NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08192174 8
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Biographical History
OF
NODAWAY AND ATCHISON
COUNTIES
MISSOURI
COMPENDIUM OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1901
K..
3(^8877
I t'^'n.'w Vj
Biog;raphy is the only true History. ~/:werso».
A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote :incestcrs
will never achieve anythinfr worthy to be remembered with
pride by remote generations.^ — iMiunui,!]'.
-» 1 ^
jss^^^^m^^^s^s^^s^^^^^^!^^^'.
CONTENTS
GEXP:RAL IXDKX.
Table of Contents,
Introductorv, •
3
11
Compendium of National Biography, - 13
Compendium of Local Biography, - 223
INDEX TO PART I.
Compendium of National Biography.
Biographical Sketches of National Celebrities.
page
Abbott, Lyman 144
Adams, Charlts Kendall 143
Adams, John 25
Adams, John Qiiincy 61
Agassiz, Louis J. R 137
Alger, Russell A 173
Allison, William B 131
Allston, Washington 190
Altgeld, John Peter 140
Andrews, Elisha B 184
Anthony, Susan B 62
Armour, Philip D 62
Arnold, Benedict 84
Arthur, Chester Allen 168
Astor, John Jacob 139
Audubon, John James 166
Bailey, James Montgomery. . . 177
Bancroft, George 74
Barnard, Frederick A. P 179
Barnum, Phineas T 41
Barrett, Lawrence 156
Barton, Clara 209
Bayard, Thomas Francis 200
Beard, William H 196
Beauregard, Pierre G. T 203
Beecher, Henry Ward 26
Bell, Alexantler Graham 96
Bennett, James Gordon 206
Benton, Thomas Hart 53
Bergh, Henry 160
Bierstadt, Albert 197
Billings, Josh 166
Blaine, James Gillespie 22
Bland, Richard Parks 106
PAGE
Boone, Daniel 36
Booth, Edwin 51
Booth, Junius Brutus 177
Brice, Calvin S 181
Brooks, Phillips 130
Brown, John 51
Brown, Charles Farrar 91
Brush, Charles Francis 153
Bryan. William Jennings 158
Bryant, William Cullen 44
Buchanan, Franklin 105
Buchanan, James 128
Buckner, Simon Bolivar 188
Burdette, Robert J 103
Burr, Aaron Ill
Butler, Benjamin Franklin.... 24
Calhoun, John Caldwell 23
Cameron, James Donald 141
Cameron, Simon 141
Cammack, Addison 197
Campbell, Alexander 180
Carlisle, John G 133
Carnegie, Andrew 73
Carpenter, Matthew Hale 178
Carson, Christopher (Kit) 86
Cass, Lewis 110
Chase, Salmon Portland 65
Childs, George W 83
Choate, Rufus 207
Claflin, Horace Brigham 107
Clay, Henry 21
Clemens. Samuel Langhorne.. 86
Cleveland, Grover 174
Clews. Henry 153
page
Clinton. DeWitt 110
Colfax, Schuyler 139
Conkling, Alfred 32
Conkling, Roscoe 32
Cooley, Thomas Mclntyre. . . . 140
Cooper, James Fenimore 58
Cooper, Peter 37
Copely, John Singleton 191
Corl)in, Austin 205
Corcoran, W. W 196
Cornell, Ezra 161
Cramp, William 189
Crockett, David 76
Cullom, Shelby Moore 116
Curtis. George William! 144
Cushman. Charlotte 107
Custer, George A 95
Dana. Charles A 88
" Danbury News Man " 177
Davenport, Fanny 106
Davis, Jefferson '. 24
Debs, Eugene \'. . . ., 132
Decatur, Stephen 101
Deering, William 198
Depew. Chauncey Mitchell.. .. 209
Dickinson, Anna 103
Dickinson. Don M 139
Dingley. Nelson, [r 215
Donnelly, Ignatius 161
Douglas, Stephen Arnold 53
Douglass. Frederick 43
Dow. Neal 108
Draper. John William 184
TABLE OF CONrENTH—rART I.
TAtiE
Drexel, Anthony Joseph 124
Uupont, Henry 198
Edison. Thomas Alva So
Eiliiuinils, Georjje K 201
Kllsworlh, Oliver U>8
Knii-rsiin, Ralph Waldo .")7
Ericsson, John 127
Evarts, William Maxwell 89
Farragut, David Glascoe 80
Field, Cyrus West 173
Field, U'avid Dudley 126
Field. Marshall 59
Field, Stephin Johnson 216
Fillmore, Millard 113
Foote. Andrew Hull 176
Foraker, Joseph B 143
P'orrest, Kdwin 92
Franklin, Benjamin 18
Fremont, John Charles 29
Fuller, Melville Wuslon 168
Fulton, Robert 62
Gage, Lyman J 71
Gallatin, Albert 112
Garlield, James A .... 163
Garrett, John Work 200
Garrison, William Lloyd SO
Gates, Horatio 70
Galling, Richard Jordan 116
< '.eorge, Henry 203
Gibbons, Cardinal James 209
Gilmore, Patrick Sarstield 77
Cirard, Stephen 137
Gough, John B 131
Gould, Jay hi
Gordon, John B 215
Grant, Ulysses S 155
Gray , Asa 1^8
Gray, Elisha 149
Greeley, Adolphus W 142
Greeley, Horace 20
Greene, Nathaniel 69
Greshani, Walter Qi'inlif 183
Hale, Edward Everett 79
Hall, Charles Francis 167
Hamilton, Alexander 31
Hamlin, Hannibal 214
Hampton, Wa.le 192
Hancock, Winlield Scott 146
Hanna, Marcus Alonzo 169
Harris, Isliam G 214
Harrison, Williain Henry 87
Harrison, Benjamin 182
Harvard, John 129
Hav<-meyer, John Craig 1>S2
Hawthorne, Nathaniel 135
Hayes, Rulhi-rford Birchard... 157
Hendricks, Thomas Andrew. . 212
Henry, Jo.seph 105
Henrv, Patrick 83
Hill,I)avid Bennett 90
Hobart, Garrett A 213
Holmes, Oliver Wendell 206
H<K>ker, Joseph 52
Howe. Klias 130
Howells. William Dean 104
PACE
Houston, Sam 120
Hughes, Archbishop John 157
Hughitt, Marvin 159
Hull, Isaac 169
Huntington, Collis Potter 94
Ingalls, John James.. 114
Ingersoll, Robert G 86
Irving, Washington 33
Jackson, Andrew 71
Jackson, " Stonewall " 67
Jackson, Thomas Jonathan 67
Jay, John 39
Jefferson, Joseph 47
Jefferson, Thomas '•'A
Johnson, .-\ndri-w 145
Johnson, Eastman 202
Johnston, Joseph Eccleston... . 85
Jones, James K 171
Jones, John Paul 97
Jones, Samuel I'orter 115
Kane, Elisha Kent 126
Kearney, I'hilip 210
Kenton, Simon 188
Knox, John Jay 134
Lamar, Lucius Q. C 201
Landon, Melville D 109
Lee, Robert Edward 38
Lewis, Charles B 193
Lincoln, Abraham 135
Livermore, .Mary Ashton 131
Locke, David Ross 172
Logan, John A 26
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth 37
Longstreet, James 56
Lowell, lames Russell 104
Mackay, John William 148
Madison, James 42
Marshall, John 156
Mather, Cotton 164
Mather, Increase 163
Maxim, Hiram S 194
McClellan, George Brinton.... 47
McCormick, Cyrus Hall 172
McDonough, Com. Thomas.. . 167
McKinley, William 217
Meade, (ji-orge Gordon 75
Medill, Joseph 159
Miles, Nelson A 176
Miller, Cincinnatus Heine 218
Miller, Joaquin 218
Mills, Roger Quarles 211
Monroe, James 54
Moody, Dwiglit L.
Moran. Thomas
Morgan, John I'ii-rpont...
Morgan, John T
Morris, Robert
Morse, .Samuel F. U
Morion, Levi P
Morton, Oliver Perry.. . .
Motley, Jolm Lathrop. . .
20';
98
208
216
165
124
142
215
i;i0
"Nye, Bill" 5'.)
Nye, Edgar Wilson 59
PAOE
OConor, Charles 187
OIney, Richard 133
Paine, Thomas 147
Palmer, John .M 195
Parkhurst, Charles Henry 160
" Partington, Mrs." 202
Peabody, George 170
Peck, George W 187
Peffer, Wilham A 164
Perkins, Eli 109
Perrv, (Oliver Hazard 97
Phill'ips, Wendell 30
Pierce, Franklin 122
Pingree, Hazen S 212
Plant, Henrv B 192
Poe, Edgar Allen 69
Polk, James Knox 102
Porter, David Dixon 68
Porter, Noah 93
Prentice, George Denison.. . . 119
Prescott, William Hickling 96
Pullman, George .Mortimer.... 121
{2uad, M 193
Quay Matthews 171
Randolph, Edmund 136
Read, Thomas Buchanan 132
Reed, Thomas Brackett 208
Reid, Whitelaw 149
Ri>ach, John 190
Rockefeller, John Davison.... 195
Root, Geortre Frederick 218
Rothermei; Peter F 113
Rutledge, John 57
Sage, Russell 211
Schotield, John McAllister 199
Schur?, Carl 201
Scott, Thomas Alexander 204
Scott, Winfield 79
.Seward, William Henry ... . 44
Sharon, William 165
Shaw, Henry W 166
.Sheridan, Phillip Henry...... 40
Sherman, Charles R 87
Sherman, lohn 86
Shillaber, lienjamin Penhallow 202
Sherman, William Tecumseh.. 30
.Smith, Edmund Kirby 114
Sousa, John Philip 60
.Spreckels, Claus 159
Stanford, Leiand 101
Stanton. Edwin McMasters... 179
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 126
.Stephens, .Alexander Hamilton 32
Stephen.son, Adlai Ewing... . 141
Stewart, Alexander T 68
Stewart, William Morris 213
Stowe, Harriet Elizabetli
Beecher 66
Stuart, James E. B 122
Suumer, Charles 34
I
Talmage, Thomas DeWilt. ... 60
Taney, Roger Brooke 129
'Taylor, /acharv 108
Teller, Henry .\I 127
TABLE OF CONTENTS— PAR7^ I.
PAGE
Tesla, Nikola 193
Thomas, George H 73
Thomas, Theodore 172
Th>;rm<in, Allen G 90
Thurston, John i\l 166
Tildeii, Samuel J 48
Tillman, lienjamm Ryan 119
Toombs, Robert '. 205
"Twain, Mark" 86
Tyler, John 93
Van Buren, Martm 78
\anderbilt, Cornelius 8o
Vail, Alfred 154
\'est, Geor<;e Graham 214
PAGE
^'ilas, William Freeman 140
\'oorhees, Daniel Wolsey 95
Waite, Morrison Reinich 125
Wallace, Lewis 199
Wallack, Lester 121
Wallack, John Lester 121
Wanamaker, lohn 89
Ward, "Artenius " 91
Washburne, fllihu Benjamin. . 189
Washington, George 17
Watson, Thomas E 178
Watterson, Henry 76
Weaver, lames B 123
Webster, Daniel 19
PAGE
Webster, Noah 49
Weed, Thurlow 91
West, Benjamin 1 15
Whipple, Henry Benjamin. . . . 161
White, .Stephen \' 162
Whitetield, George l50
Whitman, Walt 197
Whitney, Eli 120
Whitney, William Collins 92
Whittier, John Greenleaf 67
Willard, Frances E 133
Wilson, William L. ISO
Winchell, Alexander 175
Wmdom, William 138
PORTRAITS OF NATIONAL CELEBRITIES.
PAGE
Alger, Russell A. 16
Allison, William B 99
Anthony, .Susan B 63
Armour, Philip 1) 151
Arthur, Chester A 81
Harnum, Phineas T 117
Beecher, Henry Ward 27
Blaine, James G 151
Booth, Edwin 63
Bryan, Wm. J 63
Bryant, William Cullen 185
Buchanan, James 81
Buckner, Simon B 16
Butler Benjamin F 151
Carlisle, John G .- 151
Chase, Salmon P 16
Childs, George W 99
Clay, Henry 81
Cleveland, Grover 45
Cooper, P'eter 99
Dana, Charles A 151
Depew, Chauncey M 117
Douglass, Fred 63
Emerson, Ralph Waldo 27
Evarts, William M 99
Farragut, Com. D. G 185
Field, Cyrus W 63
PAGE
Field, Marshall 117
Franklin, Benjamin 63
Fremont, Gen. John C 16
Gage, Lyman J. 151
Garfield, James A. .f 45
Garrison, William Lloyd 63
George, Henry 117
Gould, lav 99
Grant, Gen. U. S 185
Greeley, Horace 81
Hampton, Wade. 16
Hancock, Gen. Winfield S 185
Hanna, MarkA 117
Harrison, Benjamin 81
Hayes, R. B 45
Hendricks, Thomas A 81
Holmes, Oliver W 151
Hooker, Gen. Joseph 16
Ingersoll, Robert G 117
Irving, Washington 27
Jackson, Andrew 45
Jetferson, Thomas 45
Johnston, Gen. J. E 16
Lee, Gen. Robert E 186
Lincoln, Abraham 81
Logan, Gen. lohn A 16
Longfellow, Henry W 185
I'AGE
Longstrei't, Gen. James 16
Lowell, James Russell 27
McKinley, William 45
Morse, S. F. B 185
Phillips, Wendell 27
Porter, Com. D. D Is5
Pullman, George JVI 117
Quav, M. S 99
Reed, Thomas B 151
Sage, Russell 117
Scott, Gen. Wintield 185
-Seward, William H 45
Sherman, John 99
.Sherman, Gen. W. T 151
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 27
.Stowe, Harriet Beecher....... 27
Sumner, Charles 45
Talmage, T. DeWitt 63
Telle^^Henry M 99
Thurman, Allen G 81
Tilden, Sanniel J 117
\'an Buren, Martin 81
\'anderbilt. Commodore 99
Webster, Daniel 27
Whittier, John G 21
Washington, George 45
Watterson, Henry 63
FART II.
Biographical Compendium of Nodaway and Atchison Counties.
Abbott, J. S., 514.
Alexander, Ossian E., 582.
Allen, A. B., 281.
Anderson, John M., 492.
Andrews, Warren H., 4S5.
Anselm, Fatlier, 393.
B
Bailey, Doctur F., 591.
Bailey, Elijah -M.. 292.
Bailey, Hanilm C, J2i.
Bailey, John G., 341.
Bailey, Thomas M., 368.
Bailey, William H., 289.
Bainum, George P., 354.
Ball, Isaac S., 260.
Banta, !\Ioses T,, 605.
Barger, Isaac , 320.
Barker, Daniel L., 584.
Barmann, Frank. 458.
Barrett, John, 411.
Barrett, Reuben, 300.
Barry, William, 616.
Bayha, Gnstave, 441.
Bender, E. J.. 443.
Bickett, James A., 532,
Bilby, John S., 234.
Bird, Daniel E., 286.
Blackford, William M., 424,
Bower, Henry W,, 570.
Bowman, Francis M., 489.
Brown, Daniel, 356.
Brown, J. \'allance, 226.
Brown, Lanville A., 405,
Brumback, James K., 624.
Bullerdiek, Henry, 3S3.
Campbell. Gill)ert j\l., 376.
Garden, Joseph S.. 338.
Carpenter. ]\Irs. George P., 246.
Carr, Charles E., 311.
Chambers. \\'illiam, 613.
Christian, John L., 265.
Clark, Hcman, 239.
Clestcr. William H.. 245.
Cliser. James M., 552.
Coffin, Z, W., .^79.
Cole. Frank W.. j^rj.
Collins;, Ambrons, .^54.
Colter, William, 328.'
Colvin, Don A,, 461.
Colwell, Floyd B,, 464,
Conipton, Frank M.. 511.
Cook, Bartlett L., 468,
Cook, Fayette, 228,
Coulter, H. T,, 470.
Craig, (iallatin, 267.
Crane, Alfred B., 317.
D
Daniel, George W., 309,
Davis, Jesse H., 279.
Dawson, John M., 416.
Dodd. Hugh. 361.
Donnell, John C., 460,
Doi)f, John D., 351,
Downing. Washington, 396.
Dunlap, David R.. 491.
Dunlap, William S.. 516.
Dunn, Mrs. William, i6o.
Ellis, Albert T,, 527.
Ellis. Charles A., 297,
Ellis, Thomas C. 414.
Erwin, William R.. 455.
Eversole, Daniel R., 371.
Falkner. Jacob. 402,
Fargo, Sheldon B,. 313,
Fellows, Ed B.. 303.
Fellows. John H., 550.
Filson, James H., 419.
Fink. George W., 302,
Ford, James A., 250.
Francis, Milton W., 237.
Eraser, Elmer, 271,
Frayne, William S., 440,
Frazee, John P,, 339,
Friend, James A., 345,
Fullinwider, John H., 544,
G
Gaunt. Thomas W., 408.
Ge.v, Robert B., 357,
Gill, Thomas B.. 507,
Gillum, Ambrose N., 542,
Gladman, Milton H.. 394.
GofT. Elijah H,. .■;i8.
GofF. Jdhn .A. C. 520.
Goff, Theodore L., 614,
Goodson, Benjamin F., 425,
Gordon, A. B., 295.
Gordon, David. 290.
Graham, Mary J., 236.
Graves, John. 407.
Graves, John W., 546.
Gray, William T.. 594.
Green, Solomon R., 283,
Grems, John G.. 260.
(juthrie. Perry, 583.
H
Hagey, Al>raham. 368.
Hagey, John, 251.
Hainey, P, J., 418.
Hannlton, James A.. 274,
Hamlin, George N., 268.
Hammond, L. F., 350.
Harman, Henry M,. 450,
Harmon, M. B'. W., 446,
Harris, C, P., 410,
Harris, Virgil B., 567,
Hart. Edward L., 359.
Hayes, John J. L,., 294,
Hedrick. WiUiam N,, 392.
Henderson, Stephen G., 610,
Hepburn, James L., 432.
Hindman, William H., 314.
Hitchcock. David. 600.
Hocker, Charles D., 473.
Holt, Andrew J., 4s ?.
Holt, J. M.. .160.
Honaker. Benjamin, 504.
Hopkins, Almyron C.. 444.
Horten. George R., 340,
Hoshor. Washington, 318.
Hubbell, Thomas R,, 479.
Hudgens, William W,. 609.
Hudson. William H.. 383.
Hufif. Milton. 505.
Hull. Cornelius. 2},2.
Hum. John. 4^59.
Humphrey. D. W.. 620.
Humphrey, Thomas, 578.
Hunt, John C, 433-
Hunter, James .A,, 298.
Hurst, Henry P.. 561,
Hyslop, Cbas., 380.
Ineichen, Anselm. 393.
Ingerson. £Seorge M., 569
Irvin, James E., 476.
14
TABLE OF CONTEXTS— PART II.
Jackson. Joseph. 534.
Johnson. Adainatncr. 6j8.
Johnson, Warren L.. 2^5.
Johnston. Edward V... 379.
Johnston. Ephraini. ,363.
Jones. BUiford J.. 513.
Jones. Fletcher. 397.
Jones. Horace, 474.
Jones, James. ,^98.
Jones. J. B., 627.
K
Karr, J. T.. 269.
Kelley. T. \.. 593.
Kemp, Stephen H., 539.
Kinie, James .A.. O.23.
Kinder, Haley H., 538.
Kirkpatrick. Lewis. 454.
Kuchs, Paul R., 508.'
Kuenstcr. Gottlieb, 465.
L
Lakin, .Arad S.. 263.
l.amaster, James L., 525.
Lane, John ti., 616.
Large, Stephen D.. 249,
La Rue, W. H., 385.
Laughlin. .-Me.xander C. 589.
Lemon, James IL, 531.
Leeper, William. 572.
Linehaugh, Jacob. 284.
I^ippman, .\dolpli. 490.
Littell. W. R.. S09.
Litts. Ben F.. 566.
Livengood. Jacob S.. 326.
Logan, James F., 482,
Logan. John .\., 403.
Lett, G. W., 588.
Lowe, John. 576.
M
MaiTander, John, 280.
Martin, I!. Raleigh. ^64.
McBride. Rnbcrt U.A.. 170.
McColl, Daniel .\., 360.
McComnion. Lenn^>.\ IL. 612.
McDonald. James .\l.. 617.
McKlroy. John, 493.
.McKillop, Malcdim. 495.
McKenzie, I'eler, 420.
McKnighl. J">M-ph. 018.
McMicbael. I)avi<l, 457.
McMillan. W J.. 272.
Merrill. .Mirahani. 404.
Miles, Lewis J.. 304.
Ntillion, fieorge B., 500
Missouri Mnlual Insurance C'l.-
Morehouse. Edwin \'.. Hi.
Morgan, Everett L., 501.
Moss, Harvey E., 391.
Muniford. Josiah. 242.
Murray, George \\^, 329.
N
Nash. George \.. 428.
Neal. Charles S.. 324.
Ncsbitt. Eli P.. 286.
Nicoll, -Andrew, 548.
Niemann, Henry F., 386.
Null, George W.. 366.
O
Orear. Elias D., 287.
Otis. George W.. 629.
Pcarce. Peter. ^96.
Peck. E. E,. 375.
Peck, J. W., 296.
Pistole, Henry T.. 506.
Prather. Ben \'.. 435.
Pride. William. 335.
R
Raines, John W., 2f)2.
I Ralston, F.phraim IL, .?72.
I Ramsay. Ly-andcr 1).. 502. '
Rankin David. 621.
, Rankin, Ed F., 510.
Rankin. George .\., 275.
I Ra-;c<i. Sanders IL, 545.
Ray, Lewis C, 346.
Reaksecker, Isaac. 336.
Reese. James. 61S.
Rh.iades. Marcus M.. .^08.
j Richards. Emmctt E.. ^24.
Riffe. J. L.. 5S5.
Riplcv, I. N., 602.
R..IHTIS. .Micli.iel W.. 488.
Ki.bey, .\rthur S., 412.
Rdliinsoii. Handine E.. .i;86.
Rnbinsiin, James B., 522.
Riibin-on, William, .^^nS.
Rolf. Christian R.. 316.
Rover. B. F.. 472-
Ryan. F. M.. 344
I ^
Sawyer. William. 427.
Sayler. Joseph IL. 40O.
ScarUll. James, 529.
Scntt. William E.. 321.
Seymour. WiNon B., 521.
Shell. Soliinion. 463.
Shellenberger Brothers. 299.
Shrock. fieorge R.. ,322.
I Sisson. Nathaniel. 2^2.
I Skidmore. Josenh. 606.
Smith. James W., 347.
Smith, J. Woodson, 422.
Smith, William F., 388.
Spence, John C, 334.
Spurlock, John E., 608.
Stafford, Richard, 580.
Stapcl, Henry F., 556.
Staples, .Mmond \., 484.
Staples. R. R., Sr, },i2.
Stephenson, James M., 353.
Stevens. Ed Boucher. 471.
Stevens. Robert. 429.
Stitt. .Austin F.. 276.
Swinford. William S.. 575.
Tansing. H. H.. .387.
Tarkio College. 564.
T.iylor. Samuel C.. 374.
Thompson. Joseph .A.. 565.
Thornhill, John G.. 241.
Thrasher, James M.. 479.
Todd. James, 244.
Todd, Robert. 499.
Toel. Henry. 377.
Townsend. Samuel H. 247.
V
Vinsonhaler, Edwin .A.. 25S.
W
Wade. .Andrew J.. 547.
Walkinshaw. John .A.. 597.
Walkiip, I.ydia S., 457.
Ward. Thomas, ,^90.
Weathermon, Thomas M. S
Wendle, John. 481.
White, Edward 1 1., 540.
Wilev. James A.. 497.
Wiin'ey. George L.. ly^.
VVi Ik-ox, Morgan B. 250.
VV'illiams, Jefferson N., 331.
Willsie, Hervcv H., 300.
Wilson, T. T., 387.
Wohlford. Jonathan. 230.
Wolfe. Albert A.. ;i(>.
Wood. Walter S.. .?8i.
Woodard, David. 378.
Woodhouse. Redick C. ('>04.
Woods, William. 448.
Woodworlh. George F.. 401.
Workman. James H.. 5,V'-
Workman, John, 613.
Workman, J. Thomas, 604.
Workman. William. 348.
Wri.'hi. W. II, 4.s6-
^■arnell. James .A., 231.
N'atcs, Phillip. 498.
Yeisley. David. 526.
Young. Joseph D,. 452.
f^p^e:jh".a.c:k.
Mi'^mp:fnimM T -T of tlie deiiths of his mature wisdom Carlvle wrote
■ ■ - i^ . . ' . ,.
i^ "History is the essence of innumerable biographies."
S¥ ' - ■ ^ -
^' Believing tliis to be tiie fact, tliere is nn necessity of ad-
i[v . ...
% \ancing any further reason for the compnation of sucii a
work as this, if relialile iiistor}' is to be the ultimate
iibject.
The section of Missnuri cumprised within the limits of this volume has
sustained within its CDufiiies men who have been prominent in the history of
the State, and even the nation, for half a century. The annals teem with the
records of strong and noble manhood, and, as Sumner has said, "the true grand-
eur of nations is in those (|ualities which constitute the greatness of the indi\id-
ual." The final causes which shape the fortunes of indix'iduals and the destinies
of States are often the same. The\- are usually remote and obscure, and their
influence scarcely perceived until manifestly declared by results. That nation
is the greatest which proiluces the greatest and most manly men and faithful
women; and the intrinsic safety of a community depends u'U so much upon
methods as upon that true and normal development from the deep resources of
which proceeds all that is precious and jjermanent in life. But such a result
may not conscioush- be contemplated \)y the actors in the great scjcial drama.
Pursuing each his personal good l)v exalted means, they work out as a logical
result.
The elements of success in life consist in both innate capacity and deter-
mination to excel. Where either is wanting, failure is almost certain in the
outcome. The study of a successful life, therefore, serves both as a source of
information and as a stimulus and encouragement to tli<5se who ha\e the
capacity. As an important lesson in this connection we may appropriately cpiote
Longfellow, who said : "We judge ourselves by what we feel capalile of doing,
while we judge others by what the}" have already done." A faithful personal
history is an illustration of the truth of this observation.
16 PRE FA CE.
Ill iliis hiograpliical history the echiorial staff, as well as the piiliHsliers,
have fully realized the iiiagnitude o£ the task. In the collection of the material
there has heeii a constant aim to discriminate carefully in regard to the selec-
tion of subjects. Those who have been prominent factors in the pulilic. 'social
and industrial development of the counties have been given due recognition
as far as has l)een possible to secure the re(|iiisile data. Names worthy of
perpetuation here, it is true. ha\e in several instances been omitted, either on
account of tiie a])athy of those concerned or the inability of the compriers to
secure tlie information necessary for a symmetrical sketch, but even more pains
have been taken to secme accuracy than were promised in the prospectus.
W^orks of this nature, therefore, are more reliable and complete than are the
"standard" histories of a country.
THE PUBLISHERS.
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COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY
OF
Celebrated Americans
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T QJ
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IeORGE WASHINGTON,
•^ 5 a ■ I the first president of the Unit-
f I '■'^ I ed States, called the "Father
^>/(»i(>n\(j<(j>((\(p^ of his Country, was one of
^^0^ the most celebrated characters
"^f^ in history. He was born Feb-
* ruary 22, 1732, in Washing-
ton Parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia.
His father, Augustine Washington, first
married Jane Butler, who here him four
children, and March fc, 1730, he married
Mary Ball. Of six children by his second
marriage, George was the eldest.
Little is known of the early years of
Washington, beyond the fact that the house
in which he was born was burned during iiis
early childhood, and that his father there-
npcjn moved to another farm, inherited from
his paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford
county, on the north bank of the Rappahan-
nock, and died there in 1743. From earliest
childhood George developed a noble charac-
ter. His education was somewhat defective,
being confined to the elementary branches
taught him by his mother and at a neighbor-
ing school. On leaving school he resided
sotne time at Mount Vernon with his half
brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guar
dian. George's inclinations were for a sea-
faring career, and a midshipman's warrant
was procured for him; but through the oppo-
sition of his mother the project was aban-
doned, and at the aga of si.xteen he was
appointed surveyor to the immense estates
of the eccentric Lord Fairfax. Three years
were passed by Washington in a rough fron-
tier life, gaining experience which afterwards
proved very es=e'itial to him. In 175 1,
when the Virginia militia were put under
training with a view to active service Hgainst
France, \\'ashington, though only nineteen
years of age, was appointed adjutant, with
the rank of major. In 1752 Lawrence
Washington died, leaving his large property
to an infant daughter. In his will George
was named one of the executors and as an
eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the
death of the infant niece, soon succeeded to
that estate. In 1753 George was commis-
sioned adjutant-general of the Virginia
militia, and performed important work at
the outbreak of the French and Indian
war, was rapidly promoted, and at the close of
that war we find him commander-in-chief of
0*pjH2ht 1897. Uj G(«. A. Ogle k Co.
18
COMI'ENDIVM OF BIUUKAPJir
all the forces raised in Vir;;inia. A cessation
of Indian hostilities on the frontier having
followed the expulsion of the French from
tlie Ohio, he resigned his cfimrnission as
crmniander-in-chief of the Virginia forces,
and then proceeded to Williamsburg to take
his seat in the Virginia Assembly, of which
he had been elected ;i member.
Januarj' 17. 1/59, Washington married
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Curtis, a young
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and
devoted himself for the ensuing hfteen years
lo the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter-
rupted only by the annual attendance in
winter upon the colonial legislature at
Williamsburg, until summoned by his coun-
try to enter upon that other arena in which
his fame was to become world-wide. The
war for independence called Washington
into service again, and he was made com-
mander-in-cliii f of the colonial forces, and
was the most gallant and conspicuous figure
in that bloody struggle, serving until Eng-
land acknowledged the independence of
each of the thirteen States, and negotiated
with them jointly, as separate sovereignties.
December 4, 1783, the great commander
took leave of his officers in most affection-
ate and patriotic terms, and went to An-
napolis, Maryland, where the congress of
the States was in session, and to that body,
when peace and order prevailed everywhere,
resigned his commission and retired to
Mount Vernon.
It was in 1789 that Washington was
called to the chief magistracy of the na-
tion. The inauguration took place April
30. in the presence of an immense multi-
tude which had assembled to witness the new
and imposing ceremony. In the manifold de-
tails of his civil administration Washington
proved himself fully equal to the requirements
of his position. In 1792, at the second presi-
dential election, Washington was desiious
to retire; but he yielded to the general wish
of the Cijuntry, and was again chosen presi-
dent. At the third election, in 179^', be
was again most urgently entreated to con-
sent to remain in the executive chair. This
he positively refused, and after March 4,
1797, he again retired to Mount \ernon
for peace, quiet, and repose.
Of the call again made on this illustrious
chief to quit his repose at Mount Ver-
non and take command of all the United
States forces, with rank of lieutenant-gen-
eral, when war was threatened with France
in 1798, nothing need here be stated, ex-
cept to note the fact as an unmistakable
testimonial of the high regard in which he
was still held by his countrymen of all
shades of political opinion. He patriotic-
ally accepted this trust, but a treaty of
peace put a stop to all action untler it. He
again retired to Mount \'crnon, where he
died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth
year of his age. Hi-; remains were depos-
ited in a family vault on the banks of the
Potomac, at Mount X'ernon, where they still
lie entombed.
BFNjAMIN FRAN'KLIN, an eminent
American statesman and scientist, was
born of poor parentage, January 17, 1706,
in Boston, Massachusetts. He was appren-
ticed to his brother James to learn the i)rint-
er's trade to prevent his running away and
going to sea. and also because of the numer-
ous family his parents had to support (there
being seventeen children, Benjamin being
the fifteenth"). He was a great reader, and
soon developed a taste for writing, and pre-
pared a number of articles and had them
published in the paper without his brother s
knowledge, and when the authorship be-
came known it resulted in difficulty for tue
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
young apprentice, although his articles had
been received with favor by the public.
James was afterwards thrown into prison for
political reasons, and young Benjamin con-
ducted the paper alone during the time. In
1823, however, he determined to endure his
bonds no longer, and ran away, going to
Philadelphia, where he arrived with only
three pence as his store of wealth. With
these he purchased three rolls, and ate them
as he walked along the streets. He soon
found employment as a journeyman printer.
Two years later he was sent to England by
the governor of Pennsylvania, and was
promised the public printing, but did not get
it. On his return to Philadelphia he estab-
lished the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and
soon found himself a person of great popu-
larity in the province, his ability as av/riter,
philosopher, and politician having reached
the neighboring colonies. He rapidly grew
in prominence, founded the Philadelphia Li-
brary in 1842, and two years later the
American Philosophical Society and the
University of Pennsylvania. He was made
Fellow of the Royal Society in London in
1775. His world-famous investigations in
electricity and lightning began in 1746. He
became postmaster-general of the colonies
in 1753, having devised an inter-colonial
postal system. He advocated the rights of
the colonies at all times, and procured the
repeal of the Stam.p Act in 1766. He was
elected to the Continental congress of 1775,
and in 1776 was a signer of the Declaration
of Independence, being one of the commit-
tee appointed to draft that paper. He rep-
resented the new nation in the courts of
Europe, especially at Paris, where his simple
dignity and homely wisdom won him the
admiration of the court and the favor of the
people. He was governor of Pennsylvania
tour years; was also a member of the con-
vention in 1787 that drafted the constitution
of the United States.
His writings upon political topics, anti-
slavery, finance, and economics, stamp him
as one of the greatest statesmen of his time,
while his "Autobiography" and "Poor
Richard's Almanac " give him precedence in
the literary field. In early life he was an
avowed skeptic in religious matters, but
later in life his utterances on this subject
were less extreme, though he never ex-
pressed approval of any sect or creed. He
died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790.
DANIEL WEBSTER.— Of world wide
reputation for statesmanship, diplo-
macy, and oratory, there is perhaps no more
prominent figure in the history of our coun-
try in the interval between 181 5 and 1861,
than Daniel Webster. He was born at
Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire,
January 18, 1782, and was the second son
of Ebenezer and Abigail (Eastman) Webster.
He enjoyed but limited educational advan-
tages in childhood, but spent a few months
in 1797, at Phillip Exeter Academy. He
completed his preparation for college in the
family of Rev. Samuel Wood, at Boscawen,
and entered Dartmouth College in the fall
of 1797. He supported himself most of the
time during these years by teaching school
and graduated in 1801, having the credit of
being the foremost scholar of his class. He
entered the law office of Hon. Thomas W.
Thompson, at Salisbury. In 1802 he con-
tinued his legal studies at Fryeburg, Maine,
where he was principal of the academy and
copyist in .the office of the register of
deeds. In the office of Christopher Gore,
at Boston, he completed his studies in
1804-5, '^nd was admitted to the bar in the
latter year, and at Boscawen and at Ports-
mouth soon rose to eminence in his profes-
20
COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT.
sion. He became known as a federalist
but did not court political honors; but, at-
tracting attention by his eloquence in oppos-
ing the war with England, he was elected
to congress in 1S12. During the special
session of May, 181 3, he was appointed on
the committee on foreign affairs and made
his maiden speech June 10, 1813. Through-
out this session (as afterwards) he showed
his mastery of the great economic questions
of the day. He was re-elected in 1S14. In
1 8 16 he removed to Boston and for seven
years devoted himself to his profession,
earning by his arguments in the celebrated
"Dartmouth College Case" rank among
the most distinguished jurists of the country.
In 1820 Mr. Webster was chosen a member
of the state convention of Massachusetts, to
revise the constitution. The same year he
delivered the famous discourse on the "Pil-
grim fathers," which laid the foundation for
his fame as an orator. Declining a nomi-
nation for United States senator, in 1822 he
was elected to the lower house of congress
and was re-elected in 1824 and 1826, but in
1827 was transferred to the senate. He
retained his seat in the latter chamber until
1 84 1. During this time his voice was ever
lifted in defence of the national life and
honor and although politically opposed to
him he gave his support to the administra-
tion of President Jackson in the latter's con-
test with nullification. Through all these
years he was ever found upon the side of
right and justice and his speeches upon all
the great questions of the day have be-
come household words in almost every
family. In 1841 Mr. Webster was appointed
secretary of state by President Harrison
and was continued in the same office by
President Tyler. While an incumbent of
this ofTice lie showed consummate ability as
a diplomat in the negotiation of the " Ash-
burton treaty " of August 9, 1849, which
settled many points of dispute between the
United States and England. In May, 1S43,
he resigned his post and resumed his pro-
fession, and in December, 1S45, took his
place again in the senate. He contributed
in an unofficial way to the solution of the
Oregon question with Great Britain in 1847.
He was disappointed in 1848 in not receiv-
ing the nomination for the presidency. He
became secretary of state under President
Fillmore in 1850 and in dealing with all the
complicated questions of the day showed a
wonderful mastery of the arts of diplomacy.
Being hurt in an accident he retired to his
home at Marshfield, where he died Octo-
ber 24, 1852.
HORACE GREELEY. —As journalist,
author, statesman and political leader,
there is none more widely known than the
man whose name heads this article. He
was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Feb-
ruary 3, 181 1, and was reared upon a farm.
At an early age he evinced a remarkable
intelligence and love of learning, and at
the age of ten had read every book he could
borrow for miles around. About 1821 the
family removed to Westhaven, Vermont,
and for some years young Greeley assisted
in carrying on the farm. In 1S26 he entered
the oflice of a weekly newspaper at East
Poultney, Vermont, where he remained
about four years. On the discontinuance
of this paper he followed his father's
family to Erie county, Pennsylvania,
whither they had moved, and for a time
worked at the printer's trade in that neigh-
borhood. In 1 83 1 Horace went to New
York City, and for a time found employ-
ment as journeyman printer. January,
1833, in partnership with Francis Story, he
published the Morning Post, the first penny
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY
21
paper ever printed. This proved a failure
and was discontinued after three weeks.
The business of job printing was carried on,
however, until the death of Mr. Story in
July following. In company with Jonas
Winchester, March 22, 1834, Mr. Greeley
commenced the publication of the Nctv
Yorker, a weekly paper of a high character.
For financial reasons, at the same time,
Greeley wrote leaders for other papers, and,
in 183S, took editorial charge of the Jcffcr-
sonian, a Whig paper published at Albany.
In 1840, on the discontinuance of that sheet,
he devoted his energies to the Log Cabin, a
campaign paper in the interests of the Whig
party. In the fall of 1841 the latter paper
was consolidated with the Nczu Yorker, un-
der the name of the Tribune, the first num-
ber of which was issued April 10, 184 1. At
the head of this paper Mr. Greeley remained
until the day of his death.
In 1848 Horace Greeley was elected to
the national house of representatives to
fill a vacancy, and was a member of that
body until March 4, 1849. In 1851 he went
to Europe and served as a juror at the
World's Fair at the Crystal Palace, Lon-
don. In 1855, he made a second visit \.o
the old world. In 1859 he crossed the
plains and received a public reception at
San Francisco and Sacramento. He was a
member of the Republican national con-
vention, at Chicago in i860, and assisted in
the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for
President. The same year he was a presi-
dential elector for the state of New York,
and a delegate to the Loyalist convention
at Philadelphia.
At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr.
Greeley became a strong advocate of uni-
versal amnesty and complete pacification,
and in pursuance of this consented to be-
come one of the bondsmen for Jefferson
Davis, who was imprisoned for treason. In
1867 he was a delegate to the New York
state convention for the revision of the
constitution. In 1870 he was defeated for
congress in the Sixth New York district.
At the Liberal convention, which met in
Cincinnati, in May, 1872, on the fifth ballot
Horace Greeley was nominated for presi-
dent and July following was nominated for
the same office by the Democratic conven-
tion at Baltimore. He was defeated by a
large majority. The large amount of work
done by him during the campaign, together
with the loss of his wife about the same
time, undermined his strong constitution,
and he was seized with inflammation of the
brain, and died November 29, 1872.
In addition to his journalistic work, Mr.
Greeley was the author of several meritori-
ous works, among which were :
Hints
toward reform," "Glances at Europe,"
" History of the struggle for slavery exten
sion," "Overland journey to San Francis-
co," "The American conflict," and " ReC'
ollections of a busy life."
HENRY CLAY.— In writing of this em-
inent American, Horace Greeley once
said: "He was a matchless party chief, an
admirable orator, a skillful legislator, wield-
ing unequaled influence, not only over his
friends, but even over those of his political
antagonists who were subjected to the magic
of his conversation and manners. " A law-
yer, legislator, orator, and statesman, few
men in history have wielded greater influ-
ence, or occupied so prominent a place in
the hearts of the generation in which they
lived.
Henry Clay was born near Richmond,
in Hanover county, Virginia, April 12,
1777, the son of a poor Baptist preacher
who died when Henry was but five years
22
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
old. The mother married again about ten
years later and removed to Kentucky leav-
ing Henry a clerk in a store at Richmond.
Soon afterward Henry Clay secured a posi-
tion as copyist in the office of the clerk of the
high court of chancery, and four years later
entered the law office of Robert Brooke,
then attorney general and later governor of
his native state. In 1797 Henry Clay was
licensed as a lawyer and followed his mother
to Kentucky, opening an office at Lexington
and soon built up a profitable practice.
Soon afterward Kentucky, in separating from
Virginia, called a state convention for the
purpose of framing a constitution, and Clay
at that time took a prominent part, publicly
urging the adoption of a clause providing
for the abolition of slavery, but in this he
was overruled, as he was fifty years later,
when in the height of his fame he again ad-
vised the same course when the state con-
stitution was revised in 1850. Young Clay
took a very active and conspicuous part in
the presidential campaign in i 800, favoring
the election of Jefferson; and in 1803 was
chosen to represent Fayette county in the
state 'egislature. In 1806 General John
Adair, iiien United States senator from
Kentucky, resigned and Henry Clay was
elected to fill the vacancy by the legislature
and served through one session in which he
at once assumed a prominent place. In
1807 he was again a representative in the
legislature and was elected speaker of the
house. At this time originated his trouble
with Humphrey Marshall. Clay proposed
that each member clothe himself and family
wholly in American fabrics, which Marshall
characterized as the " language of a dema-
gogue." This led to a duel in which both
parties were slightly injured. In 1809
Henry Clay was again elected to fill a va-
cancy in the United States senate, and two
years later elected representative in tne low-
er house of congress, being chosen speaker
of the house. About this time war was de-
clared against Great Britain, and Clay took
a prominent public place during this strug-
gle and was later one of the commissioners
sent to Europe by President Madison to ne-
gotiate peace, returning in September, 181 5,
having been re-elected speaker of the
house during his absence, and was re-elect-
ed unanimously. He was afterward re-
elected to congress and then became secre-
tary of state under John Quincy Adams.
In 1 83 1 he was again elected senator from
Kentucky and remained in the senate most
of the time until his death.
Henry Clay was three times a candidate
for the presidency, and once very nearly
elected. He was the unanimous choice of
the Whig party in 1844 for the presidency,
and a great effort was made to elect him
but without success, his opponent, James K.
Polk, carrying both Penns) Ivania and New
York by a very slender margin, while either
of them alone would have elected Clay.
Henry Clay died at Washington Juije 29,
1852.
JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE was one
of the most distinguished of American
statesmen and legislators. He was born
January 31, 1830, in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, and received a thorough edu-
cation, graduating at Washington College in
1847. In early life he removed to Maine
and engaged in newspaper work, becoming
editor of the Portland ".Advertiser." While
yet a young man he gained distinction as a
debater and became a conspicuous figure in
political and public affairs. In 1862 he was
elected to congress on the Republican ticket
in Maine and was re-elected five times. In
March, 1869, he was chosen speaker of the
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
28
house of representatives and was re-elected
in 1 87 1 and again in 1873. In 1876 he was
a representative in the lower house of con-
gress and during that year was appointed
United States senator by the Governor to
fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of
Senator Morrill, who had been appointed
secretary of the treasury. Mr. Blaine
served in the senate until March 5, 1881,
when President Garfield appointed him sec-
retary of state, which position he resigned
in December, 1881. Mr. Blaine was nom-
inated for the presidency by the Republic-
ans, at Chicago in June, 1884, but was de-
feated by Grover Cleveland after an exciting
and spirited campaign. During the later
years of his life Mr. Blaine devoted most of
his time to the completion of his work
"Twenty Years in Congress," which had a
remarkably large sale throughout the United
States. Blaine was a man of great mental
ability and force of character and during the
latter part of his life was one of the most
noted men of his time. He was the origina-
torof what is termed the " reciprocity idea"
in tariff matters, and outlined the plan of
carrying it into practical effect. In 1876
Robert G. IngersoU in making a nominating
speech placing Blaine's name as a candidate
for president before the national Republican
convention at Cincinnati, referred to Blaine
as the " Plumed Knight " and this title clung
to him during the remainder of his life. His
death occurred at Washington, January 27,
1893.
JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, a dis-
tinguished American statesman, was a
native of South Carolina, born in Abbeville
district, March 18, 1782. He was given
the advantages of a thorough education,
graduating at Yale College in 1804, and
adopted the calling of a lawyer. A Demo-
crat politically, at that time, he took a fore-
most part in the councils of his party and
was elected to congress in 181 1, supporting
the tariff of 18 16 and the establishing of
the United States Bank. In 18 17 he be-
came secretary of war in President Monroe's
cabinet, and in 18 24 was elected vice-president
of the United States, on the ticket with John
Quincy Adams, and re-elected in 1 828, on the
ticket with General Jackson. Shortly after
this Mr. Calhoun became one of the strongest
advocates of free trade and the principle of
sovereignty of the states and was one of
the originators of the doctrine that " any
state could nullify unconstitutional laws of
congress." Meanwhile Calhoun had be-
come an aspirant for the presidency, and
the fact that General Jackson advanced the
interests of his opponent. Van Buren, Jed
to a quarrel, and Calhoun resigned the vice-
presidency in 1832 and was elected United
States senator from South Carolina. It was
during the same year that a convention was
held in South Carolina at which the " Nul-
lification ordinance " was adopted, the ob-
ject of which was to test the constitution-
ality of the protective tariff measures, and
to prevent if possible the collection of im-
port duties in that state which had been
levied more for the purpose of ' ' protection "
than revenue. This ordinance was to go
into effect in February, 1833, and created a
great deal of uneasiness throughout the
country as it was feared there would be a
clash between the state and federal authori-
ties. It was in this serious condition of
public affairs that Henry Clay came forward
with the the famous "tariff compromise"
of 1833, to which measure Calhoun and
most of his followers gave their support and
the crisis was averted. In 1843 Mr. Cal-
houn was appointed secretary of state in
President Tyler's cabinet, and it was under
24
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
his administration that the treaty concern-
ing the annexation of Texas was negotiated.
In 1845 he was re-elected to the United
States senate and continued in the senate
until his death, which occurred in March,
1850. He occupied a high rank as a scholar,
student and orator, and it is conceded that
he was one of the greatest debaters America
has produced. The famous debate between
Calhoun and Webster, in 1833, is regarded
as the most noted for ability and eloquence
in the history of the country.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER, one
of America's most brilliant and pro-
found lawyers and noted public men, was
a native of New England, born at Deer-
field, New Hampshire, November 5, 1818.
His father. Captain John Butler, was a
prominent man in his day, commanded a
company during the war of 181 2, and
served under Jackson at New Orleans.
Benjamin F. Butler was given an excellent
education, graduated at Waterville College,
Maine, studied law, was admitted to the
bar in 1840, at Lowell, Massachusetts,
where he commenced the practice of his
profession and gained a wide reputation for
his ability at the bar, acquiring an extensive
practice and a fortune. Early in life he
began taking an active interest in military
affairs and served in the state militia through
all grades from private to brigadier-general.
In 1853 he was elected to the state legisla-
ture on the Democratic ticket in Lowell,
and took a prominent part in the passage of
legislation in the interests of labor. Dur-
ing the same year he was a member of the
constitutional convention, and in 1859 rep-
resented his district in the Massaciiusetts
senate. When the Civil war broke out
General Butler took the field and remained
at the front most of the time during that
bloody struggle. Part of the time he had"
charge of Fortress Monroe, and in Febru-
ary, 1862, took command of troops forming
part of the expedition against New Orleans,
and later had charge of the department of
the Gulf. He was a conspicuous figure dur-
ing the continuance of the war. After the
close of hostilities General Butler resumed
his law practice in Massachusetts and in
1866 was elected to congress from the Es-
sex district. In 1882 he was elected gov-
ernor of Massachusetts, and in 1884 was the
nominee of the "Greenback" party for
president of the United States. He con-
tinued his legal practice, and maintained his
place as one of the most prominent men in
New England until the time of his death,
which occurred January 10, 1893.
JEFFERSON DAVIS, an officer, states-
man and legislator of prominence in
America, gained the greater part of his fame
from the fact that he was president of the
southern confederacy. Mr. Davis was born
in Christian county, Kentucky, June 3,
1808, and his early education and surround-
ings were such that his sympathies and in-
clinations were wholly with the southern
people. He received a thorough education,
graduated at West Point in 1828, and for a
number of years served in the army at west-
ern posts and in frontier service, first as
lieutenant and later as adjutant. In 1835
he resigned and became a cotton planter in
Warren county, Mississippi, where he took
an active interest in public affairs and be-
came a conspicuous figure in politics. In
1844 he was a presidential elector from
Mississippi and during the two following
years served as congressman from his dis-
trict. He then became colonel ot a iviissis-
sippi regiment in the war with Mexico anb
participated in some of the most sev-^re l-^l-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT.
25
ties, being seriously wounded at Buena
Vista. Upon his return to private life he
again took a prominent part in political af-
fairs and represented his state in the United
States senate from 184710 1851. He then
entered President Pierce's cabinet as secre-
tary of war, after which he again entered
the United States senate, remaining until
the outbreak of the Civil war. He then be-
cime pros dent of the southern confederacy
and ser\'e(i as such until captured in May,
1S65, at Irwinville. Georgia. He was held
as prisoner of war at Fortress Monroe, until
1867, when he was released on bail and
finally set free in 1868. His death occurred
December 6, 1889.
Jefferson Davis was a man of e.xcellent
abilities and was recognized as one of the
best organizers of his day. He was a
forceful and fluent speaker and a ready
writer. He wrote and published the " Rise
and Fall of the Southern Confederacy," a
work which is considered as authority by
the southern peopL'
JOHN ADAMS, the second president of
the United States, and one of the most
conspicuous figures in the early struggles of
his country for independence, was born in
the present town of Quincy, then a portion
of Braintree, Massachusetts, October 30,
1735. He received a thorough education,
graduating at Harvard College in 1755,
studied law and was admitted to the bar in
1758. He was well adapted for this profes-
sion and after opening an office in his native
town rapidly grew in prominence and public
favor and soon was regarded as one of the
leading lawyers of the country. His atten-
tion was called to political affairs by the
passage of the Stamp Act, in 1765, and he
drew up a set of resolutions on the subject
which were very popular. In 1768 he re-
moved to Boston and became one of the
most courageous and prominent advocates
of the popular cause and was chosen a
member of the Colonial legislature from
Boston. He was one of the delegates that
represented Massachusetts in the first Con-,
tinental congress, which met in September,
1774. In a letter written at this crisis he
uttered the famous words: "The die is now-
cast; I have passed the Rubicon. Sink or
svvim, live or die, survive or perish with my
country, is my unalterable determination."
He was a prominent figure in congress and
advocated the movement for independence
when a majority of the members were in-
clined to temporize and to petition the King.
In Ma}/, 1776, he presented a resolution in
congress that the colonies should assume
the duty of self-government, which was
passed. In June, of the same year, a reso-
lution that the United States "are, and ol
right ought to be, free and independent,"
was moved by Richard H. Lee, seconded by
Mr. Adams and adopted by a small majority.
Mr. Adams was a member of the committee
of five appointed June i i to prepare a
declaration of independence, in support of
which he made an eloquent speech. He was
chairman of the Board of War in 1776 and
in 1778 was sent as commissioner to France,
but returned the following year. In 1780
he went to Europe, having been appointed
as minister to negotiate a treaty of peace
and commerce with Great Britain. Con-
jointly with Franklin and Jay he negotiated
a treaty in 1782. He was employed as a
minister to the Court of St. James from
1785 to 1788, and during that period wrote
his famous "Defence of the American Con-
stitutions." In 1789 he became vice-presi-
dent of the United States and was re-electedl
in 1792.
In 1796 Mr. Adams was chosen presi-
26
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
dent of the United States, his competitor
being Thomas Jefferson, who became vice-
president. In 1800 he was the Federal
candidate for president, but he was not
cordially supported by Gen. Hamilton, the
favorite leader of his party, and was de-
feated by Thomas Jefferson.
Mr. Adams then retired from public life
to his large estate at Quincy, Mass., where
he died July 4, 1826, on the same day that
witnessed the death of Thomas Jefferson.
Though his physical frame began to give way
many years before his death, his mental
powers retained their strength and vigor to
the last. In his ninetieth year he was glad-
dened by .the elevation of his son, John
Quincy Adams, to the presidential office.
HENRY WARD BEECHER, one of the
most celebrated American preachers
and authors, was born at Litchheid, Connec-
ticut, June 24,1813. His father was Dr. Ly-
man Beecher, also an eminent divine. At
an early age Henry Ward Beecher had a
strong predilection for a sea-faring life, and
it was practically decided that he would fol-
low this inclination, but about this time, in
consequence of deep religious impressions
which he experienced during a revival, he
renounced his former intention and decided
to enter the ministry. After having grad-
uated at Amherst College, in 1S34, he stud-
ied theology at Lane Seminary under the
tuition of his father, who was then president
of that institution. In 1847 he became pas-
tor of the Plymouth Congregational church
in Brooklyn, where his oratorical ability and
original eloquence attracted one of the larg-
est congregations in the country. He con-
tinued to served this cliurch until the time
of his death, March 8, 1887. Mr. Beecher
alsr. *ound time for a great amount of liter-
ary wurk. For a number of years he was
editor of the "Independent" and also the
"Christian Union." He als.o produced many
works which are widely known. Among his
principal productions are "Lectures to Young
Men," " Star Papers, " "Life of Christ,"
"Life Thoughts," "Royal Truths" (a
novel), "Norwood," " Evolution and Rev-
olution," and "Sermons on Evolution and
Religion. " Mr. Beecher was also long a
prominent advocate of anti-slavery princi-
ples and temperance reform, and, at a later
period, of the rights of women.
JOHN A. LOGAN, the illustrious states-
man and general, was born in Jackson
county, Illinois, February 9, 1824. In his
boyhood days he received but a limited edu-
cation in the schools of his native county.
On the breaking out of the war with Mexico
he enlisted in the First Illinois Volunteers
and became its quartermaster. At the close
of hostilities he returned home and was
elected clerk of the courts of Jackson county
in 1849. Determining to supplement his
education Lo,'irin entered the Louisville Uni-
versity, from which he graduated in 1852
and taking up the study of law was admitted
to the bar. He attained popularity and suc-
cess in his chosen profession and was elected
to the legislature in 1852, 1853, 1856 and
1S57. He was prosecuting attorney from
1853 to 1857. He was elected to congress
in 1858 to fill a vacancy and again in i860.
At the outbreak of the Rebellion, Logan re-
signed his office and entered the army, and
in September, 1861, was appointed colonel
of the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, which he
led in the battles of Belmont and Fort Don-
elson. In the latter engagement he was
wounded. In March, 1862, he was pro-
moted to be brigadier-general and in the
following month participated in the battles
of Pittsburg Landing. In November, 1862,
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
29
for gallant conduct he was made major-gen-
eral. Throughout the Vicksburg campaign
he was in command of a division of the Sev-
enteenth Corps and was distinguished at
Port Gibson, Champion Hills and in the
siege and capture of Vicksburg. In October,
1863, he was placed in command of the
Fifteenth Corps, which he led with great
credit. During the terrible conflict before
Atlanta, July 22, 1S64, on the death of
General McPherson, Logan, assuming com-
mand of the Army of the Tennessee, led it
on to victory, saving the day by his energy
and ability. He was shortly after succeeded
by General O. O. Howard and returned to
the command of his corps. He remained
in command until the presidential election,
when, feeling that his influence was needed
at home he returned thither and there re-
mained until the arrival of Sherman at Sa-
vannah, when General Logan rejoined his
command. In May, 1S65, he succeeded
General Howard at the head of tiie Army of
the Tennessee. He resigned from the army
in August, the same year, and in November
was appointed minister to Me.xico, but de-
clined the honor. He served in the lower
house of the fortieth and forty-first con-
gresses, and was elected United States sena-
tor from his native state in 1870, 1878 and
1885. He was nominated for the vice-presi-
dency in 1884 on the ticicet with Blaine, but
was defeated. General Logan was the
author of " The Great Conspiracy, its origin
and history," published in 1885. He died
at Washington, December 26, 1886.
JOHN CHARLES FREMONT, the first
Republican candidate for president, was
born in Savannah, Georgia, January 21,
18 1 3. He graduated from Charleston Col-
lege (South Carolina) in 1830, and turned his
attention to civil engineering. He was shortly
2
afterward employed in the department of
government surveys on the Mississippi, and
constructing maps of that region. He was
made lieutenant of engineers, and laid be-
fore the war department a plan for pene-
trating the Rocky Mountain regions, which
was accepted, and in 1842 he set out upon
his first famous exploring expedition and ex-
plored the South Pass. He also planned an
expedition to Oregon by a new route further
south, but afterward joined his expedition
with that of Wilkes in the region of the
Great Salt Lake. He made a later expedi-
tion which penetrated the Sierra Nevadas,
and the San Joaquin and Sacramento river
valleys, making maps of all regions explored.
In 1845 he conducted the great expedi-
tion which resulted in the acquisition of
California, which it was believed the Mexi-
can government was about to dispose of to
England. Learning that the Mexican gov-
ernor was preparing to attack tne American
settlements in his dominion, Fremont deter-
mined to forestall him. The settlers rallied
to his camp, and in June, 1846, he defeated
the Mexican forces at Sonoma Pass, and a
month later completely routed the governor
and his entire army. The Americans at
once declared their independence of Mexico,
and Fremont was elected governor of Cali-
fornia. By this time Commodore Stockton
had reached the coast with instructions from
Washington to conquer California. Fre-
mont at once joined him in that effort, which
resulted in the annexation of California with
its untold mineral wealth. Later Fremont
became involved in a difficulty with fellow
officers which resulted in a court martial,
and the surrender of his commission. He
declined to accept reinstatement. He af-
terward laid out a great road from the Mis-
sissippi river to San Francisco, and became
the first United States senator from Califor-
80
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAr/rr.
nia, in 1849. In 1856 he was nominated
by the new Republican party as its first can-
didate for president against Buchanan, and
received 1 14 electoral votes, out of 296.
In 1 86 1 he was made major-general and
placed in charge of the western department.
He planned the reclaiming of the entire
Mississippi valley, and gathered an army of
thirty thousand men, with plenty of artil-
lery, and was ready to move upon the con-
federate General Price, when he was de-
prived of his command. He was nominated
for the presidency at Cincinnati in 1864, but
withdrew. He was governor of Arizona in
1878, holding the position four years. He
was interested in an engineering enterprise
looking toward a great southern trans-con-
tinental railroad, and in his later years also
practiced law in New York. He died July 1 3,
1890.
WENDELL PHILLIPS, the orator and
abolitionist, and a conspicuous figure
in American history, was born November
29, 181 1, at Boston, Massachusetts. He
received a good education at Harvard
College, from which he graduated in 1831,
and then entered the Cambridge Law School.
After completing his course in that institu-
tion, in 1833, he was admitted to the bar,
in 1834, at Suffolk. He entered the arena
of life at the time when the forces of lib-
erty and slavery had already begun their
struggle that was to culminate in the Civil
war. William Lloyd Garrison, by his clear-
headed, courageous declarations of the anti-
slavery principles, had done much to bring
about this struggle. Mr. Phillips was not a
man that could stand aside antl see a great
struggle being carried on in the interest of
humanity and look passively on. He first
attracted attention as an orator in 1837, at
a meeting that was called to protest against
the murder of the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy.
The meeting would have ended in a few
perfunctory resolutions had not Mr. Phillip?
by his manly eloquence taken the meeting
out of the hands of the few that were in-
clined to temporize and avoid radical utter-
ances. Having once started out in this ca-
reer as an abolitionist Phillips never swerved
from what he deemed his duty, and never
turned back. He gave up his legal practice
and launched himself heart and soul in the
movement for the liberation of the slaves.
He was an orator of very great ability and
by his earnest efforts and eloquence he did
much in arousing public seniiment in behalf
of the anti-slavery cause — possibly more
than any one man of his time. After the
abolition of slavery Mr. Phillips was, if pos-
sible, even busier than before m the literary
and lecture field. Besides temperance ami
women's rights, he lectured often and wrote
much on finance, and the relations of labor
and capital, and his utterances on whatever
subject always bore the stamp of having
emanated from a master mind. Eminent
critics have stated that it might fairly be
questioned whether there has ever spoken
in America an orator superior to Phillips.
The death of this great man occurred Feb-
ruary 4, 1884.
WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN
was one of the greatest generals that
the world has ever produced and won im-
mortal fame by that strategic and famous
" march to the sea," in the war of the Re-
bellion. He was born February 8, 1820, at
Lancaster, Ohio, and was reared in the
family of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, as his
father died when he was but nine years of
age. He entered West Point in 1S36, was
graduated from the same in 1840, and ap-
pointed a second lieutenant in the Third'
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
31
Artillery. He passed through the various
grades of the service and at the outbreak of
the Civil war was appointed colonel of the
Thirteenth Regular Infantry. A full history
of General Sherman's conspicuous services
would be to repeat a history of the army.
He commanded a division at Shiloh, and
was instrumental in the winning of that bat-
tle, and was also present at the siege of Vicks-
burg. On July 4, 1863, he was appointed
brigadier-general of the regular army, and
shared with Hooker the victory of Mission-
ary Ridge. He was commander of the De-
panment of the Tennessee from October
27th until the appointment of General
Grant as lieutenant-general, by whom he
was appointed to the command of the De-
partment of the Mississippi, which he as-
sumed in March, 1864. He at once began
organizing the army and enlarging his com-
munications preparatory to his march upon
Atlanta, which he started the same time of
the beginning of the Richmond campaign by
Grant. He started on May 6, and was op-
posed by Johnston, who had fifty thousand
men, but by consummate generalship, he
captured Atlanta, on September 2, after
several months of hard fighting and a severe
loss of men. General Sherman started on
his famous march to the sea November 15,
1864, and by December 10 he was before
Savannah, which he took on December 23.
This campaign is a monument to the genius
of General Sherman as he only lost 567
men from Atlanta to the sea. After rest-
ing his army he moved northward and occu-
pied the following places: Columbia,
Cheraw, Fayetteville, Ayersboro, Benton-
ville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and April 18, he
accepted the surrender of Johnston's army
on a basis of agreement that was not re-
ceived by the Government with favor, but
finally accorded Johnston the same terms as
Lee was given by General Grant. He was
present at the grand review at Washington,
and after the close of the war was appointed
to the command of the military division of
the Mississippi; later was appointed lieu-
tenant-general, and assigned to the military
division of the Missouri. When General
Grant was elected president Sherman became
general, March 4, 1869, and succeeded to
the command of the army. His death oc-
curred February 14, 1891, at Washington.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, one of the
most prominent of the early American
statesmen and financiers, was born in Nevis,
an island of the West Indies, January 11,
1757, his father being a Scotchman and his
mother of Huguenot descent. Owing to the
death of his mother and business reverses
which came to his father, young Hamilton
was sent to his mother's relatives in Santa
Cruz; a few years later was sent to a gram-
mar school at Elizabethtown, New Jersey,
and in 1773 entered what is now known as
Columbia College. Even at that time he
began taking an active part in public affairs
and his speeches, pamphlets, and newspaper
articles on political affairs of the day at-
tracted considerable attention. In i/'76 he
received a captain's commission and served
in Washington's army with credit, becoming
aide-de-camp to Washington with rank of
lieutenant-colonel. In 1781 he resigned his
commission because of a rebuke from Gen-
eral Washington. He next received com-
mand of a New York battalion and partici-
pated in the battle of Yorktown. After
this Hamilton studied law, served several
terms in congress and was a member of the
convention at which the Federal Constitu-
tion was drawn up. His work connected
with "The Federalist" at about this time
attracted much attention. Mr. Hamilton
82
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
was chosen as the first secretary of the
United States treasury and as such was the
author of the funding system and founder of
the United States Bank. In 179S he was
made inspector-general of the army with the
rank of major-general and was also for a
short time commander-in-chief. In 1804
Aaron Burr, then candidate for governor of
New York, challenged Alexander Hamilton
to fight a duel, Burr attributing his defeat
to Hamilton's opposition, and Hamilton,
though declaring the code as a relic of bar-
barism, accepted the challenge. They met
at Weehawken, New Jersey, July 11, 1804.
Hamilton declined to fire at his adversary,
but at Burr's first fire was fatally wounded
and died July 12, 1804.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPH-
ENS, vice-president of the southern
confederacy, a former United States senator
and governor of Georgia, ranks among the
great men of American history. He was born
February 11, 18 12, near Crawfordsville,
Georgia. He was a graduate of the Uni-
versity of Georgia, and admitted to the bar
in 1834. In 1837 he made his debut in
political life as a member of the state house
of representatives, and in 1 841 declined the
nomination for the same office; but in 1S42
he was chosen by the same constituency as
state senator. Mr. Stephens was one of
the promoters of the Western and Atlantic
Railroad. In 1843 he was sent by his dis-
trict to the national house of representatives,
which office he held for sixteen consec-
utive years. He was a member of the
house during the passing of the ("ompromise
Bill, and was one of its ablest and most
active supporters. The same year (1850^
Mr. Stephens was a delegate to the state
convention that framed the celebrated
" Georgia Platform," and was also a dele-
gate to the convention that passed the ordi-
nance of secession, though he bitterly op-
posed that bill by voice and vote, yet he
readil}- acquiesced in their decision after
it received the votes of the majority of the
convention. He was chosen vice-president
of the confederacy without opposition, and
in 1865 he was the head of the commis-
sion sent by the south to the Hampton
Roads conference. He was arrested after
the fall of the confederacy and was con-
fined in Fort Warren as a prisoner of state
but was released on his own parole. Mr.
Stephens was elected to the forty-third,
forty-fourth, forty-fifth, forty-sixth and for-
ty-seventh congresses, with hardly more than
nominal opposition. He was one of the
Jeffersonian school of American politics.
He wrote a number of works, principal
among which are: "Constitutional \"iew
of the War between the States," and a
" Compendium of the History of the United
States." He was inaugurated as governor
of Georgia November 4th, 1882, but died
March 4, 1883, before the completion of
his term.
ROSCOE CONKLING was one of the
most noted and famous of American
statesmen. He was among the most fin-
ished, fluent and eloquent orators that have
ever graced the halls of the American con-
gress; ever ready, witty and bitter in de-
bate he was at once admired and feared by
his political opponents and revered by his
followers. True to his friends, loyal to the
last degree to those with whom his inter-
ests were associated, he was unsparing to his
foes and it is said "never forgot an injury."
Roscoe Conkling was born at Albany,
New York, on the 30th of October, 1829,
being a son of Alfred Conkling. Alfred
Conkling was also a native of New York,
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
83
born at East Hampton, October 12, 1789,
and became one of the most eminent law-
yers in the Empire state; pubHshed several
legal works; served a term in congress; aft-
erward as United States district judge for
Northern New York, and in 1852 was min-
ister to Mexico. Alfred Conkling died in
1874.
Roscoe Conkling, whose name heads
this article, at an early age took up the
study of law and soon became successful and
prominent at the bar. About 1846 he re-
moved to Utica and in 1858 was elected
mayor of that city. He was elected repre-
sentative in congress from this district and
was re-elected three times. In 1867 he was
elected United States senator from the state
of New York and was re-elected in 1873
and 1879. In May, i88r, he resigned on
account of differences with the president.
In March, 18S2, he was appointed and con-
firmed as associate justice of the United
States supreme court but declined to serve.
His death occurred April 18, 1888.
WASHINGTON IRVING, one of the
most eminent, talented and popu-
lar of American authors, was born in New
York City, April 3, 1783. His father was
William Irving, a merchant and a native of
Scotland, who had married an English lady
and emigrated to America some twenty
years prior to the birth of Washington.
Two of the older sons, William and Peter,
were partially occupied with newspaper
work and literary pursuits, and this fact
naturally inclined Washington to follow
their example. Washington Irving was given
the advantages afforded by the common
schools until about sixteen years of age
when he began studying law, but continued
to acquire his literary training by diligent
perusal at home of the older English writers.
When nineteen he made his first literary
venture by printing in the ' ' Morning Chroni-
cle," then edited by his brother. Dr. Peter
Irving, a series of local sketches under the
noui-dc-plitmc o{ " Jonathan Oldstyle." In
1804 he began an extensive trip through
Europe, returned in 1806, quickly com-
pleted his legal studies and was admitted to
the bar, but never practiced the profession.
In 1807 he began the amusing serial "Sal-
magundi," which had an immediate suc-
cess, and not only decided his future
career but long determined the charac-
ter of his writings. In 1808, assisted by
his brother Peter, he wrote " Knickerbock-
er's History of New York," and in 18 10 an
excellent biography of Campbell, the poet.
After this, for some time, Irving's attention
was occupied by mercantile interests, but
the commercial house in which he was a
partner failed in 1S17. In 1814 he was
editor of the Philadelphia " Analectic Maga-
zine." About 1 81 8 appeared his "Sketch-
Book, " over the nom-de-pluvic of ' 'Geoffrey
Crayon," which laid the foundation of Ir-
ving's fortune and permanent fame. This
was soon followed by the legends of
"Sleepy Hollow," and " Rip Van Winkle,"
which at once took high rank as literary
productions, and Irving's reputation was
firmly established in both the old and new
worlds. After this the path of Irving was
smooth, and his subsequent writings ap-
peared with rapidity, including "Brace-
bridge Hall," "The Tales of a Traveler,"
" History of the Life and Voyages of Chris-
topher Columbus," "The Conquest of
Granada," "The Alhambra," "Tour on
the Prairies," " Astoria," "Adventures of
Captain Bonneville," "Wolfert's Roost,"
" Mahomet and his Successors," and "Life
of Washington," besides other works.
Washington Irving was never married.
34
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
He resided during the closing years of his
life at Sunnyside (Tarrytown) on the Hud-
son, where he died November 28, 1859.
CHARLES SUMNER.— Boldly outlined
on the pages of our historj' stands out
the rugged figure of Charles Sumner, states-
man, lawyer and writer. A man of unim-
peachable integrity, indomitable will and
with the power of tireless toil, he was a fit
leader in troublous times. First in rank as
an anti-slavery leader in the halls of con-
gress, he has stamped his image upon the
annals of his time. As an orator he took
front rank and, in wealth of illustration,
rhetoric and lofty tone his eloquence equals
anything to be found in history.
Charles Sumner was born in Boston,
Massachusetts, January 6, 181 1, and was
the son of Charles P. and Relief J. Sumner.
The family had long been prominent in that
state. Charles was educated at the Boston
Public Latin School; entered Harvard Col-
lege in 1826. and graduated therefrom in
1830. In 1 83 1 he joined the Harvard Law
School, then under charge of Judge Story,
and gave himself up to the study of law
with enthusiasm. His leisure was devoted
to contributing to the American Jurist. Ad-
mitted to the bar in 1834 he was appointed
reporter to the circuit court by Judge Story.
He published several works about this time,
and from 1835 to 1837 and again in 1843
was lecturer in the law school. He had
planned a lawyer's life, but in 1S45 he gave
his attention to politics, speakingand working
against the admission of Te.xas to the Union
and subsequently against the Mexican war.
In 1848 he was defeated for congress on the
Free Soil ticket. His stand on the anti-
slavery question at that time alienated both
friends and clients, but he never swerved
from his convictions. In 185 1 he was elected
to the United States senate and took his
seat therein December i of that year. From
this time his life became the history of the
anti-slavery cause in congress. In August,
1852, he began his attacks on slavery by a
masterly argument for the repeal of the
fugitive slave law. On May 22, 1856, Pres-
ton Brooks, nephew of Senator Butler, of
South Carolina, made an attack upon Mr.
Sumner, at his desk in the senate, striking
him over the head with a heavy cane. The
attack was quite serious in its effects and
kept Mr. Sumner absent from his seat in the
senate for about four years. In 1857, 1863
and 1869 he was re-elected to the office of
senator, passing some twenty-three years in
that position, alwaj'S advocating the rights
of freedom and equity. He died March 11,
1874.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, the third pres-
ident of the United Stales, was born
near Charlottesville, Albemarle county, Vir-
ginia, April 13, 1743, and was the son of
Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson. He
received the elements of a good education,
and in 1760 entered William and Mary Col-
lege. After remaining in that institution for
two years he took up the study of law with
George Wythe, of Williamsburg, Virginia,
one of the foremost lawyers of his day, and
was admitted to practice in 1767. He ob-
tained a large and profitable practice, which
he held for eight years. The conflict be-
tween Great Britain and the Colonics then
drew him into public life, he having for
some time given his attention to the study
of the sources of law, the origin of liberty
and equal rights.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to the Virginia
house of burgesses in 1769, and served in
that body several years, a firm supporter of
liberal measures, and, although a slave-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
35
holder himself, an opponent of slavery.
With others, he was a leader among the op-
position to the king. He took his place as
a member of the Continental congress June
21, 1775, and after serving on several com-
mittees was appointed to draught a Declara-
tion of Independence, which he did, some
corrections being suggested by Dr. Franklin
and John Adams. This document was pre-
sented to congress June 28, 1776, and after
six days' debate was passed and was signed.
In the following September Mr. Jefferson
resumed his seat in the Virginia legislature,
and gave much time to the adapting of laws
of that state to the new condition of things.
He drew up the law, the first ever passed by
a legislature or adopted by a government,
which secured perfect religious freedom.
June I, 1779, he succeeded Patrick Henry
as governor of Virginia, an office which,
after co-operating with Washington in de-
fending the country, he resigned two years
later. One of his own estates was ravaged
by the British, and his house at Monticello
was held by Tarleton for several days, and
Jefferson narrowly escaped capture. After
the death of his wife, in 1782, he accepted
the position of plenipotentiary to France,
which he had declined in 1776. Before
leaving he served a short time in congress
at Annapolis, and succeeded in carrying a
bill for establishing our present decimal sys-
tem of currency, one of his most useful pub-
lic services. He remained in an official ca-
pacity until October, 1789, and was a most
active and vigilant minister. Besides the
onerous duties of his office, during this time,
he published "Notes on Virginia," sent to
the United States seeds, shrubs and plants,
forwarded literary and scientific news and
gave useful advice to some of the leaders of
the French Revolution.
Mr. Jefferson landed in Virginia Novem-
ber 18, 1789, having obtained a leave of
absence from his post, and shortly after ac-
cepted W^ashington's offer of the portfolio
of the department of state in his cabinet.
He entered upon the duties of his office in
March, 1791, and held it until January i,
1794, when he tendered his resignation.
About this time he and Alexander Hamilton
became decided and aggressive political op-
ponents, Jefferson being in warm sympathy
with the people in the French revolution
and strongly democratic in his feelings,
while Hamilton took the opposite side. In
1796 Jefferson was elected vice-president of
the United States. In 1800 he was elected
to the presidency and was inaugurated
March 4, 1801. During his administration,
which lasted for eight years, he having been
re-elected in 1804, he waged a successful
war against the Tripolitan pirates; purchased
Louisiana of Napoleon; reduced the public
debt, and was the originator of many wise
measures. Declining a nomination for a
third term he returned to Monticello, where
he died July 4, 1826, but a few hours before
the death of his friend, John Adams.
Mr. Jefferson was married January i,
1772, to Mrs. Martha Skelton, a young,
beautiful, and wealthy widow, who died
September 6, 1782, leaving three children,
three more having died previous to her
demise.
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, known as
"Commodore" Vanderbilt, was the
founder of what constitutes the present im-
mense fortune of the Vanderbilt family. He
was born May 27, 1794, at Port Richmond,
Staten Island, Richmond county. New
York, and we find him at sixteen years run-
ning a small vessel between his home and
New York City. The fortifications of Sta-
ten and Long Islands were just in course of
86
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIW.
construction, and he carried the laborers
from New York to the fortifications in his
"perianger, " as it was called, in the day,
and at night carried supplies to the fort on
the Hudson. Later he removed to New
York, where he added to his little fleet. At
the age of twenty-three he was free from
debt and was worth $9,000, and in 1S17,
with a partner he built the first steamboat
that was run between New York and New
Brunswick, New Jersey, and became her
captain at a salary of $1,000 a year. The
ne.xt year he took command of a larger and
better boat and by 1824 he was in complete
control of the Gibbon's Line, as it was
called, which he had brought up to a point
where it paid $40,000 a year. Commodore
Vanderbilt acquired the ferry between New
York and Elizabethport, New Jersey, on a
fourteen years' lease and conducted tills on
a paying basis. He severed his connections
with Gibbons in 1829 and engaged in
business alone and for twenty years he was
the leading steamboat man in the country,
building and operating steamboats on the
Hudson River, Long Island Sound, on the
Delaware River and the route to Boston,
and he had the monopoly of trade on these
routes. In 1850 he determined to broaden
his field of operation and accordingly built
the steamship Prometheus and sailed for
the Isthmus of Darlen, where he desired to
make a personal investigation of the pros-
pects of the American Atlantic and Pacific
Ship Canal Company, in which he had pur-
chased a controlling interest. Commodore
Vanderbilt planned, as a result of this visit,
a transit route from Greytown on the At-
lantic coast to San Juan del Sud on the Pa-
cific coast, which was a saving of 700 miles
over the old route. In 1851 he placed three
steamers on the Atlantic side and four on
the Pacific side to accommodate the enor-
mous traffic occasioned by the discovery of
gold in California. The following year
three more vessels were added to his fleet
and a branch line established from New
Orleans to Greytown. In 1853 the Com-
modore sold out hisNicarauguaTransIt Com-
pany, which had netted him $1,000,000
and built the renowned steam yacht, the
"North Star." He continued in the ship-
ping business nine years longer and accu-
mulated some $10,000,000. In 18C1 he
presented to the government his magnifi-
cent steamer " Vanderbilt, " which had cost
him $800,000 and for which he received the
thanks of congress. In 1844 he became
interested in the railroad business which he
followed in later years and became one of
the greatest railroad magnates of his time.
He founded tlie Vanderbilt University at a
cost of $1,000,000. He died January 4,
1877, leaving a fortune estimated at over
$100,000,000 to his children.
DANIEL BOONE was one of the most
famous of the many American scouts,
pioneers and hunters which the early settle-
ment of the western states brought into
prominence. Daniel Boone was born Feb-
ruary II, 1735. in Bucks county, Pennsyl-
vania, but while yet a young man removed
to North Carolina, where he was married.
In 1769, with five companions, he pene-
trated into the forests and wilds of Kentucky
— then uninhabited by white men. He had
frequent conflicts with the Indians and was
captured by them but escaped and continued
to hunt in and explore that region for over
a year, when, in 1 771, he returned to his
home. In the summer of 1773, he removed
with his own and five other families into
what was then the wilderness of Kentucky,
and to defend his colony against the savages,
he built, in 1775, a fort at Boonesborough,
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
37
on the Kentucky river. This fort was at-
tacked by the Indians several times in 1777,
but they were repulsed. The following
year, however, Boone was surprised and
captured by them. They took him to De-
troit and treated him with leniency, but he
soon escaped and returned to his fort which
he defended with success against four hun-
dred and fifty Indians in August, 1778. His
son, Enoch Boone, was the first white male
child born in the state of Kentucky. In
1795 Daniel Boone removed with his family
to Missouri, locating about forty-five miles
west of the present site of St. Louis, where
he found fresh fields for his favorite pursuits
— adventure, hunting, and pioneer life. His
death occurred September 20, 1820.
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFEL-
LOW, said to have been America's
greatest "poet of the people," was born at
Portland, Maine, February 27, 1807. He
entered Bowdoin College at the age of four-
teen, and graduated in 1825. During his
college days he distinguished himself in mod-
ern languages, and wrote several short
poems, one of the best known of which was
the " Hymn of the Moravian Nuns." After
his graduation he entered the law office of
his father, but the following year was offered
the professorship of modern languages at
Bowdoin, with the privilege of three years
study in Europe to perfect himself in French,
Spanish, Italian and German. After the
three years were passed he returned to the
United States and entered upon his profes-
sorship in 1829. His first volume was a
small essay on the "Moral and Devotional
Poetry of Spain" in 1833. In 1S35 he pub-
lished some prose sketches of travel under
the title of " Outre Mer, a Pilgrimage be-
yond the Sea." In 1835 he was elected to
the chair of modern languages and literature
at Harvard University and spent a year in
Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, culti-
vating a knowledge of early Scandinavian
literature and entered upon his professor-
ship in 1836. Mr. Longfellow published in
1839 " Hyperion, a Romance," and "Voices
of the Night, " and his first volume of original
verse comprising the selected poems of
twenty years work, procured him immediate
recognition as a poet. " Ballads and other
poems" appeared in 1842, the "Spanish
Student" a drama in three acts, in 1843,
"The Belfry of Bruges " in 1846, "Evan-
geline, a Tale of Acadia," in 1847, which
was considered his master piece. In 1845
he published a large volume of the "Poets
and Poetry of Europe," 1849 " Kavanagh,
a Tale," "The Seaside and Fireside" in
1850, "The Golden Legend "in 1 85 1, "The
Song of Hiawatha " in 1855, "The Court-
ship of Miles Standish " in 1858, " Tales of
a Wayside Inn " in 1863; " Flower de Luce"
in 1866;" "New England Tragedies" in
1869; "The Divine Tragedy" in 1871;
"Three Books of Song" in 1872; "The
Hanging of the Crane " in 1S74. He also
published a masterly translation of Dante
in 1867-70 and the " Morituri Salutamus,"
a poem read at the fiftieth anniversary of
his class at Bowdoin College. Prof. Long-
fellow resigned his chair at Harvard Univer-
sity in 1854, but continued to reside at Cam-
bridge. Some of his poetical works have
been translated into many languages, and
their popularity rivals that of the best mod-
ern English poetry. He died March 24,
1882, but has left an imperishable fame as
one of the foremost of American poets.
PETER COOPER was in three partic-
ulars — as a capitalist and manufacturer,
as an inventor, and as a philanthropist —
connected intimately with some of the most
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRATHr.
important and useful accessions to the in-
dustrial arts of America, its progress in in-
vention and the promotion of educational
and benevolent institutions intended for the
benefit of people at large. He was born
in New York city, February 12, 1791. His
life was one of labor and struggle, as it was
with most of America's successful men. In
early boyhood he commenced to help his
father as a manufacturer of hats. He at-
tended school only for half of each day for
a single year, and beyond this his acquisi-
tions were ail his own. W'hen seventeen
years old he was placed with John Wood-
ward to learn the trade of coach-making and
served his apprenticeship so satisfactorily
that his master offered to set him up in busi-
ness, but this he declined because of the
debt and obligation it would involve.
The foundation of Mr. Cooper's fortune
was laid in the invention of an improvement
in machines for shearing cloth. This was
largely called into use during the war of
18 12 with England when all importations
of cloth from that country were stopped.
The machines lost their value, however, on
the declaration of peace. Mr. Cooper then
turned his shop into the manufacture of
cabinet ware. He afterwards went into the
grocery business in New York and finally he
engaged in the manufacture of glue and isin-
glass which he carried on for more than
fifty years. In 1830 he erected iron works
in Canton, near Baltimore. Subsequently
he erected a rolling and a wire mill in the
city of New York, in which he first success-
fully applied anthracite to the puddling of
iron. In these works, he was the first to
roll wrought-iron beams for lire-proof build-
ings. These works grew to be very exten-
sive, including mines, blast furnaces, etc.
While in Baltimore Mr. Cooper built in
1830, after his own designs, the first loco-
motive engine ever constructed on this con-
tinent and it was successfully operated on
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He also
took a great interest and invested large cap-
ital in the e.xtension of the electric telegraph,
also in the laying of the first Atlantic cable;
besides interesting himself largely in the
New York state canals. But the most
cherished object of Mr. Cooper's life was
the establishment of an institution for the
instruction of the industrial classes, which
he carried out on a magnificent scale in New
York city, where the "Cooper Union"
ranks among the most important institu-
tions.
In May, 1876, the Independent party
nominated Mr. Cooper for president of the
United States, and at the election following
he received nearly 100,000 votes. His
death occurred April 4, 1883.
GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE,
one of the most conspicuous Confeder-
ate generals during the Civil war, and one
of the ablest military commanders of mod-
ern times, was born at Stratford House.
Westmoreland county, Virginia, January 19,
1807. In 1825 he entered the West Point
academy and was graduated second in his
class in 1829, and attached to the army as
second lieutenant of engineers. For a
number of years he was thus engaged in en-
gineering work, aiding in establishing the
boundary line between Ohio and Michigan,
and superintended various river and harbor
improvements, becoming captain of engi-
neers in 1S38. He first saw field service in
the Mexican war, and under General Scott
performed valuable and efficient service.
In that brilliant campaign he was conspicu-
ous for professional ability as well as gallant
and meritorious conduct, winning in quick
succession the brevets of major, lieutenant-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
39
colonel, and colonel for his part in the bat-
tles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco,
Chapultepec, and in the capture of the city
Mexico. At the close of that war he re-
sumed his engineering work in connection
with defences along the Atlantic coast, and
from 1852 to 1855 was superintendent of
the Military Academy, a position which he
gave up to become lieutenant-colonel of the
Second Cavalry. For several years there-
after he served on the Texas border, but
happening to be near Washington at the
time of John Brown's raid, October 17 to
25, 1859, Colonel Lee was placed in com-
mand of the Federal forces employed in its
repression. He soon returned to his regi-
ment in Texas where he remained the
greater part of i860, and March 16, 1861,
became colonel of his regiment by regular
promotion. Three weeks later, April 25, he
resigned upon the secession of Virginia,
went at once to Richmond and tendered his
services to the governor of that state, being
by acclamation appointed commander-in-
chief of its military and naval forces, with
the rank of major-general.
He at once set to work to organize and
develop the defensive resources of his state
and within a month directed the occupation
in force of Manassas Junction. Ateanwhile
Virginia having entered the confederacy and
Richmond become the capitol, Lee became
one of the foremost of its military officers
and was closely connected with Jefferson
Davis in planning the moves of that tragic
time. Lee participated in many of the
hardest fought battles of the war among
which were Fair Oaks, White Lake Swamps,
Cold Harbor, and the Chickahominy, Ma-
nassas, Cedar Run, Antietam, Fredericks-
burg, Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, Get-
tysburg, the battles of the Wilderness cam-
paign, all the campaigns about Richmond,
Petersburg, Five Forks, and others. Lee's
surrender at Appomatox brought the war to
a close. It is said of General Lee that but
few commanders in history have been so
quick to detect the purposes of an opponent
or so quick to act upon it. Never surpassed,
if ever equaled, in the art of winning the
passionate, personal love and admiration of
his troops, he acquired and held an influ-
ence over his army to the very last, founded
upon a supreme trust in his judgment, pre-
science and skill, coupled with his cool,
stable, equable courage. A great writer has
said of him: "As regards the proper meas-
ure of General Lee's rank among the sol-
diers of history, seeing what he wrought
with such resources as he had, under all the
disadvantages that ever attended his oper-
ations, it is impossible to measure what he
might have achieved in campaigns and bat-
tles with resources at his own disposition
equal to those against which he invariably
contended."
Left at the close of the war without es-
tate or profession, he accepted the presi-
dency of Washington College at Lexington,
Virginia, where he died October 12, 1870.
JOHN JAY, first chief-justice of the
United States, was born in New York,
December 12, 1745. He took up the study
of law, graduated from King's College
(Columbia College), and was admitted to
the bar in 1768. He was chosen a member
of the committee of New York citizens to
protest against the enforcement by the
British government of the Boston Port Bill,
was elected to the Continental congress
which met in 1774, and was author of the
addresses to the people of Great Britian and
of Canada adopted by that and the suc-
ceeding congress. He was chosen to the
provincial assembly of his own state, and
40
COMPENDIUM or BIOGRA/'J/V
resigned from the Continental congress to
serve in that body, wrote most of its public
papers, including the constitution of the new
state, and was then made chief-justice. He
was again chosen as a member of the Con-
tinental congress in 1778, and became presi-
dent of that body. He was sent to S[;ain
as minister in 1780, and his services there
resulted in substantial and moral aid for the
struggling colonists. Jay, Franklin, and
Adams negotiated the treaty of peace with
Great Britain in 1782, and Jay was ap-
pointed secretary of foreign affairs in 1784,
and held the position until the adoption of
the Federal constitution. During this time
he had contributed strong articles to the
"Federalist" in favor of the adoption of
the constitution, and was largely instru-
mental in securing the ratification of that
instrument by his state. He was appointed
by Washington as first chief-justice of the
United States in 1789. In this high capac-
ity the great interstate and international
questions that arose for immediate settle-
ment came before him for treatment.
In 1794, at a time when the people in
gratitude for the aid that France had ex-
tended to us, were clamoring for the privilege
of going to the aid of that nation in her
struggle with Great Britain and her own op-
pressors, Joim Jqy was sent to England as
special envoy to negotiate a treaty with
that power. The instrument .known as
"Jay's Treaty " was the result, and while
in many of its features it fayored our nation,
yet the neutrality clause in it so angered the
masses that it was denounced throughout
the entire country, and John Jay was burned
in effigy in the city of New York. The
treaty was finally ratified by Washington,
and approved, in August, 1795. Having
been elected governor of his state for three
consecutive terms, he then retired from
active life, declining an appointment as
chief-justice of the supreme court, made by
John Adams and confirmed by the senate.
He died in New York in 1829.
PHILLIP HENRY SHERIDAN was
one of the greatest American cavalry
generals. He was born March 6, 1831, at
Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and was ap-
pointed to the United States Military Acad-
emy at West Point, from which he graduat-
ed and was assigned to the First Infantry as
brevet second lieutenant July i, 1853.
After serving in Texas, on the Pacific coast,
in Washington and Oregon territories until
the fall of 1 86 1, he was recalled to the
states and assigned to the army of south-
west Missouri as chief quartermaster from
the duties of which he was soon relieved.
After the battle of Pea Ridge, he was quar-
termaster in the Corinth campaign, and on
May 25 he was appointed colonel of the
Second Michigan Cavalry. On July i, in
command of a cavalry brigade, he defeated
a superior force of the enemy and was com-
missioned brigadier-general of volunteers.
General Sheridan was then transferred to
the army of the Ohio, and commanded a
division in the. battle of Perrysville and also
did good service at the battle of Murfrees-
boro, where he was commissioned major-
general of volunteers. He fought with
great gallantry at Chickamauga, after which
Rosecrans was succeeded by General Grant,
under whom Sheridan fought the battle of
Chattanooga and won additional renown.
Upon the promotion of Grant to lieutenant-
general, he applied for the transfer of Gen-
eral Sheridan to the east, and appointed
him chief of cavalry in the arniy of the
Potomac. During the campaign of 1864
the cavalry covered the front and flanks of
the infantry until May 8, when it was wili>
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHIC
41
drawn and General Sheridan started on a
raid against the Confederate lines of com-
munication with Richmond and on May 25
he rejoined the army, having destroyed con-
siderable of the confederate stores and de-
feated their cavalry under General Stuart at
Yellow Tavern. The outer line of defences
around Richmond were taken, but the sec-
ond line was too strong to be taken by as-
sault, and accordingly Sheridan crossed the
Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, reaching
James River May 14, and thence by White
House and Hanover Court House back to
the army. The cavalry occupied Cold
Harbor May 31, which they held until the
arrival of the infantry. On General Sheri-
dan's next raid he routed Wade Hampton's
cavalry, and August 7 was assigned to the
command of the Middle Military division,
and during the campaign of the Shenan-
doah Valley he performed the unheard of
feat of " destroying an entire army." He
was appointed brigadier-general of the reg-
ular army and for his victory at Cedar Creek
he was promoted to the rank of major-gen-
eral. General Sheridan started out Febru-
ary 27, 1865, with ten thousand cavalry
and destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad
and the James River Canal and joined the
army again at Petersburg March 27. He
commanded at the battle of Five Forks, the
decisive victory which compelled Lee to
evacuate Petersburg. On April 9, Lee tried
to break through Sheridan's dismounted
command but when the General drew aside
his cavalry and disclosed the deep lines of
infantry the attempt was abandoned. Gen-
eral Sheridan mounted his men and was about
to charge when a white flag was flown at the
head of Lee's column which betokened the
surrender of the army. After the war Gen-
eral Sheridan had command of the army of
the southwest, of the gulf and the depart-
ment of Missouri until he was appointed
lieutenant-general and assigned to the di-
vision of Missouri with headquarters at Chi-
cago, and assumed supreme command of
the army November i, 1883, which post he
held until his death, August 5, 1888.
PHINEAS T. BARNUM, the greatest
showman the world has ever seen, was
born at Danbury, Connecticut, July 5, 1810.
At the age of eighteen years he began busi-
ness on his own account. He opened a re-
tail fruit and confectionery house, including
a barrel of ale, in one part of an old car-
riage house. He spent fifty dollars in fitting
up the store and the stock cost him seventy
dollars. Three years later he put in a full
stock, such as is generally carried in a
country store, and the same year he started
a Democratic newspaper, known as the
"Herald of Freedom." He soon found
himself in jail under a sixty days' sentence
for libel. During the winter of 1834-5 he
went to New York and began soliciting busi-
ness for several Chatham street houses. In
1835 he embarked in the show business at
Niblo's Garden, having purchased the cele-
brated " Joice Heth" for one thousand dol-
lars. He afterward engaged the celebrated
athlete, Sig. Vivalia, and Barnum made his
' ' first appearance on any stage, " acting as a
"super" to Sig. Vivalia on his opening
night. He became ticket seller, secretary
and treasurer of Aaron Turner's circus in
1836 and traveled with it about the country.
His next venture was the purchase of a
steamboat on the Mississippi, and engaged
a theatrical company to show in the princi-
pal towns along that river. In 1840 he
opened Vaux Hall Garden, New York, with
variety performances, and introduced the
celebrated jig dancer, John Diamond, to the
public. The next year he quit the show
42
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
business and settled down in New York as
agent of Sear's Pictorial Illustration of the
Bible, but a few months later again leased
\'aux Hall. In September of the same year
he again left the business, and became
* ' puff " writer for the Bowery Amphitheater.
In December he bought the Scudder Museum,
and a year later introduced the celebrated
Tom Thumb to the world, taking him to
England in 1844, and remaining there three
years. He then returned to New York, and
in 1849, through James Hall Wilson, he en-
gaged the "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny
Lind, to corhe to this country and make a
tour under his management. He also had
sent the Swiss Bell Ringers to America in
1844. He became owner of the Baltimore
Museum and the Lyceum and Museum at
Philadelphia. In 1850 he brought a dozen
elephants from Ceylon to make a tour of this
country, and in 1851 sent the " Bateman
Children" to London. During 1851 and
1852 he traveled as a temperance lecturer,
and became president of a bank at Pequon-
nock, Connecticut. In 1852 he started a
weekly pictorial paper known as the " Illus-
trated News." In 1865 his Museum was
destroyed by fire, and he in)mediately leased
the Winter Garden Theatre, where he played
his company until he opened his own
Museum. This was destroyed by fire in
1868, and he then purchased an interest in
the George Wood Museum.
After dipping into politics to some ex-
tent, he began his career as a really great
showman in 1871. Three years later he
erected an immense circular building in New
York, in which he produced his panoramas.
He has frequently appeared as a lecturer,
some times on temperance, and some times
on other topics, among which were "Hum-
bugs of the World," "Struggles and
Triumphs," etc. He was owner of the im-
mense menagerie and circus known as the
"Greatest Show on Earth," and his fame
extended throughout Europe and America.
He died in 1891.
JAMES MADISON, the fourth president
of the United States, 1809-17, was
born at Port Conway, Prince George coun-
ty, Virginia, March 16, 1751. He was the
son of a wealthy planter, who lived on a fine
estate called " Montpelier," which was but
twenty-five miles from Monticello, the home
of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Madison was the
eldest of a family of seven children, all of
whom attained maturity. He received his
early education at home under a private
tutor, and consecrated himself with unusual
vigor to study. At a very early age he was
a proficient scholar in Latin, Greek, French
and Spanish, and in 1 769 he entered Prince-
ton College, New Jersey. He graduated in
1 77 1, but remained for several months after
his graduation to pursue a course of study
under the guidance of Dr. Witherspoon.
He permanently injured his health at this
time and returned to Virginia in 1772, and
for two years he was immersed in the study
of law, and at the same time made extend-
ed researches in theology, general literature,
and philosophical studies. He then directed
his full attention to the impending struggle
of the colonies for independence, and also
took a prominent part in the religious con-
troversy at that time regarding so called
persecution of other religious denominations
by the Church of England. Mr. Madison
was elected to the Virginia assembly in 1776
and in November, 1777, he was chosen
a member of the council of state. He took
his seat in the continental congress in
March, 1 780. He was made chairman of
the committee on foreign relations, and
drafted an able memoranda for the use of
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
43
the American ministers to the French and
Spanish governments, that established the
claims of the republic to the territories be-
tween the Alleghany Mountains and the
Mississippi River. He acted as chairman of
the ways and means committee in 1783 and
as a member of the Virginia legislature in
1784-86 he rendered important services to
the state. Mr. Madison represented Vir-
giana in the national constitutional conven-
tion at Philadelphia in 17S7, and was one of
the chief framers of the constitution. He
wns a member of the first four congresses,
1789^97, and gradually became identified
v/ith tiie anti-federalist or republican party
of which he eventually became the leader.
He remained in private life during the ad-
ministration of John Adams, and was secre-
tary of state under President Jefferson. Mr.
Madison administered the affairs of that
post with such great ability that he was the
natural successor of the chief magistrate
and was chosen president by an electoral
vote of 122 to 53. He was inaugurated
March 4, 1809, at that critical period in our
history when the feelings of the people were
embittered with those of England, and his
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels,
which finally resulted in the declaration of
war, June 18, 1812. In the autumn of that
year President Madison was re-elected by a
vote of 128 to 89, and conducted the war
for three years with varying success and
defeat in Canada, by glorious victories at
sea, and by the battle of New Orleans that
was fought after the treaty of peace had
been signed at Ghent, December 24, 18 14.
During this war the national capitol at
Washington was burned, and many valuable
papers were destroyed, but the declaration
of independence was saved to the country
by the bravery and courage of Mr. Madi-
son's illustrious wife. A commercial treaty
was negotiated with Great Britain in 181 5,
and in April, 18 16, a national bank was in-
corporated by congress. Mr. Madison was
succeeded, March 4, 1817, by James Monroe,
and retired into private life on his estate at
Montpelier, where he died June 28, 1836.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS, a noted
American character, was a protege of
the groat abolitionist, William Lloyd Garri-
son, by whom he was aided in gaining his
education. Mr. Douglass was born in Tuck-
ahoe count}-, Maryland, in February, 18 17,
his mother being a negro woman and his
father a white man. He was born in slav-
ery and belonged to a man by the name of
Lloyd, under which name he went until he
ran away from his master and changed it to
Douglass. At the age of ten years he was
sent to Baltimore where he learned to read
and write, and later his owner allowed him
to hire out his own time for three dollars a
week in a shipyard. In September, 1838,
he fled from Baltimore and made his way to
New York, and from thence went to New
Bedford, Massachusetts. Here he was mar-
ried and supported him.self and family by
working at the wharves and in various work-
shops. In the summer of 1S41 he attended
an anti-slavery convention at Nantucket,
and made a speech which was so well re-
ceived that he was offered the agency of the
Massachusetts Anti-slavery Society. In this
capacity he traveled through the New En-
gland states, and about the same time he
published his first book called ' ' Narrative
of my E.\perience in Slavery." Mr. Doug-
lass went to England in 1845 and lectured
on slavery to large and enthusiastic audi-
ences in all the large towns of the country,
and his friends made up a purse of seven
hundred and fifty dollars and purchased his
freedom in due form of law.
44
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
Mr. Douglass applied himself to the de-
liver}- of lyceum lectures after the abolition
of slavery, and in 1870 he became the editor
of the " New National Era " in Washington.
In 1 87 1 he was appointed assistant secretary
of the commission to San Domingo and on
his return he was appointed one of the ter-
ritorial council for the District of Colorado
by President Grant. He was elected presi-
dential elector-at-large for the state of New
York and was appointed to carry the elect-
oral vote to Washington. He was also
United States marshal for the District of
Columbia in 1876,, and later was recorder
of deeds for the same, from which position
he was removed by President Cleveland in
1886. In the fall of that year he visited
England to inform the friends that he had
made while there, of the progress of the
colored race in America, and on his return
he was appointed minister to Hayti, by
President Harrison in 18S9. His career as
a benefactor of his race was closed by his
death in February, 1895, near Washington.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.— The
car for rhythm and the talent for
graceful expression are the gifts of nature,
and they were plentifully endowed on the
above named poet. The principal charac-
teristic of his poetry is the thoughtfulness
and intellectual process by which his ideas
ripened in his mind, as all his poems are
bright, clear and sweet. Mr. Bryant was
born November 3, 1794, at Cummington,
Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and was
educated at Williams College, from which
he graduated, having entered it in 1810.
He took up the study of law, and in 1815
was admitted to the bar, but after practicing
successfully for ten years at Plainlield and
Great Barrington, he removed to New York
in 1825. The following year he became
the editor of the "Evening Post," which
he edited until his death, and under his di-
rection this paper maintained, through a
long series of years, a high standing by the
boldness of its protests against slavery be-
fore the war, by its vigorous support of the
government during the war, and by the
fidelity and ability of its advocacy of the
Democratic freedom \n traile. Mr. Bry-
ant visited Europe in 1834, 1845, 1849 and
1857, and presented to the literary world
the fruit of his travels in the series of "Let-
ters of a Traveler," and "Letters from
Spain and Other Countries." In the world
of literature he is known chieily as a poet,
and here Mr. Bryant's name is illustrious,
both at home and abroad. He contributed
verses to the "Country Gazette " before he
was ten years of age, and at the age of nine-
teen he wrote " Thanatopsis," the most im-
pressive and widely known of his poems.
The later outgrowth of his genius was his
translation of Homer's "Iliad " in 1870
and the "Odyssey" in 1871. He also
made several speeches and addresses which
have been collected in a comprehensive vol-
ume called " Orations and Addresses." He
was honored in many ways by his fellow
citizens, who delighted to pay tributes of
respect to his literary eminence, the breadth
of his public spirit, the faithfulness of his
service, and the worth of his private char-
acter. Mr. Bryant died in New York City
June 12, 1878.
WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD, the
secretary of state during one of the
most critical times in the history of our
country, and the right hand man of Presi-
dent Lincoln, ranks among the greatest
statesmen America has produced. Mr.
Seward was born May 16, 1801, at Florida,
Orange county. New York, and with such
//
\
\
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
47
facilities as the place afforded he fitted him-
self for a college course. He attended
Union College at Schenectady, New York,
at the age of fifteen, and took his degree in
the regular course, with signs of promise in
1820, after which he diligently addressed
himself to the study of law under competent
instructors, and started in the practfce of
his profession in 1823.
Mr. Seward entered the political arena
and in 1828 we find him presiding over a
convention in New York, its purpose being
the nomination of John Quincy Adams for a
second term. He was married in 1824 and
in 1830 was elected to the state senate.
From 1838 to 1842 he was governor of the
state of New York. Mr. Seward's ne.xt im-
portant position was that of United States
senator from Now York.
\V. H. Seward was chosen by President
Lincoln to fill the important office of the
secretary of state, and by his firmness and
diplomacy in the face of difficulties, he aided
in piloting the Union through that period of
strife, and won an everlasting fame. This
great statesman died at Auburn, New York,
October 10, 1872, in the seventy-second
year of his eventful life.
JOSEPH JEFFERSON, a name as dear
»J as it is familiar to the theater-going
world in America, suggests first of all a fun-
loving, drink-loving, mellow voiced, good-
natured Dutchman, and the name of "Rip
Van Winkle " suggests the pleasant features
of Joe Jefferson, so intimately are play and
player associated in the minds of those who
have had the good fortune to shed tears of
laughter and sympathy as a tribute to the
greatness of his art. Joseph Jefferson was
born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1829.
His genius was an inheritance, if there be
such, as his great-grandfather, Thomas
3
Jefferson, was a manager and actor in Eng-
land. His grandfather, Joseph Jefferson,
was the most popular comedian of the New
York stage in his time, and his father, Jos-
eph Jefferson, the second, was a good actor
also, but the third Joseph Jefferson out-
shone them all.
At the age of three years Joseph Jeffer-
son came on the stage as the child in "Pi-
zarro," and his training was upon the stage
from childhood. Later on he lived and
acted in Chicago, Mobile, and Texas. After
repeated misfortunes he returned to New
Orleans from Texas, and his brother-in-law,
Charles Burke, gave him money to reach
Philadelphia, where he joined the Burton
theater company. Here his genius soon as-
serted itself, and his future became promis-
ing and brilliant. His engagements through-
out the United States and Australia were
generally successful, and when he went to
England in 1865 Mr. Boucicault consented
to make some important changes in his
dramatization of Irving's story of Rip Van
Winkle, and Mr. Jefferson at once placed
it in the front rank as a comedy. He made
a fortune out of it, and played nothing else
for many years. In later j'ears, however,
Mr. Jeffersoh acquitted himself of the charge
of being a one-part actor, and the parts of
"Bob Acres," "Caleb Plummer" and
"Golightly " all testify to the versatility of
his genius.
GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN,
a noted American general, was born
in Philadelphia, December 3, 1826. He
graduated from the University of Pennsyl-
vania, and in 1846 from West Point, and
was breveted second lieutenant of engineers.
He was with Scott in the Mexican war,
taking part in all the engagements from
Vera Cruz to the final capture of the Mexi-
48
COMPENDIU.^f OF BIOGRAPHT
can capital, and was breveted first lieuten-
ant and captain for gallantry displayed on
various occasions. In 1857 he resigned his
commission and accepted the position of
chief engineer in the construction of the
Illinois Central Railroad, and became presi-
dent of the St. Louis & Cincinnati Railroad
Company. He was commissioned major-
general by the state of Ohio in 1861,
placed in command of the department of
the Ohio, and organized the first volunteers
called for from that state. In May he was
appointed major-general in the United
States army, and ordered to disperse the
confederates overrunning West Virginia.
