkansas, and was mustered out in September, 1865, having given four years to the service of his country. He returned to civil life carrying with him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Resuming his professional studies he graduated at Starling Medical College in 1866, and took up the prac- tice of medicine in Waverly, where he now resides. Gen- eral Jones is strongly identified with the Republican party, and is a leading politician in his district. In the fall of 1866 he was the candidate for Congress in the Twelfth Dis- trict. The following year he was the candidate for State Senator. Ile was appointed Internal Revenue Assessor of the Twelfth Congressional District in 1869, which position he held four years, when the office was abolished. While he is actively engaged in his profession he is also largely in- terested in mercantile and agricultural business. General Jones is active in all public affairs that promote the general good, political, social, or religious. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially be is a man of pleasing address and of unquestioned integrity. By untiring industry he is making life a success. His wife was E. HI. Kincaid, the daughter of William M. Kincaid and Harriet Prather, who came of early pioneer families from Virginia and Maryland.
MEAD, GEORGE LEWIS, Superintendent of the Ohio Institute for the Education of the Blind, was born at Greenfield, Massachusetts, on Jann- ary 18th, 1834. Ilis early education was received at the common schools of that day, and such was his proficiency, that at the age of seventeen he was qualified as a teacher, and followed that profession until he was twenty-one years of age, when he entered Amherst College, at Amherst, Massachusetts. Pursuing the usual course of studies, he graduated from that institution in the year 1859. In the fall of the same year he located in Columbus, Ohio, and engaged as a teacher in the Insti- tute for the Education of the Blind of that State. July 16th, 1863, Professor Sinead was united in matrimony to Hattie Wilson, of Francestown, New Hampshire, daughter of Alexander Wilson, an influential citizen of that place ; she died May roth, 1870. The position of teacher held by Professor Smead for a period of about nine years was filled with skill and ability, so much so, that when in August, 1868, Dr. A. D. Lord, who had served the institute for a long period of years, resigned his position as superintend- ent, Professor Smead was appointed to fill his place, which position he has successfully held to the present time. The Institute for the Education of the Blind is a State establish- ment, and by reason of its large, commodions, and beanti- ful building, and the advantages of education it affords to
1
542
BIOGRAPHICAL, ENCYCLOPAEDIA.
that unfortunate class, deservedly ranks as one of the first in the country. Much of its present standing and pros- perity is due to Professor George L. Smead, who has labored long and faithfully for the unfortunate blind of Ohio. August 29th, 1871, Professor Smead was united in matrimony to Sarah E. Emerson, of Francestown, New Hampshire.
UTNAM, JOIIN II., Editor, Legislator, and Pri- vate Secretary to Governor William Allen, during his late administration, was born, April 3d, 1835, in South Charleston, Clark county, Ohio. His great-grand father was General Rufus Putnam, who greatly distinguished himself in the war of the Revolution, and who afterwards emigrated to the Territory of Ohio and established the first colony at Marietta. Ilis grandfather, Judge Edwin Putnam, was the founder of the town of Putnam, on the Muskingum river, and served in a judicial capacity for many years. IIis father, General Rufus Putnam, was a conspicuous figure in the early mili- tary history of the State. IIe was in command of a brigade of Ohio militia at the commencement of the Mexican war, and by a vote of his command, tendered its services to the government, but Ohio's quota being declared full by the general government, the offer was not accepted. John II., the subject of this sketch, has been in public life from early youth. A printer by profession, at the age of seventeen he commenced the publication of a daily paper in Dayton, and has been almost continuously engaged in his favorite pur- suit ever since, having published and edited papers at Day- ton, Greenville, Union City, Galion, Newark, and Chilli- cothe. IIe is now the editor and one of the proprietors of the Daily Evening Dispatch at Columbus. Although a Democrat, in 1861, through his paper at Newark, and by his personal influence, he gave great assistance to the friends of the war in rallying his political adherents to its support. Ife assisted in raising several companies and then took command of one in person and went into the field, where he remained about two years, participating with his regi- ment, the 31st Ohio, in the Mill Springs campaign, the siege of Corinth, the campaign along the line of the Charles- ton & Memphis Railroad, Buell's memorable march from Dechard to Louisville, after Bragg, and the five days' battle of Stone river. Returning home in the fall of 1863, he was nominated by the Democrats and elected to the Legis- lature, and participated in the fiery struggles in that body during the sessions of 1864 and 1865. Being an apt parlia- mentarian and a good debater, he at once took a position as one of the leaders of the body, which he held during the remainder of his legislative carcer. At the end of his term he was renominated and re-elected, serving his Licking county constituency for the period of four years. During his second term he moved to Chillicothe, and in the fall of 1871 was nominated by his party to represent the district
composed of the counties of Ross and Ilighland, in the State Senate, Ile was elected and served his constituency with such acceptability that he was tendered a renomination, which he declined. Ile was largely instrumental in bring- ing about the nomination of Governor Allen in 1873, and made the canvass of the State with that gentleman, giving much assistance in directing the campaign in addition to his labors on the stump. After the election, Governor Allen tendered him the position of Private Secretary, which he accepted and filled in a manner highly creditable to himself and his chief. He was united in marriage, on the 14th of October, 1867, with Ella Gertrude Ewing, of Chillicothe.