He accomplished this task promptly, and
received the thanks of congress. After the
first disaster at Bull Run he was placed
in command of the department of Wash-
ington, and a few weeks later of the
Army of the Potomac. Upon retirement
of General Scott the command of the en-
tire United States army devolved upon Mc-
Clellan, but he was relieved of it within a
few months. In March, 1862, after elabor-
ate preparation, he moved upon Manassas,
only to find it deserted by the Confederate
army, which had been withdrawn to im-
pregnable defenses prepared nearer Rich-
mond. He then embarked his armies for
Fortress Monroe and after a long delay at
Yorktown, began the disastrous Peninsular
campaign, which resulted in the Army of the
Potomac being cooped up on the James
River below Richmond. His forces were
then called to the support of General Pope,
near Washington, and he was left without an
army. After Pope's defeat McClellan was
placed in command of thetrooi^s for the de-
fense of the capital, and after a thorough or-
ganization he followed Lee into Maryland
and the battles of Antietam and South Moun-
tain ensued. The delay which followed
caused general dissatisfaction, and he was re-
lieved of his command, and retired from active
service.
In 1864 McClellan was nominated for
the presidency by the Democrats, and over-
whelmingly defeated by Lincoln, three
states only casting their electoral votes for
McClellan. On election day he resigned
his commission and a few months later went
to Europe where he spent several years.
He wrote a number of military text- books
and reports. His death occurred October
29- 1885.
SAML'EL J. TILDEN.— Among the great
statesmen whose names adorn the pages
of American history may be found that of
the subject of this sketch. Known as a
lawyer of highest ability, his greatest claim
to immortality will ever lie in his successful
battle against the corrupt ringsof his native
state and the elevation of the standard of
official life.
Samuel J. Tilden was born in New Leb-
anon, New York, February 9, 18 14. He
pursued his academic studies at Yale Col-
lege and the University of New York, tak-
ing the course of law at the latter. He
was admitted to the bar in 1S41. His rare
ability as a thinker and writer upon public
topics attracted the attention of President
Van Buren, of whose policy and adminis-
tration he became an active and efficient
champion. He made for himself a high
place in his profession and amassed quite a
fortune as the result of his industry and
judgment. During the days of his greatest
professional labor he was ever one of the
leaders and trusted counsellors of the Demo-
cratic party. He was a member of the
conventions to revise the state constitution,
both in 1S46 and 1867, and served two
terms in the lower branch of the state leg-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
islature. He was one of the controlling
spirits in the overthrow of the notorious
"Tweed ring" and the reformation of the
government of the city of New York. In
1874 he was elected governor of the state
of New York. While in this position he
assailed corruption in high places, success-
fully battling with the iniquitous "canal
ring " and crushed its sway over all depart-
ments of the government. Recognizing his
character and e.xecutive ability Mr. Tilden
was nominated for president by the na-
tional Democratic convention in 1S76. At
the election he received a much larger popu-
lar vote than his opponent, and 1 84 uncon-
tested electoral votes. There being some
electoral votes contested, a commission ap-
pointed by congress decided in favor of the
Republican electors and Mr. Hayes, the can-
didate of that party was declared elected.
In 18S0, the Democratic party, feeling that
Mr. Tilden had been lawfully elected to the
presidency tendered the nomination for the
same office to Mr. Tilden, but he declined,
retiring from all public functions, owing to
failing health. He died August 4, 1886.
By will he bequeathed several millions of
dollars toward the founding of public libra-
ries in New York City, Yonkers, etc.
NOAH WEBSTER.— As a scholar, law-
yer, author and journalist, there is no
one who stands on a higher plane, or whose
reputation is better established than the
honored gentleman whose name heads this
sketch. He was a native of West Hartford,
Connecticut, and was born October 17,
1758. He came of an old New England
family, his mother being a descendant of
Governor William Bradford, of the Ply-
mouth colony. After acquiring a solid edu-
cation in early life Dr. Webster entered
Yale College, from which he graduated in
1778. For a while he taught school in
Hartford, at the same time studying law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1781. He
taught a classical school at Goshen, Orange
county. New York, in 1782-83, and while
there prepared his spelling book, grammar
and reader, which was issued under the title
of "A Grammatical Institute of the English
Language," in three parts, — so successful a
work that up to 1876 something like forty
million of the spelling books had been
sold. In 17S6 he delivered a course of lec-
tures on the English language in the seaboard
cities and the following year taught an
academy at Philadelphia. From December
17, 1787, until November, 1788, he edited
the "American Magazine, "a periodical that
proved unsuccessful. In 1789-93 he prac-
ticed law in Hartford having in the former
year married the daughter of William Green-
leaf, of Boston. He returned to New York
and November, 1793, founded a daily paper,
the "Minerva," to which was soon added a
semi-weekly edition under the name of the
" Herald." The former is still in e.xistence
under the name of the "Commercial Adver-
tiser . " In this paper, over the signature of
' ' Curtius , " he published a lengthy and schol-
arly defense of "John Jay's treaty."
In 179S, Dr. Webster moved to New
Haven and in 1807 commenced the prepar-
ation of his great work, the "American Dic-
tionary of the English Language," which
was not completed and published until 1828.
He made his home in Amherst, Massachu-
setts, for the ten years succeeding 1812, and
was instrumental in the establishment of
Amherst College, of which institution he was
the first president of the board of trustees.
During 1824-5 he resided in Europe, pursu-
ing his philological studies in Paris. He
completed his dictionary from the libraries
of Cambridge University in 1825, and de-
50
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir
voted his leisure for the remainder of his
hfe to the revision of that and his school
books.
Dr. Webster was a member of the legis-
latures of both Connecticut and Massachu-
setts, was judge of one of the courts of the
former state and was identified with nearly
all the literary and scientific societies in the
neighborhood of Amherst College. He died
in New Haven, May 28, 1843.
Among the more prominent works ema-
nating from the fecund pen of Dr. Noah
Webster besides those mentioned above are
the following: "Sketches of American
Policy," " Winthrop's Journal," " A Brief
History of Epidemics," " Rights of Neutral
Nations in time of War," "A Philosophical
and Practical Grammar of the English Lan-
guage," "Dissertations on the English
Language," "A Collection of Essays,"
"The Revolution in France," "Political
Progress of Britain," "Origin, History, and
Connection of the Languages of Western
Asia and of Europe ," and many others.
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, the
great anti-slavery pioneer and leader,
was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts,
December 12, 1804. He was apprenticed
to the printing business, and in 1S28 was in-
duced to take charge of the "Journal of the
Times" at Bennington, Vermont. While
supportmg John Quincy Adams for the presi-
dency he took occasion in that paper to give
expression of his views on slavery. These
articles attracted notice, and a Quaker
named Lundy, editor of the "Genius of
Emancipation," published in Baltimore, in-
duced him to enter a partnership with him
for the conduct of his paper. It soon
transpired that the views of the partners
were not in harmony, Lundy favoring grad-
ual emancipation, while Garrison favored
immediate freedom. In 1S50 Mr. Garrison
was thrown into prison for libel, not being
able to pay a fine of fifty dollars and costs.
In his cell he wrote a number of poems
which stirred the entire north, and a mer-
chant, Mr. Tappan, of New York, paid his
fine and liberated him, after seven weeks of
confinement. He at once began a lecture
tour of the northern cities, denouncing
slavery as a sin before God, and demanding
its immediate abolition in the name of re-
ligion and humanity. He opposed the col-
onization scheme of President Monroe and
other leaders, and declared the right of
every slave to immediate freedom.
In 1 83 1 he formed a partnership with
Isaac Knapp, and began the publication of
the "Liberator" at Boston. The "imme-
diate abolition " idea began to gather power
in the north, while the south became
alarmed at the bold utterance of this jour-
nal. The mayor of Boston was besought
by southern influence to interfere, and upon
investigation, reported upon the insignifi-
cance, obscurity, and poverty of the editor
and his staff, which report was widely
published throughout the country. Re-
wards were offered by the southern states
for his arrest and conviction. Later Garri-
son brought from England, where an eman-
cipation measure had just been passed,
some of the great advocates to work for the
cause in this country. In 1835 a mob
broke into his office, broke up a meeting of
women, dragged Garrison through the street
with a rope around his body, and his life
was saved only by the interference of the
police, who lodged him in jail. Garrison
declined to sit in the World's Anti-Slavery
convention at London in 1840, because
that body had refused women representa-
tion. He opposed the formation of a po-
j litical party with emancipation as its basis.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
51
He favored a dissolution of tiie union, and
declared the constitution which bound the
free states to the slave states " A covenant
with death and an agreement with hell."
In 1843 he became president of the Amer-
ican Anti-Slavery society, which position he
held until 1865, when slavery was no more.
During all this time the " Liberator " had
continued to promulgate anti-slavery doc-
trines, but in 1865 Garrison resigned his
position, and declared his work was com-
pleted. He died May 24, 1S79.
JOHN BROWN (" Brown of Ossawato-
mie"), a noted character in American
history, wasbornatTorrington, Connecticut,
May 9, 1800. In his childhood he removed
to Ohio, where he learned the tanner's
trade. He married there, and in 1855 set-
tled in Kansas. He lived at the village of
Ossawatomie in that state, and there began
his fight against slavery. He advocated im-
mediate emancipation, and held that the
negroes of the slave states merely waited
for a leader in an insurrection that would re-
sult in their freedom. He attended the
convention called at Chatham, Canada, in
1859, and was the leading spirit in organiz-
ing a raid upon the United States arsenal at
Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His plans were
well laid, and carried out in great secrecy.
He rented a farm house near Harper's Ferry
ill the summer of 1859, and on October
T6th of that year, with about twenty follow-
ers, he surprised and captured the United
States arsenal, with all its supplies and
arms. To his surprise, the negroes did not
come to his support, and the ne.xt day he
was attacked by the Virginia state militia,
wounded and captured. He was tried in
the courts of the state, convicted, and was
hanged at Charlestown, Decembers, 1859.
The raid and its results had a tremendous
effect, and hastened the culmination of the
troubles between the north and south. The
south had the advantage in discussing this
event, claiming that the sentiment which
inspired this act of violence was shared by
the anti-slavery element of the country.
EDWIN BOOTH had no peer upon the
American stage during his long career
as a star actor. He was the son of a famous
actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and was born
in 1833 at his father's home at Belair, neaf
Baltimore. At the age of sixteen he made hi.s
first appearance on the stage, at the Boston
Museum, in a minor part in "Richard III."
It was v.hile playing in California in 1 85 1
that an eminent critic called general atten*
tion to the young actor's unusual talent.
However, it was not until 1863, at the great
Shakspearian revival at the Winter Garden
Theatre, New York, that the brilliancy oi
his career began. His Hamlet held the
boards for 100 nights in succession, and
from that time forth Booth's reputation was
established. In 1868 he opened his own
theatre (Booth's Theater) in New York.
Mr. Booth never succeeded as a manager,
however, but as an actor he was undoubted-
ly the most popular man on the American
stage, and perhaps the most eminent one in
the world. In England he also won the
greatest applause.
Mr. Booth's work was confined mostly
to Shak^pearean roles, and his art was
characterized by intellectual acuteness,
fervor, and poetic feeling. His Hamlet,
Richard II, Richard III, and Richelieu gave
play to his greatest powers. In 1865,
when his brother, John Wilkes Booth,
enacted his great crime, Edwin Booth re-
solved to retire from the stage, but was pur-
suaded to reconsider that decision. The
odium did not in any way attach to the
52
COMPENDIL'M OF BIOGRAPHY.
great actor, and his popularity was not
affected. In all his work Mr. Booth clung
closely to the legitimate and the traditional
in drama, making no experiments, and offer-
ing little encouragement to new dramatic
authors. His death occurred in New York,
June 7, 1894.
JOSEPH HOOKER, a noted American
officer, was born at Hadley, Massachu-
setts, November 13, J 8 14. He graduated
from West Point Military Academy in 1837,
and was appointed lieutenant of artillery.
He served in Florida in the Seminole war,
and in garrison until the outbreak of the
Mexican war. During the latter he saw
service as a staff officer and was breveted
captain, major and lieutenant-colonel for
gallantrj' at Monterey, National Bridge and
Chapultepec. Resigning his commission in
1833 he took up farming in California, which
he followed until 1861. During this time
he acted as superintendent of military roads
in Oregon. At the outbreak of the Rebel-
lion Hooker tendered his services to the
government, and. May 17, iSCi, was ap-
pointed brigadier-general of volunteers. He
served in the defence of Washington and on
the lower Potomac until his appointment to
the command of a division in the Third
Corps, in March, 1862. For gallant con-
duct at the siege of Yorktown and in the
battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fra-
zier's Farm and Malvern Hill he Was made
major-general. At the head of his division
he participated in the battles of Manassas
and Chantilly. September 6, 1862, he was
placed at the head of the First Corps, and
in the battles of South Mountain and An-
tietam acted with his usual gallantry, being
wounded in the latter engagement. On re-
joining the army in November he was made
brigadier-general in the regular army. On
General Burnside attaining the command of
the Army of the Potomac General Hooker
was placed in command of the center grand
division, consisting of the Second and Fifth
Corps. At the head of these gallant men
he participated in the battle of Fred-
ericksburg, December 13, 1S62. In Janu-
ary, 1863, General Hooker assumed com-
mand of the Army of the Potomac, and in
May following fought the battle of Chan-
cellorsville. At the time of the invasion of
Pennsylvania, owing to a dispute with Gen-
eral Halleck, Hooker requested to be re-
lieved of his command, and June 28 was
succeeded by George G. Meade. In Sep-
tember, 1863, General Hooker was given
command of the Twentieth Corps and trans-
ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and
distinguished himself at the battles of Look-
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ring-
gold. In the Atlanta campaign he saw
almost daily service and merited his well-
known nickname of " Fighting Joe." July
30, 1864, at his own request, he was re-
lieved of his command. He subsequently
was in command of several military depart-
ments in the north, and in October, 1868,
was retired with the full rank of major-gen-
eral. He died October 31, 1879.
JAY GOULD, one of the greatest finan-
ciers that the world has ever producedi
was born May 27, 1836, at Ro.xbury, Dela-
ware county. New York. He spent his early
years on his father's farm and at the age of
fourteen entered Hobart Academy, New
York, and kept books for the village black-
smith. He acquired a taste for mathematics
and surveying and on leaving school found
employment in making the surveyor's map
of Ulster county. He surveyed very exten-
sively in the state and accumulated five thou-
sand dollars as the fruits of his labor. He
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
53
was then stricken with typhoid fever but re-
covered and mad.e the acquaintance of one
2adock Pratt, who sent him into the west-
ern part of the state to locate a site for a
tannery. He chose a fine hemlock grove,
built a sawmill and blacksmith shop and
was soon doing a large lumber business with
Mr. Pratt. Mr. Gould soon secured control
of the entire plant, which he sold out just
before the panic of 1857 and in this year he
became the largest stockholderinthe Strouds-
burg, Pennsylvania, bank. Shortly after the
crisis he bought the bonds of the Rutland
& Washington Railroad at ten cents on the
dollar, and put all his money into railroad
securities. For a long time he conducted
this road which he consolidated with the
Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad. In 1859
he removed to New York and became a
heavy investor in Erie Railroad stocks, en-
tered that company and was president until
its reorganization in 1872. In December,
1880, Mr. Gould was in control of ten thou-
sand miles of railroad. In 1887 he pur-
chased the controlling interest in the St.
Louis & San Francisco Railroad Co., and
was a joint owner with the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe Railroad Co. of the western
portion of the Southern Pacific line. Other
lines soon came under his control, aggregat-
ing thousand of miles, and he soon was rec-
ognized as one of the world's greatest rail-
road magnates. He continued to hold his
place as one of the master financiers of the
century until the time of his death which
occurred December 2, 1892.
THOMAS HART BENTON, a very
prominent United States senator and
statesman, was born at Hillsborough, North
Carolina, March 14, 1782. He removed to
Tennessee in early life, studied law, and be-
gan to practice at Nashville about 18 10.
During the war of 1812-1815 he served as
colonel of a Tennessee regiment under Gen-
eral Andrew Jackson. In 181 5 he removed
to St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1820 was
chosen United States senator for that state.
Having been re-elected in 1826, he sup-
ported President Jackson in his opposition
to the United States bank and advocated a
gold and silver currency, thus gaining the
name of " Old Bullion," by which he was
familiarly known. For many years he was
the most prominent man in Missouri, and
took rank among the greatest statesmen of
his day. He was a member of the senate
for thirty years and opposed the extreme
states' rights policy of John C. Calhoun.
In 1S52 he was elected to the house of rep-
resentatives in which he opposed the repeal
of the Missouri compromise. He was op-
posed by a powerful party of States' Rights
Democrats in Missouri, who defeated him as a
candidate for governor of that state in 1856.
Colonel Benton published a considerable
work in two volumes in 1854-56, entitled
" Thirty Years' View, or a History of the
Working of the American Government for
Thirty Years, 1S20-50." He died April 10,
1858.
STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS.— One
of the most prominent figures in politic-
al circles during the intensely exciting days
that preceded the war, and a leader of the
Union branch of the Democratic party was
the gentleman whose name heads this
sketch.
He was born at Brandon, Rutland coun-
ty, Vermont, April 23, 18 13, of poor but
respectable parentage. His father, a prac-
ticing physician, died while our subject was
but an infant, and his mother, with two
small children and but small means, could
give him but the rudiments of an education.
54
COMrEXDlUM OF BlOGRAriir
At the age of fifteen young Douglas engaged
at work in the cabinet making business to
raise funds to carry him through college.
After a few years of labor he was enabled to
pursue an academical course, first at Bran-
don, and later at Canandaigua, New York.
In the latter place he remained until 1S33,
taking np the study of law. Before he was
twentj", however, his funds running low, he
abandoned all further attempts at educa-
tion, determining to enter at once the battle
of life. After some wanderings through the
western states he took up his residence at
Jacksonville, Illinois, where, after teaching
school for three months, he was admitted to
the bar, and opened an office in 1834.
Within a year from that time, so rapidly had
he risen in his profession, he was chosen
attorney general of tiie state, and warmly
espoused the principles of the Democratic
party. He soon became one of the most
popular orators in Illinois. It was at this
time he gained the name of the "Little
Giant." In 1835 ^^ resigned the position
of attorney general having been elected to
the legislature. In 1841 he was chosen
judge of the supreme 'Court of Illinois which
he resigned two years later to take a seat in
congress. It was during this period of his
life, while a member of the lower house,
that he established his reputation and took
the side of those who contended that con-
gress had no constitutional right to restrict
the extension of slavety further than the
agreement between the states made in 1S20.
This, in spite of his being opposed to slav-
ery, and only on grounds which he believed
to be right, favored what was called the
Missouri compromise. In 1847 Mr. Doug-
las was chosen United States senator for
si.x years, and greatly distinguished himself.
In 1852 he was re-elected to the same office.
During this latter term, under his leader-
ship, the " Kansas-Nebraska bill " was car-
ried in the senate. In 1S58, nothwith-
standing the fierce contest made by his able
competitor for the position, Abraham Lin-
coln, and with the administration of Bu-
chanan arrayed against him, Mr. Douglas
was re-elected senator. After the trouble
in the Charleston convention, when by the
withdrawal of several state delegates with-
out a nomination, the Union Democrats,
in convention at Baltimore, in i860, nomi-
nated Mr. Douglas as their candidate for
presidency. The results of this election are
well known and the great events of 1S61
coming on, Mr. Douglas was spared their
full development, dying at Chicago, Illinois,
June 3, 1 86 1, after a short illness. His
last words to his children were, " to obey
the laws and support the constitution of the
United States."
JAMES MONROE, fifth president of the
United States, was born in Westmore-
land county, Virginia, April 28, 1758. At
the age of si.xteen he entered William and
Mary College, but two years later the
Declaration of Independence having been
adopted, he left college and hastened to New
York where he joined Washington's army as
a military cadet.
At the battle of Trenton Monroe per-
formed gallant service and received a wound
in the shoulder, and was promoted to a
captainc3\ He acted as aide to Lord Ster-
ling at the battles of Brandywine, German-
town and Monmouth. Washington then
sent him to Virginia to raise a new regiment
of which he was to be colonel. The ex-
hausted condition of Virginia made this im-
possible, but he received his commission.
He next entered the law office of Thomas
Jefferson to study law. as there was no open-
ing for him as an officer in the army, in
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
55
1782 he was elected to the Virginia assem-
bly, and the next year he was elected to the
Continental congress. Realizing the inade-
quacy of the old articles of confederation,
he advocated the calling of a convention to
consider their revision, and introduced in
congress a resolution empowering congress
to regulate trade, lay import duties, etc.
This resolution was referred to a committee,
of which he was chairman, and the report
led to the Annapolis convention, which
called a general convention to meet at Phila-
delphia in 1787, when the constitution was
drafted. Mr. Monroe began the practice of
law at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was
soon after elected to the legislature, and ap-
pointed as one of the committee to pass
upon the adoption of the constitution. He
opposed it, as giving too much power to the
central government. He was elected to the
United States senate in 1789, where he
allied himself with the Anti-Federalists or
"Republicans," as they were sometimes
called. Although his views as to neutrality
between France and England were directly
opposed to those of the president, yet Wash-
ington appointed him minister to France.
His popularity in France was so great that
the antagonism of England and her friends
in this country brought about his recall. He
then became governor of Virginia. He was
sent as envoy to France in 1802; minister
to England in 1803; and envoy to Spain in
1805. The next year he returned to his
estate in Virginia, and with an ample in-
heritance enjoyed a few years of repose. He
was again called to be governor of Virginia,
and was then appointed secretary of state
by President Madison. The war with Eng-
land soon resulted, and when the capital
was burned by the British, Mr. Monroe be-
came secretary of war also, and planned the
measures for the defense of New Orleans.
The treasury being exhausted and credit
gone, he pledged his own estate, and thereby-
made possible the victory of Jackson at New
Orleans.
In 1817 Mr. Monroe became president
of the United States, having been a candi-
date of the "Republican" party, which at
that time had begun to be called the ' ' Demo-
cratic" party. In 1820 he was re-elected,
having two hundred and thirty-one electoral
votes out of two hundred and thirty-two.
His administration is known as the "Era of
good-feeling, " and party lines were almost
wiped out. The slavery question began to
assume importance at this time, and the
Missouri Compromise was passed. The
famous ' ' Monroe Doctrine " originated in a
great state paper of President Monroe upon
the rumored interference of the Holy Alli-
ance to prevent the formation of free repub-
lics in South America. President Monroe
acknowledged their independence, and pro-
mulgated his great "Doctrine," which has
been held in reverence since. Mr. Monroe's
death occurred in New York on July 4, 1831.
THOMAS ALVA EDISON, the master
wizard of electrical science and whose
name is synonymous with the subjugation
of electricity to the service of man, was
born in 1847 at Milan, Ohio, and it was at
Port Huron, Michigan, whither his parents
had moved in 1854, that his self-education
began — for he never attended school for
more than two months. He eagerly de-
voured every book he could lay his hands on
and is said to have read through an encyclo-
pedia without missing a word. At thirteen he
began his working life as a trainbo}' upon the
Grand Trunk Railway between Port Huron
and Detroit. Much of his time was now
spent in Detroit, where he found increased
facilities for reading at the public libraries.
50
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY
He was not content to be a newsboy, so he
got together three hundred pounds of type
and started the issue of the " Grand Trunk
Herald." It was only a small amateur
weekly, printed on one side, the impression
being made from the type by hand. Chemi-
cal research was his next undertaking and
a laboratory was added to his movable pub-
lishing house, which, by the way, was an
old freight car. One day, however, as he
was experimenting with some phosphorus,
it ignited and the irate conductor threw the
young seeker after the truth, chemicals and
all, from the train. His office and laboratory
were then removed to the cellar of his fa-
ther's house. As he grew to manhood he
decided to become an operator. He won
his opportunity by saving the life of a child,
whose father was an old operator, and out of
gratitude he gave Mr. Edison lessons in teleg-
raphy. Five months later he was compe-
tent to fill a position in the railroad office
at Port Huron. Hence he peregrinated to
Stratford, Ontario, and thence successively
to Adrian, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cin-
cmnati, Memphis, Louisville and Boston,
gradually becoming an expert operator and
gaming experience that enabled him to
evolve many ingenious ideas for the im-
provement of telegraphic appliances. At
Memphis he constructed an automatic re-
peater, which enabled Louisville and New
Orleans to communicate direct, and received
nothing more than the thanks of his em-
ployers. Mr. Edison came to New York in
1870 in search of an opening more suitable
to his capabilities and ambitions. He hap-
pened to be in the office of the Laws Gold
Reporting Company when one of the in-
struments got out of order, and even the
inventor of the system could not make it
work. Edison requested to be allowed to
attempt the task, and in a few minutes he
had overcome the difficulty and secured an
advantageous engagement. For several
years he had a contract with the Western
Union and the Gold Stock companies,
whereby he received a large salary, besides
a special price for all telegraphic improve-
ments he could suggest. Later, as the
head of the Edison General Electric com-
pany, with its numerous subordinate organ-
izations and connections all over the civil-
ized world, he became several times a
millionaire. Mr. Edison invented the pho-
nograph and kinetograph which bear his
name, the carbon telephone, the tasimeter,
and the duplex and quadruplex systems of
telegraphy.
JAMES LONGSTREET, one of the most
conspicuous of the Confederate generals
during the Civil war, was born in 1820, in
South Carolina, but was early taken by his
parents to Alabama where he grew to man-
hood and received his early education. He
graduated at the United States military
academy in 1842, entering the army as
lieutenant and spent a few years in the fron-
tier service. When the Mexican war broke
out he was called to the front and partici-
pated in all the principal battles of that war
up to the storming of Chapultepec, where
he received severe wounds. For gallant
conduct at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Mo-
lino del Rej' he received the brevets of cap-
tain and m:iji)r. After the close of the
Mexican war Longstreet served as adjutant
and captain on frontier service in Texas un-
til 1858 when he was transferred to the staff
as paymaster with rank of major. In June,
1 86 1, he resigned to join the Confederacy
and immediately went to the front, com-
manding a brigade at Bull Run the follow-
ing month. Promoted to be major-general
in 1862 he thereafter bore a conspicuous
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT
5v
part and rendered valuable service to the
Confederate cause. He participated in
many of the most severe battles of the Civil
war including Bull Run (first and second),
Seven Pines, Gainei' Mill, Fraziers Farm,
Malvern Hill, Antietam, Frederickburg,
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga,
the Wilderness, Petersburg and most of the
fighting about Richmond.
When the war closed General Long-
street accepted the result, renewed his alle-
giance to the government, and thereafter
labored earnestly to obliterate all traces of
war and promote an era of good feeling be-
tween all sections of the country. He took
up his residence in New Orleans, and took
an active interest and prominent part in
public affairs, served as surveyor of that
port for several years; was commissioner of
engineers for Louisiana, served four years
as school commissioner, etc. In 1875 he
was appointed supervisor of internal revenue
and settled in Georgia. After that time he
served four years as United States minister
to Turkey, and also for a number of years
was United States marshal of Georgia, be-
sides having held other important official
positions.
JOHN RUTLEDGE, the second chief-
justice of the United States, was born
at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1739.
He was a son of John Rutledge, who had
left Ireland for America about five years
prior to the birth of our subject, and a
brother of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence. John Rut-
ledge received his legal education at the
Temple, London, after which he returned
to Charleston and soon won distinction at
the bar. He was elected to the old Colonial
congress in 1765 to protest against the
" Stamp Act," and was a member of the
South Carolina convention of 1774, and of
the Continental congress of that and the
succeeding year. In 1776 he was chairman
of the committee that draughted the con-
stitution of his state, and was president of
the congress of that state. He was not
pleased with the state constitution, how-
ever, and resigned. In 1779 he was again
chosen governor of the state, and granted
extraordinary powers, and he at once took
the field to repel the British. He joined
the army of General Gates in 1782, and the
same year was elected to congress. He
was a member of the constitutional con-
vention which framed our present constitu-
tion. In 1 789 he was appointed an associate
justice of the first supreme court of the
United States. He resigned to accept the
position of chief-justice of his own state.
Upon the resignation of Judge Jay^ he was
appointed chief-justice of the United States
in 1795. The appointment was never con-
firmed, for, after presiding at one session,
his mind became deranged, and he was suc-
ceeded by Judge Ellsv.'orth. He died at
Charleston, July 23, 1800.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON was one
of the most noted literary men of his
time. He was born in Boston, Massachu-
setts, May 25, 1803. He had a minister for
an ancestor, either on the paternal or ma-
ternal side, in every generation for eight
generations back. His father. Rev. Will-
iam Emerson, was a native of Concord,
Massachusetts, born May 6, 1769, graduated
at Harvard, in 1789, became a Unitarian
minister; was a fine writer and one of the
best orators of his day; died in 181 1.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was fitted for
college at the public schools of Boston, and
graduated at Harvard College in 182 1, win-
ning about this time several prizes for es-
58
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
says. For five years he taught school in
Boston; in 1826 was licensed to preach, and
in 1829 was ordained as a colleague to Rev.
Henry Ware of the Second Unitarian church
in Boston. In 1S32 he resigned, making
the announcement in a sermon of his un-
tvillingness longer to administer the rite of
ihe Lord's Supper, after which he spent
about a year in Europe. Upon his return
he began his career as a lecturer before the
Boston Mechanics Institute, his subject be-
ing •'\\'ater. " His early lectures on " Italy"
and "Relation of Man to the Globe" also
attracted considerable attention; as did also
his biographical lectures on Michael Angelo,
Milton, Luther, George Fox, and Edmund
Burke. After that time he gave many
courses of lectures in Boston and became
one of the best known lecturers in America.
But very few men have rendered such con-
tinued service in this field. He lectured for
forty successive seasons before the Salem,
Massachusetts, Lyceum and also made re-
peated lecturing tours in this country and in
England. In 1835 Mr. Emerson took up
his residence at Concord, Massachusetts,
where he continued to make his home until
his deatli which occurred April 27, 1882.
Mr. Emerson's literary work covered a
wide scope. He wrote and published many
works, essays and poems, which rank high
among the works of American literary men.
A few of the many which he produced are
the following: "Nature;" "The Method
of Nature;" " Man Thinking;" "The Dial;"
"Essays;" "Poems;" "English Traits;"
"The Conduct of Life;" "May-Day and
other Poems " and " Society and Solitude;"
besides many others. He was a prominent
member of the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences, of the American Philosophical
Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society
and other kindred associations.
ALEXANDER T. STEWART, one of
the famous merchant princes of New
York, was born near the city of Belfast, Ire-
land, in 1803, and before he was eight years
of age was left an orphan without any near
relatives, save an aged grandfather. The
grandfather being a pious Methodist wanted
to make a minister of young Stewart, and
accordingly put him in a school with that
end in view and he graduated at Trinity Col-
lege, in Dublin. W'hen scarcely twenty
years of age he came to New York. His
first employment was that of a teacher, but
accident soon made him a merchant. En-
tering into business relations with an ex-
perienced man of his acquaintance he soon
found himself with the rent of a store on
his hands and alone in a new enterprise.
Mr. Stewart's business grew rapidly in all
directions, but its founder had executive
ability sufficient for any and all emergencies,
and in time his house became one of the
greatest mercantile establishments of mod-
ern times, and the name of Stewart famous.
Mr. Stewart's death occurred April 10,
1876.
JAMES FENIMOKE COOPER. — In
speaking of this noted American nov-
elist, William Cullen Bryant said: " He
wrote for mankind at large, hence it is that
he has earned a fame wider than any Amer-
ican author of modern times. The crea-
tions of his genius shall survive through
centuries to come, and only perish witli our
language." Another eminent writer (Pres-
cott) said of Cooper: " In his productions
every American must take an honest pride;
for surely no one has succeeded like Cooper
in the portraiture of American character, or
has given such glowing and eminently truth-
ful pictures of American scenery."
[ames Fenimorc Cooper was born Sep-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
59
tember 15, 1789, at Burlington, New Jer-
sey, and was a son of Judge William Cooper.
About a year after the birth of our subject
the family removed to Otsego county. New
York, and founded the town called " Coop-
erstown." James Fenimore Cooper spent
his childhood there and in i'802 entered
Yale College, and four years later became a
midshipman in the United States navy. In
181 1 he was married, quit the seafaring life,
and began devoting more or less time to lit-
erary pursuits. His first work was "Pre-
caution," a novel published in 18 19, and
three years later he produced "The Spy, a
Tale of Neutral Ground," which met with
great favor and was a universal success.
This was followed by many other works,
among which may be mentioned the follow-
ing: ' ' The Pioneers, " ' ' The Pilot, " ' ' Last
of the Mohicans," "The Prairie," "The
Red Rover," "The Manikins," "Home-
ward Bound," "Home as Found," "History
of the United States Navy," "The Path-
finder," "Wing and Wing," "Afloat and
Ashore," "The Chain-Bearer," "Oak-
Openings," etc. J. Fenimore Cooper died
at Cooperstown, New York, September 14,
1851.
M'
ARSHALL FIELD, one of the mer-
chant princes of America, ranks among
the most successful business men of the cen-
tury. He was born in 1835 at Conway,
Massachusetts. He spent his early life on
a farm and secured a fair education in the
common schools, supplementing this with a
course at the Conway Academy. His
natural bent ran in the channels of commer-
"cial life, and at the age of seventeen he was
given a position in a store at Pittsfield,
Massachusetts. Mr. Field remained there
four years and removed to Chicago in 1856.
He began his career in Chicago as a clerk
in the wholesale dry goods house of Cooley,
Wadsworth & Company, which later be-
came Cooley, Farwell & Company, and still
later John V. Farwell & Company. He
remained with them four years and exhibit-
ed marked ability, in recognition of which
he was given a partnership. In 1865 Mr.
Field and L. Z. Leiter, who was also a
member of the firm, withdrew and formed
the firm of Field, Palmer & Leiter, the
third partner being Potter Palmer, and they
continued in business until 1S67, when Mr.
Palmer retired and the firm became Field,
Leiter & Company. They ran under the
latter name until 1881, when Mr. Leiter re-
tired and the house has since continued un-
der the name of Marshall Field & Company.
The phenomenal success accredited to the
house is largely due to the marked ability
of Mr. Field, the house had become one of
the foremost in the west, with an annual
sale of $8,000,000 in 1870. The total loss
of the firm during the Chicago fire was
$3,500,000 of which $2,500,000 was re-
covered through the insurance companies.
It rapidly recovered from the effects of this
and to-day the annual sales amount to over
$40,000,000. Mr. Field's real estate hold-
ings amounted to $10,000,000. He was
one of the heaviest subscribers to the Bap-
tist University fund although he is a Presby-
terian, and gave $1,000,000 for the endow-
ment of the Field Columbian Museum —
one of the greatest institutions of the kind
in the world.
EDGAR WILSON NYE, who won an im-
mense popularity under the pen name
of " Bill Nye," was one of the most eccen-
tric humorists of his day. He was born Au-
gust 2^, 1850, at Shirley, Piscataqua coun-
ty, Maine, "at a very early age" as he ex-
presses it. He took an academic course in
60
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRATHr.
River Falls, Wisconsin, from whence, after
his graduation, he removed to Wyoming
Territory. He studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1876. He began when
quite young to contribute humorous sketches
to the newspapers, became connected with
various western journals and achieved a
brilliant success as a humorist. Mr. Nye
settled later in New York City where he
devoted his time to writing funny articles for
the big newspaper syndicates. He wrote for
publication in book form the following :
"Bill Nye and the Boomerang," "The
Forty Liars," "Baled Hay," "BillNj-e's
Blossom Rock," "Remarks," etc. His
death occurred F"ebruary 21, 1896, at Ashe-
ville, North Carolina.
THOMAS DE WITT TALMAGE, one of
the most celebrated American preach-
ers, was born January 7, 1832, and was the
youngest of twelve children. He made his
preliminary studies at the grammar school
in New Brunswick, New Jersey. At the age
of eighteen he joined the cliurch and entered
the University of the City of New York, and
graduated in May, 1853. The exercises
were held in Niblo's Garden and his speech
aroused the audience to a high pitch of en-
thusiasm. At the close of his college duties
he imagined himself interested in the law
and for three years studied law. Dr. Tal-
mage then perceived his mistake and pre-
pared himself for the ministry at the
Reformed Dutch Church Theological Semi-
nary at New Brunswick, New Jersey. Just
after his ordination the young minister re-
ceived two calls, one from Piermont, New
York, and the other from Belleville, New
Jersey. Dr. Talmage accepted the latter
and for three years filled that charge, when
he was called to Syracuse, New York. Here
it was that his sermons first drew large
crowds of people to his church, and from
thence dates his popularity. Afterward he
became the pastor of the Second Reformed
Dutch church, of Philadelphia, remaining
seven years, during which period he first
entered upon the lecture platform and laid
the foundation for his future reputation. At
the end of this time he received three calls,
one from Chicago, one from San Francisco,
and one from the Central Presbyterian
church of Brooklyn, which latter at that
time consisted of only nineteen members
with a congregation of about thirty-five.
This church offered him a salary of seven
thousand dollars and he accepted the call.
He soon induced the trustees to sell the old
church and build a new one. They did so
and erected the Brooklyn Tabernacle, but
it burned down shortly after it was finished.
By prompt sympathy and general liberality
a new church was built and formally opened
in February, 1874. It contained seats for
four thousand, six hundred and fifty, but if
necessary seven thousand could be accom-
modated. In October, 1878, his salary was
raised from seven thousand dollars to twelve
thousand dollars, and in the autumn of I 8S9
the second tabernacle was destroyed by fire.
A third tabernacle was built and it was for-
mally dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1891.
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA, conceded as
being one of the greatest band leaders
in the world, won his fame while leader of
the United States Marine Band at Washing-
ton, District of Columbia. He was not
originally a band player but was a violinist,
and at the age of seventeen he was coinluc-
tor of an opcracompany, a profession which
he followed for several years, until he was
offered the leadership of the Marine Band
at Washington. The proposition was re-
pugnant to him at first but he accepted the
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
61
offer and then ensued ten years of brilliant
success with that organization. When he
first took the Marine Band he began to
gather the national airs of all the nations
that have representatives in Washington,
and compiled a comprehensive volume in-
cluding nearly all the national songs of the
different nations. He composed a number
of marches, waltzes and two-steps, promi-
nent among v/hich are the "Washington
Post," "Directorate," "King Cotton,"
"High School Cadets," "Belle of Chica-
go," "Liberty Bell March," "Manhattan
Beach," "On Parade March," " Thunderer
March," "Gladiator March," " El Capitan
March," etc. He became a very extensive
composer of this class of music.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, sixth president
vJ of the United States, was born in
Braintree, Massachusetts, July ii, 1767,
the son of John Adams. At the age of
eleven he was sent to school at Paris, and
two years later to Leyden, where he entered
that great university. He returned to the
United States in 17S5, and graduated from
Harvard in 1788. He then studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1791. His
practice brought no income the first two
years, but he won distinction in literary
fields, and was appointed minister to The
Hague in 1794. He married in 1797, and
v^/ent as minister to Berlin the same year,
serving until iSot, when Jefferson became
president. He was elected to the senate in
1S03 by the Federalists, but was condemned
by that party for advocating the Embargo
Act and other Anti-Federalist measures. He
was appointed as professor of rhetoric at
Harvard in 1S05, and in 1809 was sent as
minister to Russia. He assisted in negotiat-
ing the treaty of peace with England in
1 8 14, and became minister to that power
the next year. He served during Monroe's
administration two terms as secretary of
state, during which time party Hnes were
obliterated, and in 1824 four candidates for
president appeared, all of whom were iden-
tified to some extent with the new " Demo-
cratic" party. Mr. Adams received 84 elec-
toral votes, Jackson 99, Crawford 41, and
Clay 37. As no candidate had a majority
of all votes, the election went to the house
of representatives, which elected Mr. Adams.
As Clay had thrown his influence to Mr.
Adams, Clay became secretary of state, and
this caused bitter feeling on the part of the
Jackson Democrats, who were joined by
Mr. Crawford and his following, and op-
posed every measure of the administration.
In the election of 1828 Jackson was elected
over Mr. Adams by a great majority.
Mr. Adams entered the lower house of
congress in 1830, elected from the district
in which he was born and continued to rep-
resent it for seventeen years. He was
known as "theold man eloquent," and his
work in congress was independent of party.
He opposed slavery extension and insisted
upon presenting to congress, one at a time,
the hundreds of petitions against the slave
power. One of these petitions, presented in
1842, was signed by forty-five citizens of
Massachusetts, and prayed congress for a
peaceful dissolution of the Union. Flis
enemies seized upon this as an opportunity
to crush their powerful foe, and in a caucus
meeting determined upon his expulsion from
congress. Finding they would not be able
to command enough votes for this, they de-
cided upon a course that would bring equal
disgrace. They formulated a resolution to
the effect that while he merited expulsion,
the house would, in great mercy, substitute
its severest censure. When it was read in the
house the old man, then in his seventy-fifth
62
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'.
year, arose and demanded that the first para-
graph of the Declaration of Independence
be read as his defense. It embraced the
famous sentence, "that whenever any form
of government becomes destructive to those
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or
abolish it, and to institute new government,
etc., etc." After eleven days of hard fight-
ing his opponents were defeated. On Febru-
ary 21, 1S48, he rose to address the speaker
on the Oregon question, when he suddenly
fell from a stroke of paralysis. He died
soon after in the rotunda of the capitol,
where he had been conveyed by his col-
leagues.
SUSAN B. ANTHONY was one of the
most famous women of America. She
v^'as born at South Adams, Massachusetts,
February 15, 1820, the daughter of a
Quaker. She received a good education
and became a school teacher, following that
profession for fifteen years in New York.
Beginning with about 1852 she became the
active leader of the woman's rights move-
ment and won a wide reputation for her
zeal and ability. She also distinguished
herself for her zeal and eloquence in the
temperance- and anti-slavery causes, and
became a conspicuous figure during the war.
After the close of the war she gave most of
her labors to the cause of woman's suffrage.
PHILIP D. ARMOUR, one of the most
conspicuous figures in the mercantile
history of America, was born May 16, 1832,
on a farm at Stockbridge, Madison county.
New Y''ork, and received his early education
in the common schools of that county. He
was apprenticed to a farmer and worked
faithfully and well, being very ambitious and
desiring to start out for himself. At the
age of twenty he secured a release from his
indentures and set out overland for the
gold fields of California. After a great
deal of hard work he accumulated a little
money and then came east and settled
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went into
the grain receiving and warehouse busi-
ness and was fairly successful, and later on
he formed a partnership with John Plankin-
ton in the pork packing line, the style of the
firm being Plankinton & Armour. Mr. Ar-
mour made his first great "deal" in selling
pork "short" on the New York market in
the anticipation of the fall of the Confed-
eracy, and Mr. Armour is said to have made
through this deal a million dollars. He then
established packing houses in Chicago and
Kansas Cit}', and in 1875 he removed to
Chicago. He increased his business by add-
ing to it the shipment of dressed beef to
the European markets, and many other lines
of trade and manufacturing, and it rapidly
assumed vast proportions, employing an
army of men in different lines of the busi-
ness. Mr. Armour successfully conducted a
great many speculative deals in pork and
grain of immense proportions and also erected
many large warehouses for the storage of
grain. He became one of the representative
business men of Chicago, where he became
closely identified with all enterprises of a
public nature, but his fame as a great busi-
ness man extended to all parts of the world.
He founded the "Armour Institute " at Chi-
cago and also contributed largely to benevo-
lent and charitable institutions.
ROBERT FULTON.— Although Fulton
is best known as the inventor of the
first successful steamboat, yet his claims to
distinction do not rest alone upon that, for
he was an inventor along other lines, a
painter and an author. He was born at
Little Britain, Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
V
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
65
vania, in 1765, of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
At the age of seventeen he removed to Phila-
delphia, and there and in New York en-
gaged in miniature painting with success
both from a pecuniary and artistic point of
view. With the results of his labors he pur-
chased a farm for the support of his mother.
He went to London and studied under the
great painter, Benjamin West, and all
through life retained his fondness for art
and gave evidence of much ability in that
line. While in England he was brought in
contact with the Duke of Bridgewater, the
father of the English canal system; Lord
Stanhope, an eminent mechanician, and
James Watt, the inventor of the steam en-
gine. Their influence turned his mind to its
true field of labor, that of mechanical in-
vention. Machines for flax spinning,
marble sawing, rope making, and for remov-
ing earth from excavations, are among his
earliest ventures. His "Treatise on the
Improvement of Canal Navigation," issued
in 1796, and a series of essays on canals
were soon followed by an English patent
for canal improvements. In 1797 he went
to Paris, where he resided until 1806, and
there invented a submarine torpedo boat for
maritime defense, but which was rejected
by the governments of France, England and
the United States. In 1803 he offered to con-
struct for the Emperor Napoleon a steam-
boat that would assist in carrying out the
plan of invading Great Britain then medi-
tated by that great captain. In pursuance
he constructed his first steamboat on the
Seine, but it did not prove a full success
and the idea was abandoned by the French
government. By the aid of Livingston,
then United States minister to France,
Fulton purchased, in 1S06, an engine which
he brought to this country. After studying
the defects of his own and other attempts in
this line he built and launched in 1807 the
Clermont, the first successful steamboat.
This craft only attained a speed of five
miles an hour while going up North river.
His first patent not fully covering his in-
vention, Fulton was engaged in many law
suits for infringement. He constructed
many steamboats, ferryboats, etc., among
these being the United States steamer
"Fulton the First," built in 18 14, the first
war steamer ever built. This craft never
attained any great speed owing to some de-
fects in construction and accidentally blew
up in 1829. Fulton died in New York, Feb-
ruary 21, 181 5.
SALMON PORTLAND CHASE, sixth
chief-justice of the United States, and
one of the most eminent of American jurists,
was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Jan-
uary 13, 1808. At the age of nine he was
left in poverty by the death of his father,
but means were found to educate him. He
WIS sent to his uncle, a bishop, who con-
ducted an academy near Columbus, Ohio,
and here young Chase worked on the farm
and attended school. At the age of fifteen
he returned to his native state and entered
Dartmouth College, from which he gradu-
ated in 1 826. He then went to Washington,
and engaged in teaching school, and study-
ing law under the instruction of William
Wirt. He was licensed to practice in 1829,
and went to Cincinnati, where he had a
hard struggle for several years following.
He had in the meantime prepared notes on
the statutes of Ohio, which, when published,
brought him into prominence locally. He
was soon after appointed solicitor of the
United States Bank. In 1837 he appeared
as counsel for a fugitive slave woman, Ma-
tilda, and sought by all the powers of his
learning and eloquence to prevent her owner
66
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
from reclaiming her. He acted in many
other cases, and devolved the trite expres-
sion, "Slavery is sectional, freedom is na-
tional." He was employed to defend Van
Zandt before the supreme court of the United
States in 1846, which was one of the most
noted cases connected with the great strug-
gle against slavery. By this time Mr. Chase
had become the recognized leader of that
element known as " free-soilers." He was
elected to the United States senate in 1849,
and was chosen governor of Ohio in 1855
and re-elected in 1857. He was chosen to
the United States senate from Ohio in 1861,
but was made secretary of the treasury by
Lincoln and accepted. He inaugurated a
financial system to replenish the exhausted
treasury and meet the demands of the great-
est war in history and at the same time to
revive the industries of the country. One
of the measures which afterward called for
his judicial attention was the issuance of
currency notes which were made a legal
tender in payment of debts. When this
question came before him as chief-justice
of the United States he reversed his forn)er
action and declared the measure unconstitu-
tional. The national banking system, by
which all notes issued were to be based on
funded government bonds of equal or greater
amounts, had its direct origin with Mr. Chase.
Mr. Chase resigned the treasury port-
folio in 1864, and was appointed the same
year as chief-justice of the United States
suprrerne court. The great questions that
came up before him at this crisis in the life
of the nation were no less than those which
confronted the first chief-justice at the for-
mation of our government. Reconstruction,
private, state and national interests, the
constitutionality of the acts of congress
passed in times of great excitement, the
construction and interpretation to be placed
upon the several amendments to the national
constitution, — these were among the vital
questions requiring prompt decision. He
received a paralytic stroke in 1870, which
impaired his health, though his mental
powers were not affected. He continued to
preside at the opening terms for two years
following and died May 7, 1873.
HARRIET ELIZABETH BEECHER
STOWE, a celebrated American writ-
er, was born June 14, 1812, at Litchfield,
Connecticut. She was a daughter of Lyman
Beecher and a sister of Henry W'ard Beecher,
two noted divines; was carefully educated,
and taught school for several years at Hart-
ford, Connecticut. In 1832 Miss Beecher
married Professor Stowe, then of Lane Semi-
nary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterwards at
Bowdoin College and Andover Seminary.
Mrs. Stowe published in 1849 " The May-
flower, or sketches of the descendants of the
Pilgrims," and in 1S51 commenced in the
" National Era "of Washington, a serial story
which was published separately in 1852 under
the title of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This
book attained almost unparalleled success
both at homeand abroad, and within ten years
it had been translated in almost every lan-
guage of the civilized world. Mrs. Stowe pub-
lished in 1853a "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin"
in which the data that she used was published
and its truthfulness was corroborated. In
1853 she accompanied her husbaml and
brother to Europe, and on her return pub-
lished "Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands"
in 1854. Mrs. Stowe was for some time
one of the editors of the ' ' Atlantic Monthly "
and the " Hearth and Home," for which
she had written a number of articles.
Among these, also published separately, are
" Dred, a tale of the Great Dismal Swamp "
(later published under the title of "Nina
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
67
Gordon"); "The Minister's Wooing;" "The
Pearl of Orr's Island;" "Agnes of Sorrento;"
"Oldtown Folks;" " My Wife and I;" "Bible
Heroines," and "A Dog's Mission." Mrs.
Stowe's death occurred July I, 1896, at
Hartford, Connecticut.
THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON, bet-
ter known as "Stonewall" Jackson,
was one of the most noted of the Confeder-
ate generals of the Civil war. He was a
soldier by nature, an incomparable lieuten-
ant, sure to execute any operation entrusted
to him with marvellous precision, judgment
and courage, and all his individual cam-
paigns and combats bore the stamp of a
masterly capacity for war. He was born
January 21, 1824, at Clarksburg, Harrison
county. West Virginia. He was early in
life imbued with the desire to be a soldier
and it is said walked from the mountains of
Virginia to Washington, secured the aid of
his congressman, and was appointed cadet
at the United States Military Academy at
West Point from which he was graduated in
1846. Attached to the army as brevet sec-
ond lieutenant of the First Artillery, his first
service was as a subaltern with Magruder's
battery of light artillery in the Mexican war.
He participated at the reduction of Vera
Cruz, and was noticed for gallantry in the
battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Moline
del Rey, Chapultepec, and the capture of
the city of Mexico, receiving the brevets of
captain for conduct at Contreras and Cher-
ubusco and of major at Chapultepec. In
the meantime he had been advanced by
regular promotion to be first lieutenant in
1847. In 1852, the war having closed, he
resigned and became professor of natural
and experimental philosophy and artillery
instructor at the Virginia State Military
Institute at Lexington, Virginia, where he
remained until Virginia declared for seces-
sion, he becoming chiefly noted for intense
religious sentiment coupled with personal
eccentricities. Upon the breaking out of
the war he was made colonel and placed in
command of a force sent to sieze Harper's
Ferry, which he accomplished May 3, 1861.
Relieved by General J. E. Johnston, May
23, he took command of the brigade of
Valley Virginians, whom he moulded into
that brave corps, baptized at the first
Manassas, and ever after famous as the
" Stonewall Brigade." After this "Stone-
wall " Jackson was made a major-general,
in 1 861, and participated until his death in
all the famous campaigns about Richmond
and in Virginia, and was a conspicuous fig-
ure in the memorable battles of that time.
May 2, 1S63, at Chancellorsville, he was
wounded severely by his own troops, two
balls shattering his left arm and another
passing through the palm of his right hand.
The left arm was amputated, but pneumonia
intervened, and, weakened by the great loss
of blood, he died May 10, 1863. The more
his operations in the Shenandoah valley in
1862 are studied the more striking must the
merits of this great soldier appear.
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.—
Near to the heart of the people of the
Anglo-Saxon race will ever lie the verses of
this, the "Quaker Poet." The author of
"Barclay of Ury," "Maud Muller" and
"Barbara Frietchie," always pure, fervid
and direct, will be remembered when many
a more ambitious writer has been forgotten.
John G. Whittier was born at Haver-
hill, Massachusetts, December 7, 1807, of
Quaker parentage. He had but a common-
school education and passed his boyhood
days upon a farm. In early life he learned
the trade of shoemaker. At the age of
68
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
eighteen he began to write verses for the
Haverhill ''Gazette." He spent two years
after that at the Haverhill academy, after
which, in 1829, he became editor of the
"American Manufacturer," at Boston. In
1830 he succeeded George D. Prentice as
editor of the "New England Weekly Re-
view," but the following year returned to
Haverhill and engaged in farming. In 1832
and in 1836 he edited the " Gazette." In
1835 he was elected a member of the legis-
lature, serving two j'ears. In 1836 he became
secretary of the Anti-slavery Society of Phil-
adelphia. In 1838 and 1839 he edited the
" Pennsylvania Freeman," but in the latter
year the office was sacked and burned by a
mob. In 1840 Whittier settled at Ames-
bury, Massachusetts. In 1847 he became
corresponding editor of the " National Era,"
an anti-slavery paper published at Washing-
ton, and contributed to its columns many of
his anti-slavery and other favorite lyrics.
Mr. Whittier lived for many years in retire-
ment of Quaker simplicity, publishing several
volumes of poetry which have raised him to
a high place among American authors and
brought to him the love and admiration of
his countrymen. In the electoral colleges
of i860 and 1864 Whittier was a member.
Much of his time after 1876 was spent at
Oak Knoll, Danvers, Massachusetts, but
still retained his residence at Amesbury.
He never married. His death occurred Sep-
tember 7, 1892.
The more prominent prose writings of
John G. Whittier are as follows: "Legends
of New England," "Justice and Expediency,
or Slavery Considered with a View to Its Abo-
htion," " The Stranger in Lowell," "Super-
naturalism in New England," " Leaves from
Margaret Smith's Journal," "Old Portraits
and Modern Sketches" and " Literary
Sketches."
DAVID DIXON PORTER, illustrious as
admiral of the United States navy, and
famous as one of the most able naval offi-
cers of America, was born in Pennsylvania,
June 8, 1S14. His father was also a naval
officer of distinction, who left the service of
the United States to become commander of
the naval forces of Mexico during the war
between that country and Spain, and
through this fact David Dixon Porter was
appointed a midshipman in the Mexican
navy. Two 3'ears later David D. Porter
joined the United States navy as midship-
man, rose in rank and eighteen years later
as a lieutenant he is found actively engaged
in all the operations of our navy along the
east coast of Mexico. When the Civil war
broke out Porter, then a commander, was
dispatched in the Powhattan to the relief of
Fort Pickens, Florida. This duty accom-
plished, he fitted out a mortar flotilla for
the reduction of the forts guarding the ap-
proaches to New Orleans, which it was con-
sidered of vital importance for the govern-
ment to get possession of. After the fall of
New Orleans the mortar flotilla was actively
engaged at Vicksburg, and in the fail of
1862 Porter was made a rear-admiral and
placed in command of all the naval forces
on the western rivers above New Orleans.
The ability of the man was now con-
spicuously manifested, not only in the bat-
tles in which he was engaged, but also in
the creation of a formidable fleet out of
river steamboats, which he covered with
such plating as they would bear. In 1864
he was transferred to the Atlantic coast to
command the naval forces destined to oper-
ate against the defences of Wilmington,
North Carolina, and on Jan. 15, 1865, the
fall of Fort Fisher was hailed by the country
as a glorious termination of his arduous war
service. In 1866 he was made vice-admiral
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
6V>
and appointed superintendent of tlie Naval
Academy. On the death of Farragut, in
1S70, he succeeded that able man as ad-
miral of the navy. His death occurred at
Washington, February 13, 1891.
NATHANIEL GREENE was one of the
best known of the distinguished gen-
erals who led the Continental soldiery
against the hosts of Great Britain during
the Revolutionary war. He was the son
of Quaker parents, and was born at War-
wick, Rhode Island, May 27, 1742. In
youth he acquired a good education, chiefly
by his own efforts, as he was a tireless
reader. In 1770 he was elected a member
of the Assembly of his native state. The
news of the battle of Lexington stirred
his blood, and he offered his services to
the government of the colonies, receiving
the rank of brigadier-general and the com-
mand of the troops from Rhode Island.
He led them to the camp at Cambridge,
and for thus violating the tenets of their
faith, he was cast out of the Society of
Friends, or Quakers. He soon won the es-
teem of General Washington. In August,
1776, Congress promoted Greene to the
rank of major-general, and in the battles of
Trenton and Princeton he led a division.
At the battle of Brandy wine, September 1 1,
1777, he greatly distinguished himself, pro-
tecting the retreat of the Continentals by
his firm stand. At the battle of German-
town, October 4, the same year, he com-
manded the left wing of the army with
credit. In March, 1778, he reluctantly ac-
cepted the office of quartermaster-general,
but only with the understanding that his
rank in the army would not be affected and
that in action he should retain his command.
On the bloody field of Monmouth, June 28,
1778, he commanded the right wing, as he
did at the battle of Tiverton Heights. He
was in command of the army in 1780, dur-
ing the absence of Washington, and was
president of the court-martial that tried and
condemned Major Andre. After General
Gates' defeat at Camden, North Carolina, in
the summer of 1780, General Greene was ap-
pointed to the command of the southern army.
He sent out a force under General Morgan
who defeated General Tarleton at Cowpens,
January 17, 178 1. On joining his lieuten-
ant, in February, he found himself out num-
bered by the British and retreated in good
order to Virginia, but being reinforced re-
turned to North Carolina where he fought
the battle of Guilford, and a few days later
compelled the retreat of Lord Cornwallis.
The British were followed by Greene part
of the way, when the American army
marched into South Carolina. After vary-
ing success he fought the battle of Eutaw
Springs, Septembers, 17S1. For the latter
battle and its glorious consequences, which
virtually closed the war in the Carolinas,
Greene received a medal from Congress and
many valuable grants of land from the
colonies of North and South Carolina and
Georgia. On the return of peace, after a
year spent in Rhode Island, General Greene
took up his residence on his estate near
Savannah, Georgia, where he died June 19,
1786.
EDGAR ALLEN POE.— Among the
many great literary men whom this
country has produced, there is perhaps no
name more widely known than that of Ed-
gar Allen Poe. He was born at Boston,
Massachusetts, February 19, 1809. His
parents were David and Elizabeth (Arnold)
Poe, both actors, the mother said to have
been the natural daughter of Benedict Ar-
nold. The parents died while Edgar was
70
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
still a child and he was adopted by John
Allen, a wealthy and influential resident of
Richmond, Virginia. Edgar was sent to
school at Stoke, Newington, England,
where he remained until he was thirteen
years old; was prepared for college by pri-
vate tutors, and in 1826 entered the Virginia
University at Charlottesville. He made
rapid progress in his studies, and was dis-
tinguished for his scholarship, but was e.\-
pelled within a year for gambling, after
which for several years he resided with his
benefactor at Richmond. He then went to
Baltimore, and in 1829 published a 71 -page
pamphlet called "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane
and Minor Poems," which, however, at-
tracted no attention and contained nothing
of particular merit. In 1830 he was ad-
mitted as a cadet at West Point, but was
e.xpelled about a year later for irregulari-
ties. Returning to the home of Mr. Allen
he remained for some time, and finally
quarrelled with his benefactor and enlisted
as a private soldier in the U. S. army, but
remained only a short time. Soon after
this, in 1833, Poe won several prizes for
literary work, and as a result secured the
position of editor of Irhe "Southern Liter-
ary Messenger," at Richmond, Virginia.
Here he married his cousin, Virginia
Clemm, who clung to him with fond devo-
tion through all the many trials that came
to them until her death in January, 1848.
Poe remained with the "Messenger" for
several years, writing meanwhile many
tales, reviews, essays and poems. He aft-
erward earned a precarious living by his
pen in New York for a time; in 1839 be-
came editor of "Burton's Gentleman's
Magazine" ; in 1840 to 1S42 was editor of
" Graham's Magazine," and drifted around
from one place to another, returning to
New York in 1844. In 1845 '^'S best
known production, "The Raven," appeared
in the "Whig Review," and gained him a
reputation which is now almost world-wide.
He then acted as editor and contributor on
various magazines and periodicals until the
death of his faithful wife in 1S48. In the
summer of 1849 he was engaged to be mar-
ried to a lady of fortune in Richmond, Vir-
ginia, and the day set for the wedding.
He started for New York to make prepara-
tions for the event, but, it is said, began
drinking, was attacked with dilirium tre-
mens in Baltimore and was removed to a
hospital, where he died, October 7, 1849.
The works of Edgar Allen Poe have been
repeatedly published since his death, both
in Europe and America, and have attained
an immense popularity.
HORATIO GATES, one of the prom-
inent figures in the American war for
Independence, was not a native of the col-
onies but was born in England in 1728. In
early life he entered the British army and
attained the rank of major. At the capture
of Martinico he was aide to General Monk-
ton and after the peace of Aix la Chapelle,
in 1748, he was among the first troops that
landed at Halifax. He was with Braddock
at his defeat in 1755, and was there severe-
ly wounded. At the conclusion of the
French and Indian war Gates purchased an
estate in Virginia, and, resigning from the
British army, settled down to life as a
planter. On the breaking out of the Rev-
olutionary war he entered the service of the
colonies and was made adjutant-general of
the Continental forces with the rank ol
brigadier-general. He accompanied Wash-
ington when he assumed the command ol
the army. In June, 1776, he was appoint-
ed to the command of the army of Canada,
but was superseded in May of the following
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
71
year by General Schuyler. In August,
1777, however, the command of that army
was restored to General Gates and Septem-
ber 19 he fought the battle of Bemis
Heights. October 7, the same year, he
won the battle of Stillwater, or Saratoga,
and October 17 received the surrender of
General Burgoyne and his army, the pivotal
point of the war. This gave him a brilliant
reputation. June 13, 1780, General Gates
was appointed to the command of the
southern military division, and August 16 of
that year suffered defeat at the hands of
Lord Cornwallis, at Camden, North Car-
olina. In December following he was
superseded in the command by General
Nathaniel Greene.
On the signing of the peace treaty Gen-
eral Gates retired to his plantation in
Berkeley county, Virginia, where he lived
until 1790, when, emancipating all his
slaves, he removed to New York City, where
he resided until his death, April 10, 1806.
LYMAN J. GAGE.— When President Mc-
Kinley selected Lyman J. Gage as sec-
retary of the treasury he chose one of the
most eminent financiers of the century. Mr.
Gage was born June 28, 1S36, at De Ruy-
ter, Madison county. New York, and was of
English descent. He went to Rome, New
York, with his parents when he was ten
years old, and received his early education
in the Rome Academy. Mr. Gage gradu-
ated from the same, and his first position
was that of a clerk in the post office. When
he was fifteen years of age he was detailed
as mail agent on the Rome & Watertown
R. R. until the postmaster-general appointed
regular agents for the route. In 1854, when
he was in his eighteenth year, he entered
the Oneida Central Bank at Rome as a
junior clerk at a salary of one hundred dol-
lars per year. Being unable at the end of
one year and a half's service to obtain an
increase in salary he determined to seek a
wider field of labor. Mr. Gage set out in
the fall of 1855 and arrived in Chicago,
Illinois, on October 3, and soon obtained a
situation in Nathan Cobb's lumber yard and
planing mill. He remained there three years
as a bookkeeper, teamster, etc., and left on
account of change in the management. But
not being able to find anything else to do he
accepted the position of night watchman in
the place for a period of six weeks. He
then became a bookkeeper for the Mer-
chants Saving, Loan and Trust Company at
a salary of five hundred dollars per year.
He rapidly advanced in the service of this
company and in 1S68 he was made cashier.
Mr. Gage was next offered the position of
cashier of the First National Bank and ac-
cepted the offer. He became the president
of the First National Bank of Chicago Jan-
uary 24, 1 89 1 , and in 1 897 he was appointed
secretary of the treasury. His ability as a
financier and the prominent part he took in
the discussion of financial affairs while presi-
dent of the great Chicago bank gave him a
national reputation.
ANDREW JACKSON, the seventh pres-
ident of the United States, was born
at the Waxhaw settlement. Union county,
North Carolina, March 15, 1767. His
parents were Scotch-Irish, natives of Carr-
ickfergus, who came to this country in 1665
and settled on Twelve-Mile creek, a trib-
utary of the Catawba. His father, who
was a poor farm laborer, died shortly be-
fore Andrew's birth, when the mother re-
moved to Waxhaw, where some relatives
lived. Andrew's education was very limited,
he showing no aptitude for study. In 1780
when but thirteen years of age, he and his
72
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
brother Robert volunteered to serve in the
American partisan troops under General
Sumter, and witnessed the defeat at Hang-
ing Rock. The following year the boys
were both taken prisoners by the enemy
and endured brutal treatment from the
British officers while confined at Camden.
They both took the small pox, when the
mother procured their exchange but Robert
died shortly after. The mother died in
Charleston of ship fever, the same year.
Young Jackson, now in destitute cir-
cumstances, worked for about six months in
a saddler's shop, and then turned school
master, although but little fitted for the
position. He now began to think of a pro-
fession and at Salisbury, North Carolina,
entered upon the study of law, but from all
accounts gave but little attention to his
books, being one of the most roistering,
rollicking fellows in that town, indulging in
many of the vices of his time. In 1786 he
was admitted to the bar and in 1788 re-
moved to Nashville, then in North Carolina,
with the appointment of public prosecutor,
then an office of little honor or emolument,
but requiring much nerve, for which young
Jackson was already noted. Two years
later, when Tennessee became a territory
he was appointed by Washington to the
position of United States attorney for that
district. In 1791 he married Mrs. Rachel
Robards, a daughter of Colonel John Don-
elson, who was supposed at the time to
have been divorced from her former hus-
band that year by act of legislature of Vir-
ginia, but two years later, on finding that
this divorce was not legal, and a new bill of
separation being granted by the courts of
Kentucky, they were remarried in 1793.
This was used as a handle by his oppo-
nents in the political campaign afterwards.
Jackson was untiring in his efforts as United
States attorney and obtained much influence.
He was chosen a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1796, when Tennessee
became a state and was its first represent-
ative in congress. In 1797 he was chosen
United States senator, but resigned the fol-
lowing year to accept a seat on the supreme
court of Tennessee which he held until
1804. He was elected major-general of
the militia of that state in iSoi. In 1804,
being unsuccessful in obtaining the govern-
orship of Louisiana, the new territory, he
retired from public life to the Hermitage,
his plantation. On the outbreak of the
war with Great Britain in 1S12 he tendered
his services to the government and went to
New Orleans with the Tennessee troops in
January, 181 3. In March of that year he
was ordered to disband his troops, but later
marched against the Cherokee Indians, de-
feating them at Talladega, Emuckfaw
and Tallapoosa. Having now a national
reputation, he was appointed major-general
in the United States army and was sent
against the British in Florida. He con-
ducted the defence of Mobile and seized
Pensacola. He then went with his troops
to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he gained
the famous victory of January 8, 1815. In
18 17-18 he conducted a war against the
Seminoles, and in 1821 was made governor
of the new territory of Florida. In 1823
he was elected United States senator, but
in 1824 was the contestant with J. O. Adams
for the presidency. Four years later he
was elected president, and served two terms.
In 1832 he took vigorous action against the
nullifiers of South Carolina, and the next
year removed the public money from the
United States bank. During his second
term the national debt was extinguished. At
the close of his administration he retired to
the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
78
ANDREW CARNEGIE, the largest manu-
facturer of pig-iron, steel rails and
coke in the world, well deserves a place
among America's celebrated men. He was
born November 25, 1835, at Dunfermline,
Scotland, and emigrated to the United States
with his father in 1845, settling in Pittsburg.
Two years later Mr. Carnegie began his
business career by attending a small station-
ary engine. This work did not suit him and
he became a telegraph messenger with the
Atlantic and Ohio Co., and later he became
an operator, and was one of the first to read
telegraphic signals by sound. Mr. Carnegie
was afterward sent to the Pittsburg office
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., as clerk
to the superintendent and manager of the
telegraph lines. While in this position he
made the acquaintance of Mr. Woodruff, the
inventor of the sleeping-car. Mr. Carnegie
immediately became interested and was one
of the organizers of the company for its con-
struction after the railroad had adopted it,
and the success of this venture. gave him the
nucleus of his wealth. He was promoted
to the superintendency of the Pittsburg
division of the Pennsylvania Railroad and
about this time was one of the syndicate
that purchased the Storey farm on Oil Creek
which cost forty thousand dollars and in one
year it yielded over one million dollars in
cash dividends. Mr. Carnegie later was as-
sociated with others in establishing a rolling-
mill, and from this has grown the most ex-
tensive and complete system of iron and
steel industries ever controlled by one indi-
vidual, embracing the Edgar Thomson
Steel Works; Pittsburg Bessemer Steel
Works; Lucy Furnaces; Union Iron Mills;
Union Mill; Keystone Bridge Works; Hart-
man Steel Works; Prick Coke Co.; Scotia
Ore Mines. Besides directing his immense
iron industries he owned eighteen English
newspapers which he ran in the interest of
the Radicals. He has also devoted large
sums of money to benevolent and educational
purposes. In 1879 he erected commodious
swimming baths for the people of Dunferm-
line, Scotland, and in the following year
gave forty thousand dollars for a free library.
Mr. Carnegie gave fifty thousand dollars to
Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1884
to found what is now called ' ' Carnegie Lab-
oratory, " and in 1885 gave five hundred
thousand dollars to Pittsburg for a public
library. He also gave two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars for a music hall and library
in Allegheny City in 1886, and two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars to Edinburgh, Scot-
land, for a free library. He also established
free libraries at Braddock, Pennsylvania,
and other places for the benefit of his em-
ployes. He also published the following
works, "An American Four-in-hand in
Britain;" " Round the World;" "Trium-
phant Democracy; or Fifty Years' March of
the Republic."
GEORGE H. THOMAS, the " Rock of
Chickamauga, " one of the best known
commanders during the late Civil war, was
born in Southampton county, Virginia, July
31, 1 8 16, his parents being of Welsh and
French origin respectively. In 1836 young
Thomas was appointed a cadet at the Mili-
tary Academy, at West Point, from which
he graduated in 1840, and was promoted to
the office of second lieutenant in the Third
Artillery. Shortly after, with his company,
he went to Florida, where he served for two
years against the Seminole Indians. In
1 84 1 he was brevetted first lieutenant fot
gallant conduct. He remained in garrison
in the south and southwest until 1845, at
which date with the regiment he joined the
army under General Taylor, and participat-
74
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
ed in the defense of Fort Brown, the storm-
ing of Monterey and the battle of Buena
Vista. After the latter event he remained
in garrison, now brevetted major, until the
close of the Mexican war. After a year
spent in Florida, Captain Thomas was or-
dered to West Point, where fie served as in-
structor until 1854. He then was trans-
ferred to California. In May, 1855, Thom-
as was appointed major of the Second Cav-
alry, with whom he spent five years in Texas.
Although a southern man, and surrounded
by brother officers who all were afterwards
in the Confederate service, Major Thomas
never swerved from his allegiance to the
government. A. S. Johnston was the col-
onel of the regiment, R. E. Lee the lieuten-
ant-colonel, and W. J. Hardee, senior ma-
jor, while among the younger officers were
Hood, Fitz Hugh Lee, Van Dorn and Kirby
Smith. When these officers left the regi-
ment to take up arms for the (Confederate
cause he remained with it, and April 17th,
1 86 1, crossed the Potomac into his native
state, at its head. After taking an active part
in the opening scenes of the war on the Poto-
mac and Shenandoah, in August, 1861, he
was promoted to be brigadier-general and
transferred to the Army of the Cumberland.
January 19-20, 1862, Thomas defeated
Crittenden at Mill Springs, and this brought
him into notice and laid the foundation of
his fame. He continued in command of his
division until September 20, 1862, except
during the Corinth campaign when he com-
manded the right wing of the Army of the
Tennessee. He was in command of the
latter at the battle of Perryville, also, Octo-
ber 8, 1862.
On the division of the Army of the Cum-
berland into corps, January 9, 1863, Gen-
eral Thomas was assigned to the command
of the Fourteenth, and at the battle of Chick-
amauga, after the retreat of Rosecrans,
firmly held his own against the hosts of Gen-
eral Bragg. A history of his services from
that on would be a history of the war in the
southwest. On September 27, 1864, Gen-
eral Thomas was given command in Ten-
nessee, and after organizing his army, de-
feated General Hood in the battle of Nash-
ville, December 15 and 16, 1864. Much
complaint was made before this on account
of what they termed Thomas' slowness, and
he was about to be superseded because he
would not strike until he got ready, but
when the blow was struck General Grant
was the first to place on record this vindica-
tion of Thomas' judgment. He received a
vote of thanks from Congress, and from the
legislature of Tennessee a gold medal. Af-
ter the close of the war General Thomas
had command of several of the military di-
visions, and died at San Francisco, Cali-
fornia, March 28, 1870.
GEORGE BANCROFT, one of the most
eminent American historians, was a
native of Massachusetts, born at \\'orcester,
October 3, 1800, and a son of Aaron
Bancroft, D. D. The father, Aaron Ban-
croft, was born at Reading, Massachusetts,
November 10, 1755. He graduated at
Harvard in 1778, became a minister, and for
half a century was rated as one of the ablest
preachers in New England. He was also a
prolific writer and published a number of
works among which was " Life of George
Washington." Aaron Bancroft died August
19, 1839.
The subject of our present biography,
George Bancroft, graduated at Harvard in
1 81 7, and the following year entered the
University of Gottingen, where he studied
history and philology under the most emi-
nent teachers, and in 1820 received the de-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
75
gree of doctor of philosophy at Gottingen.
Upon his return home he published a volume
of poems, and later a translation of Heeren's
" Reflections on the Politics of Ancient
Greece." In 1834 he produced the first
volume of his " History of the United
States," this being followed by other vol-
umes at different intervals later. This was
his greatest work and ranks as the highest
authority, taking its place among the great-
est of American productions.
George Bancroft was appointed secretary
of the navy by President Polk in 1845, but
resigned in 1846 and became minister pleni-
potentiary to England. In 1849 he retired
from public life and took up his residence at
Washington, D. C. In 1867 he was ap-
pointed United States minister to the court of
Berlin and negotiated thetreatyby whichGer-
mans coming to the United States were re-
leased from their allegiance to the govern-
ment of their native land. In 1871 he was
minister plenipotentiary to the German em-
pire and served until 1874. The death of
George Bancroft occurred January 17, 1891.
GEORGE GORDON MEADE, a fa-
mous Union general, was born at
Cadiz, Spain, December 30, 181 5, his father
being United States naval agent at that
port. After receiving a good education he
entered the West Point Military Academy
in 1 83 1. From here he was graduated
June 30, 1835, and received the rank of
second lieutenant of artillery. He par-
ticipated in the Seminole war, but resigned
from the army in October, 1836. He en-
tered upon the profession of civil engineer,
which he followed for several years, part of
the time in the service of the government in
making surveys of the mouth of the Missis-
sippi river. His report and results of some
experiments made by him in this service
gained Meade much credit. He alsu was
employed in surveying the boundary line of
Texas and the northeastern boundary line
between the United States and Canada.
In 1842 he was reappointed in the army to
the position of second lieutenant of engineers.
During the Mexican war he served with dis-
tinction on the staff of General Taylor in
the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma
and the storming of Monterey. He received
his brevet of first lieutenant for the latter
action. In 185 1 he was made full first
lieutenant in his corps; a captain in 1856,
and major soon after. At the close of the
war with Mexico he was employed in light-
house construction and in geodetic surveys
until the breaking out of the Rebellion, in
which he gained great reputation. In
August, 1861, he was made brigadier-general
of volunteers and placed in command of the
second brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves,
a division of the First Corps in the Army of
the Potomac. In the campaign of 1862,
under McClellan, Meade took an active
part, being present at the battles of Mechan-
icsville, Gaines' Mill and Glendale, in the
latter of which he was severely wounded.
On rejoining his command he was given a
division and distinguished himself at its head
in the battles of South Mountain and Antie-
tam. During the latter, on the wounding
of General Hooker, Meade was placed in
command of the corps and was himself
slightly wounded. For servi ces he was
promoted, November, 1862, to the rank
of major-general of volunteers. On the
recovery of General Hooker General Meade
returned to his division and in December,
1862, at Fredericksburg, led an attack
which penetrated Lee's right line and swept
to his rear. Being outnumbered and un-
supported, he finally was driven back. The
same month Meade was assigned to the
76
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
command of the Fifth Corps, and at Chan-
cellorsville in May, 1863, his sagacity and
ability so struck General Hooker that when
the latter asked to be relieved of the com-
mand, in June of the same year, he nomi-
nated Meade as his successor. June 28,
1863, President Lincoln commissioned Gen-
eral Meade commander-in-chief of the Army
of the Potomac, then scattered and moving
hastily through Pennsylvania to the great
and decisive battlefield at Gettysburg, at
which he was in full command. With the
victory on those July days the name of
Meade will ever be associated. From that
time until the close of the war he com-
manded the Army of the Potomac. lu
1864 General Grant, being placed at the
head of all the armies, took up his quarters
with the Army of the Potomac. From that
time until the surrender of Lee at Appo-
matox Meade's ability shone conspicuously,
and his tact in the delicate position in lead-
ing his army under the eye of his superior
officer commanded the respect and esteem
of General Grant. For services Meade was
promoted to the rank of major-general, and
on the close of hostilities, in July, 1865,
was assigned to the command of the military
division of the Atlantic, with headquarters
at Philadelphia. This post he held, with
the exception of a short period on detached
duty in Georgia, until his death, which took
place Novembers, 1872.
DAVID CROCI^ETT was a noted hunter
and scout, and also one of the earliest
of American humorists. He was born Au-
gust 17, 1786, in Tennessee, and was one
of the most prominent men of his locality,
serving as representative in congress from
1827 until 1 83 1. He attracted consider-
able notice while a member of congress and
was closely associated with General Jack-
son, of whom he was a personal friend. Ke
went to Texas and enlisted in the Texan
army at the time of the revolt of Texas
against Mexico and gained a wide reputa-
tion as a scout. He was one of the famous
one hundred and forty men under Colonel
W. B. Travis who were besieged in P'ort
Alamo, near San Antonio, Texas, by Gen-
eral Santa Anna with some five thousand
Mexicans on February 23, 1S36. The fort
was defended for ten days, frequent assaults
being repelled with great slaughter, over
one thousand Mexicans being killed or
wounded, while not a man in the fort was
injured. Finally, on March 6, three as-
saults were made, and in the hand-to-hand
fight that followed the last, the Texans were
wofully outnumbered and overpowered.
They fought desperately with clubbed mus-
kets till only six were left alive, including
W. B. Travis, David Crockett and James
Bowie. These surrendered under promise
of protection; but when they were brought
before Santa Anna he ordered them all to
be cut to pieces.
HENRY WATTERSON, one of the most
conspicuous figures in the history of
American journalism, was born at Wash-
ington, District of Columbia, February 16,
1840. His boyhood days were mostly spent
in the city of his birth, where his father,
Harvey M. Watterson, was editor of the
"Union," a well known journal.
Owing to a weakness of the eyes, which
interfered with a systematic course of study,
young Watterson was educated almost en-
tirely at home. A successful college career
was out of the question, but he acquired a
good knowledge of music, literature and art
from private tutors, but the most valuable
part of the training he received was by as-
sociating with his father and the throng of
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
77
public men whom he met in Washington
in the stirring days immediately preceding
the Civil war. He began his journalistic
career at an early age as dramatic and
musical critic, and in 1858, became editor
of the "Democratic Review" and at the
same time contributed to the "States,"
a journal of liberal opinions published in
Washington. In this he remained until
the breaking out of the war, when the
"States," opposing the administration, was
suppressed, and young Watterson removed
to Tennessee. He next appears as editor
of the Nashville "Republican Banner," the
most influential paper in the state at that
time. After the occupation of Nashville by
the Federal troops, Watterson served as a
volunteer staff officer in the Confederate
service until the close of the war, with the
exception of a year spent in editing the
Chattanooga "Rebel." On the close of
the war he returned to Nashville and re-
sumed his connection with the "Banner."
After a trip to Europe he assumed control
of the Louisville "Journal," which he soon
combined with the "Courier" and the
"Democrat" of that place, founding the
well-known "Courier-Journal," the first
number of which appeared November 8,
1868. Mr. Watterson also represented his
district in congress for several years.
PATRICK SARSFIELD GILMORE,
one of the most successful and widely
known bandmasters and musicians of the
last half century in America, was born in
Ballygar, Ireland, on Christmas day, 1829.
He attended a public school until appren-
ticed to a wholesale merchant at Athlone,
of the brass band of which town he soon
became a member. His passion for music
conflicting with the duties of a mercantile
life, his position as clerk was exchanged for
that of musical instructor to the young sons
of his employer. At the age of nineteen he
sailed for America and two days after his
arrival in Boston was put in charge of the
band instrument department of a prominent
music house. In the interests of the pub-
lications of this house he organized a minstrel
company known as " Ordway's Eolians,"
with which he first achieved success as a
cornet soloist. Later on he was called the
best E-fiat cornetist in the United States.
He became leader, successively, of the Suf-
folk, Boston Brigade and Salem bands.
During his connection with the latter he
inaugurated the famous Fourth of July con-
certs on Boston Common, since adopted as
a regular programme for the celebration of
Independence Day. In 1858 Mr. Gilmore
founded the organization famous thereafter
as Gilmore's Band. At the outbreak of the
Civil war this band was attached to the
Twenty-Fourth , Massachusetts Infantry.
Later, when the economical policy of dis-
pensing with music had proved a mistake,
Gilmore was entrusted with the re-organiza-
tion of state military bands, and upon his
arrival at New Orleans with his own band
was made bandmaster-general by General
Banks. On the inauguration of Governor
Hahn, later on, in Lafayette square, New
Orleans, ten thousand children, mostly of
Confederate parents, rose to the baton of
Gilmore and, accompanied by six hundred
instruments, thirty-six guns and the united
fire of three regiments of infantry, sang the
Star-Spangled Banner, America and other
patriotic Union airs. In June, 1867, Mr.
Gilmore conceived a national musical festi-
val, which was denounced as a chimerical
undertaking, but he succeeded and June 15,
1869, stepped upon the stage of the Boston
Colosseum, a vast structure erected for the
occasion, and in the presence of over fifty
78
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
thousand people lifted his baton over an
orchestra of one thousand and a chorus of
ten thousand. On the 17th of June, 1872,
he opened a still greater festival in Boston,
when, in addition to an orchestra of two
thousand and a chorus of twenty thousand,
were present the Band of the Grenadier
Guards, of London, of the Garde Repub-
licaine, of Paris, of Kaiser Franz, of Berlin,
and one from Dublin, Ireland, together with
Johann Strauss, Franz Abt and many other
soloists, vocal and instrumental. Gilmore's
death occurred September 24, 1892.
MARTIN VAN BUREN was the eighth
president of the United States, 1837
to 1 84 1. He was of Dutch extraction, and
his ancestors were among the earliest set-
tlers on the banks of the Hudson. He was
born December 5, 1782, at Kinderhook,
New York. Mr. Van Buren took up the
study of law at the age of fourteen and took
an active part in political matters before he
had attained his majority. He commenced
the practice of law in 1803 at his native
town, and in 1809 he removed to Hudson,
Columbia county, New York, where he
spent seven years gaining strength and wis-
dom from his contentions at the bar with
some of the ablest men of tiie profession.
Mr. Van Buren was elected to the state
senate, and from 181 5 until 1819 he was at-
torney-general of the state. He was re-
elected to the senate in 1S16, and in 1818
he was one of the famous clique of politi-
cians known as the "Albany regency."
Mr. Van Buren was a member of the con-
vention for the revision of the state consti-
tution, in 1821. In the same year he was
elected to the United States senate and
served his term in a manner that caused his
re-election to that body in 1827, but re-
signed the following year as he had been
elected governor of New York. Mr. Van^
Buren was appointed by President Jackson as
secretary of state in March, i S29, but resigned
in 1831, and during the recess of congress
he was appointed minister to England.
The senate, however, when it convened in
December refused to ratify the appointment.
In May, 1832, he was nominated by the
Democrats as their candidate for vice-presi-
dent on the ticket with Andrew Jackson,
and he was elected in the following Novem-
ber. He received the nomination to suc-
ceed President Jackson in 1836, as the
Democratic candidate, and in the electoral
college he received one hundred and seventy
votes out of two hundred and eighty-three,
and was inaugurated March 4, 1837. His
administration was begun at a time of great
business depression, and unparalled financial
distress, which caused the suspension of
specie payments by the banks. Nearly
every bank in the country was forced to
suspend specie payment, and no less than
two hundred and fifty-four business houses
failed in New York in one week. The
President urged the adoption of the inde-
pendent treasury idea, which passed through
the senate twice but each time it was de-
feated in tile house. However tiie measure
ultimately became a law near the close of
President Van Buren's term of office. An-
other important measure that was passed
was the pre-emption law that gave the act-
ual settlers preference in the purchase of
public lands. The question of slavery had
begun to assume great preponderance dur-
ing this administration, and a great conflict
was tided over by the passage of a resolu-
tion that prohibited petitions or papers that
in any way related to slavery to be acted
upon. In the Democratic convention of
1840 President Van Buren secured the
nomination for re-election on that ticket
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPFir.
79
vvithoat opposition, but in the election he
only received the votes of seven states, his
opponent, W. H. Harrison, being elected
president. In 1848 Mr. Van Buren was
the candidate of the " Free-Soilers," but
was unsuccessful. After this he retired
from public life and spent the remainder of
his life on his estate at Kinderhook, where
he died July 24, 1862.
WIN FIELD SCOTT, a distinguished
American general, was born June 13,
17S6, near Petersburg, Dinwiddie county,
Virginia, and was educated at the William
and Mary College. He studied law and was
admitted to the bar, and in 1S08 he accepted
an appointment as captain of light artillery,
and was ordered to New Orleans. In June,
1812, he Vv'as promoted to be lieutenant-
colonel, and on application was sent to the
frontier, and reported to General Smyth,
near Buffalo. He was made adjutant-gen-
eral with the rank of a colonel, in March,
1 8 1 3, and the same month attained the colo-
nelcj' of his regiment. He participated in
the principal battles of the war and was
wounded many times, and at the close of
the war he was voted a gold medal by con-
gress for his services. He was a writer of
considerable merit on military topics, and
he gave to the military science, "General
Regulations of the Army " and " System of
Infantry and Rifle Practice. " He took a
prominent part in the Black Hawk war,
and at the beginning of the Mexican war he
was appointed to take the command of the
army. Gen. Scott immediately assembled
his troops at Lobos Island from which he
moved by transports to Vera Cruz, which
he took March 29, 1847, and rapidly fol-
lowed up his first success. He fought the
battles of Cerro Gordo and Jalapa, both of
which he won, and proceeded to Pueblo
where he was preceded by Worth's division
which had taken the town and waited for the
coming of Scott. The army was forced to
wait here for supplies, and August 7th,
General Scott started on his victorious
march to the city of Mexico with ten thou-
sand, seven hundred and thirty-eight men.
The battles of Contreras, Cherubusco and
San Antonio were fought August 19-20,
and on the 24th an armistice was agreed
upon, but as the commissioners could not
agree on the terms of settlement, the fight-
ing was renewed at Molino Del Rey, and
the Heights of Chapultepec were carried
by the victorious army of General Scott.
He gave the enemy no respite, however,
and vigorously followed up his advantages.
On September 14, he entered the City of
Mexico and dictated the terms of surrender
in the very heart of the Mexican Republic.
General Scott was offered the presidency of
the Mexican Republic, but declined. Con-
gress extended him a vote of thanks and
ordered a gold medal be struck in honor of
his generalship and bravery. He was can-
didate for the presidency on the Whig plat-
form but was defeated. He was honored by
having the title of lieutenant-general con-
ferred upon him in 1855. At the beginning of
the Civil war he was too infirm to take charge
of the army, but did signal service in be-
half of the government. He retired from
the service November i, 1861, and in 1864
he published his "Autobiography." Gen-
eral Scott died at West Point, May 29, 1866,
EDWARD EVERETT HALE for manjr
years occupied a high place among the
most honored of America's citizens. As
a preacher he ranks among the foremost
in the New England states, but to the gen-
eral public he is best known through his
writings. Born in Boston, Mass., April 3,
80
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
1822, a descendant of one of the most
prominent New England families, he enjoyed
in his youth many of the advantages denied
the majority of boys. He received his pre-
paratory schooling at the Boston Latin
School, after which he finished his studies at
Harvard where he was graduated with high
honors in 1S39. Having studied theology
at home, Mr. Hale embraced the ministry
and in 1846 became pastor of a Unitarian
church in Worcester, Massachusetts, a post
which he occupied about ten years. He
then, in 1856, became pastor of the South
Congregational church in Boston, over which
he presided many years.
Mr. Hale also found time to write a
great many literary works of a high class,
i^.mong many other well-known productions
Df his are " The Rosary," " Margaret Per-
cival in America." "Sketches of Christian
.■iistory," "Kansas and Nebraska," "Let-
ters on Irish Emigration," " Ninety Days'
Worth of Europe," " If, Yes, and Perhaps,"
"Ingham Papers," "Reformation," "Level
Best and Other Stories, " ' ' Ups and Downs, "
"Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," " In
His Name," "Our New Crusade," "Work-
ingmen's Homes," " Boys' Heroes," etc.,
etc., besides manj' others which might be
mentioned. One of his works, " In His
Name," has earned itself enduring fame by
the good deeds it has called forth. The
numerous associations known as ' 'The King's
Daughters," which has accomplished much
good, owe their existence to the story men-
tioned.
DWID GLASCOE FARRAGUT stands
pre-eminent as one of the greatest na-
val officers of the world. He was born at
Campbell's Station, East Tennessee, July
5, iSoi, and entered the navy of the United
States as a midshipman. He had the good
fortune to serve under Captain David Por-
ter, who commanded the " Essex," and by
whom he was taught the ideas of devotion
to duty from which he never swerved dur-
ing all his career. In 1823 Mr. Farragut
took part in a severe fight, the result of
which was the suppression of piracy in the
West Indies. He then entered upon the
regular duties of his profession which was
only broken into by a year's residence with
Charles Folsom, our consul at Tunis, who
was afterwards a distinguished professor at
Harvard. Mr. Farragut was one of the best
linguists in the navy. He had risen through
the different grades of the service until the
war of 1861-65 found him a captain resid-
ing at Norfolk, Virginia. He removed with
his family to Hastings, on the Hudson, and
hastened to offer his services to the Federal
government, and as the capture of New
Orleans had been resolved upon, Farragut
was chosen to command the expedition.
His force consisted of the West Gulf block-
ading squadron and Porter's mortar fiotilla.
In January, 1862, he hoisted his pennant at
the mizzen peak of tiie "Hartford" at
Hampton roads, set sail from thence on the
3rd of February and reached Ship Island on
the 20th of the same month. A council of
war was held on the 20th of April, in which
it was decided that whatever was to be done
must be done quickly. The signal was made
from the flagship and accordingly the fleet
weighed anchor at 1:55 on the morning of
April 24th, and at 3:30 the whole force was
under way. The history of this brilliant strug-
gle is well known, and the glory of it made Far-
ragut a hero and also made him rear admir-
al. In ihcsummerof 1862 he ran the batteries
at Vicksburg, and on March 14. 1863, he
passed through the fearful and destructive
fire from Port Hudson, and opened up com-
munication with Flag-officer Porter, who
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
83
had control of the upper Mississippi. On
May 24th he commenced active operations
against that fort in conjunction with the army
and it fell on July 9th. Mr. Farragut filled
the measure of his fame on the 5th of Au-
gust, 1864, by his great victory, the capture
of Mobile Bay and the destruction of the
Confederate fleet, including the formidable
ram Tennessee. For this victory the rank
of admiral was given to Mr. Farragut. He
died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Au-
gust 4, 1S70.
GEORGE W. CHILDS, a philanthropist
whose remarkable personality stood
for the best and highest type of American
citizenship, and whose whole life was an
object lesson in noble living, was born in
1S29 at Baltimore, Maryland, of humble
parents, and spent his early life in unremit-
ting toil. He was a self-made man in the
fullest sense of the word, and gained his
great wealth by his own efforts. He was a
man of very great influence, and this, in
conjunction with his wealth, would have
been, in the hands of other men, a means of
getting them political preferment, but Mr.
Childs steadily declined any suggestions that
would bring him to figure prominently in
public affairs. He did not choose to found
a financial dynasty, but devoted all his
powers to the helping of others, with the
most enlightened beneficence and broadest
sympathy. Mr. Childs once remarked that
his greatest pleasure in life was in doing
good to others. He always despised mean-
ness, and one of his objects of life was to
prove that a man could be liberal and suc-
cessful at the same time. Upon these lines
Mr. Childs made a name for himself as the
director of one of the representative news-
papers of America, "The Philadelphia Pub-
lic Ledger," which was owned jointly by
5
himself and the Drexel estate, and which he
edited for thirty years. He acquired con-
trol of the paper at a time when it was be-
ing published at a heavy loss, set it upon a
firm basis of prosperity, and he made it
more than a money- making machine — he
made it respected as an exponent of the
best side of journalism, and it stands as a
monument to his sound judgment and up-
right business principles. Mr. Childs' char-
itable repute brought him many applications
for assistance, and he never refused to help
any one that was deserving of aid; and not
only did he help those who asked, but he
would by careful inquiry find those who
needed aid but were too proud to solicit it.
He was a considerable employer of labor,
and his liberality was almost unparalleled.
The death of this great and good man oc-
curred February 3d, 1894.
PATRICK HENRY won his way to un-
dying fame in the annals of the early
history of the United States by introducing
into the house of burgesses his famous reso-
lution against the Stamp Act, which he car-
ried through, after a stormy debate, by a
majority of one. At this time he exclaimed
" Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Crom-
well and George HI " (here he was inter-
rupted by cries of " treason ") " may profit
by their example. If this be treason make
the most of it."
Patrick Henry was born at Studley,
Hanover county, Virginia, May 29, 1736,
and was a son of Colonel John Henry, a
magistrate and school teacher of Aberdeen,
Scotland, and a nephew of Robertson, the
historian. He received his education from
his father, and was married at the age of
eighteen. He was twice bankrupted before
he had reached his twenty-fourth year, when
after six weeks of study he was admitted to
84
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
the bar. He worked for three years with-
out a case and finally was applauded for his
plea for the people's rights and gained im-
mense popularity. After his famous Stamp
Act resolution he was the leader of the pa-
triots in Virginia. In 1769 he was admitted
to practice in the general courts and speed-
ily won a fortune by his distinguished ability
as a speaker. He was the first speaker of
the General Congress at Philadelphia in
1774. He was for a time a colonel of
militia in 1775, and from 1776 to 1779 and
1 78 1 to 1786 he was governor of Virginia.
For a number of years he retired from pub-
lic life and was tendered and declined a
number of important political offices, and in
March, 1789, he was elected state senator
but aid not take his seat on account of his
death which occurred at Red Hill, Charlotte
county, Virginia, June 6, 1799.
BENEDICT ARNOLD, an American
general and traitor of the Revolution-
ary war, is one of the noted characters in
American history. He was born in Nor-
wich, Connecticut, January 3, 1740. He
ran away and enlisted in the army when
young, but deserted in a short time. He
then became a merchant at New Haven,
Connecticut, but failed. In 1775 he was
commissioned colonel in the Massachusetts
militia, and in the autumn of that year was
placed in command of one thousand men
for the invasion of Canada. He marched
his army through the forests of Maine and
joined General Montgomery before Quebec.
Their combined forces attacked that city on
December 31, 1775, and Montgomery was
killed, and Arnold, severely wounded, was
compelled to retreat and endure a rigorous
winter a few miles from the city, where they
were at the mercy of the Canadian troops
had they cared to attack them. On his re-
turn he was raised to the rank of brigadier-
general. He was given command of a small
flotilla on Lake Champlain, with which he
encountered an immense force, and though
defeated, performed many deeds of valor.
He resented the action of congress in pro-
moting a number of his fellow officers and
neglecting himself. In 1777 he was made
major-general, and under General Gates at
Bemis Heights fought valiantly. For some
reason General Gates found fault with his
conduct and ordered hirn under arrest, and
he was kept in his tent until the battle of
Stillwater was waxing hot, when Arnold
mounted his horse and rode to the front of
his old troop, gave command to charge, and
rode like a mad man into the thickest of
the fight and was not overtaken by Gates'
courier until he had routed the enemy and
fell wounded. Upon his recovery he was
made general, and was placed in command
at Philadelphia. Here he married, and his
acts of rapacity soon resulted in a court-
martial. He was sentenced to be repri-
manded by the commander-in-chief, and
though Washington performed this duty
with utmost delicacy and consideration, it
was never forgiven. Arnold obtained com-
mand at West Point, the most important
post held by the Americans, in 1 780, and
immediately offered to surrender it to Sir
Henry Clinton, British commander at New
York. Major Andre was sent to arrange
details with Arnold, but on his return trip
to New York he was captured by Americans,
the plot was detected, and .\iuire suffered
the death penalty as a spy. Arnold es-
caped, and was paid about $40,000 by the
British for his treason and was made briga-
dier-general. He afterward commanded an
expedition that plundered a portion of Vir-
ginia, and another that burned New Lon-
don, Connecticut, and captured Fort Trum-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr
85
bull, the commandant of which Arnold mur-
dered with the sword he had just surren-
dered. He passed the latter part of his life
in England, universally despised, and died
in London June 14, 1801.
ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, one of the
most brilliant orators that America has
produced, also a lawyer of considerable
merit, won most of his fame as a lecturer.
Mr. Ingersoll was born August 24, 1833,
at Dryden, Gates county, New York, and
received his education in the common schools.
He went west at the age of twelve, and for
a short time he attended an academy in
Tennessee, and also taught school in that
state. He began the practice of law in the
southern part of Illinois in 1854. Colonel
Ingersoll's principal fame was made in
the lecture room by his lectures in which he
ridiculed religious faith and creeds and criti-
cised the Bible and the Christian religion.
He was the orator of the day in the Decora-
tion Day celebration in the city of New York
in 1882 and his oration was widely com-
mended. He first attracted political notice
in the convention at Cincinnati in 1876 by
his brilliant eulogy on James G. Blaine. He
practiced law in Peoria, Illinois, for a num-
ber of years, but later located in the city of
New York. He published the follow-
ing: "The Gods and other Lectures;" "The
Ghosts;" "Some Mistakes of Moses;"
"What Shall I Do To Be Saved;" "Inter-
views on Talmage and Presbyterian Cate-
chism ;" The "North American Review
Controversy;" "Prose Poems;" " A Vision
of War;" etc.
JOSEPH ECCLESTON JOHNSTON,
<J a noted general in the Confederate army,
was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia,
in 1807. He graduated from West Point
and entered the army in 1829. For a num-
ber of years his chief service was garrison
duty. He saw active service, however, in
the Seminole war in Florida, part of the
time as a staff officer of General Scott. He
resigned his commission in 1837, but re-
turned to the army a year later, and was
brevetted captain for gallant services in
Florida. He was made first lieutenant of
topographical engineers, and was engaged
in river and harbor improvements and also
in the survey of the Te.xas boundary and
the northern boundary of the United
States until the beginning of the war
with Mexico. He was at the siege of Vera
Cruz, and at the battle of Cerro Gordo was
wounded while reconnoitering the enemy's
position, after which he was brevetted major
and colonel. He was in all the battles about
the city of Mexico, and was again wounded
in the final assault upon that city. After
the Mexican war closed he returned to duty
as captain of topographical engineers, but
in 1855 he was made lieutenant-colonel of
cavalry and did frontier duty, and was ap-
pointed inspector-general of the expedition
to Utah. In i860 he was appointed quar-
termaster-general with rank of brigadier-
general. At the outbreak of hostilities in
1 86 1 he resigned his commission and re-
ceived the appointment of major-general of
the Confederate army. He held Harper's
Ferry, and later fought General Patterson
about Winchester. At the battle of Bull
Run he declined command in favor of Beau-
regard, and acted under that general's direc-
tions. He commanded the Confederates in
the famous Peninsular campaign, and was
severely wounded at Fair Oaks and was
succeeded in command by General Lee.
Upon his recovery he was made lieutenant-
general and assigned to the command of the
southwestern department. He attempted
86
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr.
to raise the siege of Vicksburg, and was
finally defeated at Jackson, ^fississippi.
Having been made a general he succeeded
General Bragg in command of the army of
Tennessee and was ordered to check General
Sherman's advance upon Atlanta. Not
daring to risk a battle with the overwhelm-
ing forces of Sherman, he slowly retreated
toward Atlanta, and was relieved of com-
mand by President Davis and succeeded by
General Hood. Hood utterly destroyed his
own army by three furious attacks upon
Sherman. Johnston was restored to com-
mand in the Carolinas, and again faced
Sherman, but was defeated in several en-
gagements and continued a slow retreat
toward I^ichmond. Hearing of Lee's sur-
render, he communicated with General
Sherman, and finally surrendered his army
at Durham, North Carolina, April 26, 1865.
General Johnston was elected a member
of the forty-sixth congress and was ap-
pointed United States railroad commis-
sioner in 1885. His death occurred March
21, 1891.
SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS,
known throughout the civilized world
as "Mark Tw'ain," is recognized as one of
the greatest humorists America has pro-
duced. He was born in Monroe county,
Missouri, November 30, 1835. Hespenthis
boyhood days in his native state and many
of his earlier experiences are related in vari-
ous forms in his later writings. One of his
early acquaintances, Capt. Isaiah Sellers,
at an early day furnished river news for the
New Orleans " Picayune," using the ttom-
di- flume of "Mark Twain." Sellers died
in 1863 and Clemens took up his iioin-de-
pluiiu- and made it famous throughout the
world by his literary work. In 1862 Mr.
Clemens became a journalist at Virginia,
Nevada, and afterward followed the same pro-
fession at San Francisco and Buffalo, New
York. He accumulated a fortune from the
sale of his many publications, but in later
years engaged in business enterprises, partic-
ularly the manufacture of a typesetting ma-
chine, which dissipated his fortune and re-
duced him almost to poverty, but with resolute
heart he at once again took up his pen and
engaged in literary work in the effort to
regain his lost ground. Among the best
known of his works may be mentioned the fol-
lowing: ' ' The Jumping Frog, " ' ' Tom Saw-
yer," " Koughingit," " Innocents Abroad,"
"Huckleberry Finn," "Gilded Age,"
"Prince and Pauper," "Million Pound
Bank Note," "A Yankee in King Arthur's
Court," etc.
CHRISTOPHER CARSON. better
known as "Kit Carson;" was an Amer-
ican trapper and scout who gained a wide
reputation for his frontier work. He was a
native of Kentucky, born December 24th,
1809. He grew to manhood there, devel-
oping a natural inclination for adventure in
the pioneer experiences in his native state.
When yet a young man he became quite
well known on the frontier. He served as
a guide to Gen. Fremont in his Rocky
Mountain explorations and enlisted in the
army. He was an officer in the United
States service in both the Mexican war and
the great Civil war, and in the latter received
a brevet of brigadier-general for meritorious
service. His death occurred May 23,
1868.
JOHN SHERMAN.— Statesman, politi-
cian, cabinet officer andsenator, the name
of the gentleman who heads this sketch is al-
most a household word throughout this
country. Identified with some of the most
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
87
important measures adopted by our Govern-
ment since the close of the Civil war, he may
well be called one of the leading men of his
day.
John Sherman was born at Lancaster,
Fairfield county, Ohio, May loth, 1823,
the son of Charles R. Sherman, an emi-
nent lawyer and judge of the supreme court
of Ohio and who died in 1829. The subject
of this article received an academic educa-
tion and was admitted to the bar in 1844.
In the Whig conventions of 1844 and 1848
he sat as a delegate. He was a member of
the National house of representatives,
from 1855 to 1 86 1. In i860 he was re-
elected to the same position but was chosen
United States senator before he took his
seat in the lower house. He was re-elected
senator in 1866 and 1872 and was long
chairman of the committee on finance and
on agriculture. He took a prominent part
in debates on finance and on the conduct of
the war, and was one of the authors of the
reconstruction measures in 1866 and 1867,
and was appointed secretary of the treas-
ury March 7th, 1877.
Mr. Sherman was re-elected United States
senator from Ohio January i8th, 1881, and
again in 1S86 and 1892, during which time
he was regarded as one of the most promi-
nent leaders of the Republican party, both
in the senate and in the country. He was
several times the favorite of his state for the
nomination for president.
On the formation of his cabinet in March,
1897, President McKinley tendered the posi-
tion of secretary of state to Mr. Sherman,
which was accepted.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, ninth
president of the United States, was
born in Charles county, Virginia, February
9> 1773. the son of Governor Benjamin
Harrison. He took a course in Hampden-
Sidney College with a view to the practice
of medicine, and then went to Philadelphia
to study under Dr. Rush, but in 1791 he
entered the army, and obtained the commis-
sion of ensign, was soon promoted to the
lieutenancy, and was with General Wayne
in his war against the Indians. For his
valuable service he was promoted to the
rank of captain and given command of Fort
Washington, now Cincinnati. He was ap-
pointed secretary of the Northwest Territory
in 1797, and in 1799 became its representa-
tive in congress. In 1801 he was appointed
governor of Indiana Territory, and held the
position for twelve years, during which time
he negotiated important treaties with the In-
dians, causing them to relinquish millions of
acres of land, and also won the battle of
Tippecanoe in 181 1. He succeeded in
obtaining a change in the law which did not
permit purchase of public lands in less tracts
than four thousand acres, reducing the limit
to three hundred and twenty acres. He
became major-general of Kentucky militia
and brigadier-general in the United States
army in 1812, and won great renown in
the defense of Fort Meigs, and his victory
over the British and Indians under Proctor
and Tecumseh at the Thames river, October
5. iSi3-
In 1 8 16 General Harrison was elected to
congress from Ohio, and during the canvass
was accused of corrupt methods in regard to
the commissariat of the army. He demanded
an investigation after the election and was
exonerated. In 1819 he was elected to
the Ohio state senate, and in 1824 he gave
his vote as a presidential elector to Henry
Clay. He became a member of the United
States senate the same year. During the
last year of Adams' administration he was
sent as minister to Colombia, but was re-
88
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
called by President Jackson the following
year. He then retired to his estate at North
Bend, Ohio, a few miles below Cincinnati. In
1836 he was a candidate for the presidency,
but as there were three other candidates
the votes were divided, he receiving seventy-
three electoral votes, a majority going to
Mr. Van Buren, the Democratic candidate.
Four years later General Harrison was again
nominated by the Whigs, and elected by a
tremendous majority. The campaign was
noted for its novel features, many of which
have found a permanent place in subsequent
campaigns. Those peculiar to that cam-
paign, however, were the " log-cabin " and
" hard cider" watchwords, which produced
great enthusiasm among his followers. One
month after his inauguration he died from
an attack of pleurisy, April 4, 1841.
CHARLES A. DANA, the well-known
and widely-read journalist of New York
City, a native of Hinsdale, New Hampshire,
was born August 8, 18 19. He received
the elements of a good education in his
youth and studied for two years at Harvard
University. Owing to some disease of the
eyes he was unable to complete his course
and graduate, but was granted the degree of
A. M. notwithstanding. For some time he
was editor of the " Harbinger," and was a
regular contributor to the Boston " Chrono-
type." In 1847 he became connected with
the New York " Tribune, "and continued on
the staff of that journal until 1858. In the
latter year he edited and compiled "The
Household Book of Poetry," and later, in
connection with George Ripley, edited the
"New American Cyclopedia."
Mr. Dana, on severing his connection
with the " Tribune " in 1867, became editor
of the New York "Sun," a paper with
which he was identified for many years, and
which he made one of the leaders of thought
in the eastern part of the United States.
He wielded a forceful pen and fearlessly
attacked whatever was corrupt and unworthy
in politics, state or national. The same
year, 1867, Mr. Dana organized the New
York "Sun " Company.
During the troublous days of the war,
when the fate of the Nation depended upon
the armies in the field, Mr. Dana accepted
the arduous and responsible position of
assistant secretary of war, and held the
position during the greater part of 1863
and 1S64. He died October 17, 1S97.
ASA GRAY was recognized throughout the
scientific world as one of the ablest
and most eminent of botanists. He was
born at Paris, Oneida county. New York,
November 18, 1810. He received his medi-
cal degree at the Fairfield College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons, in Herkimer county,
New York, and studied botany with the late
Professor Torrey, of New York. He was
appointed botanist to the Wilkes expedition
in 1834, but declined the offer and became
professor of natural history in Harvard Uni-
versity in 1842. He retired from the active
duties of this post in 1S73, and in 1874 he
was the regent of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion at Washington, District of Columbia.
Dr. Gray wrote several books on the sub-
ject of the many sciences of which he was
master. In 1836 he published his " Ele-
ments of Botany," " Manual of Botany" in
1848; the unfinished "Flora of North
America," by himself and Dr. Torrey, the
publication of which commenced in 1838.
There is another of his unfinished works
called "Genera Boreali-Americana, " pub-
lished in 184S, and the " l.otany of the
United States Pacific Exploring Expedition
in 1854." He wrote many elaborate papers
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
89
on the botany of the west and southwest
that were published in the Smithsonian Con-
tributions,. Memoirs, etc., of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences, of which in-
stitution he was president for ten years.
He was also the author of many of the
government reports. " How Plants Grow,"
" Lessons in Botany," " Structural and Sys-
tematic Botany," are also works from his
ready pen.
Dr. Gray published in 1861 his "Free
Examination of Darwin's Treatise " and his
" Darwiniana," in 1S76. Mr. Gray was
elected July 29, 1878, to a membership in
the Institute of France, Academy of Sciences.
His death occurred at Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, January 30, 1889.
WILLIAM MAXWELL EVARTS was
one of the greatest leaders of the
American bar. He was born in Boston,
Massachusetts, February 6, 1818, and grad-
uated from Yale College in 1837. He took
up the study of law, which he practiced in
the city of New York and won great renown
as an orator and advocate. He affiliated
with the Republican party, which he joined
soon after its organization. He was the
leading counsel employed for the defense of
President Johnson in his trial for impeach-
ment before the senate in April and May of
1868.
In July, 1868, Mr. Evarts was appointed
attorney-general of the United States, and
served until March 4, 1869. He was one
of the three lawyers who were selected by
President Grant in 1S71 to defend the inter-
ests of the citizens of the United States be-
fore the tribunal of arbitration which met
at Geneva in Switzerland to settle the con-
troversy over the " Alabama Claims."
He was one of the most eloquent advo-
cates in the United States, and many of his
public addresses have been preserved and
published. He was appointed secretary of
state March 7, 1877, by President Hayes,
and served during the Hayes administration.
He was elected senator from the state of
New York January 21, 1885, and at once
took rank among the ablest statesmen in
Congress, and the prominent part he took
in the discussion of public questions gave
him a national reputation.
JOHN WANAMAKER.— The life of this
kJ great merchant demonstrates the fact
that the great secret of rising from the ranks
is, to-day, as in the past ages, not so much the
ability to make money, as to save it, or in
other words, the ability to live well within
one's income. Mr. Wanamaker was born in
Philadelphia in 1838. He started out in
life working in a brickyard for a mere pit-
tance, and left that position to work in 3
book store as a clerk, where he earned
the sum of $5.00 per month, and later on
was in the employ of a clothier where he
received twenty-five cents a week more.
He was only fifteen years of age at that
time, but was a " money-getter" by instinct,
and laid by a small sum for a possible rainy
day. By strict attention to business, com-
bined with natural ability, he was promoted
many times, and at the age of twenty he
had saved $2,000. After several months
vacation in the south, he returned to Phila-
delphia and became a master brick mason,
but this was too tiresome to the young man,
and he opened up the " Oak Hall " clothing
store in April, 1861, at Philadelphia. The
capital of the firm was rather limited, but
finally, after many discouragements, they
laid the foundations of one of the largest
business houses in the world. The estab-
lishment covers at the present writing some
fourteen acres of floor space, and furnishes
90
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
employment for five thousand persons. Mr.
Wanamaker was also a great church worker,
and built a church that cost him $60,000,
and he was superintendent of the Sunday-
school, which had a membership of over
three thousand children. He steadily re-
fused to run for mayor or congress and the
only public office that he ever held was that
of postmaster-general, under the Harrison
administration, and here he exhibited his
e.xtraordinary aptitude for comprehending
the details of public business.
DAVID BENNETT HILL, a Demo-
cratic politician who gained a na-
tional reputation, was born August 29,
1843, at Havana, New York. He was
educated at the academy of his native town,
and removed to Elmira, New York, in 1862,
where he studied law. He was admitted to
the bar in 1864, in which year he was ap-
pointed city attorney. Mr. Hill soon gained
a considerable practice, becoming prominent
in his profession. He developed a taste for
politics in which he began to take an active
part in the different campaigns and became
the recognized leader of the local Democ-
racy. In 1870 he was elected a member of
the assembly and was re-elected in 1872.
While a member of this assembly he formed
the acquaintance of Samuel J. Tilden, after-
ward governor of the state, who appointed
Mr. Hill, W. M. Evarts and Judge Hand
as a committee to provide a uniform charter
for the different cities of the state. The
pressure of professional engagements com-
pelled him to decline to serve. In 1877
Mr. Hill was made chairman of the Demo-
cratic state convention at Albany, his elec-
tion being due to the Tilden wing of the
party, and he held the same position again
in 1 88 1. He served one term as alderman
in Elmira, at the expiration of which term.
in 1882, he was elected mayor of Elmira,
and in September of the same year was
nominated for lieutenant-governor on the
Democratic state ticket. He was success-
ful in the campaign and two years later,
when Grover Cleveland was elected to the
presidency, Mr. Hill succeeded to the gov-
ernorship for the unexpired term. In 1885
he was elected governor for a full term of
three years, at the end of which he was re-
elected, his term expiring in 1891, in which
year he was elected United States senator.
In the senate he became a conspicuous
figure and gained a national reputation.
ALLEN G. THURMAN.—" The noblest
Roman of them all " was the title by
which Mr. Thurman was called by his com-
patriots of the Democracy. He was the
greatest leader of the Democratic party in
his day and held the esteem of all the
people, regardless of their political creeds.
Mr. Thurman was born November 13, 1813,
at Lynchburg, Virginia, where he remained
until he had attained the age of six years,
when he moved to Ohio. He received an
academic education and after graduating,
took up the study of law, was admitted to
the bar in 1835, and achieved a brilliant
success in that line. In political life he was
very successful, and his first oflfice was that
of representative of the state of Ohio in the
twenty-ninth congress. He was elected
judge of the supreme court of Ohio in 1S51,
and was chief justice of the same from 1S54
to 1856. In 1867 he was the choice of the
Democratic party of his state for governor,
and was elected to the United States senate
in 1869 to succeed Benjamin F. \\'ade,
and was re-elected to the same position in
1874. He was a prominent figure in the
senate, until the expiration of his service in
1 88 1. Mr. Thurman was also one of the
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
91
principal presidental possibilities in the
Democratic convention held at St. Louis in
1876. In 1888 he was the Democratic
nominee for vice-president on the ticket
with Grover Cleveland, but was defeated.
Allen Cranberry Thurman died December
12, 1895, "it Columbus, Ohio.
CHARLES FARRAR BROWNE, better
known as " Artemus Ward," was born
April 26, 1S34, in the village of Waterford,
Maine. He was thirteen years old at the
time of his father's death, and about a year
later he was apprenticed to John M. Rix,
who published the "Coos County Dem-
ocrat " at Lancaster, New Hampshire. Mr.
Browne remained with him one year, when,
hearing that his brother Cyrus was starting
a paper at Norway, Maine, he left Mr. Rix
and determined to get work on the new
paper. He worked for his brother until the
failure of the newspaper, and then went to
Augusta, Maine, where he remained a few
weeks and then removed to Skowhegan,
and secured a position on the "Clarion."
But either the climate or the work was not
satisfactory to him, for one night he silently
left the town and astonished his good mother
by appearing unexpectedly at home. Mr.
Browne then received some letters of recom-
mendation to Messrs. Snow and Wilder, of
Boston, at whose office Mrs. Partington's
(B. P. Shillaber) ' ' Carpet Bag " was printed,
and he was engaged and remained there for
three years. He then traveled westward in
search of employment and got as far as Tif-
fin, Ohio, where he found employment in the
office of the "Advertiser," and remained
there some months when he proceeded to
Toledo, Ohio, where he became one of the
staff of the "Commercial," which position
he held until 1857. Mr. Browne next went
CO Cleveland, Ohio, and became the local
editor of the "Plain Dealer," and it was in
the columns of this paper that he published
his first articles and signed them "Artemus
Ward. " Li 1 860 he went to New York and
became the editor of " Vanity Fair," but
the idea of lecturing here seized him, and he
was fully determined to make the trial.
Mr. Browne brought out his lecture, "Babes
in the Woods "at Clinton Hall, December
23, 1861, and in 1862 he published his first
book entitled, " Artemus Ward; His Book."
He attained great fame as a lecturer and his
lectures were not confined to America, for
he went to England in 1866, and became
exceedingly popular, both as a lecturer and
a contributor to "Punch." Mr. Browne
lectured for the last time January 23, 1867.
He died in Southampton, England, March
6, 1867.
THURLOW WEED, a noted journalist
and politician, was born in Cairo, New
York, November 15, 1797. He learned the
printer's trade at the age of twelve years,
and worked at this calling for several years
in various villages in centra! New York. He
served as quartermaster-sergeant during the
war of 1812. In 181 8 he established the
"Agriculturist," at Norwich, New York,
and became editor of the "Anti-Masonic
Enquirer," at Rochester, in 1826. In the
same year he was elected to the legislature
and re-elected in 1830, when he located in
Albany, New York, and there started the
" Evening Journal," and conducted it in op-
position to the Jackson administration and
the nullification doctrines of Calhoun. He
became an adroit party manager, and was
instrumental in promoting the nominations
of Harrison, Taylor and Scott for the pres-
idency. In 1856 and in i860 he threw his
support to W. H. Seward, but when defeat-
ed in his object, he gave cordial support to
92
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPJIT.
Fremont and Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln pre-
vs'.led upon him to visit the various capitals
of Europe, where he proved a valuable aid
to the administration in moulding the opin-
ions of the statesmen of that continent
favorable to the cause of the Union.
Mr. \\'eed's connection with the " Even-
ing Journal " was severed in 1862, when he
settled in New York, and for a time edited
the "Commercial Advertiser." In 1868 he
retired from active life. His " Letters from
Europe and the West Indies," published in
1 866, together with some interesting ' ' Rem-
iniscences," published in the "Atlantic
Monthly," in 1870, an autobiography, and
portions of an extensive correspondence will
be of great value to writers of the political
history of the United States. Mr. Weed
died in New York, November 22, 1882.
WILLIAM COLLINS WHITNEY,
one of the prominent Democratic
politicians of the country and ex^secretary of
the navy, was born July 5th, 1841, at Con-
way, Massachusetts, and received his edu-
cation at Williston Seminary, East Hamp-
ton, Massachusetts, Later he attended
Yale College, where he graduated in 1863,
and entered the Harvard Law School, which
he left in 1864. Beginning practice in New
York city, he soon gained a reputation as
an able lawyer. He made his iirst appear-
ance in public affairs in 1871, when he was
active in organizing a young rrien's Demo-
cratic club. In 1872 he was the recognized
leader of the county Democracy and in 1875
was appointed corporation counsel for the
city of New York. He resigned the office,
1882, to attend to personal interests and on
March 5, 1885, he was appointed secretary
of the navy by President Cleveland. Under
his administration the navy of the United
States rapidly rose in rank among the navies
of the world. When he retired from office
in 1889, the vessels of the United States
navy designed and contracted for by him
were five double-turreted monitors, two
new armor-clads, the dynamite cruiser "Ve-
suvius, " and five unarmored steel and iron
cruisers.
Mr. Whitney was the leader of the
Cleveland forces in the national Democratic
convention of 1892.
EDWIN FORREST, the first and great-
est American tragedian, was born in
Philadelphia in 1806. His father was a
tradesman, and some accounts state that he
had marked out a mercantile career for his
son, Edwin, while others claim that he had
intended him for the ministry. His wonder-
ful memory, his powers of mimicry and his
strong musical voice, however, attracted at-
tention before he was eleven years old, and
at that age he made his first appearance on
the stage. The costume in which he appeared
was so ridiculous that he left the stage in a
fit of anger amid a roar of laughter from
the audience. This did not discourage him,
however, and at the age of fourteen, after
some preliminary training in elocution, he
appeared again, this time as Young Norvel,
and gave indications of future greatness.
Up to 1826 he played entirely with strolling
companies through the south and west, but
at that time he obtained an engagement at
the Bowery Theater in New York. From
that time his fortune was made. His man-
ager paid him $40 per night, and it is stated
that he loaned Forrest to other houses from
time to time at $200 per night. His great
successes were Virginius, Damon, Othello,
Coriolanus, William Tell, Spartacus and
Lear. He made his first .appearance in
London in 1836, and his success was un-
questioned from the start. In 1845, on his
COMPENDIUM OF BIOCRAPHT.
93
second appearance in London, he became
involved in a bitter rivalry with the great
English actor, Macready, who had visited
America two years before. The result was
that Forrest was hissed from the stage, and
it was charged that Macready had instigated
the plot. Forrest's resentment was so bitter
that he himself openly hissed Macready
from his box a few nights later. In 1848
Macready again visited America at a time
when American admiration and enthusiasm
for Forrest had reached its height. Macready
undertook to play at Astor Place Opera
House in May, 1849, but was hooted off the
stage. A few nights later Macready made a
second attempt to play at the same house,
this time under police protection. The house
was filled with Macready 's friends, but the vio-
olence of the mob outside stopped the play,
and the actor barely escaped with his life.
Upon reading the riot act the police and
troops were assaulted with stones. The
troops replied, first with blank cartridges,
and then a volley of lead dispersed the
mob, leaving thirty men dead or seriously
wounded.
After this incident Forrest's popularity
waned, until in 1855 he retired from the
stage. He re-appeared in i860, however,
and probably the most remunerative period
of his life was between that date and the
close of the Civil war. His last appearance
on the stage was at the Globe Theatre,
Boston, in Richelieu, in April, 1872, his
death occurring December 12 of that year.
NOAH PORTER, D. D., LL. D., was
one of the most noted educators, au-
thors and scientific writers of the United
States. He was born December 14, 181 1,
at Farmington, Connecticut, graduated at
Yale College in 183 1, and was master of
Hopkins Grammar School at New Haven in
1831-33- During 1833-35 he was a tutor
at Yale, and at the same time was pursuing
his theological studies, and became pastor
of the Congregational church at New Mil-
ford, Connecticut, in April, 1836. Dr.
Porter removed to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, in 1843, and was chosen professor of
metaphysics and moral philosophy at Yale
in 1846. He spent a year in Germany in
the study of modern metaphysics in 1853-
54, and in 1871 he was elected president of
Yale College. He resigned the presidency
in 1885, but still remained professor of met-
aphysics and moral philosophy. He was
the author of a number of works, among
which are the following: "Historical Es-
say," written in commemorationof the 200th
aniversary of the settlement of the town of
Farmington; " Educational System of the
Jesuits Compared;" "The Human Intel-
lect," with an introduction upon psychology
and the soul; " Books and Reading;"
"American Colleges and the American Pub-
lic;" " Elementsof Intellectual Philosophy;"
" The Science of Nature versus the Science
of Man;" "Science and Sentiment;" "Ele-
ments of Moral Science." Dr. Porter was
the principal editor of the revised edition of
Webster's Dictionary in 1864, and con-
tributed largely to religious reviews and
periodicals. Dr. Porter's death occurred
March 4, 1 892, at New Haven, Connecticut.
JOHN TYLER, tenth president of the
United States, was born in Charles City
county, Virginia, March 29, 1790, and was
the son of Judge John Tyler, one of the
most distinguished men of his day.
When but twelve years of age young
John Tyler entered William and Mary Col-
lege, graduating from there in 1806. He
took up the study of law and was admitted
to the bar in 1809, when but nineteen years
94
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
of age. On attaining his majority in 1811
he was elected a member of the state legis-
lature, and for five years held that position
by the almost unanimous vote of his county.
He was elected to congress in 18 16, and
served in that body for four years, after
which for two years he represented his dis-
trict again in the legislature of the state.
While in congress, he opposed the United
States bank, the protective policy and in-
ternal improvements by the United States
government. 1S25 saw Mr. Tyler governor
of Virginia, but in 1827 he was chosen
member of the United States senate, and
held that office for nine years. He therein
opposed the administration of Adams and
the tariff bill of 1828, sympathized with the
nullifers of South Carolina and was the
only senator who voted against the Force
bill lor the suppression of that state's insip-
ient rebellion. He resigned his position as
senator on account of a disagreement with
the legislature of his state in relation to his
censuring President Jackson. He retired to
Williamsburg, Virginia, but being regarded
as a martyr by the Whigs, whom, hereto-
fore, he had always opposed, was supported
by many of that party for the vice-presi-
dency in 1836. He sat in the Virginia leg-
islature as a Whig in 1839-40, and was a
del 'gate to the convention of that party in
iS'Q. This national convention nominated
him for the second place on the ticket with
General William H. H. Harrison, and he
was elect'jd vice-president in November,
1840. President Harrison dying one month
after his inauguration, he was succeeded by
John Tyler. He retained the cabinet chosen
by his predecessor, and for a time moved in
harmony with the Whig party. He finally
instructed the secretary of the treasury,
Thomas Ewing, to submit to congress a bill
for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the
United States, which was passed by con-
gress, but vetoed by the president on ac-
count of some amendments he considered
unconstitutional. For this and other meas-
ures he was accused of treachery to his
party, and deserted by his whole cabinet,
except Daniel Webs' er. Things grew worse
until he was abandoned by the Whig party
formally, when Mr. Webster resigned. He
was nominated at Baltimore, in May, 1844,
at the Democratic convention, as their pres-
idential candidate, but withdrew from the
canvass, as he saw he had not succeed-
ed in gaining the confidence of his old
party. He then retired from politics until
February, 1861, when he was made presi-
dent of the abortive peace congress, which
met in Washington. He shortly after re-
nounced his allegiance to the United States
and was elected a member of the Confeder-
ate congress. He died at Richmond, Janu-
ary 17, 1S62.
Mr. Tyler married, in 181 3, Miss Letitia
Christian, who died in 1S42 at Washington.
June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar-
riage, with Miss Julia Gardner, of New York.
COLLIS POTTER HUNTINGTON,
one of the great men of his time and
who has left his impress upon the history of
our national development, was born October
22, 182 1, at Harwinton, Connecticut.
He received a common-school education
and at the age of fourteen his spirit of get-
ting along in the world mastered his educa-
tional propensities and his father's objec-
tions and he left school. He went to Cali-
fornia in the early days and had opportunities
which he handled masterfully. Others had
the same opportunities but they did not have
his brains nor his energy, and it was he who
overcame obstacles and reaped the reward
of his genius. Transcontinental railways
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
95
were inevitable, but the realization of this
masterful achievement would have been de-
layed to a much later day if there had been
no Huntington. He associated himself with
Messrs. Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford,
and Charles Crocker, and they furnished the
money necessary for a survey across the
Sierra Nevadas, secured a charter for the
road, and raised, with the government's aid,
money enough to construct and equip that
railway, which at the time of its completion
was a marvel of engineering and one of the
wonders of the world. Mr. Huntington be-
came president of the Southern Pacific rail-
road, vice-president of the Central Pacific;
trustee of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph
Company, and a director of the Occidental
and Oriental Steamship Company, besides
being identified with many other business
enterprises of vast importance.
GEORGE A. CUSTER, a famous In-
dian fighter, was born in Ohio in 1840.
He graduated at West Point in 1861, an-
served in the Civil war; was at Bull Run id
1861, and was in the Peninsular campaign,
being one of General McClellan's aides-de,
camp. He fought in the battles of South
Mountain and Antietam in 1863, and was
with General Stoneman on his famous
cavalry raid. He was engaged in the battle
of Gettysburg, and was there made brevet-
major. In 1863 was appointed brigadier-
general of volunteers. General Custer was
in many skirmishes in central Virginia in
1863-64, and was present at the following
battles of the Richmond campaign: Wil-
derness, Todd's Tavern, Yellow Tavern, where
liewasbrevetted lieutenant-colonel; Meadow
Bridge, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevil-
lian Station. In the Shenandoah Valley
1864-65 he was brevetted colonel at Opequan
Creek, and at Cedar Creek he was made
brevet major-general for gallant conduct
during the engagement. General Custer
was in command of a cavalry division in the
pursuit of Lee's army in 1865, and fought
at Dinwiddle Court House, Five Forks,
where he was made brevet brigadier-general;
Sailors Creek and Appomattox, where he
gained additional honors and was made
brevet major-general, and was given the
command of the cavalry in the military
division of the southwest and Gulf, in 1865.
After the establishment of peace he went
west on frontier duty and performed gallant
and valuable service in the troubles with the
Indians. He was killed in the massacre on
the Little Big Horn river, South Dakota,
June 25, 1876.
DANIEL WOLSEY VOORHEES, cel-
brated as " The Tall Sycamore of the
Wabash," was born September 26, 1827,
in Butler county, Ohio. When he was two
months old his parents removed to Fount-
ain county, Indiana. He grew to manhood
on a farm, engaged in all the arduous work
pertaining to rural life. In 1845 he entered
the Indiana Asbury University, now the De
Pauw, from which he graduated in 1849.
He took up the study of law at Crawfords-
ville, and in 1851 began the practice of his
profession at Covington, Fountain county,
Indiana. He became a law partner of
United States Senator Hannegan, of Indi-
ana, in 1852, and in 1856 he was an unsuc-
cessful candidate for congress. In the fol-
lowing year he took up his residence in Terre
Haute, Indiana. He was United States
district attorney for Indiana from 1857 until
1 86 1, and he had during this period been
elected to congress, in i860. Mr. Voorhees
was re-elected to congress in 1862 and 1864,
but he was unsuccessful in the election of
1866. However, he was returned to con-
96
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
gress in 1868, where he remained until 1S74,
having been re-elected twice. In 1877 he
was appointed United States senator from
Indiana to fill a vacancy caused by the death
of O. P. Morton, and at the end of the term
was elected for the ensuing term, being re-
elected in 1885 and in 1891 to the same of-
fice. He served with distinction on many
of the committees, and took a very prom-
inent part in the discussion of all the im-
portant legislation of his time. His death
occurred in August, 189 .
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL, fa-
mous as one of the inventors of the tele-
phone, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland,
March 3rd, 1847. He received his early
education in the high school and later he
attended the universit}', and was specially
trained to follow his grandfather's profes-
sion, that of removing impediments of
speech. He emigrated to the United States
in 1S72, and introduced into this country
his father's invention of visible speech in the
institutions for deaf-mutes. Later he was
appointed professor of vocal phj'siology in
the Boston University. He worked for
many years during his leisure hours on his
telephonic discovery, and finally perfected
it and exhibited it publicly, before it had
reached the high state of perfection to which
he brought it. His first exhibition of it was
at the Centennial Exhibition that was held
in Philadelphia in 1876. Its success is now
established throughout the civilized world.
In 1882 Prof. Bell received a diploma and
the decoration of the Legion of Honor from
the Academy of Sciences of France.
WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT,
the justly celebrated historian and
author, was a native of Salem, Massachu-
setts, and was born May 4, 1796. He was
the son of Judge William Prescott and the
grandson of the hero of Bunker Hill, Colonel
William Prescott.
Our subject in 1808 removed with the
family to Boston, in the schools of which
city he received his early education. He
entered Harvard College as a sophomore in
181 1, having been prepared at the private
classical college of Rev. Dr. J. S. J. G.irdi-
jner. The following year he received an in-
ury in his left eye which made study
through life a matter of difficulty. He
graduated in 18 14 with high honors in the
classics and belle lettres. He spent several
months on the Azores Islands, and later
visited England, France and Italy, return-
ing home in 18 17. In June, 18 18, he
founded a social and literary club at Boston
for which he edited "The Club Room," a
periodical doomed to but a short life. May
4, 1820, he married Miss Susan Amory.
He devoted several years after that event to
a thorough study of ancient and modern
history and literature. As the fruits of his
labors he published several well written
essays upon French and Italian poetry and
romance in the " North American Review."
January 19, 1826, he decided to take up his
first great historical work, the " History of
the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella." To
this he gave the labor of ten years, publish-
ing the same December 25, 1837. Although
placed at the head of all American authors,
so diffident was Prescott of his literary merit
that although he had four copies of this
work printed for his own convenience, he
hesitated a long time before giving it to the
public, and it was only by the solicitation of
friends, especially of that talented Spanish
scholar, George Ticknor, that he was in-
duced to do so. Soon the volumes were
translated into French, Italian, Dutch and
German, and the work was recognized
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGBAPHY
97
throughout the world as one of the most
meritorious of historical compositions. In
1843 he published the "Conquest of Mexi-
co," and in 1847 the "Conquest of Peru."
Two years later there came from his pen a
volume of " Biographical and Critical Mis-
cellanies." Going abroad in the summer of
1850, he was received with great distinction
in the literary circles of London, Edinburgh,
Paris, Antwerp and Brussels. Oxford Uni-
versity conferred the degree of D. C. L.
upon him. In 1855 he issued two volumes
of his "History of the Reign of Philip the
Second," and a third in 185S. In the
meantime he edited Robertson's "Charles
the Fifth," adding a history of the life of
that monarch after his abdication. Death
cut short his work on the remaining volumes
Oi " Philip the Second," coming to him at
Boston, Massachusetts, May 28, 1859.
OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, a noted
American commodore, was born in
South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 23,
i/SS- He saw his first service as a mid-
shipman in the United States navy in April,
1799. He cruised with his father. Captain
Christopher Raymond Perry, in the West In-
dies for about two years. In 1804 he was
in the war against Tripoli, and was made
lieutenant in 1S07. At the opening of hostili-
ties with Great Britain in 18 12 he was given
command of a fleet of gunboats on the At-
lantic coast. At his request he was trans-
ferred, a year later, to Lake Ontario, where
he served under Commodore Chauncey, and
took an active part in the attack on Fort
George. He was ordered to fit out a squad-
ron on Lake Erie, which he did, building
most of his vessels from the forests along
the shore, and by the summer of 1 8 1 3 he had
a fleet of nine vessels at Presque Isle, now
Erie, Pennsylvania. September loth he
attacked and captured the British fleet near
Put-in-Bay, thus clearing the lake of hostile
ships. His famous dispatch is part of his
fame, " We have met the enemy, and they
are ours." He co-operated with Gen. Har-
rison, and the success of the campaign in
the northwest was largely due to his victory.
The next year he was transferred to the Po-
tomac, and assisted in the defense of Balti-
more. After the war he was in constant
service with the various squadrons in cruising
in all parts of the world. He died of yellow
fever on the Island of Trinidad, August 23,
1819. His remains were conveyed to New-
port, and buried there, and an imposing
obelisk was erected to his memory by the
State of Rhode Island. A bronze statue
was also erected in his honor, the unveiling
taking place in 1885.
JOHN PAUL JONES, though a native
*J of Scotland, was one of America's most
noted fighters during the Revolutionary war.
He was born July 6, 1747. His father was
a gardener, but the young man soon be-
came interested in a seafaring life and at
the age of twelve he was apprenticed to a
sea captain engaged in the American trade.
His first voyage landed him in Virginia,
where he had a brother who had settled
there several years prior. The failure of
the captain released young Jones from his
apprenticeship bonds, and he was engaged
as third mate of a vessel engaged in the
sla\e trade. He abandoned this trade after
a few years, from his own sense of disgrace.
He took passage from Jainaica for Scotland
in 1768, and on the voyage both the captain
and the mate died and he was compelled to
take command of the vessel for the re-
mainder of the voyage. He soon after
became master of the vessel. He returned
to Virginia about 1773 to settle up the estate
D8
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
of his brother, and at this time added the
name "Jones," having previously been
known as John Paul. He settled down in
Virginia, but when the war broke out in
1775 he offered his services to congress and
was appointed senior lieutenant of the flag-
ship "Alfred," on which he hoisted the
American flag with his own hands, the first
vessel that had ever carried a flag of the
new nation. He was afterward appointed
to the command of the "Alfred," and later
of the "Providence," in each of which ves-
sels he did good service, as also in the
" Ranger," to the command of which he
•was later appointed. The fight that made
him famous, however, was that in which he
captured the " Serapis," off the coast of
Scotland. He was then in command of the
"Bon Homme Richard," which had been
fitted out for him by the French government
and named by Jones in honor of Benjamin
Franklin, or " Good Man Richard," Frank-
lin being author of the publication known
as " Poor Richard's Almanac." The fight
between the " Richard" and the "Serapis"
lasted three hours, all of which time the
vessels were at close range, and most of the
time in actual contact. Jones' vessel was
on fire several times, and early in the en-
gagement two of his guns bursted, rendering
the battery useless. Also an envious officer
of the Alliance, one of Jones' own fleet,
opened fire upon the " Richard " at a crit-
ical time, completely disabling the vessel.
Jones continued the fight, in spite of coun-
sels to surrender, and after dark the "Ser-
apis" struck her colors, and was hastily
boarded by Jones and his crew, while the
"Richard" sank, bows first, after the
wounded had been taken on board the
"Serapis." Most of the other vessels of
the fleet of which the "Serapis" was con-
voy, surrendered, and were taken with the
"Serapis" to France, where Jones was
received with greatest honors, and the king
presented him with an elegant sword and
the cross of the Order of Military Merit.
Congress gave him a vote of thanks and
made him commander of a new ship, the
"America," but the vessel was afterward
given to France and Jones never saw active
sea service again. He came to America again,
in 1787, after the close of the war, and was
voted a gold medal by congress. He went to
Russia and was appointed rear-admiral and
rendered service of value against the Turks,
but on account of personal enmity of the fav-
orites of the emperor he was retired on a pen-
sion. Failing to collect this, he returned to
France, where he died, July 18, 1792.
THOMAS MOI^AN, the well-known
painter of Rocky Mountain scenery,
was born in Lancashire, England, in 1837.
He came to America when a child, and
showing artistic tastes, he was apprenticed
to a wood engraver in Philadelphia. Three
years later he began landscape painting, and
his style soon began to exhibit signs of genius.
His first works were water-colors, and
though without an instructor he began the
use of oils, he soon found it necessary to
visit Europe, where he gave particular at-
tention to the works of Turner. He joined
the Yellowstone Park exploring expedition
and visited the Rocky Mountains in 187 1
and again in 1873, making numerous
sketches of the scenery. The most note-
worthy results were his "Grand Canon of
the Yellowstone," and " The Chasm of the
Colorado," which were purchased by con-
gress at $10,000 each, the first of which is
undoubtedly the finest landscape painting
produced in this country. Mr. Moran has
subordinated art to nature, and the subjects
he has chosen leave little ground for fault
r>f\f^f?ryry
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT,
101
finding on that account. "The Mountain
of the Holy Cross," "The Groves Were
God's First Temples," " The Cliffs of Green
River," "The Children of the Mountain,"
"The Ripening of the Leaf," and others
have given him additional fame, and while
they do not equal in grandeur the first
mentioned, in many respects from an artis-
tic standpoint they are superior.
L ELAND STANFORD was one of the
greatest men of the Pacific coast and
also had a national reputation. He was
born March 9, 1824, in Albany county, New
York, and passed his early life on his
father's farm. He attended the local
schools of the county and at the age of
twenty began the study of law. He
entered the law office of Wheaton, Doolittle
and Hadley, at Albany, in 1845, and a few
years later he moved to Port Washington,
Wisconsin, where he practiced law four
years with moderate success. In 1S52 Mr.
Stanford determined to push further west,
and, accordingly went to California, where
three of his brothers were established in
business in the mining towns. They took
Leland into partnership, giving him charge
of a branch store at Michigan Bluff, in
Placer county. There he developed great
business ability and four j'ears later started
a mercantile house of his own in San Fran-
cisco, which soon became one of the most
substantial houses on the coast. On the
formation of the Republican party he inter-
ested himself in politics, and in 1S60 was
sent as a delegate to the convention that
nom.inated Abraham Lincoln. In the
autumn of 1861 he was elected, by an im-
mense majority, governor of California.
Prior to his election as governor he had
been chosen president of the newly-orga-
nized Central Pacific Railroad Company,
6
and after leaving the executive chair he de-
voted all of his time to the construction of
the Pacific end of the transcontinental rail-
way. May 10, 1S69, Mr. Stanford drove
the last spike of the Central Pacific road,
thus completing the route across the conti-
nent. He was also president of the Occi-
dental and Oriental Steamship Company.
He had but one son, who died of typhoid
fever, and as a monument to his child he
founded the university which bears his son's
name, Leland Stanford, Junior, University.
Mr. Stanford gave to this university eighty-
three thousand acres of land, the estimated
value of which is $8,000,000, and the entire
endowment is $20,000,000. In 1885 Mr.
Stanford was elected United States senator
as a Republican, to succeed J. T. Farley, a
Democrat, and was re-elected in 1 891. His
death occurred June 20, 1894, at Palo Alto,
California.
STEPHEN DECATUR, a famous com-
modore in the United States navy, was
born in Maryland in 1779. He entered the
naval service in 1798. In 1804, when the
American vessel Philadelphia had been run
aground and captured in the harbor of Trip-
oli, Decatur, at the head of a few men,
boarded her and burned her in the face of
the guns from the city defenses. For this
daring deed he was made captain. He was
given command of the frigate United States
at the breaking out of the war of 18 12, and
in October of that year he captured the
British frigate Macedonian, and was re-
warded with a gold medal by congress. Af-
ter the close of the war he was sent as com-
mander of a fleet of ten vessels to chastise
the dey of Algiers, who was preying upon
American commerce with impunity and de-
manding tribute and ransom for the release
of American citizens captured. Decatur
102
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
captured a number of Algerian vessels, and
compelled the dey to sue for peace. He
was noted for his daring and intrepidity,
and his coolness in the face of danger, and
helped to bring the United States navy into
favor with the people and congress as a
means of defense and offense in time of
war. He was killed in a duel by Commo-
dore Barron, March 12, 1820.
JAMES KNOX POLK, the eleventh
president of the United States, 1845 to
1849, was born November 2, 1795, in Meck-
lenburg county, North Carolina, and was
the eldest child of a family of si.x sons. He
removed with his father to the Valley of the
Duck River, in Tennessee, in 1806. He
attended the common schools and became
very proficient in the lower branches of
education, and supplemented this with
a course in the Murfreesboro Academy,
which he entered in 18 13 and in the autumn
of 18 1 5 he became a student in the sopho-
more class of the University of North Caro-
lina, at Chapel Hill, and was graduated in
181 8. He then spent a short time in re-
cuperating his health and then proceeded to
Nashville, Tennessee, where he took up the
study of law in the office of Felix Grundy.
After the completion of his law studies he
was admitted to the bar and removed to
Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee, and
started in the active practice of his profes-
sion. Mr. Polk was a Jeffersonian "Re-
publican " and in 1823 he was elected to the
legislature of Tennessee. He was a strict
constructionist and did not believe that the
general government had the power to carry
on internal improvements in the states, but
deemed it important that it should have that
power, and wanted the constitution amended
to that effect. But later on he became
alarmed lest the general government might
become strong enough to abolish slavery
and therefore gave his whole support to the
" State's Rights" movement, and endeavored
to check the centralization of power in the
general government. Mr. Polk was chosen
a member of congress in 1S25, and held that
office until 1839. He then withdrew, as he
was the successful gubernatorial candidate
of his state. He had become a man of
great influence in the house, and, as the
leader of the Jackson party in that bodj',
weilded great influence in the election of
General Jackson to the presidency. He
sustained the president in all his measures
and still refnained in the house after Gen-
eral Jackson had been succeeded by Martin
Van Buren. He was speaker of the house
during five sessions of congress. He was
elected governor of Tennessee by a large
majority and took the oath of office at Nash-
ville, October 4, 1S39. He was a candidate
for re-election but was defeated by Governor
Jones, the Whig candidate. In 1844 the
most prominent question in the election was
the annexation of Texas, and as Mr. Polk
was the avowed champion of this cause he
was nominated for president by the pro-
slavery wing of the democratic party, was
elected by a large majority, and was inaug-
urated March 4, 1845. President Polk
formed a very able cabinet, consisting of
James Buchanan, Robert J. Walker, Will-
iam L. Marcy, George Bancroft, Cave John-
son, and John Y. Mason. The dispute re-
garding tiie Oregon boundary was settled
during his term of office and a new depart-
ment was added to the list of cabinet po-
sitions, that of the Interior. The low tariff
bill of 1846 was carried and the financial
system of the country was reorganized. It
was also during President Polk's term that
the Mexican war was successfully conducted,
which resulted in the acquisition of Califor-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
103
nia and New Mexico. Mr. Polk retired from
the presidency March 4, 1849, after having
dechned a re-nomination, and was succeeded
by General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the
Mexican war. Mr. Polk retired to private
life, to his home in Nashville, where he died
at the age of fifty-four on June 9, 1849.
ANNA DICKINSON (Anna Elizabeth
Dickinson), a noted lecturer and pub-
lic speaker, was born at Philadelphia, Oc-
tober 28, 1842. Her parents were Quakers,
and she was educated at the Friends' free
schools in her native city. She early man-
ifested an inclination toward elocution and
public speaking, and when, at the age of 18,
she found an opportunity to appear before
a national assemblage for the discussion of
woman's rights, she at once established her
reputation as a public speaker. From i860
to the close of the war and during the ex-
citing period of reconstruction, she was one
of the most noted and influential speakers
before the American public, and her popu-
larity was unequaled by that of any of her
sex. A few weeks after the defeat and
death of Colonel Baker at Ball's Bluff, Anna
Dickinson, lecturing in New York, made
the remarkable assertion, " Not the incom-
petency of Colonel Baker, but the treachery
of General McClellan caused the disaster at
Ball's Bluff." She was hissed and hooted
off the stage. A year later, at the same
hall and with much the same class of audi-
tors, she repeated the identical words, and
the applause was so great and so long con-
tinued that it was impossible to go on with
her lecture for more than half an hour. The
change of sentiment had been wrought by
the reverses and dismissal of McClellan and
his ambition to succeed Mr. Lincoln as presi-
dent.
Ten years after the close of the war, Anna
Dickinson was not heard of on the lec-
ture platform, and about that time she made
an attempt to enter the dramatic profession,
but after appearing a number of times in dif-
ferent plays she was pronounced a failure.
ROBERT J. BURDETTE.— Some per-
sonal characteristics of Mr. Burdette
were quaintly given by himself in the follow-
ing words: "Politics.'' Republican after
the strictest sect. Religion } Baptist. Per-
sonal appearance .' Below medium height,
and weigh one hundred and thirty-five
pounds, no shillings and no pence. Rich .■•
Not enough to own a yacht. Favorite read-
ing.' Poetry and history — know Longfellow
by heart, almost. Write for magizines .'
Have more ' declined with thanks ' letters
than would fill a trunk. Never able to get
into a magazine with a line. Care about it.'
Mad as thunder. Think about starting a
magazine and rejecting everbody's articles
except my own." Mr. Burdette was born
at Greensborough, Pennsylvania, in 1844.
He served through the war of the rebellion
under General Banks "on an excursion
ticket" as he felicitously described it, "good
both ways, conquering in one direction and
running in the other, pay going on just the
same." He entered into journalism by the
gateway of New York correspondence for
the "Peoria Transcript," and in 1874 went
on the "Burlington Hawkeye" of which he
became the managing editor, and the work
that he did on this paper made both him-
self and the paper famous in the world of
humor. Mr. Burdette married in 1870,
and his wife, whom he called "Her Little
Serene Highness," was to him a guiding
light until the day of her death, and it was
probably the unconscious pathos with which
he described her in his work that broke the
barriers that had kept him out of the maga-
104
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
zines and secured him the acceptance of his
' ' Confessions " by Lippincott some years
ago, and brought him substantial fame and
recognition in the literary world.
WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, one
of the leading novelists of the present
century and author of a number of works
that gained for him a place in the hearts of
the people, was born March i, 1837, at
Martinsville, Belmont county, Ohio. At
the age of three years he accompanied his
father, who was a printer, to Hamilton,
Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade.
Later he was engaged on the editorial staff
of the ' ' Cincinnati Gazette " and the " Ohio
State Journal." During 1861-65 he was
the United States consul at Venice, and
from 1S71 to 1878 he was the editor-in-
chief of the "Atlantic Monthly." As a
writer he became one of the most fertile
and readable of authors and a pleasing poet.
In 1885 he became connected with "Har-
per's Magazine." Mr. Howells was author
of the list of books that we give below:
"Venetian Life," " Italian Journeys," "No
Love Lost," " Suburban Sketches," "Their
Wedding Journey," "A Chance Acquaint-
ance," "A Foregone Conclusion," "Dr.
Breen's Practice," "A Modern Instance,"
"The Rise of Silas Lapham," "Tuscan
Cities," "Indian Summer," besides many
others. He also wrote the " Poem of Two
Friends," with J. J. Piatt in i860, and
some minor dramas: "The Drawing
Room Car," "The Sleeping Car," etc.,
that are full of exqusite humor and elegant
dialogue.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL was a son
of tlie Rev. Charles Lowell, and was born
nt Cambridge. Massachusetis, Fci)ruary 22,
J 8 19. He graduated at Harvard College in
1838 as class poet, and went to Harvard
Law School, from which he was graduated
in 1840, and commenced the practice of his
profession in Boston, but soon gave his un-
divided attention to literary labors. Mr.
Lowell printed, in 1841, a small volume of
poems entitled " A Year's Life," edited with
Robert Carter; in 1843, "The Pioneer, " a
literary and critical magazine (monthly), and
in 1848 another book of poems, that con-
tained several directed against slavery. He
published in 1844 a volume of "Poems"
and in 1845 "Conversations on Some
of the Old Poets," "The Vision of Sir
Launfal," " A Fable for Critics," and "The
Bigelow Papers," the lattei satirical es-
says in dialect poetry directed against
slavery and the war with Mexico. In
1851-52 he traveled in Europe and re-
sided in Italy for a considerable time, and
delivered in 1854-55 a course of lectureson
the British poets, before the Lowell Insti-
tute, Boston. Mr. Lowell succeeded Long-
fellow in January, 1855, as professor of
modern languages and literature at Harvard
College, and spent another year in Euiope
qualifying himself for that post. He edited
the " Atlantic Monthly " from 185710 1862,
and the "North American Review" from
1863 until 1S72. From 1864 to 1870 he
published the following works: "Fireside
Travels," " Under the Willows," "The
Commemoration Ode," in honor of the
alumni of Harvard who had fallen in the
Civil war; "The Cathedral," two vohiines
of essays; "Among My Books" and " My
Study Windows," and in 1867 he published
a new series of the " Bigelow Papers." He
traveled extensively in Europe in 1872-74,
and received in person the degree of I). C.
L. at Oxford and that of LL. D. at the
University of Catnbridge, England. He
was also interested in political life and held
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
105
many important offices. He was United
States minister to Spain in 1877 and was
also minister to England in 1880-85. On
January 2, 1884, he was elected lord rector
of St. Andrew University in Glasgow, Scot-
land, but soon after he resigned the same.
Mr. Lowell's works enjoy great popularity
in the United States and England. He
died August 12, 1891.
JOSEPH HENRY, one of America's
greatest scientists, was born at Albany,
New York, December 17, 1797. He was
educated in the common schools of the city
and graduated from the Albany Academy,
where he became a professor of mathemat-
ics in 1826. In 1827 he commenced a
course of investigation, which he continued
for a number of years, and the results pro-
duced had great effect on the scientific world.
The first success was achieved by producing
the electric magnet, and he next proved the
possibility of exciting magnetic energy at a
distance, and it was the invention of Pro-
fessor Henry's intensity magnet that first
made the invention of electric telegraph a
possibility. He made a statement regarding
the practicability of applying the intensity
magnet to telegraphic uses, in his article to
the "American Journal of Science " in 1831.
During the same year he produced the first
mechanical contrivance ever invented for
maintaining continuous motion by means of
electro-magnetism, and he also contrived a
machine by which signals could be made at
a distance by the use of his electro-magnet,
the signals being produced by a lever strik-
ing on a bell. Some of his electro-magnets
were of great power, one carried over a ton
and another not less than three thousand six
hundred pounds. In 1832 he discovered
that secondary currents could be produced
in a long conductor by the induction of the
primary current upon itself, and also in the
same year he produced a spark by means of
a purely magnetic induction. Professor
Henry was elected, in 1832, professor of nat-
ural philosophy in the College of New Jer-
sey, and in his earliest lectures at Princeton,
demonstrated the feasibility of the electric
telegraph. He visited Europe in 1837, and
while there he had an interview with Pro-
fessor Wheatstone, the inventor of the
needle magnetic telegraph. In 1846 he was
elected secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, being the first incumbent in that office,
which he held until his death. Professor
Henry was elected president of the Ameri-
can Association for the Advancement of
Science, in 1849, and of the National
Academy of Sciences. He was made chair-
man of the lighthouse board of the United
States in 1871 and held that position up to
the time of his death. He received the
honorary degree of doctor of laws from
Union College in 1829, and from Harvard
University in 185 1, and his death occurred
May 13, 1878. Among his numerous works
may be mentioned the following: "Contri-
butions to Electricity and Magnetism,"
" American Philosophic Trans," and many
articles in the "American Journal of
Science," the journal of the Franklin Insti-
tute; the proceedings of the American As-
sociation for the Advancement of Science,
and in the annual reports of the Smith-
sonian Institution from its foundation.
FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, the famous
rear-admiral of the Confederate navy
during the rebellion, was born in Baltimore,
Maryland. He became a United States
midshipman in 18 15 and was promoted
through the various grades of the service
and became a captain in 1855. Mr. Buch-
anan resigned his captaincy in order to join
lOG
COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGPAPJir.
the Confederate service in 1861 and later he
asked to be reinstated, but his request was
refused and he then entered into the service
of the Confederate government. He was
placed in command of tlie frigate " Merri-
mac " after she had been fitted up as an iron-
clad, and had command of her at the time
of the battle of Hampton Roads. It was
he who had command when the "Merri-
mac" sunk the two wooden frigates, " Con-
gress" and " Cumberland," . and was also
in command during part of the historical
battle of the " iMerrimac" and the "Moni-
tor," where he was wounded and the com-
mand devolved upon Lieutenant Catesby
Jones. He was created rear-admiral in the
Confederate service and commanded the
Confederate fleet in Mobile bay, which was
defeated by Admiral Farragut, August 5,
1864. Mr. Buchanan was in command of
the "Tennessee," an ironclad, and during
the engagement he lost one of his legs and
was taken prisoner in the end by the Union
fleet. After the war he settled in Talbot
county, Maryland, where he died May 11,
1874.
RICHARD PARKS BLAND, a celebrated
American statesman, frequently called
"the father of the house," because of his
many years of service in the lower house
of congress, was born August 19, 1835,
near Hartford, Kentucky, where he received
a plain academic education. He moved,
in 1855, to Missouri, from whence he went
overland to California, afterward locating in
Virginia City, now in the state of Nevada,
but then part of the territory of Utah.
While there he practiced law, dabbled in
mines and mining in Nevada and California
for several years, and served for a time as
treasurer of Carson county, Nevada. Mr.
Bland returned to Missouri in 1865, where
he engaged in the practice of law at Rolla,
Missouri, and in 1S69 removed to Lebanon,
Missouri. He began his congressional career
in 1873, when he was elected as a Demo-
crat to the forty-third congress, and he was
regularly re-elected to every congress after
that time up to the fifty-fourth, when he was
defeated for re-election, but was returned
to the fifty-fifth congress as a Silver Demo-
crat. During all his protracted service,
while Mr. Bland was always steadfast in his
support of democratic measures, yet he won
his special renown as the great advocate cf
silver, being strongly in favor of the free
and unlimited coinage of silver, and on ac-
count of his pronounced views was one of
the candidates for the presidential nomina-
tion of the Democratic party at Chicago in
1896.
FANNY DAVENPORT (F. L. G. Daven-
port) was of British birth, but siie be-
longs to the American stage. She was the
daughter of the famous actor, E. L. Daven-
port, and was born in London in 1850.
She first went on the stage as a child at the
Howard Athenaeum, Boston, and her entire
life was spent upon the stage. She playeii
children's parts at Burton's old theater in
Chambers street, and then, in 1862, appeared
as the King of Spain in " Faint Heart Never
Won Fair Lady. " Here she attracted the
notice of Augustin Daly, the noted mana-
ger, then at the Fifth Avenue theater, who
offered her a si.K weeks' engagement with
her father in "London Assurance." She
afterwards appeared at the same house in a
variety of characters, and her versatility
was favorably noticed by the critics. After
the burning of the old Fifth Avenue, the
present theater of that name was built at
Twenty-eighth street, and here Miss Daven-
port appeared in a play written for her by
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT
107
Mr. Daly. She scored a great success.
She then starred in this play throughout the
country, and was married to Mr. Edwin F.
Price, an actor of her company, in i8So.
In 1882 she went to Paris and purchased
the right to produce in America Sardou's
great emotional play, "Fedora." It was
put on at the Fourteenth Street theater in
New York, and in it she won popular favor
and became one of the most famous actresses
of her time.
HORACE BRIGHAM CLAFLIN, one
of the greatest merchants America has
produced, was born in Milford, Massachu-
setts, a son of John Claflin, also a mer-
chant. Young Claflin started his active life
as a clerk in his father's store, after having
been offered the opportunity of a college
education, but with the characteristic
promptness that was one of his virtues he
exclaimed, "No law or medicine for me."
He had set his heart on being a merchant,
and when his father retired he and his
brother Aaron, and his brother-in-law, Sam-
uel Daniels, conducted the business. Mr.
Claflin was not content, however, to run a
store in a town like Milford, and accordingly
opened a dry goods store at Worcester, with
his brother as a partner, but the partnership
was dissolved a year later and H. B. Claflin
assumed complete control. The business
in Worcester had been conducted on ortho-
dox principles, and when Mr. Claflin came
there and introduced advertising as a means
of drawing trade, he created considerable
animosity among the older merchants. Ten
years later he was one of the most prosper-
ous merchants. He disposed of his busi-
ness in Worcester for $30,000, and went to
New York to search for a wider field than
that of a shopkeeper. Mr. Claflin and
William M. Bulkley started in the dry goods
business there under the firm name of Bulk-
ley & Claflin, in 1843, and Mr. Bulkley was
connected with the firm until 185 1, when he
retired. A new firm was then formed under
the name of Claflin, Mellin & Co. This
firm succeeded in founding the largest dry
goods house in the world, and after weather-
ing the dangers of the civil war, during
which the house came very near going un-
der, and was saved only by the superior
business abi'lities of Mr. Claflin, continued to
grow. The sales of the firm amounted to
over $72,000,000 a year after the close of
the war. Mr. Claflin died November 14,
1885.
CI-IARLOTTE CUSHMAN (Charlotte
Saunders Cushman), one of the most
celebrated American actresses, was born in
Boston, July 23, 1816. She was descended
from one of the earliest Puritan families.
Her first attempt at stage work was at the
age of fourteen years in a charitable concert
given by amateurs in Boston. From this
time her advance to the first place on the
American lyric stage was steady, until, in
1835, while singing in New Orleans, she
suddenly lost control of her voice so far as
relates to singing, and was compelled to re-
tire. She then took up the study for the
dramatic stage under the direction of Mr.
Barton, the tragedian. She soon after
made her debut as " Lady Macbeth." She
appeared in New York in September, 1836,
and her success was immediate. Her
"Romeo" was almost perfect, and she is
the only woman that has ever appeared in
the part of " Cardinal Wolsey." She at
different times acted as support of Forrest
and Macready. Her London engagement,
secured in 1845, after many and great dis-
couragements, proved an unqualified suc-
cess.
108
COMPENDIUM OF BWGRAI'Iir.
Her farewell appearance was at Booth's
theater, New York, November 7, 1874, in
the part of " Lady Macbeth," and after that
performance an Ode by R. H. Stoddard
was read, and a body of citizens went upon
the stage, and in their name the venerable
poet Longfellow presented her with a wreath
of laurel with an inscription to the effect
that "she who merits the palm should bear
it." From the time of her appearance as a
modest girl in a charitable entertainment
down to the time of final triumph as a tragic
queen, she bore herself with as much honor
to womanhood as to the profession she rep-
resented. Her death occurred in Boston,
February 18, 1876. By her profession she
acquired a fortune of $600,000.
NEAL DOW, one of the most prominent
temperance reformers our country has
known, was born in Portland, Me., March 20,
1804. He received his education in the
Friends Seminary, at New Bedford, Massa-
chusetts, his parents being members of that
sect. After leaving school he pursued a
mecrantile and manufacturing career for a
number of years. He was active in the
affairs of his native city, and in 1839 be-
came chief of the fire department, and in
185 1 was elected mayor. He was re-elected
to the latter office in 1854. Being opposed
to the liquor traffic he was a champion of
the project of prohibition, first brought for-
ward in 1839 by James Appleton., While
serving his first term as mayor he drafted a
bill for the "suppression of drinking houses
and tippling shops," which he took to the
legislature and which was passed without an
alteration. In 1858 Mr. Dow was elected
to the legislature. On the outbreak of the
Civil war he was appointed colonel of the
Thirteenth Maine Infantry and accompanied
General Butler's expedition to New Orleans.
In 1862 he was made brigadier-general. At
the battle of Port Hudson May 27, 1863, he
was twice wounded, and taken prisoner. He
was confined at Libby prison and Mobile
nearly a year, when, being e.xchanged, he
resigned, his health having given way under
the rigors of his captivity. He made sev-
eral trips to England in the interests of
temperance organization, where he addressed
large audiences. He was the candidate of
the National Prohibition party for the presi-
dency in 1880, receiving about ten thousand
votes. In 1884 he was largely instrumental
in the amendment of the constitution of
Maine, adopted by an overwhelming popular
vote, which forever forbade the manufacture
or sale of any intoxicating beverages, and
commanding the legislature to enforce the
prohibition. He died October 2, 1897.
ZACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth president
of the United States, was born in
Orange county, Virginia, September 24,
1784. His boyhood was spent on his fath-
er's plantation and his education was lim-
ited. In 1808 he was made lieutenant of
the Seventh Infantr)% and joined his regi-
ment at New Orleans. He was promoted
to captain in 18 10, and commanded at Fort
Harrison, near the present site of Torre
Haute, in 1812, where, for his gallant de-
fense, he was brevetted major, attaining full
rank in 1814. In 1815 he retired to an es-
tate near Louisville. In 18 16 here-entered
the army as major, and was promoted to
lieutenant-colonel and then to colonel.
Having for many years been Indian agent
over a large pon ion of the western country,
he was often required in Washington to give
advice and counsel in matters connected
with the Indian b ireau. He served through
the Black Hawk ^ndian war of 1832, and in
1837 was ordered to the command of the
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
109
army in Florida, where he attacked the In-
dians in the swamps and brakes, defeated
them and ended the war. He was brevetted
brigadier-general and made commander-in-
chief of the army in Florida. He was as-
signed to the command of the army of the
southwest in 1840, but was soon after re-
lieved of it at his request. He was then
stationed at posts in Arkansas. In 1845 he
was ordered to prepare to protect and de-
fend Te.xas boundaries from invasion by
Mexicans and Indians. On the annexation
of Texas he proceeded with one thousand
five hundred men to Corpus Christi, within
the disputed territory. After reinforcement
he was ordered by the Mexican General Am-
pudia to retire beyond the Nueces river,
with which order he declined to comply.
The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma followed, and he crossed the Rio
Grande and occupied Matamoras May iSth.
He was commissioned major-general for this
campaign, and in September he advanced
upon the city of Monterey and captured it
after a hard fight. Here he took up winter
quarters, and when he_was about to resume
activity in the spring he was ordered to send
the larger part of his army to reinforce
General Scott at Vera Cruz. After leaving
garrisons at various points his army was re-
duced to about five thousand, mostly fresh
recruits. He was attacked by i.he army of
Santa Anna at Buena Vista, February 22,
1847, and after a severe fight completely
routed the Mexicans. He received the
thanks of congress and a gold medal for
this victory. He remained in command of
the " army of occupation " until winter,
when he returned to the United States.
In 1848 General Taylor was nominated
by the Whigs for president. He was elected
over his two opponents, Cass and Van
Buren. Great bitterness was developing in
the struggle for and against the extension of
slavery, and the newly acquired territory in
the west, and the fact that the states were
now equally divided on that question, tended
to increase the feeling. President Taylor
favored immediate admission of California
with her constitution prohibiting slavery,
and the admission of other states to be
formed out of the new territory as they
might elect as they adopted constitutions
from time to time. This policy resulted in
the " Omnibus Bill," which afterward passed
congress, though in separate bills; not, how-
ever, until after the death of the soldier-
statesman, which occurred July 9, 1850.
One of his daughters became the wife of
Jefferson Davis.
M
ELVILLE D. LANDON, better known
as " Eli Perkins, " author, lecturer and
humorist, was born in Eaton, New York,
September 7, 1839. He was the son of
John Landon and grandson of Rufus Lan-
don, a revolutionary soldier from Litchfield
county, Connecticut. Melville was edu-
cated at the district school and neighboring^
academy, where he was prepared for the
sophomore class at Madison University. He
passed two years at the latter, when he was
admitted to Union College, and graduated
in the class of 1861, receiving the degree of
A. M., in 1862. He was, at once, ap-
pointed to a position in the treasury depart-
ment at Washington. This being about the
time of the breaking out of the war, and
before the appearance of any Union troops
at the capital, he assisted in the organiza-
tion of the " Clay Battalion," of Washing-
ton. Leaving his clerkship some time later,
he took up duties on the staff of General A.
L. Chetlain, who was in command at Mem-
phis. In 1864 he resigned from the army
and engaged in cotton planting in Arkansas
no
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY,
and Louisiana. In 1867 he went abroad,
making the tour of Europe, traversing Rus-
sia. Wliile in the latter country his old
commander of the " Clay Battalion," Gen-
eral Cassius M. Clay, then United States
minister at St. Petersburg, made him secre-
tary of legation. In 1871, on returning to
America, he published a history of the
Franco-Prussian war, and followed it with
numerous humorous writings for the public
press under the name of "Eli Perkins,"
which, with his regular contributions to the
" Commercial Advertiser," brought him into
notice, and spread his reputation as a hu-
morist throughout thecountry. He also pub-
lished "Saratoga in 1891," "Wit, Humor
and Pathos," ' 'Wit and Humor of the Age,"
•• Kings of Platform and Pulpit," "Thirty
Years of Wit and Humor," " Fun and Fact,"
and " China and Japan."
LEWIS CASS, one of the most prom-
inent statesman and party leaders of his
day, was born at Exeter, New Hampshire,
October 9, 1782. He studied law, and hav-
ing removed toZanesville, Ohio, commenced
the practice of that profession in 1802. He
entered the service of the American govern-
ment in 181 2 and was made a colonel in
the army under General William Hull, and
on the surrender of Fort Maiden by that
officer was held as a prisoner. Being re-
leased in 1813, he was promoted to the
rank of brigadier-general and in 1814 ap-
pointed governor of Michigan Territory.
After he had held that office for some
sixteen years, negotiating, in the meantime,
many treaties with the Indians, General
Cass was made secretary of war in the cabi-
net of President Jackson, in 1831. He was,
in 1836, appointed minister to France,
which office he held for six years. In 1844
he vas elected United States senator from
Michigan. In 1846 General Cass opposed
the Wilmot Proviso, which was an amend-
ment to a bill for the purchase of land from
Mexico, which provided that .in any of the
territory acquired from that power slavery
should not exist. For this and other reasons
he was nominated as Democratic candidate
for the presidency of the United States in
1848, but was defeated by General Zachary
Taylor, the Whig candidate, having but
one hundred and thirty-seven electoral votes
to his opponent's one hundred and sixty-
three. In 1849 General Cass was re-elected
to the senate of the United States, and in
1854 supported Douglas' Kansas-Nebraska
bill. He became secretary of state in
March, 1857, under President Buchanan,
but resigned that office in December, i860.
He died June 17, 1866. The published
works of Lewis Cass, while not numerous,
are well written and display much ability.
He was one of the foremost men of his day
in the political councils of the Democratic
party, and left a reputation for high probity
and honor behind him.
DEWITT CLINTON.— Probably there
were but few men who were so popular
in their time, or who have had so much in-
fluence in moulding events as the individual
whose name honors the head of this article.
De Witt Clinton was the son of General
James Clinton, and a nephew of Governor
George Clinton, who was the fourth vice-
president of the United States. He was a
native of Orange county. New York, born at
Little Britain, March 2, 1769. He gradu-
ated from Columbia College, in his native
state, in 1796, and took up the study of law.
In 1790 he became private secretary to his
uncle, then governor of New York. He en-
tered public life as a Republican or anti-
Federalist, and was elected to the lower
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Ill
house of the state assembly in 1797, and the
senate of that body in 1798. At that time
he was looked on as " the most rising man
in the Union." In 1801 he was elected to
the United States senate. In 1803 he was
appointed by the governor and council
mayor of the city of New York, then a
very important and powerful office. Hav-
ing been re-appointed, he held the office
of mayor for nearly eleven years, and
rendered great service to that city. Mr.
Clinton served as lieutenant-governor of
the state of New York, 1811-13, and
was one of the commissioners appointed
to examine and survey a route for a canal
from the Hudson river to Lake Erie. Dif-
fering with President Madison, in relation to
the war, in 18 12, he was nominated for the
presidency against that gentleman, by a
coalition party called the Clintonians, many
of whom were Federalists. Clinton received
eight-nine electoral votes. His course at
this time impaired his popularity for a time.
He was removed from the mayoralty in
1814, and retired to private life. In 18 15
he wrote a powerful argument for the con-
struction of the Erie canal, then a great and
beneficent work of which he was the prin-
cipal promoter. This was in the shape of
a memorial to the legislature, which, in
18 17, passed a bill authorizing the construc-
tion of that canal. The same year he was
elected governor of New York, almost unani-
mously, notwithstanding the opposition of
a few who pronounced the scheme of the
canal visionary. He was re-elected governor
in 1820. He was at this time, also, presi-
dent of the canal commissioners. He de-
clined a re-election to the gubernatorial
chair in 1822 and was removed from his
place on the canal board two years later.
But he was triumphantly elected to the of-
fice of governor that fall, and his pet project.
the Erie canal, was finished the next year.
He was re-elected governor in 1826, but
died while holding that office, February 11,
i»2!:
AARON BURR, one of the many brilliant
figures on the political stage in the early
days of America, was born at Newark, New
Jersey, February 6, 1756. He was the son
of Aaron and Esther Burr, the former the
president of the College of New Jersey, and
the latter a daughter of Jonathan Edwards,
who had been president of the same educa-
tional institution. Young Burr graduated
at Princeton in 1772. In 1775 he joined
the provincial army at Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts. For a time, he served as a private
soldier, but later was made an aide on the
staff of the unfortunate General Montgom-
ery, in the Quebec expedition. Subse-
quently he was on the staffs of Arnold, Put-
nam and Washington, the latter of whom
he disliked. He was promoted to the rank
of lieutenant-colonel and commanded a
brigade on Monmouth's bloody field. In
1779. on account of feeble health. Colonel
Burr resigned from the army. He took up
the practice of law in Albany, New York,
but subsequently removed to New York City.
In 1789 he became attorney-general of that
state. In 1791 he was chosen to represent
the state of New York in the United States
senate and held that position for six years.
In 1800 he and Thomas Jefferson were both
candidates for the presidency, and there
being a tie in the electoral college, each
having seventy-three votes, the choice was
left to congress, who gave the first place to
Jefferson and made Aaron Burr vice-presi-
dent, as the method then was. In 1804 Mr.
Burr and his great rival, Alexander Hamil-
ton, met in a duel, which resulted in the
death of the latter, Burr losing thereby con-
112
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
siderable political and social influence. He
soon embarked in a wild attempt upon
Mexico, and as was asserted, upon the
southwestern territories of the United
States. He was tried for treason at
Richmond, Virginia, in 1807, but acquitted,
and to avoid importunate creditors, fled to
.Europe. Afteratime, in 1812, he returned
to New York, where he practiced law, and
where he died, September 14, 1836. A man
of great ability, brilliant and popular talents,
his influence was destroyed by his unscrupu-
lous political actions and immoral private
life. ^____^_
ALBERT GALLATIN, one of the most
I distinguished statesmen of the early
.days of the republic, was born at Geneva,
Switzerland, January 29, 1761. He was
the son of Jean de Ga,llatin and Sophia A.
Rolaz du Rosey Gallatin, representatives of
an old patrician family. Albert Gallatin
.was left an orphaa.at an early age, and was
educated under the care of friends of his
parents. He graduated from the University
of Geneva in 1779, and declining employ-
ment under one of the sovereigns of Ger-
many, came to the struggling colonies, land-
ing in Boston July 14, 1780. Shortly after
his arrival he proceeded to Maine, where he
served as a volunteer under Colonel Allen.
He made advances to the government for
the support of the American troops, and in
.November, 1780, was placed in command
of a small fort at Passamaquoddy, defended
by a force of militia, volunteers and Indians.
.In 1783 he was professor of the French
language at Harvard University. A year
later, having received his patrimony from
Europe, he purchased large tracts of land
in western Virginia, but was prevented by
the Indians from forming the large settle-
ment he proposed, and, in 17.86, purchased
a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
In 1789 he was a member of the convention
to amend the constitution of that state, and
united himself with the Republican party,
the head of which was Thomas Jefferson.
The following, year he was elected to the
legislature of Pennsylvania, to which he was
subsequently re-elected. In 1793 'le was
elected to the United States senate, but
could not take his seat on account of not
havingbeen a citizen long enough. In 1794
Mr. Gallatin was elected to the representa-
tive branch of congress, in which he served
three terms. He also took an important
position in the suppression of the "whiskey
insurrection." In 1801, on the accession of
Jefferson to the presidency, Mr. Gallatin
was appointed secretary of the treasury.
In 1809 Mr. Madison offered him the posi-
tion of secretary of state, but he declined,
and continued at the head of the treasury
until 1812, a period of twelve years. He
exercised a great influence on the other de-
partments and in the general administration,
especially in the matter of financial reform,
and recommended measures for taxation,
etc., which were passed by congress, and be-
came laws May 24, 1 8 1 3. The same year he
was sent as an envoy extraordinary to Rus-
sia, which had offered to mediate between
this country and Great Britain, but the lat-
ter country refusing the interposition of
another power, and agreeing to treat di-
rectly with the United States, in 18 14, at
Ghent, Mr. Gallatin, in connection with his
distinguished colleagues, negotiated and
signed the treaty of peace. In 181 5, in
conjunction with Messrs. Adams and Clay,
he signed, at London, a commercial treaty
between the two countries. In 18 16, de-
clining his old post at the head of the treas-
ury, Mr. Gallatin was sent as minister to
France, where he remained until 1823.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
113
After a year spent in England as envoy ex-
traordinary, he took up his residence in New
York, and from that time held no pubhc
office. In 1830 he was chosen president of
the council of the University of New York.
He was, in 1831, made president of the
National bank, which position he resigned
in 1839. He died August 12, 1849.
M
ILLARD FILLMORE, the thirteenth
president of the United States, was
born of New England parentage in Summer
Hill, Cayuga county. New York, January 7,
1800. His school education was very lim-
ited, but he occupied his leisure hours in
study. He worked in youth upon his fa-
ther's farm in his native county, and at the
age of fifteen was apprenticed to a wool
carder and cloth dresser. Four years later
he was induced by Judge Wood to enter his
office at Montville, New York, and take up
the study of law. This warm friend, find-
ing young Fillmore destitute of means,
loaned him money, but the latter, not wish-
ing to incur a heavy debt, taught school
during part of the time and in this and other
ways helped maintain himself. In 1822 he
removed to Buffalo, New York, and the year
following, being admitted to the bar, he
commenced the practice of his profession
at East Aurora, in the same state. Here
he remained until 1830, having, in the
meantime, been admitted to practice in the
supreme court, when he returned to Buffalo,
where he became the partner of S. G.
Haven and N. K. Hall. He entered poli-
tics and served in the state legislature from
1829 to 1832. He was in congress in 1833-
35 and in 1837-41, where he proved an
active and useful member, favoring the
views of John Quincy Adams, then battling
almost alone the slave-holding party in na-
tional politics, and in most 01 public ques-
tions acted with the Whig party. While
chairman of the committee of ways and
means he took a leading part in draughting
the tariff bill of 1842. In 1844 Mr. Fill-
more was the Whig candidate for governor
of New York. In 1847 he was chosen
comptroller of the state, and abandoning
his practice and profession removed to Al-
bany. In 1848 he was elected vice presi^
dent on the ticket with General Zachary
Taylor, and they were inaugurated the fol-
lowing March. On the death of the presi-
dent, July 9, 1850, Mr. Fillmore was in-
ducted into that office. The great events
of his administration were the passage of
the famous compromise acts of 1850, and
the sending out of the Japan expedition of
1852.
March 4, 1853, having served one term,
President Fillmore retired from office, and
in 1855 went to Europe, where he received
marked attention. On returning home, in
1856, he was nominated for the presidency
by the Native American or "Know-Noth-
ing" party, but was defeated, James Buch-
anan being the successful candidate.
Mr. Fillmore ever afterward lived in re-
tirement. During the conflict of Civil war
he was mostly silent. It was generally sup-
posed, however, that his sympathy was with
the southern confederacy. He kept aloof
from the conflict without any words of cheer
to the one party or the other. For this rea-
son he was forgotten by both. He died of
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8,
1874-
PETER F. ROTHERMEL, one of Amer-
ica's greatest and best-known historical
painters, was born in Luzerne county, Penn-
sylvania, July 8, 18 1 7, and was of German
ancestry. He received his earlier education
in his native county, and in Philadelphia
114
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
learned the profession of land surveying.
But a strong bias toward art drew him away
and he soon opened a studio where he did
portrait painting. This soon gave place to
historical painting, he having discovered the
bent of his genius in that direction. Be-
sides the two pictures in the Capitol at
Washington — "DeSoto Discovering the Mis-
sissippi" and "Patrick Henry Before the
Virginia House of Burgesses" — Rothermel
painted many others, chief among which
are: "Columbus Before Queen Isabella,"
"Martyrs of the Colosseum," "Cromwell
Breaking Up Service in an English Church,"
and the famous picture of the "Battle
of Gettysburg." The last named was
painted for the state of Pennsylvania, for
which Rothermel received the sum of $25,-
000, and which it took him four years to
plan and to paint. It represents the portion
of that historic field held by the First corps,
an exclusively Pennsylvania body of men,
and was selected by Rothermel for that
reason. For many years most of his time
was spent in Italy, only returning for short
periods. He died at Philadelphia, August
16, 1895.
EDMUND KIRBY SMITH, one of the
distinguished leaders upon the side of the
south in the late Civil war, was born at St.
Augustine, Florida, in 1824. After receiv-
ing the usual education he was appointed to
the United States Military Academy at West
Point, from which he graduated in 1845 ^"cl
entered the army as second lieutenant of
infantry. During the Mexican war he was
made first lieutenant and captain for gallant
conduct at Cerro Gordo and Contreras.
From 1849 to 1852 he was assistant pro-
fessor of mathematics at West Point. He
was transferred to the Second cavalry with
the rank of captain in 1855, served on the
frontier, and was wounded in a fight with
Comanche Indians in Texas, May 13, 1859.
In January, 1S61, he became major of his
regiment, but resigned April 9th to fol-
low the fortunes of the southern cause.
He was appointed brigadier-general in the
Confederate army and served in Virginia.
At the battle of Bull Run, July 21. 1861,
he arrived on the field late in the day, but
was soon disabled by a wound. He was
made major-general in 1862, and being trans-
ferred to East Tennessee, was given com-
mand of that department. Under General
Braxton Bragg he led the advance in the
invasion of Kentucky and defeated the Union
forces at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30,
1862, and advanced to Frankfort. Pro-
moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, he
was engaged at the battle of Perryville,
October 10, and in the battle of Murfrees-
boro, December 31, 1862, and January 3,
1863. He was soon made general, the
highest rank in the service, and in com-
mand of the trans-Mississippi department
opposed General N. P. Banks in the famous
Red River expedition, taking part in the
battle of Jenkins Ferry, April 30, 1864, and
other engagements of that eventful cam-
paign. He was the last to surrender the
forces under his command, which he did
May 26, 1865. After the close of the war
he located in Tennessee, where he died
March 28, 1893.
JOHN JAMES INGALLS, a famous
American statesman, was born Decem-
ber 29, 1833, at Middleton, Massachusetts,
where he was reared and received his early
education. He went to Kansas in 1858
and joined the free-soil army, and a year
after his arrival he was a tnember of the his-
torical Wyandotte convention, which drafted
a free-state constitution. In i860 he was
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
115
made secretary of the territorial council,
and in 1861 was secretary of the state sen-
ate. The next year he was duly elected to
the legitimate state senate from Atchison,
where he had made his home. From that
time he was the leader of the radical Re-
publican element in the state. He became
the editor of the " Atchison Champion " in
1863, which was a "red-hot free-soil Re-
publican organ." In 1862 he was the anti-
Lane candidate for lieutenant-governor, but
was defeated. He was elected to the Unit-
ed States senate to succeed Senator Pom-
eroy, and took his seat in the forty-third
congress and served until the fiftieth. In
the forty-ninth congress he succeeded Sen-
ator Sherman as president pro tern., which
position he held through the fiftieth con-
gress.
BENJAMIN WEST, the greatest of the
early American painters, was of Eng-
lish descent and Quaker parentage. He was
born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738.
From what source he inherited his genius it
is hard to imagine, since the tenets and
tendencies of the Quaker faith were not cal-
culated to encourage the genius of art, but
at the age of nine years, with no suggestion
except that of inspiration, we find him choos-
ing his model from life, and laboring over
his first work calculated to attract public
notice. It was a representation of a sleep-
ing child in its cradle. The brush with
which he painted it was made of hairs
which he plucked from the cat's tail, and
the colors were obtained from the war paints
of friendly Indians, his mother's indigo bag,
and ground chalk and charcoal, and the juice
of berries, but there were touches in the rude
production that he declared in later days
were a credit to his best works. The pic-
ture attracted notice, for a council was
called at once to pass upon the boy's con-
duct in thus infringing the laws of the so-
ciety. There were judges among them who
saw in his genius a rare gift and their wis-
dom prevailed, and the child was given per-
mission to follow his inclination. He studied
under a painter named Williams, and then
spent some j-ears as a portrait painter with
advancing success. At the age of twenty-
two he went to Italy, and not until he had
perfected himself by twenty-three years of
labor in that paradise of art was he satisfied
to turn his face toward home. However, he
stopped at London, and decided to settle
there, sending to America for his intended
bride to join him. Though the Revolution-
ary war was raging. King George III showed
the American artist the highest considera-
tion and regard. His remuneration from
works for royalty amounted to five thou-
sand dollars per year for thirty years.
West's best known work in America is,
perhaps, "The Death of General Wolf."
West was one of the thirty-six original mem-
bers of the Royal academy and succeeded
Joshua Reynolds as president, which posi-
tion he held until his death. His early
works were his best, as he ceased to display
originality in his later life, conventionality
having seriously affected his efforts. He
died in 1820.
SAMUEL PORTER JONES, the famous
Georgia evangelist, was born October
16, 1S47, in Chambers county, Alabama.
He did not attend school regularly during
his boyhood, but worked on a farm, and
went to school at intervals, on account of
ill health. His father removed to Carters-
ville, Georgia, when Mr. Jones was a small
boy. He quit school at the age of nineteen
and never attended college. The war inter-
fered with his education, which was intended
116
COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
to prepare him for the legal profession.
After the war he renewed his preparation
for college, but was compelled to desist from
such a course, as his health failed him en-
tirely. Later on, however, he still pursued
his legal studies and was admitted to the
bar. Soon after this event he went to Dal-
las, Paulding county, Georgia, where he was
engaged in the practice of his profession,
and in a few months removed to Cherokee
county, Alabama, where he taught school.
In 1869 he returned to Cartersville, Georgia,
and arrived in time to see his father die.
Immediately after this event he applied for
a license to preach, and went to Atlanta,
Georgia, to the meeting of the North Geor-
gia Conference of the M. E. church south,
which received him on trial. He became
an evangelist of great note, and traveled
extensively, delivering his sermons in an
inimitable style that made him very popular
with the masses, his methods of conducting
revivals being unique and original and his
preaching practical and incisive.
SHELBY MOORE CULLOM, a national
character in political affairs and for
many years United States senator from
Illinois, was born November 22, 1829, at
Monticello, Kentucky. He came with his
parents to Illinois in 1 830 and spent his early
yearson alarm, but having formed the purpose
of devoting himself to the lawyer's profession
he spent two years study at the Rock River
seminary at Mount Morris, Illinois. In 1853
Mr. Cullom entered the law ofifice of Stuart
and Edwards at Springfield, Illinois, and two
years later he began the independent prac-
tice of law in that city. He took an active
interest in politics and was soon elected city
attorney of Springfield. In 1856 he was
elected a member of the Illinois house of
representatives. He identified himself with
the newly formed Republican party and in
i860 was re-elected to the legislature of his
state, in which he was chosen speaker of the
house. In 1862 President Lincoln appoint-
ed a commission to pass upon and examine
the accounts of the United States quarter-
masters and disbursing officers, composed
as follows: Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois;
Charles A. Dana, of New York, and
Gov. Boutwell, of Massachusetts. Mr.
Cullom was nominated for congress in
1864, and was elected by a majority of
1,785. In the house of representatives he
became an active and aggressive member,
was chairman of the committee on territories
and served in congress until 1868. Mr.
Cullom was returned to the state legislature,
of which he was chosen speaker in 1872,
and was re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he
was elected governor of Illinois and at the
end of his term he was chosen for a second
term. Hewaselected United States senator
in 1883 and twice re-elected.
RICHARD JORDAN CATLING, an
American inventor of much note, was
born in Hertford county, North Carolina,
September 12, 1S18. At an early age he
gave promise of an inventive genius. The
first emanation from his mind was the
invention of a screv.' for the propulsion of
water craft, but on application for a
patent, found that he was forestalled but
a short time by John Ericsson. Subse-
quently he invented a machine for sowing
wheat in drills, which was used to a great
extent throughout the west. He then stud-
ied medicine, and in 1847-8. attended
lectures at the Indiana Medical College
at Laporte, and in 1848 9 at the Ohio
Medical College at Cincinnati. He later
discovered a method of transmitting power
through the medium of compressed air. A
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
119
double-acting hemp break was also invented
by him. The invention, however, by which
Dr. Gatling became best known was the
famous machine gun which bears his name.
This he brought to light in 1861-62, and on
the first trial of it, in the spring of the latter
year, two hundred shots per minute were
fired from it. After making some improve-
ments which increased its efficiency, it was
submitted to severe trials by our govern-
ment at the arsenals at Frankfort, Wash-
ington and Fortress Monroe, and at other
points. The gun was finally adopted by
our government, as well as by that of Great
Britain, Russia and others.
BENJAMIN RYAN TILLMAN, who won
a national fame in politics, was born
August II, 1847, in Edgefield county, South
Carolina. He recei\ed his education in the
Oldfield school, where he acquired the
rudiments of Latin and Greek, in addition
to a good English education. He left school
in 1864 to join the Confederate army, but
was prevented from doing so by a severe
illness, which resulted in the loss of an eye.
In 1S67 he removed to Florida, but returned
in 1 868, when he was married and devoted
himself to farming. He was chairman of
the Democratic organization of his county,
but except a few occasional services he took
no active part in politics then. Gradually,
however, his attention was directed to the
depressed condition of the farming interests
of his state, and in August, 18S5, before a
joint meeting of the agricultural society and
state grange at Bennettsville, he made a
speech in which he set forth the cause of
agricultural depression and urged measures
of relief. From his active interest in the
farming class he was styled the "Agricult-
ural Moses." He advocated an industrial
school for women and for a separate agri-
7
cultural college, and in 18S7 he secured a
modification in the final draft of the will of
Thomas G. Clemson, which resulted in the
erection of the Clemson Agricultural Col-
lege at Fort Hill. In 1890 he was chosen
governor on the Democratic ticket, and
carried the election by a large majority.
Governor Tillman was inaugurated Decem-
ber 4, 1890. Mr. Tillman was next elected
to the United States senate from South
Carolina, and gained a national reputation
by his fervid oratory.
GEORGE DENISON PRENTICE.—
No journalist of America was so cele-
brated in his time for the wit, spice, and
vigor of his writing, as the gentleman whose
name heads this sketch. From Atlantic to
Pacific he was well known by his witticism
as well as by strength and force of his edi-
torials. He was a native of Preston, Con-
necticut, born December 18, 1802. After
laying the foundation of a liberal education
in his youth, he entered Brown University,
from which he was graduated in 1823. Tak-
ing up the study of law, he was admitted to
the bar in 1829. During part of his time
he was editor of the " New England Weekly
Review," a position which he relinquished
to go south and was succeeded by John
Greenleaf Whittier, the Quaker poet.
On arriving in Louisville, whither he
had gone to gather items for his history of
Henry Clay, Mr. Prentice became identified
with the " Louisville Journal," which, under
his hands, became one of the leading Whig
newspapers of the country. At the head of
this he remained until the day of his death.
This latter event occurred January 22, 1870,
and he was succeeded in the control of the
" Journal " by Colonel Henry Watterson.
Mr. Prentice was an author of consider-
able celebrity, chief among his works being
120
COMPEXDJUM OF BIOGRAPJir.
"The Life of Henry Clay," and '• Prentice-
ana," a collection of wit and humor, that
passed through several large editions.
SAM. HOUSTON, in the opinion of some
critics one of the most remarkable men
who ever figured in American history, was a
native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, born
March 2, 1793. Early in life he was left in
destitute circumstances \>y the death of his
father, and, with his mother, removed to
Tennessee, then almost a boundless wilder-
ness. He received but little education,
spending the most of his time among the
Cherokee Indians. Part of the time of his
residence there Houston acted as clerk for a
trader and also taught one of the primitive
schools of the day. In 1813 he enlisted as
private in the United States army and was
engaged under General Jackson in the war
with the Creek Indians. When peace was
made Houston was a lieutenant, but he re-
signed his commission and commenced the
study of law at Nashville. After holding
some minor offices he was elected member
of congress from Tennessee. This was in
1823. He retained this office until 1827,
when he was chosen governor of the state.
In 1829, resigning that office before the ex-
piration of his term, Sam Houston removed
to Arkansas, and made his home among the
Cherokees, becoming the agent of that
tribe and representing their interests at
Washington. On a visit to Te.xas, just
prior to the election of delegates to a con-
vention called for the purpose of drawing
up a constitution previous to the admission
of the state into the Mexican union, he was
unanimously cho.sen a delegate. The con-
vention framed the constitution, but, it be-
ing rejected by the government of Mexico,
and the petition for admission to the Con-
federacy denied and the Texans told by the
president of the Mexican union to give up
their arms, bred trouble. It was determined
to resist this demand. A military force was
soon organized, with General Houston at
the head of it. War was prosecuted with
great vigor, and with varying success, but
at the battle of San Jacinto, April 21,1 836,
the Mexicans were defeated and their leader
and president, Santa Anna, captured. Texas
was then proclaimed an independent repub-
lic, and in October of the same year Hous-
ton was inaugurated president. On the ad-
mission of Texas to the Federal Union, in
1845, Houston was elected senator, and
held that position for twelve years. Oppos-
ing the idea of secession, he retired from
political life in 1861, and died at Hunts-
ville, Texas, July 25, 1863.
ELI WHITNEY, the inventor of the cot-
ton-gin, was born in Westborough, Mas-
sachusetts, December 8, 1765. After his
graduation from Yale College, he went to
Georgia, where he studied law, and lived
with the family of the widow of General
Nathaniel Greene. At that time the only
way known to separate the cotton seed from
the fiber was by hand, making it extremely
.'^low and expensive, and for this reason cot-
ton was little cultivated in this country.
Mrs. Greene urged the inventive Whitney
to devise some means for accomplishing
this work by machinery. This he finally
succeeded in doing, but he was harassed by
attempts to defraud him by those who had
stolen his ideas. He at last formed a part-
nership with a man named Miller, and they
began the manufacture of the machines at
Washington, Georgia, in 1795. The suc-
cess of his invention was immediate, and the
legislature of South Carolina voted the sum
of $50,000 for his idea. This sum he had
great difficulty in collecting, after years of
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
121
litigation and delay. North Carolina al-
lowed him a royalty, and the same was
agreed to by Tennessee, but was never paid.
While his fame rests upon the invention
of the cotton-gin, his fortune came from his
improvements in the manufacture and con-
struction of firearms. In 1798 the United
States government gave him a contract for
rhis purpose, and he accumulated a fortune
from it. The town of Whitneyville, Con-
necticut, was founded by this fortune.
Whitney died at New Haven, Connecticut,
January 8, 1825.
The cotton-gin made the cultivation of
cotton profitable, and this led to rapid in-
troduction of slavery in the south. His in-
vention thus affected our national history in
a manner little dreamed of by the inventor.
LESTER WALLACK (John Lester Wal-
lack), for many years the leading light
comedian upon the American stage, was
the son of James W. Wallack, the " Brum-
mell of the Stage." Both father and son
were noted for their comeliness of feature
and form. Lester Wallack was born in
New York, January i, 18 19. He received
his education in England, and made his first
appearance on the stage in 1848 at the New
Broadway theater, New York. He acted
light comedy parts, and also occasion-
ally in romantic plays like Monte Cristo,
which play made him his fame. He went
to England and played under management
of such men as Hamblin and Burton, and then
returned to New York with his father, who
opened the first Wallack's theater, at the
corner of Broome and Broadway, in 1852.
The location was afterward changed to
Thirteenth and Broadway, in 1861, and
later to its present location, Broadway and
Thirteenth, in 1882. The elder Wallack
died in 1864, after which Lester assumed
management, jointly with Theodore Moss.
Lester Wallack was commissioned in the
queen's service while in England, and there
he also married a sister to the famous artist,
the late John Everett Millais. While Les-
ter Wallack never played in the interior
cities, his name was as familiar to the public
as that of our greatest stars. He died Sep-
tember 6, 1888, at Stamford, Connecticut.
GEORGE MORTIMER PULLMAN,
the palace car magnate, inventor,
multi-millionaire and manufacturer, may
well be classed among the remarkable
self-made men of the century. He was
born March 3, 1831, in Chautauqua county.
New York. His parents were poor, and
his education was limited to what he could
learn of the rudimentary branches in the
district school. At the age of fourteen he
went to work as clerk for a country mer-
chant. He kept this place three years,
studying at night. When seventeen he
went to Albion, New York, and worked for
his brother, who kept a cabinet shop there.
Five years later he went into business for
himself as contractor for moving buildings
along the line of the Erie canal, which was
then being widened by the state, and was
successful in thii. In 1858 he removed to
Chicago and engaged in the business of
moving and raising houses. The work was
novel there then and he was quite success-
ful. About this time the discomfort attend-
ant on traveling at night attracted his at-
tention. He reasoned that the public would
gladly pay for comfortable sleeping accom-
modations. A few sleeping cars were in
use at that time, but they were wretchedly
crude, uncomtortable affairs. In 1859 he
bought two old day coaches from the Chi-
cago & Alton road and remodeled them some-
thing like the general plan of the sleepiri.?-
122
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
cars of the present day. They were put
into sers'ice on the Chicago & Alton and
became popular at once. In 1863 he built
the first sleeping-car resembling the Pullman
cars of to-day. It cost $18,000 and was
the " Pioneer. ".„iAfter that the Pullman
Palace ...C^i* I Company prospered. It had
shops at different cities. In 18S0 the Town
of Pullman was founded b}' Mr. Pullman
and his company, and this model manufac-
turing community is known all over the
world. Mr. Pullman died October 19, 1897.
JAMES E. B. STUART, the most famous
cavalry leader of the Southern Confed-
eracy during the Civil war, was born in
Patrick county, Virginia, in 1833. On
graduating from the United States Military
Academy, West Point, in 1854, he was as-
signed, as second lieutenant, to a regiment
of mounted rifles, receiving his commission
in October. In March, 1855, he was trans-
ferred to the newly organized First cavalry,
and was promoted to first lieutenant the
following December, and to captain April
22, 1 86 1. Taking the side of the south,
May 14, 1 861, he was made colonel of a
Virginia cavalry regiment, and served as
such at Bull Run. In September, 1S61, he
was promoted to the rank of brigadicr-gen-
erai. and major-general early in 1862. On
the reorganization of the Army of Northern
Virginia, in June of the latter year, when
R. E. Lee assumed command, General Stu-
art made a recoiinoissance with one thou-
sand five hundred cavalry and four guns,
and in two days made the circuit of McClel-
lan's army, producing much confusion and
gathering useful information, and losing but
one man. August 25, 1862, he captured
part of Pope's headquarters' train, including
that general's private baggage and official
correspondence, and the next night, in a
descent upon Manasses, capturing immense
quantities of commissary and quartermaster
store, eight guns, a number of locomotives
and a few hundred prisoners. During the
invasion of Maryland, in September, 1862,
General Stuart acted as rearguard, resisting
the advance of the Federal cavalry at South
Mountain, and at Antietam commanded the
Confederate left. Shortly after he crossed
the Potomac, making a raid as far as Cham-
bersburg, Pennsylvania. In the battle of
Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, Gen-
eral Stuart's command was on the extreme
right of the Confederate line. At Chancel-
lorsville, after "Stonewall " Jackson's death
and the wounding of General A. P. Hill,
General Stuart assumed command of Jack-
son's corps, which he led in the severe con-
test of May 3, 1S63. Early in June, the
same year, a large force of cavalry was
gathered under Stuart, at Culpepper, Vir-
ginia, which, advancing to join General Lee
in his invasion of Pennsylvania, was met at
Brandy Station, by two divisions of cavalry
and two brigades of infantrj', under General
John I. Gregg, and driven back. During the
movements of the Gettysburg campaign he
rendered important services. In May, 1S64,
General Stuart succeeded, by a detour, in
placing himself between Richmond and
Sheridan's advancing column, and at Yellow
Tavern was attacked in force. During the
fierce conllict that ensued General Stuart
was mortally wounded, and died at Rich-
mond, May 1 1, 1864.
FRANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth
president of the United States —from
1853 until 1857 — was born November 23,
1804, at Hillsboro, New Hampshire. He
came of old revolutionary stock and his
father was a governor of the state. Mr.
Pierce entered Bowdoin College in 1820,
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
123
was graduated in 1824, and took up the
study of law in the office of Judge Wood-
bury, and later he was admitted to the bar.
Mr. Pierce practiced his profession with
varying successes in his native town and
also in Concord. He was elected to the
state legislature in 1833 and served in that
body until 1837, the last two years of his
term serving as speaker of the house. He
was elected to the United States senate in
1837, just as President Van Bur«n began
his term of office. Mr. Pierce served until
1842, and many times during Polk's term he
declined important public offices. During
the war with Mexico Mr. Pierce was ap-
pointed brigadier-general, and he embarked
with a portion of his troops at Newport,
Rhode Island, May 27, 1847, and went with
them to the field of battle. He served
through the war and distinguished himself
by his skill, bravery and excellent judg-
ment. When he reached his home in his
native state he was received coldly by the
opponents of the war, but the advocates of
the war made up for his cold reception by
the enthusiastic welcome which they ac-
corded him. Mr. Pierce resumed the prac-
tice of his profession, and in the political
strife that followed he gave his support to
the pro- slavery wing of the Democratic
party. The Democratic convention met in
Baltimore, June 12, 1852, to nominate a
candidate for t!ie presidency, and they con-
tinued in session four days, and in thirty-
five ballotings no one had secured the re-
quisite two-thirds vote. Mr. Pierce had not
received a vote as yet, until the Virginia
delegation brought his name forward, and
finally on the forty-ninth ballot Mr. Pierce
received 282 votes and all the other candi-
dates eleven. His opponent on the Whig
ticket was General Winfield Scott, who
only received the electoral votes of four
states. Mr. Pierce was inaugurated presi-
dent of the United States March 4, 1853,
with W. R. King as vice president, and the
following named gentlemen were afterward
chosen to fill the positions in the cabinet:
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jeffer-
son Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert Mc-
Clelland, James Campbell and Caleb Gush-
ing. During the administration of President
Pierce the Missouri compromise law was
repealed, and all the territories of the Union
were thrown open to slavery, and the dis-
turbances in Kansas occurred. In 1857 he
was succeeded in the presidency by James
Buchanan, and retired to his home in Con-
cord, New Hampshire. He always cherished
his principles of slavery, and at the out-
break of the rebellion he was an adherent of
the cause of the Confederacy. He died at
Concord, New Hampshire, October 8, 1869.
JAMES B. WEAVER, well known as a
leader of the Greenback and later of the
Populist party, was born at Dayton, Ohio,
June 12, 1833. He received his earlier
education in the schools of his native town,
and entered the law department of the Ohio
University, at Cincinnati, from which he
graduated in 1854. Removing to the grow-
ing state of Iowa, he became connected
with "The Iowa Tribune," at the state
capital, Des Moines, as one of its editors.
He afterward practiced law and was elected
district attorney for the second judicial dis-
trict of Iowa, on the Republican ticket in
1866, which office he held for a short time.
In 1867 Mr. Weaver was appointed assessor
of internal revenue for the first district of
Iowa, and filled that position until some-
time in 1873. He was elected and served
in the forty-sixth congress. In 1880 the
National or Greenback party in convention
at Chicago, nominated James B. Weaver as
1L>1
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHy.
its candidate for the presidency. By a
union of the Democratic and National
parties in his district, he was elected to the
forty-ninth congress, and re-elected to the
same office in the fall of 1886. Mr. Weaver
was conceded to be a very fluent speaker,
and quite active in all political work. On
July 4, 1892, at the National convention
of the People's party, General James B.
Weaver was chosen as the candidate for
president of that organization, and during
the campaign that followed, gained a na-
tional reputation.
ANTHONY JOSEPH DREXEL, one
of the leading bankers and financiers of
the United States, was born in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in 1826, and was the son of
Francis M. Drexel, who had established
the large banking institution of Drexel &
Co., so well known. The latter was a native
of Dornbirn, in the Austrian Tyrol. He
studied languages and fine arts at Turin,
Italy. On returning to his mountain home,
in 1809, and finding it in the hands of the
French, he went to Switzerland and later
to Paris. In 1 812, after a short visit home,
he went to Berlin, where he studied paint-
ing until 1817, in which year he emigrated
io America, and settled in Philadelphia. A
few years later he went to Chili and Peru,
where he executed some fine portraits of
notable people, including General Simon
Bolivar. After spending some time in Mex-
ico, he returned to Philadelphia, and en-
gaged in the banking business. In 1837 he
founded the house of Drexel & Co. He
died in 1837, and was succeeded by his two
sons, Anthony J. and Francis A. His son,
Anthony J. Drexel, Jr. , entered the bank
when he was thirteen years of age, before he
was through with his schooling, and after
that the history of the banking business of
which he was the head, was the history of his
life. The New York house of Dre.xel, Mor-
gan & Co. was established in 1850; the
Paris house, Drexel, Harjes & Co., in 1867.
The Drexel banking houses have supplied
iand placed hundreds of millions of dollars
n government, corporation, railroad and
other loans and securities. The reputation
of the houses has always been held on the
highest plane. Mr. Drexel founded and
heavily endowed the Drexel Institute, in
Philadelphia, an institution to furnish better
and wider avenues of employment to young
people of both sexes. It has departments
of arts, science, mechanical arts and domes-
tic economy. Mr. Drexel.Jr. .departed this
life June 30, 1893.
SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE,
inventor of the recording telegraph in-
strument, was born in Charlestown, Massa-
chusetts, April 27, 1791. He graduated
from Yale College in 18 10, and took up art
as his profession. He went to London with
the great American painter, Washington
Allston, and studied in the I^oyal Academy
under Benjamin West. His " Dying Her-
cules," his first effort in sculpture, took the
gold medal in 1813. He returned to Amer-
ica in 1 81 5 and continued to pursue his
profession. He was greatly interested in
scientific studies, which he carried on in
connection with other labors. He founded
the National Academy of Design and was
many years its president. He returned to
Europe and spent three years in study
in the art centers, Rome, Florence, Venice
and Paris. In i S32 he returned to America
and while on the return voyage the idea of
a recording telegraph apparatus occurred to
him, and he made a drawing to represent his
conception. He was the first to occupy the
chair of fine arts in the University of New
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
125
York City, and in 1835 he set up his rude
instrument in his room in the university.
But it was not until after many years of
discouragement and reverses of fortune that
he finally was successful in placing his inven-
tion before the public. In 1844, by aid of
the United States government, he had con-
structed a telegraph line forty miles in length
from Washington to Baltimore. Over this
line the test was made, and the first tele-
graphic message was flashed May 24, 1844,
from the United States supreme court rooms
to Baltimore. It read, "What hath God
wrought!" His fame and fortune were es-
tablished in an instant. Wealth and honors
poured in upon him from that day. The
nations of Europe vied with each other
in honoring the great inventor with medals,
titles and decorations, and the learned
societies of Europe hastened to enroll his
name upon their membership lists and confer
degrees. In 1858 he was the recipient of an
honor never accorded to an inventor before.
The ten leading nations of Europe, at the
suggestion of the Emporer Napoleon, ap-
pointed representatives to an international
congress, which convened at Paris for the
special purpose of expressing gratitude of the
nations, and they voted him a present of
400,000 francs.
Professor Morse was present at the unveil-
ing of a bronze statue erected in his honor in
Central Park, New York, in 1871. His last
appearance in public was at the unveiling
of the statue of Benjamin Franklin in New
York in 1872, when he made the dedica-
tory speech and unveiled the statue. He
died April 2, 1872, in the city of New York.
MORRISON REMICH WAITE, seventh
chief justice of the United States, was
born at Lyme, Connecticut, November 29,
j8i6. He was a graduate from Yale Col-
lege in 1837, in the class with William M.
Evarts. His father was judge of the su-
preme court of errors of the state of Con-
necticut, and in his office young Waite
studied law. He subsequently removed to
Ohio, and was elected to the legislature of
that state in 1849. He removed from
Maumee City to Toledo and became a prom-
inent legal light in that state. He was
nominated as a candidate for congress re-
peatedly but declined to run, and also de-
clined a place on the supreme bench of the
state. He won great distinction for his able
handling of the Alabama claims at Geneva,
before the arbitration tribunal in 1871, and
was appointed chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States in 1874 on the
death of Judge Chase. When, in 1876, elec-
toral commissioners were chosen to decide
the presidential election controversy between
Tilden and Hayes, Judge Waite refused to
serve on that commission.
His death occurred March 23, 1888.
ELISHA KENT KANE was one of the
distinguished American explorers of the
unknown regions of the frozen north, and
gave to the world a more accurate knowl-
edge of the Arctic zone. Dr. Kane was
born February 3, 1820, at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of the
universities of Virginia and Pennsylvania,
and took his medical degree in 1843. He
entered the service of the United States
navy, and was physician to the Chinese
embassy. Dr. Kane traveled extensively
in the Levant, Asia and Western Africa,
and also served in the Mexican war, in
which he was severely wounded. His
first Arctic expedition was under De Haven
in the first Grinnell expedition in search
of Sir John Franklin in 1850. He com-
manded the second Grinnell expedition
126
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
in 1853-55, and discovered an open polar
sea. For this expedition he received a gold
medal and other distinctions. He published
a narrative of his first polar expedition in
1853, and in 1856 published two volumes
relating to his second polar expedition. He
was a man of active, enterprising and cour-
ageous spirit. His health, which was al-
ways delicate, was impaired by the hard-
ships of his Arctic expeditions, from which
he never fully recovered and from which he
died February 16, 1857, at Havana.
ELIZABETH CADY STANTON was a
daughter of Judge Daniel Cady and
Margaret Livingston, and was born Novem-
ber 12, 181 5, at Johnstown, New York. She
was educated at the Johnstown Academy,
where she studied with a class of boys, and
was fitted for college at the age of fifteen,
after whicii she pursued her studies at Mrs.
Willard's Seminar}', at Troy. Her atten-
tion was called to the disabilities of her sex
by her own educational experiences, and
through a study of Blackstone, Story, and
Kent. Miss Cady was married to Henry B.
Stanton in 1840, and accompanied him to
the world's anti-slavery convention in Lon-
don. While there she made the acquain-
tance of Lucretia Mott. Mrs. Stanton
resided at Boston until 1847, when the
family moved to Seneca Falls, New York,
and she and Lucretia Mott signed the first
call for a woman's rights convention. The
meeting was held at her place of residence
July 19-20, 1848. This was the first oc-
casion of a formal claim of suffrage for
women that was made. Mrs. Stanton ad-
dressed the New York legislature, in 1854,
on the rights of married women, and in
i860, in advocacy of the granting of di-
vorce for drunkenness. She also addressed
the legislature and the constitutional con-
vention, and maintained that during the
revision of the constitution the state was
resolved into its original elements, and that
all citizens had, therefore, a right to vote
for the members of that convention. After
1869 Mrs. Stanton frequently addressed
congressional committees and state consti-
tutional conventions, and she canvassed
Kansas, Michigan, and other states when
the question of woman suffrage was sub-
mitted in those states. Mrs. Stanton was
one of the editors of the " Revolution," and
most of the calls and resolutions for con-
ventions have come from her pen. She
was president of the national committee,
also of the Woman's Loyal League, and
of the National Association, for many years.
DAVID DUDLEY FIELD, a great
American jurist, was born in Connecti-
cut in 1805. He entered Williams College,
when sixteen years old, and commenced the
study of law in 1825. In 1828 he was ad-
mitted to the bar, and went to New York,
where he soon came into prominence be-
fore the bar of that state. He entered upon
the labor of reforming the practice and
procedure, which was then based upon the
common law practice of England, and had
become extremely complicated, difficult and
uncertain in its application. His first paper
on this subject was published in 1839, and
after eight years of continuous efforts in this
direction, he was appointed one of a com-
mission by New York to reform the practice
of that state. The result was embodied in
the two codes of procedure, civil and crimi-
nal, the first of which was adopted almost
entire by the state of New York, and has
since been adopted by more than half the
states in the Union, and became the basis
of the new practice and procedure in Eng-
land, contained in the Judicature act. He
co^IPENDIU^^ of biography.
127
was later appointed chairman of a new com-
mission to codify the entire body of laws.
This great work employed many years in its
completion, but when finished it embraced
a civil, penal, and political code, covering
the entire field of American laws, statutory
and common. This great body of law was
adopted by California and Dakota territory
in its entirety, and many other states have
since adopted its substance. In 1867 the
British Association for Social Science heard
a proposition from Mr. Field to prepare an
international code. This led to the prepara-
tion of his " Draft Outlines of an Interna-
tional Code," which was in fact a complete
body of international laws, and introduced
the principle of arbitration. Other of his
codes of the state of New York have since
been adopted by that state.
In addition to his great works on law,
Mr. Field indulged his literary tastes by fre-
quent contributions to general literature,
and his articles on travels, literature, and
the political questions of the hour gave
him rank with the best writers of his time.
His father was the Rev. David Dudley Field,
and his brothers were Cyrus W. Field, Rev.
Henry Martin Field, and Justice Stephen
J. Field of the United States supreme
court. David Dudley Field died at New
York, April 13, 1894.
HENRY M. TELLER, a celebrated
American politician, and secretary of
the interior under President Arthur, was born
May 23, 1830, in Allegany county, New
York. He was of Hollandish ancestry and
received an excellent education, after which
he took up the study of law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in the state of New York.
Mr. Teller removed to Illinois in January,
1858, and practiced for three years in that
State. From thence he moved to Colorado
in 1 86 1 and located at Central City, which
was then one of the principal mining towns
in the state. His exceptional abilities as
a lawyer soon brought him into prominence
and gained for him a numerous and profit-
able clientage. In politics he affiliated with
the Republican party, but declined to become
a candidate for office until the admission of
Colorado into the Union as a state, when
he was elected to the United States senate.
Mr. Teller drew the term ending March
4, 1877, but was re-elected December 11,
1876, and served until April 17, 1882, when
he was appointed by President Arthur as
secretary of the interior. He accepted a
cabinet position with reluctance, and on
March 3, 1885, he retired from the cabinet,
having been elected to the senate a short
time before to succeed Nathaniel P. Hill.
Mr. Teller took his seat on March 4, 1885,
in the senate, to which he was afterward
re-elected. He served as chairman on the
committee of pensions, patents, mines and
mining, and was also a member of commit-
tees on claims, railroads, privileges and
elections and public lands. Mr. Teller came
to be recognized as one of the ablest advo-
cates of the silver cause. He was one of the
delegates to the Republican National conven-
tion at St. Louis in 1896, in which he took
an active part and tried to have a silver
plank inserted in the platform of the party.