OSECRANS, RIGIIT REV. S. II., Bishop of Columbus, Ohio, was born at Ilomer, Licking county, Ohio, on February 5th, 1827. Ilis parents were Crandall and Jane (Hopkins) Rose- crans, and both came from Wilkesbarre, Penn- sylvania. His father followed agricultural pur- suits, and also engaged in contracts for public works. In the Bishop's veins flows eminently patriotic blood, his mother being a granddaughter of Timothy Ilopkins, who signed the Declaration of Independence. IIe was educated at Kenyon College, Ohio, and St. John's, Fordham, New York, graduating from the latter in 1846. After graduating, feeling impelled to the priesthood, he went to Rome to study theology at the Propaganda, where he remained five years. IIe was ordained priest in Rome, in July, 1852, and returned at once to liis native land, where he began to exercise the priestly office at the Cathedral in Cincinnati. In the discharge of this duty he continued for ten years, becoming also Professor of Theology in Mount St. Mary's Seminary, and Editor of the Catholic Telegraph. On March 25th, 1862, he was consecrated auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, and rendered efficient aid in the administra- tion of the diocese until 1868. In that year, Columbus having been erected into a separate diocese, he was trans- ferred to that city, being installed on March 3d, 1868. Since entering upon this important charge, he has carried through many important undertakings, among which may be mentioned the building of a fine cathedral, at a cost of about $150,000, the establishment, in 1874, of orphan asy- lums at Pomeroy and Columbus. In 1870 he devoted much time to the superintendence of the Sisters' Seminary of St. Aloysius, designed for higher and theological studies. IIe comes of a Protestant family, but became a Catholic prose- lyte in 1845, while a student at Kenyon College. This it was which led to the transfer of his scholastic alle- giance to St. John's, a Catholic institution. ITis mother joined the Catholic Church before her death, but his father did not. General Rosecrans, brother of the bishop, was converted while a Professor at West Point, and it
00
Stolomumand Bp of Columbus
543
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
was partly through his influence that the Bishop became a neophyte. The Bishop is greatly beloved in his diocese, and wields a large influence for good outside of the pale of the church.
EMPSTEAD, G. S. B., A. M., M. D., was born, June 8th, 1794, in New London, Connecticut. Ilis father, Giles Hempstead, and-mother, Lucre- tin Saltonstall, moved to Marietta, Northwestern Territory, in 1802. At Marietta, the subject of this sketch was placed in school, remaining there until IS10, when he entered the law office of Governor R. J. Meigs, studied law one year, and in ISHI was sent to the Ohio University. Here he matriculated and entered the junior class. In 1813 he received the degree of A. B., and in the same year commenced the study of medicine under Dr. John B. Regnier. Ile remained under the tutor- ship of Dr. Regnier until the spring of 1816, when he was licensed to practise medicine by the Board of Censors under authority of the State. During 1816 he located four several times ; first at Waterford, between Marietta and Zanesville, next at Athens, and then at Guyandotte, West Virginia, and finally settled, in the month of October, at Portsmouth, Scioto county, Ohio. Here he practised medicine, covering a territory of thirty-five miles, reaching in all directions ex- cept south from Portsmouth. Two months before going to Guyandotte he had travelled through portions of Ohio, Ken- tucky, Indiana and West Virginia. In 1858, in conse- quence of declining health, Dr. Hempstead moved to Hanging Rock, where he remained until 1872. In that year he returned to Portsmouth, where he has since made his home. Dr. Ilempstead was engaged in full practice from 1816 to 1858, and in a select practice until 1865. Since then he has only consented to accept the cases of old patients and personal friends, devoting his time al- most exclusively to the study of the natural sciences. In the winter of 1821-22 he attended a course of lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In .1822 the Ohio University conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. In 1821 Dr. Hempstead married Elizabeth Peebles, daughter of John and Margaret Peebles, by whom he had two daughters and one son, the latter dying in 1873.