Failing in this he felt impelled to bolt the
convention, which he did and joined forces
with the great silver movement in the cam-
paign which followed, being recognized in
that campaign as one of the most able and
eminent advocates of "silver" in America.
JOHN ERICSSON, an eminent inven-
tor and machinist, who won fame in
America, was born in Sweden, July 31,1 803.
In early childhood he evinced a decided in-
128
COMrEXDIUM OF UJOGJiAJ'IIl'.
clination to mechanical pursuits, and at the
age of eleven he was appointed to a cadet-
ship in the engineer corps, and at the age of
seventeen was promoted to a lieutenancy.
In 1S26 he introduced a "flame engine,"
which he had invented, and offered it to
English capitalists, but it was found that it
could be operated only by the use of wood
for fuel. Shortly after this he resigned his
commission in the army of Sweden, and de-
voted himself to mechanical pursuits. He
discovered and introduced the principle of
artificial draughts in steam boilers, and re-
ceived a prize of two thousand five hundred
dollars for his locomotive, the "Novelty,"
which attained a great speed, for that day.
The artificial draught effected a great saving
in fuel and made unnecessary the huge
smoke-stacks formerly used, and the princi-
ple is still applied, in modified form, in boil-
ers. He also invented a steam fire-engine,
and later a hot-air engine, which he at-
tempted to apply in the operation of his
ship, "Ericsson," but as it did not give the
speed required, he abandoned it, but after-
wards applied it to machinery for pumping,
hoisting, etc.
Ericsson was first to apply the screw
propeller to navigation. The English peo-
ple not receiving this new departure readily,
Ericsson came to America in 1S39, and
built the United States steamer, "Prince-
ton," in which the screw-propeller was util-
ized, the first steamer ever built in which
the propeller was under water, out of range
of the enemy's shots. The achievement
which gave him greatest renown, however,
was the ironclad vessel, the "Monitor," an
entirely new type of vessel, which, in March,
1862, attacked the Confederate monster
ironclad ram, "Virginia," and after a fierce
struggle, compelled her to withdraw from
Hampton Roads for repairs. After the war
one of his most noted inventions was his
vessel, " Destroyer, " with a submarine gun,
which carried a projectile torpedo. In 1886
the king of Spain conferred on him the
grand cross of the Order of Naval Merit.
He died in March, 1889, and his body was
transferred, with naval honors, to the country
of his birth.
T AMES BUCHANAN, the fifteenth presi- .
kJ dent of the United States, was a native
of Pennsylvania, and was born in Franklin
county, April 23, 1791. He was of Irish
ancestry, his father having come to this
country in 1783, in quite humble circum-
stances, and settled in the western part of
the Keystone state.
James Buchanan remained in his se-
cluded home for eight years, enjoying but
few social or intellectual advantages. His
parents were industrious and frugal, and
prospered, and, in 1799, the family removed
to Mercersbur Pennsylvania, where he
was placed in school. His progress was
rapid, and in 1801 he entered Dickinson
College, at Carlisle, where he took his place
among the best scholars in the institution.
In 1809 he graduated with the highest hon-
ors in his class. He was then eighteen, tall,
graceful and in vigorous health. He con:-
menced the study of law at Lancaster, and
was admitted to the bar in 181 2. He rose
very rapidly in his profession and took a
stand with the ablest of his fellow lawyers.
When but twenty-si.\ years old he success-
fully defended, unaided by counsel, one of
the judges of the state who was before the
bar of the state senate under articles of im-
peachment.
During the war of 1812-15, Mr. Buch-
anan sustained the government with all his
power, eloquently urging the vigorous prose-
cution of the war, and enlisted as a private
COMPENDIUM OF BlOGRAPIir.
129
volunteer to assist in repelling the British
who had sacked and burned the public
buildings of Washington and threatened
Baltimore. At that time Buchanan was
a Federalist, but the opposition of that
party to the war with Great Britain and the
alien and sedition laws of John Adams,
brought that party into disrepute, and drove
manj', among them Buchanan, into the Re-
publican, or anti-Federalist ranks. He was
elected to congress in 1S28. In 1831 he
was sent as minister to Russia, and upon
his return to this country, in 1833, was ele-
vated to the United States senate, and re-
mained in that position for twelve years.
Upon the accession of President Polk to
office he made Mr. Buchanan secretary of
state. Four years later he retired to pri-
vate life, and in 1S53 he was honored with
the mission to England. In 1856 the na-
tional Democratic convention nominated
him for the presidency and he was elected.
It was during his administration that the
rising tide of the secession movement over-
took the country. Mr. Buchanan declared
that the national constitution gave him no
power to do anything against the movement
to break up the Union. After his succession
by Abraham Lincoln in i860, Mr. Buchanan
retired to his home at Wheatland, Pennsyl-
vania, where he died June i, 1868.
JOHN HARVARD, the founder of the
Harvard University, was born in Eng-
land about the year 1608. He received his
education at Emanuel College, Cambridge,
and came to America in 1637, settling in
Massachusetts. He was a non-conformist
minister, and a tract of land was set aside
for him in Charlestown, near Boston. He
was at once appointed one of a committee to
formulate a body of laws for the colony.
One year before his arrival in the colony
the general court had voted the sum of four
hundred pounds toward the establishment of
a school or college, half of which was to be
paid the next year In 1637 preliminary
plans were made for starting the school. In
1638 John Harvard, who had shown great
interest in the new institution of learning
proposed, died, leaving his entire property,
about twice the sum originally voted, to the
school, together with three hundred volumes
as a nucleus for a library. The institution
was then given the name of Harvard, and
established at Newton (now Cambridge),
Massachusetts. It grew to be one of the two
principal seats of learning in the new world,
and has maintained its reputation since. It
now consists of twenty-two separate build-
ings, and its curriculum embraces over one
hundred and seventy elective courses, and it
ranks among the great universities of the
world.
ROGER BROOKE TANEY, a noted
jurist and chief justice of the United
States supreme court, was born in Calvert
county, Maryland, March 17, 1777. He
graduated fiom Dickinson College at the
age of eighteen, took up the study of law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1799. He
was chosen to the legislature from his county,
and in 1801 removed to Frederick, Mary-
land. He became United States senator
from Maryland in 18 16, and took up his
permanent residence in Baltimore a few
years later. In 1824 he became an ardent
admirer and supporter of Andrew Jackson,
and upon Jackson's election to the presi-
dency, was appointed attorney general of
the United States. Two years later he was
appointed secretary of the treasury, and
after serving in that capacity for nearly one
year, the senate refused to confirm the ap-
pointment. In 1835, upon the death of
130
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Chief-justice Marshall, he was appointed to
that place, and a political change having
occurred in the make up of the senate, he
was confirmed in 1836. He presided at
his first session in January of the following
year.
The case which suggests itself first to
the average reader in connection w ith this
jurist is the celebrated " Drcd Scott " case,
which came before the supreme court for
decision in 1856. In his opinion, delivered
on behalf of a majority of the court, one
remarkable statement occurs as a result of
an exliaustive survey of the historical
grounds, to the effect that " for more than
a century prior to the adoption of the con-
stitution they (Africans) had been regarded
so far inferior that they had no rights which
a white man was bound to respect." Judge
Taney retained the office of chief justice
until his death, in 1864.
JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY.— This gen-
tleman had a world-wide reputation as
an historian, which placed him in the front
rank of toe great men of America. He was
born April 15, 1814, at Dorchester, Massa-
chusetts, was given a thorough preparatory
education and then attended Harvard, from
which he was graduated in 1831. He also
studied at Gottingon and Berlin, read law
and in 1S36 was admitted to the bar. In
1 84 1 he was appointed secretary of the
legation at St. Petcrsliurg, and in 1866-67
served as United States minister to Austria,
serving in the same capacity during 1869
and 1870 to England. In 1S56, after long
and cxhauftive research and preparation, he
published in Lordon "The Rise of the
Dutch Republic." It embraced three vol-
umes and immediately attracted great at-
tention throughout Europe and America as
a work of unusual merit. From 1861 to
1868 he produced "The History of the
United Netherlands," in four volumes.
Other works followed, with equal success,
and his position as one of the foremost his-
torians and writers of his day was firmly
established. His death occured May 29,
1877-
ELIAS HOWE, the inventor of the sew-
ing machine, well deserves to be classed
among the great and noted men of Amer-
ica. He was the son of a miller and farmer
and was born at Spencer, Massachusetts,
July 9, 1819. In 1835 he went to Lowell
and worked there, and later at Boston, in tiie
machine shops. His first sewing machine
was completed in 1845, and he patented it in
1846, laboring with the greatest persistency
in spite of poverty and hardships, working
for a time as an engine driver on a railroad
at pauper wages and with broken health.
He then spent two years of unsuccessful ex-
ertion in England, striving in vain to bring
his invention into public notice and use.
He returned to the United States in almost
hopeless poverty, to find that his patent
had been violated. At last, however, he
found friends who assisted him financially,
and after years of litigation he made good
his claims in the courts in 1854. His inven-
tion afterward brought him a large fortune.
During the Civil war he vohmteercd as a
private in the Seventeenth Connecticut Vol-
unteers, and served for some time. During
his life time he received the cross of the
Legion of Honor and many other medals.
His death occurred October 3, 1867, at
Brooklyn, New York.
PHILLIPS BROOKS, celebrated as an
eloquent preacher and able pulpit ora-
tor, was born in Boston on the 13th day of
December, 1835. He received excellent
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
131
educational advantages, and graduated at
Harvard in 1855. Early in life he decided
upon the ministry as his life work and
studied theology in the Episcopal Theolog-
ical Seminary, at Alexandria, Virginia. In
1859 he was ordained and the same year
became pastor of the Church of the Advent,
in Philadelphia. Three years later he as-
sumed the pastorate of the Church of the
Holy Trinity, where he remained until 1870.
At the expiration of that time he accepted
the pastoral charge of Trinity Church in
Boston, where his eloquence and ability at-
tracted much attention and built up a pow-
erful church organization. Dr. Brooks also
devoted considerable time to lecturing and
literary work and attained prominence in
these lines.
WILLIAM B. ALLISON, a statesman
of national reputation and one of the
leaders of the Republican party, was born
March 2, 1829, at Perry, Ohio. He grew
up on his father's farm, which he assisted
in cultivating, and attended the district
school. When sixteen years old he went
to the academy at Wooster, and subse-
quently spent a year at the Allegheny Col-
lege, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. He next
taught school and spent another year at the
Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio.
Mr. Allison then took up the study of law
at Wooster, where he was admitted to the
bar in 1 85 1, and soon obtained a position
as deputy county clerk. His political lean-
ings were toward the old line Whigs, who
afterward laid the foundation of the Repub-
lican party. He was a delegate to the state
convention in 1856, in the campaign of
which he supported Fremont for president.
Mr Allison removed to Dubuque, Iowa,
in the following year. He rapidly rose to
prominence at the bar and in politics. In
i860 he was chosen as a delegate to the
Republican convention held in Chicago, of
which he was elected one of the secretaries.
At the outbreak of the civil war he was ap-
pointed on the staff of the governor. His
congressional career opened in 1S62, when
he was elected to the thirty-eighth congress;
he was re-elected three times, serving from
March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1871. He was
a member of the ways and means committee
a good part of his term. His career in the
United States senate began in 1873, and he
rapidly rose to eminence in national affairs,
his service of a quarter of a century in that
body being marked by close fealty to the
Republican party. He twice declined the
portfolio of the treasury tendered him by
Garfield and Harrison, and his name was
prominently mentioned for the presidency
at several national Republican conventions.
M*;
ARY ASHTON LIVERMORE, lec-
urer and writer, was born in Boston,
December 19, 1821. She was the daughter
of Timothy Rice, and married D. P. Liver-
more, a preacher of the Universalist church.
She contributed able articles to many of the
most noted periodicals of this country and
England. During the Civil war she labored
zealously and with success on behalf of the
sanitary commission which played so impor-
tant a part during that great struggle. She
became editor of the " Woman's Journal,"
published at Boston in 1870.
She held a prominent place as a public
speaker and writer on woman's suffrage,
temperance, social and religious questions,
and her influence was great in every cause
she advocated.
JOHN B. GOUGH, a noted temperance
lecturer, who won his fame in America,
was born in the village of Sandgate, Kent,
132
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
England, August 22, 181 7. He came to
the United States at the age of twelve.
He followed the trade of bookbinder, and
lived in great poverty on account of the
liquor habit. In 1843, however, he re-
formed, and began his career as a temper-
ance lecturer. He worked zealously in the
cause of temperance, and his lectures and
published articles revealed great earnestness.
He formed temperance societies throughout
the entire country, and labored with great
success. He visited England in the same
cause about the year 1853 and again in
1878. He also lectured upon many other
topics, in which he attained a wide reputa-
tion. His death occurred February 18,
1886.
THOMAS BUCHANAN READ, author,
sculptor and painter, was born in Ches-
ter county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1822.
He early evinced a taste for art, and began
the study of sculpture in Cincinnati. Later
he found painting more to his liking. He
went to New York, where he followed this
profession, and later to Boston. In 1846
he located in Philadelphia. He visited
Italy in 1850, and studied at Florence,
where he resided almost continuously for
twenty-two years. He returned to America
in 1872, and died in New York May 11 of
the same year.
He was the author of many heroic
poems, but the one giving him the most re-
nown is his famous "Sheridan's Ride," of
which he has also left a representation in
painting.
EUGENE V. DEBS, the former famous
president of the American Railway
Union, and great labor leader, was born in
the city of Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1855.
He received his education in the public
schools of that place and at the age of
si.xteen years began work as a painter in
the \'andalia shops. After this, for some
three years, he was employed as a loco-
motive fireman on the same road. His
first appearance in public life was in his
canvass for the election to the office of city
clerk of Terre Haute. In this capacity he
served two terms, and when twenty six
years of age was elected a member of the
legislature of the state of Indiana. While
a member of that body he secured the
passage of several bills in the interest of
organized labor, of which he was always
a faithful champion. Mr. Debs' speech
nominating Daniel Voorhees for the United
States senate gave him a wide reputation for
oratory. On the expiration of his term in
the legislature, he was elected grand secre-
tary and treasurer of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Fireman and filled that office
for fourteen successive years. He was
always an earnest advocate of confederation
of railroad men and it was mainly through
his efforts that the United Order of Railway
Employes, composed of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen and Conductors,
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
the Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association was
formed, and he became a member of its
supreme council. The order was dissolved
by disagreement between two of its leading
orders, and then Mr. Debs conceived the
idea of the American Railway Union. He
worked on the details and the union came
into existence in Chicago, June 20, 1893. For
a time it prospered and became one of the
largest bodies of railway men in the world.
It won in a contest with the Great Northern
Railway. In the strike made by the union
in sympathy with the Pullman employes
inaugurated in Chicago June 25, 1S94, and
the consequent rioting, the Railway Union
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
183
lost much prestige and Mr. Debs, in company
with others of the officers, being held as in con-
tempt of the United States courts, he suffered
a sentence of six months in jail at Wood-
stock, McHenry county, Illinois. In 1897
Mr. Debs, on the demise of the American
Railway Union, organized the Social
Democracy, an institution founded on the
best lines of the communistic idea, which
was to provide homes and employment for
its members.
JOHN G. CARLISLE, famous as a law-
yer, congressman, senator and cabinet
officer, was born in Campbell (now Kenton)
county, Kentucky, September 5, 1835, on a
farm. He received the usual education of
the time and began at an early age to teach
school and, at the same time, the study of
law. Soon opportunity offered and he
entered an office in Covington, Kentucky,
and was admitted to practice at the bar in
185S. Politics attracted his attention and
in 1859 he was elected to the house of rep-
resentatives in the legislature of his native
state. On the outbreak of the war in 1 86 1 ,
he embraced the cause of the Union and was
largely instrumental in preserving Kentucky
to the federal cause. He resumed his legal
practice for a time and declined a nomina-
tion as presidential elector in 1864. In
1866 and again in 1869 Mr. Carlisle was
elected to the senate of Kentucky. He re-
signed this position in 1871 and was chosen
lieutenant governor of the state, which office
he held until 1875. He was one of the
presidential electors-at-large for Ken-
tucky in 1876. He first entered congress in
1877, and soon became a prominent leader
on the Democratic side of the house of rep-
resentatives, and continued a member of
that body through the forty-sixth, forty-
seventh, forty-eighth and forty-ninth con-
gresses, and was speaker of the house during
the two latter. He was elected to the
United States senate to succeed Senator
Blackburn, and remained a member of that
branch of congress until March, 1893, when
he was appointed secretary of the treasury.
He performed the duties of that high office
until March 4, 1897, throughout the en-
tire second administration of President
Cleveland. His ability and many years of
public service gave him a national reputa-
tion.
FRANCES E. WILLARD, for many years
president of the -Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, and a noted American
lecturer and writer, was born in Rochester,
New York, September 28, 1839. Graduating
from the Northwestern Female College at the
age of nineteen she began teaching and met
with great success in many cities of the west.
She was made directress of Genesee Wes-
leyan Seminary at Lima, Ohio, in 1867, and
four years later was elected president of the
Evanston College for young ladies, a branch
of the Northwestern University.
During the two years succeeding 1869
she traveled extensively in Europe and the
east, visiting Egypt and Palestine, and
gathering materials for a valuable course of
lectures, which she delivered at Chicago on
her return. She became very popular, and
won great influence in the temperance
cause. Her work as president of the Wo-
man's Christian Temperance Union greatly
strengthened that society, and she made
frequent trips to Europe in the interest of
that cause.
RICHARD OLNEY.— Among the promi-
nent men who were members of the
cabinet of President Cleveland in his second
administration, the gentleman whose name
184
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
heads this sketch held a leading place, oc-
cupying the positions of attorney general
and secretary of state.
Mr. Olney came from one of the oldest
and most honored New England families;
the first of his ancestors to come from Eng-
land settled in Massachusetts in 1635. This
was Thomas Olney. He was a friend and
co-religionist of Roger Williams, and when
the latter moved to what is now Rhode
fcland, went with him and became one of
the founders of Providence Plantations.
Richard Olney was born in O.xford,
Massachusetts, in 1835, and received the
elements of his earlier education in the com-
mon schools which New England is so proud
of. He entered Brown University, from
which he graduated in 1856, and passed the
Harvard law school two j'ears later. He
began the practice of his profession with
Judge B. F. Thomas, a prominent man of
that locality. For years Richard Olney was
regarded as one of the ablest and most
learned lawyers in Massachusetts. Twice
he was offered a place on the bench of the
supreme court of the state, but both times
he declined. He was always a Democrat
in his political tenets, and for many years
was a trusted counsellor of members of that
party. In 1874 Mr. Olney was elected a
member of the legislature. In 1876, during
the heated presidential campaign, to
etrengthen the cause of Mr. Tilden in the
New England states, it was intimated that
in the event of that gentleman's election to
the presidency, Mr. Olney would be attor-
ney Reneral.
When G rover Cleveland was elected presi-
dent of the United States, on his inaugura-
tion in March, 1893, he tendered the posi-
tion of attorney general to Richard Olney.
This was accepted, and that gentleman ful-
^lled the duties of the office until the death
of Walter Q. Gresham, in May, 1S95, made
vacant the position of secretary of state.
This post was filled by the appointment of
Mr. Olney. While occupying the later
office, Mr. Olney brought himself into inter-
national prominence by some very able state
papers.
JOHN J.A.Y KNOX, for many years comp-
troller of the currency, and an eminent
financier, was born in Knoxboro, Oneida
county, New York, May 19, 1828. He re-
ceived a good education and graduated at
Hamilton College in 1849. For about
thirteen years he was engaged as a private
banker, or in a position in a bank, where
he laid the foundation of his knowledge of
the laws of finance. In 1862, Salmon P.
Chase, then secretary of the treasury, ap-
pointed him to an office in that department
of the government, and later he had charge
of the mint coinage correspondence. In 1 867
Mr. Knox was made deputy comptroller
of the currency, and in that capacity, in
1S70, he made two reports on the mint
service, with a codification of the mint and
coinage laws of the United States, and
suggesting many important amendments.
These reports were ordered printed by reso-
lution of congress. The bill which he pre-
pared, with some slight changes, was sub-
sequently passed, and has been known in
history as the " Coinage Act of 1873."
In 1872 Mr. Knox wns appointed comp-
troller of the currency, and held that re-
sponsible position until iS,S4, when he re-
signed. He then accepted the position of
president of the National Bank of the Re-
public, of New York City, which institution
he served for many years. He was the
author of " United States Notes," published
in 1884. In the reports spoken of above, a
history of the two United States banks is
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
135
given, together with that of the state and
national banking system, and much valuable
statistical matter relating to kindred sub-
jects.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.— In the
opinion of many critics Hawthorne is
pronounced the foremost American novelist,
and in his peculiar vein of romance is said
to be without a peer. His reputation is
world-wide, and his ability as a writer is
recognized abroad as well as at home.
He was born July 4, 1 804, at Salem, Massa-
chusetts. On account of feeble health he
spent some years of his boyhood on a farm
near Raymond, Maine. He laid the foun-
dation of a liberal education in his youth,
and entered Bowdoin College, from which
he graduated in 1825 in the same class with
H W Longfellow and John S. C. Abbott.
He then returned to Salem, wdiere he gave
his attention to literature, publishing several
tales and other articles in various periodi-
cals. His first venture in the field of ro-
mance, " Fanshaw,'' proved a failure. In
1836 he removed to Boston, and became
editor of the "American Magazine," which
soon passed out of existence. In 1837 h^
published " Twice Told Tales," which were
chiefly made up of his former contributions
to magazines. In 1838-41 he held a posi-
tion in the Boston custom house, but later
took part in the " Brook farm experiment,"
a socialistic- idea after the plan of Fourier.
In 1843 he was married and took up his
residence at the old parsonage at Concord,
Massachusetts, which he immortalized in
his next work, "Mosses From an Old
Manse," published in 1S46. From the lat-
ter date until 1850 he was surveyor of the
port of Salem, and while thus employed
wrote one of his strongest works, "The
Scarlet Letter." For the succeeding two
years Lenox, Massachusetts, was his home,
and the " House of the Seven Gables" was
produced there, as well as the " Blithedale
Romance." In 1852 he published a "Life
of Franklin Pierce," a college friend whom
he warmly regarded. In 1853 he was ap-
pointed United States consul to Liverpool,
England, where he remained some years,
after which he spent some time in Italy.
On returning to his native land he took up
his residence at Concord, Massachusetts.
While taking a trip for his health with ex-
President Pierce, he died at Plymouth, New
Hampshire, May 19, 1864. In addition to
the works mentioned above Mr. Hawthorne
gave to the world the following books:
" True Stories from Histor}'," "The Won-
der Book," " The Snow Image," "Tangle-
wood Tales," "The Marble Faun," and
■ ' Our Old Home. " After his death appeared
a series of "Notebooks," edited by his wife,
Sophia P. Hawthorne; " Septimius Felton,"
edited by his daughter, Una, and "Dr.
Grimshaw's Secret," put into shape by his
talented son, Julian. He left an unfinished
work called " Dolliver Romance," which has
been published just as he left it.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, sixteenth presi-
dent of the United States, was born
February 12, 1809, in Larue county (Har-
din county), Kentucky, in a log-cabin near
Hudgensville. When he was eight years
old he removed with his parents to Indiana,
near the Ohio river, and a year later his
mother died. His father then married Mrs.
Elizabeth (Bush) Johnston, of Elizabeth-
town, Kentucky, who proved a kind of fos-
ter-mother to Abraham, and encouraged
him to study. He worked as a farm hand
and as a clerk in a store at Gentryville, and
was noted for his athletic feats and strength,
fondness for debate, a fund of humorous
130
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHIC
anecdote, as well as the composition of rude
verses. He made a trip at the age of nine-
teen to New Orleans on a flat-boat, and set-
tled in Illinois in 1830. He assisted his
father to build a log house and clear a farm
on the Sangamon river near Decatur, Illinois,
and split the rails with which to fence it. In
185 1 he was employed in the building of a
flat-boat on the Sangamon, and to run it to
New Orleans. The voyage gave him a new
insight into the horrors of slavery in the
south. On his return he settled at New
Salem and engaged, first as a clerk in a store,
then as grocer, surveyor and postmaster, and
he ])iloted the first steamboat that as-
cended the Sangamon. He participated in
the Black Hawk war as captain of volun-
teers, and after his return he studied law,
interested himself in politics, and became
prominent locally as a public speaker. He
was elected to the legislature in 1834 as a
" Clay Whig," and began at once to dis-
play a command of language and forcible
rhetoric that made him a match for his
more cultured opponents. He was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1837, and began prac-
tice at Springfield. He married a lady of a
prominent Kentucky family in 1842. He
was active in the presidential campaigns of
1840 and 1844 and was an elector on the
Harrison and Clay tickets, and was elected
to congress in 1846, over Peter Cartwright.
He voted for the Wilmot proviso and the
abolition of slavery in the District of Colum-
bia, and opposed the war with Mexico, but
gained little prominence during his two
years' service. He then returned to Spring-
field and devoted his attention to law, tak-
ing little interest in politics, until the repeal
of the Missouri compromise and the passage
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1 8 54. This
awakened his interest in politics again and
he attacked the champion of that measure,
Stephen A. Douglas, in a speech at Spring-
field that made him famous, and is said
by those who heard it to be the greatest
speech of his life. Lincoln was selected as
candidate for the United States senate, but
was defeated by Trumbull. Upon the pas-
sage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill the Whig
party suddenly went to pieces, and the Re-
publican party gathered head. At the
Blooinington Republican convention in 1856
Lincoln made an effective address in which
he first took a position antagonistic to the ex-
istence of slavery. He was a Fremont elector
and received a strong support for nomina-
tion as vice-president in the Philadelphia
convention. In 1858 he was the unanimous
choice of the Republicans for the United
States senate, and the great campaign of de-
bate which followed resulted in the election
of Douglas, but established Lincoln's repu-
tation as the leading exponent of Republican
doctrines. He began to be mentioned in
Illinois as candidate for the presidenc)-, and
a course of addresses in the eastern states
attracted favorable attention. When the
national convention met at Chicago, his
rivals, Chase, Seward, Bates and others,
were compelled to retire before the western
giant, and he was nominated, with Hannibal
Hamlin as his running mate. The Demo-
cratic party had now been disrupted, and
Lincoln's election assured. He carried
practically every northern state, and the
secession of South Carolina, followed by a
number of the gulf states, took place before
his inauguration. Lincoln is the only presi-
dent who was ever compelled to reach
Washington in a secret manner. He es-
caped assassination by avoiding Baltimore,
and was quietly inaugurated March 4, 1861.
His inaugural address was firm but con-
ciliatory, and he said to the secessionists:
" You have no oath registered in heaven
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
137
to destroy the government, while I have the
most solemn one to preserve, protect and
defend it.' He made up his cabinet chiefly
of those poHtical rivals in his own party —
Seward, Chase, Cameron, Bates — and se-
cured the co-operation of the Douglas Dem-
ocrats. His great deeds, amidst the heat
and turmoil of war, were: His call for
seventy-five thousand volunteers, and the
blockading of southern ports; calling of con-
gress in extra session, July 14, 1861, and
obtaining four hundred thousand men and
four hundred million dollars for the prosecu-
tion of the war; appointing Stanton secre-
tary of war; issuing the emancipation proc-
lamation; calling three hundred thou-
sand volunteers; address at Gettysburg
cemetery; commissioned Grant as lieuten-
ant-general and commander-in-chief of the
armies of the United States; his second
inaugural address; his visit to the army be-
fore Richmond, and his entry into Rich-
mond the day after its surrender.
Abraham Lincoln was shot by John
Wilkes Booth in a box in Ford's theater
at Washington the night of April 14, 1865,
and expired the following morning. His
body was buried at Oak Ridge cemetery,
Springfield, Illinois, and a monument com-
memorating his great work marks his resting
place.
STEPHEN GIRARD, the celebrated
philanthropist, was born in Bordeaux,
France, May 24, 1750. He became a sailor
engaged in the American coast trade, and
also made frequent trips to the West Indies.
During the Revolutionary war he was a
grocer and liquor seller in Philadelphia.
He married in that city, and afterward
separated from his wife. After the war he
again engaged in the coast and West India
trade, and his fortune began to accumulate
from receiving goods from West Indian
planters during the insurrection in Hayti,
little of which was ever called for again.
He became a private banker in Philadelphia
in 1 81 2, and afterward was a director in the
United States Bank. He made much money
by leasing property in the city in times of
depression, and upon the revival of industry
sub-leasing at enormous profit. He became
the wealthiest citizen of the United States
of his time.
He was eccentric, ungracious, and a
freethinker. He had few, if any, friends in
his lifetime. However, he was most chari-
tably disposed, and gave to charitable in-
stitutions and schools with a liberal hand.
He did more than any one else to relieve
the suffering and deprivations during the
great yellow fever scourge in Philadelphia,
devoting his personal attention to the sick.
He endowed and made a free institution,
the famous Will's Eye and Ear Infirmary
of Philadelphia — one of the largest institu-
tions of its kind in the world. At his death
practically all his immense wealth was be-
queathed to charitable institutions, more
than two millions of dollars going to the
founding of Girard College, which was to
be devoted to the education and training of
boys between the ages of six and ten years.
Large donations were also made to institu-
tions in Philadelphia and New Orleans.
The principal building of Girard College is
the most magnificent example of Greek
architecture in America. Girard died De-
cember 26, 1 83 1.
LOUIS J. R. AGASSIZ, the eminent nat-
uralist and geologist, was born in the
parish of Motier, near Lake Neuchatel, Swit-
zerland, May 28, 1807, but attained his
greatest fame after becoming an American
citizen. He studied the medical sciences at
138
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
Zurich, Heidelberg and Munich. .His first
work was a Latin description of the fishes
which Martius and Spi.x brought from Brazil.
This was published in 1 829-3 1 . He devoted
much time to the study of fossil fishes, and
in 1832 was appointed professor of natural
history at Neuchatel. He greatly increased
his reputation by a great work in French,
entitled " Researches on Fossil Fishes," in
1832-42, in which he made many important
improvements in tlie classification of fishes.
Having passed many summers among the
Alps in researches on glaciers, he propounded
some new and interesting ideas on geology,
and the agency of glaciers in his "Studies
by the Glaciers." This was published in
1840. This latter work, with his " System
of the Glaciers," published in 1847, are
among his principal works.
In 1846, Professor Agassiz crossed the
ocean on a scientific excursion to the United
States, and soon determined to remain here.
He accepted, about the beginning of 1S48,
the chair of zoology and geology at Harvard.
He explored the natural history of the
United States at different times and gave an
impulse to the study of nature in this
country. In 1865 he conducted an expedi-
tion to Brazil, and explored the lower Ama-
zon and its tributaries. In 1868 he was
made non-resident professor of natural his-
tory at Cornell University. In December,
1 87 1, he accompanied the Hassler expedi-
tion, under Professor Pierce, to the South
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He died at
Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 14,
1873-
Among other of the important works of
Professor Agassiz may be mentioned the fol-
lowing: "Outlines of Comparative Physi-
oloRy." "Journey to Brazil," and "Contri-
butions to the Natural History of the United
States." It is said of Professor Agassiz,
that, perhaps, with the exception of Hugh
Miller, no one had so popularized science in
his day, or trained so many young natural-
ists. Many of the theories held by Agassiz
are not supported by many of the natural-
ists of these later days, but upon many of
the speculations into the origin of species and
in physics he has left the marks of his own
strongly marked individuality.
WILLIAM WINDOM.— As a prominent
and leading lawyer of the great north-
west, as a member of both houses of con-
gress, and as the secretary of the treasury,
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch
won for himself a prominent position in the
history of our country.
Mr. Windoin was a native of Ohio,
born in Belmont county. May 10, 1827.
He received a good elementary education in
the schools of his native state, and took up
the study of law. He was admitted to the
bar, and entered upon the practice of his
profession in Ohio, where he remained until
1855. In the latter year he made up his
mind to move further west, and accordingly
went to Minnesota, and opening an office,
became identified with the interests of that
state, and tiie northwest generally. In
1858 he took his place in the Minnesota
delegation in the national house of repre-
sentatives, at Washington, and continued
to represent his constituency in that body
for ten years. In 1871 Mr. Windom was
elected United States senator from Min-
nesota, and was re-elected to the same office
after fulfilling the duties of the position for
a full term, in 1876. On the inauguration
of President Garfield, in March, 1881, Mr.
Windom became secretary of the treasury
in his cabinet. He resigned this office Oc-
tober 27, 1 88 1, and was elected senator
from the North Star state to fill the va-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
189
cancy caused by the resignation of A. J.
Edgerton. Mr. Windom served in that
chamber until March, 1S83.
Wilham Windom died in New York
City January 29, 1891.
DON M. DICKINSON, an American
politician and lawyer, was born in
Port Ontario, New York, January 17, 1846.
He removed with his parents to Michigan
when he was but two years old. He was
educated in the public schools of Detroit
and at the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor, and was admitted to the bar at the
age of twenty-one. In 1872 he was made
secretary of the Democratic state central
committee of Michigan, and his able man-
agement of the campaign gave him a prom-
inent place in the councils of his party. In
1876, during the Tilden campaign, he acted
as chairman of the state central committee.
He was afterward chosen to represent his
state in the Democratic national committee,
and in 1886 he was appointed postmaster-
general by President Cleveland. After the
expiration of his term of office he returned
to Detroit and resumed the practice of law.
In the presidential campaign of 1896, Mr.
Dickinson adhered to the "gold wing" of
the Democracy, and his influence was felt
in the national canvass, and especially in
his own state.
JOHN JACOB ASTOR, the founder of
<J the Astor family and fortunes, while not
a native of this country, was one of the
most noted men of his time, and as all his
wealth and fame were acquired here, he
may well be classed among America's great
men. He was born near Heidelberg, Ger-
many, July 17, 1763, and when twenty
years old emigrated to the United States.
Even at that aee he exhibited remarkable
business ability and foresight, and soon he
was investing capital in furs which he took
to London and sold at a great profit. He
next settled at New York, and engaged ex-
tensively in the fur trade. He exported
furs to Europe in his own vessels, which re-
turned with cargoes of foreign commodities,
and thus he rapidly amassed an immense
fortune. In 181 1 he founded Astoria on
the western coast of North America, near
the mouth of the Columbia river, as a depot
for the fur trade, for the promotion of
which he sent a number of expeditions to
the Pacific ocean. He also purchased a
large amount of real estate in New York,
the value of which increased enormously
All through life his business ventures were
a series of marvelous successes, and he
ranked as one of the most sagacious and
successful business men in the world. He
diea March 29, 1848, leaving a fortune es-
timated at over twenty million dollars to
his children, who have since increased it.
John Jacob Astor left $400,000 to found a
public library in New York City, and his son,
William B. Astor, who died in 1875, left
$300,000 to add to his father's bequest.
This is known as the Astor Library, one of
the largest in the United States.
SCHUYLER COLFAX, an eminent
American statesman, was born in New
York City, March 23, 1823, being a grand-
son of General William- Colfax, the com-
mander of Washington's life-guards. In
1836 he removed with his mother, who was
then a widow, to Indiana, settling at South
Bend. Young Schuyler studied law, and
in 1845 became editor of the "St. Joseph
Valley Register," a Whig paper published
at South Bend. He was a member of the
convention which formed a new constitu-
tion for Indiana in 1850, and he opposed
140
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
the clause that prohibited colored men
from settling in that state. In 185 i he was
defeated as the Whig candidate for congress
but was elected in 1854, and, being repeat-
edly r.e-electcd, continued to represent that
district in congress until 1869. He became
one of the most prominent and influential
members of the house of representatives,
and served three terms as speaker. During
the Civil war he was an active participant
in all public measures of importance, and
was a confidential friend and adviser of
President Lincoln. In May, 1868, Mr.
Colfax was nominated for vice-president on
the ticket with General Grant, and was
elected. After the close of his term he re-
tired from office, and for the remainder of
his life devoted much of his time to lectur-
ing and literary pursuits. His death oc-
curred January 23, 18S5. He was one of
the most prominent members of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows in America,
and that order erected a bronze statue to
his memory in University Park. Indianapo-
lis, Indiana, which was unveiled in May,
1887.
WILLIAM FREEMAN VILAS, who at-
tained a national reputation as an able
lawyer, statesman, and cabinet officer, was
born at Chelsea, Vermont, July 9, 1840.
His parents removed to Wisconsin when
our subject was but eleven years of age,
and there with the early settlers endured all
the hardships and trials incident to pioneer
life. William F. Vilas was given all the
advantages found in the common schools,
and supplemented this by a course of study
in the Wisconsin State University, after
which he studied law, was admitted to the
bar and began practicing at Madison.
Shortly afterward the Civil war broke out
and Mr. Vilas enlisted and became colonel
of the Twenty-third regiment of Wisconsin
Volunteers, serving throughout the war with
distinction. At the close of the war he re-
turned to Wisconsin, resumed his law prac-
tice, and rapidly rose to eminence in this
profession. In 18S5 he was selected by
President Cleveland for postmaster-general
and at the close of his term again returned
to Madison, Wisconsin, to resume the prac-
tice of law.
THOMAS McINTYRECOOLEY, an em-
inent American jurist and law writer,
was born in Attica, New York, January 6,
1824. He was admitted to the bar in 1846,
and four years later was appointed reporter
of the supreme court of Michigan, whicli
office he continued to hold for seven years.
In the meantime, in 1S59, he became pro-
fessor of the law department of the Univer-
sity of Michigan, and soon afterward was
made dean of the faculty of that depart-
ment. In 1864 he was elected justice of
the supreme court of Michigan, in 1867 be-
came chief justice of that court, and in
1869 was re-elected for a term of eight
years. In i88r he again joined the faculty
of the University of Michigan, assuming the
professorship of constitutional and adminis-
trative law. His works on these branches
have become standard, and he is recog-
nized as authority on this and related sub-
jects. Upon the passage of the inter-state
commerce law in 1887 he became chairman
of the commission and served in that capac-
ity four years.
JOHN PETER ALTGELD, a noted
American politician and writer on social
questions, was born in Germany, December
30, 1847. He came to America with his
parents and settled in Ohio when two years
old. In 1864 he entered the I'nion army
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
141
and served till the close of the war, after
which he settled in Chicago, Illinois. He
was elected judge of the superior court of
Cook county, Illinois, in 1886, in which
capacity he served until elected governor of
Illinois in 1892, as a Democrat. During
the first year of his term as governor he at-
tracted national attention by his pardon of
the anarchists convicted of the Haymarket
murder in Chicago, and again in 1894 by
his denunciation of President Cleveland for
calling out federal troops to suppress the
rioting in connection with the great Pull-
man strike in Chicago. At the national
convention of the Democratic party in Chi-
cago, in July, 1896, he is said to have in-
spired the clause in the platform denuncia-
tory of interference by federal authorities in
local affairs, and "government by injunc-
tion." He was gubernatorial candidate for
re-election on the Democratic ticket in 1896,
but was defeated by John R. Tanner, Re-
publican. Mr. Altgeld published two vol-
umes of essays on " Live Questions," evinc-
ing radical views on social matters.
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON, an Amer.
ican statesman and politician, was born
in Christian county, Kentucky, October 23,
1835, ^nd removed with the family to
Bloomington, Illinois, in 1852. He was
admitted to the bar in 1858, and set-
tled in the practice of his profession
in Metamora, Illinois. In 1861 he was
made master in chancery of Woodford
county, and in 1864 was elected state's at-
torney. In 1868 he returned to Blooming-
ton and formed a law partnership with
James S. Ewing. He had served as a pres-
idential elector in 1864, and in 1868 was
elected to congress as a Democrat, receiv-
ing a majority vote from every county in his
district. He became prominent in his
party, and was a delegate to the national
convention in 1884. On the election of
Cleveland to the presidency Mr. Stevenson
was appointed first assistant postmaster-
general. After the expiration of his term
he continued to exert a controlling influence
in the politics of his state, and in 1892 was
elected vice-president of the United States
on the ticket with Grover Cleveland. At
the expiration of his term of office he re-
sumed the practice of law at Bloomington,
Illinois.
SIMON CAMERON, whose name is
prominently identified with the history
of the United States as a political leader
and statesman, was born in Lancaster coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1799. He grew
to manhood in his native county, receiving
good educational advantages, and develop-
ing a natural inclination for political life.
He rapidly rose in prominence and became
the most influential Democrat in Pennsyl-
vania, and in 1845 waselected by that party
to the United States senate. Upon the
organization of the Republican party he was
one of the first to declare his allegiance to
it, and in 1856 was re-elected United States
senator from Pennsylvania as a Republican.
In March, 1 861, he was appointed secretary
of war by President Lincoln, and served
until early in 1862, when he was sent as
minister to Russia, returning in 1863. In
1866 he was again elected United States
senator and served until 1877, when he re-
signed and was succeeded by his son, James
Donald Cameron. He continued to exert a
powerful influence in political affairs up to
the time of his death, June 26, 1889.
James Donald Cameron was the eld-
est son of Simon Cameron, and also
attained a high rank among American
statesmen. He was born at Harrisburg,
141
COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Pennsylvania, May 14, 1833, and received an
excellent education, graduating at Princeton
College in 1852. He rapidly developed into
one of the most able and successful business
men of the country and was largely inter-
ested in and identified with the develop-
ment of the coal, iron, lumber and manu-
facturing interests of his native state. He
served as cashier and afterward president of
the Middletownbank, and in 1861 was made
vice-president, and in 1863 president of
the Northern Central railroad, holding this
position until 1874, when he resigned and
was succeeded by Thomas A. Scott. This
road was of great service to the government
during the war as a means of communica-
tion between Pennsylvania and the national
capital, via Baltimore. Mr. Cameron also
took an active part in political affairs,
always as a Republican. In May, 1876,
he was appointed secretary of war in Pres-
ident Grant's cabinet, and in 1877 suc-
ceeded his father in the United States
senate. He was re-elected in 1885, and
again in 1891, serving until 1896, and was
recognized as one of the most prominent and
influential members of that body.
ADOLPHUS W. GREELEY, a famous
American arctic explorer, was born at
Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 27,
1844. He graduated from Brown High
School at the age of sixteen, and a year
later enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth
Massachusetts Infantry, and was made first
sergeant. In 1863 he was promoted to
second lieutenant. After the war he was
assigned to the Fifth United States Cavalry,
and became first lieutenant in 1873. He
was assigned to duty in the United States
signal service shortly after the close of the
war. An expedition was fitted out by the
United States government in 1881, un-
der auspices of the weather bureau, and
Lieutenant Greeley placed in command.
They set sail from St. Johns the first week
in July, and after nine days landed in Green-
land, where they secured the services of two
natives, together with sledges, dogs, furs
and equipment. They encountered an ice
pack early in August, and on the 28th of
that month freezing weather set in. Two
of his party. Lieutenant Lockwood and Ser-
geant Brainard, added to the known maps
about forty miles of coast survey, and
reached the highest point yet attained by
man, eighty-three degrees and twenty-four
minutes north, longitude, forty-four degrees
and five minutes west. On their return to
Fort Conger, Lieutenant Greeley set out
for the south on August 9, 1883. He
reached Baird Inlet twenty days later with
his entire party. Here they were compelled
to abandon their boats, and drifted on an
ice-floe for one month. They then went
into camp at Cape Sabine, where they suf-
fered untold hardships, and eighteen of the
party succumbed to cold and hunger, and
had relief been delayed two days longer
none would have been found alive. They
were picked up by the relief expedition,
under Captain Schley, June 22, 1884. The
dead were taken to New York for burial.
Many sensational stories were published
concerning the expedition, and Lieutenant
Greeley prepared an exhaustive account
of his explorations and experiences.
LEVI P. MORTON, the millionaire poli-
tician, was born in Shoreham, Ver-
mont, May 16, 1824, and his early educa-
tion consisted of the rudiments which he
obtained in the common school up to the
age of fourteen, and after that time what
knowledge he gained was wrested from the
hard school of experience. He removed to
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
143
Hanover, Vermont, then Concord, Vermont,
and afterwards to Boston. He had worked
in a store at Shoreham, his native village,
and on going to Hanover he estabHshed a
store and went into business for himself.
In Boston he clerked in a dry goods store,
and then opened a business of his own in
the same line in New York. After a short
career he failed, and was compelled to set-
tle with his creditors at only fifty cents on
the dollar. He began the struggle anew,
and when the war began he established a
banking house in New York, with Junius
Morgan as a partner. Through his firm
and connections the great government war
loans were floated, and it resulted in im-
mense profits to his house. When he was
again thoroughly established he invited his
former creditors to a banquet, and under
each guest's plate was found a check cover-
ing the amount of loss sustained respec-
tively, with interest to date.
President Garfield appointed Mr. Mor-
ton as minister to France, after he had de-
clined the secretaryship of the navy, and in
1888 he was nominated as candidate for
vice-president, with Harrison, and elected.
In 1894 he was elected governor of New
York over David B. Hill, and served one
term.
CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, one
of the most talented and prominent
educators this country has known, was born
January 24, 1835, at Derby, Vermont. He
received an elementary education in the
common schools, and studied two terms in
the Derby Academy. Mr. Adams moved
with his parents to Iowa in 1856. He was
very an.xious to pursue a collegiate course,
but this was impossible until he had attained
the age of twenty-one. In the autumn of
1856 he began the study of Latin and Greek
at Denmark Academy, and in September,
1857, he was admitted to the University of
Michigan. Mr. Adams was wholly depend-
ent upon himself for the means of his edu-
cation. During his third and fourth year
he became deeply interested in historical
studies, was assistant librarian of the uni-
versity, and determined to pursue a post-
graduate course. In 1864 he was appointed
instructor of history and Latin and was ad-
vanced to an assistant professorship in 1865,
and in 1867, on the resignation oi Professot
White to accept the presidency of Cornell,
he was appointed to fill the chair of profes-
sor of history. This he accepted on con-
dition of his being allowed to spend a year
for special study in Germany, France and
Italy. Mr. Adams returned in 1868, and
assumed the duties of his professorship.
He introduced the German system for the
instruction of advanced history classes, and
his lectures were largely attended. In 1885,
on the resignation of President White at
Cornell, he was elected his successor and
held the office for seven years, and on Jan-
uary 17, 1893, he was inaugurated presi-
dent of the University of Wisconsin. Pres-
ident Adams was prominently connected
with numerous scientific and literary organ-
izations and a frequent contributor to the
historical and educational data in the peri-
odicals and journals of the country. He
was the author of the following: " Dem-
ocracy and Monarchy in France," " Manual
of Historical Literature," " A Plea for Sci-
entific Agriculture," " Higher Education in
Germany."
JOSEPH B. FORAKER, a prominent po-
<J litical leader and ex-governor of Ohio,
was born near Rainsboro, Highland county,
Ohio, July 5, 1846. His parents operated
a small farm, with a grist and sawmill, hav-
144
COMPEXDIUM OF BlOGRAPlir.
ing emigrated hither from Virginia and
Delaware on account of their distaste for
slavery.
Joseph was reared upon a farm until
1862, when he enlisted in the Eighty' -ninth
Ohio Infantry. Later he was made ser-
geant, and in 1864 commissioned first lieu-
tenant. The next year he was brevetted
captain. At the age of nineteen he was
mustered out of the army after a brilliant
service, part of the time being on the staff
of General Slocum. He participated in the
battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mount-
ain and Kcnesaw Mountain and in Sher-
man's march to the sea.
For two years subsequent to the war
young Foraker was studying at the Ohio
W^esleyan University at Delaware, but later
went to Cornell University, at Unity, New
York, from which he graduated July i,
1869. He studied law and was admitted to
the bar. In 1S79 Mr. Foraker was elected
judge of the superior court of Cincinnati
and held the office for three j'ears. In 1883
he was defeated in the contest for the gov-
ernorship with Judge Hoadly. In 18S5,
however, being again nominated for the
same office, he was elected and served two
terms. In 1889, in running for governor
again, this time against James E. Camp-
bell, he was defeated. Two years later his
career in the United States senate began.
Mr. Foraker was always a prominent figure
at all national meetings of the Republican
party, and a strong power, politically, in his
native state.
LYMAN ABBOTT, an eminent American
preacher and writer on religious sub-
jects, came of a noted New England
family. His father, Rev. Jacob Abbott, was
a prolific and popular writer, and his uncle.
Rev. John S. C. Abbott, was a noted
preacher and author. Lyman Abbott was
born December 18, 1835, in Roxbury,
Massachusetts. He graduated at the New
York University, in 1853, studied law, and
practiced for a time at the bar, after which
he studied theology with his uncle. Rev.
John S. C. Abbott, and in i860 was settled
in the ministry at Terre Haute, Indiana, re-
maining there until after the close of the
war. He then became connected with the
Freedmen's Commission, continuing this
until 1868, when he accepted the pastorate
of the New England Congregational church,
in New York City. A few years later he re-
signed, to devote his time principally to lit-
erary pursuits. For a number of years he
edited for the American Tract Society, its
"Illustrated Christian Weekly," also the
New York "Christian Union." He pro-
duced many works, which had a wide circu-
lation, among which may be mentioned the
following: "Jesus of Nazareth, His Life and
Teachings," "Old Testament Shadows of
New Testament Truths," "Morning and
Evening Exercises, Selected from Writings
of Henry Ward Beecher," " Laicus, or the
Experiences of a Layman in a Country
Parish," "Popular Religious Dictionary,"
and "Commentaries on Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John and Acts."
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.— The
well-known author, orator and journal-
ist whose name heads this sketch, was born
at Providence, Rhode Island, P'cbruary 24,
1824. Having laid the foundation of a
most excellent education in his native land,
he went to Europe and studied at the Uni-
versity of Berlin. He made an extensive
tour throughout the Levant, from which he
returned home in 1850. At that early age
literature became his field of labor, and in
1851 he published his first important work,
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
145
" Nile Notes of a Howadji." In 1852 two
works issued from his facile pen, "The
Howadji in Syria," and "Lotus-Eating."
Later on he was the author of the well-
known " Potiphar Papers," " Prue and L"
and "Trumps." He greatly distinguished
himself throughout this land as a lecturer
on many subjects, and as an orator had but
few peers. He was also well known as one
of the most fluent speakers on the stump,
making many political speeches in favor of
the Republican party. In recognition of
his valuable services, Mr. Curtis was ap-
pointed by President Grant, chairman of
the advisory board of the civil service. Al-
though a life-long Republican, Mr. Curtis
refused to support Blaine for the presidency
in 1884, because of his ideas on civil ser-
\'ice and other reforms. For his memorable
and magnificent eulogy on Wendell Phillips,
delivered in Boston, in 1884, that city pre-
sented Mr. Curtis with a gold medal.
George W. Curtis, however, is best
known to the reading public of the United
States by his connection with the Harper
Brothers, having been editor of the "Har-
per's Weekly," and of the " Easy Chair,"
in " Harper's Monthly Magazine, "for many
years, in fact retaining that position until
the day of his death, which occurred August
31, 1892.
ANDREW JOHNSON, the seventeenth
president of the United States, served
from 1865 to 1869. He was born Decem-
ber 8, 1808, at Raleigh, North Carolina,
and was left an orphan at the age of four
years. He never attended school, and was
apprenticed to a tailor. While serving his
apprenticeship he suddenly acquired a pas-
sion for knowledge, and learned to read.
From that time on he spent all his spare
time in reading, and after working for two
years as a journeyman tailor at Lauren's
Court House, South Carolina, he removed
to Greenville, Tennessee, where he worked
at his trade and was married. Under his
wife's instruction he made rapid progress in
his studies and manifested such an interest
in local politics as to be elected as " work-
ingmen's candidate " alderman in 1828, and
in 1830 to the mayoralty, and was twice
re-elected to each ofifice. Mr. Johnson
utilized this time in cultivating his talents
as a public speaker, by taking part in a de-
bating society. He was elected in 1835 to
the lower house of the legislature, was re-
elected in 1839 as a Democrat, and in
1 841 was elected state senator. Mr. John-
son was elected representative in congress
in 1843 ^nd was re-elected four times in
succession until 1853, when he was the suc-
cessful candidate for the gubernatorial chair
of Tennessee. He was re-elected in 1855
and in 1857 he entered the United States
senate. In i860 he was supported by the
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic
convention for the presidential nomination,
and lent his influence to the Breckinridge
wing of the party. At the election of Lin-
coln, which brought about the first attempt
at secession in December, i860, Mr. John-
son took a firm attitude in the senate for
the Union. He was the leader of the loy-
alists in East Tennessee. By the course
that Mr. Johnson pursued in this crisis he
was brought prominently before the north-
ern people, and when, in March, 18G2, he
was appointed military governor of Ten-
nessee with the rank of brigadier-general,
he increased his popularity by the vigorous
m.anner in which he labored to restore
order. In the campaign of 1S64 he was
elected vice-president on the ticket with
President Lincoln, and upon the assassi-
nation of the latter he succeeded to the
146
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
presidency, April 15, 1865. He retained
the cabinet of President Lincoln, and at
first exhibited considerable severity towards
the fortner Confederates, but he soon inau-
gurated a policy of reconstruction, pro-
claimed a general amnesty to the la'te Con-
federates, and established provisional gov-
ernments in the southern states. These
states claimed representation in congress in
the following December, and then arose the
momentous question as to what should be
the policy of the victorious Union against
their late enemies. The Republican ma-
jority in congress had an apprehension that
the President would undo the results of the
war, and consequently passed two bills over
the executive veto, and the two highest
branches of the government were in open
antagonism. The cabinet was reconstructed
in July, and Messrs. Randall, Stanbury and
Browning superseded Messrs. Denison,
Speed and Harlan. In August, 1867, Pres-
ident Johnson removed the secretary of war
and replaced him with General Grant, but
when congress met in December it refused
to ratify the removal of Stanton, who re-
sumed the functions of his office. In 1868
the president again attempted to remove
Stanton, who refused to vacate his post
and was sustained by the senate. Presi-
dent Johnson was accused by congress of
high crimes and misdemeanors, but the trial
resulted in his acquittal. Later he was Uni-
ted States senator from Tennessee, and
died July 31, 1875.
EDMUND RANDOLPH, first attorney-
general of the United States, was born
in Virginia, August 10, 1753. His father,
John Randolph, was attorney-general of
Virginia, and lived and died a royalist. Ed-
mund was educated in the law, but joined
the army as aide-de-camp to Washington
in 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He
was elected to the Virginia convention in
1776, and attorney-general of the state the
same year. In 1779 he was elected to the
Continental congress, and served four years
in that body. He was a member of the con-
vention in 1787 that framed the constitu-
tion. In that convention he proposed what
was known as the " Virginia plan" of con-
federation, but it was rejected. He advo-
cated the ratification of the constitution in
ttie Virginia convention, although he had re-
fused to sign it. He became governor of
Virginia in 1788, and the ne.xt year Wash-
ington appointed him to the office of at-
torney-general of the United States upon
the organization of the government under
the constitution. He was appointed secre-
tary of state to succeed Jefferson during
Washington's second term, but resigned a
year later on account of differences in the
cabinet concerning the policy pursued to-
ward the new P'reiich republic. He died
September 12, 181 3.
W INFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK was
born in Montgomery county, Penn-
sylvania, February 14, 1824. He received
his early education at the Norristown
Academy, in his native county, and, in 1840,
was appointed a cadet in the United States
Military Academy, at West Point. He was
graduated from the latter in 1844, and brev-
etted as second lieutenant of infantry. In
1853 he was made first lieutenant, anti two
years later transferred to the quartermaster's
department, with the rank of captain, and
in 1863 promoted to the rank of major. He
served on the frontier, and in the war with
Mexico, displaying conspicuous gallantry dur-
ing the latter. He also took a part in the
Seminole war, and in the troubles in Kan-
sas, in 1857, and in California, at the out-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
147
break of the Civil war, as chief quarter-
master of the Southern district, he exerted
a powerful influence. In 1861 he applied
for active duty in the field, and was assigned
to the department of Iventucky as chief
quartermaster, but before entering upon that
duty, was appointed brigadier-general of
volunteers. His subsequent history during
the war was substantially that of the Army
of the Potomac. He participated in the
campaign, under McClellan, and led the
gallant charge, which captured Fort Magru-
der, won the day at the battle of Wil-
liamsburg, and by services rendered at
Savage's Station and other engagements,
won several grades in the regular service,
and was recommended by McClellan for
major-general of volunteers. He was a con-
spicuous figure at South Mountain and An-
tietam. He was commissioned major-gen-
eral of volunteers, November 29, 1862, and
made commander of the First Division of
the Second Corps, which he led at Fred-
ricksburg and at Chancellorsville. He was
appointed to the command of the Second
Corps in June, 1863, and at the battle of
Gettysburg, July i, 2 and 3, of that year,
took an important part. On his arrival on
the field he found part of the forces then
in retreat, but stayed the retrograde
movement, checked the enemy, and on the
following day commanded the left center,
repulsed, on the third, the grand assault of
General Lee's army, and was severely
wounded. For his services on that field
General Hancock received the thanks of
congress. On recovering from his wound,
he was detailed to go north to stimulate re-
cruiting and fill up the diminished corps, and
was the recipient of many public receptions
and ovations. In March, 1864, he returned
to his command, and in the Wilderness and
at Spottsylvania led large bodies of men
successfully and conspicuously. From that
on to the close of the campaign he was a
prominent figure. In November, 1S64, he
was detailed to organize the First Veteran
Reserve Corps, and at the close of hostilities
was appointed to the command of the Mid-
dle Military Division. In July, 1866, he
was made major-general of the regular
service. He was at the head of various
military departments until 1872, when he
was assigned to the command of the Depart-
ment of the Atlantic, which post he held
until his death. In 1869 he declined the
nomination for governor of Pennsylvania.
He was the nominee of the Democratic
party for president, in 1880, and was de-
feated by General Garfield, who had a popu-
lar majority of seven thousand and eighteen
and an electoral majority'.of fifty-nine. Gen-
eral Hancock died February 9, 1886.
THOMAS PAINE, the most noted polit-
ical and deistical writer of the Revolu-
tionary period, was born in England, Jan-
uary 29, 1737, of Quaker parents. His edu-
cation was. obtained in the grammar schools
of Thetford, his native town, and supple-
mented by hard private study while working
at his trade of stay-maker at London and
other cities of England. He was for a time
a dissenting preacher, although he did not
relinquish his employment. ' He married a
revenue official's daughter, and was employed
in the revenue service for some time. He
then became a grocer and during all this time
he was reading and cultivating his literary
tastes, and had developed a clear and forci-
ble style of composition. He was chosen to
represent the interests of the excisemen,
and published a pamphlet that brought
him considerable notice. He was soon after-
ward introduced to Benjamin Franklin, and
having been dismissed from the service on a
148
COMTEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
charge of smuggling, his resentment led him
to accept the advice of that statesman to
come to America, in 1774. He became
editor of the " Pennsylvania Magazine," and
the next year published his "Serious
Thoughts upon Slavery" in the "Penn-
sylvania Journal." His greatest political
work, however, was written at the sugges-
tion of Dr. Rush, and entitled "Common
Sense." It was the most popular pamphlet
written during the period and he received
two thousand five hundred dollars from the
state of Penn.sylvania in recognition of its
value. His periodical, the "Crisis," began
in 1776, and its distribution among the
soldiers did a great deal to keep up the spirit
of revolution. He was made secretary of
the committee of foreign affairs, but was dis-
missed for revealing diplomatic secrets in
one of his controversies with Silas Deane.
He was originator and promoter of a sub-
scription to relieve the distress of the soldiers
near the close of the war, and was sent to
France with Henry Laurens to negotiate the
treaty with France, and was granted three
thousand dollars by congress for his services
there, and an estate at New Rochelle, by the
state of New York.
In 1787, after the close of the Revolu-
tionary war, he went to France, and a few
years later published his " Rights of Man,"
defending the French revolution, which
gave him great popularity in France. He
was made a citizen and elected to the na-
tional convention at Calais. He favored
banishment of the king to America, and
opposed his execution. He was imprisoned
for about ten months during 1794 by the
Robespierre party, during which time he
wrote the " Age of Reason," his great deis-
tical work. He was in danger of the guillo-
tine for several months. He took up his
residence with the family of James Monroe,
then minister to France and was chosen
again to the convention. He returned
to the United States in 1802, and was
cordially received throughout the coun-
try except at Trenton, where he was insulted
by Federalists. He retired to his estate at
New Rochelle, and his death occurred June
8, 1809.
JOHN WILLIAM MACKAY was one of
America's noted men, both in the de-
velopment of the western coast and the
building of the Mackay and Bennett cable.
He was born in 1831 at Dublin, Ireland;
came to New York in 1 840 and his boyhood
days were spent in Park Row. He went
to California some time after the argonauts
of 1849 and took to the primitive methods
of mining — lost and won and finally drifted
into Nevada about 1S60. The bonanza dis-
coveries which were to have such a potent
influence on the finance and statesmanship
of the day came in 1872. Mr. Mackay
founded the Nevada Bank in 1878. He is
said to have taken one hundred and
fifty million dollars in bullion out of
the Big Bonanza mine. There were as-
sociated with him in this enterprise James
G. Fair, senator from Nevada; William
O'Brien and James C. Flood. When
vast wealth came to Mr. Mackay he be-
lieved it his duty to do his country some
service, and he agitated in liis iniiul the
building of an American steamship line,
and while brooding over this his attention
was called to the cable relations between
America and Europe. The financial man-
agement of the cable was selfish and ex-
travagant, and the capital was heavy with
accretions of financial " water" and to pay
even an apparent dividend upon the sums
which represented the nominal value of the
cables, it was necessary to hold the rates
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
149
at an exorbitant figure. And, moreover,
the cables were foreign; in one the influence
of France being paramount and in tlie other
that of England; and in the matter of intel-
ligence, so necessary in case of war, we
would be at the mercy of our enemies. This
train of thought brought Mr. Mackay into re-
lation with James Gordon Bennett, the pro-
prietor of the " New York Herald." The
result of their intercourse was that Mr. Mac-
kay so far entered into the enthusiasm of
Mr. Bennett over an independent cable,
that he offered to assist the enterprise with
five hundred thousand dollars. This was the
inception of the Commercial Cable Com-
pany, or of what has been known for years
as the Mackav-Bennett cable.
ELISHA GRAY, the great inventor and
electrician, was born August 2, 1835.
at Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio. He
was, as a child, greatly interested in the
phenomena of nature, and read with avidity
all the books he could obtain, relating to
this subject. He was apprenticed to various
trades during his boyhood, but his insatiable
thirst for knowledge dominated his life and
he found time to study at odd intervals.
Supporting himself by working at his trade,
he found time to pursue a course at Oberlin
College, where he particularly devoted him-
self to the study of physicial science. Mr.
Gray secured his first patent for electrical
or telegraph apparatus on October i, 1867.
His attention was first attracted to tele-
phonic transmission during this year and he
saw in it a way of transmitting signals for
telegraph purposes, and conceived the idea
of electro-tones, tuned to different tones in
the scale. He did not then realize the im-
portance of his invention, his thoughts being
employed on the capacity of the apparatus
for transmitting musical tones through an
electric circuit, and it was not until 1874
that he was again called to consider the re-
production of electrically-transmitted vibra-
tions through the medium of animal tissue.
He continued experimenting with various
results, which finally culminated in his
taking out a patent for his speaking tele-
phone on February 14, 1876. He took out
fifty additional patents in the course of
eleven years, among which were, telegraph
switch, telegraph repeater, telegraph annun-
ciator and typewriting telegraph. From
1869 until 1873 he was employed in the
manufacture of telegraph apparatus in Cleve-
land and Chicago, and filled the office of
electrician to the Western Electric Com-
pany. He was awarded the degree of D.
S. , and in 1874 he went abroad to perfect
himself in acoustics. Mr. Gray's latest in-
vention was known as the telautograph or
long distance writing machine. Mr. Gray
wrote and published several works on scien-
tific subjects, among which were: "Tele-
graphy and Telephony," and " Experi-
mental Research in Electro-Harmonic Tele-
graphy and Telephony."
^ \ '' HITELAW REID.— Among the many
V V men who have adorned the field of
journalism in the United States, few stand
out with more prominence than the scholar,
author and editor whose name heads this ar-
ticle. Born at Xenia, Greene county, Ohio,
October 27, 1837, he graduated at Miami
University in 1856. For about a year he
was superintendent of the graded schools of
South Charleston, Ohio, after which he pur-
chased the "Xenia News," which he edited
for about two years. This paper was the
first one outside of Illinois to advocate the
nomination of A.braham Lincoln, Mr. Reid
having been a Republican since the birth of
that party in 1856. After taking an active
150
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV.
part in the campaign, in the winter of 1860-
61, he went to the state capital as corres-
pondent of three daily papers. At the close
of the session of the legislature he became
city editor of the "Cincinnati Gazette,"
and at the breaking out of the war went to
the front as a correspondent for that journal.
For a time he served on the staff of General
Morris in West Virginia, with the rank of
captain. Shortly after he was on the staff
of General Rosecrans, and, under the name
of "Agate," wrote most graphic descrip-
tions of the movements in the field, espe-
cially that of the battle o( Pittsburg Land-
ing. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Reid went
to Washington and was appointed librarian
to the house of representatives, and acted as
correspondent of the " Cincinnati Gazette."
His description of the battle of Gettysburg,
written on the field, gained him added
reputation. In 1865 he accompanied Chief
Justice Chase on a southern tour, and pub-
lished "After the War; a Southern Tour. "
During the ne.xt two years he was engaged
in cotton planting in Louisiana and Ala-
bama, and published "Ohio in the War. "
In 1868 he returned to the " Cincinnati Ga-
zette," becoming one of its leading editors.
The same year he accepted the invitation of
Horace Greeley and became one of the staff
on the " New York Tribune." Upon the
death of Mr. Greeley in 1872, Mr. Reid be-
came editor and chief proprietor of tiiat
paper. In 1878 he was tendered the United
States mission to Berlin, but declined. The
offer was again made by the Garfield ad-
ministration, but again he declined. In
1878 he was elected by the New York legis-
lature regent of the university, to succeed
General John A. Dix. Under the Harrison
administration he served as United States
minister to France, and in 1892 was the
Republican nominee for the vice-presidency
of the United States. Among other works
published by him were the " Schools of
Journalism," "The Scholar in Politics,"
"Some Newspaper Tendencies," and
' ' Town-Hall Suggestions. "
GEORGE WHITEFIELD was one of
the most powerful and effective preach-
ers the world has ever produced, swaying
his hearers and touching the hearts of im-
mense audiences in a mannerthat has rarely
been equalled and never surpassed. While
not a native of America, yet much of his
labor was spent in this country. He wielded
a great influence in the United States in
early days, and his death occurred here; so
that he well deserves a place in this volume
as one of the most celebrated men America
has known.
George Whitefield was born in the Bull
Inn, at Gloucester, England, December 16,
17 14. He acquired the rudiments of learn-
ing in St. Mary's grammar school. Later
he attended O.xford University for a time,
where he became intimate with the Oxford
Methodists, and resolved to devote himself
to the ministry. He was ordained in the
Gloucester Cathedral June 20, 1S36, and
the following day preached his first sermon
in the same church. On that day there
commenced a new era in Whitefield's life.
He went to London and began to preach at
Bishopsgate church, his fame soon spread-
ing over the city, and shortly he was en-
gaged four times on a single Sunday in ad-
dressing audiences of enormous magnitude,
and he preached in various parts of his native
country, tiie people crowding in multitudes
to hear him and hanging upon the rails and
rafters of the churches and approaches there-
to. He finally sailed for America, landing
in Georgia, where he stirred the people to
great enthusiasm. During the balance of
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
153
his life he divided his time between Great
Britain and America, and it is recorded that
he crossed the Atlantic thirteen times. He
came to America for the seventh time in
1770. He preached every day at Boston
from the 17th to the 20th of September,
1770, then traveled to Newburyport, preach-
ing at Exeter, New Hampshire, September
29, on the way. That evening he went to
Newburyport, where he died the next day,
Sunday, September 30, 1770.
" Whitefield's dramatic power was amaz-
ing, " says an eminent writer in describing
him. " His voice was marvelously varied,
and he ever had it at command — an organ,
a flute, a harp, all in one. His intellectual
powers were not of a high order, but he had
an abundance of that ready talent and that
wonderful magnetism which makes the pop-
ular preacher; and beyond all natural en-
dowments, there was in his ministry the
power of evangelical truth, and, as his con-
verts believed, the presence of the spirit of
God."
CHARLES FRANCIS BRUSH, one of
America's prominent men in the devel-
opment of electrical science, was born March
17, 1849, near Cleveland, Ohio, and spent
his early life on his father's farm. From
the district school at Wickliffe, Ohio, he
passed to the Shaw Academy at Collamer,
and then entered the high school at Cleve-
land. His interest in chemistry, physics
and engineering was already marked, and
during his senior year he was placed in
charge of the chemical and physical appar-
atus. During these years he devised a plan
for lighting street lamps, constructed tele-
scopes, and his first electric arc lamp, also
an electric motor. In September, 1867, he
entered the engineering department of the
University of Michigan and graduated in
1869, which was a year in advance of his
class, with the degree of M. E. He then
returned to Cleveland, and for three years
was engaged as an analytical chemist and
for four years in the iron business. In
1875 Mr. Brush became interested in elec-
tric lighting, and in 1876, after four months'
experimenting, he completed the dynamo-
electric machine that has made his name
famous, and in a shorter time produced the
series arc lamps. These were both patent-
ed in the United States in 1876, and he
afterward obtained fifty patents on his later
inventions, including the fundamental stor-
age battery, the compound series, shunt-
winding for dynamo-electric machines, and
the automatic cut-out for arc lamps. His
patents, two-thirds of which have already
been profitable, are held by the Brush
Electric Company, of Cleveland, while his
foreign patents are controlled by the Anglo-
American Brush Electric Light Company,
of London. In 1880 the Western Reserve
University conferred upon Mr. Brush the
degree of Ph. D., and in 1881 the French
government decorated him as a chevalier of
the Legion of Honor.
HENRY CLEWS, of Wall-street fame,
was one of the noted old-time opera-
tors on that famous street, and was also an
author of some repute. Mr. Clews was
born in Staffordshire, England, August 14,
1840. His father had him educated with
the intention of preparing him for the minis-
try, but on a visit to the United States the
young man became interested in a business
life, and was allowed to engage as a clerk in
the importing house of Wilson G. Hunt &
Co., of New York. Here he learned the
first principles of business, and when the war
broke out in 1861 young Clews saw in the
needs of the government an opportunity to
154
COMTEXDIUM OF BlOGRAPlir.
reap a golden harvest. He identified him-
self with the negotiating of loans for the
government, and used his powers of pur-
suasion upon the great money powers to
convince them of the stability of the govern-
ment and the value of its securities. By
enthusiasm and patriotic arguments he in-
duced capitalists to invest their money in
government securities, often against their
judgment, and his success was remarkable.
His was one of the leading firms that aided
the struggling treasury department in that
critical hour, and his reward was great. In
addition to the vast wealth it brought,
President Lincoln and Secretary Chase
both wrote important letters, acknowledging
his valued service. In 1873, by the repu-
diation of the bonded indebtedness of the
state of Georgia, Mr. Clews lost si.x million
dollars which he had invested in those se-
curities. It is said that he is the only man,
with one exception, in Wall street, who
ever regained great wealth after utter dis-
aster. His " Twenty-Eight Years in Wall
Street " has been widely read.
ALFRED VAIL was one of the men that
gave to the world the electric telegraph
and the names of Henry, Morse and Vail
will forever remain linked as the prime fac-
tors in that great achievement. Mr. Vail
was born September 25, 1807, at Morris-
town, New Jersey, and was a son of Stephen
Vail, the proprietor of the Speedwell Iron
Works, near Morristown. At the age of
seventeen, after he had completed his stud-
ies at the Morristown Academy, Alfred Vail
went into the Speedwell Iron Works and
contented himself with the duties of his
position until he reached his majority. He
then determined to prepare himself for the
ministry, and at the age of twenty-five he
entered the University of the City of New
York, where he was graduated in 1836. His
health becoming impaired he labored for a
time under much uncertainty as to his future
course. Professor S. F. B. Morse had come
to the university in 1835 as professor of lit-
erature and fine arts, and about this time,
1837, Professor Gale, occupying the chair
of chemistry, invited Morse to exhibit his
apparatus for the benefit of the students.
On Saturday, September 2, 1837, the exhi-
bition took place and Vail was asked to at-
tend, and with his inherited taste for me-
chanics and knowledge of their construction,
he saw a great future for the crude mechan-
ism used by Morse in giving and recording
signals. Mr. Vail interested his father in
the invention, and Morse was invited to
Speedwell and the elder Vail promised to
help him. It was stipulated that .\lfred
Vail should construct the required apparatus
and exhibit before a committee of congress
the telegraph instrument, and was to receive
a quarter interest in the invention. Morse
had devised a series of ten numbered leaden
types, which were to be operated in giving
the signal. This was not satisfactory to
Vail, so he devised an entirely new instru-
ment, involving a lever, or "point," on a
radically different principle, which, when
tested, produced dots and dashes, and de-
vised the famous dot-and-dash alphabet,
misnamed the "Morse." At last the ma-
chine was in working order, on January 6,
1838. The machine was taken to Wash-
ington, where it caused not only wonder,
but excitement. Vail continued his experi-
ments and devised the lever and roller.
When the line between Baltimore and
Washington was completed. Vail was sta-
tioned at the Baltimore end and received
the famous first message. It is a remarka-
ble fact that not a single feature of the
original invention of Morse, as formulated
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
155
by his caveat and repeated in his original
patent, is to be found in Vail's apparatus.
From 1837 to 1844 it was a combination of
the inventions of Morse, Henry and Vail,
but the work of Morse fell gradually into
desuetude, while Vail's conception of an
alphabet has remained unchanged for half a
century. Mr. Vail published but one work,
"American Electro-Magnetic Telegraph,"
in 1845, and died at Morristown at the com-
paratively early age of fifty-one, on January
19. 1859.
ULYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth
president of the United States, was
born April 27, 1822, at Point Pleasant, Cler-
mont county, Ohio. At the age of seven-
teen he entered the United States Military
Academy at West Point, from which he
graduated in June, 1843, and was given his
brevet as second lieutenant and assigned to
the Fourth Infantry. He remained in the
service eleven years, in which time he
was engaged in the Mexican war with gal-
lantry, and was thrice brevetted for conduct
in the field. In 1848 he married Miss Julia
Dent, and in 1854, having reached the
grade of captain, he resigned and engaged
in farming near St. Louis. In 1S60 he en-
tered the leather business with his father at
Galena, Illinois.
On the breaking out of the war, in 1861,
he commenced to drill a company at Ga-
lena, and at the same time offered his serv-
ices to the adjutant-general of the army,
but he had few influential friends, so re-
ceived no answer. He was employed by
the governor of Illinois in the organization
of the various volunteer regiments, and at
the end of a few weeks was given the
colonelcy of the Twenty-first Infantry, from
that state. His military training and knowl-
edge soon attracted the attention of his su-
perior officers, and on reporting to General
Pope in Missouri, the latter put him in
the way of advancement. August 7, 1861,
he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-
general of volunteers, and for a few weeks
was occupied in watching the movements of
partisan forces in Missouri. September i,
the same year, he was placed in command
of the Department of Southeast Missouri,
with headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th
of the month, without orders, seized Padu-
cah, which commanded the channel of the
Ohio and Tennessee rivers, by which he se-
cured Kentucky for the Union. He now
received orders to make a demonstration on
Belmont, which he did, and with about three
thousand raw recruits held his own against
the Confederates some seven thousand
strong, bringing back about two hundred
prisoners and two guns. In February,) 1862,
he moved up the Tennessee river with
the naval fleet under Commodore Foote.
The latter soon silenced Fort Henry, and
Grant advanced against Fort Donelson and
took their fortress and its garrison. His
prize here consisted of sixty-five cannon,
seventeen thousand si.x hundred stand of
arms, and fourteen thousand six hundred
and twenty-three prisoners. This was the
first important success won by the Union
forces. Grant was immediately made a
major-general and placed in command of
the district of West Tennessee. In April,
1862, he fought the battle of Pittsburg Land-
ing, and after the evacuation of Corinth by
the enemy Grant became commander of the
Department of the Tennessee. He now
made his first demonstration toward Vicks-
burg, but owing to the incapacity of subor-
dinate officers, was unsuccessful. In Janu-
ary, 1863, he took command of all the
troops in the Mississippi Valley and devoted
several months to the siege of Vicksburg,
156
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
which was finally taken possession of by him
July 4, with thirty-one thousand six hundred
prisoners and one hundred and seventy-two
cannon, thus throwing the Mississippi river
open to the Federals. He was now raised
to the rank of major-general in the regular
army. October following, at the head of
the Department of the Mississippi, General
Grant went to Chattanooga, where he over-
threw the enemy, and united with the Army
of the Cumberland. The remarkable suc-
cesses achieved by him pointed Grant out
for an appropriate commander of all na-
tional troops, and in February, 1S64, the
rank of lieutenant-general was made for him
by act of congress. Sending Sherman into
Georgia, Sigel into the Valley of West Vir-
ginia and Butler to attampt the capture of
Richmond he fought his way through the
Wilderness to the James and pressed the
siege of the capital of the Confederacy.
After the fall of the latter Grant pressed
the Confederate arn:y so hard that their
commander surrendered at Appomatto.x
Court House, April 9, 1865. This virtually
ended the war.
After the war the rank of general was
conferred upon U. S. Grant, and in 1868 he
was elected president of the United States,
and re-elected his own successor in 1872.
After the expiration of the latter term he
made his famous tour of the world. He died
at Mt. McGregor, near Saratoga, New York,
July 23, 1885, and was buried at Riverside
Park, New York, where a magnilicent tomb
has been erected to hold the ashes of the
nation's hero.
JOHN MARSHALL, the fourth chief jus-
tice of the United States supretne court,
was born in Germantown, Virginia, Septem-
ber 24, 1755. His father. Colonel Thomas
Marshall, served with distinction in tlie Rev-
olutionary war, while he also served from
the beginning of the war until 1779, where
he became noted in the field and courts
martial. While on detached service he at-
tended a course of law lectures at William
and ^ta^y College, delivered by Mr. Wythe,
and was admitted to the bar. The next year
he resigned his commission and began his
career as a lawyer. He was a distinguished
member of the convention called in Virginia
to ratify the Federal constitution. He was
tendered the attorney-generalship of the
United States, and also a place on the su-
preme bench, besides other places of less
honor, all of which he declined. He
went to France as special envoy in 1798,
and the next year was elected to congress.
He served one year and was appointed, first,
secretary of war, and then secretary of state,
and in 1801 was made chief justice of the
United States. He held this high office un-
til his death, in 1835.
Chief Justice Marshall's early education
was neglected, and his opinions, the most
valuable in existence, are noted for depth
of wisdom, clear and comprehensive reason-
ing, justice, and permanency, rather than for
wide learning and scholarly construction.
His decisions and rulings are resorted to
constantly by our greatest lawyers, and his
renown as a just judge and profound jurist
was world wide.
LAWRENCE BARRETT is perhaps
known more widely as a producer of
new plays than as a great actor. He was
born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1838, and
educated himself as best he could, and at
the age of sixteen years became salesman
for a Detroit dry goods house. He after-
wards began to go upon the stage as a
supernumerary, and his ambition was soon
rewarded by the notice of the management.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
157
During the war of the Rebellion he was a
soldier, and after valiant service for his
country he returned to the stage. He went
to Europe and appeared in Liverpool, and
returning in 1S69, he began playing at
Booth's theater, with Mr. Booth. He was
afterward associated with John McCullough
in the management of the California
theater. Probably the most noted period
of his work was during his connection with
Edwin Booth as manager of that great
actor, and supporting him upon the stage.
Mr. Barrett was possessed of the crea-
tive instinct, and, unlike Mr. Booth, he
sought new fields for the display of his
genius, and only resorted to traditional
drama in response to popular demand. He
preferred new plays, and believed in the
encouragement of modern dramatic writers,
and was the only actor of prominence in his
time that ventured to put upon the stage
new American plays, which he did at his
own expense, and the success of his experi-
ments proved the quality of his judgment.
He died March 21, 1891.
ARCHBISHOP JOHN HUGHES, a cel-
ebrated Catholic clergyman, was born
at Annaboghan, Tyrone county, Ireland,
June 24, 1797, and emigrated to America
when twenty years of age, engaging for
some time as a gardener and nurseryman.
In 1 8 19 he entered St. Mary's College,
where he secured an education, paying his
way by caring for the college garden. In
1825 he was ordained a deacon of the Ro-
man Catholic church, and in the same year,
a priest. Until 1838 he had pastoral charges
in Philadelphia, where he founded St. John's
Asylum in 1S29, and a few years later es-
tablished the "Catholic Herald." In 1838
he was made bishop of Basileopolis in parti-
bus and coadjutor to Bishop Dubois, of
New York, and in 1842 became bishop of
New York. In 1839 he founded St. John's
College, at Fordham. In 1850 he was
made archbishop of New York. In 186 1-2
he was a special agent of the United States
in Europe, after which he returned to this
country and remained until his death, Jan-
uary 3, 1864. Archbishop Hughes early
attracted much attention by his controver-
sial correspondence with Rev. John Breck-
inridge in 1833-35. He was a man of great
ability, a fluent and forceful writer and an
able preacher.
RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES
was the nineteenth president of the
United States and served from 1877 to 1 88 1 .
He was born October 4, 1822, at Delaware,
Ohio, and his ancestry can be traced back
as far as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford
were two Scottish chieftans fighting side by
side with Baliol, William Wallace and
Robert Bruce. The Hayes family had for
a coat of arms, a shield, barred and sur-
mounted by a flying eagle. There was a
circle of stars about the eagle, while on a
scroll underneath was their motto, "Recte."
Misfortune overtook the family and in 1680
George Hayes, the progenitor of the Ameri-
can family, came to Connecticut and settled
at Windsor. Rutherford B. Hayes was
a very delicate child at his birth and was
not expected to live, but he lived in spite of
all and remained at home until he was
seven years old, when he was placed in
school. He was a very tractablepupil, being
always very studious, and in 1838 entered
Kenyon College, graduating from the same
in 1842. He then took up the study of law
in the office of Thomas Sparrow at Colum-
bus, but in a short time he decided to enter
a law school at Cambridge, Massachusetts,
where for two years he was immersed in the
153
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
study of law. Mr. Hayes was admitted to
the bar in 1845 in Marietta, Ohio, and very
soon entered upon the active practice of his
profession with Ralph P. Buckland, of
Fremont, Ohio. He remained there three
years, and in 1849 removed to Cincinnati,
Ohio, where his ambition found a new
stimulus. Two events occurred at this
period that had a powerful influence on his
afterlife. One was his marriage to Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, and the other was his
introduction to a Cincinnati literary club,
a body embracing such men as Salmon P.
Chase, John Pope, and Edward F". Noyes.
In 1856 he was nominated for judge of the
court of common pleas, but declined, and
two years later he was appointed city
solicitor. At the outbreak of the Rebellion
Mr. Hayes was appointed major of the
Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, June 7, 1861,
and in July the regiment was ordered to
Virginia, and October 15, 1861, saw him
promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his
regiment. He was made colonel of the
Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, but refused to
leave his old comrades; and in the battle of
South Mountain he was wounded very
severely and was unable to rejoin his regi-
ment until November 30, 1862. He had
been promoted to the colonelcy of the
regiment on October 15, 1862. In the
following December he was appointed to
command the Kanawa division and was
given the rank of brigadier-general for
meritorious services in several battles, and
in 1864 he was brevetted major-general for
distinguished services in 1864, during
which campaign he was wounded several
times and five horses had been shot under
him. Mr. Hayes' first venture in politics
was as a Whig, and later he was one of the
first to unite with the Republican party. In
1864 he was elected from the Second Ohio
district to congress, re-elected in 1866,
and in 1867 was elected governor of Ohio
over Allen G. Thurman, and was re-elected
in 1869. Mr. Hayes was elected to the
presidency in 1876, for the term of four
years, and at its close retired to private life,
and went to his home in Fremont, Ohio,
where he died on January 17, 1893.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN became
a celebrated character as the nominee
of the Democratic and Populist parties for
president of the United States in 1896. He
was born March 19, 1S60, at Salem, Illi-
nois. He received his early education in
the public schools of his native county, and
later on he attended the Whipple Academy
at Jacksonville. He also took a course in
Illinois College, and after his graduation
from the same went to Chicago to study
law, and entered the Union College of Law
a= a student. He was associated with the
late Lyman Trumbull, of Chicago, during
his law studies, and devoted considerable
time to the questions of government. He
graduated from the college, was admitted to
the bar, and went to Jacksonville, Illinois,
where he was married to Miss Mary Eliza-
beth Baird. In 1887 Mr. Bryan removed
to Lincoln, Nebraska, and formed a law
partnership with Adolphus R. Talbot. He
entered the field of politics, and in 1888
was sent as a delegate to the state con-
vention, which was to choose delegates to
the national convention, during which he
made a speech which immediately won him
a high rank in political affairs. He declined,
in the ne.\t state convention, a nomination
for lieutenant-governor, and in 189c he was
elected congressman from the First district
of Nebraska, and was the youngest member
of the fifty-second congress. He cham-
pioned the Wilson tariff bill, and served
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
159
three terms in the house of representatives.
He next ran for senator, but was defeated
by John M. Thurston, and in 1896 he was
selected by the Democratic and Populist
parties as their nominee for the presidency,
being defeated by William McKinley.
Wl
ARVIN HUGHITT, one of America's
amous railroad men, was born in
Genoa, New York, and entered the railway
service in 1S56 as superintendent of tele-
graph and trainmaster of the St. Louis, Al-
ton & Chicago, now Chicago & Alton Rail-
road. Mr. Hughitt was superintendent of
the southern division of the Illinois Central
Railroad from 1862 until 1864, and was, later
on, the general superintendent of the road
until 1870. He was then connected with
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road as assistant general manager, and re-
tained this position until 1S71, when he be-
came the general manager of Pullman's
Palace Car Company. In 1872 he was made
general superintendent of the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad.- He served during
1876 and up to 1880 as general manager,
and from 1880 until 1887 as vice-presi-
dent and general manager. He was elected
president of the road in 1887, in recog-
nition of his ability in conducting the
affairs of the road. He was also chosen
president of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne-
apolis & Omaha Railway; the Fremont, Elk-
horn & Missouri Valley Railroad, and the
Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad,
and his services in these capacities stamped
him as one of the most able railroad mana-
gers of his day.
TOSEPH MEDILL, one of the most
<J eminent of American journalists, was
born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 6,
1823. In 1831 his father moved to Stark
county, Ohio, and until 1841 Joseph Medill
worked on his father's farm. Later he
studied law, and began the practice of that
profession in 1846 at New Philadelphia,
Ohio. But the newspaper field was more
attractive to Mr. Medill, and three years
later he founded a free-soil Whig paper at
Coshocton, Ohio, and after that time jour-
nalism received all his abilities. "The
Leader, " another free-soil Whig paper, was
founded by Mr. Medill at Cleveland in 1852.
In that city he also became one of the first
organizers of the Republican party. Shortly
after that event he removed to Chicago and
in 1855, with two partners, he purchased
the " Chicago Tribune." In the contest for
the nomination for the presidency in i860,
Mr. Medill worked with unflagging zeal for
Mr. Lincoln, his warm personal friend, and
was one of the president's stanchest sup-
porters during the war. Mr. Medill was a
member of the Illinois Constitutional con-
vention in 1870. President Grant, in 1871,
appointed the editor a member of the first
United States civil service commission, and
the following year, after the fire, he was
elected mayor of Chicago by a great ma-
jority. During 1873 and 1874 Mr. Medill
spent a year in Europe. Upon his return
he purchased a controlling interest in the
" Chicago Tribune."
CLAUSSPRECKELS, the great " sugar
baron," and one of the most famous
representatives of commercial life in Amer-
ica, was born in Hanover, Germany, and
emigrated to the United States in 1840,
locating in New York. He very soon be-
came the proprietor of a small retail gro-
cery store on Church street, and embarked
on a career that has since astonished the
world. He sold out his business and went
to California with the argonauts of 1849,
160
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPII}'.
not as a prospector, but as a trader, and for
years after his arrival on the coast he was
still engaged as a grocer. At length, after a
quarter of a century of fairly prosperous
business life, he found himself in a position
where an ordinary man would have retired,
but Mr. Spreckles did not retire; he had
merely been gathering capital for the real
work of his life. His brothers had followed
him to California, and in combination with
them he purcha.sed for forty thousand dollars
an interest in the Albany Brewery in San
Francisco. But the field was not extensive
enough for the development of his business
abilities, so Mr. Sprecklas branched out
extensively in the sugar business. He suc-
ceeded in securing the entire output of
sugar that was produced on the Sand-
wich Islands, and after 1885 was known as
the "Sugar King of Sandv.'ich Islands."
He controlled absolutely the sugar trade of
the Pacific coast which was known to be
not less than ten million dollars a year.
CHARLES HENRY PARKHURST,
famous as a clergyman, and for many
years president of the Society for the
Prevention of Crime, was born April 17,
1842, at Framingham, Massachusetts, of
English descent. At the age of si.xteen
he was pupil in the grammar school at
Clinton, Massachusetts, and for the ensu-
ing two years was a clerk in a dry goods
store, which position he gave up to prepare
himself for college at Lancaster academy.
Mr. Parkhurst went to Amherst in 1862,
and after taking a thorough course he gradu-
ated in 18G6, and in 1S67 became the prin-
cipal of the Amherst High School. He re-
tained this position until 1870, when he
visited Germany with the intention of tak-
ing a course in philosophy and theology,
but was forced to abandon this intention on
account of illness in the family causing his
early return from Europe. He accepted the
chair of Latin and Greek in Williston Semi-
nary, Easthampton, Massachusetts, and re-
mained there two years. He then accom-
panied his wife to Europe, and devoted two
years to study in Halle, Leipsic and Bonn.
Upon his return home he spent considerable
time in the study of Sanscrit, and in 1874
he became the pastor of the First Congrega-
tional church at Lenox, Massachusetts. He
gained here his reputation as a pulpit ora-
tor, and on March 9, 1880, he became the
pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian
church of New York. He was, in 1890,
made a member of the Society for the Pre-
vention of Crime, and the same 5'ear be-
came its president. He delivered a sermon
in 1892 on municipal corruption, for which
he was brought before the grand jury, wiiich
body declared his charges to be without suffi-
cient foundation. But the matter did not end
here, for he immediately went to work on a
second sermon in which he substantiated his
former sermon and wound up by saying,
"I know, for I have seen." He was again
summoned before that august body, and as
a result of his testimony and of the investi-
gation of the jurors themselves, the police
authorities were charged with incompetency
and corruption. Dr. Parkhurst was the
author of the following works: ' ' The Forms
of the Latin Verb, Illustrated by Sanscrit,"
"The Blind Man's Creed and Other Ser-
mons," ."The Pattern on the Mount, ' and
" Three Gates on a Side."
HENRY BERGH, although a writer,
diplomatist and government official,
was noted as a philanthropist — the founder
of the American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals. On his labors for
the dumb creation alone rests his fame.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
161
Alone, in the face of indifference, opposition
and ridicule, he began the reform which is
now recognized as one of the beneficent
movements of the age. Through his exer-
tions as a speaker and lecturer, but above
all as a bold worker, in the street, in the
court room, before the legislature, the cause
he adopted gained friends and rapidly in-
creased in power until it has reached im-
mense proportions and influence. The work
of the society covers all cases of cruelty to
all sorts of animals, employs every moral
agency, social, legislative and personal, and
touches points of vital concern to health as
well as humanity.
Henry Bergh was born in New York
City in 1823, and was educated at Colum-
bia College. In 1S63 he was made secre-
tary of the legation to Russia and also
served as vice-consul there. He also de-
voted some time to literary pursuits and was
the author of "Love's Alternative," a
drama; "Married Off," a poem; "'The
Portentous Telegram," "The Ocean Para-
gon;" "The Streets of New York," tales
and sketches.
HENRY BENJAMIN WHIPPLE, one
of the most eminent of American di-
vines, was born in Adams, Jefferson county.
New York, February 15, 1822. He was
brought up in the mercantile business, and
early in life took an active interest in polit-
ical affairs. In 1847 he became a candidate
for holy orders and pursued theological
studies with Rev. W. D. Wilson, D. D.,
afterward professor in Cornell University.
He was ordained deacon in 1849, in Trinity
church, Geneva, New York, by Rt. Rev.
W. H. De Lancey, D. D., and took charge
of Zion church, Rome, New York, Decem-
ber I, 1849. In 1850, our subject was or-
dained priest by Bishop De Lancey. In
1857 he became rector of the Church of the
Holy Communion, Chicago. On the 30th
of June, 1859, he was chosen bishop of
Minnesota, and took charge of the interests
of the Episcopal church in that state, being
located at Faribault. In i860 Bishop
Whipple, with Revs. I. L. Breck, S. W.
Maiincey and E. S. Peake, organized the
Bishop Seabury MSssion, out of which has
grown the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior,
the Seabury Divinity School, Shattuck
School and St. Mary's Hall, which have
made Faribault City one of the greatest
educational centers of the northwest. Bishop
Whipple also became noted as the friend
and defender of the North American In-
dians and planted a number of successful
missions among them.
EZRA CORNELL was one of the greatest
philanthropists and friends of education
the country has known. He was born at
Westchester Landing, New York, January
II, 1807. He grew to manhood in his na-
tive state and became a prominent figure in
business circles as a successful and self-made
man. Soon after the invention of the elec-
tric telegraph, he devoted his attention to
that enterprise, and accumulated an im-
mense fortune. In 1865, by a gift of five
hundred thousand dollars, he made possible
the founding of Cornell University, which
was named in his honor. He afterward
made additional bequests amountingto many
hundred thousand dollars. His death oc-
curred at Ithaca, New York, December 9,
1874-
IGNATIUS DONNELLY, widely knowi:
1 as an author and politician, was born in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 3,
1 83 1. He was educated at the public
schools of that city, and graduated from the
162
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAP/IV.
Central High School in 1849. He studied
law in the office of Judge B. H. Brewster,
and was admitted to the bar in 1852. In
the spring of 1856, Mr. Donnelly emigrated
to Minnesota, then a new territory, and, at
Hastings, resumed the practice of law in
partnership with A. M. Hayes. In 1857,
and again in 1858, he was defeated for state
senator, but in 1859 he was elected by the
Republicans as lieutenant-governor, and re-
elected in 1 86 1. In 1862 he was elected to
represent the Second district of Minnesota
in congress. He was re-elected to the same
office in 1864 and in 1866. He was an
abolitionist and warmly supported President
Lincoln's administration, but was strongly
in favor of leniency toward the people of
the south, after the war. In many ways he
was identified with some of the best meas-
ures brought before the house during his
presence there. In the spring of 1868, at
the request of the Republican national com-
mittee, he canvassed New Hampshire and
Connecticut in the interests of that party.
E. B. Washburne about this time made an
attack on Donnelly in one of the papers of
Minnesota, which was replied to on the floor
of the house by a fierce phillipic that will
long be remembered. Through the inter-
vention of the Washburne interests Mr. Don-
nelly failed of a re-election in 1S70. In
1 873 he was elected to the state senate from
Dakota county, and continuously re-elected
until 1878. In 1886 he was elected mem-
ber of tile house for two years. In later
years he identified himself with the Popu-
list party.
In 1S82, Mr. Donnelly became known as
an author, publishing his first literary work,
"Atlantis, the Antediluvian World," which
passed through over twenty-two editions in
America, several in England, and was trans-
lated into French. This was followed by
" Ragnarok, the Age of Fire and Gravel,"
which attained nearly as much celebrity as
the first, and these two, in the opinion of
scientific critics, are sufficient to stamp the
author as a most capable and painstaking
student of the facts he has collated in them.
The work by which he gained the greatest
notoriety, however, was "The Great Cryp-
togram, or Francis Bacon's Cipher in the
Shakespeare Plays." "Caesar's Column,"
" Dr. Huguet," and other works were pub-
lished subsequently.
STEVEN V. WHITE, a speculator of
Wall Street of national reputation, was
born in Chatham county. North Carolina,
August I, 1 83 1, and soon afterward re-
moved to Illinois. His home was a log
cabin, and until his eighteenth year he
worked on the farm. Then after several
years of struggle with poverty he graduated
from Knox College, and went to St. Louis,
where he entered a wholesale boot and shoe
house as bookkeeper. He then studied law
and worked as a reporter for the "Missouri
Democrat." After his admission to the bar
he went to New York, in 1865, and became
a member of the banking house of Marvin
& White. Mr. White enjoyed the reputa-
tion of having engineered the only corner
in Wall Street since Commodore Vander-
bilt's time. This was the famous Lacka-
wanna deal in 1S83, in which he made a
profit of two million dollars. He was some-
times called " Deacon" White, and, though
a member for many years of the Plymouth
church, he never held that office. Mr.
White was one of the most noted characters
of the street, and has been called an orator,
poet, philanthropist, linguist, abolitionist,
astronomer, schoolmaster, plowboy, and
trapper. He was a lawyer, ex-congress-
man, expert accountant, art critic and theo-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT
163
logian. He laid the foundation for a
"Home for Colored People," in Chatham
county, North Carolina, where the greater
part of his father's life was spent, and in
whose memory the work was undertaken.
JAMES A. GARFIELD, the twentieth
president of the United States, was born
November 19, 1831, in Cuyahoga county,
Ohio, and was the son of Abram and Eliza
(Baliou) Garfield. In 1833 the father, an
industrious pioneer farmer, died, and the
care of the family devolved upon Thomas,
to whom James became deeply indebted for
educational and other advantages. As James
grew up he was industrious and worked on
the farm, at carpentering, at chopping wood,
or anything else he found to do, and in the
meantime made the most of his books.
Until he was about sixteen, James' high-
est ambition was to become a sea captain.
On attaining that age he walked to
Cleveland, and, not being able to find work,
he engaged as a driver on the Ohio & Penn-
sylvania canal, but quit this after a short
time. He attended the seminary at Ches-
ter for about three years, after which he
entered Hiram Institute, a school started by
the Disciples of Christ in 1850. In order
to pay liis way he assumed the duties of
janitor and at times taught school. After
completing his course at the last named edu-
cational institution he entered Williams Col-
lege, from which he graduated in 1856. He
afterward returned to Hiram College as its
president. He studied law and was admitted
to the bar in 1859. November 11, 1858,
Mr. Garfield and Lucretia Rudolph were
married.
In 1859 Mr. Garfield made his first polit-
ical speeches, at Hiram and in the neighbor-
hood. The same year he was elected to the
state senate.
On the breaking out of the war, in 1861,
he became lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-
second Ohio Infantry, and, while but a new
soldier, was given command of four regi-
ments of infantry and eight companies of
cavalry, with which he drove the Confeder-
ates under Humphrey Marshall out of Ken-
tucky. January II, 1862, he was commis-
sioned brigadier-general. He participated
with General Buell in the battle of Shiloh
and the operations around Corinth, and was
then detailed as a member of the Fitz John
Porter court-martial. Reporting to General
Rosecrans, he was assigned to the position
of chief of staff, and resigned his position,
with the rank of major-general, when his
immediate superior was superseded. In
the fall of 1862 Mr. Garfield was elected to
congress and remained in that body, either
in the house or senate, until 1880.
June 8, 1880, at the national Republican
convention, held in Chicago, General Gar-
field was nominated for the presidency, and
was elected. He was inaugurated March
4, 1 88 1, but, July 2, following, he was shot
and fatally wounded by Charles Guiteau for
some fancied political slight, and died Sep-
tember 19, i88r.
r
NCREASE MATHER was one of the
1 most prominent preachers, educators and
authors of early times in the New England
states. He was born at Dorchester, Massa-
chusetts, June 21, 1639, and was given an
excellent education, graduating at Harvard
in 1656, and at Trinity College, Dublin,
two years later. He was ordained a min-
ister, and preached in England and America,
and in 1664 became pastor of the North
church, in Boston. In 1685 he became
president of Harvard University, serving
until 1701. In 1692 he received the first
doctorate in divinity conferred in English
164
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
speaking America. The same year he pro-
cured in England a new charter for Massa-
chusetts, which conferred upon himself the
power of naming the governor, lieutenant-
governor and council. He opposed the
severe punishment of witchcraft, and took
a prominent part in all public affairs of his
day. He was a prolific writer, and became
the author of nearly one hundred publica-
tions, large and small. His death occurred
August 23, 1723, at Boston.
COTTON MATHER, a celebrated minis-
ter in the "Puritan times" of New
England, was born at Boston, Massachu-
setts, February 12, 1663, being a son of
Rev. Increase Mather, and a grandson of
John Cotton. A biography of his father
will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Cotton Mather received his early education
in his native city, was trained by Ezekiel
Cheever, and graduated at Harvard College
in 1678; became a teacher, and in 16S4
was ordained as associate pastor of North
church, Boston, with his father, having by
persistent effort overcome an impediment in
his speech. He labored with great zeal as
a pastor, endeavoring also, to establish the
ascendancy of the church and ministry in
civil affairs, and in the putting down of
witchcraft by legal sentences, a work in
which he took an active part and through
which he is best known in history. Her re-
ceived the degree of D. D. in 17 10, con-
ferred by the University of Glasgow, and
F. R. S. in 1 71 3. His death occurred at
Boston, February 13, 1728. He was the
author of many publications, among which
were " Memorable Providences Relating to
Witchcraft." "Wonders of the Invisible
World," "Essays to Do Good," " Mag-
nalia Christi Americana," and " Illustra-
tions of the Sacred Scriptures." Some of
these works are quaint and curious, full of
learning, piety and prejudice. A well-
known writer, in summing up the life and
character of Cotton Mather, says: ' ' Mather,
with all the faults of his early years, was a
man of great excellence of character. He
labored zealously for the benefit of the
poor, for mariners, slaves, criminals and
Indians. His cruelty and credulity were
the faults of his age, while his philanthro-
phy was far more rare in that age than in
the present."
WILLIAM A. PEFFER, who won a
national reputation during the time
he was in the United States senate, was
born on a farm in Cumberland county,
Pennsjlvania, September 10, 1831. He
drew his education from the public schools
of his native state and at the age of f.fteen
taught school in winter, working on a farm
in the summer. In June, 1S53, while yet a
young man, he removed to Indiana, and
opened up a farm in St. Joseph county.
In 1859 he made his way to Missouri and
settled on a farm in Morgan county, but on
account of the war and the unsettled state
of the country, he moved to Illinois in Feb-
ruary, 1862, and enlisted as a private in
Company F, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry,
the following August. He was promoted
to the rank of second lieutenant in
March, 1863, and served successively as
quartermaster, adjutant, post adjutant,
judge advocate of a military commission,
and depot quartermaster in the engineer
department at Nashville. He was mustered
out of the service June 26, 1865. He had,
during his leisure hours while in the army,
studied law, and in August, 1865, he com-
menced the practice of that profession at
Clarksville, Tennessee. He removed to
Kansas in 1870 and practiced there until
COMPEN-DIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
165
1878, in the meantime establishing and
conducting two newspapers, the " Fredonia
Journal " and " Coffey villa Journal."
Mr. Peffer was elected to the state senate
in 1874 and was a prominent and influential
member of several important committees.
He served as a presidential elector in 1880.
The year following he became editor of the
" Kansas Farmer," which he made a promi-
nent and useful paper. In 1890 Mr. Peffer
was elected to the United States senate as
a member of the People's party and took
his seat March 4, 1891. After six years of
service Senator Peffer was succeeded in
March, 1897, by William A. Harris.
ROBERT MORRIS.— The name of this
financier, statesman and patriot is
closely connected with the early history of
the United States. He was a native of
England, born January 20, 1734, and came
to America with his father when thirteen
years old. Until 1754 he served in the
counting house of Charles Willing, then
formed a partnership with that gentleman's
son, which continued with great success until
1793. In 1776 Mr. Morris was a delegate
to the Continental congress, and, although
once voting against the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, signed that paper on its adop-
tion, and was several times thereafter re-
elected to congress. During the Revolu-
tionary war the services of Robert Morris
in aiding the government during its finan-
cial difficulties were of incalculable value; he
freely pledged his personal credit for sup-
plies for the army, at one time to the amount
of about one and ahalf million dollars, with-
out which the campaign of 1781 would have
been almost impossible. Mr. Morris was
appointed superintendent of finance in 1781
and served until 1784, continuing to employ
his personal credit to facilitate the needs of
his department. He also served as mem-
ber of the Pennsylvania legislature, and
from 1786 to 1795 was United States sena-
tor, declining meanwhile the position of sec-
retary of the treasury, and suggesting the
name of Alexander Hamilton, who was ap-
pointed to that post. During the latter
part of his life Mr. Morris was engaged ex-
tensively in the China trade, and later be-
came involved in land speculations, which
ruined him, so that the remaining days of
this noble man and patriot were passed
in confinement for debt. His death occurred
at Philadelphia, May 8, 1806.
WILLIAM SHARON, a senator and
capitalist, and mine owner of na-
tional reputation, was born at Smithfield,
Ohio, January 9, 1821. He was reared
upon a farm and in his boyhood given excel-
lent educational advantages and in 1842
entered Athens College. He remained in
that institution about two years, after which
he studied law with Edwin M. Stanton, and
was admitted to the bar at St. Louis and
commenced practice. His health failing,
however, he abandoned his profession and
engaged in mercantile pursuits at Carrollton,
Greene county, Illinois. During the time
of the gold excitement of 1849, Mr. Sharon
went to California, whither so many went,
and engaged in business at Sacramento.
The next year he removed to San Francisco,
where he operated in real estate. Being
largely interested in its silver mines, he re-
moved to Nevada, locating at Virginia City,
and acquired an immense fortune. He be-
came one of the trustees of the Bank of
California, and during the troubles that
arose on the death of William Ralston, the
president of that institution, was largely in-
strumental in bringing its affairs into a satis-
factory shape.
166
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
Mr. Sharon was elected to represent the
state of Nevada in the United States senate
in 1S75, and remained a member of that
body until 1881. He was always distin-
guished for close application to business.
Senator Sharon died November 13, 1S85.
HENRY \V. SHAW, an American hu-
morist who became celebrated under
the noti-dc-pluwc of " Josh Billings," gained
his fame from the witticism of his writing,
and peculiar eccentricity of style and spell-
ing. He was born at Lanesborough, Mas-
sachusetts, in 1818. For twenty-five years
he lived in different parts of the western
states, following various lines of business,
including farming and auctioneering, and in
the latter capacity settled at Poughkeepsie,
New York, in 1S5S. In 1863 he began
writing humorous sketches for the news-
papers over the signature of "Josh Bill-
ings," and became immediately popular
both as a writer and lecturer. He pub-
lished a number of volumes of comic
sketches and edited an " Annual Allmina.\ "
for a number of years, which had a wide cir-
culation. His death occurred October 14,
1885, at Monterey, California.
JOHN M. THURSTON, well known
throughout this country as a senator
and political leader, was born at Mont-
pclicr, Vermont, August 21, 1847, of an
old Puritan family which dated back their
ancestry in this country to 1636, and among
whom were soldiers of the Revolution and
of the war of 1812-15.
Young Thurston was brought west by
the family in 1854, they settling at Madison,
Wisconsin, and two years later at Beaver
Darn, where John M. received his schooling
in the public schools and at Wayland Uni-
versity. His father enlisted as a private in
the First Wisconsin Cavalry and died while
in the service, in the spring of 1863.
Young Thurston, thrown on his own
resources while attaining an education, sup-
ported himself by farm work, driving team
and at other manual labor. He studied law
and was admitted to the bar May 21, 1869,
and in October of the same year located in
Omaha, Nebraska. He was elected a
member of the city council in 1872, city
attorney in 1S74 and a member of the Ne-
braska legislature in 1874. He was a mem-
ber of the Republican national convention
of 1884 and temporary chairman of that of
1888. Taking quite an interest in the
younger members of his party he was instru-
mental in forming the Republican League
of the United States, of which he was presi-
dent for two years. He was then elected a
member of the United States senate, in
1895, to represent the state of Nebraska.
As an attorney John M. Thurston occu-
pied a very prominent place, and for a num-
ber of years held the position of general
solicitor of the Union Pacific railroad sys-
tem.
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, a celebrated
American naturalist, was born in Louis-
iana, May 4, 1780, and was the son of an
opulent French naval officer who owned a
plantation in the then French colony. In
his childhood he became deeply interested
in the study of birds and their habits. About
1794 he was sent to Paris, France, where
he was partially educated, and studied de-
signing under the famous painter, Jacques
Louis David. He returned to the Unit-
ed States about 1798, and settled on a
farm his father gave him, on the Perkiomen
creek in eastern Pennsylvania. He mar-
ried Lucy Bakewell in 1808, and, disposing
of his property, removed to Louisville, Ken-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
167
tucky, where he engaged in mercantile pur-
suits. About two years later he began to
make extensive excursions through the pri-
meval forests of the southern and south-
western states, in the exploration of which
he passed many years. "He made colored
drawings of all the species of birds that he
found. For several years he made his home
with his wife and children at Henderson, on
the Ohio river. It is said that about this
time he had failed in business and was re-
duced to poverty, but kept the wolf from the
door by giving dancing lessons and in portrait
painting. In 1824, at Philadelphia, he met
Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who encouraged
him to publish a work on ornithology. Two
years later he went to England and com-
menced the publication of his great work,
"The Birds of America." He obtained a
large number of subscribers at one thousand
dollars a copy. This work, embracing five
volumes of letterpress and five volumes of
beautifully colored plates, was pronounced
by Cuvier " the most magnificent monument
that art ever raised to ornithology."
Audubon returned to America in 1829,
and explored the forests, lakes and coast
from Canada to Florida, collecting material
for another work. This was his " Ornitho-
logical Biography; or. An Account of the
Habits of the Birds of the United States,
Etc." He revisited England in 1831, and
returned in 1839, after which he resiaed on
the Hudson, near New York City, in which
place he died January 27, 1S51. During
his life he issued a cheaper edition of his
great work, and was, in association with
Dr. Bachman, preparing a work on the
quadrupeds of North America.
the superior British squadron, under Com-
modore Downie, September 1 1, 18 14. Com-
modore McDonough was born in Newcastle
county, Delaware, December 23, 1783, and
when seventeen years old entered the
United States navy as midshipman, serving
in the expedition to Tripoli, under Decatur,
in 1803-4. In 1807 he was promoted to
lieutenant, and in July, 181 3, was made a
commander. The following year, on Lake
Champlain, he gained the celebrated victory
above referred to, for which he was again
promoted; also received a gold medal from
congress, and from the state of Vermont an
estate on Cumberknd Head, in view of the
scene of the engagement. His death oc-
curred at sea, November 16, 1825, while he
was returning from the command of the
Mediterranean sq\iadron.
COMMODORE THOMAS McDON-
OUGH gained his principal fame from
'he celebrated victory which he gained over
CHARLES FRANCIS HALL, one of
America's most celebrated arctic ex-
plorers, was born in Rochester, New Hamp-
shire, in 1 82 1. He was a blacksmith by
trade, and located in Cincinnati, where later
he became a journalist. For several years
he devoted a great deal of attention to cal-
orics. Becoming interested in the fate of the
explorer, Sir John Franklin, he joined the
expedition fitted out by Henry Grinnell and
sailed in the ship "George Henry," under
Captain Buddington, which left New Lon-
don, Connecticut, in i860. He returned in
1862, and two years later published his
" Arctic Researches." He again joined the
expedition fitted out by Mr. Grinnell, and
sailed in the ship, " Monticello," under
Captain Buddington, this time remaining in
the arctic region over four years. On his
return he brought back many evidences of
having found trace of Franklin.
In 1 87 1 the " Polaris " was fitted out by
the United States government, and Captain
lC,>i
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArHT.
Hall again sailed for the polar regions. He
died in Greenland in October, 1871, and the
"Polaris" was finally abandoned by the
crew, a portion of which, under Captain
Tyson, drifted with the icebergs for one
hundred and ninety-five days, until picked
up by the " Tigress," on the 30th of April,
1873. The other portion of the crew built
boats, and, after a perilous voyage, were
picked up in June, 1873, by a whaling vessel.
OLIVER ELLSWORTH, the third chief
justice of the United States, was born
at Windsor, Connecticut, April 29, 1745.
After graduating from Princeton, he took
up the study of law, and was licensed
to practice in 1771. In 1777 he was elected
as a delegate to the Continental congress.
He was judge of the superior court of his
state in 17S4, and was chosen as a delegate
to the constitutional convention in 1787.
He sided with the Federalists, was elected
to the United States senate in 1789, and
was a firm supporter of Washington's policy.
He won great distinction in that body, and
was appointed chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States by Washington
in 1796. The relations between this coun-
try and France having become violently
strained, he was sent to Paris as envoy ex-
traordinary in 1799, and was instrumental
in negotiating the treaty that averted war.
He resigned the following year, and was suc-
ceeded by Chief Justice Marshall. His
death occurred November 26, 1807.
Ml.LLVILLE WESTON FULLER, an
eminent American jurist and chief
justice of the United States supreme court,
was born in Augusta, Maine, in 1833. His
education was looked after in boyhood, and
at the age of sixteen he entered Bowdoin
College, and on graduation entered the law
department of Harvard University. He then
entered the law office of his uncle at Ban-
gor, Maine, and soon after opened an office
for the practice of law at Augusta. He was
an alderman from his ward, city attorney,
and editor of the " Age," a rival newspaper
of the "Journal," which was conducted by
James G. Blaine. He soon decided to re-
move to Chicago, then springing into notice
as a western metropolis. He at once iden-
tified himself with the interests of the
new city, and by this means acquired an
experience that fitted him for his future
work. He devoted himself ^ssidudTisly to
his profession, and had the good fortune to
connect himself with the many suits grow-
ing out of the prorogation of the Illinois
legislature in 1863. It was not long before
he became one of the foremo_st lawyers in
Chicago. He made a three days' speech in
the heresy trial of Dr. Cheney, which added
to his fame. He was appointed chief jus-
tice of the United States by President Cleve-
land in 1888, the youngest man who ever
held that exalted position. His income from
his practice had for many years reached
thirty thousand dollars annually.
CHESTER ALLEN ARTHUR, twenty-
first president of the United States, was
born in Franklin county, Vermont, Octo-
ber 5, 1830. He was educated at Union
College, Schenectady, New York, from
which he graduated with honor, and en-
gaged in teaching school. After two years
he entered the law office of Judge E. D.
Culver, of New York, as a student. He was
admitted to the bar, and formed a partner-
ship with an old room-mate, Henry D. Gar-
diner, with the intention of practicing law
in the west, but after a few months' search
for a location, they returned to New York
and opened an office, and at once entered
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
169
upon a profitable practice. He was shortly
afterwards married to a daughter of Lieu-
tenant Herndon, of the United States navy.
Mrs. Arthur died shortly before his nomina-
tion for the vice-presidency. In 1S56 a
colored woman in New York was ejected
from a street car and retained Mr. Arthur
in a suit against the company, and obtained
a verdict of five hundred dollars. It result-
ed in a general order by all superintendents
of street railways in the city to admit col-
ored people to the cars.
Mr. Arthur was a delegate to the first
Republican national convention, and was
appointed judge-advocate for the Second
Brigade of New York, and then chief engi-
neer of Governor Morgan's staff. At the
close of his term he resumed the practice of
law in New York. In 1872 he was made
collector of the port of New York, which
position he held four years. At the Chi-
cago convention in 1880 Mr. Arthur was
nominated for the vice-presidency with
Garfield, and after an exciting campaign
was elected. Four months after the inau-
guration President Garfield was assassinated,
and Mr. Arthur was called to take the reins
of government. His administration of
affairs was generally satisfactory. At its
close he resumed the practice of law in New
York. His death occurred November 18,
1886.
ISAAC HULL was one of the most con-
spicuous and prominent naval officers in
the early history of America. He was born
at Derby, Connecticut, March 9, 1775, be-
ing the son of a Revolutionary officer. Isaac
Hull early in life became a mariner, and
when nineteen years of age became master
of a merchant ship in the London trade.
In 1 798 he became a lieutenant in the United
States navy, and three years later was made
10
first lieutenant of the frigate "Constitution."
He distinguished himself by skill and valor
against the French on the coast of Hayti, and
served with distinction in the Barbary expe-
ditions. July 12, 1812, he sailed from
Annapolis, in command of the "Constitu-
tion," and for three days was pursued by a
British squadron of five ships, from which
he escaped by bold and ingenious seaman-
ship. In August of the same year he cap-
tured the frigate " Guerriere, " one of his
late pursuers and for this, the first naval
advantage of that war, he received a gold
medal from congress. Isaac Hull was later
made naval commissioner and had command
of various navy yards. His death occurred
February 13, 1843, ^t Philadelphia.
M
ARCUS ALONZO HANNA, famous
as a prominent business man, political
manager and senator, was born in New Lis-
bon, Columbiana county, Ohio, September
24, 1837. He removed with his father's
family to Cleveland, in the same state, in
1852, and in the latter city, and in the
Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio,
received his education. He became an em-
ploye of the wholesale grocery house of
Hanna, Garrettson & Co., his father being
the senior member of the firm. The latter
died in 1862, and Marcus represented his
interest until 1867, when the business was
closed up.
Our subject then became a member of
the firm of Rhodes & Co., engaged in the
iron and coal business, but at the expira-
tion of ten years this firm was changed to
that of M. A. Hanna & Co. Mr. Hanna
was long identified with the lake carrying
business, being interested in vessels on the
lakes and in the construction of them. As
a director of the Globe Ship Manufacturing
Company, of Cleveland, president of the
170
CO^rPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Union National Bank, of Cleveland, president
of the Cleveland City Railway Company,
and president of the Chapin Mining Com-
pany, of Lake Superior, he became promi-
nently identified with the business world.
He was one of the government directors of
the Union Pacific Railroad, being appointed
to that position in 1885 by President Cleve-
land.
Mr. Hanna was a delegate to the na-
tional Republican convention of 1884, which
was his first appearance in the political
world. He was a delegate to the con-
ventions of 1 888 and 1896, and was elect-
ed chairman of the Republican national
committee the latter year, and practically
managed the campaign of William McKin-
ley for the presidency. In 1897 Mr. Hanna
was appointed senator by Governor Bush-
nell, of Oliio, to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of John Sherman.
GEORGE PEABODY was one of the
best known and esteem.ed of aii phiian-
thropists, whose munificent gifts to Ameri-
can institutions have proven of so much
benefit to the cause of humanity. He was
born February 18, 1795, at South Danvers,
Massachusetts, which is now called Pea-
body in honor of him. He received but a
meager education, and during his early life
he was a mercantile clerk at Thetford, Ver-
mont, and Newburyport, Massachusetts. In
18 14 he became a partner with Elisha
Riggs, at Georgetown, District of Columbia,
and in 181 5 they moved to Baltimore, Mary-
land. The business grew to great propor-
tions, and they opened branch houses at
New York and Philadelphia. Mr. Peabody
made several voyages to Europe of com-
mercial importance, and in 1829 became the
head of the firm, which was then called
Peabody, Kiggs tS: Co., and in 1838 he re-
moved to London, England. He retired
from the firm, and established the cele-
brated banking house, in which he accumu-
lated a large fortune. He aided Mr. Grin-
nell in fitting out Dr. Kane's Arctic expedi-
tion, in 1852, and founded in the same year
the Peabody Institute, in his native town,
which he afterwards endowed with two hun-
dred thousand dollars. Mr. Peabody visited
the United States in 1857, and gave three
hundred thousand dollars for the establish-
ment at Baltimore of an institute of science,
literature and fine arts. In 1862 he gave
two million five hundred thousand dollars
for the erecting of lodging houses for the
poor in London, and on another visit to the
United States he gave one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars to establish at Harvard a
museum and professorship of American
archaeology and ethnology, an equal sum for
the endowment of a department of physical
science at Yale, and gave the "Southern
Educational Fund " two million one hundred
thousand dollars, besides devoting two hun-
dred thousand dollars to various objects of
public utility. Mr. Peabody made a final
visit to the United States in 1869, and on
this occasion he raised the endowment of
the Baltimore Institute one million dollars,
created the Peabody Museum, at Salem,
Massachusetts, with a fund of one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, gave si.xty thou-
sand dollars to Washington College, Vir-
ginia; fifty thousand dollars for a "Peabody
Museum, " at North Danvers, thirty thousand
dollars to Phillips Academy, Andover; twen-
ty-five thousand dollars to Kenyon College,
Ohio, and twenty thousand dollars to the
Maryland Historical Society. Mr. Peabody
also endowed an art school at Rome, in
1868. He died in London, November 4,
1869, less then a month after he had re-
turned from the United States, and his
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
171
remains were brought to the United States
and interred in his native town. He made
several other bequests in his will, and left
his family about five million dollars.
MATTHEW S. QUAY, a celebrated
public man and senator, was born at
Dillsburgh, York county, Pennsylvania,
September 30, 1833, of an old Scotch-Irish
family, some of whom had settled in the
Keystone state in 171 5. Matthew received
a good education, graduating from the Jef-
ferson College at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania,
at the age of seventeen. He then traveled,
taught school, lectured, and studied law
under Judge Sterrett. He was admitted to
the bar in 1854, was appointed a prothon-
otary in 1855 and elected to the same
office in 1856 and 1859. Later he was
made lieutenant of the Pennsylvania Re
serves, lieutenant-colonel and assistant com-
missary-general of the state, private secre-
tary of the famous war governor of Pennsyl-
vania, Andrew G. Curtin, colonel of the
One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylva-
nia Infantry (nine months men), military
state agent and held other offices at different
times.
Mr. Quay was a member of the house of
representatives of the state of Pennsylvania
from 1865 to 1868. He filled the office of
secretary of the commonwealth from 1872
to 1878, and the position of delegate-at-
large to the Republican national conventions
of 1872, 1876, 1880 and 1888. Hewasthe
editor of the "Beaver Radical" and the
" Philadelphia Record" for a time, and held
many offices in the state conventions and on
their committees. He was elected secre-
tary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
1869, and served three years, and in 1S85
was chosen state treasurer. In 1886 his
great abilities pointed him out as the
natural candidate for United States senator,
and he was accordingly elected to that posi-
tion and re-elected thereto in 1892. He
was always noted for a genius for organiza-
tion, and as a political leader had but few
peers. Cool, serene, far-seeing, resourceful,
holding his impulses and forces in hand, he
never quailed from any policy he adopted,
and carried to success most, if not all, of
the political campaigns in which he took
part.
JAMES K. JONES, a noted senator and
political leader, attained national fame
while chairman of the national executive
committee of the Democratic party in the
presidential campaign of 1896. He was a
native of Marshall county," Mississippi, and
was born September 29, 1839. His father,
a well-to-do planter, settled in Dallas county,
Arkansas, in 1848, and there the subject of
this sketch received a careful education.
During the Civil war he served as a private
soldier in the Confederate army. From
1866 to 1873 he passed a quiet life as a
planter, but in the latter year was admitted
to the bar and began the practice of law.
About the same time he was elected to the
Arkansas senate and re-elected in 1874. In
1877 he was made president of the senate
and the following year was unsuccessful in
obtaining a nomination as member of con-
gress. In 1880 he was elected representa-
tive and his ability at once placed him in a
foremost position. He was re-elected to
congress in 1882 and in 1884, and served as
an influential member on the committee of
ways and means. March 4, 1885, Mr. Jones
took his seat in the United States senate to
succeed James D. Walker, and was after-
ward re-elected to the same office. In this
branch of the national legislature his capa-
bilities had a wider scope, and he was rec-
172
COMPENDIUM OF BIO GRAF HI'.
ognized as one of the ablest leaders of his
party;
On the nomination of William J. Bryan
as its candidate for the presidency by the
national convention of the Democratic
party, held in Chicago in 1S96, Mr. Jones
was made chairman of the national com-
mittee.
THEODORE THOMAS, one of the most
celebrated musical directors America
has known, was born in the kingdom of Han-
over in 1S35, and received his musical educa-
tion from his father. He was avery apt scholar
and played the violin at public concerts at
the age of six years. He came with his
parents to America in 1845, and joined the
orchestra of the Italian Opera in New York
City. He played the first violin in the
orchestra which accompanied Jenny Lind
in her first American concert. In 1861 Mr.
Thomas established the orchestra that be-
came famous under his management, and
gave his first symphony concerts in New
York in 1864. He began his first "summer
night concerts" in the same city in 1868,
and in 18O9 he started on his first tour of
the principal Cities in the United States,
which he made every year for many years.
He was director of the College of Music in
Cincinnati, Ohio, but resigned in 1880, after
having held the position for three years.
Later he organized one of the greatest
and most successful orchestras ever brought
together in the city of Chicagd, and was
very prominent in musical affairs during the
World's Columbian Exposition, thereby add-
ing greatly to his fame.
CYRUS HALL McCORMICK, the fa-
mous inventor and manufacturer, was
born at Walnut Grove. Virginia, February
'Si '809. When he was seven years old his
father invented a reaping machine. It was
a rude contrivance and not successful. In
1831 Cyrus made his invention of a reaping
machine, and had it patented three years
later. By successive improvements he was
able to keep his machines at the head of
its class during his life. In 1 845 he removed
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and two years later
located in Chicago, where he amassed a
great fortune in manufacturing reapers and
harvesting machinery. In 1859 he estab-
lished the Theological Seminary of the
Northwest at Chicago, an institution for pre-
paring young men for the ministry in the
Presbyterian church, and he afterward en-
dowed a chair in the ^^'ashington and Lee
College at Lexington, Virginia. He mani-
fested great interest in educational and re-
ligious matters, and by his great wealth he
was able to extend aid and encouragement
to many charitable causes. His death oc-
curred May 13, 1884.
DAVID ROSS LOCKE.— Under the
pen name of Petroleum \'. Nasby, this
well-known humorist and writer made for
himself a household reputation, and estab-
lished a school that has many imitators.
The subject of this article was born at
Vestal, Broome county. New York, Sep-
tember 30, 1833. After receiving his edu-
cation in the county of his birth he en-
tered the office of the ' ' Democrat, " at Cort-
land, New York, where he learned the
printer's trade. He was successively editor
and publisher of the "Plymouth Advertiser,"
the "Mansfield Herald," the " Bucyrus
Journal," and the "Findlay Jeffersonian."
Later he became editor of the "Toledo
Blade." In i S60 he commenced his
" Nasby" articles, several series of which
have been given the world in book form.
Under a mask of misspelling, and in a quaint
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
173
and humorous style, a keen political satire
is couched — a most effective weapon.
Mr. Locke was the author of a num-
ber of serious political pamphlets, and
later on a more pretentious work, " The
Morals of Abou Ben Adhem." As a news-
paper writer he gained many laurels and his
works are widely read. Abraham Lincoln
is said to have been a warm admirer of P.
V. Nasby, of " Confedrit X Roads " fame.
Mr. Locke died at Toledo, Ohio, February
15, 1S88.
RUSSELL A. ALGER, noted as a sol-
dier, governor and secretary of war,
was born in Medina county, Ohio, February
27, 1836, and was the son of Russell and
Caroline (Moulton) Alger. At the age of
twelve years he was left an orphan and pen-
niless. For about a year he worked for
his board and clothing, and attended school
part of the time. In 1850 he found a place
which paid small wages, and out of his
scanty earnings helped his brother and sister.
While there working on a farm he found
time to attend the Richfield Academy, and
by hard work between times managed to get
a fair education for that time. The last
two years of his attendance at this institu-
tion of learning he taught school during the
winter months. In 1857 he commenced the
study of law, and was admitted to the bar
in 1S59. For a while he found employ-
ment in Cleveland, Ohio, but impaired
health induced him to remove to Grand
Rapids, where he engaged in the lumber
business. He was thus engaged when the
Civil war broke out, and, his business suf-
fering and his savings swept away, he en-
listed as a private in the Second Michigan
Cavalry. He was promoted to be captain
the following month, and major for gallant
conduct at Boonesville, Mississippi, July i,
1862. October 16, 1862, he was made
lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth Michigan
Cavalry, and in February, 1863, colonel of
the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He rendered
excellent service in the Gettysburg cam-
paign. He was wounded at Boonesboro,
Maryland, and on returning to his command
took part with Sherman in the campaign in
the Shenandoah Valley. For services ren-
dered, that famous soldier recommended
him for promotion, and he was brevetted
major-general of volunteers. In 1866 Gen-
eral Alger took up his residence at Detroit,
and prospered exceedingly in his business,
which was that of lumbering, and grew
quite wealthy. In 1884 he was a delegate
to the Republican national convention, and
the same year was elected governor of
Michigan. He declined a nomination for
re-election to the latter office, in 1887, and
was the following year a candidate for the
nomination for president. In 1889 he was
elected commander-in-chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and at different
times occupied many offices in other or-
ganizations.
In March, 1897, President McKinley
appointed General Alger secretary of war.
CYRUS WEST FIELD, the father of
submarine telegraphy, was the son of
the Rev. David D. Field, D.D., a Congre-
gational minister, and was born at Stock-
bridge, Massachusetts, November 30, 1819.
He was educated in his native town, and at
the age of fifteen years became a clerk in a
store in New York City. Being gifted with
excellent business ability Mr. Field pros-
pered and became the head of a large mer-
cantile house. In 1853 he spent about six
months in travel in South America. On his
return he became interested in ocean teleg-
raphy. Being solicited to aid in the con-
174
COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPJIl'
struction of a land telegraph across New
Foundland to receive the news from a line
of fast steamers it was proposed to run from
from Ireland to St. Johns, the idea struck
him to carry the line across the broad At-
lantic. In 1850 Mr. Field obtained aeon-
cession from the legislature of Newfound-
land, giving him the sole right for fifty years
to land submarine cables on the shores of
that island. In company with Peter Cooper,
Moses Taylor, Marshall O. Roberts and
Chandler White, he organized a company
under the name of the New York, New-
foundland & London Telegraph Company.
In two years the line from New York across
Newfoundland was built. The first cable
connecting Cape Breton Island with New-
foundland having been lost in a storm while
being laid in 1855, another was put down in
1856. In the latter year Mr. Field went to
London and organized the Atlantic Tele-
graph Company, furnishing one-fourth of the
capital himself. Both governments loaned
ships to carry out the enterprise. Mr. Field
accompanied the expeditions of 1857 and
two in 1858. The first and second cables
were failures, and the third worked but a
short time and then ceased. The people of
both continents became incredulous of the
feasibility of laying a successful cable under
so wide an expanse of sea, and the war
breaking out shortly after, nothing was done
until 1865-66. Mr. Field, in the former
year, again made the attempt, and the Great
Eastern laid some one thousand two hun-
dred miles when the cable parted and was
lost. The following year the same vessel
succeeded in laying the entire cable, and
picked up the one lost the year before, and
both were carried to America's shore. After
thirteen years of care and toil Mr. Field had
his reward. He was the recipient of many
medals and honors from both home and
abroad. He gave his attention after this
to establishing telegraphic communication
throughout the world and many other large
enterprises, notably the construction of ele-
vated railroads in New York. Mr. Field
died July 1 1, 1892.
G ROVER CLEVELAND, the twenty-
second president of the United States,
was born in Caldwell, Essex county. New
Jersey, March 18, 1837, and was the son
of Rev. Richard and Annie (Neale) Cleve-
land. The father, of distinguished New
England ancestry, was a Presbyterian min-
ister in charge of the church at Caldwell at
the time.
When Grover was about three years of
age the family removed to Fayetteville,
Onondaga county, New York, where he
attended the district school, and was in the
academy for a short time. His father be-
lieving that boys should early learn to labor,
Grover entered a village store and worked
for the sum of fifty dollars for the first year.
While he was thus engaged the family re-
moved to Clinton, New York, and there
young Cleveland took up h's studies at the
academy. The death of his father dashed
all his hopes of a collegiate education, the
family being left in straightened circum-
stances, and Grover started out to battle
for himself. After acting for a year (1853-
54) as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in
the Institution for the Blind at New York
City, he went to Buffalo. A short time
after he entered the law office of Rogers,
Bowen & Rogers, of that city, and after a
hard struggle with adverse circumstances,
was admitted to the bar in 1859. He be-
came confidential and managing clerk for
the firm under whom he had studied, and
remained with them until 1863. In the lat-
ter year he was appointed district attorney
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
175
of Erie count}'. It was during his incum-
bency of this office that, on being nominated
by the Democrats for supervisor, he came
within thirteen votes of election, although
the district was usually Republican by two
hundred and fifty majority. In 1 866 Grover
Cleveland formed a partnership with Isaac
V. Vanderpoel. The most of the work here
fell upon the shoulders of our subject, and
he soon won a good standing at the bar of
the state. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland associated
himself in business with A. P. Laning and
Oscar Folsom, and under the firm name of
Laning, Cleveland & Folsom soon built up a
fair practice. In the fail of 1870 Mr. Cleve-
land was elected sheriff of Erie county, an
office which he filled for four years, after
which he resumed his profession, with L. K.
Bass and Wilson S. Bissell as partners.
This firm was strong and popular and
shortly was in possession of a lucrative
practice. Mr. Bass retired from the firm
in 1879, and George J. Secard was admit-
ted a member in 1881. In the latter year
Mr. Cleveland was elected mayor of Buffalo,
and in 1882 he was chosen governor by
the enormous majority of one hundred and
ninety-two thousand votes. July 11, 1884,
he was nominated for the presidency by the
Democratic national convention, and in
November following was elected.
Mr. Cleveland, after serving one term as
president of the United States, in 1888 was
nominated by his party to succeed himself,
but he failed of the election, being beaten
by Benjamin Harrison. In 1892, however,
being nominated again in opposition to the
then incumbent of the presidency, Mr. Har-
rison, Grover Cleveland was elected pres-
ident for the second time and served for the
usual term of four years. In 1897 Mr.
Cleveland retired from the chair of the first
magistrate of the nation, and in New York
City resumed the practice of law, in which
city he had established himself in i88g.
June 2, 1886, Grover Cleveland was
united in marriage with Miss Frances Fol-
som, the daughter of his former partner.
ALEXANDER WINCHELL, for many
years one of the greatest of American
scientists, and one of the most noted and
prolific writers on scientific subjects, was
born in Duchess county. New York, Decem-
ber 31, 1824. He received a thorough col-
legiate education, and graduated at the
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connect-
icut, in 1847. His mind took a scientific
turn, which manifested itself while he was
yet a boy, and in 1848 he became teacher
of natural sciences at the Armenian Semi-
nary, in his native state, a position which
he filled for three years. In 185 1-3 he oc-
cupied the same position in the Mesopo-
tamia Female Seminary, in Alabama, after
which he was president of the Masonic Fe-
. male Seminary, in Alabama. In 1853 he
became connected with the University of
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, at which institu-
tion he performed the most important work
of his life, and gained a wide reputation as
a scientist. He held many important posi-
tions, among which were the following:
Professor of physics and civil engineering at
the University of Michigan, also of geology,
zoology and botany, and later professor of
geology and palaeontology at the same insti-
tution. He also, for a time, was president
of the Michigan Teachers' Association, and
state geologist of Michigan. Professor
Winchell was a very prolific writer on scien-
tific subjects, and published many standard
works, his most important and widely known
being those devoted to geology. He also
contributed a large number of articles to
scientific and popular journals.
176
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
ANDREW HULL FOOTE, of the
United States navy, was a native of
New England, born at New Haven, Con-
necticut, May 4, i8oS. He entered the
navy, as a midshipman, December 4, 1822.
He slowly rose in his chosen profession, at-
taining the rank of lieutenant in 1830, com-
mander in 1852 and captain in 1861.
Among the distinguished men in the break-
ing out of the Civil war, but few stood higher
in the estimation of his brother officers than
Foote, and when, in the fail of 1861, he
was appointed to the command of the flotilla
then building on the Mississippi, the act
gave great satisfaction to the service.
Although embarrassed by want of navy
yards and supplies, Foote threw himself into
his new work with unusual energy. He
overcame all obstacles and in the new, and,
until that time, untried experiment, of creat-
ing and maintaining a navy on a river,
achieved a success beyond the expectations
of the country. Great incredulity existed as
to the possibility of carrying on hostilities
on a river where batteries from the shore
might bar the passage. But in spite of all,
Foote soon had a navy on the great river,
and by the heroic qualities of the crews en-
trusted to him, demonstrated the utility of
this new departure in naval architecture.
All being prepared, February 6, 1862, Foote
took Fort Henry after a hotly-contested
action. On the 14th of the same month,
for an hour and a half engaged the batteries
of Fort Donelson, with four ironclads and
two wooden gunboats, thereby dishearten-
ing the garrison and assisting in its capture.
April 7th of the same year, after several
hotly-contested actions. Commodore Foote
received the surrender of Island No. 10, one
of the great strongholds of the Confederacy
on the Mississippi river. Foote having been
wounded at Fort Donelson, and by neglect
it having become so serious as to endanger
his life, he was forced to resign his command
and return home. June 16, 1862, he re-
ceived the thanks of congress and was pro-
moted to the rank of rear admiral. He was
appointed chief of the bureau of equipment
and recruiting. June 4, 1863, he was
ordered to the fleet off Charleston, to super-
cede Rear Admiral Dupont, but on his way
to that destination was taken sick at New
York, and died June 26, 1863.
NELSON A. MILES, the well-known sol-
dier, was born at ^^'estmi^ster, Massa-
chusetts, August 8, 1839. His ancestors set-
tled in that state in 1643 among the early
pioneers, and their descendants were, many
of them, to be found among those battling
against Great Britain during Revolutionary
times and during the war of 1812. Nelson
was reared on a farm, received an academic
education, and in early manhood engaged in
mercantile pursuits in Boston. Early in
1 86 1 he raised a company and offered his
services to the government, and although
commissioned as captain, on account of his
youth went out as first lieutenant in the
Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantrj-. In
1862 he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel
and colonel of the Si.xty-first New YorT^ In-
fantry. At the request of Generals Grant
and Meade he was made a brigadier by
President Lincoln. He participated in all
but one of the battles of the Army of the
Potomac until the close of the war. During
the latter part of the time he commanded
the first division of the Second Corps.
General Miles was wounded at the battles
of Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg and Chan-
cellorsville, and received four brevets for
distinguished service. During the recon-
struction period he commanded in North
Carolina, and on the reorganization of the
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
177
regular army he was made colonel of in-
fantry. In 1880 he was promoted to the
rank of brigadier-general, and in 1890 to
that of major-general. He successfully con-
ducted several campaigns among the In-
dians, and his name is known among the
tribes as a friend when they are peacefully
inclined. He many times averted war
with the red men by judicious and humane
settlement of difficulties without the military
power. In 1892 General Miles was given
command of the proceedings in dedicating
the World's Fair at Chicago, and m the
summer of 1894, during the great railroad
strike at the same city, General Miles, then
in command of the department, had the
disposal of the troops sent to protect the
United States mails. On the retirement of
General J. M. Schofield, in 1895, General
Miles became the ranking major-general of
the United States army and the head of its
forces.
JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH, the great
vJ actor, though born in London (1796), is
more intimately connected with the Amer-
ican than with the English stage, and his
popularity in America was almost un-
bounded, while in England he was not a
prime favorite. He presented " Richard III. "
in Richmond on his first appearance on the
American stage in 1821. This was his
greatest role, and in it he has never had an
equal. In October of the same year he
appeared in New York. After a long and
successful career he gave his final perform-
ance at New Orleans in 1852. He con-
tracted a severe cold, and for lack of proper
medical attention, it resulted in his death
on November 30th of that year. He was,
without question, one of the greatest tra-
gedians that ever lived. In addition to his
professional art and genius, he was skilled
in languages, drawing, painting and sculp-
ture. In his private life he was reserved,
and even eccentric. Strange stories are
related of his peculiarities, and on his farm
near Baltimore he forbade the use of animal
food, the taking of animal life, and even the
felling of trees, and brought his butter and
eggs to the Baltimore markets in person.
Junius Brutus Booth, known as the elder
Booth, gave to the world three sons of note:
Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., the husband of
Agnes Booth, the actress; John Wilkes
Booth, the author of the greatest tragedy
in the life of our nation; Edwin Booth, in
his day the greatest actor of America, if not
of the world.
TAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY, fa-
<J mous as the "Danbury News Man,"
was one of the best known American humor-
ists, and was born September 25, 1841, at
Albany, N. Y. He adopted journalism as a
profession and started in his chosen work on
the "Danbury Times," which paper he pur-
chased on his return from the war. Mr.
Bailey also purchased the "Jeffersonian,"
another paper of Danbury, and consolidated
them, forming the "Danbury News," which
paper soon acquired a celebrity throughout
the United States, from an incessant flow of
rich, healthy, and original humor, which the
pen of the editor imparted to its columns,
and he succeeded in raising the circulation
of the paper from a few hundred copies a
week to over forty thousand. The facilities
of a country printing office were not so com-
plete in those days as they are now, but Mr.
Bailey was resourceful, and he put on re-
lays of help and ran his presses night and
day, and always prepared his matter a week
ahead of time. The "Danbury News Man"
was a new figure in literature, as his humor
was so different from that of the newspaper
178
COMPENDIUM OF BI0GRAPH1-.
wits — who had preceded him, and he maybe
called the pioneer of that school now so
familiar. Mr. Bailey published in book
form "Life in Danbury" and "The Danbury
News Man's Almanac. " One of his most
admirable traits was philanthrophy, as he
gave with unstinted generosity to all comers,
and died comparatively poor, notwithstand-
ing his ownership of a very profitable busi-
ness which netted him an income of $40,000
a year. He died March 4, 1894.
MATTHEW HALE CARPENTER, a
famous lawyer, orator and senator,
was born in Morctown, Vermont, December
22, 1824. After receiving a common-school
education he entered the United States
Military Academy at West Point, but only
remained two years. On returning to his
home he commenced the study of law with
Paul Dillingham, afterwards governor of
Vermont, and whose daughter he married.
In 1847 he was admitted to practice at the
bar in Vermont, but he went to Boston and
for a time studied with Ruf us Choate. In 1848
he moved wes-t, settling at Beloit, Wisconsin,
and commencing the practice of his profes-
sion soon obtained a wide reputation for
ability. In 1856 Mr. Carpenter removed to
Milwaukee, where he found a wider field for
his now increasing powers. During the
Civil war, although a strong Democrat, he
was loyal to the government and aided the
Union cause to his utmost. In 1868 he
was counsel for the government in a test
case to settle the legality of the reconstruc-
tion act before the United States supreme
court, and won his case against Jeremiah S.
Black. This gave him the election for sen-
ator from Wisconsin in 1869, and he served
until 1875, during part of which time he was
president pro tempore of the senate. Failing
of a re-election Mr. Carpenter resumed the
practice of law, and when William W.
Belknap, late secretary of war, was im-
peached, entered the case for General
Belknap, and secured an acquittal. During
the sitting of the electoral commission of
1877, Mr. Carpenter appeared for Samuel
J. Tilden, although the Republican man-
agers had intended to have him represent
R. B. Hayes. Mr. Carpenter was elected
to the United States senate again in 1879,
and remained a member of that body until
the day of his death, which occurred at
Washington, District of Columbia, Feb-
ruary 24, 18S1.
Senator Carpenter's real name was De-
catur Merritt Hammond Carpenter but about
1852 he changed it to the one by which he
was universally known.
THOMAS E. V^^ATSON, lawyer and
congressman, the well-known Geor-
gian, whose name appears at the head of
this sketch, made himself a place in the his-
tory of our country by his ability, energy
and fervid oratory. He was born in Col-
umbia (now McDuffie) county, Georgia,
September 5, 1856. He had a common-
school education, and in 1872 entered Mer-
cer University, at Macon, Georgia, as fresh-
man, but for want of money left the college
at the end of his sophomore year. He
taught school, studying law at the same
time, until 1875, w'hen he was admitted to
the bar. He opened an office and com-
menced practice in Thomson, Georgia, in
November, 1876. He carried on a success-
ful business, and bought land and farmed on
an extensive scale.
Mr. Watson was a delegate to the Demo-
cratic state convention of 1880, and was a
member of the house of representatives of
the legislature of his native state in 1882.
In 1888 he was an clector-at-large on the-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
179
Cleveland ticket, and in 1890 was elected
to represent his district in the fifty-second
congress. This latter election is said to have
been due entirely to Mr. Watson's "dash-
ing display of ability, eloquence and popular
power." In his later years he championed
the alliance principles and policies until he
became a leader in the movement. In the
heated campaign of 1896, Mr. Watson was
nominated as the candidate for vice-presi-
dent on the Bryan ticket by that part of the
People's party that would not endorse the
nominee for the same position made by the
Democratic party.
FREDERICK A. P. BARNARD, mathe-
matician, physicist and educator, was
born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, May 5, 1809.
He graduated from Yale College in 1828, and
in 1830 became a tutor in the same. From
1S37 to 1848 he was professor of mathe-
matics and natural philosophy in the Uni-
versity of Alabama, and from 1848 to 1850,
professor of chemistry and natural history
in the same educational institution. In
1854 he became connected with the Univer-
sity of Mississippi, of which he became
president in 1856, and chancellor in 1858.
In 1854 he took orders in the Protestant
Episcopal church. In 1861 Professor Barnard
resigned his chancellorship and chair in the
university, and in 1863 and 1864 was con-
nected with the United States coast survey
in charge of chart printing and lithography.
In May, 1864, he was elected president of
Columbia College, New York City, which
he served for a number of years.
Professor Barnard received the honorary
degree of LL. D. from Jefferson College,
Mississippi, in 1855, and from Yale College
in 1859; also the degree of S. T. D. from
the University of Mississippi in 1861, and
that of L. H. D. from the regents of the
University of the State of New York in 1872.
In i860 he was a member of the eclipse
party sent by the United States coast sur-
vey to Labrador, and during his absence
was elected president of the American Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science. la
the act of congress establishing the National
Academy of Sciences in 1863, he was named
as one of the original corporators. In 1 867
he was one of the United States commis-
sioners to the Paris Exposition. He was
a member of the American Philosophical
Society, associate member of the Amer-
ican Academy of Arts and Sciences, and
many other philosophical and scientific
societies at home and abroad. Dr. Barnard
was thoroughly identified with the progress
of the age in those branches. His published
works relate wholly to scientific or educa-
tional subjects, chief among which are the
following: Report on Collegiate Education;
Art Culture; History of the American Coast
Survey; University Education; Undulatory
Theory of Light; Machinery and Processes
of the Industrial Arts, and Apparatus of the
Exact Sciences, Metric System of Weights
and Measures, etc.
EDWIN McMASTERS STANTON, the
secretary of war during the great Civil
war, was recognized as one of America's
foremost public men. He was born Decem-
ber 19, 18 14, at Steubenville, Ohio, where
he received his education and studied law.
He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and
was reporter of thq supreme court of Ohio
from 1842 until 1845. He removed to
Washington in 1856 to attend to his prac-
tice before the United States supreme
court, and in 1858 he went to California as
counsel for the government in certain land
cases, which he carried to a successful
conclusion. Mr. Stanton was appointed
180
^'^MPENDIUM OF BIOGRA.
attorney-general of the United States in
December, i860, by President Buchanan.
On March 4, 1861, Mr. Stanton went with
the outgoing administration and returned to
the practice of his profession. He was
appointed secretary of war by President
Lincoln January 20, 1862, to succeed Simon
Cameron. After the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln and the accession of Johnson
to the presidency, Mr. Stanton was still in
the same ofTice. He held it for three years,
and by Ms strict adherence to the Repub-
lican party, he antagonized President John-
son, who endeavored to remove him. On
August 5, 1867, the president requested him
to resign, and appointed General Grant to
succeed him, but when congress convened
in December the senate refused to concur in
the suspension. Mr. Stanton returned to
his post until the president again removed
him from office, but was again foiled by
congress. Soon after, however, he retired
voluntarily from office and took up the
practice of law, in which he engaged until
his death, on December 24, 1S69.
ALE:XANDER CAMPBELL, the eminent
theologian and founder of the church
known as Disciples of Christ, was born in
the country of Antrim, Ireland, in June,
1788, and was the son of Rev. Thomas
Campbell, a Scoth-Irish "Seceder. " After
studying at the University of Glasgow, he,
in company with his father, came to America
in 1808, and both began labor in westeru
Pennsylvania to rest®re Christianity to
apostolic simplicity. They organized a
church at Brush Run, Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 181 1, which, however, the
year following, adopted Baptist views, and
in 1813. with other congregations joined a
Baptist association. Some of the under-
lying principles and many practices of the
Campbells and their disciples were repug-
nant to the Baptist church and considerable
friction was the result, and 1827 saw the
separation of that church from the Church
of Christ, as it is sometimes called. The
latter then reorganized themselves anew.
They reject all creeds, professing to receive
the Bible as their only guide. In most mat-
ters of faith they are essentially in accord with
the other Evangelical Christian churches,
especially in regard to the person and work
of Christ, the resurrection and judgment.
They celebrate the Lord's Supper weekly,
hold that repentance and faith should precede
baptism, attaching much importance to the
latter ordinance. On all other points they
encourage individual liberty of thought. In
1 84 1, Alexander Campbell founded Bethany
College, West Virginia, of which he was
president for many years, and died March 4,
1 866.
The denomination which the)' founded
is quite a large and important church body
in the United States. They support quite
a number of institutions of learning, among
which are: Bethany College, West Virginia;
Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio; Northwestern
Christian University, Indianapolis, Indiana;
Eureka College, Illinois; Kentucky Univer-
sity. Lexington. Kentucky; Oskaloosa
College, Iowa; and a number of seminaries
and schools. They also support several
monthly and quarterly religious periodicals
and many papers, both in the United States
and Great Britain and her dependencies.
WILLIAM L.WILSON, the noted West
Virginian, who was postmaster-gener-
al under President Cleveland's second ad-
ministration, won distinction as the father
of the famous " Wilson bill," which became
a law under the same administration. Mr.
Wilson was born May 3, 1S43, in Jeffer-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
181
son county, West Virginia, and received
a good education at the Charlestown
Academy, where he prepared himself for
college. He attended the Columbian Col-
lege in the District of Columbia, from
which he graduated in i860, and then
attended the University of Virginia. Mr.
Wilson served in the Confederate army dur-
ing the war, after which he was a professor
in Columbian College. Later he entered
into the practice of law at Charlestown.
He attended the Democratic convention
held at Cincinnati in 1880, as a delegate,
and later was chosen as one of the electors
for the state-at-large on the Hancock
ticket. In the Democratic convention at
Chicago in 1892, Mr. Wilson was its per-
manent president. He was elected pres-
ident of the West Virginia University in
1882, entering upon the duties of his office
on September 6, but having received the
nomination for the forty-seventh congress
on the Democratic ticket, he resigned the
presidency of the university in June, 1883,
to take his seat in congress. Mr. Wil-
son was honored by the Columbian Uni-
versity and the Hampden-Sidney College,
both of which conferred upon him the de-
gree of LL. D. In 1884 he was appointed
regent of the Smithsonian Institution at
Washington for two years, and at the end
of his term was re-appointed. He was
elected to the forty-seventh, forty-ninth,
fiftieth, fifty-first, fifty-second and fifty-
third congresses, but was defeated for re-
election to the fifty-fourth congress. Upon
the resignation of Mr. Bissell from the office
of postmaster-general, Mr. Wilson was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy by President
Cleveland. His many years of public serv-
ice and the prominent part he took in the
discussion of public questions gave him a
national reputation.
CALVIN S. BRICE, a successful and
noted financier and politician, was
born at Denmark, Ohio, September 17,
1S45, of an old Maryland family, v.'ho trace
their lineage from the Bryces, or Bruces, of
Airth, Scotland. The father of our subject
was a prominent Presbyterian clergyman,
who removed to Ohio in 1812. Calvin S.
Brice was educated in the common schools
of his native town, and at the age of thir-
teen entered the preparatory department of
Miami University at O.xford, Ohio, and the
following year entered the freshman class.
On the breaking out of the Civil war,
although but fifteen years old, he enlisted in
a company of three-months men. He re-
turned to complete his college course, but
re-enlisted in Company A, Eighty-si.xth
Ohio Infantry, and served in the Virginia
campaign. He then returned to college,
from which he graduated in 1863. In 1S64
he organized Company E, One Hundred
and Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and served
until the close of hostilities, in the western
armies.
On his return home Mr. Brice entered
the law department of the University of
Michigan, and in 1866 was admitted to the
bar in Cincinnati. In the winter of 1870-
71 he went to Europe in the interests of the
Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad and pro-
cured a foreign loan. This road became
the Lake Erie & Western, of which, in
1887, Mr. Brice became president. This
was the first railroad in which he had a
personal interest. The conception, build-
ing and sale of the New York, Chicago &
St. Louis Railroad, known as the "Nickel
Plate," was largely due to him. He was
connected with many other railroads, among
which may be mentioned the following:
Chicago & Atlantic; Ohio Central; Rich-
mond & Danville; Richmond & West Point
182
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Terminal; East Tennessee, Virginia &
Georgia; Memphis & Charleston; Mobile &
Birmingham; Kentucky Central; Duluth,
South Shore & Atlantic, and the Marquette,
Houghton & Ontonagon. In 1890 he was
elected United States senator from Ohio.
Notwithstanding his extensive business inter-
ests. Senator Brice gave a considerable
time to political matters, becoming one of
the leaders of the Democratic party and one
of the most widely known men in the
country.
BENJAMIN HARRISON, twenty-third
president of the United States, was
born August 20, 1833, at North Bend,
Hamilton county, Ohio, in the house of his
grandfather. General William Henry Har-
rison, afterwards president of the United
States. His great-grandfather, Benjamin
Harrison, was a member of the Continental
congress, signed the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and was three times elected gov-
ernor of Virginia.
The subject of this sketch entered Farm-
ers College at an early age, and two years
later entered Miami University, at O.xford,
Ohio. Upon graduation he entered the
office of Stover & Gwyne, of Cincinnati, as a
law student. He was admitted to the bar
two years later, and having inherited about
eight hundred dollars worth of property, he
married the daughter of Doctor Scott, pres-
ident of a female school at Oxford, Ohio,
and selected Indianapolis, Indiana, to begin
practice. In i860 he was nominated by
the Republicans as candidate for state
supreme court reporter, and did his first
political speaking in that campaign. He
was elected, and after two years in that
position he organized the Seventieth Indi-
ana Infantry, of which he was made colonel,
and with his regiment joined General Sher-
man's army. For bravery displayed at Re-
saca and Peach Tree Creek he was made a
brigadier-general. In the meantime the
office of supreme court reporter had been
declared vacant, and another party elected
to fill it. In the fall of 1864, having been
nominated for that office. General Harrison
obtained a thirty-day leave of absence, went
to Indiana, canvassed the state and was
elected. As he was about to rejoin his
command he was stricken down by an attack
of fever. After his recovery he joined
General Sherman's army and participated in
the closing events of the war.
In 1868 General Harrison declined to
be a candidate for the office of supreme
court reporter, and returned to the practice
of the law. His brilliant campaign for the
office of governor of Indiana in 1876,
brought him into public notice, although he
was defeated. He took a prominent part
in the presidential canvass of 1880, and was
chosen United States senator from Indiana,
serving six years. He then returned to the
practice of his profession. In iSSS he was
selected by the Republican convention at
Chicago as candidate for the presidency, and
after a heated campaign was elected over
Cleveland. He was inaugurated March 4,
1889, and signed the McKinley bill October
I, 1890, perhaps the most distinctive feature
of his administration. In 1S92 he was
again the nominee of the Republican party
for president, but was defeated by Grover
Cleveland, the Democratic candidate, and
again resumed the practice of law in Indian'-
apolis.
TOHN CRAIG HAVEMEYER, the
kJ celebrated merchant and sugar refiner,
was born in New York City in 1833. His
father, William F. Havcmeyer, and grand-
father, William Havemeyer, were both sugar
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
188
refiners. The latter named came from
Buckeburg, Germany, in 1799, and settled
in New York, establishing one of the first
refineries in that city. William F. succeeded
his father, and at an early age retired from
business with a competency. He was three
times mayor of his native city. New York.
John C. Havemeyer was educated in
private schools, and was prepared for college
at Columbia College grammar school.
Owing to failing eyesight he was unable to
finish his college course, and began his
business career in a wholesale grocery store,
where he remained two years. In 1854,
after a year's travel abroad, he assumed the
responsibility of the office work in the sugar
refinery of Havemeyer & Molter, but two
years later etablished a refinery of his own
in Brooklyn. This afterwards developed into
the immense business of Havemeyer & Elder.
The capital was furnished by his father,
and, chafing under the anxiety caused by the
use of borrowed money, he sold out his
interest and returned to Havemeyer &
Molter. This firm dissolving the next year,
John C. declined an offer of partnership
from the successors, not wishing to use
borrowed money. For two years he remain-
ed with the house, receiving a share of the
profits as compensation. For some years
thereafter he was engaged in the commission
business, until failing health caused his
retirement. In 1871, he again engaged in
the sugar refining business at Greenport,
Long Island, with his brother and another
partner, under the firm name of Havemeyer
Brothers & Co. Here he remained until
1880, when his health again declined.
During the greater part of his life Mr.
Havemeyer was identified with many benev-
olent societies, including the New York
Port Society, Missionary Society of the
Methodist Church, American Bible Society,
New York Sabbath School Society and
others. He was active in Young Men's
Christian Association work in New York,
and organized and was the first president of
an affiliated society of the same at Yonkers.
He was director of several railroad corpo-
rations and a trustee of the Continental Trust
Company of New York.
WALTER QUINTIN GRESHAM, an
eminent American statesman and
jurist, was born March 17, 1833, near Cory-
don, Harrison county, Indiana. He ac-
quired his education m the local schools of
the county and at Bloomington Academy,
akhough he did not graduate. After leav-
ing college he rsad law with Judge Porter
at Corydon, and just before the war he be-
gan to take an interest in politics. Mr.
Gresham was elected to the legislature from
Harrison county as a Republican ; previous
to this the district had been represented by
a Democrat. At the commencement of
hostilities he was made lieutenant-colonel of
the Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry, but
served in that regiment only a short time,
when he was appointed colonel of the Fifty-
third Indiana, and served under General
Grant at the siege of Vicksburg as brigadier-
general. Later he was under Sherman in
the famous "March to the Sea," and com-
manded a division of Blair's corps at the
siege of Atlanta where he was so badly
wounded in the leg that he was compelled
to return home. On his way home he was
forced to stop at New Albany, where he re-
mained a year before he was able to leave.
He was brevetted major-general at the close
of the war. While at New Albany, Mr.
Gresham was appointed state agent, his
duty being to pay the interest on the state
debt in New York, and he ran twice for
congress against ex-Speaker Kerr, but was
184
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
defeated in both cases, altliough he greatly
reduced the Democratic majority. He was
held in high esteem by President Grant,
who offered him the portfolio of the interior
but Mr. Gresham declined, but accepted
the appointment of United States judge for
Indiana to succeed David McDonald.
Judge Gresham served on the United States
district court bench until 1883, when he
was appointed postmaster-general by Presi-
dent Arthur, but held that office only a few
months when he was made secretary of the
treasury. Near the end of President
Arthur's term. Judge Gresham was ap-
pointed judge of the United States circuit
court of the district composed of Indiana,
Illinois and contiguous states, which he held
until 1893. Judge Gresham was one of the
presidential possibilities in the National Re-
publican convention in 188S, when General
Harrison was nominated, and was also men-
tioned for president in 1892. Later the
People's party made a strenuous effort to
induce him to become their candidate for
president, he refusing the offer, however,
and a few weeks before the election he an-
nounced that he would support Mr. Cleve-
land, the Democratic nominee for president.
Upon the election of Mr. Cleveland in the
fall of 1892, Judge Gresham was made the
secretary of state, and filled that position
until his death on May 28, 1895, at Wash-
ington, District of Columbia.
ELISHA 13. ANDREWS, noted as an ed-
ucator and college president, was born
at Hinsdale, New Hampshire, January 10,
1844, his father and mother being Erastus
and Elmira (Bartlett) Andrews. In 1861,
he entered the service of the general gov-
ernment as private and non-commissioned
officer in the First Connecticut Heavy Ar-
tillery, and in 1863 was promoted to the
rank of second lieutenant. Returning home
he was prepared for college at Powers In-
stitute and at the Wesleyan Academ}', and
entered Brown University. From here he
was graduated in 1870. For the succeeding
two years he was principal of the Connecti-
cut Literary Institute at Suffield, Connecticut.
Completing a course at the Newton Theo-
logical Institute, he was ordained pastor of
the First Baptist church at Beverly, Massa-
chusetts, July 2, 1874. The following
year he became president of the Denison
University, at Granville, Ohio. In 1879
he accepted the professorship of homiletics,
pastoral duties and church polity at Newton
Theological Institute. In 1882 he was
elected to the chair of history and political
economy at Brown University. The Uni-
versity of Nebraska honored him with an
LL. D. in 1884, and the same year Colby
University conferred the degree of D. D.
In 1888 he became professor of political
economy and public economy at Cornell
University, but the next year returned to
Brown University as its president. From
the time of his inauguration the college work
broadened in many ways. Many timely
and generous donations from friends and
alumni of the college were influenced by
him, and large additions made to the same.
Professor Andrews published, in 18S7,
" Institutes of General History," and in
1888, " Institutes of Economics."
JOHN WILLIAM DRAPER, the subject
of the present biography, was, during his
life, one of the most distinguished chemists
and scientific writers in America. He was
an Englishman by birth, born at Liverpool,
May 5, 181 1, and was reared in his native
land, receiving an excellent education,
graduating at the University of London. In
1833 he came to the United States, and
V
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
187
settled first in Pennsylvania. He graduated
in medicine at the University of Philadel-
phia, in 1836, and for three years following
was professor of chemistry and physiology
at Hampden-Sidney College. He then be-
came professor of chemistry in the New York
University, with which institution he was
prominently connected for many years. It
is stated on excellent authority that Pro-
fessor Draper, in 1839, took the first photo-
graphic picture ever taken from life. He
was a great student, and carried on many
important and intricate experiments along
scientific lines. He discovered many of the
fundamental facts of spectrum analysis,
which he published. He published a number
of works of great merit, many of which are
recognized as authority upon the subjects of
which they treat. Airrong his work were:
"Human Physiology, Statistical and Dyna-
mical of the Conditions and Cause of Life
in Man," "History of Intellectual Develop-
ment of Europe," "History of the Ameri-
can Civil War," besides a number of works
on chemistry, optics and mathematics. Pro-
fessor Draper continued to hold a high place
among the scientific scholars of America
until his death, which occurred in January,
1882.
GEORGE W. PECK, ex-governor of
the state of Wisconsin and a famous
journalist and humorist, was born in Jeffer-
son county. New York, September 28, 1840.
When he svas about three years of age his
parents removed to Wisconsin, settling near
Whitewater, where young Peck received his
education at the public schools. At fifteen
he entered the office of the "Whitewater
Register," where he learned the printer's
art. He helped start the "Jefferson County
Republican" later on, but sold out his
interest therein and set type in the office of
11
the "State Journal," at Madison. At the
outbreak of the war he enlisted in the
Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry as a private, and
after serving four years returned a second
lieutenant. He then started the " Ripon
Representative," which he sold not long
after, and removing to New York, was on
the staff of Mark Pomeroy's "Democrat."
Going to La Crosse, later, he conducted the
La Crosse branch paper, a half interest in
which he bought in 1874. He next started
"Peck's Sun," which four years later he
removed to Milwaukee. While in La
Crosse he was chief of police one year, and
also chief clerk of the Democratic assembly
in 1874. It was in 187S that Mr. Peck
took his paper to Milwaukee, and achieved
his first permanent success, the circulation
increasing to 80,000. For ten years he was
regarded as one of the most original, versa-
tile and entertaining writers in the country,
and he has delineated every phase of
country newspaper life, army life, domestic
experience, travel and city adventure. Up
to 1890 Mr. Peck took but little part in
politics, but in that year was elected mayor
of Milwaukee on the Democratic ticket.
The following August he was elected gov-
ernor of Wisconsin by a large majority,
the "Bennett School Bill" figuring to a
large extent in his favor.
Mr. Peck, besides many newspaper arti-
cles in his peculiar vein and numerous lect-
ures, bubbling over with fun, is known to
fame by the following books: "Peck's Bad
Boy and his Pa," and "The Grocery Man
and Peck's Bad Boy."
CHARLES O'CONOR, who was for
many years the acknowledged leader
of the legal profession of New York City,
was also conceded to be one of the greatest
lawyers America has produced. He was
188
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr.
born in New York City in 1804, his father
being an educated Irish gentleman. Charles
received a common-school education, and
early took up the study of law, being ad-
mitted to practice in 1824. His close ap-
plication and untiring energy and industry
soon placed him in the front rank of the
profession, and within a few years he was
handling many of the most important cases.
One of the first great cases he had and which
gained him a wide, reputation, was that of
"Jack, the Fugitive Slave, " in 1835, in which
his masterful argument before the supreme
court attracted wide attention and com-
ment. Charles O'Conor was a Democrat
all his life. He did not aspire to office-
holding, however, and never held any office
except that of district attorney under Presi-
dent Pierce's administration, which he only
retained a short time. He took an active
mterest, however, in public questions, and
was a member of the state (New York) con-
stitutional convention in 1864. In 1868 he
was nominated for the presidency by the
" E.xtreme Democrats." His death occurred
in May, 1884.
SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, a noted
American officer and major-general in
the Confederate army, was born in Ken-
tucky in 1823. He graduated from West
Point Military Academy in 1844, served in
the United Status infantry and was later as-
signed to commissary duty with the rank of
captain. He .served several years at fron-
tier posts, and was assistant professor in the
military academy in 1846. He was with
General Scott in the Mexican war, and en-
gaged in all the battles from Vera Cruz to
the capture of the Mexican capital. He
was wounded at Cherubusco and brcvetted
first lieutenant, and at Molino del Rey was
brcvetted captain. After the close of the
Mexican war he returned to West Point as
assistant instructor, and was then assigned
to commissary duty at New York. He re-
signed in 1S55 and became suf>erintendent
of construction of the Chicago custom house.
He was made adjutant-genecal, with the
rank of colonel, of Illinois militia, and was
colonel of Illinois volunteers raised for the
Utah expedition, but was not mustered into
service. In i860 he removed to Kentucky,
where he settled on a farm near Louisville
and became inspector-general in command
of the Kentucky Home Guards. At the
opening of the Civil war he joined the Con-
federate army, and was given command at
Bowling Green, Kentucky, which he was
compelled to abandon after the capture of
Fort Henry. He then retired to Fort Don-
elson, and was there captured with sixteen
thousand men, and an immense store of pro-
visions, by General Grant, in Februarj',
1862. He was held as a prisoner of war
at Fort Warren until August of that year.
He commanded a division of Hardee's corps
in Bragg's Army of the Tennessee, and was
afterward assigned to the third division and
participated in the battles of Chickamauga,
and Murfreesboro. He was with Kirby
Smith when that general surrendered his
army to General Canby in May, 1865. He
was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice-
presidency on the Gold Democratic ticket
with Senator John M. Palmer in 1896.
SIMON KENTON, one of the famous pio-
neers and scouts whose names fill the
pages of the early history of our country,
was born in Fauquier county, Virginia,
April 3, 1755. In consequence of an affray,
at the age of eighteen, young Kenton went
to Kentucky, then the "Dark and Bloody
Ground," and became associated with Dan-
iel Boone and other pioneers of that region.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
189
For a short time he acted as a scout and
spy for Lord Dunmore, the British governor
of Virginia, but afterward taking the side
of the struggling colonists, participated in
the war for independence west of the Alle-
ghanies. In 1784 he returned to Virginia,
but did not remain there long, going back
with his family to Kentucky. From
that time until 1793 he participated in all
the combats and battles of that time, and
until "Mad Anthony" Wayne swept the
Valley of the Ohio, and settled the suprem-
acy of the whites in that region. Kenton
laid claim to large tracts of land in the new
country he had helped to open up, but
through ignorance of law, and the growing
value of the land, lost it all and was reduced
to poverty. During the war with England
in 1812-15, Kenton took part in the inva-
sion of Canada with the Kentucky troops
and participated in the battle of the Thames.
He finally had land granted him by the
legislature of Kentucky, and received a pen-
sion from the United States government.
He died in Logan county, Ohio, April 29,
1836.
ELIHU BENJAMIN WASHBURNE, an
American statesman of eminence, was
born in Livermore, Maine, September 23,
1 8 16. He learned the trade of printer, but
abandoned that calling at the age of eight-
een and entered the Kent's Hill Academy at
Reading, Maine, and then took up the study
of law, reading in Hallowell, Boston, and at
the Harvard Law School. He began prac-
tice at Galena, Illinois, in 1840. He was
elected to congress in 1852, and represented
his district in that body continuously until
March, 1869, and at the time of his retire-
ment he had served a greater number of
consecutive terms than any other member
of the house. In 1873 President Grant ap-
pointed him secretary of state, which posi-
tion he resigned to accept that of minister
to France. During the Franco-Prussian
war, including the siege of Paris and the
reign of the Commune, Mr. Washburne re-
mained at his post, protecting the lives and
property of his countrymen, as well as that
of other foreign residents in Paris, while the
ministers of all other powers abandoned
their posts at a time when they were most
needed. As far as possible he extended
protection to unfortunate German residents,
who were the particular objects of hatred of
the populace, and his firmness and the suc-
cess which attended his efforts won the ad-
miration of all Europe. Mr. Washburne
died at Chicago, Illinois, October 22, 1887.
WILLIAM CRAMP, one of the most
extensive shipbuilders of this coun-
try, was born in Kensington, then a suburb,
now a part of Philadelphia, in 1806. He
received a thorough English education, and
when he left school was associated with
Samuel Grice, one of the most eminent
naval architects of his day. In 1830, hav-
ing mastered all the details of shipbuilding,
Mr. Cramp engaged in business on his own
account. By reason of ability and excel-
lent work he prospered from the start, until
now, in the hands of his sons, under the
name of William Cramp & Sons' Ship and
Engine Building Company, it has become the
most complete shipbuilding plant and naval
arsenal in the western hemisphere, and fully
equal to any in the world. As Mr. Cramp's
sons attained manhood they learned their
father's profession, and were admitted to a
partnership. In 1872 the firm was incor-
porated under the title given above. Until
i860 wood was used in building vessels, al-
though pace was kept with all advances in
the art of shipbuilding. At the opening of
190
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
the war came an unexpected demand for
war vessels, which they promptly met. The
sea-going ironclad "New Ironsides" was
built by them in 1S62, followed by a num-
ber of formidable ironclads and the cruiser
"Chattanooga." They subsequently built
several war vessels for the Russian and
other governments which added to their
reputation. When the American steamship
line was established in 1870, the Cramps
were commissioned to build for it four first-
class iron steamships, the " Pennsylvania,"
"Ohio," "Indiana" and "Illinois," which
they turned out in rapid order, some of the
finest specimens of the naval architecture of
their day. William Cramp remained at the
head of the great company he had founded
until his death, which occurred January 6,
1879.
Charles H. Cramp, the successor of his
father as head of the \\'iiiiam Cramp &
Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company,
was born in Philadelphia May 9, 1829, and
received an excellent education in his native
city, which he sedulouslj' sought to sup-
plement by close study until he became
an authority on general subjects and the
best naval architect on the western hemis-
phere. Many of the best vessels of our
new navy were built by this immense con-
cern.
W.\SHINGTON ALLSTON. probably
the greatest American painter, was
born in South Carolina in 1779. He was
sent to school at the age of seven years at
Newport, Rhode Island, where he met Ed-
ward Malbone, two years his senior, and
who later became a pamter of note. The
friendship that sprang up between them un-
doubtedly influenced young Allston in the
choice of a profession. He graduated from
Harvard in 1800, and went to England the
following year, after pursuing his studies for
a year under his friend Malbone at his home
in South Carolina. He became a student
at the Royal Academy where the great
American, Benjamin West, presided, and
who became his intimate friend. Allston
later went to Paris, and then to Italy, where
four years were spent, mostly at Rome. In
1809 he returned to America, but soon after
returned to London, having married in the
meantime a sister of Dr. Channing. In
a short time his first great work appeared,
"The Dead Man Restored to Life by the
Bones of Elisha, " which took the British
Association prize and firmly established his
reputation. Other paintings followed in
quick succession, the greatest among which
were "Uriel in the Center of the Sun,"
"Saint Peter Liberated by the Angel," and
"Jacob's Dream," supplemented by many
smaller pieces. Hard work, and grief at the
death of his wife began to tell upon his health,
and he left London in 181 8 for America.
The same year he was elected an associate
of the Royal Academy. During the next
few years he painted "Jeremiah," "Witch
ofEndor," and "Beatrice." In 1830 Alls-
ton married a daughter of Judge Dana, and
went to Cambridge, which was his home
until his death. Here he produced the
"Vision of the Bloody Hand," "Rosalie,"
and many less noted pieces, and had given
one week of labor to his unfinished master-
piece, "Belshazzar's Feast," when death
ended his career July 9, 1843.
JOHN ROACH, ship builder and manu-
facturer, whose career was a marvel of
industrial labor, and who impressed his in-
dividuality and genius upon the times in
which he lived more, perhaps, than any
other manufacturer in America. He was
born at Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ire-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
191
land, December 25, 1815, the son of a
wealthy merchant. He attended school
until he was thirteen, when his father be-
came financially embarrassed and failed
and shortly after died; John determined to
come to America and carve out a fortune
for himself. He landed in New York at the
age of sixteen, and soon obtained employ-
ment at the Howell Iron Works in New Jer-
sey, at twenty-five cents a day. He soon
made himself a place in the world, and at
the end of three years had saved some
twelve hundred dollars, which he lost by
the failure of his employer, in whose hands
it was left. Returning to New York he
began to learn how to make castings for
marine engines and ship work. Having
again accumulated one thousand dollars, in
company with three fellow workmen, he
purchased a small foundry in New York,
but soon became sole proprietor. At the
end of four years he had saved thirty thou-
sand dollars, besides enlarging his works.
In 1856 his works were destroyed by a
boiler explosion, and being unable to collect
the insurance, was left, after paying his
debts, without a dollar. However, his
credit and reputation for integrity was good,
and he built the Etna Iron Works, giving it
capacity to construct larger marine engines
than any previously built in this country.
Here he turned out immense engines for
the steam ram Dunderberg, for the war ves-
sels Winooski and Neshaning, and other
large vessels. To accommodate his increas-
ing business, Mr. Roach, in 1S69, pur-
chased the Morgan Iron Works, one of the
largest in New York, and shortly after sev-
eral others. In 1871 he bought the Ches-
ter ship yards, which he added to largely,
erecting a rolling mill and blast furnace, and
providing every facility for building a ship
out of the ore and timber. This immense
plant covered a large area, was valued at
several millions of dollars, and was known
as the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding
and Engine Works, of which Mr. Roach
was the principal owner. He built a large
percentage of the iron vessels now iiying
the American flag, the bulk of his business
being for private parties. In 1875 he built
the sectional dry docks at Pensacola. He,
about this time, drew the attention of the
government to the use of compound marine
engines, and thus was the means of im-
proving the speed and economy of the ves-
sels of our new navy. In 1883 Mr. Roach
commenced work on the three cruisers for
the government, the "Chicago," "Boston"
and "Atlanta," and the dispatch boat
" Dolphin." For some cause the secretary
of the navy refused to receive the latter and
decided that Mr. Roach's contract would
not hold. This embarrassed Mr. Roach,
as a large amount of his capital was in-
volved in these contracts, and for the pro-
tection of bondsmen and creditors, July 18,
1885, he made an assignment, but the
financial trouble broke down his strong con-
stitution, and January 10, 1887, he died.
His son, John B. Roach, succeeded to the
shipbuilding interests, while Stephen W.
Roach inherited the Morgan Iron Works at
New York.
JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, one of
the two great painters who laid the
foundation of true American art, was born
in Boston in 1737, one year earlier than his
great contemporary, Benjamin West. His
education was limited to the common schools
of that time, and his training in art he ob-
tained by his own observation and experi-
ments solely. When he was about seven-
teen years old he had mapped out his future,
however, by choosing painting as his pro-
192
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
fession. If he ever studied under any
teacher in his early efforts, we have no au-
thentic account of it. and tradition credits
the young artist's wonderful success en-
tirely to his own talent and untiring effort.
It is almost incredible that at the age of
twenty-three years his income from his
works aggregated fifteen hundred dollars
per annum, a very great sum in those days.
In 1774 he went to Europe in search of ma-
terial for study, which was so rare in his
native land. After some time spent in Italy
he finally took up his permanent residence
in England. In 1783 he was made a mem-
ber of the Royal Academy, and later his
son had the high honor of becoming lord
chancellor of England and Lord Lyndhurst.
Many specimens of Copley's work are to
be found in the Memorial Hall at Harvard
and in the Boston Museum, as well as a few
of the works upon which he modeled his
style. Copley was essentially a portrait
painter, though his historical paintings at-
tained great celebrity, his masterpiece
being his " Death of Major Pierson, " though
that distinction has by some been given to
his "Death of Chatham." It is said that
he never saw a good picture until he was
thirty-five years old, yet his portraits prior
to that period are regarded as rare speci-
mens. He died in 181 5.
Hi:XKY li. I'LANT, one of the greatest
railroad men of the country, became
famous as president of the Plant system of
railway and steamer lines, and also the
Southern & Te.xas E.xpress Co. He was
born in October, 18 19, at Branford,
Connecticut, and entered the railroad serv-
ice in 1.S44, serving as express messenger
on the Hartford & New Haven Railroad until
1853, during which time he had entire
■charge of the e.xpr«»5» business of that road.
He went south in 1853 and established ex-
press lines on various southern railways, and
in 1 86 1 organized the Southern Express
Co., and became its president. In 1879 he
purchased, with others, the Atlantic & Gulf
Railroad of Georgia, and later reorganized
the Savannah. Florida & Western Railroad,
of which he became president. He pur-
chased and rebuilt, in 1S80, the Savannah
& Charleston Railroad, now Charleston &
Savannah. Not long after this he organ-
ized the Plant Investment Co., to control
these railroads and advance their interests
generally, and later established a steamboat
line on the St. John's river, in Florida.
From 1853 until 1S60 he was general
superintendent of the southern division of
the Adams Express Co., and in 1867 be-
came president of the Texas Express Co.
The "Plant system" of railway, steamer
and steamship lines is one of the greatest
business corporations of the southern states.
WADE HAMPTON, a noted Confeder-
ate officer, was born at Columbia,
South Carolina, in 1818. He graduated
from the South Carolina College, took an
active part in politics, and was twice elected
to the legislature of his state. In 1861 he
joined the Confederate army, and command-
ed the " Hampton Legion" at the first bat-
tle of Bull Run, in July, i86i. He did
meritorious service, was wounded, and pro-
moted to brigadier-general. He command-
ed a brigade at Seven Pines, in 1862, and
was again wounded. He was engaged in
the battle of Antietam in September of the
same year, and participated in the raid into
Pennsylvania in October. In 1863 he was
with Lee at Gettysburg, where he was
wounded for the third time. He was pro-
moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and
commanded a troop of cavalry in Lee's
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
193
army during 1864, and was in numerous en-
gagements. In 1865 he was in South Car-
olina, and commanded the cavalry rear
guard of the Confederate army in its stub-
born retreat before General Sherman on his
advance toward Richmond.
After the war Hampton took an active
part in politics, and was a prominent figure
at the Democratic national convention in
1 868, which nominated Seymour and Blair
for president and vice-president. He was
governor of South Carolina, and took his
seat in the United States senate in 1879,
where he became a conspicuous figure in
national affairs.
NIIvOLA TESLA, one of the most cele-
brated electricians America has known,
was born in 1S57, at Smiljau, Lika, Servia.
He descended from an old and representative
family of that country. His father was a
a minister of the Greek church, of high rank,
while his mother was a woman of remarka-
ble skill in the construction of looms, churns
and the machinery required in a rural home.
Nikola received early education in the
public schools of Gospich, when he was
sent to the higher "Real Schule " at Karl-
stadt, where, after a three years' course,
he graduated in 1873. He devoted him-
self to experiments in electricity and
magnetism, to the chagrin of his father,
who had destined him for the ministry,
but giving way to the boy's evident genius
he was allowed to continue his studies in
the polytechnic school at Gratz. He in-
herited a wonderful intuition which enabled
him to see through the intricacies of ma-
chinery, and despite his instructor's demon-
stration that a dynamo could not be oper-
ated without commutators or brushes,
began experiments which finally resulted in
his rotating field motors. After the study
of languages at Prague and Buda-Pesth, he
became associated with M. Puskas, who
had introduced the telephone into Hungary.
He invented several improvements, but
being unable to reap the necessary benefit
from them, he, in search of a wider field,
went to Paris, where he found employment
with one of the electric lighting companies
as electrical engineer. Soon he set his face
westward, and coming to the United States
for a time found congenial employment wrth
Thomas A. Edison. Finding it impossible,
overshadowed as he was, to carry out his
own ideas he left the Edison works to join
a company formed to place his own inven-
tions on the market. He perfected his
rotary field principle, adapting it to circuits
then in operation. It is said of him that
some of his proved theories will change the
entire electrical science. It would, in an
article of this length, be impossible to ex-
plain all that Tesla accomplished for the
practical side of electrical engineering.
His discoveries formed the basis of the at-
tempt to utilize the water pov.'er of Niagara
Falls. His work ranges far beyond the
vast department of polyphase currents and
high potential lighting and includes many
inventions in arc lighting, transformers,
pyro and thermo-magnetic motors, new
forms of incandescent lamps, unipolar dyna-
mos and many others.
CHARLES B. LEWIS won fame as an
American humorist under the name of
" M. Quad." It is said he owes his
celebrity originally to the fact that he was
once mixed up in a boiler explosion on the
Ohio river, and the impressions he received
from the event he set up from his case when
he was in the composing room of an ob-
scure Michigan paper. His style possesses a
peculiar quaintness, and there runs through
l<Ji
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr.
it a vein of philosophy. Mr. Lewis was
born in 1844, near a town called Liverpool,
Ohio. He was, however, raised in Lansing,
Michigan, where he spent a year in an agri-
cultural college, going from there to the
composing room of the "Lansing Demo-
crat." At the outbreak of the war he en-
listed in the service, remained during the
entire war, and then returned to Lansing.
The e.xplosion of the boiler that "blew him
into fame," took place two years later, while
he was on his way south. When he re-
covered physically, he brought suit for dam-
ages against the steamboat company, which
he gained, and was awarded a verdict of
twelve thousand dollars for injuries re-
ceived. It was while he was employed by
the "Jacksonian" of Pontiac, Mich., that he
set up his account of how he felt while being
blown up. He says that he signed it " M
Quad," because "a bourgeoise em quad is
useless except in its own line — it won't
justify with any other type." Soon after,
because of the celebrity he attained by this
screed, Mr. Lewis secured a place on the
staff of the " Detroit Free Press," and made
for that paper a wide reputation. His
sketches of the "Lime Kiln Club" and
" Brudder Gardner " are perhaps the best
known of his humorous writings.
HIR.\M S. MAXIM, the famous inventor,
was born in Sangersville, Maine,
February 5, 1840, the son of Isaac W.
and Harriet B. Maxim. The town of his
birth was but a small place, in the
woods, on the confines of civilization,
and the family endured many hardships.
They were without means and entirely
dependent on themselves to make out of
raw materials all they needed. The mother
was an expert spinner, weaver, dyer and
seamstress and the father a trapper, tanner,
miller, blacksmith, carpenter, mason and
farmer. Amid such surroundings young
Maxim gave early promise of remarkable
aptitude. With the universal Yankee jack-
knife the products of his skill excited the
wonder and interest of the locality. His
parents did not encourage his latent genius
but apprenticed him to a coach builder.
Four jcars he labored at this uncongenial
trade but at the end of that time he forsook
it and entered a machine shop at Fitchburg,
Massachusetts. Soon mastering the details
of that business and that of mechanical
drawing, he went to Boston as the foreman
of the philosophical instrument manufactory.
From thence he went to New York and with
the Novelty Iron Works Shipbuilding Co.
he gained experience in those trades. His
inventions up to this time consisted of
improvements in steam engines, and an
automatic gas machine, which came into
general use. In 1 877 he turned his attention
to electricity, and in 1S78 produced an
incandescent lamp, that would burn 1,000
hours. He was the first to design a process
for flashing electric carbons, and the first
to "standardize" carbons for electric light-
ing. In I S80 he visited Europe and exhibit-
ing, at the Paris Exposition of 1881, a self-
regulating machine, was decorated with the
Legion of Honor. In 1883 he returned to
London as the European representative of the
United States Electric Light Co. An incident
of his boyhood, in which the recoil of a rille
was noticed by him, and the apparent loss
of power shown, in 1 88 1-2 prompted the
invention of a gun which utilizes the recoil to
automatically load and fire seven hundred
and seventy shots per minute. The Maxim-
Nordenfelt Gun Co., with a capital of nine
million dollars, grew from this. In 1883 he
patented his electric training gear for large
guns. And later turned his attention to fly-
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
195
ing machines, which he claimed were not an
impossibility. He took out over one hundred
patents for smokeless gunpowder, and for pe-
troleum and other motors and autocycles.
JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER,
one of America's very greatest financiers
and philanthropists, was born in Richford,
Tioga county, New York, July 8, 1839. He
received a common-school education in his
native place, and in 1853, when his parents
removed to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the
high school of that city. After a two-years'
course of diligent work, he entered the com-
mission and forwarding house of Hewitt &
Tuttle, of Cleveland, remaining with the
firm some years, and then began business
for himself, forming a partnership with
Morris B. Clark. Mr. Rockefeller was then
but nineteen years of age, and during the
year i860, in connection with others, they
started the oil refining business, under the
firm name of Andrews, Clark & Co. Mr.
Rockefeller and Mr. Andrews purchased the
interest of their associates, and, after taking
William Rockefeller into the firm, established
offices in Cleveland under the name of
William Rockefeller & Co. Shortly after
this the house of Rockefeller & Co. was es-
tablished in New York for the purpose of
finding a market for their products, -and two
years later all the refining companies were
consolidated under the firm name of Rocke-
feller, Andrews & Flagler. This firm was
succeeded in 1870 by the Standard Oil
Company of Ohio, said to be the most
gigantic business corporation of modern
times. John D. Rockefeller's fortune has
been variously estimated at from one hun-
dred million to two hundred million dollars.
Mr. Rockefeller's philanthropy mani-
fested itself principally through the American
Baptist Educational Society. He donated
the building for the Spelman Institute at
Atlanta, Georgia, a school for the instruction
of negroes. His other gifts were to the
University of Rochester, Cook Academy,
Peddie Institute, and Vassar College, be-
sides smaller gifts to many institutions
throughout the country. His princely do-
nations, however, were to the University of
Chicago. His first gift to this institution
was a conditional offer of six hundred thou-
sand dollars in 1889, and when this amount
was paid he added one million more. Dur-
ing 1892 he made it two gifts of one million
each, and all told, his donations to this one
institution aggregated between seven and
eight millions of dollars.
JOHN M. PALMER.— For over a third
kJ of a century this gentleman occupied a
prominent place in the political world, both
in the state of Illinois and on the broader
platform of national issues.
Mr. Palmer was born at Eagle Creek,
Scott county, Kentucky, September 13,
18 17. The family subsequently removed
to Christian county, in the same state, where
he acquired a common-school education, and
made his home until 1831. His father was
opposed to slavery, and in the latter year
removed to Illinois and settled near Alton.
In 1834 John entered Alton College, or-
ganized on the manual-labor plan, but his
funds failing, abandoned it and entered a
cooper shop. He subsequently was en-
gaged in peddling, and teaching a district
school near Canton. In 1838 he began the
study of law, and the following year re-
moved to Carlinville, where, in December of
that year, he was admitted to the bar. He
was shortly after defeated for county clerk.
In 1843 he was elected probate judge. In
the constitutional convention of 1847, Mr.
Palmer was a delegate, and from 1849 to
IOC
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
185 1 he was county judge. In 1852 he be-
came a member of the state senate, but not
being with his party on the slavery question
he resigned that office in 1854. In 1856
Mr. Palmer was chairman of the first Re-
publican state convention held in Illinois,
and the same year was a delegate to the
national convention. In i860 he was an
elector on the Lincoln ticket, and on the
breaking out of the war entered the service
as colonel of the Fourteenth Illinois Infan-
try, but was shortly after brevetted brigadier-
general. In August, 1862, he organized
the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illi-
nois Infantry, but in September he was
placed in command of the first division of
the Army of the Mississippi, afterward was
promoted to the rank of major-general. In
1865 he was assigned to the military ad-
ministration in Kentucky. In 1S67 General
Palmer was elected governor of Illinois and
served four years. In 1872 he went with
the Liberal Republicans, who supported
Horace Greeley, after which time he was
identified with the Democratic party. In
1890 he was elected United States senator
from Illinois, and served as such for six
years. In 1896, on the adoption of the sil-
ver plank in the platform of the Democratic
party, General Palmer consented to lead,
as presidential candidate, the National Dem-
o( vats, or Gold Democracy.
WILLIAM H. BEARD, the humorist
among American painters, was born
at Painesville, Ohio, in 1821. His father,
James H. Beard, was also a painter of na-
tional reputation. William H. Beard be-
gan his career as a traveling portrait
painter. He pursued his studies in New
York, and later removed to Buffalo, where
he achieved reputation. He then went to
Italy and after a short stay returned to New
York and opened a studio. One of his
earliest paintings was a small picture called
"Cat and Kittens, " which was placed in
the National Academy one.xhibition. Among
his best productions are "Raining Cats and
Dogs," "The Dance of Silenus," "Bears
on a Bender," "Bulls and Bears," " Whoo!"
" Grimalkin's Dream," " Little Red Riding
Hood," "The Guardian of the Flag." His
animal pictures convey the most ludicrous
and satirical ideas, and the intelligent,
human expression in their faces is most
comical. Some artists and critics have re-
fused to give Mr. Beard a place among the
first circles in art, solely on account of the
class of subjects he has chosen.
WW. CORCORAN, the noted philan-
throphist, was born at Georgetown,
District of Columbia, December 27, 1798.
At the age of twenty-five he entered the
banking business in Washington, and in
time became very wealthy. He was
noted for his magnificent donations to char-
ity. Oak Hill cemetery was donated to
Georgetown in 1847, and ten years later the
Corcoran Art Gallery, Temple of Art, was
presented to the city of Washington. The
uncompleted building was utilized by the
government as quartermaster's headquar-
ters during the war. The building was
completed after the war at a cost of a mil-
lion and a half dollars, all the gift of Mr.
Corcoran. The Louise Home for Women
is another noble charity to his credit. Its
object is the care of women of gentle breed-
ing who in declining years arc without
means of support. In addition to this he
gave liberally to many worthy institutions
of learning and charity. He died at Wash-
ington February 24, 1888.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
197
ALBERT BIERSTADT, the noted paint-
er of American landscape, was born in
Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1829, and was
brought to America by his parents at the
age of two years. He received his early
education here, but returned to Dusseldorf
to study painting, and also went to Rome.
On his return to America he accompanied
Lander's e.xpedition across the continent, in
1858, and soon after produced his most
popular work, "The Rocky Mountains —
Lander's Peak. " Its boldness and grandeur
-were so unusual that it made him famous.
The picture sold for twenty-five thousand
dollars. In 1867 Mr. Bierstadt went to
Europe, with a government commission,
and gathered materials for his great historic-
al work; "Discovery of the North River
by Hendrik Hudson." Others of his great
works were "Storm in the Rocky Mount-
ains," " Valley of the Yosemite," "North
Fork of the Platte," "Diamond Pool,"
"Mount Hood," "Mount Rosalie," and
"The Sierra Nevada Mountains." His
"Estes Park" sold for fifteen thousand
dollars, and "Mount Rosalie" brought
thirty-five thousand dollars. His smaller
Rocky mountain scenes, however, are vast-
ly superior to his larger works in execution
and coloring.
ADDISON CAMMACK, a famous mill-
ionaire Wall street speculator, was
born in Kentucky. When sixteen years old
he ran away from home and went to New
Orleans, where he went to work in a ship-
ping house. He outlived and outworked
all the partners, and became the head of the
firm before the opening of the war. At
that time he fitted out small vessels and en-
gaged in running the blockade of southern
ports and carrying ammunition, merchan-
dise, etc., to the southern people. This
made him a fortune. At the close of the
war he quit business and went to New
York. For two years he did not enter any
active business, but seemed to be simply an
on-looker in the great speculative center of
America. He was observing keenly the
methods and financial machinery, however,
and when, in 1867, he formed a partnership
with the popular Charles J. Osborne, the
firm began to prosper. He never had an
office on the street, but wandered into the
various brokers' offices and placed his orders
as he saw fit. In 1873 he dissolved his
partnership with Osborne and operated
alone. He joined a band of speculative
conspirators known as the "Twenty-third
party," and was the ruling spirit in that or-
ganization for the control of the stock mar-
ket. He was always on the ' ' bear " side and
the only serious obstacle he ever encoun-
tered was the persistent boom in industrial
stocks, particularly sugar, engineered by
James R. Keane. Mr. Cammack fought
Keane for two years, and during the time is
said to have lost no less than two million
dollars before he abandoned the fight.
WALT. WHITMAN.— Foremost among
the lesserpoets of the latter part of the
nineteenth century, the gentleman whose
name adorns the head of this article takes
a conspicuous place.
Whitman was born at West Hills, Long
Island, New York, May 13, 1809. In the
schools of Brooklyn he laid the foundation
of his education, and early in life learned the
printer's trade. For a time he taught coun-
try schools in his native state. In 1846-7
he was editor of the "Brooklyn Eagle,"
but in 1848-9 was on the editorial staff of
the "Crescent," of New Orleans. He
made an extended tour throughout the
United States and Canada, and returned to
108
COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT.
Brooklyn, where, in 1850, he published the
"Freeman. " For some years succeeding
this he was engaged as carpenter and builder.
During the Civil war. Whitman acted as
a volunteer nurse in the hospitals at
Washington and vicinity and from the close
of hostilities until 1873 he was employed
in various clerkships in the government
offices in the nation's capital. In the latter
year he was stricken with paralysis as a
result of his labors in the hospital, it is
said, and being partially disabled lived for
many years at Camden, New Jersey.
The first edition of the work which was
to bring him fame, "Leaves of Grass," was
published in 1855 and was but a small
volume of about ninety-four pages. Seven
or eight editions of "Leaves of Grass" have
been issued, each enlarged and enriched with
new poems. "Drum Taps," at first a
separate publication, has been incorporated
with the others. This volume and one
prose writing entitled " Specimen Days and
Collect," constituted his whole work.
Walt. Whitman died at Camden, New
Jersey, March 26, 1892.
HI:NRY DUPONT, who became cele-
brated as America's greatest manufact-
urer of gunpowder, was a native of Dela-
ware, born August 8, 1S12. He received
his education in its higher branches at the
United States Military Academy at West
Point, from which he graduated and entered
the army as second lieutenant of artillery in
1833. In 1S34 he resigned and became
proprietor of the extensive gunpowder
manufacturing plant that bears his name,
near Wilmington, Delaware. His large
business interests interfered with his tak-
ing any active participation in political
life, although for many years he served
as adjutant-general of his native state, and
during the war as major-general command-
ing the Home Guards. He died August 8,
18S9. His son, Henry A. Dupont, also was
a native of Delaware, and was born July 30,
1838. After graduating from West Point
in 1 86 1, he entered the army as second
lieutenant of engineers. Shortly after he
was transferred to the Fifth Artillery as first
lieutenant. He was promoted to the rank
of captain in 1S64, serving in camp and
garrison most of the time. He was in com-
mand of a batter)' in the campaign of
1863-4. As chief of artillery of the army of
West Virginia, he figured until the close of
the war, being in the battles of Opequan,
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, besides
many minor engagements. He afterward
acted as instructor in the artillery school at
Fortress Monroe, and on special duty at
West Point. He resigned from the army
March i, 1875.
WILLIAM DEERING, one of the fa-
mous manufacturers of America, and
also a philanthropist and patron of educa-
tion, was born in Maine in 1826. His an-
cestors were English, having settled in New
England in 1634. Early in life it was Will-
iam's intention to become a physician, and
after completing his common-school educa-
tion, when about eighteen years of age, he
began an apprenticeship with a physician.
A short time later, however, at the request
of his father, he took charge of his father's
business interests, which included a woolen
mill, retail store and grist mill, after which
he became agent for a dry goods commission
house in Portland, where he was married.
Later he became partner in the firm, and
removed to New York. The business pros-
pered, and after a number of years, on ac-
count of fiiiling health, Mr. Deering sold his
interest to his partner, a Mr. Milner. The
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
199
business has since made Mr. Milner a mill-
ionaire many times over. A few years
later Mr. Bearing located in Chicago. His
beginning in the manufacture of reapers,
which has since made his name famous,
was somewhat of an accident. He had
loaned money to a man in that business,
and in 1878 was compelled to buy out the
business to protect his interests. The busi-
ness developed rapidly and grew to immense
proportions. The factories now cover sixty-
two acres of ground and employ many thou-
sands of men.
T OHN McAllister schofield, an
<J American general, was born in Chautau-
qua county. New York, September 29, 1831.
He graduated at West Point in 1853, and
was for five years assistant professor of nat-
ural philosophy in that institution. In 1861
he entered the volunteer service as major of
the First Missouri Volunteers, and was ap-
pointed chief of staff by GeneralLyon, under
whom he fought at the battle of Wilson's
Creek. In November, 1861, he was ap-
pointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and
was placed in command of the Missouri
militia until November, 1862, and of the
army of the frontier from that time until
1863. In 1862 he was made major-general
of volunteers, and was placed in command of
the Department of the Missouri, and in 1864
of the Department of the Ohio. During the
campaign through Georgia General Scho-
field was in command of the Twenty-third
Army Corps, and was engaged in most of the
fighting of that famous campaign. Novem-
ber 30, 1864, he defeated Hood's army at
Franklin, Tennessee, and then joined Gen-
eral Thomas at Nashville. He took part in
the battle of Nashville, where Hood's army
was destroyed. In January, 1865, he led
his corps into North Carolina, captured
Wilmington, fought the battle of Kingston,
and joined General Sherman at Goldsboro
March 22, 1865. He executed the details
of the capitulation of General Johnston to
Sherman, which practically closed the war.
In June, 1868, General Schofield suc-
ceeded Edwin M. Stanton as secretary of
war, but was the next year appointed major-
general of the United States army, and order-
ed to the Department of the Missouri. From
1870 to 1876 he was in command of the De-
partment of the Pacific; from 1876 to 1881
superintendent of the West Point Military
Academy; in 1S83 he was in charge of the
Department of the Missouri, and in 1886 of
the division of the Atlantic. In 1888 he
became general-in-chief of the United States
army, and in February, 1895, was appoint-
ed lieutenant-general by President Cleve-
land, that rank having been revived by con-
gress. In September, 1895, he was retired
from active service.
LEWIS WALLACE, an American gen-
eral and famous author, was born in
Brookville, Indiana, April 10, 1827. He
served in the Mexican war as first lieutenant
of a company of Indiana Volunteers. After
his return from Mexico he was admitted to
the bar, and practiced law in Covington and
Crawfordsville, Indiana, until 1861. At the
opening of the war he was appointed ad-
jutant-general of Indiana, and soon after be-
came colonel of the Eleventh Indiana Vol-
unteers. He defeated a force of Confeder-
ates at Romney, West Virginia, and was
made brigadier-general in September, 1861.
At the capture of Fort Donelson in 1862 he
commanded a division, and was engaged in
the second day's fight at Shiloh. In 1863
his defenses about Cincinnati saved that city
from capture by Kirby Smith. At Monoc-
acy in July, 1864, he was defeated, but
200
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr.
his resistance delayed the advance of Gen-
eral Early and thus saved Washington from
capture.
General Wallace was a member of the
court that tried the assassins of President
Lincoln, and also of that before whom Cap-
tain Henry Wirtz, who had charge of the
Andersonville prison, was tried. In iS8i
General Wallace was sent as minister to
Turkey. When not in official service he
devoted much of his time to literature.
Among his better known works are his
"Fair God." "Ben Hur," "Prince of
India," and a " Life of Benjamin Harrison."
THOMAS FRANCIS BAYARD, an Ameri-
can statesman and diplomat, was born
at Wilmington, Delaware, October 29, 1828.
He obtained his education at an Episcopal
academy at Flushing, Long Island, and
after a short service in a mercantile house in
New York, he returned to Wilmington and
entered his father's law office to prepare
himself for the practice of that profession.
He was admitted to the bar in 185 1. He
was appointed to the office of United States
district attorney for the state of Delaware,
serving one year. In 1 869 he was elected to
the United States senate, and continuously
represented his state in that body until 1S85,
and in 1881, when Chester .V. Arthur entered
the presidential chair, Mr. Bayard was
chosen president pro tempore of the senate.
He had also served on the famous electoral
commission that decided the Hayes-Tilden
contest in 1876-7. In 1S85 President Cleve-
land appointed Mr. Bayard secretary of
state. At the beginning of Cleveland's sec-
ond term, in 1893, Mr. Bayard was selected
for the post of ambassador at the court of
St. James, London, and was the first lo hold
that rank in American diplomacy, serving
until the beginning of the McKinley admin-
istration. The questions for adjustment at
that time between the two governments
were the Behring Sea controversy and the
Venezuelan boundary question. He was
very popular in England because of his
tariff views, and because of his criticism of
the protective policy of the United States
in his public speeches delivered in London,
Edinburgh and other places, he received, in
March, 1896, a vote of censure in the lower
house of congress.
JOHN WORK GARRETT, for so many
years at the head of the great Baltimore
& Ohio railroad system, was born in Balti-
more, Maryland, July 31, 1820. His father,
Robert Garrett, an enterprising merchant,
had amassed a large fortune from a small
beginning. The son entered Lafayette Col-
lege in 1834, but left the following year and
entered his father's counting room, and in
1839 became a partner. John W. Gar-
rett took a great interest in the develop-
ment of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He
was elected one of the directors in 1857,
and was its president from 18 58 until his
death. When he took charge of the road
it was in an embarrassed condition, but
within a year, for the first time in its exist-
ence, it paid a dividend, the increase in its
net gains being $725,385. After the war,
during which the road suffered much damage
from the Confederates, numerous branches
and connecting roads were built or acquired,
until it reached colossal proportions. Mr.
Garrett was also active in securing a regular
line of steamers between Baltimore and
Bremen, and between the same port and
Liverpool. He was one of the most active
trustees of Johns Hopkins University, and a
liberal contributor to the Young Men's
Christian Association of Baltimore. He
died September 26, 1884.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
201
Robert Garrett, the son of John W.
Garrett, was born in Baltimore April 9,
1847, and graduated from Princeton in 1867.
He received a business education in the
banking house of his father, and in 1871
became president of the Valley Railroad of
Virginia. He was made third vice-presi-
dent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in
1879, and first vice-president in 1881. He
succeeded his father as president in 1884.
Robert Garrett died July 29, 1896.
r^
'ARLSCHURZ, a noted German-Ameri-
V_> can statesman, was born in Liblar, Prus-
sia, March 2, 1829. He studied at the Uni-
versity of Bonn, and in 1849 was engaged in
an attempt to excite an insurrection at that
place. After the surrender of Rastadt by
the revolutionists, in the defense of which
Schurz took part, he decided to emigrate to
America. He resided in Philadelphia three
jears, and then settled in Watertown, Wis-
consin, and in 1859 removed to Milwaukee,
where ke practiced law. On the organiza-
tion of the Republican party he became a
loader of the German element and entered
the campaign for Lincoln in i860. He was
appointed minister to Spain in 1861, but re-
signed in December of that year to enter
the army. He was appointed brigadier-
general in 1862, and participated in the
second battle of Bull Run, and also at
Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg he had
temporary command of the Eleventh Army
Corps, and also took part in the battle of
Chattanooga.
After the war he located at St. Louis,
and in 1869 was elected United States sena-
tor from Missouri. He supported Horace
Greeley for the presidency in 1872, and in
the campaign of 1876, having removed to
New York, he supported Hayes and the Re-
publican ticket, and was appointed secre-
tary of the interior in 1877. In 1881 he
became editor of the "New York Evening
Post," and in 18S4 was prominent in his
opposition to James G. Blaine, and became
a leader of the "Mugwumps," thus assist-
ing in the election of Cleveland. In the
presidential campaign of 1896 his forcible
speeches in the interest of sound money
wielded an immense influence. Mr. Schurz
wrote a "Life of Henry Clay," said to be
the best biography ever published of that
eminent statesman.
GEORGE F. EDMUNDS, an American
statesman of national reputation, was
born in Richmond, Vermont, February i,
1828. His education was obtained in the
public schools and from the instructions of
a private tutor. He was admitted to the
bar, practiced law, and served in the state
legislature from 1854 to 1859, during three
years of that time being speaker of the lower
house. He was elected to the state senate
and acted as president pro tempore of that
body in 1861 and 1862. He became promi-
nent for his activity in the impeachment
proceedings against President Johnson, and
was appointed to the United States senate
to fill out the unexpired term of Solomon
Foot, entering that body in 1866. He was
re-elected to the senate four times, and
served on the electoral commission in 1877.
He became president pro tempore of the
senate after the death of President Garfield,
and was the author of the bill which put an
end to the practice of polygamy in the ter-
ritory of Utah. In November, 1891, owing
to impaired health, he retired from the sen-
ate and again resumed the practice of law.
LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR, a prominent
political leader, statesman and jurist,
was born in Putnam county, Georgia, Sep-
202
COMPENDIUM OF JJIOGRAPI/l'.
temberij, 1S25. He graduated from Emory
College in 1845, studied law at Macon under
Hon. A. H. Chappell, and was admitted to
the bar in 1847. He moved to Oxford,
Mississippi, in 1849. and was elected to a
professorship in the State University. He
resigned the next year and returned to Cov-
ington, Georgia, and resumed the practice
of law. In 1853 he was elected to the
Georgia Legislature, and in 1854 he removed
to his plantation in Lafayette county, Mis-
sissippi, and was elected to represent his
district in the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth
congresses. He resigned in i860, and was
sent as a delegate to the secession conven-
tion of the state. He entered the Confed-
erate service in 1861 as lieutenant-colonel
of the Nineteenth Regiment, and was soon
after made colonel. In 1863 President
Davis appointed him to an important diplo-
matic mission to Russia. In 1866 he was
elected professor of political economy and
social science in the State University, and
was soon afterward transferred to the pro-
fessorship of the law department. He rep-
resented his district in the forty-third and
forty-fourth congresses, and was elected
United States senator from Mississippi in
1877, and re-elected in 1882. In 1885, be-
fore the expiration of his term, he was
appointed by President Cleveland as secre-
tary of the interior, which position he held
until his appointment as associate justice of
the United States supreme court, in 1888,
in which capacity he served until his death,
January 23, 1894.
BF.NJAMIN PENHALLOW SHILLA-
liiCR won fame in the world of
humorists under the name of "Mrs. Parting-
ton." He was born in 1841 at Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, and started out in life as a
printer. Mr. Shillaber went to Dover,
where he secured employment in a printing
office, and from there he went to Demerara,
Guiana, where he was employed as a com-
positor in 1835-37. In 1840 he became
connected with the "Boston Post," and
acquired quite a reputation as a humorist
by his "Sayings of Mrs. Partington." He
remained as editor of the paper until 1850,
when he printed and edited a paper of his
own called the "Pathfinder," which he con-
tinued until 1852. Mr. Shillaber be-
came editor and proprietor of the "Carpet
Bag," which he conducted during 1850-52,
and then returned to the "Boston Post,"
with which he was connected until 1856.
During the same time he was one of the
editors of the "Saturday Evening Gazette,"
and continued in this line after he severed
his connection with the "Post," for ten
years. After 1866 Mr. Shillaber wrote for
various newspapers and periodicals, and
during his life published the following
books: "Rhymes with Reason and Without,"
"Poems," "Life and Sayings of Mrs. Part-
ington," "Knitting Work," and others.
His death occurred at Chelsea, Massachu-
setts, November 25, 1890.
EASTMAN JOHNSON stands first among
painters of American country life. He
was born in Lovell, Maine, in 1824, and be-
gan his work in drawing at the age of eight-
een years. His first works were portraits,
and, as he took up his residence in Wash-
ington, the most famous men of the nation
were his subjects. In 1846 he went to Bos-
ton, and there made crayon portraits of
Longfellow, Etnerson, Sumner, Hawthorne
and other noted men. In 1849 he went to
Europe. He studied at Dusseldorf, Ger-
many; spent a year at the Royal Academy,
and thence to The Hague, where he spent
four years, producing there his first pictures
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
203
of consequence, "The Card-Players " and
"The Savoyard." He then went to Paris,
but was called home, after an absence from
America of six years. He lived some time
in Washington, and then spent two years
among the Indians of Lake Superior. In
1858 he produced his famous picture, "The
Old Kentucky Home." He took up his
permanent residence at New York at that
time. His " Sunday Morning in Virginia "
is a work of equal merit. He was espe-
cially successful in coloring, a master of
drawing, and the expression conveys with
precision the thought of the artist. His
portrayal of family life and child life is un-
equalled. Among his other great works are
"The Confab," "Crossing a Stream,'
"Chimney Sweep," "Old Stage Coach,"
" The New Bonnet," " The Drummer Boy,"
" Childhood of Lincoln," and a great vari-
ety of equally familiar subjects.
PIERCE GUST AVE TOUTANT BEAU-
REGARD, one of the most distin-
guished generals in the Confederate arm}',
was born near New Orleans, Louisiana,
May 28, 1 81 8. He graduated from West
Point Military Academy in 1838, and v/as
made second lieutenant of engineers. He
was with General Scott in Mexico, and dis-
tinguished himself at Vera Cruz, Cerro
Gordo, and the battles near the City of
Mexico, for which he was twice brevetted.
After the Mexican war closed he was placed
in charge of defenses about New Orleans,
and in i860 was appointed superintendent
of the United States Military Academy at
West Point. He held this position but a
few months, when he resigned February 20,
1 86 1, and accepted a commission of briga-
dier-general in the Confederate army. He
directed the attack on Fort Sumter, the
first engagement of the Civil war. He was
12
in command of the Confederates at the first
battle of Bull Run, and for this victory was
made general. In 1862 he was placed in
command of the Army of the Mississippi,
and planned the attack upon General Grant
at Shiloh, and upon the death of General
Johnston he took command of the army
and was only defeated by the timely arrival
of General Buell with reinforcements. He
commanded at Charleston and successfully
defended that city against the combined at-
tack by land and sea in 1863. In 1864 he
was in command in Virginia, defeating Gen-
eral Butler, and resisting Grant's attack
upon Petersburg until reinforced from Rich-
mond. During the long siege which fol-
lowed he was sent to check General Sher-
man's march to the sea, and was with Gen-
eral Joseph E. Johnston when that general
surrendered in 1865. After the close of the
war he was largely interested in railroad
management. In 1866 he was offered chief
command of the Army of Roumania, and in
1869, that of the Army of Egypt. He de-
clined these offers. His death occurred
February 20, 1893.
HENRY GEORGE, one of America's
most celebrated political economists,
was born in Philadelphia, Penns}lvania,
September2, 1839. He received acommon-
school education and entered the high
school in 1853, and then went into a mer-
cantile office. He made several voyages on
the sea, and settled in California in 1858.
He then worked at the printer's trade for a
number of years, which he left to follow the
editorial profession. He edited in succession
several daily newspapers, and attracted at-
tention by a number of strong essays and
speeches on political and social questions.
In 1 87 1 he edited a pamphlet, entitled ' ' Our
Land and Policy," in which he outlined a
204
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
theory, which has since made him so widely
known. This was developed in " Progress
and Poverty," a book which soon attained a
large circulation on both sides of the Atlan-
tic, which has been extensively translated.
In iS8o Mr. George located in New York,
where he made his home, though he fre-
quently addressed audiences in Great Britain,
Ireland, Australia, and throughout the
United States. In 1886 he was nominated
by the labor organizations for mayor of New
York, and made a campaign notable for its
development of unexpected power. In 1887 he
was candidate of the Union Labor party for
secretary of state of New York. These cam-
paigns served to formulate the idea of a single
tax and popularize the Australian ballot sys-
tem. Mr. George became a free trader in
1888. and in 1892 supported the election of
Grover Cleveland. His political and eco-
nomic ideas, known as the "single tax,"
have a large and growing support, but are
not confined to this country alone. He
wrote numerous miscellaneous articles in
support of his principles, and also published:
"The Land Question," "Social Problems,"
"Protection or Free Trade," "The Condi-
tion of Labor, an Open Letter to Pope Leo
XIII. ," and " Perple.xed Philosopher."
THO.M.VS ALEXANDER SCOTT.— This
name is indissolubly connected with
the history and development of the railway
systems of the United States. Mr. Scott
was born December 28, 1823, at London,
Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was first
regularly employed by Major James Patton,
the collector of tolls on the state road be-
tween Philadelphia and Columbia, Penn-
sylvania. He entered into the employ of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1850,
and went through all the different branches
of work until he had mastered all the details
of the office work, and in 1858 he was ap-
pointed general superintendent. Mr. Scott
was the next year chosen vice-president of
the road. This position at once brought
him before the public, and the enterprise
and ability displayed by him in its manage-
ment marked him as a leader among the
railroad men of the country. At the out-
break of the rebellion in 1861, Mr. Scott
was selected bj' Governor Ciirtin as a mem-
ber of his staff, and placed in charge of the
equipment and forwarding of the state troops
to the seat of war. On April 27, 1861, the
secretary of war desired to establish a new
line of road between the national capital
and Philadelphia, for the more expeditious
transportation of troops. He called upon
Mr. Scott to direct this work, and the road
by the way of Annapolis and Perryville was
completed in a marvelously short space of
time. On May 3, 1861, he was commis-
sioned colonel of volunteers, and on the 23d
of the same month the government railroads
and telegraph lines were placed in his charge.