URPIIY, JOIIN, A. M., M. D., one of the most distinguished and successful physicians of Cin- cinnati, was born in Hawkins county, East Ten- nessee, January 23d, 1824. He received a liter- ary education in the old Cincinnati College, and in April, 18.13, began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John P. Harrison, of Cincinnati. Ile in the meantime entered the Medical College of Ohio, and graduated in the spring of 1846. Immediately after gradu-
ation, he was elected one of the resident physicians to the Cincinnati Hospital. This position he held one year, and in 1847 opened his office for private practice, Being very successful, and wishing to increase his professional knowl- edge, in 1853 he made a trip to Emope for that purpose. There he spent nearly two years attending the lectures and clinics of the most distinguished men of his profession, in Paris and other medical centres. Ile was one of the foun- ders of the Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati. At the organization of this institution he was made a member of the faculty, and Professor of Materia Medica. When, in 1857, the Miami and the Medical College of Ohio were consoli- dated, he was again elected to the Chair of Materia Medical On the independent reorganization of the Miami Medical College, in 1865, he was elected Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine. This position he still holds, with a degree of popularity to which few medical lecturers attain. In connection with Drs. George Mendenhall and E. B. Stevens, he established and edited the Medical Ob- server, and after the union of this journal with the Western Lancet, he still remained one of its editors. During the war of the rebellion he was a member of the Board ap- pointed by Governor Tod to examine candidates for medi- cal positions in the State regiments. IIe was also Surgeon of the Board of Enrolment for the Second District of Ohio, and for three years Acting Assistant Surgeon in charge of the Third Street Cincinnati United States Military Ilospi- tal. Dr. Murphy is a member of the medical staff of the Cincinnati Hospital, member of the Cincinnati Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Ilis private practice is extensive and valuable, few medical men of the West occupying a more enviable place in the confidence of the people, or more justly bearing a widespread reputation.
ULBERT, IIIRAM, was born, September 2d, 1806, at Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He is the seventh of eight children born to Elisha Hulbert and Cloah Savage. Ilis father was a native of Massachusetts and a farmer. Elisha Ilulbert emigrated to Ohio in 1810, settling on the Big Hocking, seven miles from Athens, in the Ohio Company's purchase, where he lived until his death in 1813. ITiram's mother was also born in Massachusetts and died in 1813. The subject of this sketeh worked on a farm and attended school when he could until he was twenty years of age, at which time he had progressed so far as to be able to spell a few monosyllabic words. Leaving the farm he engaged to work for Daniel Stewart, on the Ilocking, thirteen miles from Athens-wages, three dollars a month. At the end of two months his employer thought his services worth more money, and accordingly advanced his wages to eight dollars per month. At the end of another month Hiram went on
i
- -
544
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
the Ohio river, and for forty days rowed on a keel boat, at the rate of nine dollars a month. In the latter part of 1826 he rowed a keel boat from Cincinnati to the mouth of the Kentucky river, making the trip in sixteen days, and re- ceiving one dollar a day for his services. After this here. turned to Athens, attended a common school for about sis months, learning to read, write and cipher as far as the rule of three. In 1827 young Hulbert went into a grocery store in Athens, remaining there six months, at three dollars a month salary. But fortune had better things in store. Ile conceived the idea of peddling clocks about the country, and immediately set about it. He was so successful that in a few weeks he had made four hundred and fifty dollars clear of all expenses, in those days a small fortune for a young man. In this venture he had shown business tact and caution which attracted the notice of his friends, who assisted him to start business on his own account. In June, 1830, he opened a store at McArthur, Vinton county. He started with a well-selected stock of goods, and immediately began to do a good business. Since that time he has re- sided in McArthur, being engaged in business and promi- nently identified with the material growth of that place. Ile was in the grocery and dry-goods business until 1852, when he became involved in difficulties through his partner, and about all he had in the world was swept away. Ifis friends came to his relief, and through their assistance he was able to buy back his property. Ile then went into the hotel business, carrying on a farm at the same time. His eforts to retrieve his loss were so successful that, in IS69, he paid the last dollar of his indebtedness, amounting to over nine thousand dollars. Mr. Hulbert was Captain, Quartermaster, and Adjutant in the 2d Division of the Ohio Militia under the old law. He is a Republican, but has never sought any office. For forty years he has been a member of the Methodist Church. At the age of three- score years and ten, and after a life of industry and toil, Mr. Hulbert enjoys the use of his mental and physical facul- ties uuimpaired. He is a leading and highly respected citizen of Vinton county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.