Mr. Scott was the first assistant secretary
of war ever appointed, and he took charge
of this new post August i, 1S61. In Janu-
ary, 1862, he was directed to organize
transportation in the northwest, rind in
March he performed the same service on
the western rivers. He resigned June i,
1862, and resumed his direction of affairs on
the Pennsylvania Railroad. Colonel Scott
directed the policy that secured to his road
the control of the western roads, and be-
came the president of the new company to
operate these lines in 1871. For one year,
from March, 1871, he was president of the
Union Pacific Railroad, and in 1S74 he suc-
ceeded to the presidency of the Pennsyl-
vania Company. He projected the Texas
Pacific Railroad and was for many years its
president. Colonel Scott's health failed
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
205
him and he resigned the presidency of the
road June i, 1880, and died at his home in
Darby, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1881.
ROBERT TOOMBS, an American states-
man of note, was born in Wilkes coun-
ty, Georgia, July 2, 18 10. He attended
the University of Georgia, and graduated
from Union College, Schenectady, New
York, and then took a law course at the
University of Virginia. In 1830, before he
had attained his majority, he was admitted
to the bar by special act of the legislature,
and rose rapidly in his profession, attracting
the attention of the leading statesmen and
judges of that time. He raised a volunteer
company for the Creek war, and served as
captain to the close. He was elected to the
state legislature in 1837, re-elected in 1842,
and in 1844 was elected to congress. He
had been brought up as a Jeffersonian
Democrat, but voted for Harrison in 1840
and for Clay in 1844. He made his first
speech in congress on the Oregon question,
and immediately took rank with the greatest
debaters of that body. In 1853 he was
elected to the United States senate, and
again in 1859, but when his native state
seceded he resigned his seat in the senate
and was elected to the Confederate con-
gress. It is stated on the best authority
that had it not been for a misunderstanding
which could not be explained till too late he
would have been elected president of the
Confederacy. He was appointed secretary
of state by President Davis, but resigned
after a few months and was commissioned
brigadier-general in the Confederate army.
He won distinction at the second battle of
Bull Run and at Sharpsburg, but resigned
his commission soon after and returned to
Georgia. He organized the militia of
Georgia to resist Sherman, and was made
brigadier-general of the state troops. He
left the country at the close of the war and
did not return until 1867. He died Decem-
ber 15, 1885.
AUSTIN CORBIN, one of the greatest
railway magnates of the United States,
was born July 11, 1827, at Newport, New
Hampshire. He studied law with Chief
Justice Gushing and Governor Ralph Met-
calf, and later took a course in the Harvard
Law School, where he graduated in 1849.
He was admitted to the bar, and practiced
law, with Governor Metcalf as his partner,
until October 12, 1851. Mr. Corbin then
removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he re-
mained until 1865. In 1854 he was a part-
ner in the banking firm of Macklot & Cor-
bin, and later he organized the First Na-
tional bank of Davenport, Iowa, which
commenced business June 29, 1863, and
which was the first national bank open for
business in the United States. Mr. Corbin
sold out his business in the Davenport bank,
and removed to New York in 1865 and com-
menced business with partners under the
style pf Corbin Banking Company. Soon
after his removal to New York he became
interested in railroads, and became one of
the leading railroad men of the country.
The development of the west half of Coney
Island as a summer resort first brought him
into general prominence. He built a rail-
road from New York to the island, and
built great hotels on its ocean front. He
next turned his attention to Long Island,
and secured all the railroads and consoli-
dated them under one management, became
president of the system, and under his con-
trol Long Island became the great ocean
suburb of New York. His latest public
achievement was the rehabilitation of the
Reading Railroad, of Pennsylvania, and
200
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
during the same time he and his friends
purchased the controlling interest of the
New Jersey Central Railroad. He took it
out of the hands of the receiver, and in
three years had it on a dividend-paying
basts. Mr. Corbin's death occurred June
4. '896.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Sr.,
was one of the greatest journalists of
America in his day. He was born Septem-
ber I, 1795, at New Mill, near Keith, Scot-
land. At the age of fourteen he was sent
to Aberdeen to study for the priesthood,
but, convinced that he was mistaken in his
vocation, he determined to emigrate. He
landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 18 19,
where he attempted to earn a living by
teaching bookkeeping. Failing in this he
went to Boston and found employment as a
proof reader. Mr. Bennett went to New
York about 1S22 and wrote for the news-
papers. Later on he became assistant
editor in the office of the "Charleston
Courier, "but returned to New York in 1824
and endeavored to start a commercial
school, but was unsuccessful in this, and
again returned to newspaper work. He
continued in newspaper work with varying
success until, at his suggestion, the "En-
quirer" was consolidated with another
paper, and became the "Courier and En-
quirer," with James Watson Webb as
editor and Mr. Bennett for assistant. At
this time this was the leading American
newspaper. He, however, severed his con-
nection with this newspaper and tried,
without success, other ventures in the line
of journalism until May 6, 1S35, when he
issued the iir.^t number of the "New York
Herald." Mr. BLMuictt wrote the entire
paper, and made up for lack of news by his
own imagination. The paper became popu-
lar, and in 1838 he engaged European jour-
nalists as regular correspondents. In 1841
the income derived from his paper was at
least one hundred thousand dollars. Dur-
ing the Civil war the " Herald " had on its
staff sixty-three war correspondents and the
circulation was doubled. Mr. Bennett was
interested with John W. Mackay in that great
enterprise which is now known as the Mac-
kay-Bennett Cable. He had collected for use
in his paper over fifty thousand biographies,
sketches and all manner of information re-
garding every well-known man, which are
still kept in the archives of the "Herald"
office. He died in the city of New York in
1872, and left to his son, James Gordon,
Jr. , one of the greatest and most profitable
journals in the United States, or even in the
world.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, a
noted American, won distinction in the
field of literature, in which he attained a
world-wide reputation. He was born at
Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 29, 1809.
He received a collegiate education and grad-
uated from Harvard in 1829, at the age of
twenty, and took up the study of law and
later studied medicine. Dr. Holmes at-
tended several years in the hospitals of
Europe and received his degree in 1836.
He became professor of anatomy and phys-
iology in Dartmouth in 1838, and re-
mained there until 1847, when he was
called to the Massachusetts Medical School
at Boston to occupy the same chair, which
position he resigned in 1882. The first
collected edition of his poems appeared in
1836, and his "Phi Beta Kappa Poems,"
"Poetry," in 1836; "Terpsichore," in 1843;
"Urania," in 1S46, and "Astrjea," won for
him many fresh laurels. His series of
papers in the ".\tlantic Monthly," were:
COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAPHT.
207
"Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," "Pro-
fessor at the Breakfast Table," "Poet at
the Breakfast Table," and are a series of
masterly wit, humor and pathos. Among
his medical papers and addresses, are : ' 'Cur-
rents and Counter-currents in the Medical
Science," and "Borderland in Some Prov-
inces of Medical Science." Mr. Holmes
edited quite a number of works, of which
we quote the following: "Else Venner,"
"Songs in Many Keys," "Soundings from
the Atlantic," "Humorous Poems," "The
Guardian Angel," "Mechanism in Thoughts
and Morals," "Songs of Many Seasons,"
"John L. Motley" — a memoir, "The Iron
Gate and Other Poems," "Ralph Waldo
Emerson," "A Moral Antipathy." Dr.
Holmes visited England for the second time,
and while there the degree of LL. D.
was conferred upon him by the University
of Edinburgh. His death occurred October
7- 1S94.
RUFUS CHOATE, one of the most em-
inent of America's great lawyers, was
born October i, 1799, at Essex, Massachu-
setts. He entered Dartmouth in 18 15,
and after taking his degree he remained as
a teacher in the college for one year. He
took up the study of law in Cambridge, and
subsequently studied under the distinguished
lawyer, Mr. Wirt, who was then United
States attorney-general at Washington. Mr.
Choatebegan the practice of law in Danvers,
Massachusetts, and from there he went to
Salem, and afterwards to Boston, Massa-
chusetts. While living at Salem he was
elected to congress in 1832, and later, in
1 84 1, he was chosen United States senator
to succeed Daniel Webster, Mr. Webster
having been appointed secretary of state
under William Henry Harrison.
After the death of Webster, Mr. Choate
was the acknowledged leader of the Massa-
chusetts bar, and was looked upon by the
younger members of the profession with an
affection that almost amounted to a rever-
ence. Mr. Choate's powers as an orator
were of the rarest order, and his genius
made it possible for him to enchant and in-
terest his listeners, even while discussing the
most ordinary theme. He was not merely
eloquent on the subjects that were calculated
to touch the feelings and stir the passions
of his audience in themselves, but could at
all times command their attention. He re-
tired from active life in 1858, and was on
his way to Europe, his physician having
ordered a sea voyage for his health, but had
only reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, when
he died, July 13, 1858.
D WIGHT L. MOODY, one of the most
noted and effective pulpit orators and
evangelists America has produced, was born
in Northfield, Franklin county, Massachu-
setts, February 5, 1837. He received but
a meager education and worked on a farm
until seventeen years of age, when he be-
came clerk in a boot and shoe store in
Boston. Soon after this he joined the Con-
gregational church and went to Chicago,
where he zealously engaged in missionary
work among the poor classes. He met
with great success, and in less than a year
he built up a Sunday-school which numbered
over one thousand children. When the
war broke out he became connected with
what was known as the "Christian Com-
mission," and later became city missionary
of the Young Men's Christian Association at
Chicago. A church was built there for his
converts and he became its unordained pas-
tor. In the Chicago fire of 1871 the church
and Mr. Moody's house and furniture, which
had been given him, were destroyed. The
208
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
church edifice was afterward replaced by a
new church erected on the site of the old
one. In 1873, accompanied by Ira D.
Sankey. Mr. Moody went to Europe and
excited great religious awakenings through-
out England, Ireland and Scotland. In
1875 they returned to America and held
large meetings in various cities. They
afterward made another visit to Great
Britain for the same purpose, meeting with
great success, returning to the United States
in 1S84. Mr. Moody afterward continued
his evangelistic work, meeting everywhere
with a warm reception and success. Mr.
Moody produced a number of works, some
of which had a wide circulation.
JOHN PIERPONT MORGAN, a financier
of world-wide reputation, and famous
as the head of one of the largest banking
houses in the world, was born April 17,
1837, at Hartford, Connecticut. He re-
ceived his early education in the English
high school, in Boston, and later supple-
mented this with a course in the University
of GiUtingen, Germany. He returned to
the United States, in 1857, and entered the
banking firm of Duncan, Sherman & Co.,
of New York, and, in i860, he became
agent and attorney, in the United States, for
George Pcabody & Co., of London. He
became the junior partner in the banking
firm of Dabney, Morgan & Co., in 1864,
and that of Urexel, Morgan & Co., in 1871.
This house was among the chief negotiators
of railroad bonds, and was active in the re-
organization of the West Shore Railroad,
and its absorption by the New York Central
Railroad. It was conspicuous in the re-
organization of the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Railroad, in 1887, which a syndicate of
capitalists, formed by Mr. Morgan, placed
on a sound financial basis. After that time
many other lines of railroad and gigantic
financial enterprises were brought under Mr.
Morgan's control, and in some respects it
may be said he became the foremost financier
of the century.
THOMAS BRACKETT REED, one of
the most eminent of American states-
men, was born October 18, 1839, at Port-
land, Maine, where he received his early
education in the common schools of the
cit}', and prepared himself for college. Mr.
Reed graduated from Bowdoin College in
i860, and won one of the highest honors of
the college, the prize for excellence in Eng-
lish composition. The following four years
were spent by him in teaching and in the
Study of law. Before his admission to the
bar, however, he was acting assistant pay-
master in the United States navy, and
served on the "tin-clad" Sybil, which pa-
trolled the Tennessee, Cumberland and
Mississippi rivers. After his discharge in
1865, he returned to Portland, was admit-
ted to the bar, and began the practice of his
profession. He entered into political life,
and in 186S was elected to the legislature
of Maine as a Republican, and in 1869 he
was re-elected to the house, and in 1870
was made state senator, from which he
passed to attorney-general of the state.
He retired from this office in 1873, and
until 1877 he was solicitor for the city
of Portland. In 1876 he was elected to
the forty-fifth congress, which assembled
in 1877. Mr. Reed sprung into prominence
in that body by one of the first speeches
which he delivered, and his long service in
congress, coupled with his ability, gave him
a national reputation. His influence each
year became more strongly marked, and the
leadership of his party was finally conceded
to him, and in the forty-ninth and fiftieth
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
209
-congresses the complimentary nomination
for the speakership was tendered him by the
Republicans. That party having obtained
the ascendency in the fifty-first congress he
was elected speaker on the first ballot, and
he was again chosen speaker of the fifty-
fourth and fifth-fifth congresses. As a
writer, Mr. Reed contributed largely to the
magazines and periodicals, and his book
upon parliamentary rules is generally rec-
ognized as authority on that subject.
CLARA BARTON is a celebrated char-
acter among what might be termed as
the highest grade of philanthropists Amer-
ica has produced. She was born on a farm
at Oxford, Massachusetts, a daughter of
Captain Stephen Barton, and was educated
at Clinton, New York. She engaged in
teaching early in Hfe, and founded a free
school at Bordentown, the first in New Jer-
sey. She opened with six pupils, but the
attendance had grown to six hundred up to
1854, when she went to Washington. She
was appointed clerk in the patent depart-
ment, and remained there until the out-
break of the Civil war, when she resigned
her position and devoted herself to the al-
leviation of the sufferings of the soldiers,
serving, not in the hospitals, but on the bat-
tle field. She was present at a number of
battles, and after the war closed she origi-
nated, and for some time carried on at her
own expense, the search for missing soldiers.
She then for several years devoted her time
to lecturing on "Incidents of the War."
About 1868 she went to Europe for her
health, and settled in Switzerland, but on the
outbreak of the Franco-German war she ac-
cepted the invitation of the grand duchess
of Baden to aid in the establishment of her
hospitals, and Miss Barton afterward fol-
lowed the German army She was deco-
rated with the golden cross by the grand
duke of Baden, and with the iron cross by
the emperor of Germany. She also served
for many years as president of the famous
Red Cross Society and attained a world-
wide reputation.
CARDINAL JAMES GIBBONS, one of
the most eminent Catholic clergymen
in America, was born in Baltmiore, Mary-
land, July 23, 1834. He was given a
thorough education, graduated at St. Charles
College, Maryland, in 1857, and studied
theology in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore,
Maryland. In 1861 he became pastor of
St. Bridget's church in Baltimore, and in
1868 was consecrated vicar apostolic of
North Carolina. In 1872 our subject be-
came bishop of Richmond, Virginia, and
five years later was made archbishop of Bal-
timore. On the 30th of June, 18S6, he
was admitted to the full degree of cardmal
and primate of the American Catholic
church. He was a fluent writer, and his
book, "Faith of Our Fathers,' had a wide
circulation.
CHAUNCEY MITCHELL DEPEW.—
This name is, without doubt, one of
the most widely known in the United States.
Mr. Depew was born April 23, 1834, at
Peekskill, New York, the home of the Depew
family for two hundred years. He attended
the common schools of his native place,
where he prepared himself to enter college.
He began his collegiate course at Yale at
the age of eighteen and graduated in 1856.
He early took an active interest in politics
and joined the Republican party at its for-
mation. He then took up the study of law
and went into the office of the Hon. Will-
iam Nelson, of Peekskill, for that purpose,
and in 1858 he was admitted to the bar.
flO
COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPlir.
He was sent as a delegate by the new party
to the Republican state convention of that
year. He began the practice of his profes-
sion in 1859, but though he was a good
worker, his attention was detracted by the
campaign of i860, in which he took an act-
ive part. During this campaign he gained
his first laurels as a public speaker. Mr.
Depew was elected assemblyman in 1862
from a Democratic district. In 1863 he se-
cured the nomination for secretary of state,
and gained that post by a majority of thirty
thousand. In 1866 he left the field of pol-
itics and entered into the active practice
of his law business as attorney for the
New York & Harlem Railroad Company,
and in 1869 wiien this road was consoli-
dated with the New York Central, and
called the New York Central & Hudson
River Railroad, he was appointed the attor-
ney for the new road. His rise in the rail-
road business was rapid, and ten years after
his entrance into the Vanderbilt system as
attorney for a single line, he was the gen-
eral counsel for one of the largest railroad
systems in the world. He was also a
director in the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern, Michigan Central, Chicago &
Northwestern, St. Paul & Omaha, West
Shore, and Nickel Plate railroad companies.
In 1874 Mr. Depew was made regent of
the State University, and a member of the
commission appointed to superintend the
erection of the capitol at Albany. In 1882,
on the resignation of W. H. Vanderbilt
from the presidency of the New York Cen-
tral and the accession to that office by
James H. Rutter, Mr. Depew was made
second vice-president, and held that posi-
tion until the death of Mr. Rutter in 1885.
In this year Mr. Depew became the execu-
tive head of this great corporation. Mr.
I>epew's greatest fame grew from his ability
and eloquence as an orator and " after-din-
ner speaker," and it has been said by emi-
nent critics that this country has never pro-
duced his equal in wit, fluency and eloquence.
PHILIP KEARNEY.— Among the most
dashing and brilliant commanders in
the United States service, few have outshone
the talented officer whose name heads this
sketch. He was born in New York City,
June 2, 181 5, and was of Irish ancestry and
imbued with all the dash and bravery of the
Celtic race. He graduated from Columbia
College and studied law, but in 1S37 ac-
cepted a commission as lieutenant in the
First Unitetl States Dragoons, of which his
uncle, Stephen W. Kearney, was then colo-
nel. He was sent by the government,
soon after, to Europe to examine and report
upon the tactics of the French cavalry.
There he attended the Polytechnic School,
at Samur, and subsequently served as a vol-
unteer in .^l.i^iers, winning the cross of the
Legion of Honor. He returned to the
United States in 1840, and on the staf? of
General Scott, in the Mexican war, served
with great gallantry. He was made a cap-
tain of dragoons in 1846 and made major
for services at Contreras and Cherubusco.
In the final assault on the City of Mexico,
at the San Antonio Gate, Kearney lost an
arm. He subsequently served in California
and the Pacific coast. In 1851 he resigned
his commission and went to Europe, where
he resumed his military studies. In the
Italian war, in 1S59, he served as a volun-
teer on the staff of General Maurier, of the
French army, and took part in the battles
of Solferino and Magenta, and for bravery
was, for the second time, decorated with
the cross of the Legion of Honor. On the
opening of the Civil war he hastened home,
and, offering his services to the general gov-
COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAPHT.
211
ernment, was made brigadier-general of
volunteers and placed in command of a bri-
gade of New Jersey troops. In the cam-
paign under McClellan he commanded a di-
vision, and at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks
his services were valuable and brilliant, as
well as in subsequent engagements. At
Harrison's Landing he was made major-gen-
eral of volunteers. In the second battle of
Bull Run he was conspicuous, and at the
battle of Chantilly, September i, 1862,
while leading in advance of his troops, Gen-
eral Kearney was shot and killed.
RUSSELL SAGE, one of the financial
giants of the present century and for
more than an average generation one of the
most conspicuous and celebrated of Ameri-
cans, was born in a frontier hamlet in cen-
tral New York in August, 18 16. While Rus-
sell was still a boy an elder brother, Henry
Risley Sage, established a small grocery
store at Troy, New York, and here Russell
found his first employment, as errand boy.
He served a five-years apprenticeship, and
then joined another brother, Elisha M. Sage,
in a new venture in the same line, which
proved profitable, at least for Russell, who
soon became its sole owner. Next he
formed the partnership of Sage & Bates,
and greatly extended his field of operations.
At twenty-five he had, by his own exertions,
amassed what was, in those days, a consid-
erable fortune, being worth about seventy-
five thousand dollars. He had acquired an
influence in local politics, and four years
later his party, the Whigs, elected him to
the aldermanic board of Troy and to the
treasuryship of Rensselaer county. In 1 848
he was a prominent member of the New
York delegation to the Whig convention at
Philadelphia, casting his first votes for Henry
Clay, but joining the "stampede" which
nominated Zachary Taylor. In 1850 the
Whigs of Troy nominated him for congress,
but he was not elected — a failure which he
retrieved two years later, and in 1854 he
was re-elected by a sweeping majority. At
Washington he ranked high in influence and
ability. Fame as a speaker and as a polit-
ical leader was within his grasp, when he
gave up public life, declined a renomination
to congress, and went back to Troy to de-
vote himself to his private business. Six
years later, in 1863, he removed to New
York and plunged into the arena of Wall
street. A man of boundless energy and
tireless pertinacity, with wonderful judg-
ment of men and things, he soon took his
place as a king in finance, and, it is said,
during the latter part of his life he con-
trolled more ready money than any other
single individual on this continent.
ROGER QUARLES MILLS, a noted
United States senator and famous as the
father of the "Mills tariff bill, "was born
in Todd county, Kentucky, March 30, 1832.
He received a liberal education in the com-
mon schools, and removed to Palestine,
Texas, in 1849. He took up the study of
law, and supported himself by serving as an
assistant in the post-office, and in the offices
of the court clerks. In 1850 he was elected
engrossing clerk of the Texas house of rep-
resentatives, and in 1852 was admitted to
the bar, while still a minor, by special act
of the legislature. He then settled at Cor-
sicana, Texas, and began the active prac-
tice of his profession. He was elected to
the state legislature in 1859, and in 1872 he
was elected to congress from the state at
large, as a Democrat. After his first elec-
tion he was continuously returned to con-
gress until he resigned to accept the posi-
tion of United States senator, to which he
21;
COMPEXniUM OF BIOGRAPIir.
was elected March 23, 1S92, to succeed
Hon. Horace Chilton. He took his seat in
the senate March 30, 1892; was afterward
re-elected and ranked among the most use-
ful and prominent members of that body.
In 1876 he opposed the creation of the elec-
toral commission, and in 18S7 canvassed
the state of Texas against the adoption of
a prohibition amendment to its constitution,
which was defeated. He introduced into
the house of representatives the bill that was
known as the "Mills Bill," reducing duties
on imports, and extending the free list.
The bill passed the house on July 21, 1888,
and made the name of "Mills" famous
throughout the entire country.
H.\ZEN S. PINGREE, the celebrated
Michigan political leader, was born in
Maine in 1842. Up to fourteen years of
age he worked hard on the stony ground of
his father's small farm. Attending school
in the winter, he gained a fair education,
and when not laboring on the farm, he
found employment in the cotton mills in the
vicinity. He resolved to find more steady
work, and accordingly went to Hopkinton,
Massachusetts, where he entered a shoe fac-
tory, but on the outhreak of the war he en-
listed at once and was enrolled in the First
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He partici-
pated in the battle of Bull Run, which was
his initial fight, and served creditably his
early term of service, at the expiration of
which he rc-enlisted. He fought in the
battles of Fredricksburg, Harris Farm,
Spottsylvania Court House and Cold Har-
bor. In 18G4 he was captured by Mosby,
and spent five months at Andersonville,
Georgia, as a prisoner, but escaped at the
end of that time. He re-entered the service
and participalcd in the battles of Fort
Fisher, Boyden, and Sailor's Creek. He
was honorably mustered out of service, and
in 1866 went to Detroit, Michigan, where
he made use of his former experience in a
shoe factory, and found work. Later he
formed a partnership with another workman
and started a small factor^', which has since
become a large establishment. Mr. Pin-
gree made his entrance into politics in 1889,
in which year he was elected by a surpris-
ingly large majority as a Republican to the
mayoralty of Detroit, in which office he was
the incumbent during four consecutive terms.
In November, 1896, he was elected gov-
ernor of the state of Michigan. While
mayor of Detroit, Mr. Pingree originated
and put into execution the idea of allowing
the poor people of the city the use of va-
cant city lands and lots for the purpose of
raising potatoes. The idea was enthusiast-
ically adopted by thousands of poor families,
attracted wide attention, and gave its author
a national reputation as "Potato-patch Pin-
gree."
THOMAS ANDREW HENDRICKS, an
eminent American statesman and a
Democratic politician of national fame, was
born in Muskingum count}-, Ohio, Septem-
ber 7, 1 8 19. In 1822 he removed, with his
father, to Shelby county, Indiana. He
graduated from the South Hanover College
in 1 84 1, and two years later was admitted
to the bar. In 185 1 he was chosen a mem-
ber of the state constitutional convention,
and took a leading part in the deliberations
of that body. He was elected to congress
in 1 85 1, and after serving two terms was
appointed commissioner of the United States
general land-office. In 1863 he was elected
to the United States senate, where his dis-
tinguished Services commanded the respect
of all parties. He was elected governor of
Indiana in 1872, serving four years, and in
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
213
1876 was nominated by the Democrats as
candidate for the vice-presidency with Til-
den. The returns in a number of states
were contested, and resulted in the appoint-
ment of the famous electoral commission,
which decided in favor of the Republican
candidates. In 1884 Mr. Hendricks was
again nominated as candidate for the vice-
presidency, by the Democratic party, on the
ticket with Grover Cleveland, was elected,
and served about six months. He died at
Indianapolis, November 25, 1885. He was
regarded as one of the brainiest men in the
party, and his integrity was never ques-
tioned, even by his political opponents.
GARRETT A. HOBART, one of the
many able men who have held the
hiyh office of vice-president of the United
States, was born June 3, 1844, in Mon-
mouth county, New Jersey, and in i860 en-
tered the sophomore class at Rutgers Col-
lege, from which he graduated in 1863 at
the age of nineteen. He then taught
school until he entered the law office of
Socrates Tattle, of Paterson, New Jersey,
with whom he studied law, and in 1869
was admitted to the bar. He immediately
began the active practice of his profession
i 1 the office of the above named gentleman.
He became interested in political life, and
espoused the cause of the Republican party,
and in 1865 held his first office, serving as
clerk for the grand jury. He was also city
counsel of Paterson in 1871, and in May,
1872, was elected counsel for the board of
chosen freeholders. He entered the state
legislature in 1873, and was re-elected to
the assembly in 1874. Mr. Hobart was
made speaker of the assembly in 1876, and
and in 1879 was elected to the state senate.
After serving three years in the same, he
was elected president of that body in 1881,
and the following year was re-elected to
that office. He was a delegate-at -large to
the Republican national convention 'n 1876
and 1880, and was elected a member of the
national committee in 1884, which pos'tion
he occupied continuously until 1896. He
was then nominated for vice-president by
the Republican national convention, anr"
was elected to that office in the fall of 1896
on the ticket with William McKinley.
WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART, noted
as a political leader and senator, was
born in Lyons, Wayne county, New York,
August 9, 1827, and removed with his par-
ents while still a small child to Mesopota-
mia township, Trumbull county, Ohio. He
attended the Lyons Union school and Farm-
ington Academy, where he obtained his ed-
ucation. Later he taught mathematics in
the former school, while yet a pupil, and
with the little money thus earned and the
assistance of James C. Smith, one of the
judges of the supreme court of New York,
he entered Yale College. He remained
there until the winter of 1S49-50, when, at-
tracted by the gold discoveries in California
he wended his way thither. He arrived at
San Francisco in May, 1850, and later en-
gaged in mining with pick and shovel in Ne-
vada county. In this way he accumulated
some money, and in the spring of 1852 he
took up the study of law under John R.
McConnell. The following December he
was appointed district attorney, to which
office he was chosen at the general election
of the ne.xt year. In 1854 he was ap-
pointed attorney-general of California, and
in i860 he removed to Virginia City, Ne-
vada, where he largely engaged in early
mining litigation. Mr. Stewart was also in-
terested in the development of the "Com-
stock lode," and in 1861 was chosen a
214
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
member of the territorial council. He was
elected a member of the constitutional con-
vention in 1S63, and was elected United
States senator in 1864, and re-elected in
1869. At the expiration of his term in
1875. he resumed the practice of law in
Nevada, California, and the Pacific coast
generally. He was thus engaged when he
was elected again to the United States sen-
ate as a Republican in 1887 to succeed the
late James G. Fair, a Democrat, and took
his seat March 4, 1887. On the expiration
of his term he was again re-elected and be-
came one of the leaders of his party in con-
gress. His ability as an orator, and the
prominent part he took in the discussion of
public questions, gained him a national rep-
utation.
GEORGE GRAHAM VEST, for many
years a prominent member of the
United States senate, was born in Frank-
fort, Kentucky, December 6, 1848. He
graduated from Center College in 1868, and
from the law department of the Transyl-
vania University of Lexington, Kentucky,
in 1853. In the same year he removed to
Missouri and began the practice of his pro-
fession. In i860 he was an elector on the
Democratic ticket, and was a member of
the lower house of the Missouri legislature
in 1860-61. He was elected to the Con-
federate congress, serving two years in the
lower house and one in the senate. He
then resumed the practice of law, and in
1879 was elected to the senate of the United
States to succeed James Shields. He was
re-elected in 18S5. and again in i8gi and
1897. His many years of service in the
National congress, coupled with his ability
as a speaker and the active part he took in
the discussion of public questions, gave him
a wide reputation.
HANNIBAL HAMLIN, a noted American
statesman, whose name is indissolubly
connected with the history of this country,
was born in Paris, Maine, August 27, 1809-
He learned the printer's trade and followed
that calling for several years. He then
studied law, and was admitted to practice
in 1833. He was elected to the legislature
of the state of Maine, where he was several
times chosen speaker of the lower house.
He was elected to congress by the Demo-
crats in 1843, and re-elected in 1845. I"
1848 he was chosen to the United States
senate and served in that body until 1861.
He was elected governor of Maine in 1857
on the Republican ticket, but resigned when
re-elected to the United States senate
the same year. He was elected vice-presi-
dent of the United States on the ticket with
Lincoln in i860, and inaugurated in March,
1861. In 1865 he was appointed collector
of the port of Boston. Beginning with
1869 he served two six-year terms in the
United States senate, and was then ap-
pointed by President Garfield as minister to
Spain in 1881. His death occurred July 4,
1891.
TSHAM G. HARRIS, famous as Confed-
1 erate war governor of Tennessee, and
distinguished by his twenty years of service
in the senate of the United States, was
born in Franklin county, Tennessee, and
educated at the Academy of Winchester.
He then took up the study of law, was ad-
mitted to the bar, and commenced practice
at Paris, Tennessee, in 1841. He was
elected to the state legislature in 1847, was
a candidate for presidential elector on the
Democratic ticket in 1848, and the next
year was elected to congress from his dis-
trict, and re-elected in 1851. In 1853 he
was renominated by the Democrats of his
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
215
district, but declined, and removed to Mem-
phis, where he took up the practice of law.
He was a presidential elector-at-large Irom
Tennessee in 1856, and was elected gov-
ernor of the state the next year, and again
in 1859, and in 1861. He was driven from
Nashville by the advance of the Union
armies, and for the last three years of the
war acted as aid upon the staff of the com-
manding general of the Confederate army
of Tennessee. After the war he went to
Liverpool, England, where he became a
merchant, but returned to Memphis in 1867,
and resumed the practice of law. In 1877
he was elected to the United States senate,
to which position he was successively re-
elected until his death in 1897.
NELSON DINGLEY, Jr., for nearly a
quarter of a century one of the leaders
in congress and framer of the famous
" Dingley tariff bill," was born in Durham,
Maine, in 1832. His father as well as all
his ancestors, were farmers, merchants and
mechanics and of English descent. Young
Dingley was given the advantages first of
the conmion schools and in vacations helped
his father in the store and on the farm.
When twelve years of age he attended high
school and at seventeen was teaching in a
country school district and preparing him-
self for college. The following year he en-
tered Waterville Academy and in 1851 en-
tered Colby University. After a year and a
half in this institution he entered Dart-
mouth College and was graduated in 1855
with high rank as a scholar, debater and
writer. He ne.xt studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1856. But instead of
practicing his profession he purchased the
" Lewistown (Me.) Journal," which be-
came famous throughout the New England
states as a leader in the advocacy of Repub-
lican principles. About the same time Mr.
Dingley began his political career, although
ever after continuing at the head of the
newspaper. He was soon elected to the
state legislature and afterward to the lower
house of congress, where he became a
prominent national character. He also
served two terms as governor of Maine.
OLIVER PERRY MORTON, a distin-
guished American statesman, was born
in Wayne county, Indiana, August 4, 1823.
His early education was by private teaching
and a course at the Wayne County Seminary.
At the age of twenty years he entered the
Miami University at O.xford, Ohio, and at
the end of two years quit the college, began
the study of law in the office of John New-
man, of Centerville, Indiana, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1847.
Mr. Morton was elected judge on the
Democratic ticket, in 1852, • but on thi
passage of the " Kansas-Nebraska Bill" he
severed his connection with that part)', and
soon became a prominent leader of the Re-
publicans. He was elected governor of In-
diana in 1 86 1, and as war governor became
well known throughout the country. He
received a paralytic stroke in 1865, which
partially deprived him of the use of his
limbs. He was chosen to the United States
senate from Indiana, in 1867, and wielded
great influence in that body until the time
of his death, November i, 1877.
JOHN B. GORDON, a brilliant Confeder-
ate officer and noted senator of the United
States, was born in Upson county, Georgia,
February 6, 1832. He graduated from the
State University, studied law, and took up
the practice of his profession. At the be-
ginning of the war he entered the Confederate
service as captain of infantry, and rapidly
216
COMrE.XDJUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
rose to the rank of lieutenant-general,
commanding one wing of the Confederate
army at the close of the war. In 1868 he
was Democratic candidate for governor of
Georgia, and it is said was elected by a large
majority, but his opponent was given the
office. He was a delegate to the national
Democratic conventions in 1868 and 1872,
and a presidential elector both years. In
1873 he was elected to the United States
senate. In 1886 he was elected governor
of Georgia, and re-elected in 1888. He
was again elected to the United States
senate in 1890. serving until 1897, when he
was succeeded by A. S. Clay. He was
regarded as a leader of the southern Democ-
racy, and noted for his fiery eloquence.
STEPHEN JOHNSON FIELD, an illus-
trious associate justice of the supreme
court of the United States, was born at
Haddam, Connecticut, November 4, 1816,
being one of the noted sons of Kev. D.
D. Field. He graduated from Williams
College in 1837, took up the study of law
with his brother, David Dudley Field, be-
coming his partner upon admission to the
bar. He went to California in 1849, and at
once began to take an active interest in the
political affairs of that state. He was
elected alcalde of Marysville, in 1850, and
in the autumn of the same year was elected
to the state legislature. In 1857 he was
elected judge of the supreme court of the
state, and two years afterwards became its
chief justice. In 18G3 he was appointed by
President Lincoln as associate justice of the
supreme court of the United States. During
his incumbency, in 1873, he was appointed
by the governor of California one of a com-
mission to examine the codes of the state
and for the preparation of amendments to
the same for submission to the legislature.
In 1877 he was one of the famous electoral
commission of fifteen members, and voted
as one of the seven favoring the election of
Tilden to the presidency. In 1880 a large
portion of the Democratic party favored his
nomination as candidate for the presidency.
He retired in the fall of 1897, having
served a greater number of years on the
supreme bench than any of his associates or
predecessors, Chief Justice Marshall coming
next in length of service.
JOHN T. MORGAN, whose services in
the United States senate brought him
into national prominence, was born in
Athens, Tennessee, June 20, 1824. At the
age of nine years he emigrated to Alabama,
where he made his permanent home, and
where he received an academic education.
He then took up the study of law, and was
admitted to the bar in 1845. He took a
leading part in local politics, was a presi-
dential elector in i860, casting his ballot
for Breckenridge and Lane, and in i86r
was a delegate to the state convention which
passed the ordinance of secession. In May,
of the same year, he joined the Confederate
army as a private in Company I, Cahawba
Rifles, and was soon after made major and
then lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Regiment.
In 1862 he was commissioned colonel, and
soon after made brigadier-general and as-
signed to the command of a brigade in \'ir-
ginia. He resigned to join his old regiment
whose colonel had been killed. He was
soon afterward again made brigadier-gen-
eral and given command of tlie brigade that
included his regiment.
After the war he returiictl to the prac-
tice of law, and continued it up to the time
of his election to the United States senate, in
1877. He was a presidential elector in 1876,
and cast his vote for Tilden and Hendricks.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.
217
He was re-elected to the senate in 1883,
and again in 1889, and 1895. His speeches
and the measures he introduced, marked
as they were by an intense Americanism,
brought him into national prominence.
WILLIAM McKINLEY, the twenty-fifth
president of the United States, was
born at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, Jan-
uary 29, 1844. He was of Scotch-Irish
ancestry, and received his early education
in a Methodist academy in the small village
of Poland, Ohio. At the outbreak of the
war Mr. McKinley was teaching school,
earning twenty-five dollars per month. As
soon as Fort Sumter was fired upon he en-
listed in a company that was formed in
Poland, which was inspected and mustered
in by General John C. Fremont, who at
first objected to Mr. McKinley, as being too
young, but upon examination he was finally
accepted. Mr. McKinley was seventeen
when the war broke out but did not look his
age. He served in the Twenty-third Ohio
Infantry throughout the war, was promoted
from sergeant to captain, for good conduct
on the field, and at the close of the war,
for meritorious services, he was brevetted
major. After leaving the army Major Mc-
Kinley took up the study of law, and was
admitted to the bar, and in 1869 he took
his initiation into politics, being elected pros-
ecuting attorney of his county as a Republi-
can, although the district was usually Demo-
cratic. In 1 876 he was elected to congress,
and in a call upon the President-elect, Mr.
Hayes, to whom he went for advice upon the
way he should shape his career, he was
told that to achieve fame and success he
must take one special line and stick to it.
Mr. McKinley chose tariff legislation and
he became an authority in regard to import
duties. He was a member of congress for
many years, became chairman of the ways
and means committee, and later he advo-
cated the famous tariff bill that bore his
name, which was passed in 1890. In the
next election the Republican party was
overwhelmingly defeated through the coun-
try, and the Democrats secured more than
a two thirds majority in the lower house,
and also had control of the senate, Mr.
McKinley being defeated in his own district
by a small majority. He was elected gov-
ernor of Ohio in 1891 by a plurality of
twenty-one thousand, five hundred and
eleven, and two years later he was re-elected
by the still greater plurality of eighty thou-
sand, nine hundred and ninety-five. He was
a delegate-at-large to the Minneapolis Re>
publican convention in 1892, and was in-
structed to support the nomination of Mr.
Harrison. He was chairman of the con-
vention, and was the only man from Ohio
to vote for Mr. Harrison upon the roll call.
In November, 1892, a number of prominent
politicians gathered in New York to discuss
the political situation, and decided that the
result of the election had put an end to Mc-
Kinley and McKinleyism. But in less than
four years from that date Mr. McKinley was
nominated for the presidency against the
combined opposition of half a dozen rival
candidates. Much of the credit for his suc-
cess was due to Mark A. Hanna, of Cleve-
land, afterward chairman of the Republican
national committee. At the election which
occurred in November, 1S96, Mr. McKinley
was elected president of the United States
by an enormous majority, on a gold stand-
ard and protective tariff platform. He was
inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1897,
and called a special session of congress, to
which was submitted a bill for tariff reform,
which was passed in the latter part of July
of that vear.
218
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT.
CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER,
known in the literary world as Joaquin
Miller, " the poet of the Sierras," was born
at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1841. When only
about thirteen years of age he ran away
from home and went to the mining regions
in California and along the Pacific coast.
Some time afterward he was taken prisoner
by the Modoc Indians and lived with them
for five years. He learned their language
and gained great influence with them, fight-
ing in their wars, and in all modes of living
became as one of them. In 1858 he left
the Indians and went to San Francisco,
where he studied law, and in i860 was ad-
mitted to the bar in Oregon. In 1866 he
was elected a county judge in Oregon and
ser\ed four years. Early in the seventies
he began devoting a good deal of time to
literary pursuits, and about 1874 he settled
in Washington, D. C. He wrote many
poems and dramas that attracted consider-
able attention and won him an extended
reputation. Among his productions may be
mentioned " Pacific Poems," " Songs of the
Sierras," "Songs of the Sun Lands,"
" Ships in the Desert," " Adrianne.a Dream
of Italy," " Danites, " "Unwritten History,"
" First Families of the Sierras " (a novel),
" One Fair Woman " (a novel), " Songs of
Italy," "Shadows of Shasta," "The Gold-
Seekers of the Sierras," and a number of
others.
GEORGE FREDERICIv ROOT, a
noted music publisher and composer,
was born in ShefTield, Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, on August 30, 1820. While
working on his father's farm he found time
to learn, unaided, several musical instru-
ments, and in his eighteenth year he went
to Boston, where he soon found employ-
ment as a teacher of music. From 1839
until 1844 he gave instructions in music in
the public schools of that city, and was also
director of music in two churches. Mr.
Root then went to New York and taught
music in the various educational institutions
of the cit}-. He went to Paris in 1S50 and
spent one year there in study, and on his re-
turn he published his first song, "Hazel
Dell." It appeared as the work of " \\'ur-
zel," which was the German equivalent of
his name. He was the originator of the
normal musical institutfons, and when the
first one was started in New York he
was one of the faculty. He removed to
Chicago, Illinois, in i860, and established
the firm of Root & Cady, and engaged in
the publication of music. He received, in
1872, the degree of "Doctor of Music"
from the University of Chicago. After the
war the firm became George F. Root & Co. ,
of Cincinnati and Chicago. Mr. Root did
much to elevate the standard of music in this
country by his compositions and work as a
teacher. Besides his numerous songs he
wrote a great deal of sacred music and pub-
lished many collections of vocal and instru-
mental music. For many years he was the
most popular song writer in America, and
was one of the' greatest song writers of the
war. He is also well-known as an author,
and his work in that line comprises: " Meth-
ods for the Piano and Organ," " Hand-
book on Harmony Teaching, " and innumer-
able articles for the musical press. Among
his many and most popular songs of the
wartime are: " Rosalie, the Prairie-flower,"
" Battle Cry of Freedom," " Just Before the
Battle," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys
are Marching," " The Old Folks are Gone,"
"A Hundred Years Ago," "Old Potomac
Shore, "and " There's Music in the Air." Mr.
Root'scantatas include "The Flower Queen"
and "The Haymakers." He died in 1896.
PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF
NODAWAY AND ATCHISON COUNTIES,
NHSSOUTPei.
4ft V
J^ Pl(nuAviuuHy^
IMWA! AM ATCHISON CDONTIES
JVIISSOILTF^I.
ED\VIN V. MOREHOUSE.
> )RTUNATE is he who has back of
him an ancestry honorable and dis-
tinguished, and happy is he if his
lines of life are cast in harmony
therewith. Our subject is blessed in this
respect, for he springs from one of the
most prominent families of the state. He
was born in ^Nlaryville. April iS. 1877, and is
a son of Hon. Albert P. and ^Martha ( Mc-
Tadden) Morehouse, natives of Ohio and
Missouri, respectively. They were married
in Lexington, this state, in iSri^, and were
the parents of three children, namely : Xan-
nie M., now the wife of A. D. Neal, a promi-
nent attorney of Chetopa, Kansas; Anna,
who married W. W. Giddings, a druggist
of jNIaryville. and dietl in ^^[)/\ and Edwin
y., our subject.
Stephen Morehouse, Ji'-. the grandfather
of our subject, was born in Xew Jersey,
February 11, 1813, and was a son of Stephen
]\Iorehouse, Sr., also a native of that state.
In 1 82 1 the family moved to Delaware coun-
ty, Ohio, where Stephen, Jr., grew to man-
hood upon his father's farm and attended
school. In 1834 he married Miss Har-
riet Wood, a daughter of Roswell \\^ood.
a native of of New York, and an earlv
settler of Delaware county, and they
continued their residence in the Buckeye
state until coming to Nodaway county, Mis-
souri, in 1856, when they located twelve
miles north of Maryville, being among the
pioneers of that locality, as there were only
two houses between their home and the city
at that time. Maryville then was a diminu-
ti\e cross-roads town containing only a few
Cabins. ]\Ir. Morehouse entered a half-sec-
tion of land and became one of the most sub-
stantial farmers of his community, as well
as one of its most progressive and influential
citizens. After farming for many years he
moved to Maryville, where he died at a ripe
old age. During his long residence here he
iield many positions of honor and trust, and
w as found equal to any emergency, discharg-
ing all his obligations with the utmost fidel-
ity. He was a man of sterling qualities, and
it is safe to say that no one in the county
had more friends. He was one of the early
count}- judges, being first elected in 1858,
and he also served as probate judge one
term, being elected to that office in 1874;
and was justice of the peace a number of
years. His children were Albert P., Fran-
cis, \\'eIlington, Stephen, Alvina, Ann, Pol-
ly and Rose Belle.
Hon. Albert P. Morehouse, our subject's
224
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
fatlier, was Ijorn in Delaware county, Oliio,
July II, 1835, and was reared as a farmer
boy, though his educational advantages were
better than the average. At the age of eight-
een years he l)Cgan teaching school in his
native county, and after coming to this state
with his parents, in 1S56, continued to fol-
low that profession for a time. During his
leisure hours he studied law and in i860
was admitted to the bar, after wliich he was
engageil in tiie practice of his profession
in Montgomery county, Iowa, for some
years. In 1861 he was commissioned first
lieutenant in Colonel Kimball's regiment of
enrolled militia, and held tiiat office six
months, lie commenced the practice of law
at Maryville, in i86j, and was in practice
with Colonel Amos Graham until the latter's
death, in 1865. In 1871 Mr. Morehouse re-
linquished active practice and turned his at-
tention to the real-estate business. He was a
recognized leader in the ranks of the Demo-
cratic party, and was a delegate to the na-
tional convention at Baltimore, in 1872, and
at St. Louis, in 1876. As one of the most
prominent and inlluenlial men of his com-
munity he was called upon to represent his
county in the state legislature in 1877 and
1878, and again in 1883 and 1884. In the
latter year he was elected lieutenant governor
on the ticket with John S. Marmaduke, and
thus liecame the presiding officer of the state
senate in Jaiuiary, 1885. In that position he
won an enviable rei)nlation. being fair and
impartial in all his rulings aiitl decisions. In
liis splendid appointments of committees he
met the ajjprobation of all classes, especially
the agriculturists, as his sympathies were al-
ways with the farmers against corporations;
but he was always just to all. On the death
of Covcrnor Marma<luke in Dcccmljcr,
iSS-. lie miccccdcd him in the highest office
of- the state, and pro\-ed liimself so wise and
excellent a chief executive that upon his re-
linquishment of the office to Governor Fran-
cis in January, 1S89, his administration was
praised by both political parties. The Globe-
Democrat, the leading Republican paper of
the state, paid him a high tribute.
Governor Morehouse was a public-spirit-
ed citizen and most generous in his support
of all enterprises for the welfare of his town
and county. His ear was ever open to the
ajipeals of charity, and he ga\e lil)erally of
his means. If he erred it was always on
the side of mercy. He served as worship-
ful master of IMaryville Lodge, Xo. 165, F.
&: A. M., and was also a member of the
chapter and cominandery. He tilled many
public offices in his county and state and al-
\\ays acquitted him.«elf in a most creditable
and satisfactory manner. In 1891 he was
strongly solicited by his friends throughout
the state to become a candidate for governor,
but had made up his mind to retire from
politics and so refused. In his speculations
he had become the nwner of two large stock
farms, to the care of which he devoted the
remainder of his life. While on one of his
farms he received a slight sunstroke, which
was followed by an illness from which he
never recovered, but died September 23,
1891. At that time his wife and one child
were visiting relatives in Lexington, Mis-
.souri. Mrs. I\Iorehouse has since died, de-
parting this life January 10, 1900,
Edwin \', Morehouse, familiarly knuwn
as Ned, was reared in Maryville, wliere he
attended school, and later was a student at
the Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri,
and St. James Academy at Macon City, He
is now carrying forward the work inaugurat-
ed l)y his father, being successfully engagcfl
in farming and stock raising. Although
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
225
^■oung in years he has ah^eady displayed ex-
cellent business and executive ability, and is
doing credit to his illustrious ancestors. So-
ciall}- he is a member of the ]\Iasonic frater-
nity.
WARREN L. JOHNSON.
This prominent attorney and justice of
the peace of Maryville, Missouri, is one of
the honored veterans of the Civil war whose
devotion to his country was tested not only
by service on the field of battle but in the
still more deadly dangers of southern pris-
ons. This gallant soldier was born in Ross
county, Ohio, March 6, 1844, and is the only
child of Franklin and Mary A. (Huddle)
Johnson, also natives of Ohio. His paternal
grandfather, Benjamin Johnson, was born
in New England, of English ancestry, and
was a shoemaker by trade. In his family
^\•ere nine children, namely Truman, de-
ceased; Silas, a resident of Illinois; Frank-
Im, the father of our subject; Louisa, the
wife of J. Day; ^lary, the wife of B. Day;
David, a resident of Colorado; Harvey and
Hiram, both of Illinois; and Harriette, who
died unmarried. Our subject's maternal
grandfather. Christian Huddle, was a Ger-
man by birth and a cabinetmaker by trade.
In 1 87 1 he came to Nodaway county, Mis-
souri, and spent his last days here with a
daughter. His children were Eliza, the
vi-ife of J. H. Walker; Martha, the wife of
S. S. \\'alker; Mary A., the mother of our
subject; Ouincy, who died in St. Louis;
and Socrates, a resident of Kansas. The
father of our subject spent the greater part
of his life in Ross county, Ohio, but in
1857 moved to Illinois, locating on a farm
in Piatt county, where he died May 23, 1861.
The mother had died February 26, 1846, and
he again married. By the second union
there were three children : Rosaltha, the
wife of J. Duvall; Edgar, who died young;
and Georgia A., the wife of A. Pursell.
^^'hen nearly two years old W. L. John-
son lost his mother, and he then went to live
with his maternal grandparents. Christian
and Nancy Huddle, in Londonderry, Ohio.
The greater part of his education was ob-
tained in the common schools, and when the
Civil war broke out he was attending Mount
Pleasant Academy, at Kingston, Ross coun-
ty, Ohio. On the loth of August, 1861,
he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, but
on the 4th of September he was promoted
the rank of corporal, on the 25th of the
same month to that of sergeant, and com-
missioned second lieutenant September i,
1863, and first lieutenant January i, 1864.
At the battle of Chickamauga, September
20, 1863, he was captured by the rebels and
first sent to Belle Isle. Later he was in-
carcerated in the Smith building at Rich-
mond, just across the street from Libby
prison, and later at Danville, Virginia;
Andersonville, Geoi-gia ; and Charleston and
I'lorence, South Carolina, where he ex-
perienced all the horrors and tortures of
prison life. He was finally paroled at
Wilmington, North Carolina, February 26,
1865, and returned to Columbus, Ohio,
where he was honorably discharged on the
22d day of March. During his imprison-
ment he contracted scurvy, which settled in
his left leg and from the effects of which he
has never recovered.
After being discharged Mr. Johnson
visited his old home in Ross county, Ohio,
and then came west to grow up with the
country. In April, 1865, we find him em-
ployed on a farm in Nodaway county, Mis-
226
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
souri, and the folltiwing August he com-
menced work in the circuit clerk's and coun-
ty recorder's otlice. wliere lie remained un
til November, 1866, when he was elected
county treasurer. In the lueanlime he com-
menced the study of law with J. P. Coover
as liis preceptor, and at the close of his term
was admitted to the liar. The following
three years were spent upon a farm, but the
work proving too arduous he then returned
to Maryville and entered upon the practice
of law, having been admitted to the bar of
Nodaway county, in the fall of 1867. As
one of the leading Democrats of the county,
he has taken a very active and prominent
part in public affairs, and has served as coun-
ty attorney, deputy circuit clerk, deputy
county clerk, justice of the peace eight
years, notary public, and pension attorney
for some time. His official duties have al-
ways been capably and satisfactorily per-
formed, and his career has ever been such
as to win for him the commendable and
high regard of those with whom he has come
in contact. Religiously both he and his
wife are members of the Christian church.
On the 15th of .April, 1866, in Mary-
ville, Mr. Johnson married Miss Martha E.
Terhunc, who was born and reared in that
city, and they have become the parents of
five children, namely : Edgar C, a mechanic
of Burhngton Junction, Missouri; James
F., a resident of Portland, Oregon; Ger-
trude, the wife of C. M. Hurst; Verna and
John C, both at home. Mrs. Johnson's
parents were Adam and JJetscy Terhune,
natives of Indiana, who came to Missouri
in 1844, and first settled in .\ndrew county,
but shortly afterward came to Nodaway
county, locating in Maryville, where the fa-
ther cngageil in merchandising, farming,
brickmakincr and the s;iwniill business, and
also served two terms as the presiding judge
of the county court. Politically he was first
a Whig and later a Republican, and re-
ligiously is a member of the Baptist church.
His wife, who was a member of the same
church, died January 10, 1890, and he now
makes his home with a daughter. Mrs.
Lamar, in this county. His children were
Louisa, the wife of T. Wadley: Ehzabeth,
the wife of J. W. Lamar; John C, a banker
of South Evanston, Illinois; I\Irs. .\manda
O. Case, deceased; ^lartha E., the wife of
om- subject; Cornelius, deceased: Cyrus, a
traveling salesman ; and Sophrona, deceased
wife of D. Ramsev.
J. \ ALL.WCL BROWX.
The subject of this sketch is of Scotch-
Irish descent. Coxenanter ancestors on the
lather's side were driven from Scotland to
the north of Ireland by religious persecu-
tions.
From the latter hi 'Uic the paternal great-
grandfather, James Brown, came, with
a little colony of relatives, to Charleston,
South Canthna. His wife, Elizabeth I'eggs,^
was born in 177-', in Antrim county, Ire-
land, emigrated to America in 1785, was
married January i, 1791, and died in 1868.
Of these parents nine children were born.
The grandfather. John Brown, was the
second child of James and Elizabeth Brown
and was born January 5, 1794. He was
twice married, — first on December 31, 181 7,
to Elizabeth Porter, and on January 8, 1835,
to Eliza .Andrews. By the former he had
eight children, by the latter six.
The father, John Hervey Brown, was
the youngest child of John and Elizabeth
Brown and was born February 20, 1834.
Willi llic lliiicl L^ciuTatiiin noted r;inu' e>c-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
227
change of the farm for a profession and at
the age of twenty-one John Hervey Brown
entered ]\Ionmouth (Ilhnois) College, re-
ceived his A. B. degree in 1862 and two
years later graduated at the United Preshy-r
terian Theological Seminary, also located in
Monmouth at that time. March i, 1864,
dated his marriage to Catherine ^IcCIana-
han. His first pastoral charge was Clayton,
Illinois, 1 864- 1 869. Here, December 29,
1864, was born a daughter, Xancy Elizabeth,
now the wife of John Frazier, a retail dealei
in general merchandise at Viola, Illinois.
Three and a half years later the subject of
this sketch was born, and May 29, 1868,
some six weeks after his birth, the mother
died. The father's second pastorate was
Piqua, Ohio, 1869-1884. August 31, 1870,
dated his marriage to Rachel Emma Gibson.
A daughter, Katherine Geno, was born Sep-
tember 8, 1873. Her husband, Robert
Frank ^^'ilkin, is the cashier of a private
bank in Lenox, Iowa. The youngest child
of Rev. John H. Brown is Arthur Gibson,
born March 7, 1880, and at present (1900)
a junior in AIonnKuilh (College. From
the same institution, in 1882. the father re-
ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
His later pastoral settlements were: Rock
Island, Illinois, 1885-1888; and Lenox,
Iowa, 1889-1895. In 1895 he retired from
the active ministry and removed to ]\Ion-
mouth, since that time his home. Of this
period the years 1 895-1 S97 were spent as
financial agent of Tarkio, ^^lissouri. College.
The maternal ancestry was also Scotch-
Irish, as the McClanahan name sufficiently
testifies.
The great-grandfather. Robert ]\IcClan-
ahan, was born in the year 1771 and died
July 17, 1832. His first wife, Isabel, was
born in 1766 and died July 21, 1828. At
the birth of their first child we find them
located in Rockbridge county, Virginia.
The second wife, Margaret, was born in
1782 and died January 24, 1832. In all
there were born of these parents two sons
and six daughters.
The grandfather of our subject. John
McClanahan, was the oldest child of Robert
and Isabel McClanahan and was born Sep-
tember 15, 1794. He served his country as
a private in the war of 1812. January 29,
1818, dated his marriage to Margaret Black
Wright. The latter was born in Paris,
Bourbon county, Kentucky, July 19, 1800,
and died in 1873. The married life of John
and Margaret AlcClanahan was successive-
ly spent at West Union, Adams county,
Ohio; Ripley, Ohio; Cedar Creek, Warren
county, Illinois; and Monmouth, Illinois.
The husband was now surveyor, now miller,
now farmer. In the Ohio state militia he
was a general. At the age of sixty-eight
he enlisted in the Union army for service
in the war of the Reliellion and organized,
at Monmouth, Company B. Eighty-third
Regiment, Infantr)-, Illinois Volunteers, of
which he was elected the captain. At the
battle of Fort Donelson, February 3, 1863,
while gallantly leading a charge, he was
struck by a minie ball and died from the
wound February 23. In his memory the
Monmouth branch of the Grand Army of
the Republic is named McClanahan Post.
To John and Margaret McClanahan were
born seventeen children. Nine of these
were sons. With the exception of one
daughter, Sarah, who died at the age of
eighteen, all reached years of maturity, were
married, and, with one other exception, left
families. Four of the sons also served the
Union in the Civil war. John Porter was
assistant surgeon to the Eighty-third Regi-
228
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ineiit, Infantry, Illinois Volunteers. Will-
iam Steel was the second lieutenant of Com-
pany F, Seventeenth Regiment, Infantry,
Illinois Volunteers, and on a re-enlistment
was the captain of Company A, One Hun-
dred and lUiirty-eightli Regiment, Illinois '
Volunteers. Francis Marion and Monroe
Rouhantile were privates, respectively, in the
Thirty-sixth and in the One Hundred and
Thirty-eighth Regiments, Infantry, Illinois
Volunteers. Catherine jNIcClanahan, later
the wife of John Hervey Brown and the
mother of John Val lance Brown, was the j
3-oungest daughter and the next youngest
child of General McClanahan.
The subject of this sketch, John Vallance |
Brown, the youngest son of John Hervey
and Catherine (McClanahan) Brown, was
born, as stated above, at Clayton, Illinois,
April 13, 1868. From his mother's death,
six weeks later, until his own graduation
at college, he made his home with !Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas W'ickens, the latter of whom
was his mother's sister. With the exception
of* three years passed in Kirkwood, Illi-
nois, this period was spent at Monmouth.
From ^lonmouth College, June 12, 1890, he
received his A. B. and three years later his
A. M. degree. Since graduation he has held
the chair of Greek language and literature
in Tarkio College. One year of this period,
the school year of 1893-94, was spent in
absence for study at Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity. In 1897, 3S a corrcsi)ondence
student of the University of Chicago, he re-
ceived first rank and a certificate of work
ill advanced New Testament Greek. In
1899 he was elected the vice-president of
'J'arkio College, and in 1900, during Presi-
dent Thompson's four months' absence in
Europe, was acting president. 1
Sei)tcml>cr 7, 1893, dated his marriage
to Ada May !Moore, of Hanover, Illinois.
The latter is the only surviving child of
John and Agnes Moore and was born near
Hanover, March 28, 1866. A younger
sister died in childhood. Her father,
John ]\loore, the third child of Charles and
Hannah Moore, was born near Galena, Illi-
nois, May I, 1836, was a student at West-,
minster College, New Wilmington, Penn-
sylvania, 1856-57; a teacher in Jo Daviess
county, Illinois, 1859-60; married June 22,
1865; and died at Hanover March 9, 1868.
Her mother, Agnes Moore, was the first
child of John and Jane Xesbitt and was born
near Hanover, January 10, 1846. Her sec-
ond marriage was to James Moore Novem-
ber 9, 1870. The grandparents of Ada
Moore Brown were John Xesbitt and Jane
Moffat, Charles !Moore and Hannah Rogers,
and they, with others, came to Hanover
from county Monaghan, Ireland, the first
named in 1841, the second in 1845, the last
two June 18, 1S34. Of Ada Moore Brown
and John Vallance Brown have been born
two sons — ^John Moore Findley, April 3,
1S97, a"d Arthur Thomas, May 6, 1900.
FAYETTE COOK.
^Vmong the representative business men
of Nodaway county none are more deserving
of representation in this colume than Fayette
Cook, deceased, who for many years was
connected with the agricultural interests of
the community, and finally in the banking
business in Skidmore. His keen discrimina-
tion, unflagging industry and resolute pur-
pose were numbered among his salient char-
acteristics, and thus he has won tli.it i)ros-
perity that is the merited reward i<\ Imnest
effort.
Mr. Cook was born in Morrow county,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
229
Ohio, July 20, 1829, a son of John and Abi-
gail (Waffort) Cook, who Avere born,
reared and married in Pennsylvania. The
former was of English, the latter of Hol-
land Dutch extraction. In 181 1 the father
went on a prospecting tonr to Ohio, where
he bought land and also entered a tract, and
he located thereon the following year. To
the improvement and cultivation of his farm
he devoted the remainder of his life, dying
there in 1S44. He was one of the prominent
Democrats of his community, and was hon-
ored with a number of county and town-
ship offices, including that of justice of the
peace, which he held for many years. Both
he and his wife were faithful members of
the Baptist church, and were highly respected
and esteemed by all who knew them. She
survived him many years, dying on the old
homestead in 1869. To them were born nine
children besides our subject, as follows :
Joseph, who was accidentally killed at the
age of twelve years; Cynthia, the wife of T.
Phillips; Rachel, the wife of J. Dakin; Mc-
Arthur, who died in Ohio, leaving a good
estate to his family; John, a resident of
Burlington Junction, Missouri ; Miriam, the
wife of J. Walker, of Noble county, Indiana;
Perry, a resident of the state of Washing-
ton; Fayette, our subject; Sarah, the wife
of M. C. McClucken; and Mary, the wife
of G. Corwin. The mother of Mrs. Cook was
Keziah Baughart and died in Ohio at about
eighty-five years of age.
Our subject received his education in the
common schools of his native state, and re-
mained with his mother in charge of the
home farm until seventeen years of age. In
1852 he was united in marriage with Miss
j\Iary Cyphers, who was born in Warren
county, New Jersey, October 25, 1S32, a
daughter of James Cyphers, a native of
New Jersey and a blacksmith by trade, who
died in Ohio. She is the second in order of
birth in a family of thirteen children, the
ethers being Sarah, Elizabeth, James, ^\■ill-
iam, Hannah, jNIelville, Marion, Eugene,
Clinton, and three who died in infancy.
The parents were both members of the Bap-
tist church, to which Mrs. Cook also be-
longs, as also did her husband. They had
six children, namely: Samantha, the wife of
J. Baugher, a farmer; Miles; Allen, who was
murdered in Oklahoma in 1896; James,
who was formerly a farmer but is now a
grain and stock dealer of Skidmore ; John,
a druggist of that place; and May Belle,
the wife of John Giles, of Denver, Colorado.
In 1869 Mr. Cook left Ohio and came
to Missouri. Long before the land in Noda-
way county came into market his father had
made a prospecting tour through the west,
and was so favorably impressed with this
region that in framing his will he enabled
the administrator and executor of the same
to purchase a sufficient cjuantity of land to
give each of his children one hundred and
sixty acres. His wish was carried out and
the land entered in this county as soon as
it came on the market. On coming to Mis-
souri our subject took possession of his
tract and added to it until he had four hun-
<lred and forty acres. He devoted many
}-ears to the arduous task of improving and
cultivating his land, and made of it a valu-
able farm. He always gave considerable
attention to the raising of cattle and hogs,
and fed most of the products of his farm to
his stock. Industrious, energetic and per-
severing, his well directed efforts were
crowned with success, and he became one
of the most prosperous men of his com-
munity. He greatly assisted all of his chil-
dren financiallv, while still retaining a hand-
'isf)
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
some property. In 1898 he and a son erect-
ed a large brick block in Skidniore, and un-
der the state law opened a private bank with
a capital of five thousand dollars, but after-
ward he purchased his son's interest and
pursued a general banking business alone.
He occupied out store room in the building
erected by him. and his son conducted a
drug store in the other, while the hall above
was used as an opera house. After 1898
Mr. Cook made his home in town, and
began erecting a commodious residence there
with all modern improvements.
Politically he was always affiliated with
the Democratic party, and gave his support
to every enterprise which he believed calcu-
lated to advance the moral, social and ma-
terial welfare of his adopted county. He
died September 19. 1900, and is buried at
Skidmore.
JOXATHAX WOHLFORD.
Jonathan W'ohlford, a prominent and
representative farmer of Nodaway county
and one of the old settlers of that county,
i^ one of the best farmers in that section
of the state. A son of George and Lydia
(Dangheiibaiigh) \\'ohlford, he was bori;
in Center f"nni\ Pciin>;vK:mi.i. \ovember
6, 1834.
Philip Wohliord, the grandfather of our
subject, was a pioneer of Kentucky, coming
from Germany. Prom Kentucky he moved
to Center county, Pennsylvania, where he
comlucted a mill and a farm. He was very
well and favorably known in the county,
where he served as justice of the peace for
many years. He died on the old homestead,
and left the folic iwing children ; Jacob; John;
Philip. Jr.; George, father of our subject;
Henry, David, Susanna, Mary and Cather-
ine. George Wohlford was reared aiul edu-
cated in Pennsylvania, where he assisted his
father in farming and running the mill.
Besides being a millwright, he was also a
weaver b\- trade. In 1847 li^ settled in
Stephenson county, Illinois, where he bought
two hundred acres of land and gave his at-
tention to farming. At his death, in 1869.
he left a good estate. His wife died at the
age of seventy-one. Their children w ere :
Jonathan, the subject of this sketch; Susan-
na, the wile of 1). L. liear; .\aron, of Illi-
nois; George, killed in the Civil war; Sarah,
the wife of P. Bear; Emanuel, of Minne-
sota; and Christian, of Illinois. The par-
ents attended the Lutheran church.
Jonathan W'ohlford, whose name heads
this brief biography, was educated in the
German and English schools of his native
county. In i85() he decided to "go west
and grow up with the country," so accord-
ingly set out for Kansas. Being a Republi-
can, he was invited by slave-state voters to
nK)ve on, w hicli he did, tracing his way l)ack
to Missouri, where he remained in St. Jo-
seph a short time. He then went farther
north in thp state, and, in Andrew county,
worked out at lifty cents per day. Alter
the winter was over, Mr. Wohlford went to
Iowa, but remained only until fall, returning
to Missouri, where he bought a claim of
eighty acres inXodaway county. He rcuirued
to Andrew county in 1858, and married,
after which he got together a pioneer cabin
and settled on his own land in Nodaway
county. Being a thorough and conscien-
tious worker, it was not long until atil'airs
began to shape themselves according to his
plans, and his land was under a good state
of cultivation. He has been very successful
and is now the owner of four hundred and
fifty acres of beautifully cultivated land.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
231
He lias also handled and raised stock, in
addition to the tilling of the soil.
Mr. Wohlford married Sarah E. Jobe,
April 6, 1858. She was born in Sangamon
county, Illinois, a daughter of Ira B. Jobe,
Avho was a native of Cl.ay county, Missouri.
Mr. Jobe was reared in Illinois, and in 1857
moved to Missouri, settling in Andrew coun-
ty, where he carried on general farming.
He sold his farm there in 1865 and moved
,to Nodaway county, where he continued to
live to the time of his death, which occurred
in July, 1898. His wife, who is in her
eighty-fifth year, is still living, with her
daughter. They were the parents of eight
children, namely: William; Sarah, the wife
of our subject; Caroline, who married D.
Wilson ; A. W. ; Caleb, served in the Federal
army: Thomas, of Kansas; Melissa, the wife
of M. Baker; and Lucy, who married S.
Matthews. Mrs. Jobe is a member of the
Baptist church.
Mr. and Mrs. Wohlford have been
blessed with six children : Samuel, a farmer ;
Mary, the wife of J. Perkins ; William D.,
a farmer ; George, who also is a farmer ;
Lenora, who married M. Ankrum; and Ira
E., who is farming on the old homestead.
Mr. \\'ohlford is a firm believer in the Re-
publican party, always taking an active in-
terest in politics. He has been assessor, and
has filled minor ofiices. He was a school
director for a number of years. His wife
if- a member of the Latter Day Saints'
church.
JAMES A. YARNELL.
Among the agriculturists of Nodaway
county who have attained success from a
financial point of view is the gentleman
whose name introduces this sketch. He has
accumulated a handsome competence and is
now able to lav aside all business cares and
enjoy a well earned rest. He was an ener-
getic and progressive farmer and stock
raiser and a complete master of the calling
which he followed.
Mr. Yarnell was born in Vermilion coun-
ty, Illinois, May 28, 1841, a son of Thomas
and Dorcas T. (Hildreth) Yarnell. On
the paternal side he is of English descent.
The first of the familv to cross the AtlaiUic
came to America with one of William Penn's
colonies and settled in Penns3dvania. He
was a member of the Society of Friends.
Later members of the family drifted ti:>
Kentucky. Our subject's father was born
and reared in Cynthiana, that state, and
was the older of two children of the family.
His sister, j\Irs. Rebecca Matkin, died in
Illinois, at the age of eighty-eight years.
He was first married in his native state and
then mo\'ed to Grand Prairie, Vermilion
county, Illinois, where he improved a farm
and where his first wife died, leaving three
children : Joseph ; Elizabeth, who died un-
married; and Samuel, a retired farmer of
Ravenwood, Nodaway county, Missouri.
For his second wife A'Ir. Yarnell married-
Dorcas T. Hildreth, a native of Paris, Ken-
tucky, in which state her father died, after
which her mother took her family to Illi-
nois, where with the aid of grown sons she
improved a farm. Her children were Alvin
K., John, Har\-ey, ^Nlrs. Angeline Howe,
William, Mrs. Mary ]\IcDowell, Mrs. Dorcas
T. Yarnell and Hiram. \\'ith the exception
of Mrs. Yarnell, who was a Methodist, the
family held membership in the Presbyterian
church. The father of our subject died near
Danville, Illinois, in 1842, and in 1853 the
mother sold the farm and moved to Noda-
way county, Missouri, the population of
2.S2
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
wliicliat tliat time was mostly Indians, and
tlie cnuntrv was all wild and unimproved.
She entered a large tract of land, on wliich
slie and her family made their home until
after tlie children were married, when she
Sold the iiroperty and moved to Maryville,
residing there until called from this life
August 25, 1886, at the age of seventy-seven
rears. She was a good financier and pos-
sessed more than ordinary business ability.
As a mother she was devoted to her family
and deprived herself for their benefit. Her
children were Thomas, who died unmarried;
Mary E., the wife of G. Stingley; James
A., our subject; and Leona, the wife of P.
Moser.
James A. Varnell was only twelve years
old when he came to this county, and re-
mained with his mother until the Civil war
broke out, being educated in the country
scliools near the home farm. In September,
1 861, he enlisted in Colonel Kimble's regi
ment for six months' service in central Mis-
-sniiri. and was honorably discharged h"
.March, 186.?. Later he re-eniisted in Com-
]iany C, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, which wa?
a>signed to the western army, and was in
many hard-fought engagements with th/
guerrillas and Price's men, but was fortu-
nately never wounded or taken prisoner.
Jle was mustered out at W'arrensburg, Mis-
souri, and discharged ami paid off at St.
l.ouis.
Returning to his home in this countv
Mr. Yarncll was married, in November,
18O5, to Miss Sanianlha Scott, a native of
Clinton county, Missouri, and a daughter
"f John Scott, who was born in Ohio and
was a farmer by occupation. She is the
second in order of birth in a family of four
I liiirlren, the others being S:uah A., the wife
"f William Simmons; Kion G., a stock man;
and John W., professor of a Colorado
school. To Mr. and !Mrs. Yarnell were born
the following children : Frisby A., a resident
of Colorado ; Dorcas L. ; Mary A. ; Donella.
who died young; James A., a resident of
San Francisco, California; Florence R., who
has engaged in teaching school and is now
attending college in Salt Lake City; Belva
C. ; Alfred, of San Francisco; Eugene H.
and Byrdie. The wife and mother is now
with some of her children in San Francisco.
After his marriage Air. Yarnell located
ujjon his farm, and to its cultivation and
improvement he devoted his energies for
some years. He raised considerable stock
and also bought and sold cattle and hogs
which business he found profitable. Suc-
cess has attended his well directed ctlorts,
and he has accumulated a handsome prop-
ert\-. .\t one time he owned seven hundred
acres of rich and arable land. In 1887 he left
the farm and moved to Maryville, where he
engaged in merchandising one year, l)ut is
now living a retired life, looking after his
interests only. Though reared a Democrat,
be cast his first presidential vote for Abra-
ham Lincoln, and has remained a stanch
supporter of the Republican party. He is a
consistent member of the Presbyterian
cinnxh, and is highly respected and esteemed
by the entire community in which he lives.
CORNELIUS HULL.
The subject of this sketch, now a re-
tired farmer and highly respected citizen
<if Maryville, Missouri, was born in Dela-
ware county, Ohio, November 7, 1826, and
was reared on a farm, being educated in the
common and subscri])tion schools of the
neighborhood. His parents, Samuel and
Cherissa (Wilcox) Hull, were also natives
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
233
of Ohio, while liis paternal grandfather,
Ezekiel Hull, was born in Virginia, and as
earl}- as ,1805 moved to Ross county, Ohio,
where he spent his remaining days. His
children were Piatt, David D., Ezekiel,
Cornelius, Nathaniel, Daniel, Luff, Samuel,
James, Martha and Mary. In early life the
father of our subject served as captain,
major and later as colonel in the Ohio
militia, and on the Whig ticket was elected
to several civil offices in his township. He
followed farming in his native state until
1870, when he came to Maryville, Missouri,
and lived a retired life until his death, dy-
ing there January 12, 1892, at the ripe old
age of eighty-eight years. His wife had
died previously. She was a daughter of
Hira Wilcox, a native of Connecticut and a
farmer by occupation, who died in Ohio.
He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his
father, Jehial Wilcox, was the captain of a
company in the Revolutionary war. The
former had lr\'e children, namely : Herman ;
Elmore; Cherissa, the mother of our subject;
Sylva A., the wife of M. R. Paine; and
Clarissa, the wife of D. S. Drake. The par-
ents of these children were members of the
Freewill Baptist church, while the Hull fam-
ily were members of the Missionary Baptist
church. Our subject is the oldest of a fam-
ily of thirteen children, the others being
Hira; Clarissa, the wife of E. INl. Conklin;
Plerman W. ; Lydia A., the wile of J. Miller;
Mary, the wife of J. W. Hoff ; JMartha, the
wife of W. Ferguson ; William ; Samuel ;
Ceorge; Joseph; Harriet J., the wife of M.
Carpenter ; and Daniel.
Cornelius Hull remained under the pa-
rental roof until he was married, in 1847,
to Miss Jane A. \Vyatt, a native of Ohio
and a daughter of Samuel D. Wyatt, a
farmer and Freewill Baptist preacher, who
died in that state in 1845. His children
were Editha, Cyrus, David, John. Jane A.,
Eliza, Clarissa, Ruth and James. Mrs. liull,
who was a consistent and faithful member
of the IMissionary Baptist church, died Oc-
tober
50, 187;
leaving children named
Ann E., John, Herman, S. W., Frank, Flora
J., Clara, David and Abe. Only the last
named was born in Missouri, the others in
Ohio. Mrs. Hull's grandmother was the
first white woman of northern Ohio. In
1878 our subject was again married, his
second union being with Mrs. Mattie A.
]\Iartin, a daughter of J. P. Harris, of ^lis-
souri. The only child born to them died
young, and the wife died January 5, 1882.
She, too, was a member of the Missionary
Baptist church. In 1882 Mr. Hull married
Airs. Emaline Wells, and on the nth of
March, 1890, he married his present wife,
Mrs. Caroline Wareham, a native of Frank-
lin county, Indiana, of which state her fa-
ther, J. P. Williams, was an honored pio-
neer. Her mother was a sister of Governor
Rae, of Indiana, and her brother was a
noted chancellor and circuit judge of AA apel-
lo, Iowa, who became very prominent and
wealthy and died in Ottumwa, same state.
JMrs. Hull was first married in Indiana and
then moved to Iowa, where she lost by death
three husbands, our subject being her fourth,
as v.-ell as she his fourth wife.
Mr. Hull engaged in farming in Ohio
until the Civil war broke out, when he en-
listed, in 1861, for three years as a mem-
ber of Company D, Twentieth Ohio Vol-
unteer Infantry, which was assigned to the
western army. He participated in the bat-
tles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and be-
ing injured in the latter engagement he was
honorably discharged, in August, 1862. In
1864 he re-enlisted, in the one-hundred-day
.'34
BIOGRAPHIC. IL HISTORY
service, and was commissioned first lieuten-
ant of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-
fifth Oliio National Guards. He participat-
ed ill a ninniier of battles and skirmishes
duriuf^ his first service, but later did prin-
cijially guard duty, .\fter being discharged
he returned to his family in Ohio. In No-
vember, 1865, he came to Nodaway county,
Missouri, and purchased a farm of one hun-
dred acres in Union t<j\vnship, to the im-
provement and cultivation of which he de-
voted his energies until i88j, when he
bouglit five acres of land adjoining Mary-
ville. whicii is now witiiin llie corporation
limits and wiiicli has since been his iiome.
During his active business life he suc-
cessfully engaged in general farming and
stock raising, but is now living retired, en-
joying a well earned rest. Politically he
is a Republican, and religiously both he and
his estimable wife are earnest members of
the Missionary Baptist church. He belongs
to a family noted for its morality and in-
tegrity, and he has in no way injured the
reputation established by his ancestors, his
upright, honorable life commanding tlie re-
spect and confidence of all with whom he has
come in contact ciliicr in business or social
life.
JOHN S. I;ILI'.V.
The portions of tlie west devoted to
-stock-raising have many so called "cattle
barons" and "cattle kings." For the most
part they come and go, risir.g to promi-
nence (juickly and subsiding to obscurity
suddenly, "as the result," Mr. Bilby says,
"caused more generally by a vicious financial
or gold stanilard form of ciu-rcncy forced
upon the unsuspecting and confiding coun-
tryman." The successful stock man and land
owner whose name is mentioned above makes
no claim to great distinction in his business,
but it is a fact that he has achieved high
rank and permanently estal)lished himself in
it b)- methods at once enterprising and con-
servative, which would have made a man of
his ability successful in any other field of
endeavor.
John S. Billj}', the largest capitalist and
most extensive land owner in Nodaway
county, Missouri, was born in Washington
township, Morris county. New Jersey, Jan-
uary ly, 1832, a son of John Bilby, a grand-
son of Jonathan Bilby ami a great-great-
grandson, in the maternal hue, of one of
those patriot officers who fought in the strug-
' gle for American independence under Gen-
eral Washington. Indeetl, the family of
Bilbys, in New Jersey, has an unbroken
record for patriotism and good business
ability, and in all periods of the history of
that state down to tlic present time Bilbys
have Jjcen among her most useful and prom-
inent citizens. Jonathan Bilby was born at
Bordeniown, New Jersey, and married a
daughter of Colonel Daniel Sweazey, of
Revolutionary fame, a member of another
family long conspicuous in New Jersey af-
fairs. John Bilby, his son and the father of
John S. Bilby, married Delilah Sliker, a
daughter of John Sliker, of Hunterdon
county. New Jersey, and of German de-
scent; she bore him eight sons and seven
daughters. Mrs. Bilby died in November,
1900, at the advanced age of ninety-two
years. I ler husband died at the age of fifty-
six, lie was a man of line abilities, a good
business man and prominent farmer, a
Democrat and a member of the Methodi.st
I'ipi.scopal church.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
235
John S. Bilby was reared on his father's
farm in New Jersey and we^s taught to do
all kinds of farm work and learned the trade
of carpenter and millwright. He was given
as good an education as was to be had in
the public schools of the time and place.
Incidentally, having a natural liking for
business, he engaged in various transactions
which afforded him a helpful business ex-
perience. He was married, at twenty-three,
to a daughter of Moses and Margaret ( Mes-
singer) Appleget, a member of an old and
worthy New Jersey family. In 1855 he came
west and located in Fulton county, Illinois,
near Canton, where he found work at his
trade. In i860 he removed to McDonough
county, same state, and engaged in stock-
raising near Bushnell, where he acquired
one thousand acres of land, by successful
cultivation and good business management,
and remained until 1S75, when he founded
his present home in Nodawaj- county. He
\\as discerning enough to see that, with its
productive soil and blue-grass pastures, this
was naturally a good stock country, and he
invested and labored with that idea in view,
and results have demonstrated the wisdom
of his opinion. His first land purchase was
moderate, but lf« has made many since and
now owns twenty-two thousand acres in
Nodaway, Atchison and Holt counties, in-
cluding blue-grass pastures that rival those
of Kentucky, timothy and clover land that
surpasses the lUinois meadows, and corn-
fields that yield vast crops. He has, also,
fifteen thousand acres in Staunton county,
Nebraska, and large tracts in other states
and territories. On these large possessions
he feeds from two to ten thousand head of
cattle each year and aljout an equal num-
lier of hogs. Throughout all the great
stock-raising territory of the west, Mr. Bilby
is regarded as one of the very best judges
of cattle and cattle values, and in his man-
agement of landed and stock-raising inter-
ests he is probably without a peer.
Mr. Bilby's sons have been brought up
to the cattle business and under his able di-
rection have naturally become experts in
judging stock. J. E. Bilby, the eldest, was
born in Illinois, November 9, 1864, and was
educated in the public schools near his home
and at college in Iowa. He married JMiss
Josephine Albright, who was born, reared
and educated in Nodaway county, and they
have four children, named Stocker, Will-
iam, Nellie and Murray. He is a Demo-
crat and a member of the Masonic order.
Russell I., Mr. Bilby's second son, was born
in Illinois, and was educated in that state
and at College Springs, Iowa. His wife was
Miss Maggie Miller, a daughter of Alex-
ander Miller, of Atchison county, [Missouri.
They have four children : jMargaret, John
S., Jr., Ralph and Farrell. N. V., Mr.
Bilby's youngest son, was born in Illinois
ruid educated there and in Nodaway county,
Alissouri. He married Miss Bird McMackin
and has two children — ]\Iary and an infant
son. Mr. Bilby has one daughter, Frances
E., now the wife of R. R. Smith, of Seattle.
In 1887, in the death of his wife, :\Ir. Bilby
was stricken by the one great sorrow of his
life. Mrs. Bilby had proven herself a lov-
ing and helpful wife and a wise and gentle
mother, and her loss to her familv was one
which can never be repaired.
Mr. Bilby was concerned in the estab-
lishment of the Farmers' and -Merchants"
Bank at Quitman, Nodaway county, which
was founded in 1885. AMlliam A. Johnston
was the cashier until 1S87, and was suc-
ceeded by J. E. Bilby. In 1S90 N. V. Bilby
became the cashier and continued as such
230
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
until 1S98. wlien the I)ank was sold to Dr.
Ruins H. Sniitli, and later it was bought by
J. S. P.ilbv & Sons. The Bilby bank is one
of tlie solid financial institutions of north-
west Missouri and has had no small part
in the development of agricultural, mer-
cantile and manufacturing interests in and
about Quitman. H. C. Bailey is the pres-
ent casliier. The Bank Block, in which the
institution is located, is a modern two-story
building, one of the attractive architectural
features of the town.
I'artially retired from tiic acti\e man-
agement of some of his varied and import-
ant interests, Mr. Bilby yet keeps ail his
aft'airs closely in mind and firml}- in hand.
Though now sixty-eight years old, he ap-
pears nnich younger, is active and hearty,
rides a horse with ease and preserves a
wonderful capacity for business. Politically
he is a Democrat, influential in party coun-
cils, but has never had any political am-
bition, and the last thing that he would care
to be is a practical politician.
MRS. MAR^' J. C.R. \IIAM.
Tiiis well known and iionorcd resident of
Maryville, Missouri, for whom the city was
named, is the widow of Colonel .\mos Gra-
ham, one of its most prominent citizens in
early days. She was born in Washington
county, Kentucky, Sepleml)er 3, 1821, a
daughter of John and Nancy House, who
si)ent their entire lives in that state. Both
were active mcmliers of the BajUist church,
and the father was a fanner by occupation.
Their diildrcn were Mathew, who died in
Missouri; Mrs. Susan Sutton; Mary J.;
IClizabctl). the wife of C. Ray; Kmily, the
wife of M. W. (Jraham; and Michael, a resi-
dent of Missouri.
In Kentucky, January 9, 184J. was cele-
braletl the marriage of Colonel Graham and
Miss Mary J. House. The Colonel was also
born in tliat state. March 14. 1816. and was
a son of Isaac Graham, a prominent farmer,
v.hose children were Amos, Thomas, Jacob,
I Archibald, Mathew, Mrs. Jane Keling and
Rebecca. The last named became a resident
of Missouri. The Graham family were also
Baptists in religious belief.
In 1842, soon after his marriage, Colonel
I Graham brought his bride to Missouri and
first located at Savannah, Andrew county,
where he taught school for a time and later
h.cld a position in the county clerk's office.
In 1845 he came to Xodaway county and
entered a large quantity of land. He im-
proved a fine farm adjoining the county seat,
which was established after he located there
and which was named in honor of his wife,
she being the first white woman to reside
there. They saw the \iilage established on
the wild jirairie ar.d grow to a flourishing
city of seven thousand inhabitants. For
a number of years tiiey knew every one in
the county, so si)arse!y was it settled during
their early residence here.
Colonel Graham carried on farming but
gave the most of his attention to public busi-
ness, for he was honored with a numl)er of
important official positions. He took an
active and i)roniinent part in political alil'airs
and was one of the leading Democrats of
the county. .\t different times he filled all
the county offices, was clerk and recorder
for over sixteen years, and in i860 was
elected to the state legislature on the Breck-
enridge ticket by a large majority, althougli
the Douglas ticket carried the county. He
was a member of the assembly during the
stormy .session of 1860-61, but after his re-
turn home took no active part in politii-.
COL. AMOS GRAHAM
MARY J. GRAHAM.
'PURLi- Lin
CHARLES GRAHAM
Tt-fr
found
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
237
Lis sympathies being witli the south, while
the county was on tlie side of the Union.
C'n its organization he was ajipointed clerk
of the courts and ex-officio recorder and was
the first post master of ]\Iar}'\'ille. Being
a AA'ell educated and a highly intellectual
man. he \vas well fitted for any iiosition he
\\as called uiion to fill, and discharged his
official duties with credit to himself and to
the satisfaction oi his constituents. Fra-
ternally he was a member of the ^Masonic
order. He was familiarly known as Culonel
Graham, as he held that rank in the old state
militia. .Vs a man he was kind-hearted and
charitable, always ha\'ing a kind word for
every one, and he was highly esteemed and
resijected In' all who knew him. He died
September 14, 1865, at the age of forty-
nine years, and in his death the community
realized that it had lost one of its most
valuable and useful citizens, a man of un-
questioned honor and integrity.
Mrs. Graham still survives her husband,
and is surrounded by a large circle of friends
and acquaintances who have for her the high-
est regard. Their only child. Charles C.
Graham, was born June 5, 1843, 'i"<' ^^'^s
reared and educated in this state. At the
opening of the Civil war, when Missouri
was greatly agitated o\er the question of
secession, he took sides with the Confederacy
and entered the service. Later he returned
home but was obliged to lea\-e the state and
so went to Illinois. On again returning
h.ome he entered the L'nion armv and was
slationed at Fort Garland for a time, but
in 1863, at the time of his father's last illness
and death, he secured his release and joined
his parents.
While in Illinois he became acquainted
with the lady who afterward became his
wife. In 1866 he married ]\Iiss Donna
14
Littlefield, who was l)orn in Hancock coun-
ty, Illinois, August 19, 1843, and was the
only child of Lyman O. and Olive (An-
drews) Littlefield, natives of New York and
Ohio, respectively. Her mother was twice
married, her first husband being a ^Ir.
Kingsley. Her father, who was a ]\Iormon
elder, died in Smithfield, L'tah. To Charles
C. Graham and wife were born five children,
of whom three died young. Those living are
Isora, born February 16, 1875; and Charles
I\l., born December 18, 1877. The mother
and daughter are members of the Baptist
church. Charles C. Graham died Septem-
ber 27, 1898. Like his father, he was a
Democrat, and always took quite a prom-
irent and influential part in politics. He
filled many official positions of honor and
trust, and in some way was connected with
the court-house at Maryville the greater
part of his life. Socially he too was a
niember of the !\Iasonic fraternity and was
a man of much prominence in his coin-
munitv.
MILTOX W. FRANCIS.
^Milton \\'. Francis is one of the intel-
ligent, wide-awake and honored citizens of
Lincoln township, Atchison county, and since
1869 has resided upon the section where he
yet makes his home. He was born in Ross
county, Ohio, September 28, 185 1, and is a
son of Samuel Francis, one of the honored
l)ioneers of the county who came to North-
western JMissouri when the country was new
and wild, the greater part of the land being
still in its primiti\'e condition, giving little
promise of speedy development or improve-
ment. He now resides in Burlington Junc-
tion. Missouri. He was born in Ross coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1828, and his father, John Fran-
23S
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ci<. was a native of North Carolina, of
French lineage, his ancestors having located
in the Carolinas at an early period of the col-
oninl dexelopnient. Representatives of the
family served in the early wars and were
prnniinent in shaping puhlic affairs in the
liiniieer epoch.
Sanniel Francis, the father of our subject,
was reared in the usual manner of farmer
lads of the period and after arriving at man's
estate he chose as a companion and helpmate
on life's journey Miss Mary Stretch, wdio
belonged to a highly respected family. She,
tiKi. was born in Rf)ss county, Ohio, and was
a I laughter of Thomas and Rebecca Stretch
of that county. In 1853 the parents of our
subject left Ross county and emigrated west-
ward, taking up their abode in Shelb}' coun-
ty, Illinois, being among its first settlers.
.\fter twelve years, in 1865, they took up
their abode near Toulon, Stark county, same
state, and ionr years later, in 1869, started
across the country for northwestern Mis-
si mri, making tlie journey in wagons drawn
by two teams. Arriving in Xodaway coun-
ty, Missouri, near Burlington, the 2d of Oc-
tober they remained there one month and
then located on the section of land where
iujw reside his twcj sons. W^ith characteris-
tic energy he began the develo])ment of the
farm, continuing the work of improvement
and cultivating the fields until the place was
very productive and the farm was one of the
best in the neighborhood. His labors were
energetically ])rosecuted and as time passed
he was enabled to add to his home all the
comfrjrts and conveniences known to the
older east. His good wife, one of the hon-
ored pioneer women, who liad been a faith-
ful coni|)anioii and helpmate to him on life's
journey, was called to her final rest January
4, 1S96. To her familv she was most de-
voted, counting no sacrifice too grc;it that
wouUl promote the haiipiness antl comfort
of her husband and children. She was
also a kind and helpful neighbor and was
loved by all who knew her. Since her death
the fatlier has left the farm and is now-
spending the evening of life in Burlington
Junction. This worthy couple were the par-
ents of four children, namely: Mrs. Jane
\\'il.son, who is living in Fort Scott. Kan-
sas; Milton \\'., of this review; Drusilla, the
wife of Thomas Scott, of Lincoln township,
Atchison county; and Thomas, who is liv-
ing on the home farm. The parents were
members of the Christian church, to which
the father still belongs. In politics he is a
Democrat, but has never been an aspirant
for oflice, preferring to devote his energies
to his business affairs, in which he has met
with creditable success.
Milton \\'. Francis spent his boyhood
and youth upon a farm in Illinois and Mis-
souri and was early trained to habits of in-
dustry and economy there. He was also
taught the \alue of honesty in the affairs of
life and his intellectual training was re-
ceivetl in the public schools, bis knowieilge
having later been supi)leniented b\" his read-
ing and the ex|)erience gained in the busi-
ness world. To his father he gave the ben-
efit of bis services luitil he was twenty-two
years of age. remaining at home throughout
that i)eriod. He then started out in life
for himself and completed his arrangements
for a home by his marriage to Miss Nancy
Jane Clark, a daughter of Isaac Clark, of
Lincoln township, who came to Missouri
from Ross county, Ohio. Her mother bore
the maiden name of Eleanor Graves and
was also a native of Ross county. Both she
and her husliand are dead. Mrs. Francis
was born in Ross countv, Ohio, but was ed-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
239
ucated in Illinois. By her marriage she
has' become the mutlier of four children,
namely : l\e\-. Emmett Francis, who is
preaching the gospel as a minister of the
Christian church, being now located in Can-
ton. Missouri; Elba Allen, a farmer; Will-
iam .Vustin and IMinnie Bell. The mother
of these children died June 7, 1895, and
her loss was deeply mourned by her fam-
ily and man}- friends, for her many excel-
lencies of character endeared her to all who
knew her. In 1896 ]\Ir. Francis was again
married, his second union being with Mag-
gie Clemmons, who was born in Texas and
was reared and educated in Davenport,
Iowa, her parents being George H. and
Louisa Clemmons. Her father was killed
in the St. Louis cyclone in 1896, but her
mother is Hving in Nodaway county. ]\Iis-
souri. He was a farmer and mechanic and
was a devoted memlier of the Christian
church. Flis death occurred when he was
fifty years of age. His children were Mag-
gie, Alva, Jesse, Myrtle, Miles and Louis.
The second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fran-
cis has been blessed with two children, name-
]}• : Benjamin Louis and Estella May.
Our subject is to-day one of the enter-
prising and prosperous farmers of his
adopted county, owning a valuable tract
of land of one hundred and twelve acres
which is placed under a high state of culti-
vation, and having added to it all the modern
improvements and accessories. He has here
a good house and barn, a bearing orchard
and rich fields of grain, and his labors are
crowned with a desirable and gratifying suc-
cess. In politics he is a Populist and sup-
ported Bryan for the presidency. He holds
membership in the Christian church, in
which he has served as an elder for fifteen
years. He takes an active part in church
and Sunday-school work and is a friend of
education and temperance; in fact he hear-
tih' co-operates in every movement calcu-
lated to uphold and benefit humanity. In
manner he is cordial and kindly and his
jnany sterling characteristics have made
him a popular citizen.
HEMAN CLARK.
Heman Clark is one of the most ex-
tensi\-e land-owners and stock-raisers of
.\tchison county. He has a pleasant home
on section 27, Colfax township, where he
has resided since 1872, in which year he
became the possessor of three hundred and
twenty acres of wild land. As years passed
he transformed this into a very valuable
tract and as his financial resources increased
he added to the property until he now owns
seven hundred and sixty acres, constituting
one of the finest farms in the county. He
has a model home, commodious and con-
veniently arranged, and standing upon a
natural building site in the midst of a beau-
tiful grove, in which fox squirrels may be
seen at play. The grove comprises twelve
acres and upon the farm there is also a large
orchard which yields its fruits in season.
The outbuildings are modern and conven-
ient, including a barn 60x44 feet, with sheds
26x44 feet. There are good pastures and
meadows, a windmill and all modern ma-
chinery, and the fertility of the soil is kept
up through the rotation of crops. In con-
nection with general farming Mr. Clark is
successfully engaged in feeding and ship-
ping stock, both branches of his business
bringing to him an excellent income. This
successful and enterprising farmer is well
known in Atchison countv and he certainly
-240
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
deserves honoralile nieiuion in the liisiorv
of IK )rtli western Missouri.
A native of Oliio. he was lx>rn May lO,
i83_', in Bloomtiekl, Tmnilnill county. His
father, Alnion Clark, was a prominent
and well kiKJwn citizen of Trumbull coun-
ty, where he conducted a hotel, dealt
in sttick and carried on other lines of
business. He was liorn in Burton. Geauga
county, Ohi(j, in the y'ear 1800. His grand-
father. Isaac Clark, was a native of Con
necticut and oi Scotch ancestry. He served
as a soldier in the war of 1812, loyally de-
fending the American interests. By trade
he was a wheehvrigiit and was sent by a
Connecticut colony to build a log gristmill
on tiie Cuyahoga river, in Geauga county,
thus becoming one oi the lirst settlers of
that portion of the state. He married Miss
Susan Gates, also a native of Connecticut
and of the same family to which belongs
John W. Gates, tlie president of the Ameri-
can Steel Works. Isaac Clark and his wife
l>olh died in Trumbull county, Ohio. There
Almon Clark was reared, and after arriving
at years of maturity he married Delama
Bowers, a daughter of Japhet Bowers, of a
rennsylvania Dutch family. Xine children
were born of this marriaga, eight of whom
reached mature years, while seven arc still
living, as follows: Heman; Alni^Mi, who
died in I'.liMimlicId, Ohio; Mrs. Manila M.
Laird, whu tlied in l""armington, Ohio;
Almnn H., the second of the name, now
living in Farmington ; Mrs. Uoxanna Hart,
of Warren. Ohio; Austa )., of South
Omaha, Xebraska; Isaac \'., of Colfax
townslii|); A. C. Weir, of South Omaha.
Xebraska; and Mrs. Belle Johnson, of War-
ren, Ohio. The father died in Farmington,
Ohio, at the age of seventy-six years. He
liad been an enterprising business man wliose
untlagging industry and perseverance se-
cured to him a comfortable competence.
His political supjiort was given to the Re-
publican party. His wife passed away in
Farmingtfju, at the age of seventy-three
years, and. like her husband, enjoyed the
warm regard of many friends.
Heiuan Clark, whose name introduces
this reciird, was reared nn a farm in Trum-
bull county and in his youth aided in driv-
ing stock over the mountains to market in
Orange county, Xcw York. His early con-
nection with the stock-raising business made
him an excellent judge of cattle, and when
he was eighteen years of age his opinions
concerning live stock were largely received
as authority throughout the community in
which he livetl. The common schools atiord-
ed liim his educational privileges and ex-
perience in Inisiness added to his practical
knowledge. Jn 1853 he drove cattle to Iowa,
receiving twelve dollars per month, and
later he purchased sheep in Ohio, driving
{ them across the country to Cleveland, Ohio,
where he loaded them un cars and shipped
them to Chicago, whence he drove them to
Iowa, where he sold his sheep and purchased
cattle. His financial resources increasing as
the result of his cajiably conducted business
affairs, he made investments in land in
' Jones ciiuniy. b'w.i. near Anamosa. For
nine years he was loc.iteil in Lisbon, Iowa,
where he was engaged in the stock business,
and in 187J be came In Atchison county.
Missouri, where he has since made his
Imme.
In 1871 Mr. Clark was married, in Lis-
bon, Iowa, to Miss Emma Shaum, who has
|)roved tcj him a faithful companion and help-
meet on life's jnurney. .She was born in
Xorthamptnn cnuiUy, Pennsylvania, a
(laughter of Jnjm and Rebecca Shaum, also
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
241
of tlie Keystone state. Her father died in
Tarkio, Missouri, but lier mother is still
living- in that place. Three children have
lieen born unto JMr. and Mrs. Clark : Au-
gusta, who is now living in South Omaha;
Fred H., at home; and a daughter, Anna
B., who died at the age of seventeen years.
Mr. Clark is of Scotch and German line-
age and the sterling characteristics of those
two peoples are manifest in his career. He
has the conservative and industrious Cjuali-
ties of the German race and tlie thrift and
perseverance of the Scotchmen. His labors
ha\"e lieen diligently prosecuted, indolence
and idleness forming no element in his dis-
position. His life exemplifies the truth of
the saying that success is not a matter of
genius, but the outcome of honest and per-
sistent labor. Although he is now sixty-
nine years of age he manifests the vigor of
mind and body of a man many years his
junior. His political support has long been
g-i\-en to the men and measures of the Repub-
lican party. His home is noted for its hos-
pitality. His frank and genial disposition
cause all who kno\v him to esteem him high-
]}• and his genuine worth is recognized by
idl. His example should serve to encourage
others, who, like himself, are forced to en-
ter business life empty-handed and are de-
pendent upon their own exertions for ad-
■xancement.
JOHN G. THORNHILL.
The subject of this review is the owner
of a valuable farm of two hundred and
forty acres of land near Alaryville, upon
which he is successful!}- engaged in general
farming and stock raising. He is a native
of Kansas, born in Barber county. Julv 22,
1858, and is a son of Achilles and Xancv
(Groves) Thornhill, the former born in
Grant county, Kentucky, of Scotch descent,
the latter in Indianapolis, Indiana, of Ger-
man lineage. She was one of a family of
three children, the others being John and
Cynthia. Her father, who was a farmer by
occupation, died in Illinois. The parents
of our subject were married in Springfield,
that state, where the father engaged in farm-
ing imtil 1848, when they moved to Texas.
During the gold excitement in California
they started overland for the Pacific slope,
but being disappointed in their arrange-
ments they stopped in Kansas, where he
bought a farm and resided for several years.
In 1 86 1 he came to Nodaway county, Mis-
souri, and remained here until 1875, when
he returned to Texas. He died near Sher-
man, that state, three years later, and his
family subsec|uently returned to this county,
where the mother died in 1888. He was a
successful farn-ier and left his family in com-
fortable circumstances. Religiously both
were members of the Christian church.
Their children were Calista, the wife of L.
Dawson; Melissa, tlie wife of ^^^ D. Stal-
lard ; Josie, the wife of C. C. Caldwell;
Thomas, a resident of Kansas ; and John
G., our subject. Only the first and last
named now reside in Maryville.
John G. Thornliill accompanied his par-
ents on their various removals, and after
the death of his father finalh- came with
his mother to Nodaway county, Missouri,
where he has since made his home. In 1882
lie was united in marriage with I\Iiss Eliza-
lieth \\'()rkman, wdn) was born in this county,
May 7, i860. Her parents, \\'illiam and
Margaret (Weaver) Workman, were both
natives of Monroe countA', Indiana, and
early settlers of tliis county, where they
located in 1859. The father first purchased
242
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a small tract of laiul. but a.s he ])rosperccl
in liis farming operations he aiUIed to it
from time to time until he now has fourteen
I'.undrcil acres of valuable land, which he has
placed under a high state of cultivation.
In connection with general farming he en-
gages extensively in stock raising, and is
to-day one of the most prominent agricult-
urists of the county. Religiously he is a
iriember of the Adventist church, and so-
cially is connected with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. TiK.irnhill is
liis only child. Our subject and his wife
have three children : Xellie, born April 6.
1883: Ola. born April 30, 1888; and Willie.
born November 27, i8go.
After his marriage Mr. Thornhill locat-
ed on his present farm near Mary\ille. and
has since de\i>ted his energies to its culti-
vation and improxement with m<jst grati-
fying results. His specialty is stock raising,
and he now feeds all the products of his
farm to his stock, lie removed to Maryville
in August, kScjcS. and in the spring of 1900
was elected to the city council from the
first ward. He is a wide-awake, enterpris-
ing business man, of known reliability, and
the success that has attended his efforts i?.
certainly well deserved. As a Democrat he
t. kes an active interest in public affairs.
Socially iie is a Royal .\rch Mason, and re-
ligiously both be and his wife are memjjers
of the Christian church.
JO.SIAII MUMFORD.
I'"t>r twenty-one years Josiali Mimiford
has been a resident of Atchison county and
makes his home in Lincoln township. His
record is a creditable one. embracing loyal
service in the Civil war, while in days of
jKacc he has ever iieen found faithful to
the duties of citizenship and true to all re-
lations of public and private life. He is
therefore a representative citizen and well
dtser\es mention in the history of nortli-
western Missouri.
Mr. Mumford was born in Worcester
county, Maryland. January 22, 1836, and
belongs to one of the old anil respected
tamilies of that state. His father, James
Alumford. was a native of the same county
and was a son of Joint E. Mumford. who
was born of Scotch parentage and served
as a soldier in the war of 18 12. Reared in
liis native state. James Mumford afterward
removed to Ohio and subseiiuently to Illi-
nois. He was married in Maryland, at the
age of twenty-four years, to ^liss Martha
Fo.x, who was born in that state, of English
parentage, a daughter of Joseph and Anna
Fo.x, who emigrated westward to Iowa,
spending their last days in tliL' iio.ne of their
daughter, Mrs. J.unes Mumford, in Lucas
county. In 1849 tue parents of our sub-
ject left Maryland and took up their al)otle
in I'ranklin county, ( )liio. near Columbus,
where they remained until 1853, which was
the year of their arrival in Woodford
county, Illinois. They made the journey
westward li\' team, for that was before the
era of railroads, .\gain by team and wagon
tl ey started westward, their tlestination be-
ing Lucas county, Iowa, wiiere they cast
their lot with the pioneer settlers. The en-
tire region was wild and unimproved and
their iirst home was a log cabin erecte<l on
land which they ol.tained from the govern-
ment. Will; characteristic energy Mr.
Mumford began the development of his
farm and soon transformed tiie wild trac\
into richly developed fields, which yielded
to him a good retmii for the care and labor
bestowed upon them. On the old home-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
.'43
sleail in Lucas county he remained until his
death, which occurred when he was sev-
enty-four years of age. Throughout his en-
tire life he followed farming and thereby
won a comfortable competence. In politics
he was formerly a \\'hig, but on the disso-
lution of that party he joined the Republi-
can ranks, in which be was found through-
out his remaining da}-s. Both he and bis
wife were consistent and faithful memliers
of the ^Methodist Episcopal church, in which
be served as class leader for a number of
years. His wife passed awa}- at the age of
sixty-eight, lovetl and esteemed l3_\' all who
knew her. Tn their family were se\'en chil-
dren, namel}" : Josiab ; James ]M., of Lucas
count}', Iowa: ]\Irs. Anna INIcClurg. who
died in ^lontana ; Mrs. Ellen Needles, of
\\'arren county, Iowa ; Mrs. Elizabeth Tay-
lor, of Chariton, l<;iwa : George, who tlied
in childlidod: and Zeddock, of Thomas
county. Kansas.
Josiali Mumford was only two }-ears of
age when the parents rem()\ed from INIary-
land tn Ohio and was a small bo}- when
they came to Iowa. He was reared upon
the frontier and experienced all the bard-
ships and trials which fall to the lot of the
pioneer settlers, attempting to establish
homes in an unimproved region. He pursued
his education in a log school house and re-
cei\-ed ample training at farm work. He
was also taught lessons of honesty and in-
dustry, which through his entire career
made him a successful business man.
\\ hen the country was invohed in ci\'il
war he offered his scr\-ices to the govern-
ment, enlisting in Company C, of the Fourth
Iowa Infantry, imder the command of
Ca])tain W. Campbell, Lieutenant-Colonel
^\'. Williamson and Colonel B. F. Dodge.
I le participated in the battle of Perryville,
arid with bis command fi)llowed General
I'rice for ab(_)Ut two months through the
southwest, taking part in the battles of
Helena and Arkansas Post. He also aided
in the attack of Vicksburg and participated
in the siege of that city until its surrender.
Later he was in the battles of Jackson and
Lookout Mountain, both in Tennessee, and
went with General Sherman from Atlanta
to Savannah, haxing participated in the bat-
tles of Bentonville and the entire Carolina
campaign. Then the army proceeded to
Richmond and thence to "Washington. 1).
C, taking part in the grand review, the
most celebrated military pageant ever seen
in the western hemisphere. At Lonisville,
Kentucky. Air. ^^lumford was lionorably
discharged and with the other troops was
paid off at Davenport, Iowa. At all times
our subject had been found loyal to the cause
which he espoused and had faithfully ])cr-
formed his duty on many a southern battle
field ; but \vhen the war was over and the
country no longer needed his services he
glatll}- returned to his home and family.
He was married in Lucas county, Iowa,
at the age of twenty-one, in the year 1856,
to Miss Lydia Malone, a native of Hend-
ricks Ci.nmt}-, Indiana, and daugh'ter of John
antl ]\Irs. (Knave) Alalone, also natives of
Indiana. L'nto ]\Ir. and Mrs. ]\Iumford ba\'e
been born se\-en children: Emma, the wife
of J. G. Lane, of Lincoln township, Atchi-
son county ; Theodore, of Nodaway ccnmty ;
Lena, the wife Eli Hutt, of Lincoln town-
ship; Belle, the wife of T, Dixon, of the
same township; Cora, the wife of D.
Macrander, of Lincoln township; ]\IiIIer A,,
at home: and Carrie, the wife of Joseph
1 Hutt, i_)f the same township.
Mv. iNIumford continued to make his
home in Lucas county, Iowa, until 1879,
244
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
when he came to Atcliison county and de-
voted his energies to the cultivation of the
Martin farm until 189 J. In 1882 he was
called Uj mourn the loss of his wife. She
was most devoted to her family and was
a faithful friend. She held memhership in
the rJaptist church and her earnest Christian
faith permeated her life. In 1892 Mr.
Mumford came to his present home, pur-
chasing one hundred and ninety-five acres
kuiiwn as the McOuen farm. It is a valu-
al)le property, on which is a commodious
residence and suhstantial barns, together
with a ten-acre orcliard of apj^les and
]>eaches. Everything about the place is neat
and thrifty in appearance, indicating his
careful sui)ervision an<l progressive methods
of farming. In his political views Mr.
Mumford is a Republican, unwavering in
his su|)|iort of the i)rinciples of the parly
which stood b\' the L'nion in the dark days
of the Civil war, whicli has c\cr added to
the i)rotection of American industries and
which now ui)holds the sujiremacy of the
flag that has been planted on some of the
islands of the sea. He belongs to the
(jrand .\rmy i>i the Re))ublic and his sol-
dierly (jualities are manifested in his citizen-
shij). his loyalty and jiatriotic spirit being
above (|uestion. Throughout the years of
Ins business career he has c;u"rie(l on farm-
ing an<l the comfortable competence wlrch.
he has ac(|uired is certainly well deserved.
1 AMF.s Tonn.
1 he Aodaw.'iy Democrat was started at
Maryvillc, Missouri, in 1861;, and on the ist
of l*"el)ruary, 1875. was taken in charge by
James Todd, the present well known editor,
under wlio.se management it has attained
hit.di r.uik .lUioin^ ilic leading journ.MU of the
state. Mr. Todd was born in Dcarliorn
county, huliana. October 9. 1847. When
seven years old he was taken by his parents
to Oshkosh. \\'isconsin, and later the family
came to Nodaway county, Missouri. His
earlv life was spent on a farm, and his edu-
cation accpiired in the log school-house of
the west, which has given to the country
so many able men. For several years prior
to 1874 Mr. Todd taught school in winter
and worked on the farm through the sum-
mer. In that year he became a citizen of
Marvvilie. and has since been a constant
and faithful worker for the best interests
of that place.
On the 4th of June. 1877. Mr. Todd was
united in marriage with Miss Anna Cin^f-
man, of ^Marvvilie, and they now have a
fanu'ly of five children, namely: Mabel.
I.ulu. James C. Walter S. and Helen, the
oldest nineteen, the youngest ten years of
age. Hugh C. and F.stella died young.
In 1893 Mr. Todd was appointed post-
master by President Cleveland, but resigned
the olVice two years later, ui)on becoming
convinced that he could not perform his edi-
torial duties conveniently ami to his own
satisfaction while attending to the onerous
rerpiirements of a postmastership. For sev-
eral terms he has been a member of the
board of education, and was one of the direc-
tors of the .Mary\ille Seminary llu'ce years.
In the.se capacities and at his daily employ-
ment he has been the same modest and unas-
suming "gentleman of the old sclv)ol," en-
joying the high respect of the community.
His pojiularity is etpialed only by his pro-
fessional reputation, .\s a speaker upon ed-
ucational and patriotic subjects he is in
much <leniand. Apart from iiis newspaper
work and attendance at conventions he does
not obtrude !ii< political opinion-^. While
JAMES TODD
NEW vr
(PUBLtCLlSKvsy
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
245
■ an active Democrat and firm in that faitli,
he carefully avoids making himself person-
ally ofifensive to even the most opinionated
of opponents. For the past year he has held
the position of state Democratic committee-
n'lan from the fourth congressional district.
WILLIAM! H. CLESTER."
Ohio, the objective point and tarrying
place of the pioneer emigrants to the old
"west" has sent its quota of adventurers to
the new "west" and they have proven by
their lives and their prosperity that the
nucleus of civilization planted there and
transplanted in a more distant locality has
lost none of its vitality and is productive
of all that makes for good citizenship. One
of the many sons of Ohio who have found
homes in Missouri and done their full share
toward its development, is William H.
Clester, some account of whose Imsy and
worthy life it will be attempted now to give.
, \\'illiam H. Clester, Xodoway township,
Nodaway county (postotifice Burlington
Junction), Missoiiri, is a progressive and
well-to-do citizen, who came to the county
in 1872. He was born near Zanes\ille,
JMuskingiuii comity, Ohio, December 8,
1 85 1, a son of Joseph and INIargaret (Grace)
Clester. His father, of German ancestry,
was born in Union county, Pennsylvania.
His mother, a daughter (if Thomas Grace,
was also a native of the Keystone state. The
children of Joseph and Margaret (Grace)
Clester were six in number, named as fol-
lows : Thomas (dead); Daniel, of Blanch-
ard, Iowa; George, deceased, who served his
country in the war of the Rebellion; Will-
iam H.;.the immediate subject of this' sketch ;
Rev. Samuel, of the Free ISIethodist church,
ii resident of Nodawa^• cnuntv; and Peter.
of Athens county, Ohio. Joseph Clester was
a good farmer and a Democrat, who died
at the age of thirty-five years. His widow
married Thomas Kennan and is living at
Berlin, Ohio, aged fifty-eight. She is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William H. Clester was reared in his
early home in Ohio and there educated in
the public schools. He was taught to be
honest, industrious and saving. He ac-
quired a knowledge of farming and took up
the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker
and pursued it until he was able to build
a wag(_)n, iron and jiaint it and turn it out
complete, a strong, well made, good-looking
\ehicle, adequate for long and hard service.
\\'hile yet a young man he emigrated to Illi-
nois and located on a farm in Tazewell coun-
ty, near Pekin, where he lived, until in 1872.
as has been stated, he took up his residence
in Nodawav county, Missom'i. He began
farming here on one hundred and twenty
acres and has increased his holdings until
he now owns two hundred and thirty acres
of fine prairie and bottom land, well im-
proved and equipped with good and ample
buildings. He has plow land, well fenced
pastures, meadows and rich blue-grass pas-
ture land good as any within the limits of
the famous "Blue Grass" state. He feeds
much stock and each year markets a goodly
quantity of farm produce.
October 7, 1876, Mr. Clester married
Ida Hoffman, and their children are : Carrie,
who married Charles Drain and has one
child and who lives on the Clester home-
stead ; and Jessie, Joseph, Xellie and Etta
— all members of their father's household.
Still in the prime of life, ^Ir. Clester
is in the full enjoyment of the fruits of his
foresight and industry, a strong, influential
Democrat, a patriotic and public-sijirited
246
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
citizen, a tirm friend and good neiglibor in
tlie best sense of tliose terms. It goes with-
oiit saying tliat sucli a man is popular witli
liis fellow citizens and that his counsel is
sought and followed in many matters of the
first importance.
MRS. CRORC.E I'. C.\KPEXTI-:R.
Mrs. George P. Carpenter lias a wide
ac<|uaintance in Xodaway county and her
circle i)f friends is very extensive. Since
her husband's death she has managed the
jiroperty which he left her. displaying there-
in excellent business and executive ability,
and strong force of character, added to her
true womanly and gentle (|ualities. J icr
husband. George P. Carpenter, was one of
the leading and inlluential men of the com-
munity and lielonged In a prominent familx'.
His father became one of the pioneer set-
tlers of Xodaway county and was actively
iflentified with the work and improvements
that led to its upbuilding and substantial
development. He was born in Kentucky,
Xovember 30. 1813. and there spent his boy-
houd days, becoming familiar with the work
of the farm. Throughout his life he car-
ried on agricultural pursuits, and though
lie came to Xodaway county with little cap-
ital his energy, diligence and perseverance
had there secured to him a comfortable coni-
])etencc.
lie left his home in 1834 and after vis-
iting various places in the stale returned
to Indiana, in 1837. For nineteen years
he was a resident of that state and thence
came to Xodaway county, Missouri. This
district was then largely unimproved and
lie Ixirc an important part in reclaiming the
wil<l land in supi)orling many mea.sures
wbiili .■..nlribnl,,! |,, the public good. In
1856 he went to Kansas, but soon returned
to Xodaway county, entering three lunulred
and twenty acres from the government,
which he transformed into highly productive
fields; and this now has been the family
homestead for forty-four years. He was
married April 17. 1839, in Indiana, to
Miss Xancy (luillams. a native of that state,
who died tliere. leaving to her husband's
care tlieir four small children. Onh' one
of this number is now living. Mrs. B. L.
Moore. At length, after long and active
connection with agricultural interests in
Xodaway county. Mr. Carpenter retired to
private life and spent his last years in the
enjoyment of a well earned rest. He served
as school director of Clearmont district for
several years and at all times was faithful to
liis duties of citizenship. He passed away at
the age of seventy. res])ected by all who
knew him.
(ieorgc P. Carpenter was born in
Hendricks county. Indiana, on the i4lh of
December, 1847. <"''' ^^'"^-^ therefore a youth
of nine years when the father came with
his family to Missouri. Here he was reared
amid the wild .scenes of frontier life, at a
period when im))rovements were scant and
widely scattered and w hen villages were un-
founded and railroads had not yet been built.
Although his advantages in this i)it)neer
region were few his training at farm labor
was not meager, and thus he was well ([uali-
fied for the occupation which he made his
life work. He possessed keen discrimina-
tion in business affairs, sound judgment
and unllagging energy, and those (|ualities
enabled him to gain a place in the ranks of
the subst.'uitial citizens of the community.
He became the owner of five hundred and
thirteen acres of valuable land, much of
which he placed under cultivation, other por-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
247
tions of the land Ijeing used for pasturage;
and in his stock raising interests he was
verv successful. He li\'e(l upon the home
farm until the time of the Civil war. when
he enlisted in Company C, of the Fourth
Islissouri State Ca\a!ry.
On the 1 2th of September, 1867, Mr.
Car])enter was wedded to ]Miss Jcnnette j
Rina^g'old, wlio was horn in Scott countv, ;
Indiana, a daughter of George and Eliza-
beth ( McCullough ) Ringgold. Her father
was born in Kentucky, came to ]\lissouri
in 1861 and died in Xodaway county, at
the age of se\'enty-six A-ears. His wife was
a native of South Carolina and reached the
P'salmist's span of three-score }'ears and ten.
She became the mother of twehe children,
of whom se\'en are now li\-ing. Mr. and
Mrs. Carpenter have had se\-en children, six
of whom survive, namely: \Villard G., Ollie
X., Alma E., Molly M., Ad.lie S. and El-
\ira M. The chiUlrL-n ha\-e been pri)\-ided
\vith good educational privileges, thus add-
irig mental culture ti.i their innate disposition
to relinement.
In matters of pu])lic importance ]\Ir.
Carpenter took an active interest, and in his
community was recognized as a leader. He
served as a scliool director of his district
and was also road overseer, discharging his
duties with promptness and fidelity. The
Carpenters were \\'higs in ante-bellum dav's
and afterward became Republicans. Liks
the others of the family, George P. Car-
penter became identified with the Republi-
can party and cast his first presidential vote
for General Grant in 1868. He held mem-
liership in the Baptist church of Clearmont,
to which his wife also belongs, and his re-
ligious faith was manifest in his honorable
dealings in business and his relations with
his fellow men. In him were noticed the
characteristics of the early pioneers — stead-
fast purpose, strict integrity and religious
zeal — characteristics to which the splendid
civilization of America is indebted for its
wonderful dex'elopment and its glorious
pros]3erity. He passed away October 2, 1887,
but the memory of his upright life is still
enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
]\Irs. Carpenter still survives her hus-
l;and and resides ujion the farm in .\tchison
township. She was educated in the old-time
subscription schools. To her husband she
became a devoted belimieet and since hi «
death she has man;iged the extensive prop^
erty interests which he left to her, with th >
aid of her son. To this she has added and
has made many sulistantial improvements
upon the farm, which is now one of the most
desirable and attractive country places of
the county. She has oversight of the vari-
ous business interests upon the place, re-
garding both general farming and stuck
raising. Mrs. Carpenter finds in her sen
Willard an able assistant and he is a young
man of marked executive force, whose
judgment in business matters is reliable.
He, too, is a Republican, having supported
the party since casting his first presidential
\(ite for Benjamin Harrison. He is now
serving as census enumerator for the year
1900, and is a member of the township
Republican committee. The famih- is onc-
whose educational attainments, sterling
worth and upright lixxs have gained for the
members of the household a ver}- prominent
position in social circles.
SAMUEL H. TOWXSEXD.
After a useful and well spent life, in
which he has prospered, this gentleman is
n.ow livin.n' in retirement from active labor
1>48
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ill Maryville, Missouri. Me was burn in Jo
Daviess county, Illinois, February lO. 1840.
s. son of H. S. and Anna (Car\er) Town-
send, who were natives of New "^'iirk, but
were married in Indiana. His paternal
g^rand father, Samuel Townsend, was also
born in New York, and at an early day
moved to Jo Daviess county. Illinois, where
he died at the age of eighty-five years. He
was a soldier of t!ie war of 1812 and a
farmer by occupation. In his political views
l.e was a Whig. His children were George,
who died at the age of eighty-eight years;
II. S., the father of our .subject: Elijah:
and Elmira. Our subject's great-grandfa-
ther Townsend was born in England, and
served as a captain in the Colonial army
during the Revolutionary war.
Hon. H. S. Townsend, father of our
subject, was si.xteen years of age when the
family moved to Illinois, where he still con-
tinues to make his home. He is a farmer
and speculator and is a man of prominence
in the community where he resides. As a
Republican he has taken an active interest
in ])ublic affairs, has held many local offices
and has represented his county in the slate
legislature three terms. 1 le is l)road-minded
and intellectual and commands the confi-
dence and res|)ecl of tho.se with whom he
Comes in contact. Fraternally he is a mem-
ber of the Masonic order. His wife died in
1S95, leaving the f(jllowing children: K. K..
a resident of Oklahoma; E. E. and Samuel
H., both of Nodaway county, Missouri;
Mrs. Matilda Hooker; Mrs. Sarah S. Man-
ley: John M., oi Illinois; Mrs. Cynthia
(.■am|)bell; and Mrs. Delia Osborn.
Reared on a farm, Samuel H. Townsend
was educated in the common schools of the
neighborhof)d and Mount Morris Semin-
ary, and remained with his parents in Illi-
nois until after the Ci\il war broke out.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Forty,
fifth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, which was
assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and
was commissioned second lieutenant of his
company. He participated in the battles of
Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and
Shiloh, and saw some hard service. Al-
though he was ne\er wounded he was com-
pelled to resign on account of sickness and
returned home in the latter part of 1863.
He was ill for a year and then went to Idaho,
where he remained for foin- years. At tliQ
end of that time he returned to Illinois, and
iu 1869 came to Xodaway county, Missouri,
where he has since made his home. He
purchased a tract of unbidken jirairie land,
which he transformed into a good farm of
two hundred and eighty acres, and success-
fully engaged in its ojieration until 1888,
since which time he has practically lived a
letired life in Maryville. though he still
manages his place. He has always given
considerable attention to stock as a dealer
and raiser, and has found tliat branch of his
business quite profitable. By bis ballot hq
supports the men and measures of the Re-
publican party. ;uul he takes a deep and
commendable interest in public affairs,
though he has never been an asi)irant for
i political honors.
Mr. Townsend li;is been twice married,
in 1871 he wedded Mi.ss Catherine Hess, a
native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of
John Hess, a business man and hotel-keeper,
who sjient his last days in Milan, Sullivan
county. Missouri. She was the third in or-
der of birth in his family of four children,
the others being Belle, the wife of G. Werst;
Mrs. Margaret lialdridge; and Mrs. Fanny
Tatterdale. Mrs. Townsend died Septem-
ber JT,. i8()8. leaving one daughter, Delia,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
249
who was bijrn in March, 1872, and is now
the wife of John Koch, a druggist of St*
Joseph, IMissouri. On the loth of Decem-
ber, 1899, i\Ir, Townsend married Mrs.
Susan S. Green, who had tln-ce children by
her first marriage, ail now grown. Her
parents, William and Elizabeth (Padgett)
Frizear, were nati\'es of Kentucky and early
settlers of Missouri, where both tlied. In
religious belief they were Baptists. The
father was a farmer by (occupation and a
man of prominence in his comnuuiity. He
was twice married and by his first wife bad
two children: Melvina, the wife of J. Crane;
and Sarah, the wife of J. Fcrt. By his
second imion he had nine children, namely:
Louisa, the wife of J. Kemp; Susan, the
wife of our subject; Mary J., the wife of
(/■. Shelly; Thomas, a farmer; Charles and
idartha, twins, and the latter the wife of
William Fort; William, a farmer; Monroe,
a resident of Iowa ; and Ellen, the wife of
'J". Fort. Mrs. Townsend is a most es-
tnnable lady and a member of the ]\Iethodist
church.
STEPHEN D. LARGE, M. D.
The successfid physician must be a man
of good business and exectitive ability.
Added to this he must possess a compre-
hensive and accurate knowledge of the prin-
ciples of the medical science. He must have
in his makeup a discriminating and ana-
lytical power that will enable him to apply
his knowledge to the needs of those who re-
quire his services, and above all he must
possess a broad, humanitarian spirit that
will enable him to look upon his work not
from the financial or scientific standpoint
but from the ground of brotherhood, his
labors being permeated by an earnest desire
to be of service to his fellow men. In none
of these requirements is Dr. .Stephen Doug-
las Large lacking, and therefore he has at-
tained a position of due relative prominence
as a representati^-e of the medical fraternit)'
of Xoda\vay county. He resides in Hop-
kins and has spent his entire life in this por-
tion of the country.
He was bdrn just across the state line in
Taylor count}-. Iowa, and' has passed his
life within a radius of fifty miles of his
birthplace. His natal day w'as June 30,
1861. Flis father, \\'illiam Large, was an
earl}- settler of Ta}-lor cnunty, and has long-
been numbered among the successful farm-
ers residing east of Bedford, low-a. He was
born in Ohio in 1S22, and in 1849 ^'^^ emi-
grated from Highland county, that state,
to Taylor county, low-a, where he lias since
continued to make his home, his life being
that of an industrious, thrifty tiller of the
soil. During the Civil war he espoused the
cause of the Union and with the one-hun-
dred-day troops joined the army. He votes
the Democratic ticket, Flis wife bore the
maiden name of Lavina Hankins, and their
children are the following named : Dr. A. F.
Large, a physician of Braddyville, Iowa;
I\Iary E., the wife of Dr. F, E. F'otter, of
Corning; Ann S., the \vife of Melvin Reed,
of Alta, low-a ; John W,, who is living on the
old homestead; Stephen D., of this review-;
and ^Irs, Herbert Ramsay, of Waterloo,
Iowa.
Dr. Large remained upcju the home farm
until he had attained his majority, and in the
high school of Shenandoah he completed his
literary education. Entering upon the study
of medicine his reading was directed by his
brother-in-law. Dr. Potter, and when ready
for the lecture cotn"se he entered the Kenkuk
College i)f Physicians and Surgeons, com-
pleting his studies in that institution in
i250
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1887. Alter liis ij^raduatiun he opened an
ofiice in Sliamljaugli. Itnva. wliere he re-
n-.aiiied for three years, and in 1890 lie lo-
cated in Corning, that state, wlicre he con-
ducted a drug husiness in connection with
his practice. In 1894 he came to Hopkins and
purchased tiie drug stock of Dr. Girard and
disposed of it in 1900. He is, however, the
ciwner of a stock of drugs in this city, the
husiness heing managed hy Charles Fry.
As a i)hysician. Dr. Large occupies an
enviahle position, and the firm of Large &
King, of which he is the senior partner, is
well known throughout a wide region. He
keeps in constant touch with progressive
methods and has all the medical and sur-
gical appliances necessary for the success-
ful conduct of his practice, having lately
added an X-ray instrument, wherein- he has
heen ahle to effect some really marvelous
cures.
The Doctor was married in Bedford,
Iowa, in April, 1808, to Mrs. Delia Broyles,
a ilaughter of George \\'. Downing, nov.'
deceased. In politics he is a Democrat, and
fraternally he is connected with the Masons
and Odd Fellows. His pleasant, genial
manner wins him friends where\er he goes.
I laughtiness and ostentation find no place
in his composition. He is a typical repre-
sentative of the age in which he lives pnd of
tile city which is his home; and truly his life
inay he termed a success, for he has not only
ac()uired a comfortahle com])etence hut has
also taken part in a nohle work — the allc ia-
tion of human suffering.
JAMl'S ANDY FORD.
Maryville, Nodaway county, Missouri,
has reason to l)c ijhhuI of her enterprising
\oung men of affairs, .several of whom are
representetl in this work. The intense en-
ergy and unswerving purpose of such men
as the one whose name is ahove maintain
a husiness activity in the little city in some
respects remarkahle. Many men with
greater c.i])iial and less ability ami energy
v.ould have failed; hut Mr. Ford has made
standing room for himself, against all com-
petition and in spite of many obstacles, and
Maryville is the richer for his success.
James A. Ford was born on the "High-
land Park" farm, near Maryville, December
20. i860, a son of Elijah and Catherine
(^McClain) Ford. Elijah l-"ord was the son
of a farmer and was born in Kentucky in
1827. While yet a young man he came to
Nodaway county, where he became acfpiaint-
ed with and married a daughter of J<-)hn
McClain. a jirominent citizen here, who had
cmigrateil from Kentucky to the I'latte
Purchase in 1836 and who moved to Noda-
v.ay ci'untv in 1842. John McClain was
a slave owner, a large stock raiser, and dur-
ing "war times" a pronounced and out-
spoken southern Democrat. In the infancy
of Maryville he was the owner of one-
eighth of the block ,011 which the First Na-
tional Bank now stands, and it is related, as
an incident of the days of small things, that
he traded this now valuable proi)erty for a
yoke of oxen and thought he was getting a
good bargain, lie spent his la.st years in
Platte county, Missouri, and died there in
1899. aged eighty-seven years. I^lijah I'ord
locateil in Nodaway county in 1858 and foi
some years was engaged in farming until his
removal U) Maryville. He is well and fa-
vorably known to the citizens of Polk town-
ship and has always been a in:m of good m-
lluence.
James Ford was the only chikl in his fa-
ther's family, a typical country lad, but with
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
251
iiii uncommon inclination for business, which
he was destined to follow to success. He
iicquired a fairl_\' g"i.)od English and lousiness
education at Maryville. and at the age of
twenty engaged in his first business venture
in this town. It was in the retail grocery,
line, and Clark Andrews was his partner.
His capital was so small that it may be said
to have consisted chiefly in his ability to
make friends and secure their patronage.
After two years Sir. Ford relin(|uishc(I his
grocery business and became a li\eryman.
His business in this line grew into a thriv-
ing trade in horses and mules and he soon be-
came one of the most extensive shippers
of such stock in northwest JMissouri. Dur-
ing the past sixteen years his energies have
been directed entirely to ])uilding up at
Maryville a market for farm stock of this
character, and the fact that in a single
year recenth' he handled four thousand
head of stock indicates the extent to which
he has succeeded in developing a conspicu-
< us business at home along lines of his own
choosing and by methods the wisdom of
which is attested liy their efiiciency. He is
also a partner in the Union Bus Line of
I\Iaryville, a large business which is the only
one of its kind in the city.
Mr. Ford married Miss Ollie Maupin,
in Nodaway county, in July, 1885. She was
born in Harrisonville, Missouri, and reared
at St. Joseph. Her father, Robert Maupin,
came originally from Kentucky. Her only
lirother, Howard JNIaupin, is a United States
railway mail clerk, whose route is over the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.
James A. and Ollie (Maupin) Ford have
three children: Hazel, fourteen years old;
Harold, twelve years old ; and Helen, five.
Mr. Ford is personally very popular and
has a large acquaintance throughout all the
territory tributary to Maryville. He is an
enthusiastic Mason, a member of blue lodge
No. 470, Free & Accepted ]\Iasons, of Hilary-/
ville; Owens Chapter, No. 96, Royal Arch-
Masons, of Maryville; Commandery No. .\o,
Knights Templar, of St. Joseph; and Moilah
Consistory, Nobles of the .Mystic Shrine,
of St. Joseph.
JOHN HAGEY.
In the border states between the extreme
north and south, more than in any other
part of our country, it is evident that the
people of the two sections ha\-e jomed
liands over the "bloody chasm" that long
separated them, and united in a true brother-
hood of Americans, knowing no section an<l
solicitous for the advancement of the nation
in its broadest sense. Such a state is Mis-
souri, and there the men who wore the blue
and the men who wore the gray are neigh-
bors and friends, pushing forward shoulder
to shoulder in the march of material and so-
cial improvement. The man whose name
heads this article is one of those who risked
their lives and saw their kindred die for that
historic "lost cause" which to the old soldier
is now but a saddening memory.
John Hagey, a well-known old resident
of Green township, Nodaway county ( post-
office Burlington Junction), has been a citi-
zen of the county for nearly half a century.
He was born in Harrison count}', Ohio. July
18, 1843, ^ SOI'' of Abraham and INlary
Hagey. His father was of Pennsylvania
Dutch stock and a native of Franklin county,
that state. Mr. and iMrs. Hagey emigrated
from Pennsylvania to Harrison coun-
ty, Ohio, making the trip mostly by water.
They continued their journey in the same
way in 1852, and entered Missouri by
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wav of St. Joseph. On reaching Nodaway
county tliey settled for a time in Lincohi
tdwnsiiip. wiience tliey removed to Green
townsliip, where they hved out their (hiys,
each (lying at ninety. They had five children,
a< follows : Maria, who married Henry Bow-
m.an and lives at Burlington Junction; Isaac,
a soldier in the Confederate service, who was
killed at Corinth in September, 1863; Jacob,
also in the Confederate army, who was killed
at Champion Hills; John, the subject of this
sketch ; and Abraham.
John Hagey was nine years old when
the family came to Xodaway county. The
succeeding nine years he s[)ent as a pioneer
bov and youth. If his lot was such as
to be judged by any one as in any sense
a hard one, it was to grow harder. The war
of the Rebellion came on and he esixnised
the cause of the south and took part during
the ne.xt few years in the determined but
imavailing fight for southern independence.
As a member of Captain McKiddy's com-
pany of Samuels' battalion, he participated
in the battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Pea
Ridge, Elkhorn Station, Memphis, luka,
Corinth, Champion Hills and Vicksburg.
After the fall of X'icksburg lie was made a
prisoner and was kept at Demopolis, Ala-
bama, four months. Later he saw service
on the Confederate ran.i Tennessee, Cap-
tain Buchmar, operating against Cnion
vessels under the command of Admiral I'ar
ragut. He was captured by the Federals
and taken to Xew Orleans, whence he was
transferred to J-"lmira, Xew York, where he
was hekl mitil the end of the war. He was
given his liberty May 28, 1865. and returned
without delay U< Mis.souri.
After the war Mr. Hagey resumed farm-
ing. He cultivated rented land until 1867,
then secured a farm of one Iiundred and
si.xty acres, which he inipro\eil as rapi<lly
a.s possible until it was under a good state
ot culti\aliiin, ])rn\idcd with adecjuate build-
ings and machinery and in all ways amply
equipped for jiractical farming. In 1866
lie married Miss S. M. Odell, a daughter of
Jolin and I'.lizabelh (,\'an \'ickle) Odell,
both of will mi are deiid. ^liss Odell came
of a good family, is a woman of high pur-
jxjse and good ability and has been to Mr.
Hagey a noble and helpful wife. They
have seven children, named as follows : James
E., Horatio M., Abraham C, Cora S. (Mrs.
Seals, of Wilco.x, Xodaway county). Ber-
tha (Mrs. McClay, of Xebraska). Etta and
Zulu.
Mr. Hagey is a public-spirited man, who
it ever ready to do liis full share in the ad-
vancement of the best interests of the com-
inunity. Eroni the fact of his service on
the Confederate side of the war of the re-
bellion, he is m)t identified with the (Irand
Army of the Republic, yet be counts among
his best and truest friends many old fighters
who w^ere oppo.setl i<> him in 1861-65. He is
an Otld Fellow.
N.VTHANIEL SISSOX.
The subject of this sketch, tlic .senior
liieniber of the real-estate, loan and abstract
firm of X. Sisson & Son, is one of the three
rtni.iining active business men of Maryvillc
vhn occupy the same business rooms, occu-
jiicd continuously for the past quarter of a
century. He came into the county August
'., iSoo. and has witnessed the transforma-
tion of a vast prairie dotted here and there
with the cabins of a few settlers into the
present jiopulous and prosperous county of
Xodaway.
Mr. Sisson was born May 25. 1845, '"
NATHANIEL SISSON.
^'"'^•' u,„„//
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
253
a typical early settler's log- cabin on a farm
in ]\leigs county, Ohio, a son of Nathaniel
Potter Sisson, \vhi;i was born in the adjoining
county of Gallia, in the year 1817, being the
same year the paternal grandparents settled
in that county. Authentic history of this
branch of the Sisson family begins in Ot-
sego county, New York state. Family tradi-
tion, however, begins with "three brothers,"
emigrants from the old country, supposed
to be Scotland, and settled in what is now
Rhode Island, about the time of the early
settlements at or near the city of Providence.
Frtnn this point one removed to Virginia ;
one .settled in the eastern part of New York
state, and one, the great-great-grand father,
in the western part of the same state, near
Rochester, subsequently remo\-ing to Ot-
sego county, where he died. He had three
sons — Samuel, Arnold and John. The
latter, the great-grandfather, occupied a
homestead near Wells' bridge, which is still
in the possession of members of the family.
The family of John Sisson, the great-
grandfather, consisted of nine bo3'S and four
girls, of whom John. Benjamin and Amos
settled in Indiana, and Jiles, Wilson, Aaron
and Simeon settled in Ohio. There is no
record as to what became of the other two
sons. Wright and
Of the daughters.
Elizabeth married Benjamin Saunders;
Edith, a Mr. Gardiner; Rebecca, a Air. Wil-
ber.and Sarah married AlvinPeck, of Berlin,
Rensselaer county. New York. Grandfather
Simeon Sisson, whose wife's maiden nam«
was Potter, removed to a point near Pitts-
burg, Pennsylvania, remaining but a few
years, and thence by raft (the then common
mode of travel) down the Ohio river, land-
ing at Gallipolis, Gallia county, as before
stated, in the year 1S17. His family —
Elisha, Sarah (who married Orvil Farmer),
lb
Nathaniel P., \\'illiam and Lewis, who are
all now deceased except Lewis — settled in
Meigs county. Ohio. Grandfather Simeon
and grandmother are buried in the cemetery
at Middleport, same county, they having both
died (of cholera) in middle age, leaving a
family of young children.
Nathaniel P., the father, being a boy of
tender years, was apprenticed to his uncle
Wilson to learn carpentering. Becoming
dissatisfied, he departed from his employer
without leave, drifting down the river in a
pig trough, for want of a better lx)at! This
early experience determined his calling: for
years he followed boating on the Ohio.
Subsec]uently learning the trade of stone-
cutter, gaining a competence, he bought and
impro\'ed several farms, the last one being
in Rutland township, Meigs county, which
is still in the possession of a member of the
famil}-. He was married twice — first to
Rebecca ]\IcKinster. One child was born to
this marriage, John AI., the mother dying
while he was an infant; he now occupies the
old homestead. His second marriage was
to Sarah Harrington Canode, nee Green, the
widow of David Canode, who died leaving
two small children, George W. and Mar)'.
Sarah Harrington Green was the daughter
and oldest child of William Green and
Mary Green, nee Earhart, whose chil-
dren were Sarah Harrington, Catha-
rine. Harriett, Samuel, Mary, Josephine,
Joanna ]\I., William and Eliza. The
grandparents of said Sarah Harrington
Green, were Andrew Green and Mary Green.
nee Harrington, whose children were, Sam-
uel. William. Deborah, James, John and An-
tlrew (twins), Polly, George W., Jonathan
H. and Alafare. The Green family was
formerly from Hagerstown, Maryland.
Grandfather Green was among the first set-
254
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
tiers and made tlie first "clearing" where the
tuwn of McArthnr. \"intun county, Ohio,
now stands. His child Sarah, lieing the first
child born in the village (March lo, 1816),
was by the proprietor of the town presented
with a town lot in recognition of the fact.
She is still living, at the advanced age of
eighty-four years. Though seventy years have
passed since she removed from McArthur
she still remembers names of the first set-
tiers ami recounts the thrilling incidents of
th.ose early times when wolves and wild In-
dians were the dread of the pioneers.
The children of Nathaniel P. Sisson and
Sarah H. Sisson, brothers and sisters of the
subject of this sketch, named in the order of
their ages, are : Dr. David Sisson, of Meigs
county, Ohio; Nathaniel, this subject; Fran-
cis !M., of Yuma county, Colorado; Eleanor
Rebecca, deceased; Ann Eliza, the wife of
L. M. Harvey, of JMeigs county, Ohio; Sarah
Jane, deceased; and Charles, also deceased.
The deceased children all died in infancy
and are buried with their father in the fam-
ily's private burying-ground on a very high
hill near the middle of the old home farm in
Rutland township, the father, Nathaniel 1'.,
liaving died at his home in !Middleport, Feb-
ruary 1 8, 1894.
In religion the Sisson ancestors inclined
to the (Juaker order; the Greens were Meth-
odists : the parents of this subject were mem-
bers of tlie Middleport congregation of the
Christian church, in which faith the family
was reared. I'rom infancy enjoying the
quiet, steady-going home life of the well-to-
do farmers of southeastern Ohio, the boys
v.orkcd on the farm in summer, and all, boys
ai:d girls, big and little, attended in winter
time the di.strict school, of which Oiiio at
tl at time could Ixiast the best.
t iiu- -.iil)ject at the breaking out of the
Civil war was a boy of sixteen. Fired w ith
the patriotism of the hour in support of the
Union, he enlisted, August 9, i86j. in Com-
pany C, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry. A month later he was rejected by
the mustering officer and sent home because
of his youth. October loth follinving he
crossed the Ohio river and enlisted as a re-
cruit in Company A, Second \\'est \'irginia
Volunteer Cavalry, of which company his
brother David was then a member, that regi-
ment, with others of General Lightburn's
cnmmand, at that time being camped at Point
Pleasant, \'irginia. Entering immediately
upon active duty, he was constantly with his
command in the field until July 4, 1865, he
received an honorable discharge from the ser-
vice of the United States, at Wheeling, West
X'irginia, having gained four inches in stat-
ure and one-fourth his original weight dur
ing his service. Except for a few montb>
his company was body guard for General
Scammon at Charleston. Scouting, chasing
guerrillas and bushwhackers, doing outpost
and picket duty in the mmmtains of West
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
255
A'irginia, with an occasional '"brush" with a
regiment or two, occupied liis regiment until
tlie "raid" upon Lynchburg under General
Hunter in the spring of 1864, after which
the Virginia brigade, consisting of the First,
Second and Third cavah-y regiments, was
sent to the Shenandoah valley, where it be-
came a part of Sheridan's cavalry. The bat-
tle of ^^'inchester, of July 24th, Opequan
September 19th, Fisher's Hill September
22d, and Cedar Creek, of "Sheridan's Ride"
celebrity, October 19th, in all of wdiich with
man}- minor engagements he participated,
closed the campaign of 1864.
\\'intering in log huts at Camp Averel,
n.ear Winchester, February 27, 1865, found
Sheridan's cavalry in the saddle scattering
the last remnant of Early's command at
Waynesboro March 3d, raiding the rear
of Richmond, then returning to the federal
lines at Whitehouse Landing, thence around
by way of City Point to the extreme left of
Grant's army, then investing Petersburg. An
extensive cavalry raid was planned in that
direction and actually begun which termin-
ated unexpectedly with the victorious battle
of Five Forks April i, 1865, wdiich decided
the fall of Richmond, the city being evac-
uated the next day. Sheridan immediately
fell upon the rear and flanks of Lee's re-
treaing army, the cavalry skirmishing and
fighting every day, our subject as bugler for
General Capehart. He and the General both
had their horses killed under them by a vol-
ley from the enemy at Deep creek. Sheridan
threw his command in front directly across
his line of march, when, April 9th, Lee found
all hope of further retreat cut off. The place
was Appomattox. Bugler Sissons' personal
recollections of these matters were well re-
lated by the Maryville correspondent of the
St. Louis Globe-Democrat of ]\Iarch 13,
1897:
"a bit of war history.
"The Last Hostile Bugle Command Before
Lee's Surrender.
"A bugler who blew the last 'charge' of
the Civil war lives in this city. He talks
interestingly of that final rush at Appomat-
tox and the truce that speedily followed.
His hardened lips sounded the inspiriting
cavalry command that practically ended the
bloody conflicts of four years and resulted
ill ultimate peace and the perpetuity of the
Union.
"When the war broke out Nathaniel Sis-
son enlisted in the Second West Virginia
Cavalry. He rode under the flag of that
gallant regiment through many a perilous
struggle, and the year 1865 found him, un-
der Custer's command, in that part of the
field wdiere hostilities were formally ended.
" 'We had been pursuing Lee's retreat-
ing army all day on the 8th of April, '65,'
said Mr. Sisson to the Globe-Democrat cor-
respondent. 'On that day we had captured
a train of cars bearing supplies for Lee, and
sent out from Richmond. We also made
(.[uick work of a belated wagon train, and,
tired after so vigorous a day of foraging,
went into camp.
"'After lying on our arms all night,
we were called early, and before daylight
were in the saddle, ready for the events of
the most glorious day of the war. The
trouble began at an early hour. \\'e ad-
vanced and met the enemy's skirmish line,
brushing them before us easily. In a short
time we were advancing, apparently, on
Lee's wagon train, but, instead, we soon
t.'r>ii
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
fcniiul iiur>elves headed tliroiig^h Lee's
army. Then the last bugle ciMiimand of a
hi istile nature was blown and we were charg-
ing at them. As we rusiied on two of Gen-
eral Gordiin"s aids rode out, carrying a flag
of truce. That practically ended the war.'
"This historic flag of truce, mentioned
by Mr. Sisson. was tlie dirty towel so humor-
ously referred to by General Gordon in his
lecture <in "The Last Days of the Confed-
eracy.'
■■ '.V federal ofl^.cer rode out to meet tlie
truce-ljearers.' continued Mr. Sisson. "Mean-
wiiile Custer rotle at the head of liis charg-
ing column, entirely ignorant of the prof-
fered truce. The aids spurred their horses
and overtook Custer, who ordered' the col-
umn to halt. Tlie mming line stopped and
the dasliing Custer rode back to General
Gordon's headquaVters. While terms of
surrender were being discussed a .squad of
Confederate ca\alry dashed into the front
of the L'nion ranks. Gordon hastened to
send them command to cease hostilities, but
found himself without an aid. He dis-
i;atclied a willing federal soldier, who bore
Gordon's order to end the attack. Tiiis was
the gallant southern general's last ofticial
direction of tiie war. and it was executed by
a soldier from the opposing ranks.
■■ "Custer came back from Gordon's tent
alone. As he passed we heard him tell Gen-
eral Capeliart. uncovering his head the while,
that General Lee was treating for cajjilula-
tion. Those of us who heard it set up a
cheer. It was carried down the line and
across the valleys until ihc vcrv hills shook
with the shouts of joy from the throats of
thousands of the l)oys in blue, who realized
that the war was over.'
■■ Bugler Sisson does not claim that he
blew the last order of the war: but his regi-
mental historian gives him the credit for it.
and facts bear out the statement. The bugler
who sounded the final charge before Lee's
surrender is a well-to-do citizen, and was
formerly a i)artner of e.K-Governor Mori,
house in the real-estate and loan business."
Ha\ ing receixcd the flag of truce in rec-
ognition of his gallantry. General Custer w as
given the po.st of honor, the right of the line,
in the grand review of Grant's anil Sher-
man's armies May 24th in Washington city.
General Custer and staff were the first t-
pass, then General Capeliart and staft'. witli
which was Bugler Sisson. All the cavalry,
infantry and artillery of both armies made
up the niiisl iniixisinsi' military pageant ever
witnessed on this continent.
Returning after almost three years of
continuous service, still a min(ir. Mr. Sisson
exhausted his small army sa\ ings in further
ing his education. On July 31st. alone, with
all his worldly belongings packed in a small
grip, he slarleil.' like many boys of the tiuK.
to seek his foriune in the great unsettled
west, arriving, without incident, in Mary-
ville. as before related.
School-teacher, cabinet-inaker. countv
road and bridge commissioner, studying sur
\eyiiig and engineering the while, in 1S71
he engaged as engineer with a firm in Si.
Joseph, and for two years superintended tlu
building of bridges, his masterpiece being .
wagon bridge for a toll-bridge coiniianv
built over the Brazo.s ri\er near Calvcn.
Texas, with sii.ne abutments, and wooilen
superstructure siianning the entire stream
with one span, of two hundred and sixty-
six feet — two hundred feet being considered
by engineers the limit of safely for wooden
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
257
suijerstructures. This bridge stood and an-
swered all requirements for over twenty years
and was crushed down onl}' hv the un-rush
111 .me hundred and fifty head of wild Texas
cattle.
April 13, 1875. with H. C. Fisher, the
cashier of the Farmers' Bank, and Albert
P. Alorehouse. he entered upon the real-
estate and abstract business, under the firm
name of Morehouse, Sisson & Company.
During the partnership the tirm published
tlie first lithographic map of the county, the
iiriginal draft of wdiich was prepared by i\Ir.
Sisson. At the end of about three years
Fisher retired, and the firm liecame More-
house & Sisson. After fourteen years of
[lartnership he bought the interest of the late
(iO\ernor Morehouse and conductetl the busi-
ness alone till 1896, when his son, arriving
at his majority, was taken as a partner, un-
der the present firm name. In 1877 Mr. Sis-
son prepared and had copyrighted an origi-
nal system of abstract books known as the
American system, which the firm uses.
Octolier 14, 1874, Air. Sisson was mar-
ried, at Lexington, ^Missouri, to Miss Mary
S. Hughes, of that city, a daughter of George
E. Hughes and Anna Hughes, nee Groves.
Her father, going with the great rush of
gold-seekers in 1850 to California across
the plains witli 1 >x teams, prospered for a
time and was hjst — whether by sickness or
otherwise was ne\-er known. Her mother
was a daughter of Thomas Gro\-es, who
moved from near Xash\'ille, Tennessee, to
Moin-oe county, Missouri, where he died,
lea\ing a quite numerous family, several of
Aviiom later settled in Xodawav county.
IMrs. Hughes remained a widow and reared
her children, James T., Georgian and Mary
S., when she died, at the latter's home, Feb-
ruary 10, 1900.
j\Ir. and ]Mrs. Sisson have two children:
Nathaniel Paul, a member of the firm of N.
Sisson & Son, wdio served as the first lieu-
tenant of Company E, Fourth Missouri
Regiment, in active service in the Spanish-
American war of 1898-9, and at this time
is the captain in command of said company;
and Donna, a bright school girl of thirteen
summers.
In politics Mr. Sisson earU- took an act-
ive interest, as a member of the iMaryville
Tanner Club, composed of two hundred of
Maryville's good citizens. He was elected
its captain in 1868, and that year cast his
first vote for his old commander, General
U. S. Grant. Mr. Sisson has never held any
very important ofiice. He was city clerk,
alderman for six }'ears, member of the ]\Iary-
\ille school board and for three years its
president; he aided in securing the three
ward school buildings. As the successor of
Hon. Xicholas Ford, who was nominated
by the Greenback party and endorsed and
elected by the aid of the Republicans to
congress twice in succession, i\Ir. Sisson was
nominated antl made the race for congress
from the Fourth Missouri district in 1882;
the Republican convention failing to en-
dorse him as they had Ford, he was in the
ensuing election defeated. In 1892 he was
the candidate of the Republican party of
Nodaway county for representative to the
general assenibly, but was defeated by a
small plurality.
In religion Mr. Sisson is liberal, ^^'hile
not a member of any, he is a patron of all
churches. He is a member of Sedgwick
Post, N'o. 21, G. A. R., and he is its pres-
ent commander. In the order of A. F. & A.
'SI. he is a member of [Maryville Lodge, No.
165 ; of Owens R. A. C, No. 96, and Mary-
ville Commandery, No. 40, K. T. : and he
258
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
is also a member of Muiia Temple, St.
Joseph.
The Sisson residence cKCupies a beautiful
ten-acre plat west of and- adjoining- Mary-
\\\\e. embowered in evergreens, shruljs and
flowers, an ideal home.
HON. EDWIX A. \'IXSOXTT.\TF.R.
Hon. Edwin A. X'insonhalcr, an attor-
ney at law of Maryville, is distinctively
American : so were his ancestors, both lineal
and collateral, for several generations. He
is a direct descendant of the pioneer \'inson-
lialer^ of Ohio, being a great-grandson of
(ieorge \'insonhaler, who went into the
Buckeye state with Massie, who was sur-
veying and locating land warrants in Ross
C(nmty. George \'insonlialei- was a survey-
or I)y profession and resided in the vicinity
of Martinsburg, West Virginia, which was
the original American home of the family.
He left that state and became an active fac-
tor in the development of Ohio and died
in Chillicothe. One of his children was Ja-
cob Vinsonhaler, the grandfather of our sub
ject. He left Ohio in 1841 and .settled in the
Platte purchase in Missouri, and then located
land in what is now Hughes township, Xod-
away county, where Jacob Vinsonhaler died,
in 1869, when seventy years of age. ]n his
early life he was a teacher, nnd he was also
connected with the administration of Gov-
ernor MacArthur, one of the early chief
executives of Ohio, f(jr whom he acted as
Ijrivate secretary. He was marrieil at the
old home of the governor to Miss Xancy
McDonald, who died in Andrew countv,
Missouri, in 1878.
Of their six children, George Vinsonha-
ler. the father of ...ur subject, was the .second
in order of birth. He is a resident of Marv-
ville and was identified with the farmings
interests of Hughes township until i88_'.
when he removed to the city, where he has
since maintained his residence. He married
Miss Sarah Rea, a native of Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, who emigrated west-
ward in early womanhood and became a
teacher, also acting as assistant to her uncle,.
tlie Re\'. Samuel Jrvin. who had charge of
the Sac and Fox Indian mission, in the
northeastern part of Doniphan county, Kan-
sas; and Rev. Irvin was in charge of it
from 1837. I'mni Pittsburg, Penn.sylvania,
he shipped part of the lumber which wa»
used in the erection of the mission buildings,
and for many years he devoted his energies
to the work among the red men there. Out
of the mission which he established grew
Highland University. His niece taught the
white children of the agency until she gave
her hand in marriage to George \'insonhaler,
tlie wedding ceremony being performed bv
her uncle, who thirty years later performed
a like ceremony for our suliject. Her mar-
riage was blessed with four sons, namely :
Dr. Frank X'insonhalcr, of Little Rock, Ar-
kansas; Duncan M., of Omaha, Xebraska;
Harry, of St. Louis; and Edwin A., of this
review.
Fortunate is the man who has back of
him an ancestry honorable and distinguished
and happy is he if his lines of life are cast
in harmony therewith. Mr. X'insonhalcr of
this review has developed the powers witii
which nature endowed him and to-day he
occui)ies a distinctively representative po-
sition at the bar of northwestern Missouri.
He pursued his education in the common
scliools of Nodaway county, in the academy
at Graham, Missouri, ami in Highland L'ni-
versity. After attaining bis eighteenth
year he engaged in teaching school for a
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
259
few terms, but, desiring to enter upon the
practice of law, he began reading in tlie of-
fice and under the direction of the well
known law firm of Johnston & Jackson, of
JMaryville. He was born October lo, 1854,
and was therefore twenty-three years of age
when admitted to the bar before Judge Kel-
ley in 1.877. During the year following he
was appointed justice of the peace for an
unexpired term of one year and his time was
de\-oted to the duties uf his office and to tho
regular practice of law. In the fall of 1878
he became a candidate to the office of pro-
bate judge, and, though defeated, he carried
his township b}- a large majority, showing
he had the confidence and support of those
among whom he lived and who knew him
best.' During the two succeeding years he
served as tleputy c.junty clerk in tlie office of
John S. Miller, and on the .expiration of that
period was elected county tax collector, fill-
ing the position for one year. At the next
election he was chosen by popular ballot as
probate judge for a term of four years. In
1887 he entered upon the regular practice
of law. In 1892 he was elected prosecuting
attorney of the county and for four years
served as city attorney of ]vlaryville. He
has been connected with many prominent
civil cases, some of \\hich have became prece-
dents, in\-ol\-ing poin'.s not before deter-
mined.
In 1879 Mr. \'insonhaler was united in
marriage to Miss Helen Wyman. v.dio died
in 1881, and in 1884 he wedded Miss Cora
E. Bay less, a daughter of \\\ H. Bayless, of
Highland, Kansas. Their children are
Louise, Bayless, Sarah and Elizabeth. ]\lr.
\"insonhaler and his family are well known
in Nodaway county and are cordially wel-
comctl in many of the best homes. The
name of Vinsonhaler has been inseparably
interwoven with the history, progress and
advancement of this community. Through
the period of its entire development a sub-
stantial advancement has been promoted in
many ways by those who ha\-e borne the
family name.
The subject of this review is one who
has brought liis keen discrimination and
thorough wisdom to bear not alone in pro-
fessional jiaths but also for the benefit of the
city which has so long been his home and
with whose interests he has been so thor-
oughlv identified.
AlORGAN B. WILLCOX.
This honored and respected citizen of
Lincoln township, Xodav/ay county, Mis-
souri, and gallant soldier of the Ci\-;1 war,
is a native of Greene county, Pennsyl\-ania,
born May 18, 1843. He is a son of Samuel
and Luzina (Phillips) Willcox, both na-
tives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather
was Solomon Willcox, who was also a na-
tive of Pennsylvania. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Sam-
uel Willcox were the parents of several chil-
dren, who are : ]\Ioses, who was killed at
Fair Oaks, Virginia, during the Civil war;
Luttica. Rebecca, Nancy, Charlotte and
Morgan B. The mother's death occurred
February 28. 1859. ^Ir. Willcox"s death
occurred in 1877, at Canton, Illinois, aged
seventy years.
At Lincoln's call for three hunclretl thou-
santl men, Mr. Willcox went into service,
becoming a member of the Fourteenth Regi-
ment, Pennsylvania \'olunteer Cavalry, Sep-
tember 22, 1862. Colonel James Sclioon-
maker had command of the regiment, and
our subject served in Captain A. F. Dun-
can's company for three years. He was
under Generals Kelley, Hunter and Sheri-
260
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
dan at different times. He was in the battle
at Harper's Ferry. Hattonville. ^\'est Vir-
ginia, ^^lorefield, Winchester. Martinsburg,
and Dartsville. West X'irginia. At Shenan-
doah Valley they were under fire almost
e\ery day for two or three months, during
liie battles of Winchester. Fisher Hill and
Cedar Creek. On General .Xverill's raid to
Salem. West \"irginia, Air. X\'illcox was
kicked in the side by a horse, after which he
received an honorable discharge at Alexan-
dria. \''irginia, whence he went to Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, Ir.ter to Fultoa county, Illi-
nois, where his parents had located during
tlie war.
Mr. Willcox was reared on his father's
farm, where he was taught all the different
branches of farming, and received a good
common-school education in the village
schools. In 1865 he went to b'nlton county,
but in 1877 located ift Xoda\vay county,
Missouri, where he has li\ed ever since. He
is living on a farm of forty acres, well-im-
pro\ed by good buildings and trees, making
liim a very plea.sant home. He has been
a very successful farmer and is highly es-
teemed in his Hiighborhoud.
Mr. Willcox was united in marriage, in
1867. to Mary Jane Kreidcr. nl Fulton
county, Illinois. She was born in Guern-
sey county, Ohio, a daughter of John
and Rebecca (Walganiott) Kreider. Mrs.
Kreider died in Nodaway county June 5,
1895, and her husband, who was a native of
Pennsylvania, resides in Tarkio. Mis.souri.
They were the parents of nine children, wlio
arc: Mary Jane, the wife of our subject;
(.orge W., Alex, l-illcn, Joseph, John, Will-
i.-iUi, Hiram and .\nna. I'olitically the father
was a Democrat. The family have lieen
followers of the Metlmdist church for many '
years. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox have had
twelve children, nine of whom are living,
namely: John Elmer; Ida May, the wife of
A. D. George, of North Dakota ; Ada Belle,
deceased ; Josepli Budd : lona Delia, who died
at the age of fourteen years ; Efhe Jane : Iva
Rebecca, the wife of Tom Turnbull. of this
county; Jessie Selton. William .\rthur. Elgie
Victor, Calvin Leslie and one child who died
at birth. }ilr. Willcox is a member of the
Pepublican party and a member of Post
No. 260, G. .\. K.. at Blanchard. Iowa. Tlie
far.iilv are niembcrs of the Methodist church.
COLONEL JOHN G. GREMS.
In the perusal of the biographical notice
which follows the reader is assured of some-
thing more th;in the tacts and dates common
to ordinary lives. Mr. Grems's military
record is an enviable one. and his experience
in war on the jilains and on the battle-fields
of the south was an interesting one. and its
recital recalls many events imjiortant in our
history, his recollections of which have given
vivid color to this all too brief personal
sketch.
John C;. (irems, the postmaster of Mary-
\ille. Missouri, has been for more than a
third of a centurv identified with Maryville
and Xodawa\' county. He is a son of Dan-
iel Grems. a farmer, and was Ixnn in Jeffer-
son county, Xew \'ork, I-'ebruary J5. 1843.
His father was born in llerkinicr county.
New 'N'ork. in 1S17. He s]>ent the years of
1847-49 in Wisconsin and the following
three years in Lewis county. New York.
In 1852 lie took his family into Lafayette
county. Wisconsin, and four years later re-
moved to Dodge county, Mimiesota. where
he has since li\ed. He married Rachel Pool,
a daughter of John Pool, of Jeft'erson coun-
t\-. Xew N'ork. .She died in .Minnesota in
COL. JOHN G. GREMS
n rwtw YORK Vi
/PUBLIC UBRARVJI
\Ailor, Lenox and rMr^jj
foumlalro'.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
261
1857. The children of Daniel and Rachel
(Pool) Cirems were: Milton, of Dodge
connt}', Minnesota: Esther, the wife of An-
drew Curtis, of the same county ; John G. ;
Theodore, of Arapahoe county, Colorado;
Ella, who married John Snyder and lives
in Xew ]Mexico.
John G. Grems was educated in the com-
mon schools of his day and locality, and
when just entering his 'teens went into the
then new state of ^Minnesota. He was only
eighteen when the Civil war began, and only
nineteen when, in 1862, he enlisted and was
made sergeant in Company B, Tenth Regi-
ment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He
served under General H. H. Siljley through
the campaign of 1862-3 against the Sioux
Indians, was in the battles at Woodlake and
Xew Ulm in 1862, and was stationed at the
Winnebago agency during the winter of
1862-3. He was with his company, which
formed a part of the guard at the execution
of the thirty-eight Sioux Indians at Man-
kato. Minnesota, December 25, 1862, and
was with the force under General Siblej^
that tlrove the Indians out of Minnesota and
across the Dakota plains, in 1863, and took
part in the engagements at Big Mound, July
24. 1863: Buffalo Lake, July 26, 1863; and
Stone Lake, July 28, 1863. On the date last
mentioned the Tenth Minnesota, which was
to have the advance, mo\-ed out of camp at
three o'clock in the morning and was hardlv
formed and in the position it was to occupy
in the march before about two thousand
mounted Indians made their appearance in
front with the evident intention of surpris-
ing and capturing the supply train, and, ut-
tering hideous yells, made desperate charges
against the line. During the day there were
four to five thousand savages engaged, but
in a running fight, which lasted all day,
they were repulsed and driven back across
the Missouri river, near the present site of
Bismarck, North Dakota. After returning
from this expedition the regiment was sent
south and was attached to the First Brigade,
First Di\-ision, Sixteenth Army Corps, un-
der General A. J. Smith, and served in
Tennessee. Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas
and Missouri, and participated in the battles
at X'ashville and Tupelo (two days in each),
and in the engagements at Fort Blakely,
Fort Fisher and ^^lobile. Mr. Grems was
mustered out of the service in August, 1865,
at St. Paul, Minnesota.
His army service having materially im-
paired his health and unfitted him for farm
labor, to \\hich he had lieen reared, Mr.
Grems secured a position as clerk in a hotel
at Owatonna. Alinnesota, and, in 1867, re-
moved from there to ]\Iaryville, Xodaway
county, !\Iissouri. Xot long after his arri-
val he engaged in the hotel business, in which
he continued two years. In 1872 he was ap-
pointed local agent for the United States
Express Company, a position which he held
until, in 1897, he was appointed postmaster
at 2\Iaryville by President ]\IcKinley. Dur-
ing these twenty-five years he was at times
identified with merchandising ventures in
Maryville, and he was one of the organizers
and is the president of the Maryville Home-
stead & Loan Association.
Republican politics of X^odaway county,
Missouri, has for many years claimed Mr.
Grems's attenion. He has freciuently been
elected to important offices in ^laryville,
lia\'ing lieen for thirteen vears a mem])er of
the board of aldermen of the city, for eight
years a member of the board of education,
and for two -terms filled the mavor's chair.
262
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY,
\\'hile at the liead of tlie city government
lie aided materially in the establishment of
the liglit. water and sewage systems. Mr.
Grems lias heen a faithful and valuable aid
to Republican success in the county and state.
He served six years on the Republican state
central committee, and w-as the chairman of
the Reiniblican central committee of Xod-
away county twelve years, chairman of the
jud'cial district committee six years, and
chairman of the first senatorial district com-
mittee four years. He was an original Mc-
Kiiiley man. and was a delegate to the na-
tional Republican convention at St. Louis in •
1S96. and at the inaugural ceremonies of
President McKinley he was attached to the
staff of Chief Marshal General Porter, as
aid-de-cam]), with the rank of colonel.
Mr. Grenis has been an Odd Fellow since'
1868. and a Mason since 1872. To secure
the benefits of the insurance features of those
(irdcrs. he has a membership in the W'ood-
men of the World, the National Union and
the Home Forum. He has served as the
commander of the local post of the Grand
Army rrf the Republic three terms, and has
attended .several of its national encampments
aj well as several grand lodge meetings of
the Masons of the state. He was married
in July. i8r)7. to Miss Emma Sanborn, of
Owatonna. Minnesota, and they have four
children, named Delia, l.ouis M.. Charles C.
and Luella.
As jiostmaster Mr. Grems has been enter-
prising and progressive, and has performed
the duties of the nffice conscientiously and
with due regard to making the service effi-
cient and com])rcliensive. Und(;r his admin-
i.-iration free tjelivery has been established
ill Maryville and rural delivery over four
routes radiating from the town. The suc-
•' tliis improvement fif the service is
acknowledged by all classes of citizens, who
recognize the public spirit which led Mr.
Grems to advocate and hasten it as well as
the ability with which he administers his
office.
JOIIX W. KAIXKS.
John \\'. Raines, ex-treasurer of .\tch--
son ciiunty. and abstracter of titles, was born
at Lancaster, Wisconsin. January 3, I'^^o.
His father, who died in 1840, was reared
and educated in the vicinity of Xcwbcrn.
Pulaski county, ^'irginia. and was there
married to Miss Mary Miller, by whom he
had the following children : William, of
Lancaster. Wisconsin: Mary E.. the wife of
Edward I'olhH'k. the editor of the Lancaster
Teller: and John W., the subject of this
sketch. After the death of her husband
Mrs. Raines married Albert Burks, by whoni'
she had two children, viz.: Samuel Burks,
of Leadville. Colorado: and Laura M., who
married William M. Hess and with her hus-
band resides in Chicago. Mrs. lUirks died
at about seventy years of age.
.\ considerable portion of the yout'.i ■■>'-.
John W. Raines was passed on a farm :icar
Lancaster. ;ilre;idy mentioned. During the
winter .season lie attended the district
school, and by the lime the war oi the Re-
bellion broke out he had acfpiired a good
common-school education. On June 11,
1861, he enlisted in Company C. Second
Wisconsin \'olunteer Infantry, the first
company raised at Lancaster, and on the
same day was mustered into service at the
capital of the state. Imdui Camp Randall,
at Madison, the regiment was ordered to
Washington, D. C. and there liecame a part
of McClelian's "great iilan," i)articipating
ii. the first battle of the war, that of Bull
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
263
Run. or. as it is otherwise known, the battle
of ]\Ianassas. The following winter was
passed at Arlington. Virginia, and the next
spring, when the army w^as again put in
operation, the reginjent to which Mr. Raines
belonged went with General Pope into Vir-
ginia. In the retreat of this general the
battle of Gaines\-ille was fought and in this
battle yir. Raines was struck in the left hip
bv a musket ball and was thereby rendered
unfit for further service at the front. The
bullet with which he was wounded was not
removed until it worked itself to the surface
and became visible. ^Ir. Raines remained in
the hospital until December 31, 1862. and
was sent home discharged. On June 19,
1863. he entered the provost marshal's office
at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, as a clerk,
retaining this jjosition until the spring of
1865, when he was appointed first lieutenant
by Colonel John C. Clark ; but on account
of the condition of his wound the govern-
ment refused tn nuister him into the service.
On July 16, 1866. ]\Ir. Raines became con-
nected with the Freedmen"s bureau as a clerk,
remaining in this service t\\'o years and be-
ing located at Huntsville, Alabama. Then
he entered the internal-revenue service at
the same city, as the chief clerk of the office.
Later on he was made a deputy in the United
States marshal's office, and was still in this
position when Grover Cleveland was first
elected president of the United States, and
^Ir. Raines, being of course an "offen-
sive partisan," was removed and his position
given to a Democrat.
Upon thus retiring from the service of
the go\-ernment in 1885, Mr. Raines' ac-
quaintance with John D. Dopf led him to
^•isit Rockport, January 16, 1886, where he
purchased an interest in the business of ab-
stracting with ]\[r. Dopf, and since that time
he has been exclusively connected with
Atchison county. So great had become his-
popularity that in 1894 fie was nominated
by the Republicans of the county for treas-
urer and was triumphantly elected, and was
again nominated in 1896, but this year he
was defeated by the fusion of the opposing
elements. In 1898 he was nominated for the
office of county recorder, but again the fu-
sion elements in the county were too strong"
for him and he was defeated. But to his
credit it should be stated that each nomina-
tion he received was given him by his party
entirely without solicitation on his part, and
I'lis defeat reflected no discredit upon him.
On January 16, 1870. Mr. Raines was
married, in Huntsville. Alabama, to Miss
Mary M. Lakin. a daughter of Rev. Arad
S. Lakin, one of the most intelligent men
of the country, who was especially well
known for his strength of character rj^.d .e-
ligious zeal, in the sriuthern states after the
war. Rev. Mr. Lakin having once hcc.\ a
resident of Atchison county, it would appear
particularly appropriate in this connection
to present a brief biographical sketch of this
remarkable man.
Arad S. Lakin was born in Delaware
county. New York, in the year 1810. His
father. Jonas Lakin, removed from Alary-
land to the Empire state in earl\- pioneer
days. He was born in 1760 and died in
1846. He was one of those prominent
figures in the community in which he lived
that are occasionally found. — lieing an ex-
tensive farmer, the merchant of his com-
munity, officiated as magistrate, and in other
public capacities. One of his peculiarly strik-
ing characteristics was his opposition to or-
thodoxy, and when his son, Arad S. Lakin,
permitted himself to be converted at a Meth-
odist revival, he disinherited him. He mar-
264
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ried Prudence Parks, a daughter of that
Mr. Parks that carried the news of the ap-
proach of the Indians when they were plan-
r.ing the massacre of the Wyoming settlers,
and who made the journey, forty miles,
thmugh an unhroken wilderness.
Arad S. Lakin was one of seven children
that grew to mature years and by his own
eft'orts acijuired the rudiments of an educa-
tion. He never attended a college. While
he remained at home he aided his father in
tlie work of the farm. He was intellectual,
determined in his purpose and was a natural
leader of men. thus partaking in a most strik-
ing manner of the leading characteristics
of his father. When converted to Chris-
tianity, as mentioned above, he was eight-
een years of age, and he was immediately
sought out Ijy the leading members of the
church to take an active part in the work of
the same. Willi the assistance of local
teachers he prepared himself for the work
he felt himself ^-alled upon to do, and was
soLin a i)ronounced success in this, to him
new held. Sn remarkal)le were his gifts
that he was styled by his admirers the "Del-
aware jirodigy." His mental strength, his
ciiUiprehensive grasp of great religious and
mt>ral <|uestions, and his courage to dare
and to do wliat seemed to him right, were
his most remarkable characteristics. The
work he performed was that of an organizer
in the pastorate, and his fame soon spread
far and wide. Tlie third call he received,
to become a pastor in Xew York city, was
accepted by him; but in 1N34 he left the
cast, taking up his residence in ln(lianai)olis.
In this far western state he soon became
cf|ually prominent in church work as he had
been in the east, and he was acquainted, in
botii the cast and west, with many of the
ablest divines and public men of his time.
He was held in high regard by Governor
^lorton, the "war governor'- of the state;
and when troojjs were needed to suppress the
greatest rebellion of history, his patriotic
words induced many young men in Indiana
to join the Union army. He himself enlisted
as a private soldier in the regiment which
he assisted to raise; but the parents of the
boys insisted upon his being made chaplain
of the regiment, in order that he might the
more readily and easily look after the welfare
of their sons. At first this regiment was the
Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
but later it was changed to the Eighth Cav- .
airy; antl although it was not the province
of the chaplain to carry a gun. yet JSIr. La-
kin carried one, which he carried In the tir-
ing line, and thus inspiretl by his example
all the boys to greater efforts and greater
deeds of bravery than perhaps they would
otherwise have felt called upon to perform.
He was conspicuously fearless, saying fre-
quently that "man is immortal till his work
is done.'' On one occasion General Thomas
called for xolunteers to carry a dispatch
through and between the lines of the enemy
amidst a shower of bullets to a federal of-
' ficer beyond, and as there seemed to be no
one willing to take the risk Kev. .Mr. Lakin
vodt up. saluted and said: "General. I'll take
it." Being reluclantly jiermitted to carry
the message, he went safely thrnugh the
enemv's lines and returned from the delivery
of the dispatch as safely as he went. At one
time he was recalled to Indiana to recruit
for the depleted regiments at the fmnl, and
his efforts had mucli to do with saving north
Indiana from the grasp of the "Copperhead"
Democracy. -\t .Atlanta, just as Sherman
was starting i>n his march to the sea. Kev.
Mr. Lakin was disciiarged from the service;
but at his recpicst to be i)ermitted to accom-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
265
jjaii}- the army at Iiis own expense, in order
that he might continue to be of service to
the men of the regiment, he was permitted
to go. From Sa\annah he made his way to
New York and thence to Inchanapohs.
After the close of the war, when affairs
ir. tiie soutliern states were settling down to
something like their normal condition, the
jlethodist church needed a man to take
charge of its work in those states. As no
man that could be found seemed so well
ecjuipped for this work as Rev. Mr. Lakin, he
was chosen by the Cincinnati conference to
enter upon this labor. His especial mission
into the southern states was to re-organize
the Methodist Episcopal church, which had
not seceded or favored secession ; and he
found at Huntsville, Alabama, the former
church practically without members. After
being in the south twenty years, so effective
had been his work that there were then two
large conferences, white and black, with
thousands of members, and the Methodist
Episcopal church is still in a flourishing-
condition in those states.
At the request of his daughter, Rev. La-
kin returned to the north in 1885, to pass
the remaining years of his life with her. At
that time he was seventy-five years of age,
and had the health to warrant his friends'
belief that he would reach his one hundredth
\-ear. When his mother died she was past
one hundred and seven, and his father died
at the age of eighty-six. And these friends
still believe that had some duty called into
daily activity his powers of mind his life
would certainly have been prolonged beyond
the year 1890, when he died, at the age of
eighty years. His wife died in Huntsville,
and the two lie side by side in the cemetery
near that place.
^Irs. Raines is the only child of Rev. and
Mrs. Achsah La Bar (Xewton) Lakin. She
was born in Delaware county. New York,
June' 21, 1839. She and her husband, the
subject of this sketch, are the parents of the
following children : Alary Edith, a teacher
in the high school of St. Joseph, Missouri,
having graduated at the high school at
Rockport. then the Tarkio College and finally
W'ellesley College, taking himors in all three
institutions; Herbert L., a jeweler of Tar-
kio ; Earle M. \\'ith the First Xational Bank
of Tarkio, and Laura T., a graduate of
Tarkio College and now a teacher in tha
Rockport schools.
Men, like children, are to a greater or
less extent, imitati\'e in their li\'es. They
are in numerous cases led to accomplish re-
sults by the reflections that those gone be-
fore have done good and worthy deeds ; and
it is this reason, in part, that makes bio-
graphical sketches, like the one now drawing
to a close, of such value to young readers,
awakening in them, as they do, the ambition
to "go and dc;) likewise," the result l)eing
more herioc lives than otherwise would be
led. It is a great pleasure to the publishers
to be permitted to place in enduring form
the record of the deeds of such men as Air.
Raines and his father-in-law, Rew Mr. La-
kin, the latter of whom was certainly one of
the most patriotic and brave of men. Mr.
Raines is still living; still greater praise for
him will be appropriate after he shall ha\'e
been "gathered to his fathers."
JOHN L. CHRISTIAN.
The Atchison County World is the lead-
ing organ of the Democratic party of Atchi-
son county, Missouri, and is ably managed
and edited by John L. Christian, the subject
of this sketch. This gentleman was born in
'JG6
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
this county December 28, 1855, a son of
L. C. and Sarah E. (Golden) Christian, the
lurnier being one of the oldest and best
known of tlie pioneers of the county, who
came here in 1850. At that time this part of
the state was }'et filled with Indians and wild
beasts. The grandfather of our subject,
who had been a soldier in the Mexican war,
came to Atchison county with nine sons and
two daughters, and his death occurred at
this place. L. C. Christian, the father of our
subject, has held many of the important lo-
cal oflices, being elected county clerk in
1868. and is now the president of the asylum
board. I-'or thirty j'ears he has been con-
nected with the Masonic order.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Chris-
tian consisted of ten children, of whom, John
L., \V. B., J. T., C. M. and two sisters,
Laura and Allie, are the survivors.
Our subject was reared and educated in
Kockport, Missouri, and at the age of twenty
he settled at Lost Grove, in this county, and
engaged in the stock business, where he re-
mained until 1888, v.-hen he came to Tar-
kio and began to buy and sell cattle for com-
mission houses in St. Joseph and Kansas
City, in the live stock business. He is consid-
ered an expert in judging stock. His em-
ployers, the Seigle & Saunders Stock Com-
pany, of Kansas City and St. Joseph, con-
sider that he is second to none, in his line.
This is a large firm, having a capital of two
hundred and fifty tiiousand dollars.
Mr. Christian was married, in 1876, to
.Mi<s Martha HalTner, a daughter of L. M.
Jlaffncr, of this county, who resided here on
a farm until the time of his death in 1888.
rive cliildrcn have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Christian, — Floyd, Hattie, Eveline,
Minnie and Mary.
The esteem in which Mr. Christian is
held by his party may be indicated by his
popularity as a buyer of cattle and success
of his paper, and he fully comes up to their
expectations. He is a Democrat who takes an
active interest in every issue by which his
party may benefit, and wields a witle in-
ttuence. Aside from politics, the Atchison
County World is also a bright and accept-
able paper, and is one which may be admitted
to the family circle with profit to all readers.
For the past five years Mr. Christian has
been the representative of his section in
county and state conventions. Socially he is
conected with the K. of P. and Modern
\Voodmen, and possesses a heart as warm
as his physical frame is large, and is one of
the popular citizens of this part of Atchison
county. He gives to charity with an unstint-
ed hand, and no one ever asked alms of him
in vain, for out of his bountiful income he
divides witii tJic poor.
ISAAC S. BALL.
Isaac S. Ball, the county clerk of Atchi-
son county, was born in Clark township, of
this county, March 11, 1869. His father,
Joseph L. Ball, settled in that portion of the
county in 1852, and died in 1S69. He was
born in what is now West Virginia, emi-
grated thence to Kentucky, and was there
married to Miss Hannah E. Krusor, who
still survives, and resides where she and her
husband settled upon coming to Atchison
county. They were liie parents of the fol-
lowing children: James W., of Atchison
county; Lizzie, the wife of D. L. Williams,
of Milton, Missouri; John T.. of Idaho;
Tacy E., now Mrs. W. J. Graves, of Milton,
Missouri; Joseph L., E. P. and Ulysses
G., also of Milton; R. C, assistant cashier of
the bank at Craig, this state; Mollie A., the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
26T
•wife of E. E. Taylor, of Fairfax, Missouri,
and Isaac S., the subject of this sketch.
Isaac S. Ball passed his early youth upon
the farm. In childhood he wag permanent-
ly crippled, and thus incapacitated for farm
labor. Obtaining a good common-school
education he completed it in Tarkio College,
having in view the life of a merchant as a
means of support. For a year prior to enter-
ing actively the politics of his county he con-
ducted a grocery store at Milton, and in
the summer of 1894 was nominated by the
Republicans of the county for the position of
county clerk, being elected in the following
November by a majority of three hundred
and nine. After serving most efficiently
for four years he was nominated as his own
successor, and defeated a strong man on the
fusion ticket, though by the narrow margin
of only ten votes. Mr. Ball's greatest con-
cern for the county is its welfare, as it may
be affected through his office, and his re-elec-
tion is the strongest endorsement the people
could give him of his successful administra-
tion of its affairs, so far as they are under
his control.
Mr. Ball was married in Rockport, No-
vember 29, 1896, to Mrs. Vena Wannschaff,
the widow of Alfred A. J. Wannschaff. Mrs.
Ball's two children by her former marriage
are Hermie and Bessie, the former of whom
is Mr. Ball's deputy clerk. From the above
brief recital it is evident to every reader that
Mr. Ball stands high in the estimation of
his fellow men, and he in fact has the regard
and esteem of all that know him.
GALLATIN CRAIG.
Gallatin Craig, the judge of the circuit
court of northwestern Missouri and one of
the most eminent jurists of his section of the
state, has risen by his own efforts to his pres-
ent high position. In the law more than in
any other profession is one's career open to
talent. The reason is evident : It is a pro-
fession in which eminence cannot be obtained
except by indomitable energy, persever-
ance and patience, and though its prizes are
numerous and splendid, they cannot be won
except by arduous and prolonged eft'ort. It
is this that has brought success to Judge
Craig and made him known as one of the
ablest representatives of the bar in this sec-
tion of the state.
The Judge was born in Gallatin county,
Kentucky, on the 20th of Alay, 1853, and
back of him is an ancestry honorable and
distinguished. The Craig family, of Scot-
tish ancestry, was founded in Virginia in
1650 and its representatives were prominent
in connection with events of the Revolution-
ary war, while in the religious enthusiasm
of the colonies their influence was strongly
felt for the Baptist cause. Joshua ^^lorris,
the great-grandfather of the Judge, was the
first pastor of the First Baptist church of
Richmond, Virginia, and Robert Morris, a
great-granduncle, was a noted patriot of
Pennsylvania and became one of tlie signers
of the Declaration of Independence, exer-
cising an influence that told strongly on the
cause of liberty. George Walton, an uncle
of the Judge's father, was also one of the
signers of the immortal instrument declaring
allegiance of the colonies to the mother
country was forever severed. The Judge is
a son of Albert G. and V^irginia (Brook-
ing) Craig, and his mother's people were no
less prominent than his ancestry on the pa-
ternal side. His grandmother belonged to
the Throckmorton family, one of the most
distinguished and honored early pioneer
families of the Old Dominion, and his
2(J8
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
great-grand fatlier, Vivian Brooking, served
as a colonel under General Washington.
Early in tlie nineteenth century representa-
tives of the Craig family emigrated to Ken-
tucky and became prominent in the develop-
ment and upbuilding of that state. It is
well remembered b}' the descendants of pio-
neers that nine of the sixteen women who
went to Bryant Station when that post was
besieged by the Indians were Craigs.
The father of the Judge is a farmer and
fnr many _\ears he occupied the bench
of the county court of Gallatin county, Ken-
tucky, and tinis from boyhood his son was
more or less familiar with the workings of
the courtroom, in the common schools of
his native county he acquired his preliminary
education, which was supplemented by a
course in (ihent College, in Carroll county,
that slate. With the determination to make
the practice of law his life work he matric-
ulated as a law student in the University
of \'irginia and was numbered among its
graduates on the completion of the regular
course, in the year 1877 he was admitted
to practice at Warsaw. Kentucky, and in
1878 he came to Maryville, where he has
since been numbered among the representa-
tives of the bar. Here he was first asso-
ciatetl in practice with Judge C. A. Anthony,
the connection being maintained for some
years, or until the latter was elected to the
bench. Judire Craig was afterwartl acco-
ciated with James J. Johnson, and this pro-
fessional relation continued until he was
elected pro.secuting attorney. In 1889 he had
been ch<jsen by popular vote for the oflice
of city attorney of Maryville and served for
two years. Jn 1890 he was elected prose-
cuting attorney of the county, and at the
November election of J898 he was chosen
circuit judge, succeeding his old law part-
ner. Hon. C. A. Anthony. Me had taken a
leading part in some of the important litiga-
tion of northwestern Missouri, having a
large and representative clientele. On the
bench he has won an enviable position among
the jurists of the state. His decisions are the
highest type of the justice that knows no
bias and are based entirely upon the evidence
and the law applicable to it.
In November, 1882, Judge Craig was
united in marriage, in Maryville, to Miss
Chloe L. Lieber, a daughter of John Lieber,
a prominent retired merchant of this city.
They now have two children, — Albert Lee
Gallatin and Laura Lieber. The family oc-
cupy a prominent position in cultured so-
ciety circles and the Judge is also a rec(-)g-
nized leader in political circles. He sup-
ports the Democracy and has been the chair-
man of the count}- central committee of his
party. On the bench, however, he never
allows personal prejudice to interfere with
i his just and impartial discharge of duty. A
I man of unimpeachable character and natural
intellectual endowments, with a thorough
understanding of the law, patience, urbanity
' and industry, he took to the bench the very
h.ighest qualifications for this responsible of-
lice, and his record as a judge has been in
harmony with his record as a man and law-
yer, distinguished l)y unswerx ing integrity
and a masterful grasp of every problem thai
has presented itself for solution.
GE0R(;E X. HA.MLIX.
This gentleman, who is one of the rep-
resentative farmers of Xodaway county,
V as born in llarlford county. C«.>nnecticut,
September 8, 1S30. and is a son of Linus
and Abigail (Kent ) Hamlin, also natives of
that state, where the familv have resided for
1»'
GEORGE N. HAMLIN.
THE
NEW voRK
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
2m
many generations. i\lost of its representa-
tives have been tillers of the soil. His pa-
ternal great-grandfather, Juhn Hamlin,
served as a lieutenant in the Rexolutionary
v.ar. The grandfather, Luke Hamlin, was
a farmer by occupation and a lifelong resi-
dent of Connecticut, where he died in 1839.
His children were Daniel, Augustus, Linus
and Abigail. John Kent, the maternal
grandfather of our subject, was a shoe-
maker of Connecticut and the father of nine
children, namely: Benjamin, who moved to
X'irginia ; Ira, a resident of Connecticut;
Abigail, Ralph, John, Lovisa, Xelson, ^Mary
and Susan. In 1838 our subject's parents
jnoN'ed to Wayne county, Fennsyh'ania,
where the father died on his farm in i860,
the mother a year later. Their children were
George X., ^Irs. ^Margaret Roney and Mrs.
Jane Scull.
George N. Hamlin passed his boyhood
and youth upon his father's farm and at-
tended the common schools of the neighbor-
hood. He remained with his parents until
their death and in early life followed the
carpenter's trade, in 1858 was celel)rated
his marriage to Miss Lydia Hambly, a na-
tne of Pennsylvania and a daughter of
Richard Hambly, who was of English de-
scent and a farmer b}' occupation. She has
two brothers — Richard and William. To
ilr. and Mrs. Hamlin were born three chil-
dren : Edwin; Ida, the wife of William Adle,
of Alaryville; and Richard.
Mr. Hamlin continued to reside on the
old homestead in Pennsylvania until 1870,
when he came to Nodaway county and pur-
chased one hundred and twenty acres of his
present farm, but at that time only seven
acres had been broken and there were no
fences or buildings upon the place. After
erecting a small house he began the im-
provement of the i)lace, and has since added
to it until he now has two hundred and
{ eighty acres under a high state of cultiva-
1 tion and pleasantly located two miles north-
westof Maryville. Pie has set out an orchard,
built a comfortable and commodious resi-
dence, a large barn and other outbuildings,
and now has one of the best improved farms
(if the locality. In connection with general
farming he carries on stock raising, and is
meeting with well deserved success in his
labors. Although seventy years of age Mr.
Ilamlin is still cpiite vigorous, and looks after
tlie details uf farm work, while his sons carry
on the farm. Throughout life he has ex-
hibited the energy and thrift characteristic
of Xew Englanders, and being a good finan-
cier and progressive business man, has be-
! come one of the substantial citizens of his
I community. In his political views he is a
Democrat. He and his wife are well pre-
\ served, and are held in high regard by a
large circle of friends and acquaintances
who appreciate their sterling worth and
manv excellencies of character.
J. T. KARR.
Among the loyal defenders of the UnioiT
during the dark days of the Civil war was
the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch. He was born in [McLean county,
Illinois, December 25, 1840, and is a son of
James and Margaret (Martin) Karr, natives
of Ohio. Soon after their marriage the
parents mo\'ed to Illinois and the father en-
tered land in McLean county. In his new
home he met with success and became the
owner of a large and valuable farm, up.:n
which he engaged in general farming an.<l
270
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
stock-raising until his death, in the wmter ot
1869. Politically he was a Democrat, and
religiously was a member of the Christian
church, while his wife was a Presbyterian
in religious belief. She died when our sub-
ject was only nine years old, leaving three
children, of whom he is the oldest, the
others being Nancy, the wife of J. Rogers;
and George M., a resident of Missouri.
For his second wife the father married
Louisa Trofater. by whom he had six chil-
dren, namely : John W'., Emily, Ora, Walter,
Edward and Mina.
The boyhood and youth of our subject
^\ ere passed upon the home farm, and he was
educatetl in the cummon schools of his na-
tive county. On the 20th of August, 1861,
he joined the "boys in blue" of Company
G, Thirty-third Illinois \'olunteer Infan-
try, and was mustered out at Indianola,
Texas, December 31, 1863, but the same day
he re-enlisted in the same regiment, and re-<
mained in the service until hostilities ceased.
As a member of the Vicksburg department
he was mustered out at Greenville, Mississ-
ippi, November 24, 1865, and was honorably
discharged and paid ofif at Springfield, Illi-
nois. He was always found at his post of
duty, gallantly defending the old flag and
the cause it represented. Among the en>
gagcments in which he participated were
the battles of Fredericktown, Missouri, in
October, 1861; Cache Bayou, Arkansas,
July, 1S62; Bolivar, Mississippi, Septem-
ber, 1862; Port Gibson, Mississippi, May,
1863; Champion Hills and Black River
Bridge, the same month; the siege of Vicks-
burg; the capture of Jackson, Mississippi,
in July, 1863; and the siege and capture of
l-"ort Es[)eranza, Texi.s, in November, 1863.
After the war Mr. Karr resumed farming
'■ McLean ountv. Illinois, and there he was
married, February 2j. 1867. to Miss Susan
Davis, who was born in Ohio, October 22,.
1846. Her parents. Lewis F. and Melissa
(Morrow) Davis, were natives of New Jer-
sey and Ohio, respectively, and were mar-
ried in the latter state, where the father fol-
lowed the tanner's trade until i860, when
he moved to Marion county, Illinois. Four
years later he located in McLean county,
and after cultivating a rented farm there
for three years he came to ]\Iissouri, in 1866,
and bought land in Nodaway count}', on
which he spent the remainder of his life,
dying here in September, 1899. He was a
Republican in politics, but voted for Will-
iam J. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for
president, in 1896. His wife died in 1892.
They had four children, namely : Susan, the
\\ile of our subject; Arthur ^\'., who died
at the age of twenty years ; Lydia, the wife of
E. Morrow; and \\'oodroe, who li\es on the
homestead.
In the fall of 1868 ilr. Karr came to this
county, and for two years rented a farm in
White Clou<l township. In 1S70 he pur-
chased eighty acres of wild prairie land, and
to its improvement and cultivation devoted
his energies unil 1892, when he; moved to the
farm belonging to his wife's father and cul-
tivated it for five years. He now rents his
farm, and since 1897 has lived a retired life
in Barnard, where he has a commodious
and pleasant residence. By his ballot he
sujjports the men and measures of the Demo-
cratic party, has been a delegate to numer-
ous conventions, and is now chairman of the
Democratic committee of Grant township.
He has been honored with a lumiber of of-
ficial positions, including that of justice of
the peace, which he held for seven years,
and assessor for four years. His official
duties have alwavs been discharged with a
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
271
-promptness and fidelity worthy of the highest
commendation. Both he and his wife ai'e
active memliers of tlie Christian church, and
are lield in high regard by all who know
them.
ELMER ERASER.
Elmer Eraser is one of the younger rep-
resentatives of the business interests of
-Maryville, and now holds the important po-
sition of cashier in the Maryville National
Bank. His ability, executve power and
keen discrimination render him peculiarly
fitted for the responsilde duties which de-
voh-e upon him and he is now well known in
business circles, being held in the highest
regard by reason of his fidelity and integ-
rity. Although he is a young man, he has
been a resident of Maryville for thirty years.
The Erasers arri\'ed in Nodaway county
in 1870. James, the father of our subject
was born in Scotland about 1832, and there
learned the carpenter's trade. When seven-
teen years of age he crossed the Atlantic tc
-the United States and followed' his chosen
vocation in various places in the east. He
finally located in Indiana and from Du Bois
county, that state, removed to Maryville, in
1870. Here he engaged in the stock busi-
ness and in farming, and to some extent
gives his attention to those branches of labor
-at the present day, although he is now large-
I3' living retired. He married Samantha
Cavender, and unto them were born four
sons — Elmer, Alexander, James and Bard,
- — all of whom are residents of Nodaway
county.
Elmer was a lad of eight summers when
he arrived in Maryville. He mastered the
■ branches of English learning that formed
the curriculum of the common schools here,
and after putting aside his text-books he en-
gaged in herding cattle for his father for
two years. Later he accepted a postion in
the grocery house of Grimes & Dooley, and
on severing that conection he became a
bookkeeper in the banking house of Baker,
Saunders & Company, in Maryville. While
thus engaged he mastered many of the
principles of the banking business. He en-
tered that institution in 1881, and in 1890,
upon the incorporation of the Maryville
National Bank, he was promoted to the po-
sition of assistant cashier, in which capacity
he served until 1896, when he was elected
cashier to succeed Mr. Wilfley. At the
same time he became a director of the bank.
He is an excellent judge of men, has a thor-
ough knowledge of the banking business and
his efforts and popularity have contributed
ill no small degree to the success of the in-
stitution. He is also the owner of a good
farm near Maryville, which is operated
under his supervision and stocked with a
high grade of cattle ; but this is not the limit
of his enterprise, for he is connected with
other business affairs of importance.
Li January, 1890, Mr. Eraser was united
in marriage to Miss Alice Ham, a daughter
of the pioneer merchant, John Ham, who at
one time served as the sheriff' of Nodaway
county. Two children have been born of
their union, — Paul G. and Alice Jean. Mr.
Eraser certainly deserves great credit for
what he has accomplished in life. He started
upon his business career depending upon no
outside aid or influence for advancement,
arid through his personal merit he has arisen
to a position of distinction in connection with
the financial interests of Nodaway county.
Integrity in all the affairs of life have gained
him the confidence of the public, and his so-
si:
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
cial and onlial nature has wi;n him tht
good will and friendsliip of many with wliom
he is associated.
\\".
.McMlLLAX.
W. J. McMillan is one of the early set
tiers of Linctjln township, Atchison county.
He came to nortliwestern Missouri during
the era of its pioneer development and has
witnessed most of its entire growth, having
seen its wild lands reclaimed for purposes
of civilization. Churches and schools have
been Iniilt, indicating the advance of prog-
ress; towns and villages have sprung up.
and the community has become settled 1)}
an inteligent and enterprising class of people.
In the work of improvement Mr. McMillan
has ever borne his part and is known as a
li.yal citizen. He is of Scotch-Irish descent
and manifests in his career the sterling
characteristics of those people, having the
versatiHty of the latter and the steadfast
thrift and reliability of the former.
Mr. McMillan was born in Ireland, on
the 1 6th of September, 1848, and is a son
of William McMillan, also a native of the
green isle of Erin and of Scotch lineage, lie
married Margaret Jackson, a representative
of a good family of county Antrim an<I a
daughter of John Jack.son, who also was a
native of that county. Her mother belonged
t</ the Bruce family, of the same county, her
ancestors having been driven from Scotlaiul
at a period of persecution for a religious
belief. To William and Margaret (Jack-
son) McMillan were born the following
named : W. J., of this review ; Mrs. Martha
I'erguson, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania;
Mrs. Eliza flalt. of Des Moines county,
Iowa; Mrs. Mary Smith and John, who also
are residents of Des Moines county; Mrs.
Xannie Ilensleigh. of Clarinda, Iowa, the
wife of the present auditor of Page county;
Mrs. Rose Stahl, of r^Ionmouth. Illinois;
Maggie, who died a young woman; and
Joseph, who died at the age of eighteen
years.
During his infancy Mr. McMillan, the
subject of this sketch, was brought by his
parents to America. The family left Ire-
land in 1849, and after spending six months
in Xew York city removeil to Maysville,
Kentucky, and in 1856 became residents of
Des Aloines, Iowa, living at Kossuth. They
were among the early settlers there and
were activfl)' identified with the pioneer
(lc\elopment of the county. In that locality
W. J. McMillan of this review was reare;l
upon a farm. He assisted in the arduous
task of developing wild land and transform-
ing it into riclily cullixrucd fields, and with
the famil\- In ire the hardships and experi-
ences which usually fall to the lot of the pio-
neer. He atteiuled the schools of the neigh-
borhood, although the advantages of that
time were rather primiti\e, the sessions be-
ing held in a log cabin. However, reading
antl experience in later years ha\e added
greatly to his knowledge and he is now a
well informed man. The first event which
*
varied the monotony of his farm life came
with the openin.g of the Civil war. He was
a }"ouiig boy in his "teens when he enliste<l
for service as a member of the Xinth Illi-
nois Cavalry, a regiment which made a brill-
iant record for gallantry. He served un-
der the command of Captain C. G. Dack.
Colonel Mock and General Thomas. His
regiment was in some of the most hotly
contested fights of the war. .and in connec-
tion with the Second Iowa Cavalry met \\\c
thousand Confederate troops under Gener.a!
Forrest, at Shoal creek, where the brilliant
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
'21^
figiiting' (if the Uni(jn troops won the high-
est athiiiration. Air. Mc^tlillan also partici-
pated in tlie hattle of Franklin, Tennessee,
arid of Nash\'ille, and with his command
followed General Hood's army to Alabama.
He was in active ser\-ice in the vicinity of
^Mobile, and when honorably discharged was
but seventeen years of age. He is nimibered
among the soldier boys whose \-alor and
bravery upon the freld of battle were equal
to that of the time-tried veterans. He went
through all the experiences which fall to
the lot of a soldier and was e\'er found at
liis post of duty, whether upi:>n the tiring
line or upon tented fields.
W hen the war was <j\'er and the coim-
tr}" no longer needed his services, Mr. ]\Ic-
]Millan returned to his father's farm and as-
sisted in its cultivation for a time. His fa-
ther is now deceased, having departed this
life in Des Aloines countv, Ljwa, at the age
of se\enty-four, while the nrnther is li\-ing,
at the age of seventy-fi\'e. In politics he was
a Democrat and in his religious belief a
Presbyterian. They were widely known as
earnest Christian people, as devoted parents,
as kind neighbors and valued citizens.
Entering upon an independent business
career, W. J. AIcMillan of this re\"iew be-
gan working" as a farm hand and was thus
employed until he had accjuired live hun-
dred dollars. He then invested his capital
in a team and wagon, came to ^Missouri and
purchased forty acres of land, upon which
lie built a log cabin, 14x14 feet. From that
time success has attended his effors. He
worked from early morn until evening in
improving and cultivating his fields, and in
Cdurse of time abundant harvests rewarded
his ettorts. At different times, as his finan-
cial resources increased, he added to his
property until he now has five hundred acres
of as good land as can be found in the coun-
t}'. Upon the place is a very attractive atid
commodious residence, built in modern st3le
and surrounded by shade and ornamental
trees. In the rear stand good barns and
outbuildings, and these and the fences are
kept in good repair. The meadows, pastures
and fields of grain indicate his careful super-
^■ision and progressive spirit, and the INIc-
■Nlillan farm is one of the most desirable
country seats in Atchison 'count3^
At the age of twenty-six Mr. McMillan
was united in marriage to Miss Xancy
Jane ^IcElroy, of Lincoln township, a
daughter of John McElroy. She died in
August, 1885, at the age of twenty-eight
years, leaving three children — Bert, O. M.
and Cora — the last named now the wife of
E. E. Beck, of Lincoln township, Atchison
county. On the 28th of March, 1889, Mr.
AIc]\Iillan was again married, his second
union being with ]Miss Anna Scott, a repre-
sentati\-e of one of the respected families
of the community. Her mother is Margaret
Scott, of Des ^Moines county, Iowa. The
JMc]\Iillan home is a hospitable one, and our
subject and his wife occupy an enviable po-
sition in social circles. Mr. McMillan ex-
ercises his right of franchise in support of
the men and measures of the Republican
party, and for eight years has filled the office
of justice of the peace, discharging his du-
ties in a manner that has won for him the
commendation of all concerned. He was
a candidate for the legislature on the Re-
publican ticket in 1892, but was defeated
by the combination of the Democrats and the
Populists. He holds membership in the
Grand Army of the Republic and in the
United Presbyterian church, to which liis
wife also belongs.
He is a self-made man, whose ad\ance-
274
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ment in business life is attributable entirely
to his own efforts. As the architect of his
fortune he has builded wisely and well, his
perseverance and diligence enabling him to
overcome all obstacles in his path and work-
ins way steadily upward to a position among
the substantial residents of his adopted
county. He. is a man of unquestioned
probity and is a pojnilar and valued citizen
of Atchison countv.
JAMES A. HAMJLTOX.
If the title of "honorable" is given as a
reward for true, honest manhood rather
than for political office it would be attached
to the name of James A. Hamilton, who is
one of the most highly esteemed residents
of Nodaway county, prominently connected
with agricultural pursuits here. He was
born in Warren county, New Jersey, on the
30th of December, 1861, and is a son of
George W. Hamilton, now a retired farmer
residing in Elmo, Eincoln township. The
father was born in Sussex county. New Jer-
sey, a son of James A. and Hiliah (Rhodes)
Hamilton, both of whom were also natives
of the same state. George W. Hamilton was
born in September, 1837, and when iifteen
years of age became a resident of Warren
oninty, Xew Jersey, where he resided until
1864. He then located in Bureau county,
Illinois, Init after five years' residence in
that state came to Nodaway county, Mis-
souri. Throughout his entire life George
W. Hamilton has followed farming until a
recent date, when he retired, putting aside |
the more arduous cares of an active busi- [
ncss career. He took up his abode in Elmo, j
v.hcre lie is enjoying a well earned rest. I
In the year 1857 he was united in marriage !
to Miss Marv E. Hull, of Hunterdon coun-
ty. New Jersey, and died in April, 1878.
They were the parents of six children, name-
ly: Joseph S.. James A., Catharine, Benja-
min, Charles \'. and Mary E.
During his early boyhood James A»
Hamilton was taken by his parents to Illi-
nois, and when a youth of ten years came-
w ith ilu-ni to Nodaway county, where he has
since made his home. Here he has gained
a reputation that will pro\e a rich legacy
to his posterity, for the Psalmist has said,.
"A good name is rather to be chosen thaiv
great riches." He was reared to the work of
the farm and early became familiar with all
the duties and labors that fall to the lot of
the agriculturist. The public schools afford-
ed him his educational privileges, and when
he wished to enter u]ion an independent
business career he continued to follow the
pursuit to which he was reared. He to-
day owns and operates a valuable tract of
land of two hundred and se\enty acres, in
Lincoln townsliip. and his place is under a
high state of cultivation, the well-tilled held.*-
yielding to him a good return when crops
are harvested in the autumn. He thus in-
creased his income and he is now accounteil
one of the sul)stantial men of the community.
UiK)n his place is a very pleasant residence,
good barns and all necessary outbuildings,,
and he follows most practical and progress-
ive methods.
At the age of nineteen years Mr. Ham-
ilton was united in marriage to Miss Laura
Mclntyre, a daughlcr of William S. Mc-
Intyre. one of the honored pioneer settlers
of Nodaway comity. li\ing not far from Mr.
Hamilton. Unto our subject and his wife
have been born eight children, but one died
at birth and another at the age of eight
months. The surviving members of the
family arc IuIr! M., Martha C, Flora E.,.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
•.i■,^
Helen K.. Minnie F. and Marvin A.- Mr.
and Mrs. Hamilton have given their chil-
dren excellent educational privileges, thus
fitting them for life's practical and responsi-
ble duties, and an air of cultured refinement
and hospitality pervades their pleasant home.
The members of the household have a host
of warm friends in the communit}' and are
held in highest esteem. ^Irs. Hamilton has
pro\-ed ti.i her husband not only a loving wife
but also a true helpmeet, whose counsel, ad-
vice and assistance ha\e been important
factors in his success. In his political affil-
iations Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat and
cast his first ]5residential vote for Grover
Cleveland. Both he and his wife are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
doing all in their power to promote its
growth, and for si.x years he has served as
superintendent of the Sunday-school. In all
life's relations he has been true to every man-
ly principle, is a loval citizen, a faithful
friend, a devoted husband and father, a
sincere Christian gentleman and an hon-
orable business man, whose example is in
many respects w'ell worthy of emulation.
For more than thirty years he has resided
in Nodaway county and well deserves repre-
sentation in this volume.
GEORGE A. RAXKIX.
A prominent and representative farmer
of Atchison county, Missouri, is George A.
Rankin, the subject of this sketch. He was
born in Scott county, Indiana, September
19, 1848, and was a son of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Bingham) Rankin, natives of
Rennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively.
After marriage Mr. and ]\Irs. Thomas
Rankin settled upon a farm in Scott count}-,
Indiana, where most of the family were
born, but later mo\-ed to Iowa, where twentv
years were spent. Mr. Rankin then went
to Henderson county, Illinois, later chang-
ing- into Warren county, where his death oc-
curred, March 24, 1898, at the ad\-anced
age of eighty-five years. Early in life he had
eng-aged in a mercantile business, but for the
last forty years had pursued farming. He
was a man of high character, was noted
for his charity and commanded the respect
of all w-ith whom he came into contact. A
consistent member of the Methodist church,
his interests in good and benevolent objects
could always be relied on. In politics he
was a Republican, but never asked for of-
fice.
The mother of our subject was a daugh-
ter of Joseph and Isabella (Moore) Bing-
ham, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, re-
ipecti\-ely. Mrs. Rankin died in June. 1893,
after having had the following children:
Mary, deceased; our subject; Mrs. Flora
Laur, of this township; J. E., a farmer of
Colorado; Cora and Mrs. Lulu Bond. Mrs.
Rankin was a devoted member of the ^leth-
odist church, in which she was most highly
esteemed, Mr. Rankin by a previous mar-
riage had several children, the sur\i\-or be-
ing W. A. Rankin, a prominent citizen of
Onarga, Illinois.
The youth and boyhood of our subject
was similar to that of other lads of his age.
He accompanied his father in the family re-
movals, but soon after attaining to his ma-
jority he came to Missouri, and in 1876 he
and his brother engaged in farming, con-
tinuing together for five years, through
many changes. J\Ir. Rankin was married
April 12, 1898, to Miss Lillie McCan, born
in Ohio, October 26, 1868, a daughter of
John and Catherine (Summers) McCan,
both of whom lived and died in Ohio, where
t>7i'.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
thc\- liad lived wnrthy lives and were de-
serving members of the Christian church.
Thev reared a large numl)er of estimahlc
children, named as follows: Thomas J.,
Henry. Hamilton. Mrs. Julia Smally, Mrs.
Rebecca Mehaffee. Franklin. William. Mrs.
Rankin and Mrs. Xaomi Grimes. All tlv)se
living have remained in Ohio, except the
^vife of our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are well and fa-
vorably known in Atchison county, both in
the Methodist church, of which they are
valued members, and through the country.
where Mr. l\ankin is known as a just man
and she as a helpful neighbor and friend.
Politically Mr. Rankin is a Republican and
takes an intelligent interest in the affairs
of the nation.
AUSTIN' F. STITT.
The unostentatious routine of private life
although of vast importance to the welfare
of the community, has not figured to any
great extent in the pages of history. But
the names of men who have distinguished
themselves by the possession of those quali-
ties of character which mainly contriljute to
the success of private life and to the i)ublic
stability, and who have enjoyed the respect
and confidence of those around them, should
not be permitted to perish. Their example
is more valuable to the majority of readers
than that of heroes, statesmen and writers,
as they furinsh means of subsistence for the
multitude whom they in their useful careers
have employed.
Such are the thoughts which involuntarily
collie to our minds when we consider the life
of him whose name initiates this sketch, who
is now the honored mayor of Burlington
Junction, a position which by the gift of the
i people he has filleil for three terms. 1 lis re-
elections indicate unmistakably his personal
po])ularity and the confidence re])osed in him.
Austin Fallis Stitt was born in Ilamil-
I ton county. Indiana, Septem!>er j8, 1838.
I His father, Obadiah W. Stitt. was a Jiative
of Hamilton ccnmty. Ohio, and on the 30th
! of June. 1836. he came to Xodaway county,
Missouri, locating near the village of Bur-
lington Junction, where he pre-empted a
claim, entering the land from the go\'ern-
mcnt. He became the owner of four hun-
dreil and ninety acres here and continued its
cultivation until the 9th of .Ajiril. iSho, when
he removed to Lawrence. Kansas. In that
locality he also purchased a farm antl made it
his home until the fall of 1870. In the fol-
lowing sjiring he returned to Kansas and sub-
sequently went to Bates county, Missouri,
where he purchased fifteen hundred acres of
land. He carried on farming on an exten-
sive scale and was very successful in his oper-
ations, possessing excellent business and ex-
ecutive ability. He had only nineteen dol-
lars at the time of his marriage, but through
his well directed efforts he added constantly
to his capital and at his death left to his fam-
ily a comfortable estate. He weddetl Miss
iMalinda Fallis. who was born in Ohio and
died when her son Austin was only eighteen
months old. lie was tJieir only child. The
father afterward married again. His death
occurred January J4. 1889. when he had at-
tained the advanced age of seventy-three
years.
On the home farm Austin F. Stitt spent
the days of his boyhood and youth. He en-
joyed the pleasures of the playground. ]>cr-
formcd the duties of the schoolroom and
aided in the work of field and garden. He
was thus engaged until after the inaugura-
tion of the Civil war, when, prompted by a
AUSTIN F. STITT
,7 MEW YORK \
!-ICLIBRARvl
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
"Ill
spirit of patriotism, he left the fields and took
lip the rifle in defense of the Union, en-
listing in 1861 as a member of Company E,
of the Sixth JMissouri Regiment. In 1864
he re-enlisted at St. Joseph, Missouri. At one
time he and his captain were detailed for re-
cruiting service, but the captain was kicked
Tjy a horse and all the work devolved upon
■our subject. He was ofifered a commission
as sergeant major of his regiment, but he
refused this in order to stay with his com-
pany, for he was a great favorite with the
men. who lo\ed and respected hiiu. (roing
to Raleigh, Missouri, the companv l)ecame
part of the Forty-eighth Regiment, and on
the 8th of December, 1864, proceeded to St.
Louis and thence to Columbia, Tennessee,
Mr. Stitt remaining at the front until hon-
orably discharged. In June, 1865, he was
once more sent to St. Louis and there mus-
tered out, returning to his home with an
honorable military record.
He engaged in the business of buying
cattle in connection with Captain Grigsby,
liis old commander, and the business connec-
tion between them was maintained until the
fall of 1866. In that autumn he was mar-
ried, and during the succeeding winter he
boarded with his old partner, but in the
spring he and his wife removed to their farm
in Green township, Nodaway county, there
residin.g until 1886, when they took up their
abode in Burlington Junction. In the mean-
time he had bought and sold land, his invest-
ments proving profitable ventures, and at
the time of his retirement he owned a very
■valuable farm of three hundred acres, \\hich
is still in his possession. In Burlington
Junction he erected a comfortable residence,
and. surrounded b}' all the necessities and
nian\- of the luxuries of life, he is here re-
siding in retirement from acti\-e business
cares, save hs official duties, having been
called to office by the vote of his fellow
townsmen.
On the 6th of November, 1866, Air. Stitt
was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E.
AlcClellan, who was born in Indiana. They
have never had any children of their own, but
prompted by a great kindness of heart they
h.ave reared twelve or thirteen children — no-
ble souls who have done honor to their foster
parents, some of them being now prominent
men and women of Nodaway county. They
have been given excellent educational privil-
eges, thus being well fitted for the duties of
life.
In puldic office JNIr. Stitt has manifested
his fidelity to duty, serving as postmaster
during President Grant's first administration.
He was appointed to the oftice Noxemljer 14.
1869, and served in that capacity until 1879.
when he resigned. He is now serving for the
third term as the mayor of Burlington
Junction, having been elected to the ofiice by
his fellow townsmen without regard to po-
litical afifiliations. His administration is pro-
gressiNe and business like. He has studied
closely the needs of the town and exercises
liis official prerogative in support of all meas-
ures which he believes will contribute ti;> the
public good. In politics he has been a stal-
wart Republican since casting his first presi-
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
w bile serving in the army. He has frequent-
ly been a delegate to party conventions and
his counsel carries weight among the mem-
bers of the organization. He took the Unit-
ed States census in Nodaway countv in 1890
and again in 1900. Socially he is connected
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
the M'asonic fraternity and the Grand Army
of the Republic, and of all is a \alued repre-
sentative. He and wife are leading mem-
278
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
hers of the Christian church, of which he has
been an elder since 1867; and he takes an
active part in all the affairs of the church.
In fact, he makes the church first and other
things secondary. The social standing of
himself and wife is high and they are
acti\e in all gooil work looking to the mate-
rial and substantial benefit of the community.
As a business man he has been conspicuous
auKJUg his associates not only for bis success
but for his probity, fairness and honorable
methods. In everything he has been emi-
nently practical, and this has been not only
manifest in his business undertakings but
also in ijolitical. private and social life. Such
is the record of one who has worked his way
upwartl 1(1 a jiosilion of enTinence in 'he
community in \vhich he has long resided.
GEORGE L. WILFLEY.
In business circles George L. W'iltley
is widely known, and the safe, conservative
business policy which he follows has gained
him the public confidence in an unqualified
degree and made the Maryville National
Bank, of which he is the president, one of
the leading institutions of the kind in this
section of the state. He is a representative
of one of the early families of Xodaway
county. His father, Redmond Wilfley, was
a native of Buchanan county, Missouri,
born in 1825, and the grandfather was orig-
ir.ally from the state of \\'est Virginia.
Having arrived at years of maturity, Red-
mond Wiltley married Maria Baker, a
daughter of Charles Baker, one of the pio-
neers of Xodaway county and a sister of
(jeorge S. Baker, a leading banker and very
])rominent ami intluential citizen of this
state. Mr. \\ illley came to Xodaway coun-
ty at a very early period in its development
and was engaged in merchandising and in
other business lines in this place, his labors
contributing in a large measure to the com-
mercial activity of the city. About the time
of the close of the Civil war he removed
to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was
engaged in the manufacture of lunilier for
a time and later went to Pettis county, this
state, passing the last years of an active and
honorable life there. His wife died in 1894.
Ir. their family were the following named :
Mrs. Walter Bales, of Sheridan, Wyoming;
Mrs. Sarah Eaton, of Kansas Cit\', Mis-
souri; Charles B., also of that place; and
George L., of this review.
George L. WilHey spent the greater part
of his boyhood and youth in Kansas City
and acquired his education in the ])ublic
schools there. He entered ujion his liusi-
ness career as a clerk in a grocery store in
Scdalia. Missouri, and after three }ears' ex-
perience in that line became connected with
the banking business in a clerical capacity
in the Missouri X'alley Bank, at Kansas
City. His training there well fitted him for
liis later independent career as a banker.
After he had .';])ent three years in the Mis-
souri \'allt'y I'ank he came to Maryville and
secured a position in the employ of the firm
of Baker, Saunders & Company, with whom
he remained for four years. He then pur-
chased an interest in iho llolckow Savings
Bank, at 15olckiiw, Missouri, and was active
in the managLMueiU of that institution until
1887, when he returned to .Maryville and
became a i)artner in the banking business
of Baker, Saunders & Company. Jn Feb-
ruary, i8(;o, immediately after the death of
Mr. Saunders. Mr. Wiltley organized the
Maryville National Bank, which was cap-
italized at fifty thousand dijllars. Its ofli-
cers were George S. Baker, president;
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
279
Ge(^rge L. ^^'il^^ey. cashier: and George S.
Eaker, J. S. Frank. E. D. Orear, John
Lieber and Patrick McNellis, as members
of the board of directors. In 1896 Mr.
Eaker retired from tlie presidency of the
bank and J\Ir. Wilfley became his successor,
with Ehiier Eraser as the cashier. The
board of directors now comprises ^\^ R.
WeUs, A. M. Howendobler, Patrick Mc-
Xellis, Ehner Eraser and George L. Wil-
fley. The bank's surpkis is nineteen thou-
sand doUars and the amount of its deposits
are one hun(h-ed and eighty-five thousand
dollars.
In 1881 Mr. \Vilfley married Miss Jennie
Sa;mders, a daughter of J. H. Saunders,
a retired pioneer merchant of Maryville,
who came to this city when it was yet a part
of Andrew county. The year of his arrival
was 1844 and in 1845 he opened one of the
first stores in the village. With the excep-
tion of a few months spent in California
during the gold excitement and a brief
period in Atchison county, Missouri, he was
constantly in business here until 1896. Mr.
and Mrs. Wilfley have four children —
Clifford R., Ray S., Marjorie and Geneva.
In the conduct of his business enterprise Mr.
Wilfley has e\'er displayed marked ability
and executive power. Although he entered
liusiness life in a humble clerical capacity
he is to-day one of the foremost representa-
tives of financial interests in Nodaway coun-
ty, and throughout his career has sustained
an unassailable reputation for commendable
business methods and integrity.
JESSE H. DAVIS.
Jesse H. Da\'is, one of the leading busi-
ness men of Rockport, Missouri, and the
president of the Northwest Missouri Tele-
phone Company, knows no home but Atchi-
son county. In 1858, when his father lo-
cated in the sparsely settled region around
Phelps City, Jesse H. was but a prattling
babe, and it was in that vicinity that he
grew to manhood and received his early-
mental training.
Hugh L. Davis, the father of the sub-
ject, in the year above named, located two
and a half miles northeast of the village
of Phelps City. The trip from his former
home in Greene county, Tennessee, he made
overland with a team, one hundred and fifty
dollars and a vigorous constitution. Being
of an industrious disposition and having a
determination to succeed, it is not surpris-
ing that his career as a citizen of Missouri
was satisfactory to him and his family.
Hugh L. Davis was born in Greene county,
Tennessee, was a planter's son, and his an-
cestors were among" the early settlers in
east Tennessee. He was a son of John
Davis, who was born in \'irginia. Hugh
L. was born in 1836, and, on account of the
comparative lack of educational advantages
of that part of the country at that time, re-
ceived only an inadequate education, it be-
ing limited to reading, writing and a little
arithmetic. About the time of attaining his-
majority he married Rebecca R. Kidwell,
a daughter of Elijah Kidwell, and by her
became the father of the following children :.
John E. Davis, of Atchison count}'; Jesse
H., the subject of this sketch, who was born
September 10, 1857; Hilary A., who died
in infancy; and Charles E., now residing at
Pacific Junction, Iowa.
Hugh L. Davis personally conducted his
farm near Phelps for thirty-four years, and
was so successful in the management of his
affairs that a fair if not large profit was
the result. The area of his possessions in-
280
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
creased, liis credit l)ecame strong, and liis
l)opularity extended and strengtliened with
the lapse of time. In 1892, liaving hy his
industry, economy and straightforward busi-
ness methods acquired a competency suffi-
cient to satisf}' his personal and family ne-
cessities for the rest of their natural lives,
he retired from active labor to the privacy
of a beautiful Imnic in Rockport. During
the ])rogress of the C."i\il war he was faith-
ful to his country, and for a time was con-
nected witii the militia. Politics never had
any attraction for him. lie being content to
exercise his constitutional right of suffrage
unmolested, and interfering with no one in
the unimpeded exercise of the same right.
As a principle of government he has sup-
jxjrted Democracy, cleaving to the ancient
and honorable win.g of the party of 1896.
During the first thirty years of his life
Jesse H. Da\is labored with his father on
the farm. The inflependence of his family
and the continued ad\ancement and progress
of the age in educational, as in other mat-
ters, rendered it comparatively easy for him
to acquire a good education and thus equiji
iiimself for intellectual rather than manual
labors. At the age of nineteen he became
a student in the Nebraska State Normal
School, and in 188S he removed to Rock-
port, in which city he first engaged in the
livery business, his business here for eleven
years being the leailing one iu the city and
county, Davis Urothers being well known in
that line and also in the buggy and carriage
business. In 1899 he disposed of his livery
ir.terest and has since devoted liiniscll to
the bu.ggy and carriage liusiness.
In other lines Mr. Davis has also dem-
onstrated Iiis fitness to manage large conce^n^
and also his i)rogressive .spirit and insight
irto the future and as a promoter of one of
the most prominent enterprises of his county.
Some years ago there appeared to be a ile-
mandfor more complete telephone connection
throughout his part of the state, and in Au-
gust, 1895. the Northwest MissouriTelephone
Company was organized, with Mr. Davis as
its president. This compan\' has an ex-
change iu Rockport and another in Tarl'io,
and connects with Hamburg, Iowa, St. Jo-
se])h. Missouri, and South Omaha, Ne-
braska, as well as with many farmer lines
throughout this section of Missouri.
In all business relations Mr. Davis is
well known lor his promptne.-s, for his fair
dealing and his honorable methods and in-
tentions. His judgment as to the mej-its
or demerits of a proposition rarely leads iiini
astray, and when he consents to a deal or
gives his aid or encouragement to an en-
terprise, he is always the last to take a back-
ward step. In every way Mr. Davis is one
of the leading and most progressive citizens
of his county, and is highly esteemed in ev-
ery direction.
Mr. Davis was married November 2J,
189.^, to Miss Leonora Baker, a daughter
of Henry C. Baker, and to this n:arriage
there has been born one child, Jesse Gene
JOIIX M.\CR.\NDER.
This well-known pioneer and honored
citizen of Lincoln township has been identi-
fied with the agricultural interests of .\tchi-
son county for many years, antl has been a
resident of .Missouri since i860, lie comc~
from across the sea, his birth having oc-
curred iu Prussia, (iermany, October o.
1819 — the same }ear in which Queen \'ii
toria was born. His father. John Macrandei .
speut his entire life in Prussia, following tin.-
trade of a dres.ser or tanner tif tine skins.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
•Ibl
His wife, who bure tlie maiden name of
Catherine Kramer, was a nati\-e of the same
province, and died at the age of seventy-
four years, wliile liis death occurred when
lie was eighty-four }'ears of age. They
were Ijdth consistent members of the Lu-
theran church and reared their children in
that faith. Their family consisted of four
sons and one daughter. Ijut the latter died
young. The sons were Jacob, John, George
and Christian.
Attending school until fourteen years of
age, the stibject of this review acquired a
good practical education, and with his fa-
ther he learned the trade of skin dresser.
Bidding his parents a sad farewell, he left
Ins old home in Prussia at the age of twenty
years, and after a voyage of sixty-nine days
on a sailing vessel landed in Baltimore,
^laryland. He spent one year at Frederick-
town, that state, dressing deer skins, and in
1 841 went to Roanoke county, Virginia,
where he continued to follow his trade for
six years. We next find him in Metamora,
\\ oodford count}', Illinois, w here in con-
i;ection with work at his trade he also en-
gaged in farming imtil 1859, when he re-
moved to Buchanan county, Missouri. The
following year he took up his residence in
Atchison county and purchased eighty acres
of wild land in Lincoln township, which
lie has since converted into a tine farm that
he now rents. His first home here was a log
house, which has long since been replaced
with a good frame residence, and every-
thing about the place denotes the thrift and
enterprise of a progressive owner.
In 1854, in Woodford county, Illinois,
^Ir. ]^Iacrander married ]Miss Sarah Frances
Arthur, a native of Bedford county, Vir-
ginia, and a daughter of Eli Arthur, who
also was born in the Old Dominion. She
was reared and educated in that state and
Illinois. Her ])arcnts Iioth died in ^lissouri,
at the age of sixty years. Her mother bore
the maiden name of Frances West. ^Ir. and
Mrs. Arthm- were both faithful and consis-
tent members of the ^Methodist Episcopal
church and were highly respected and es-
teemed b}- all who knew them. Their children
were Amaziah. Jane, Emeline, Sarah F.. and
Josephus and William Jordan, twins. Mr.
and Mrs. Macrander are the parents of four
cliildren, namely : Mary, the wife of Thomas
Ward, of Lincoln township; William, who
i,~, successfully engaged in farming on a
farm of eighty acres in the same township;
David, who owns and works a farm of
ninety-four acres in Lincoln township : and
George, who has a fine place of eighty acres
in the same township. The last named mar-
ried Miss Ida Wilson, a daughter of C. C.
\\'ilson, of Tarkio, who served as a soldier
of Company H, First Iowa Cavalry, dur-
ing the Civil war. By this union has been
born one child, Zerah Todd.
Politically Mr. ^Macrander is identified
w\i\\ the Repuljlican party, and religiously
both he and his wife are earnest members
of the Christian church. They have reared
their chiKlren with results of which they
may be justly proud, and they occupy a po-
sition of prominence in the community where
they reside.
A. B. ALLEN, M. D.
Connected with the practice of the heal-
ing £frt in Maryville, Dr. Allen has attained
a position of distinction as a representative
of the medical fraternity. He has devot-
ed his life to the calling wherein advance-
ment must depend upon individual merit,
upon strong mentality, close application and
28;
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a sympatlietic interest in one's fellow men.
In none of these requirements is Dr. Allen
lacking, and therefore he has long since left
tile ranks of the many and stands among the
successful few.
A native of ^^'arren county, Illinois, he
was born on the I2th of February, 1850.
His father, Dr. A. A. Allen, was born in
Aluskingum county, Ohio, in 1818, and is
a descendant of the O'Allens, of Ireland.
He prepared himself for his chosen pro-
fession in the old Cincinnati educational in-
slitution of regulars, and lucated in War-
ren county, Illinois, at an early day. He
Avas prominently before the people of that
locality in his professional capacities for
many years and his active connection witii
the medical fraternity covers half a cen-
tury. He is now located in Steele, North
Dakota. He married Miss Nancy Maley,
Avhose people removed from West Virginia
into Warren county, Illinois, at a very early
period, there securing claims of government
land. Unto Dr. Allen and his wife were
born the following children : Arminda, who
became the wife of John Wooderson and '
■died in Harrison county, Missouri, leaving
two daughters — Carrie and Virgie, the
former a graduate of De Pauw University
and of the Boston School of Oratory, and
is the wife of F. T. Lamb, of ^\'ashington,
D. C, who formerly served as sergeant-at-
arms in the United States senate: Virgie re-
sides in Harrison county, Missouri; Will-
iam R. Allen, the second member of the
family, is engaged in the hotel business at
Kingman, Kansas; Josie is the wife of Al
Meredith, of Sioux City, Iowa; Alfred is
now deceased ; Carrie married C. H. Ennis,
of Rockport, Missouri; Celia is the wife of
C. A. Hurd, of Steele, North Dakota; Flora
is the wife of James Lyon, of Pittsburg;
and H. I>. is now living in Steele, North
Dakota, and is auditor of the county.
Dr. A. B. Allen, of this review, spent
his youth and early manhood upon his fa-
ther's farm. At the age of twenty he be-
gan to earn liis own livelihotjd at school
teaching, also spending a part of the time
as a student in the school room. He regu-
larly began the study of medicine at Bed-
f6rd, Iowa, although he had read at inter-
vals under the direction of his father prior
to this. He spent four years in the Keokuk
Medical College and added to his knowledge
by a post-graduate course in the Chicago
Polyclinic. In 1877 he located in Nodaway
county, opening an office in Barnard, where
his efficiency soon became apparent and he
was not long in acquiring a liberal practice.
He continued his professional labors among
the people at the south end of the county
until 1896, when he sought a more extensive
field of labor by his removal to Maryville,
v>here he became associated with Dr. George
Nash, another eminent jjliysician of north-
western Missouri, and the tirm of Nash &
.\llen at once took precedence in the medical
fraternity. The partnership was maintained
until the ist of September, 1899, when Dr.
Allen retired to his beautifuiiv furnislied
offices in the Michau block. He has clone
everything in his power to attain perfection
in his chosen calling and his knowledge is
comprehensive, exact and reliable. He is
very caj-eful in diagnosing a case and his
conclusions are almost infallibly c<.)rrect. He
now has a large and lucrative patronage
from among the best class of citizens of
Maryville and splendid professional and fi-
nancial success has attended his efforts.
Dr. Allen was married in Barnard, Mis-
souri, October 24, 1878, to Miss Sally Mc-
Farland, a daughter of John McFarland,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
283
Avho emigrated from Coshocton, Ohio, to
Nodaway county, in 1866. Their marriage
has been blessed with two children: Fay,
w^ho for two years has been a medical student
in the Emsworth Medical College, of St.
Joseph ; and Mabel. The Doctor is a Royal
Arch Mason, and also belongs to the Knights
of Pythias and Odd Fellows fraternities.
Of the Missouri Valley Medical Society he
is a member, and while he takes a deep and
active interest in many affairs calculated to
be of benefit to his community, his time and
attention are chiefly given to his profession,
in which he has attained enviable distinc-
tion.
SOLOMON R. GREEN.
«
Solomon R. Green, a member of one of
the pioneer families of Atchison county and
a well known farmer of this county, is a
nati\-e of Randolph county, Indiana, and
was born October 15, 1840. He was a son
of James and Amelia (Vernard) Green.
\\'illiam Vernard, the maternal grandfather,
was a native of Ohio and served in the war
of the Revolution. He was a farmer by
occupation, continuing at this until his
death, which occurred at an advanced age
at his home in Indiana. He was a promi-
nent man and filled several offices with dig-
nity and credit. He had two children —
Amelia, the mother of our subject; and
Mariah, who married J. Wade.
James Green, the father of our subject,
married when comparatively young and
settled in Randolph county, Indiana, where
he began farming. In 1841 he started west
and spent the following winter in Illinois.
In 1842 he reached Atchison county, Mis-
souri, where he exchanged his ox team and
wagon for a claim of one hundred and sixty
acres. There were no improvements on the
claim save a rude log cabin, but after set-
tling on the place he began farming. Hav-
ing considerable money in Indiana, which
he received for his farm, that he had sold,
and wishing to obtain the money, he ac-
cordingly set out on foot to reach his old
home. At that time there was no other way
of returning to Indiana save by boat, and
after making the trip he bought another
farm, which he improved and then sold.
He always retained the original homestead,
and it was there he passed his last days,
\vhere he was honored and respected by all.
He had undergone all the hardships of pio-
neer life, and was at all times a faithful
and willing worker. Up to the time he had
settled in Missouri he had been of the Quaker
faith; but at one of the meetings of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church held in his
home he was converted to their faith, and
continued a member of that church to the
end of his days. His death occurred in
1879, and his wife died in 1865. Their
children were : Nancy A. ; William, who
served in Price's army for a short time;
Solomon R., the subject of this sketch ; and
Martin, who also served in Price's army, but
as soon as he was able went to Kansas, where
he entered the federal sen^ice, and finally
was killed in battle; and Sarah, now Mrs.
Combs.
Solomon R. Green, the subject of this
sketch, remained with his parents until
grown, and he, too, saw much privation and
many hardships during those early days.
He w^as very fond of htniting, and tells many
interesting stories of his experiences with
the gun. In 1867 he located w'here he now
lives and where he had bought an eighty-
acre tract of land, and began his struggles
284
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
in life in earnest. He lias been \qy\ suc-
cessful, and it has only been through hard
work and perseverance that he has succeeded.
On settling in this locality there were but
three neighbors, and nothing but a vast
prairie tor miles around. The grass was
good for grazing, and !Mr. Green took up
stock raising in connection with farming.
He has gradually added more to his pos-
sessions each year, and is at present the
owner of several hundred acres of land, be-
sides his homestead. He is a Democrat in
politics, though he has never aspired to po-
litical preferment.
.Mr. Green married Xancy M. Wright,
who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Robert
and Jane Wright. Robert Wright was
originally from Pennsylvania, but for many
years lived in Fremont county, Iowa. In
1850 hCtook the gold fe\er and went to
California, where he engaged ni mining.
He was in possession of a very valuable
claim, but was obliged to leave, on receiving
word that his wife was at the point of death.
He returned in 1850 and never went again
to California. He carried on farming until
liis death, which occurred in 1890. His
wife died in J885. He left a large estate.
He and his wife were the parents of the
following children: John, of Colorado;
George, of California; Mrs. Elma Eascoe;
Emily; Xancy, the wife of our subject; Ida;
\'ada; and Robert, of Xebraska.
.Mr. and .Mrs. Wright have been blessed
with nine children, whose names are: Ida.
who married J. Pearce; Martin; Jane, the
wife of E. Proud; Randolph, a school
teacher; Arthur; George; Ethel; Dora, the
wife of B. F. Sfiarp; and Solomon. The
family are members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church. Two of the sons are
members of the Masonic fraternity.
JACOP LIXEBAUGH.
I One of the must extensive land-owners
of Xodaway county is Jacob Linebaugli.
who is now living a retired life. He be-
longs to that class of representative .\meri-
can citizens who owe their success to their
j own efforts, whose labors have been dili-
j gently prosecuted and whose energies have
been directed along well defined lines ot
labor. In this manner he has continued in-
creasing his capital and to-day he stands
among the most affluent residents of tb.at
community and is now enjoying a well
earned rest.
-Mr. Einebaugh was born January 13,
1829, in Tennessee, his birth having oc-
curred in Greene county. He is a son of
John and Sarah (Tucker) Linebaugli, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The
paternal grandfather, John Linebaugli, Sr.,
removed from the Keystone stale to In-
' diana, becoming one of the honored pioneers
I of the locality in which lie located. The
father of our subject removed with his lam
ily to Indiana, where the mother dieil. At
an early period in the development of Iowa
he became a resident of Page county, that
state, where his death occurred, at the agti
of sixty-three years. Throughout his en
- tire life he carried on agriculinral pursuits
and in that way provided for his family. He
had six childreii, but only two are now liv-
ing — Aliram and Jacob.
The latter was but live years of ago
when his parents removed with their chil-
! dren to Fountain county. Indiana, where he
v.as reared to manhood. He was early
trained to habits of industry and economy
upon the home farm and from an early age
assisted in the cultivation of the fields. In
18^0. two vears after the arrival of his father
MR. AND MRS. JACOB LINEBAUGH
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
■285
in Iowa, he einigrated to that state, locating
in Page county before it was organized. He
th.ere securetl a tract of wild land and when
it came into market entered his claim. In
the work of reclaiming the section f<ir pur-
poses of ci\-ilization he bore an acti\e part
and became one of the foimders of the
county. He aided in its organization and in
other \\a}-s was active in promoting its in-
terests, there residing until about ]86o,
when he remo\-ed to Xodaway county,
Missouri. He was married on the ()th of
January, 1853, to ]\Iiss ]\Iary A. Gray, who
was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Mar-
tin and Xancy (Langtry) Gray. Her
father was a nati\-e of North Carolina and
was a son of William ■Martin. His death oc-
curred in Nodaway county, at the ripe old
age of nearly eighty-six years, and his
widow is now Ii\'ing with our subject, at
the age of eighty-nine. Mrs. Linebaugh's
great-grandfather was one of the Revolu-
tionary heroes who valiantly fought for the
independence of the nation, and in the strug-
gle was wounded. Her people ha\e all been
farmers, living quiet, industrious and hon-
orable lives. She was one of twelve chil-
den, but only six are now living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linebaugh have been
born seven children, four of whom survive :
^\'illiam Jefferson is married and has one
child. Sarah J., their eldest child, is mar-
ried and has seven children. Julia A., is the
next of the family. Marietta is married and
has two children and has lost one. Francis
M., their eldest son, was married and at his
death left a wife and one child. He was one
of the young representative farmers of the
community, active and enterprising in busi-
ness and honorable in all life's relations. He
commanded the respect of all who knew him ,
for his upright life and in his death Noda-
IV
way county lost one of its valued citizens.
He was taken in the prime of life, but he
left to the family an untarnished name. The
others who have passed away are Martha
Ella and Martin E.
For many years Mr. Linebaugh was ac-
tively connected with the farming interests
of Nodaway county. From time to time he
added to his original purchase until he be-
came the owner of sixteen hundred acres of
land, which made him one of the extensive
realt}' holders in this community. He placed
much of it under a high state of cultivation
and the well-tilled fields brought to him a
good income. He carried on general farm-
ing and everything about his place denoted
liis careful superx'isiou and care as well as
his progressive and practical methods. Of
recent years, however, he has lived retired.
Formerly he raised stock and grain on an
extensive scale, but with a handsome com-
petence to supply him with all of the neces-
sities and comforts of life he put aside busi-
ness cares, leaving to younger shoulders
the burdens which he had long borne. In
business matters he showed keen discrimin-
ation and sound judgment, and these quali-
ties, combined with his unfaltering energy,
led to his success. He cast his first presi-
dential vote for J. K. Polk and is now an
earnest supporter of the Democratic party.
He holds membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church and nearly all of the fam-
ily are identified with that religious organ-
ization. Jacob Linebaugh and his wife arc
well known in northwestern Missouri, and
no one has ever been heard to say aughr
against them. His name is a synonym for
honesty in all business dealings, and in every
relation of life he has been prompted by
manlv principle and by a true spirit of
Christianitv.
280
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ELI r. XESBITT, ^[. D.
Dr. Nesbitt is one of the yoir.iger rep-
resentatives of the medical fraternity in
Xodaway county, yet his youth seems no l)ar
to his progress and his success, for he has
ahxady gained a reputation and a higii
standing that many an older practitioner
miglit well envy. He was born in Caldwell
county, Missouri, December 25. 1873, and
is a son of George \\'. Nesbitt, one of the
leading fruit farmers of Andrew county,
Missouri. His father came to this state in
1S60, following farming in Caldwell coun-
ty until 1882, v.hen he removed to Andrew
county. He was born in Stark county,
Ohio, in 1838, a son of George Nesbitt, Sr.,
who emigrated from Pennsylvania to the
Buckeye state. On removing to the por-
tion of the country west of the I\Iississippi
George W. Nesbitt took up his abode in
Oskaloosa, Iowa, v.here he made his home
until the year of his arrival in Missouri.
He was united in marriage to ^liss Mary
E. Gates, a native of Ray county, this state,
who died in 1897. Their children are:
Edith, the wife of Dr. E. L. Crowson, of
Pickering, Missouri; Kate, who is living
in Andrew county; Eli Paulus, our subject;
Elorence and Pleasant, who are students in
the Missouri State University; Nellie, who
completed tile high-school course in St.
Joseph, ^lissouri, in 1900; and Ethel, who
is a sophomore in the same institution.
The Doctor acquired his literary edu-
cation in the Chillicothe normal school, un-
der Professor Allen Moore, and read medi-
cine under Professor Senor, one of the facul-
ty of the Central Medical College, at St.
Joseph. In 1894 he matriculated in that
college, c<jnii)lcting the regular course in
three years and winning his diploma in
1897. On the J^tli of May of that year
he opened his office in Gaynor, as the suc-
cessor of Dr. Ream, of Maryville. He has
gained here a large and constantly growing
practice and his business is of a desirable
character, bringing to him a good renumera-
tion.
The Doctor was married in Gaynor, in
December, 1899, to Alice, a daughter of
Mrs. Mary J. Davis. His interest in frater-
nities extends to membership in the Modern
\\'oodmen of America, and he represents in
his professional capacity the Prudential In-
surance Company of America and the Mar-
shalltown Insurance Company, of Marshall-
town, Iowa. The Nesbitt family is well
known in politics for its adherence to
Democracy. None of its members have
sought or held office, but as citizens have
given their aid to its work at ])rimaries and
county conventions. This is practically true
of the Doctor, who does what he can to aid
the cause, yet without effort at show or de-
sire for political preferment.
PROFESSOR DANHiE \l. 151 UP.
Prominent in educational circles, highly
respected as a citizen and at present head
clerk in "The Main Line" at Graham, Mis-
souri, is ilie gentleman whose name appears
ai the opening of this sketch. A gentleman
of cordial and pleasing manners, an active
worker in all matters pertaining to the de-
velopment and advancement of the schools
and town in which he resides, he is a man of
whom any town might well be proud. Pro-
fessor Bird is a native of Green township,
Nodaway county, having been born March
6, 1873, a son of John L, and Rosannr)
( Murphy) B'rd.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
287
Jacob Bird, the grand father of our sub-
ject, was one of the first settlers and prom-
inent land holders of Nodaway county.
John L. Bird was born in Kentucky, but
was for many years a resident of Illinois,
graduating at Lombard University. He
■came from Peoria county to Nodaway coun-
ty, where he has been engaged in clerking
and general merchandise business. Po-
litically Mr. Bird is an ardent Democrat.
He and his wife were raised under the old
Presbyterian creed. Rosanna Murphy Bird,
the mother of our subject, was born in
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, a daughter
of Daniel Murphy, -who was of Irish ex-
traction. Mrs. Bird' was reared and edu-
cated in her native state and removed to
Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1868. She
was the mother of eight children, four sons
and four daughters, our subject being the
third child of the family.
D. E. Bird, in early life, began to at-
tend the schools of Nodaway county, and
later became a student at the Maryville
Seminary. He is now an under-graduate of
the University of Columbia, Missouri, which
he attended in 1897 and 1898. At the age
of nineteen years he began teaching school,
and has been engaged in this work ever
since, also giving much time to the study of
law. Professor Bird has followed in his
father's belief, and is an active worker of the
Democratic party, having been a delegate
to county, senatorial and state conventions.
He was an active and zealous worker even
before attaining his majority. He is one of
the best informed and greatest workers of
the I. O. O. F. lodge, having held schools
of instruction, and is recognized as authorr
ity on questions of law and the secret work
of the I. O. O. F. He is a past grand of
Comet Lodge, No, 284, of Quitman, l)eing
the youngest man in his district at that
time to receive that degree.
Professor Bird, by his close application
to study, his untiring energy and efforts in
the educational line, has won for himself
a name which any older man might be
glad to attain, and, as he is a young man
has the prospects of a very rich and fruitful
career.
ELIAS D. OREAR.
Elias D. Orear is now living a retired
life in Alaryville, where he is recognized as
one of the most prominent, influential and
representative citizens. He belongs to an
early family of Nodaway county, and no
man in ]\Iaryville has been more actively
or honorably connected with the upbuilding
and progress of the city than his father,
William C. Orear.
The latter was born in Henry county,
Virg'inia, September 20, 1816, and died on
the 1st of July, 1898. No adequate memo-
rial of William C. Orear can be written un-
til many of the useful enterprises with which
he was connected have completed their full
measure of good in the world. He spent his
youth and early manhood upon a farm, his
time being largely occupied with the duties
and labors of the fields to the exclusion of
opportunities for securing an education.
His father, John Orear, was a man in
moderate circumstances, and on leaving the
Old Dominion removed to Randolph county,
Missouri, where his children were reared.
When William C. Orear left home he made
his way to eastern Iowa and was employed in
the lead mines in this section of the state.
During" his residence there he wedded Mary
Wilcox, whose parents were from Roches-
ter, New York.
288
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
After his inarriai^c lie rcUirned to Car-
roll county, Missouri, and as a result of his
farming o])erations there accumulated a
small cai)itai, which he invested in a mer-
cantile business in Maryville, in 1856. The
year previous he took up his abode on a farm
just east of the city, but determining to enter
commercial life he severed his connection
with agricultural pursuits and purchased a
small general stock of goods. He had no ex-
perience behind the counter, ha\ing been
reared ui>on the farm, where he also accumu-
lated liis capital. Entering into partnership
with Mr. Jester they conducted business for
a short time, when by mutual consent the
partnership was dissolved, Mr. Orear re-
maining as the proprietor of the store. Some
years later he formed another partnership,
becoming a member of the lirm of Jenkins,
Torrance & Orear. From 1856 until 1870
the father of our subject was one of the
leading rei)resentatives of commercial inter-
ests in this city and controlled a constantly
increasing trade, his lilieral patronage be-
ing accorded him as a result of his well di-
rected efforts, his uniform courtesy to his
patrons and his honorable dealing. In the
latter year, however, he sold his stock and
spent his remaining days in honorcil retire-
ment from business cares.
He was one of the builders ol the Ar-
lington, n<iw Ream Hotel, the first good
hotel erected in Maryville, and erected in-
dividually the business block at Xos. 105-6
north of the s(|uare. He owned much pro])-
erty in Maryville. and the control of his
real estate made sufficient demand upon his
time and energies during the latter years
of his life. His word was as good as any
Ixmd that was ever solemnized by signature
or seal, and in the years of his long and
active career he maintained an unassailalile
reputation in business circles. He took a
deep interest in religious work and was an
earnest and zealous member of the Meth-
odist church. ser\ing for many years as a
trustee of the South }ilcthodist Episcopal
church. He was also largely instrumental in
erecting their ])r?sent fine house of worship.
When \ery young he became a follower of
the Christian religion and made its precepts
a part of his daily life. His wife died in
Maryville. in 1880, and their two children.
Mrs. Laura A. Heal and lilias. still survive
and are residents of this city. Mr. Orear"s
benevolence was unostentatious and genuine,
and there is nothing in the story of his life
to show that he e\er for a moment sought to
compass a given eutl for the purpose of
exalting himself.
Elias D. Orear. whose name introduces
this record, was born in Iowa. December
2. 1846, yet the greater ])ari nf his life has
been .spent in this city, whither he came
with his parents at the age of eight years.
Here he was reareil and educated and en-
tered upiiii his business life as a clerk in ihe
drug store of Dr. MuUholland, with whom
he remained two years. He then entered his
father's store and gained an experience
which made his after life so successful.
L'pon his father's retirement from business
in 1870 he became a member of the grocery
firm of Stinson & Orear, carrying on busi-
ness on the west side of the si|uarc. where
the Bacon dry-goods store now stands.
Theirs was one of the leading grocery
houses of Maryville, and the firm continued
in active business for five years. Mr. Oreai
i,^ now living retired, .sa\e for tiie energ\-
which he devotes to tlie control of his in-
vestments. He is one ^if the stockholders
of the Maryville National Hank, has some
farming interests and is one of the lending
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
289
.iiich
IS
his
property holders in the city
hDiiie.
Ill 1877 Mr. Orear was united in mar-
riage to Miss May B. Nelson, and their
imion has been blessed with two daughters
— ]\Iay and Beulali. Like his father, Mr.
Orear has never taken an active interest in
political affairs, hut is a leading worker and
faithful member oi the Methodist Episcopal
church. South, of which he is serving as a
trustee. He is also a past grand of the Odd
F'ellows lodge. It is but just and merited
])raise to sa}' that as a business man he ranks
with the ablest ; as a citizen he is honorable,
]irompt and true to ever}- engagement ; and
as a man he is honoreil and esteemed by all
classes of people.
WILLIAM H. BAILEY.
\\ illiam H. Bailev, seninr member of the
firm of Bailey & George, hardware mer-
•chants of Hopkins, has resided in Nodaway
countv for a comparatively short time, the
year of his arri\al being 1894, but during
his residence here he has gained a place
among the most substantial citizens and his
worth is well known.
]\Ir. Bailey was born in Knox county,
Tennessee, January 29, 1855. His father,
]\liles Bailey, was born in the eastern por-
tion of the same state and died in 1861, at
the age of forty-eight years. His wife, who
Ijore the maiden name of Nancy Ewing, was
also a native of eastern Tennessee and died
in 1886, at the age of seventy-six, her birth
ha\-ing occurred in 18 10. Little is known
of the ancestral history of the family, save
that the paternal grandfather of our sub-
ject was a Virginian. Miles Bailey was a
farmer and spent the greater part of his life
in Iowa. He reared a small familv. of whom
two are yet living. His children who reared
families are as follows : Elizabeth, who be-
came the wife of Baxter Wooldridge, of
Hopkins, who is the proprietor of the lead-
ing clothing and dry-goods house of the
town and is one of the most prominent Dem-
ocrats of Nodaway county. His two sons,
Ed and Fred Wooldridge, are associated
with their father in the conduct of his mer-
cantile interests. The former married Miss
Ella Torrance and they have two children —
Dan and Mary. Mrs. Laura Law, the de-
ceased wife of Dr- Law, was the second
child of the family of Miles Bailey. She
died in Liberty Center, leaving three chil-
dren — Lora, the wife of Charles Fry, of
Hopkins ; Eugene, of St. Louis ; and Louella,
the deceased wife of Charles K. Allen, who
was at one time a leading merchant of Hop-
kins.
William H. Bailey was the youngest
member of the family who reached maturity.
He entered upon his business career in
Unionville, Iowa, where his father had lo-
cated in 1857. That town and Moulton
provided the schools in which he accjuired
his education. When he approached the age
of business preparation he made choice of
the tinner's trade as a means of livelihood
and learned that business under the direction
of S. C. Sloss. Completing his four years'
apprenticeship he afterward spent six months
with the firm of Scott & Bliss, jobbers in
the same town. Returning to L'nionvillt
he was married, in 1877, and was elected
constable, filling that office and the position
of deputy sheriff for two years. During the
following year and a half he engaged in
buying stock near Hopkins.
A desire to see the northwest led to his
removal to Deadwood, Dakota, where ho
became wagon boss of a freighting outfit
2d0
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
running between tliat city and Pierre. Soutli
Dakota, a distance of two liundred miles.
Tiie outfit consisted of thirty-one wagons
ami ninety head of cattle. The three years
spent in the latter place proved a profitable
period in the life of Mr. Bailey. On aban-
doning his position he spent a year and a half
in Huron, South Dakota, where he returned
to his trade, being employed in the tin shop
of Brown & Sti\'er. Subsequently he lo-
cated in Arlington, South Dakota, where he
became a leading man in the employ of A.
D. Maxwell, a hardware merchant, with
w hom he was associated for eight years, on
the expiration of which time he entered into
partnership with Mr. Alullins, forming the
firm (if Mullins & Bailey, and together they
conducted a hardware business in Headland,
South Dakota, for eighteen months. Mr.
Bailey then disposed of his interests in that
town and journeyed to the Pacific coast, lo-
cating in Portland, Oregon. In that city he
was employed by various firms as a tinnei",
aiid while traversing his path eastward Ik-
was located for a time in Elmore and Am-
boy, Minnesota, having charge of a shop at
the latter point. On again reaching Iowa
lie took up his abode at Creston, where he
entered upon the management of the tin
shop (jf Thomas & Daugherty, remaming
with that firm until 1894, when he located
in llo])kins. I lire he conducted a repair
shop for four years and later established his
hardware store, subsequently adding a stock
of furniture and implements. In January,
1899, James N. George was admitted to a
partnership and the firm of Bailey & George
has since carried ..n Imsiness, with gratify-
ing .success.
Mr. Bailey lias been twice married. On
the 26th of April, 1877, 'le married Miss
Mann'c X;(sh. ,'md untn ibcin were born two
children. Georgie and I'red. For his .sec-
ond wife he chose ]\Iiss Annie Onstead, a
daughter of Andrew Onstead. of Sioux
Falls, Dakota. Their marriage occurred
February 4, 1S83, and has been blessed with
seven children, namely : Oates, May. IVIin-
nie, Frankie. Lou, Milo and Clemi. Pleny
and William are deceased.
In politics Mr. Bailey is a Democrats
His forefathers were all Republicans, but
a friendly interest in the white metal and
a desire for its reinstatement as primary
money led him into the Democratic party.
He has traveled extensively throughout th»
north and west, but is now permanently lo-
cated in Hopkins, where his well-directed
efforts in business affairs are bringing to
him a well-merited success.
D \^TD GORDOX.
David Gordon has Ijeen the architect of
his own fortunes and has builded wisely and
well, lieing now the jmssessor of a hand-
some competence. He is numl)ercd among
the pioneers <->f both Iowa and Missmu'i and
for more than a third of a century his name
has been inseparably interwoven with the
history and advancement of this section oi
his adopted state. He was born in West
Union. Adams coimly. Ohio, March ,^i,
183J, and is a son of David Gordon. Sr.,
whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania. His
grandfather. Bazleah (iordon, was born in
I'ennsylvania and served as a soklier in the
Revolution and ilic war of 181 _>. His great-
grandfather was ;i native of Scotland, born
in the highlands and was a representative of
a family that long resided in the land of liills
and heather, .\mong his ancestors were some
of the celebrated chiefs of the highlands.
David Gordon, Sr., was reared in the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
291
KeystoniC state and in Adams.' county, Ohio,
married Miss Christina AA'ashbnrn. daughter
of Joseph ^^'ashburn, who served as a soldier
in the war of 1812 and was a representative
of a \-ery prominent Ohio familj- descended
from EngHsh ancestors. David and Chris-
tina Gordon became the parents of thirteen
children, namely; Bazleah : John Bryce;
James, who ser\-ed in the Civil war and now
resides in Marshall county. Kansas ; David ;
Joseph; Martin Van Buren ; George W.,
who was also one of the "boys in blue" and
is now li\'ing in Xodaway Ci.iunty, ^Missouri ;
Eleanor, of \'illisca, Iowa; Rebecca; Jane;
Mary Ann; Matilda, of ^Marahall county,
Kansas; and Elizabeth, of ,2\Jaryville, Mis-
souri. The father died in Adams county.
Ohio, at the age of lifty-six years. He had
followed farming as his life work, thereby
providing for his family. His political sup-
port was given to the Democracy. His wife,
long sur\iving him, passed away at the age
of eighty-sex'en years, having spent her last
days in the home of our subject. She re-
tained her \ig(jr up to the last and a short
tnne before her death could walk four miles
and back. She held membership in the
i\Iethodist Episcopal Church and was an
earnest Christian woman whose children rose
up and called her blessed.
David Gordon lived the cjuiet life of the
farmer boy who assists in the cultivation of
the fields and the work of the meadows, and
pursued his educatiun in the district schools.
In 1856 he became a resident of Adams
county, Iowa, living on the Xcjdaway river
among the early settlers of that portion of
of the country. The Indians were still in the
^vild western district and here the lover of
tlie chase had ample opportunity t^i indulge
his taste, for deer were often seen and- the
wolves frequently made the night hideous '
with their howling. The work of improve-
ment and progress seemed scarcely begun
and the settlers living in the log cabins en-
dured many of the hardships and trials which
are common to life on the frontier.
Mr. Gordon remained in Adams' county
for ten years and then came to Atchison
county, locating near Phelps City, where he
aided in opening up a farm at Center Grove
for the Bartlett Brothers in 1876. He is to-
day one of the most extensive land-owners
in- the county. He first became the owner
of a tract of wild prairie,, and to this he
has added until his farm in Lincoln town-
ship now comprises four himdred and five
acres of rich land, making him one of the
m.ost extensive realty holders in this por-
tion of the state. His residence is favorably
located and is a commodious and convenient
home. In the rear stand a big barn, sheds
and other necessary outbuildings, and a
windmill is the motive power for the water
supply. Pastures, meadows and plowed
lands are all in good shape and indicate the
careful supervision of the progressix'e owner
whose methods are practical.
]\Ir. Gordon was married in Adams
county, Ohio, to Miss Lydia Ann Ellis, a
nati\-e of that county, and a daughter of
Clayborn and Betsey (White) Ellis. The
marriage of our subject and his wife was
blessed with se\-en children, of whom five
are yet living, namely : A. B., a prominent
citizen of Colfax township, Atchison county;
Nelson Clay, who spends his time in Cali-
fornia and Alaska; Thirza Letitia, the wife
of Holland Coddle, of Lincoln township;
Ann Marie, the wife of George C. ^^'ard,
of Nebraska; Elsie Irene, the wife of
^^'heeler Donahue, who is living on the old
homestead farm; and Jessie and Ida, who
are deceased. Mrs. Gordon was a faithful
292
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and devoted wife and inntlier. a kind neigli-
bor and a consistent friend, and lier many
excellencies of character endeared her to
all with whom she came in contact. In \Sj2.
after her decease, Mr. (iordon was again
married, his second union being with Miss
Evelina Bryan, a lady of intelligence and cul-
ture, born in Adams county, Ohio, and a
daughter of Colo!iel George Bryan, who was
an ofHcer in the war of i8i_>. He was born
in Pennsylva.iia and married ]Miss Sarah
Porter, a native of Maryland. He died at
the age of seventy-four years, and his wife
passed away at the age of seventy-live. Both
were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. No Ciiildren were l.orn of Mr. Gor-
don's second marriage. 1 le has some grand-
children, however. Mrs. Donahue being the
mother of two children. — Xellie and Walter,
— while Mrs. Coddle has tiirec children, —
Clarence, Sylvia and Pearl.
In religious faith ^Ir. Gordon is a Cum-
berland Presbyterian and has serNcd as an
e'der in his church for a nunibei- of \-ears.
He exercises his right of franchise for the
men and measures of the Republican i)arty.
The (J(jrdon home is noted for its hospitality
and the latchstring of his door, figuratively
speaking, always hangs out. The poor and
needy find in our .subject and his wife warm
friends, and the hungry are never turned
from their door unsupplied. In Imsiness cir-
cles Mr. Gordon sustains an luiassaiialile
reputation for integrity and truj.twH)rthiness.
His frank and genial manner has wdu him
many friends and he is esteemed ;i \alued
resident of Atchison countv.
ELIJ.MI M. BAILEY.
The life story of this inouiincnt citizen is
that of a hard-working farmer, whose honest
efforts have been crownccj with surcess. Tt
would be interesting even if it were not
.unique as presenting the record of a re-
pentent secessionist, who. after three years'
arduous service for the "lost cause." risked
his life in the final year of the war in de-
fense of the Union, wearing the blue as
, proudly as he had worn the gray, and prov-
ing himself every inch a soldier, under both
fiags.
Elijah M. Bailey was I'Kirn in Burke
county, Xorth Carolina, February 22. 1842.
His father was Joel Bailey, a native of Vir-
ginia and ;i member of one of the old fam-
ilies of that state. Tiie wife of Joel Bailey
was a daughter of Peter Cirley, a native of
Xorth Carolina and of Irish ancestry. He
was a soldier of the Revolution, one of those
brave men, who, loving liberty more than
life, saved for us and gave to us our coun-
try. In 1850 Joel Bailey and his wife came
on a flatboat from Paducah. Kentucky (to
which place they had traveled overland from
Xorth Carolina), by way of the Tennessee
ri\cr. tlie Mississippi and tlie Ohio; and
up the Missouri by steamboat to St. Joseph,
Missouri. Here they lived for a short time
then remo\ed to Platte county, Missouri,
and in 1855 to Lincoln township, Nodaway
county, and settled on one hundred and sixty
acres of government land. The wife, Xancy
C. Bailey, a devout Methodist, died in 1864,
in Andrew county, Missouri, at the age of
sixty years. Joel Bailey, a lifelong farmer,
died at the age of seventy years, at Leaven-
worth, Kansas. He was a Republican and
a strong Union man from iSfu. Joel and
Xancy ( Cirley I Piailey were the parents of
eleven children, eight sons and three daugh-
ters, viz.: Larkin, deceased; William Riley,
deceased; Franklin, of Stone county, Mis-
souri; James, a resident of Lincoln town-
ship, well ku'iwii and respected, who served
V'v:
\
"f.
ELIJAH M. BAILEY
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
293
in the Union army ; Sally Si>encer, deceased ;
Fidela, wIkj died in childhood ; Polly Si-
rena, deceased: Elijah Mitchell, the subject
■of this notice ; Nancy Clarissa Blunt, of
Oklahoma ; and Bird and Joel, both dead.
Elijah M. Bailey was eight years of age
when his parents came io Missouri and
twelve when the}- settled in this county.
Here he grew up amid the wild surround-
ings familiar to early settlers, no improve-
anents of the modern civilization having
been introduced then. His education was
gained not fnim attending public school but
from study at home, tra\el, observation aiatl
experience in the arm}-. When the Civil
war broke out he enlisted in the Confeder-
ate ser\-ice, in the Third ^Missouri Cavalry.
His company, B, was organized by T. J.
McQuittie, who was the sheriff of Noda-
way county, but resigned that office, or-
ganized this company and served as its
captain. The companv was in the engage-
ments at Blue Mills and Lexington, Mis-
souri, and other minor engagements in this
state, and at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. It after-
ward took part in the first battle of Corinth
and later started for Shiloh to engage in
that battle, but did not arrive until too late.
The command went down the Mississippi,
and Mr. Bailey again fought at Farming-
ton, and Holly Springs, Mississippi, and
again at the second battle of Corinth. Then
his command was at Port Gibson trying to.
head off General Grant, but, retreating, was
fought back to Baker's creek (or Champion
Hills) and was again in battle at Black
River bridge. At the battle of Vicksburg,
July 4, 1863, Mr. Bailey was taken prisoner
and paroled.
In March, 1864, Mr. Bailey enlisted in
the Union ami}-, in Company F, Second
JVIissouri -Vrtillery, under Captain "Flying
Dutchman," and was engaged in various
skirmishes with guerrillas iir bushwhackers
and fought in two engagements against
the Confederate troops. He was honorably
discharged from the Union army on June
6, 1865, and is now receixing a pension
from the United States goxernment for his
services.
Mr, Bailey returned to Nodaway coun-
ty, Missouri, after his army experiences,
and here he has since li\ed. He was mar-
ried March 18, 1866, to Barbara A. Pruitt,
of Elmo, who was born in Coles county,
Illinois, and came to Missouri when six
years of age. Her father, Irvin A. Pruitt,
born in Indiana, was a well known early
settler of Missouri, who came to Nodaway
county in 1856 ami resided here until his
death at the age of forty-four years. Her
mother was Polly (Dodson) Pruitt, born
in Tennessee and reared in that state and
Indiana. Mrs. Bailey's brother, John I.
Pruitt, enlisted during the Civil war in the
Third Missouri Cavalry and later his name
was among those recorded as "missing;"
and the fact that he has ne\er since been
heard of inclines his friends to believe that
he was killed. Mrs. Pruitt. at the age of
ninety, makes her home with her onl}- sur-
viving child, Mrs. Bailey, and is honored and
respected b}- all who know her. Mr. and
Mrs. Bailey are the parents of seven chil-
dren, four of whom are li\-ing: Irvin A.
Bailey, who married Emma Hall and re-
sides in Lincoln township; Clarissa Lee, the
wife of Charles H. Peery, of Lincoln town-
ship; Lola H., a member of her parents'
household; and James Bird, in his twenti-
eth year, who lives at home. Those lost by
death were : Sarah Jane, their second child,
who died at the age of se\'enteen months ;
\\'illiam Franklin (or Sti>newall). who was
294
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
llie iliird liorn aiifl died wlien twelve years
(lid : and Xaiicy Ellen, their fifth child, who
died aged eighteen months. Mrs. Bailey
is a niemher of the Church of God.
Mr. Bailey has a fine farm of two hun-
dred and forty acres, consisting of rich
bottom land, hillside and timber. It is im-
proved an<l e(|uipped for general farming
and stock-raising. Politically he is a Demo-
crat, and is a wheel-horse of the party and
a zealous worker for its success. He was
the first Democratic constable elected in
Nodaway county after the close of the Ci\il
war, and was deputy sheriff of the county
under Henry Toel and other sheriffs, and
as such, in his official capacity, took part
in the hanging of the notorious Talbert
brotiiers at Maryville. In 1900 he was
candidate before the convention for the of-
fice of sheriff but was defeated owing to
unforseen conditions. .Mr. Bailey is a
member of Lodge Xo. 329, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, of Elmo. He is a man of
fifty-eight years, but, notwithstanding the
hard experiences of his army life, holds his
age well. He is well known for his honesty,
integrity and undruuited courage, and these
qualities, together with his frank and
cordial manner, have gained for him many
friends among his fellow men.
JOHN J. C. HAYES.
Among the prominent and representa-
tive farmers of Atchison county, Missouri,
is Jiiiui J. C. Hayes, the subject of this
sketch. He has been a resident of the state
since 1869 and has done much to develop
the agricultural interests of his section. Mr.
Hayes was born in Barren county, Ken-
tucky, March 7, 1848, and was a son oi
^\"ilIian1 aufl Sidonia (Harding) Hayes, both
natives of Kentucky, who reared the follow-
ing children : \\'illiam H., a farmer at Far-
ragut, Iowa; our subject; James T.. de-
ceased ; Mrs. Sidonia Wilson, deceased ;
Charles M., deceased ; Mrs. Mary L. Lafol-
ette, of Oklahoma; ^lillard F., of Atchison
county; Mrs. Xancy Phelps, of Xcbraska ;
and .\ugustn W.
William Ha\cs. the father of dur sub-
ject, was a son of William Playes, well-
known in his native state of Kentucky, at an
early day. The former grew to manh<^od
and married in Kentucky, removing to Himc
county, Mis.souri, about 1851. This loca-
tion did not please him and six months later
he went to Cass county, Illinois, where he
first rented land and later bought a farm,
which he cultivated until 1866. The lands
of Iowa then attracted his attention and he
removed to Fremont county, where he pur-
chased land and remained during life, his
death occurring April 30, 1899. when he had
reached his seventy-fourth year. He was
an honest, worthy citizen who accunudated
a competence by his own endeavors. He was
well and favoralily known, and was a voiy
prominent and useful member of the Meth-
odist church, in which he had filled every ])o-
sition except that of minister. The first wife
of Mr. Hayes was a daughter of John Hard-
ing, a planter and owner of slaves, in Ken-
tucky, who, h.iving lost heavily during the
Civil war, removed to Red Oak. Iowa, about
1880. He had married Sarah Clemens, also
of Kentucky, a good and religious woman.
Their family record is as follows : Sitlonia,
the mother of our subject: James. John,
; William. Winfield, Augustine, Mary, Sarah,
I Minnie, Milla and Harriet. Mrs. Hayes,
i the mother of our .subject, died April 14,
' 1864. Her life had !)een one of good deeds,
and when her last hour came she testified to
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
295
the peace which was vouclisafed for her. Mr.
.Ha3-es married Eliza E. Bidleman, Septem-
ber 20, 1864, and the children of this mar-
riage were Frank, Wesley, Charles, ]. G.,
Saphronia, Ida, and three infants who passed
away in early life.
Air. Hayes, who is the subject of this
sketch, was reared at home and received his
education in the district schools. He en-
gaged in farming at Red Oak, Iowa, but in
1869 came to Missouri, marrying here the
same year. He engaged in farming near
Fairfax, where he rented some land, later
buying and then selling several other tracts
and at length returned to Iowa. For a tinit
he resided in Nebraska, but in 1894 he re-
turned to Missouri and purchased the farm
of two hundred and forty acres where he now
resides. There was mucii to be done in the
way of repairs when Mr. Hayes took charge
of this place, but he has spared neither time,
money or labor in the way of improvements,
until now he has one of the best equipped
and best cultivated farms in the county. His
buildings, fences, orchards and ornamental
trees and shrubbery make his farm one of the
most attractive in the section. As these
changes have been the result of his' own ef-
forts, our subject has reason to be gratified
Avith them. He has done a general farming
business, also raising cattle and stock. While
he resided in Iowa he engaged for two years
in the mercantile busin,ess.
The marriage of Mr. Hayes took place
October 31, 1869, to Miss Margaret Gil-
kinson, a lady of intelligence, and a member
of an old and honored pioneer family of this
county. James Gilkinson, the father of
iVIrs. Hayes, came to Missouri from Ken-
tucky when but a boy, married and reared
his family in this county and died here in
December, 1877. He was an excellent man.
a good citizen and a valued memljer of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church. His chil-
dren were John, Mrs. Hayes, Joseph, and
Mrs. Malinda J. Sharer. The children born
to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are the following:
Luella, who died at the age of eighteen
months; James W., deceased: Essa M., now
Mrs. J. A. Roads; George A., deceased: El-
mer E., Herbert A. and Oren R.
j\Ir. Hayes is a Republican in his puhti-
cal opinions, although he has never been a
seeker of office. Mrs. Hayes is a valued and
consistent member of the United Brethren
church, where she is recognized as a most
worthy and Christian woman. The family
is one of the most highly respected in this
part of the county, where they are so ^^■ell
known.
A. B. GORDOX.
Among the substantial and progressive
agriculturists of Colfax township, Atchison
county, Missouri, is numbered the gentle-
man whose name introduces this sketch. He
was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 23d
of April, 1855, and is a son of David and
Lydia (Ellis) Gordon, natives of the same
county, who are represented on another page
of this volume. During his infancy he was
taken by his parents to Adams county, Iowa,
locating in the Nodaway valley, near the
present site of Villisca. At that earh- day
Indians were still living in that locality, and
wolves, deer and other wild game were plen-
tiful. As the country was sparsely settled
his playmates were few and his educational
privileges limited, though he pursued his
studies for a time in a primitive log school-
house. In 1866 the family came to Alissouri
and after spending some time near Phelps
City, Atchison county, they located at Center
-2%
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
■Grove, where tlie father Dijeratcd the farm
belonging to Bartlett bri)thers. Later he re-
moved to Lincohi township, and improved
the homestead on wliich he now resides.
A. 15. CJordon was reared h> habits of
industry antl honesty upon tlie home farm,
and early became familiar with the ditties
which fail to the lot of tiie agriculturist. He
attended the public schools for a time, but his
education is mostly of a ])ractical kind, be-
ing gained through business experience and
his dealings with the world. In iSSo he
jjurchased one iuindred and twenty acres of
land, antl in his farming operations he has
met wit!) marked success, being now the
owner of two huiuhcd acres of as rich lanil
as can be found anyw^iere in the state. He
has a good residence, substantial barns and
outbuildings, and all of the conxcnicnces and
accessories of a model farm are there found.
There is a good orciiard and a gro\e of
iVirest trees ujion the place, antl the land is
divitled into jjastures, meatlows and plowed
fields by well kept fences.
Mr. (iordon married Miss Amanda Ram-
sey, who belongs to a gotxl family of Lincoln
townsiii]!, being a daughter of Rial and Hes-
ter Ramsey. She lost her mother when
eighteen years of age and her father at twen-
t\-eight years of age. She is a native of
Nodaway county. Missouri, and one of the
])ioneer .settlers of ibis county. ( )t the four
children horn to our subject and his wife
only two are now living: Alva X.. aged four-
teen years; and \'ina Sylnil, aged eight.
Those decease<l were Naomi, wlvo died at the
age of one year, and Jessie at the age of .two.
The Republican ))arty has always found
ir. .Mr. (iordon a stanch supixirler of its
princijWes, and he has labored luitiringly for
its success. He is connecte<l with the I'ar-
mers' Mutual Insurance C'ompjuiy, and his
wife is a faithful and consistent member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In
business affairs he has met with well merited
success, and his career has ever been such as
to gain for him the contidence and respect
of his fellow citizens in a marked degree. He
is popular socially and his friends are many
thrt)ughout the county.
T. W. PECK.
One of the most prominent citizens of
Westboro. Missouri, wiio occupies tiie re-
responsible position of cashier of the \\ est-
boro bank, i> J. W. i'eck. the subject i>f this
sketch. He was burn in Middlesex county.
Canada, a son of E. E. and Hannah (Wood-
hull) Peck. Ix)th of whom were residents of
Canada. E. E. Peck grew u]) and was edu-
cated in .Montreal, and his childlen are: J.
\V.. who iN our subject: Mrs. Eliza Ware,
who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs.
Emma ()tt\its, who resides in this county;
Frank, who resides in Iowa; Ross, who re-
sides in Fremont, Nebraska; Carrie, who
married W. S. Gordon and resides in West-
boro; and (iCorge. who resides in Lincoln
townshi]).
Our subject was reared on his father's
farm, and was early taught habits of hon-
esty and industry. He attended the com-
mon schools, receiving his higher educatii>n
at the Wisctuisin State L'niversity, later en-
tering the St, Louis Law School, at which
he graduated w ith honor in the class of i88i.
Mr. Peck then located at Rocki)ort, where
ht enleretl into the ))ractice of his profession
in connection wilii .Mr. .McKill<']>. a well-
known attorney of Rockport, Missoiu'i.
In 1883 our subject embarke<l in the
banking business, his associates then being
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
297
J. L. Carson, who was president, now de-
ceased; M. iNIcKillnp, who was vice-presi-
dent, now deceased, and our subject was the
cashier. Since the re-organization of the
bank, D. ;\I. McC'oll is the president, E. E.
Peck is the vice-president and oiu' subject is
the cashier. This bank is one of the soHd
institutions of the county, lias the entire con-
fidence of the pul)hc and does an immense
business.
In 1883, our subject married Miss Anna
Lynn, of Tarkio, a lady of culture and re-
finement. She is a daughter of Robert and
Flora Lynn, and the following children have
been born to ^Ir. and Mrs. Peck: Nellie G.,
Flora F., Evelyne, Lizzie, Margaret, Mary,
and one son, deceased.
Our subject has taken a deep interest in
the public affairs of the county ever since
he was twenty-one years ol<l, but his taste
has not been for public life. Socially he is
an active member of the blue lod^e, council
and chapter in the ^Masonic fraternity, and
both he and his wife are consistent members
of the Methodist church of \\'estboro where
they are highly esteemed.
Mr, Peck has lately built one of the hand-
somest residences in Westboro, at a cost of
thirty-five hundred dollars. It is of modern
structure and fitted up with all the latest de-
vices for convenience and comfort. Person-
ally our subject is popular, possessing the
courteous manner that always wins friends.
He is an im^xirtant factor in both public and
social life in \\'estboro and may be consid-
ered a representatixe citizen.
CHARLES A. ELLIS. M. D.
The pn:)fession of medicine in its practice
in fldurishing country towns, is not usually
unpleasant or unprofitable. The successful
practitioner in such environments has amjjls
opportunity to know his patients and their
families thoroughly and to inform himself
as to previiius diseases, even pre-natal in-
fluences which have affected the health of any
patient. In the case of Dr. Charles A. Ellis,
the physician has the still further advantage
of ha\'ing grown up among his patrons, and
of adding to his knowledge of therapeutics
a thorough knowledge of drugs and medi-
cines accjuired by many years' experience in
the drug trade.
Charles A. Ellis, M. D., of Maryville, a
representative of one of the early families
of Xodaway county, was born in ^Maryville,
August 4, 1862. He is a son of Leander T.
Ellis, a pioneer teacher, politician and local
preacher, who died in Maryville in 1869.
That citizen so prominent in his day was
torn in North Carolina in 1797, and was
reared and married in Kentucky. He came
into ]\Iissouri and settled upon the Platte
Purchase when a young man and was one of
the conspicuous characters of Nodaway
county from 1848, the date of his arrival, to-
the date of his death. When not holding
some public office he was engaged in teach-
ing. He hekl the office of school commis-
sioner, which corresponded to^ the present of-
fice of county superintendent of schools, and
was the judge of the county court. He was.
a man of much religious zeal and enthu-
siasm, preaching and exhorting and doing,
other labor for the advancement of the cause
of Christianity, for many years, and with-
ovit charge. His first wife was a !Miss Hum-
ber and those of their children who grew
tc manhood and womanhood are : Dr. T. C.
Ellis, of Barnard, Missouri; Mary A., who
married James A. Key and lives in Nodawav
county; Amanda, who became Mrs. Ditte-
more and lives in California; Lizzie, now
298
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Mrs. Henderson, living in California; Han-
nali, the wife of John Grant, of Lexington,
Mi?sonri : L. G., of California; X. D.,
li\ing in southern ^Msssouri; William C, of
California: Patia, Mrs. Blackman, of Okla-
homa; Sarah J., who lives in California, and
is the wife of John Ferguson; and the late
Albert T. Ellis, of Maryville. His second
wife was ]Mrs. Elizabeth (Carr) Cross,
whose acquaintance he made and whom he
married in Xodaway count}'. They had
three children : Alexander C, deceased ;
Dr. Charles A. ; and Alvah C. of Leadville,
Colorado. Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis was the
wilow of Asa Cross and three of her chil-
dren Ijv her lirst marriage lived to maturity.
Almira married E. L. Cook and died
in Idaho; .\ldcllo was a soldier in the Cnion
army in the Ci\il war and died not long after
the close of the war as the result of disabil-
ities contracted in the service; Diedrick was
accidentally killed in Xodaway county.
Dr. Charles A. Ellis, the immediate sub-
ject of this sketch, was educated in the city
of Maryville. His first entrance to business
was as a clerk for his brother in the drug
trade. He remained with tliat once prominent
concern for fifteen years, and, while so con-
nected, was elected the mayor of IVIaryville
and was, perhaps, the most youthful chief
executive the city ever iiad. While he was a
Democratic candidate, the young Republi-
cans flocked to his aid to such an extent as
h: make him mayor of a Republican city. He
made a canvass for nomination as cmuny re-
ci irrler and was defeated only in a close con-
tot. The strength he showed in that cam-
paign made him the leading candidate for
I'.i'mination at the next convention and .four
years later, in 1894, he was nominated, but
that year was an off year for the Missouri
])em()cracy, the state went Republican for
the first time in its history, and Doctor Ellis
suffered defeat with the other nominees on
liis ticket. Dr. Ellis is a Mason and a mem-
ber of both orders of Woodmen and of Lin-
coln Legion of Honor, of Maryville. He
married, December 16, 1883. Miss Lulu ^L
Anderson, a daughter of E. iL Anderson, of
]\Iaryville. Dr. Ellis's career as a druggist
and licensed pharmacist prepared the way
for an early entry upon the practice of med-
icine, after iiis retirement from the drug bus-
iness. He took the prescribed lecture course
ill the Kentucky school of medicine at Louis-
ville, and was graduated at that institution
June 29, 1898. Clinic and hospital work
lornied an im])ortant feature of his course
and he received a diploma also from the
Louisville City Hospital.
jA.MKS A. liL"XTJ-:R. M. D.
Dr. James A. Hunter, a public-spirited
citizen and prominent physician of Atchison
county, Missouri, is a descendant of one of
the honored pioneer families of that county.
He is a son of James and Elizabeth (^Mc-
Kay) Hunter, and was born in Atchison
Cdunly, August 16, 1850, Robert Hunter,
the grandfather of our subject, was a na-
tive of Scotland, but for many years lived in
Xova Scotia. His children were: William,
who died in .\tchison county; John, who
died in Xevada; James, the father of our
subject ; and Janet, who was Mrs. Casey,
and diet! in .\iciiison county in 1894. James
Hunter, the father of our subject, was born
in Scotland, but moved with his parents to
Nova Scotia, where he lived until after
three of his children were born. He then
moved to Atchison ct>nnty, Missouri, in
1847, where he carried on farming until th«
time of his deatli, which occurred in October,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ii99
1885. He was a prominent Republican.
ai?d served as county judge for twelve years.
A man of sterling integrity, and of upright
character, he won manv friends all through
life and his death \\as much regretted by all
Avho knew him. He was a member of the
Cumberland Presb}-terian church, and also
a ]\Iason. He married Elizabeth McKay,
vho was a native of Nova Scotia, but of
Scotch descent. Her death occurred April
2, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter had eight
children, all of whom are now living. They
are : Robert, of Rockport ; Mrs. Isabelle
Bush, of Wyoming; ^^'illiam, a farmer of
this county; James A., the subject of this
sketch; Jennie K. Campbell; George T., a
li\e-stock commissioner of St. Joseph, Mis-
souri; John W., in the stock business in
\\'yoming; and Una, the wife of J. Bailey.
Dr. James A. Hunter was reared and
educated in this county. He began his edu-
cation in the common schools of his native
town and attended. jMcGee College, in Ma-
con county, Missouri, for three years. He
then taught school one year, and in 1872 be-
gan reading medicine with Dr. J. L. Tracy,
of Rockport, Missouri, as his preceptor. In
1872-5 he attended lectures at the St. Louis
Medical College, and was graduated in the
spring of 1875. Dr. Hunter was a thorough
student and started in practice well ecjuipped
in the knowledge necessary in the practice
of his profession. After practicing six
years in Milton, Missouri, he took a course
at Bellevue Hospital, New York, graduat-
ing there in 1881. He then located in Fair-
fax, buying the first lot sold in the town.
His practice is large and lucrative, and he has
many patients throughout the county, where
by his kind and courteous manner he has
A\'on a host of warm friends. He is now
engaged with the Elliot Hunter Drug Com-
pany, where all modern medical appliances
may be obtained. Dr. Hunter has a fine
residence and office, and besides tliis owns
considerable property at Fairfax. He is a
loyal and upright ditizen, always lending
his assistance in anything which tends to
develop the town in which he lives. Po-
litically the Doctor is a firm Republican, but
has never aspired to office.
February 29, 1876, Dr. Hunter was
united in marriage with Amanda Graves,
a daughter of J. P. Graves, formerly of
Kentucky, but for many years a prominent
farmer of Atchison county. J. P. Graves
had nine children, who are as follows : Will-
iam J.; Sarah, who was Mrs. J. R. Treat;
Dayid; Mary, the wife of J. Galliway; Eliza-
beth, deceased; John H. ; Amanda, the wife
of our subject; Julia; and Emma, who mar-
ried \\'. W. Scarlett.
Dr. Hunter and his wife are the par-
ents of five children: Owen A., born Jan-
uary 5, 1877, a practicing physician of
Corning, Missouri-; Zita, born August 21,
1879; J- I^on, born June 13, 1881 ; Beulah,
born November 9, 1887; and Basil, born
April 27, 1889. The parents are members
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church; and
Dr. Hunter is a member of the 2^Iasonic
fraternity and the Alissouri ^'alley ]\IedicaI
Society.
SHELLENBERGER BROTHERS.
Prominent among the business men of
Atchison county, Missouri, are \\'. H. and H.
L. Shellenberger, of the v,-ell-known firm of
Shellenberger Brothers, of \\'estboro, where
they do an extensive business as dealers in
general merchandise. They occupy a brick
block 45x105 feet in dimensions, and have
a complete modern department store which
300
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
will comjKire favorably with those of nianv
large cities. They carry a line line of dry
goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes,
their stock being valued at twenty thousand
dollars. They have been in business in
\\'estboro about six years and have buill
up an excellent trade, which is constantly
increasing. They are western men h\ birth
and training and ])ossess the energy which
characterizes the men of the Mississippi
valley.
Their father, Joseph Shellenberger, is a
prominent and wealthy citizen of Mound
City, Missouri, who is of German descent,
and was born, reared and educated in Penn-
sylvania. Coming to Missouri in i8()5 he
located in Andrew county, and in the de-
velopment of a large fanii gave his sons
plenty of opportunity to work, their educa-
tion being principally of a practical kind.
One son, E. D., is now a prominent business
man of ^lound City, his business amount-
ing to over one hundred and thirty-two
thousand dollars per annum. W. H. and
H. L. Shellenberger were born and reared
on the old home farm in Andrew county,
early becoming familiar with honest toil.
W. H. clerked in a store in that county
for some time and then went to Ran-
som, Xess county, Kansas, where he en-
gaged in business on his own account for
rive years, ile was married in his native
county, in i8<;o, at the age of twenty-six
years, to Miss Eva Liggett, a lady of culture
and rcrinement and a daughter of John
Liggett, of .\ndrew county. By that union
were born two children. Hazel and Clare.
In i8yo H. L. Shellenberger was united in
n-.arriage with Miss Mollie Living.ston, by
whom he has three daughters — Ruby, .Veil
and Helen.
The brothers and their families are ac-
ti\e workers in the Methodist l*-piscopal
church and Sunday-school, antl also sing
in the choir, 'i'hey are wide-awake, ener-
getic business men, very progressive and en-
tcr])rising. and by tlieir uiuiring iiidustrj'"
and st)und judgment ha\e won a merited
success in their undertakings. They have
the entire confidence and respect of their fel-
low citizens and are well wuriby the high
reeard in which the\' arc held.
HON. HER\'EY H. WJLLSIE.
The citizens of Atchison county, Mis-
souri, have in the lion. Hervey Jl. W'illsie,
familiarly known as "Hub"' W'illsie, a rep-
resentative in the state legislature to whom
they may safely entrust their best interests,
for Mr. W'illsie, who is a prominent citizen of
Tarkio, is not only a plain, common citizen,
as all his ancestors lune been before him,,
but has in every relation of life demonstrat-
ed that confidence may be reposed in him to
the fullest extent.
Mr. W'illsie's great-grandfathers were
among the Knickerbockers in New York
and he possesses the same sturdy, upright
character that distinguished them. He was
born ;ii J^urr Oak, Winneshiek county,
Jdwa. June _'4. i''^^'), a son of William 11.
and Cynthia ( 1 laiden ) W'illsie. His fa-
ther was born and reareil near Lake Cham-
plain, and his mother, who was born in
C;inada. came fri>ni an Juiglish familx'.
They located early in Iowa, where Mr. W'ill-
sie was in business as a hardware merchant,
at Oskaloosa, for a number of years. l*"rom
Iowa the family removed to Missouri, in
1867, since which time Mr. W'illsie has been
a resident of the state. W illiam H. and
Cynthia (Harden) W'illsie, who lived out
NEW VORK
'PUBLIC Library]
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
301
their days in ]\Iissiiuri, had se\'en daughters
and three sons, of whom nine are Hving.
One of these, ^Mathilda Sage, h\es in Davis,
South Dakota. Mrs. Lou Beatty Hves at
Mishawaka, St. Joseph county, Indiana.
Mrs. Helen Leggett Hves at Rogers, Ar-
kansas. McClelland Willsie is a well-known
lawyer at Des Moines, Iowa. Lucinda
AVillsie li\'es at E\anston, Illinois. I. G.
Willsie lives at Parker, South Dakota ; and
Mary is the wife of Ed F. Rankin, of
Atchison county, Missouri. The father of
these children, who died at the age of sixty-
five years, became prominent as a farmer
and stockman in [Missouri and was known
as a man of enterprise and integrity and
was highly respected 1j}' all wlm knew him.
During the latter part of his life he was a
member of the Greenback party.
Hervey H. Willsie was brought up on
the farm and taught that all good and
necessary things may be won by hard work.
His educational advantages were not great,
but by reading and observation he became
a well informed man. Political questions
have commanded bis attention since he was
a mere youth. He came to Atchison county
thirty-three years ago and has since that
time been actively engaged in the pursuit
of farming. He owns a fine farm of four
hundred acres, with ample buildings and
plenty of good stock, and is one of the most
progressive and successful farmers in the
county and is associated in business enter-
prises with Ed F. Rankin. Politically he
is a member of the Populist party, for the
success of which he is a zealous and active
worker and in the councils of which he
is very influential. He was the judge of
the north district in 1896-98, and no man
ever occupied that position with more fair-
ness or more ability. In 1900 he was elect-
is
ed, by a fusion of the Democrats and Popu-
lists, to represent Atchison county in the
state legislature and those who know him
best say that he will be a representative of
the whole people and that every vote cast
for him was cast in the interest of the com-
mon people of Atchison county. He is a
splendid type of the stalwart farmer and a
safe leader in all public affairs, with a happy
faculty of making and retaining friends,
and is abundantly able to discharge the im-
portant duties devolving upon him.
In October, 1884, Mr. Willsie married
Miss Jennie Wishard, of Atchison county,
a woman of much intelligence and educa-
tion, who was born at Canton, Illinois, a
daughter of Edward and Amanda (Smith)
Wishard, now of Stanton, Stanton coun-
ty, Nebraska, who was reared and edu-
cated at Bushnell, Illinois. He is a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows. Since he grew to manhood he
lias had the welfare of Atchison coun-
ty near his heart and has most de-
votedly done everything in his power to
advance its most important interests. He
regards the people of the county as his peo-
ple and has never lost an opportunity to
aid their progress and prosperity. He is a
genial, whole-souled man who invites the
approach of every one whom he can serve
and his integrity has been so many times
tried and proven good that the trite saying
"his word is as good as his bond" applies
to him as fully and as exactly as to any man
in the world. His ability is such that he
has lieen found adequate to all xlemands
upon him, and should his fellow citizens
call him to places of still higher responsi-
bility those wdio know him best believe that
he will fill them manfully and patriotically
and with an eye single to the public weal.
302
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
GEORGE WILLIAM FIXK.
The hotel business is one of the chief in-
terests of a cit}^ and one in which the com-
forts and conveniences of the travehng pul>-
lic can he so attended to or so neglected as
to make or mar the reputation of a city for
hospitality. The hotels of Maryville, Nod-
awa}- county, Missouri, have not always been
in good hands, and tiie business men of the
]j!ace were more than glad when George W.
Eink. tlie pmprietor of the Lin\ille ami
Ream iiotels. practically took the business
of public entertainment in Maryville into his
own hands and put himself at the head of
one of the cit}'s essential and in some ways
UKist important enterprises. In July, 1894.
Mr. I'ink leased the Linville hotel and ap-
])lie(l his methods to its conduct with the
result that its rcinttalion has been sii fully
recovered and built up that it has become one
of the ixjpular and first-class houses in
northwestern Missouri. In 1897 he secured
control of the old -\rlington hotel, nnw the
Ream hotel, and conducts it as a "dollar-
a-day" house. These two properties give
I\Ir. l-"ink jxissession and practical control of
the best business in his line and afford the
city of Maryville two good houses for the
entertainment of her guests.
Mr. Fink was born at Hremen. Indiana,
July 9. 1864. His father, Martin I-'ink. was
from renn.sylvania and was for a time a mer-
chant, but for the most part a farmer. He
emigrated to Marshall county, Indiana, be-
fore the war and died at Bremen in Octo-
ber, 1888. His wife, who was Polly
Weaver, died at Bremen in May. 1893.
Their children were: Lewis, of Bloomfield,
Missouri; Mary, the wife of Michael Wahl.
of Bremen. Indiana; Morgan, of Ibcmen:
Eli. decea.sed ; I-'llen. now Mrs. Solomon
Hufif, of Argos, Indiana: Charles and Larin-
da, deceased : Xettie. living at the Ream
hotel, Maryville: Eliza, the wife of Oscar
Hans, of South Bend. Indiana : and George
W., our subject.
George W. Fink passed his childhood
and boyhood in the schools of Bremen until,
at the age of seventeen, he became a grocery
clerk in his father's grocery store in that
village. Then, when his first two years'
business experience was acquired, he left his
lionie and hi?, native town at nineteen and
sought the op]xirtunities of the west. He
located at Hastings. Nebraska, and secured
a night clerkshr]) in the Lepin hotel there.
He served in that position nearly two years
and left it to take the management of the
CoiTimercial hotel in the same city. 1 le re-
mained with this house a little less than three
years and left it to go into business for him-
self at Fairbury. Nebraska, where he leased
the Commercial hotel and operated it suc-
cessfully for si.K years. With his eleven
years' experience in looking after the wants
and comforts of the "knights of the grip"
and with his natural adaptability to the work
— for he is a ])i)rn landlord — lie transferred
his energies to ^Maryville with the result
that the hotel business there has btH.Mi gieatly
improved and juipularized.
His connection with the li<itel business
and his untiring efforts in behalf <if the
coiumercial men have not been alone for the
glory and the name. He has so managed
his affairs as to have am])lc rew.ird for his
services, as such rewaril comes in country
l)laces. He left his Indiana home with one
hundred dollars in cash and from th.it >um
his ))rogress in tinancial matters must be
C(jmpared and estimated. He h;is bought
two farms in Nodaway county, aggregating
two hundreil and fortv acres, one of which
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
303
he lias stocked and manages personally. This
gux'es him an outing during each tine day
during the warm season, changes his oc-
cupation and brings him rest and recreation
when it is needed.
Air. Fink married, at Hastings, Nebras-
ka, December 8, 1886, Miss Agnes, a daugh-
ter of John Wesley Blodgett, of Three
Rivers. Michigan. Her mother was Mary
Eridgeman. Mrs. Fink is one of six chil-
dren. Mr. Fink is the past chancellor of
Tancred Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of
Mar}\ille, and is a devoted and well-ad-
vanced Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter
and Maryville Commandery, No. 40. He
is a friendly and genial man. very popular
A\'itli his fellow townsmen and the traveling
\)v.b\k.
ED B. FELLOWS.
Ed B. Fellows, who carries on farming
and stock raising in Atchison county, was
born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, November
10, 1846, his parents being Isaac and Mar-
garet (Elmore) Fellox^s. The father was
ii native of New Hampshire and was of
English lineage. In New York he was maj--
ried, the lady of his choice being a nati\'e
•of Canada, born at Quebec, of Scotch par-
entage. After their marriage they removed
to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in 1849
took up their al^ode in \\'aukeslia county,
near ^Milwaukee, locating in the midst of the
forest, the father clearing some of the land
upun which the city of Milwaukee has since
been built. At that early day he sold wood
to steamboats on the lake. All the surround-
ing country was a dense forest and coal was
little used for fuel, but wood could be ob-
tained in almost limitless cjuantities. The
forest was so dense that he was at one time
lost for four and a half days in the woods,
but eventually made his way back to the
clearing. At different times he cleared and
improved various Wisconsin farms and in
1.865 1'^ came to Missouri, purchasing a
large tract of land in Andrew county, wdiere
he spent his remaining days, his death oc-
curring in 1886, while his wife passed away
in 1872. He was six feet in height, large
and strong, and was an indefatigable worker
in his earlier days. As a result of his un-
tiring energy and his irreproachable honesty
he accumulated a good estate. He was a
worthy and consistent member of the Meth-
otlist Episcopal church, to which his wife
also belonged, and in jiolitics he was a stal-
wart Republican. In his family were ten
children, namely : William, who served dur-
ing the war of the Rebellion in the First
^^'isconsin Ca\-alry and died in Savannah,
Missouri ; Mary, a resident of Nebraska ;
Maria, who is living in Denver, Colorado;
Lewis, who joined the Twenty- fourth Wis-
consin Infantry and died in the ser\-ice, at
the age of eighteen years ; Edward B. ;
George, deceased ; John H. ; Charles, a rail-
road employe; and O. R. and Newton, de-
ceased.
Mr. Fellows, whose name introduces this
re\'iew, was reared to honest toil on the home
farm and acquired his education in the dis-
trict and graded schools. He came with his
parents to Missouri in 1865 and assisted the
father in the cultivation of the home farm
until his marriage, on the 23d of i\Iarch,
1871. He then began farming on his own
account and two }-ears later he removed to
Green township, Nodaway countv, where,
ill connection with agricultural pursuits, he
began handling stock. After four years he
came to Atchison county, in 1877, settling
near Fairfax, in Clark townsliip, where he
3(M
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
purcliased eighty acres of land, to the im-
provement of whicli lie long devoted his en-
ergies. As his financial resources increased
he extended the boundaries of his place by
additi(jnal purchase until he now owns three
hundred and sixty acres of rich land, much
of which is under a high state of cultiva-
tion. He ainiually feeds about one hundred
and sixty head of cattle and his business is
cxtensi\e and profitable. He has been very
successful and now owns a fine farm, on
which are seen handsome and substantial
improvements, including a commodious two-
story frame residence, large barns and all
necessary outbuildings. His home is sur-
rounded by a beautiful gro\'e of forest trees
of his own planting, and on the place is a
good bearing orchard. The home is pleas-
aiitl\- and cnnx-enientlj' located twc) miles
northeast of Fairfax, and the owner is re-
garded as one of the substantial citizens and
reliable business men of his community.
The lady who bore the name of Mrs.
Tellows was in her maidenhood Miss Louise
Miller. She was born in Andrew county,
Missouri, April lo, 1849. and represents one
of the honored pioneer families there, her
parents being Allen D. and Hilary Miller.
L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Fellows were ])orn nine
children, of whom seven are yet living:
Alma, now Mrs. ^lann, of Spokane. \\as.h-
ington; Allen D. and Ed, who are engaged
ii; the st(jck business at Hyannis, Nebras-
ka; Maggie, at home; Pearl, who died in
1899, at the age of eighteen years; Ethel;
Flood; and James. The mother of these
children was called U) her final rest April
8, 1896, leaving many friends as well as her
husband and children to mourn her loss.
She was a consistent member of the Chris-
tian church, and in that church Mr. Fel-
lows also holds membership. He is now
serving as one of its deacons and i?. doing
all in his ])ower to promote church work.
He also belongs to the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows antl is a broad-minded, en-
terprising and public-spirited citizen, who is
charitable to the poor and needy, withhold-
ing not his aid from those who need help.
In politics he is an uncomprom'ising Re-
publican. uns\\erving in his advocacy of the
principles of the party. He has ever main-
tained in his business career a high standing.
Although he had little capital when he start-
ed out in life for himself, his labors ha\e
been diligently prosecuted through many
years and he is to-day the owner of one of
the finest farms in the county, the place
standing as a monuuienl to his thrift and
enterprise.
l.i;\\"lS J. MILES.
Lewis J. Miles, an eminent nitornev and
advocate of Kockport, .Missouri, in 187-' first
established himself in the practice of law
at Watson, this state. Hut the necessity of
being at the seat of government of the coun-
ty, .soon percei\e(l liv liini, for liie more suc-
cessful and satisfactory conduct of his legal
practice, led him in 1873 to remove to Rock-
port.
When Mr. Miles first located in north-
west Missoiui he was yet a yoimg man. an<l
he was in search of a location which i)rom-
ised him a liberal return for honest and able
efforts in the line of ^ouic profession. Mr.
Miles had come from the mountains of east
Teimessee, where he was born, .\pril 17.
185J, the comity of his nati\ity being War-
ren, then Jefferson. There he obtained a
good common-school education, such as was
affordetl by his native state at the time of
his early youth. .Mr. Miles inherits a love
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
305
for stuilv, liis father lia\-ing Ijeen one of the
prominent ante-l)ellnni educators of the state.
Professor S. D. ^Nliles, principal of the Mor-
ristown and of tlie Knoxville Institute. He
(lied in i!^59. while in charge of the latter
ii'.stitution.
Professor S. D. Miles' was born in 1811,
near Raleigh, North Carolina, received his
•education in Rogersville College, east Ten-
nessee, and dex'oted his life to the education
and training of the young. He was a prom-
inent ]\Iason and a Baptist, from which facts
it is natural t(.) infer, which was the fact,
that he had a personal acquaintance with
many of the most prominent men of his state.
Among his best and warmest friends was the
noted "Parson Brownlow," through whose
•efforts east Tennessee was saved to the
Union, notwithstanding the state seceded.
The ancestors of Professor Miles were
Scotch ])ei>ple, who settled in North Caro-
lina during the early days of the history of
the American colonies and who contributed
of their strength to the establishment of the
new civilization in what is now the United
States of America. Professor Miles mar-
ried Miss Nancy Brown, a native of Ten-
nessee, by whom he had the following chil-
dren : Luc Miles, of Lyndon. Kansas;
Lewis J., the subject of this sketch; Robert
^Nliles. AL D., of Lyndon, Kansas; and
Frank ]\Iiles, a druggist of the same place.
"Boss Miles," as the subject of this
sketch is called, resided in his home county
iri east Tennessee until he was twenty years
of age. Having completed his education and
being ambitious to see the great west, with
the view of being a factor in the develop-
ment of that part of the country, he left his
native state of Tennessee when just coming
of age and spent his first year or two on
a farm working by the month. This' proving
too much of a plodding life to suit his taste
and temperament, he determined to fpialify
himself for a profession which would l)ring
him into contact with the business of the
country and with its leading men, and at the
same time furnish him an opportunity to
compete fnr the intellectual mastery of his'
country. With this object in view he read
law. with Hon. John P. Lewis for his pre-
ceptor, one of the most eminent practitioners
before the Atchison county bar, and was ad-
mitted to the bar by Judge Kelley in 1875.
\n the early years of his practice he dis-
covered a tendency toward criminal law,
which he has since pursued and is regarded
as one of the best of the criminal lawyers in
northwest Missouri.
His most important cases have been
trials for murder, and embrace the Blake
and Harris cases, which he prosecuted, se-
curing con\iction in each instance. The
Coon Franklin case he defended and secured
an acquittal. He also secured the acquittal
of Lee Dillon at Nebraska City, and of John
^NLnrrcnv, in Atchison count}-, both of whom
were charged with murder in the first de-
gree. He defended Albert Sons, and prose-
cuted Grounds in Holt county, the latter of
\\hom was convicted and sent to the peni-
tentiary for ten years. He also prosecuted
Georg'e Ray, who was likewise convicted and
sentenced for the same length of time. In
liis civil ]3ractice he managed the Hunter &
\Vyatt suit, defending the mortgagees and
securing a verdict for his clients. The equity
suit of the Beck heirs was under his super-
vision, their claim was established and jtidg-
rnent rendered accordingly, through the ef-
forts of Mr. Miles.
Politically ^Ir. Miles is one of the lead-
ing Democrats of his congressional district.
So effective is he as a speaker that he has
306
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
been prominently mentioned as a candidate
for congress, and his campaign work has
been unusually effective. So well were his
abilities thought of by his fellow citizens that
in 1880 he was elected prosecuting attor-
ney of his county, and he was re-elected in
1882. In 1886 he made the race for the
state senate, but was defeated.
"Boss Miles" cannot be properly meas-
ured and understood without a knowledge
of his personality, as he possesses points of
interest and ability which are not made mani-
fest under the ordinary circumstances.
While he is not what may properly be called
a great student, yet he is well versed in the
law and has a wonderful memory of what-
ever there is in law and e\idence. As a trial
lawyer he is a master, handling leslinidin'
with a remarkable accuracy and deftness,
and making ])laythings of jurors. One of
the leaders at the bar has said: "If I iiad
the wiirst murder charge against mc that it
i,s iK)ssil)le to conceive of, I wouldn't want
anybody but that little high-cheek-boned
Boss Miles to handle my case."
Mr. Miles was married December 25.
1 88 1, to Miss .\da Thompson, whose father.
Marion Thomp.son, was a I'helps Citv mer-
chant. The children born to .Mr. and .Mrs.
Miles are named Ilailie and Ray. .Mr. .Miles
is an Odd h'ellow, having received both the
subordinate and encamiiment degrees.
REUBEN P..\RRETT.
This age is not wholly utilitarian. On
all sides we see some earnest souls laboring
<ievoicilly to bring about a recognition of
some higher principle in life than .selhsh
greed, and stimulating in the hearts of others
a desire for spiritual progress. The friends
of RcuIk'h B;irrett will see in his vears of
faithful work in all forms of religious en-
deavor, a source of ])resent good to the com-
munity, and loni.; alter he has entered inti>
his final rest his intlucncc will coiuimie in
everlasting circles.
j\lr. Barrett was born in Warren countw
I'ennsyKania, September 15. 1844. a son
of lidmond and Matilda ( I'ryar) Barrett,
natives of iMigland. His paternal grand-
father. John liarreti. was a farmer and gar-
dener of Lincnliv~.liire. where he spent his
entire life. His children were John. Rol)ert.
Williaiu. Eli. Michael. James. Edmond, antl
Susan, the wile of T. Watts. Of these
Eli, Michael, lulmond and .\nn c.ime t<>
.\merica. The mother of our subject was
married to Miciiael Barrett, a brt)ther oi
our subject's lather wlm ilied soon after
coming to the L'niled Stales, and she sub-
se(|uently married I'.dmond Barrett. l'>y
the tirst marriage she had four children;
Reuben, who died ;ii the age of nine \ears:
Mary, the wife of 11. Marsh : William, a resi-
dent of I'ennsyKania: and Rhoda. the wife
of John Howells. i'he children of the sec-
ond union were Ellen, the widow of .\. O.
Russell, and Sarah, the widow of R. Rus-
.sell. both residents of this county: Reuben.
our subject: John, James E., Henry T. and
Robert all lai'mcvs of this county: Rose,
the wife of E. Alilion. of I'ennsyKania:
and Charles W .. a f:uiner of this county.
In i8_^2 the father emigrated to America,
and for tiie first year was emijloyed in a
hotel in L'lica. Xew ^'ork. Soon after his
marriage he locateil in Warren county.
Pennsylvania, where he |)urchased a tract of
hea\i1y timbered land and imjjroved a
farm. He erected thereon a commodious
house and three large barns, and matle of the
place one of the finest homesteads in the
localitv. Here his frnnilv were reared to
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
307
hal)its of industry and liDuestv under the
strict influence nf the church. For many
}"ears the parents were active and faithful
nienil^ers of the Aletliodist churcli, in wliich
the father ser\-e(l as a class-leader, and they
were widely and tavorahlv known through-
nut Warren county. The mother died on
the old homestead. Octoher lo, 1889, at the
age of seventy-nine years, antl six of her
sons acted as ])a]l-hearers at the funeral,
tcntlerl}- and carefully bearing her body to
its last resting place. After the death of
his devoted companion and helpmeet Mr.
Barrett sold the farm, and about 1892 came
to Missouri to make his h(jme with his chil-
dren, where he died February 26, 1896.
The Barrett family has been a \aluable ac-
cjuisition tij Xodawa)" count}' and ha\-e Ijc-
come leaders in its moral and physical
development. The first to locate here was
James E.. and within three years eight
members of the familv were ntmibered
among its residents.
Reuben Barrett was reared on the home
farm and educated in the common schools
of the neighlxtrhood. In June, 1862, at the
age of se\'enteen years he enlisted in Com-
pany M, Twenty-tirst Pennsylvania Cavalry,
as a corporal, and the folK)wing year re-en-
listed in Company G. Two Hundred and
Eleventh Pennsylvania A'olunteer Infantry.
He carried the brigade flag and remained in
the ser\'ice until the war ended. He took
part in the Petersburg campaign, was present
at the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appo-
mattox, and participated in the grand re-
view at Washingtfju. D. C. .\t Pittsburg,
I'ennsylvania. he was mustered out and hon-
oraiily discharged in June, 1865.
Returning home. Mr. Barrett resumed
^\■ork on the farm, and in 1866 went to \'ine-
land. Xew Jersew where he was enijjlo^'ed as
a gardener antl small-fruit raiser. Later he
worked in the oil regions of Pennsyh'ania,
and for two years was engaged in the lien-
zine business. Subsequently he was in tlie
emplo}' (jf a lumber company and ran au
engine, and in 1874 rafted lumber down the
rix'er to Louisville, Kentucky. In May of
that year he came to Marysville, ^lissouri,
and purchased eighty acres of wild prairie
kind, btiught a team and commenced to I.)reak
liis land. In September he returned to
Pennsylvania for his w'ife and child, and
brought them to their new home in this coun-
ty. He bought his first land on credit, and
after paying for it purchased a forty-acre
tract and later eighty acres more, making
a farm of tw'o hundred acres, which he has
placed under a high state of cultivation.
While in the oil regions of Pennsylvania
i\Ir. Barrett was married, in 1869, to ^liss
Margaret AI. Gregg, who also was born in
\\'arren county, that state, February 22,
1844. a daughter of Robert antl Flarriet
Gregg, natives of England and consistent
jnembers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Her father was highly educated and was
a successful merchant of Sugar Grove, Penn-
sylvania. His children were Elizabeth,
James H., Robert, ]\Iary Jane, Eleanor,
Margaret M., Emily, Sarah, Ruth and Will-
iam. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrett were born
six children, namely: Gertrude L,, who died
\oung; }ilabel R., now Airs. Manville
Carothers; James H., a graduate of the high
school of Skidmore: Bessie R., who flied
January 12, 1897 ; Ployd R. and Frederick
M., both at home.
In early life Mrs. Barrett was a success-
ful teacher and commanded the highest posi-
tions, following that profession sixteen
terms. The family are all connected with the
Alethodist Episcopal church and take an ac-
308
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tivc i)ait in its work. In 1888 Mr. Barrett
vas licensed to exliort: in i<S9o to preach;
and in 1896 was ordained a regular minister.
Altliougli lie has taken no regular charge,
he fills appointments \vhere\er desired, has
preached many fnneral sermons and united
many couples in the holy honds of matri-
mony. His life is exemplary in all respects,
and he has ever supported those interests
\vhich are calculated to henefit and u])lift
liumanity. In politics he is independent.
M.\RCL'S M. KIIOADIiS, M. D.
Dr. Marcus M. Rhoades. a prominent
physician and surgeon of (iraham. was horn
in Saline county. .Missouri. June 11, 1840,
and is a representative of one of the honored
pioneer families of this state. His paternal
grandfather, William Rhoades. was a farm-
er and slave owner nf \"irginia. where he
spent his entire life. ilis children were
Catlett, Benjamin, William, Susan and
George.
George Rhoades, the ]3octor's father,,
was horn in 1803 and reared in Virginia,
and in 1826 came to ^^lissouri, locating in
Saline county, where he entered land and
improved a farm with the assistance of the
slaves he brought with him from Virginia.
He was one of the prominent Democrats
of his commum'ty, and was called u|Kin ti>
fill the office of justice of the peace, and
was the county judge for four terms.
'1 hough modest and unassuming, he was
very jKjpular and had many friends. He
was twice married, his first wife heing a
Miss Hawkins, of Saline county, hy whom
lie had five children. One died young, and
the others were Littleton. Felix, Richard M.
ami Sarah. I-'or his'.secoiid wife he married
Mi>s Jane Hall. :i n:ili\c of M.irvland and
a daughter of Richard Hall, a pioneer of
Missouri and a prominent farmer and sla\e
owner, in whose family were four children,
namely : Mordecai, John, Jane and ]\Irs. Re-
becca Huff. The Doctor is the oldest of the
nine children born of the second marriage,
the others being Henrietta, the widow of
H. Gilliam; (jeorge, a farmer of Saline
county ; Miriam, deceased ; John T., a farmer
and stock raiser of r^Iarshall, Missouri;
Mary, the wife of C. Mead: Rufus W., a
druggist; Ethelhert. a farmer: and -\nn H.,
the widow of a Mr. V.\y. The parents were
both Baptists.
Reared on a farm. Dr. Rhoades obtained
his education in the common schools of the
neighborhood, and later attended >Iount
Pleasant College. Missouri. In 1861 he en-
tered the Confederate army as a member of
the Ninth Missouri Infantry imder Generals
Parsons and John B. Clark, and saw some
hard service. He was in the battle of Lex-
ington and the Black Water campaign, where
he was taken prisoner and carried to St.
Louis, 'i'wo montlis later lie was sent to
.Alton, JUinois. where he remained nine
months. There six hundred prisoners were
incarcerated, some of whom were reprieved
by taking the oath of allegiance to the gov-
ernment ; many died of measles and only
sixty were left to be exchanged. These were
taken to X'icksburg and from there to Horse
Head Lake, above Little Rock, where they
formed the Ninth Missouri Infantry, and
were in a number of hotly contested engage-
mciils ill Arkansas and Louisiana, including
the battles of Little Rock, Mansfield, Pleas-
ant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry. The Doctor
was with Cienerals Buckner and Price when
they surrendered to General Canby; the
Ninth Missouri Infantry, commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Gaines, the Doctor being
?u. /^. ^:^^i^— ^. ^^^r^
NEW YORK \\
'PUBL'- ' ~
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
309
the adjutant, Iiaving l)een detailed to take
charge of all supplies at Shreveport until the
arri\'al of the federal troops fnjni Baton
Rouge; after which, with other Confed-
erates, he was sent on transports to St.
Louis. He made his way home without
a dollar in money, with no clothing, except
his uniform, and health so impaired as to
require a six-months vacation to recuperate.
Dr. Rhoades commenced the study of
medicine under the preceptorship of Dr.
A. M. Powell, of Collinsville, Illinois, where
ill partnership with that gentleman he also
conducted a drug store. In 1866 he attend-
ed lectures at the St. Louis ?\Iedical Col-
lege, where he was graduated, in 1868, and
for a year engaged in practice at his old
home in Saline county. In 1870 he moved
to Bigelow, and a year later came to Gra-
ham, where he has since successfully en-
gaged in practice, his skill and ability soon
winning him recognition and a liberal share
of the public patronage. In 189 1 the Doctor
helped to organize the People's Bank of
Graham, of which he was president three
and a half years; but, the business proving
too hard for him, he sold out and has since
given his entire attention to his professional
duties. In 1897 he opened a lumber yard
and placed his son in charge of the same.
Besides his city property he owns a well-im-
proved farm in this county, having met with
success financially as well as professionally.
Politically he is identified with the Demo-
cratic party, and religiously is an active
member of a Baptist church, taking an active
interest in all church work and serving as
moderator for the association in Nodaway^
Atchison, Holt and a part of Andrew coun-
ties. His wife is a Methodist in religious
belief.
In 1872 Dr. Rhoades was united in mar-
riage with Miss' Mary T. Bond, a lady of
culture and refinement, who was born ii7
Missouri, July i, 1S54. Her parents. Uriah
and Louisa (Fentress) Bond, moved from
North Carolina to Clay county, this state,
at an early day, and later came to Nodaway
countv. The mother is now deceased, and
the father, who throughout his active busi-
ness life followed the blacksmith's trade, now
finds a home with the Doctor and his wife.
He is seventy-nine years of age. Religious-
ly he is a Methodist, to which church his
wife also belonged. To them were born nine
children, namely: Sarah, the wife of J. Har-
land; Thomas, a farmer of Kansas; John.
\\\\o was killed while serving in the Union
army during the Civil war; \\'illiam, de-
ceased ; Louisa J., the widow of I. F. Brown ;
Mary T., the wife of our subject; Martin,
a resident of Graham: Alice, the wife of
Rev. W. B. Cristie ; and Lulu H., the
v/ife of William H. Battle. The Doc-
tor and his wife have had six children,
namely: Guy, who died at the age of three
years' and a half; Rali)h, who is now en-
gaged in the lumber business in Graham ;
Karl, who died young; Pierre, who is at-
tending the Chicago University ; A'erne, also
in college; and Wayne, at home.
GEORGE W. DAXIEL.
One of the prominent residents of Atch-
ison county, Missouri, a representative of
an old and honored pioneer family, is George
W. Daniel, the subject of this review. He
was born at the old homestead where he now
resides, June 10, 1857, and was reared
among tlie pioneers. He was a son of Will-
iam Daniel, a native of Alabama, who re-
moved to Missouri and entered a homestead
of one hundred and sixtv acres, living in
310
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a little shanty and being almost totally isolat-
ed from the world. The men who made the
great state of Missouri were the tillers of
the soil, and among those in i860 no one waL=
more engaged in this midertaking than the
fatlier of mn- subject. There were many
Iiulians in the locality, who appeared to lie
of a friendly tiisposition, and Mr. Daniel was
a man who was able to appreciate and re-
tiun a good deed, even if the comple.xion of
his neighbor was red. The Indians soon
learned that they had a fair-dealing man to
trade witii, and he was able to protit by it
in many honorable ways. The first team he
owned he purchased from the savages.
Game was \ery abundant and he would re-
mark that the deer gave him so much hunt-
ing that he never had time to hunt Indians.
Many judicious purchases made him one
of the largest landowners of the neighbor-
hood. Although an ardent Republican he
never accepted oftice. He was a soldier in
the I'lorida Indian war and received a
pension for the same, and during the Civil
war he went out for a short time with the
liome guards, but was of a peaceful disixi-
sition and had no trouble with those who
held differing opinions. About 1890 he re-
tired from the farm, moving into Westboro,
and there he died April 25, 1900.
The mother of our subject was a native
of Louisville, Kentucky, by name Margaret
Ixlulkey, who alter marriage in 1845 tame
with her husband to .\tchist)n county, Mis-
souri. Here she died December 25, 1894.
They had been tiie parents of the following
cbilrlren : William A.; Jane, Mrs. Sawyer;
James, a farmer; Mary, Mrs. Bailey; Belle,
Mrs. Litic; Andrew, of Salem, Oregon; our
.subject; .\b.salom. deceased: and Margaret,
Mrs. Bowers.
(.)ur subject rcm.iined under the jjarental
roof until 1879. He had the best education
the schools afforded in his locality, but has
learned more from his mingling with the
world than any knowledge he gained in any
institution of learning. .Kfter his marriage
he settled on one of his father's farms and
continued to farm for two years, and then
moved to Kansas, but remained only eight-
een months, coming back and finally settling
upon tlie homestead, where he has remained
e\er since. He has given his attention to i
general line, also raising cattle, and former-
ly fed a great many. He is a stanch Re-
publican and always upholds his jjarty prin-
ciples, but has never aspired to office.
In 1879 he was married to Miss Ida
Clabaugh, a native oi Ohio who had come
to Missouri with her mother, who was a
widow. She was a daughter of John and
Malinda Clabaugh. natives of Ohio, where
Mr. Clal)augli died. Mrs. Clabaugh later
marrying Mr. Morrcll. The father of Mrs.
Clai)augh was Dr. James Hull, who prac-
ticed in the county' for many years. Phe
children of Mr. and Mrs. Clal)augh were.
Oscar, Jennie, Ida, Ella, deceased, and John.
By this marriage Mr. Daniel had three chil
dren ; Mal)el. Mrs. G. Livingston; \\ . O..
at home; and George L., of Nebraska. Mrs.
Daniel died .\])ril 30. 1895. She had lieen
a good woman and many friends moiu'ued
her death. Mr. D.iniel was again m;uried.
3ilay 3, 1900, to Mrs. Oliver Foxworthy,
born in Iowa, December 8, 1870. a daugh-
ter of William and .Adeline Wade, early set-
tlers of nortliern Iowa. 1 "he f.itlicr of .Mrs.
Daniel is deceased; the mother married a
second time. Her children are William J.;
Edwin, deceased; .\ndrew J.; Mrs. Daniel;
Melissa, who is Mrs. J. Cartwell ; and Sa-
phronia A., the wife of G. Sanderson.
lioth Mr, ;ind Mrs, D;uiie1 .ire consist-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
311
ent and useful members of the Methodist
church. Their liome is one of tiie pleasant-
est in the neighborliood, where they enjoy
the respect of all. Air. Daniel has long been
a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, of
Avhich he is an active worker. The pioneer
band is well represented by our subject. He
has seen much of the growth and develop-
nient of his section and has always done his
part towards its improvement.
CHARLES E. CARR.
The well knuwn proprietor of the Maple
(jrove stock farm, situated five miles south-
east of Maryville in the valley of the 102
river, is a typical self-made man. and in the
following reci;)rd of liis career there is much
to arouse respect and esteem. He has placed
h.is reliance upon industry and perseverance
rather than "luck." and by making the most
of circiuustances, howe\'er discouraging, has
made his way to a substantial success, his
fine farm being a tangible evidence of pros-
perity.
Mr. Carr was born in Onondaga county,
New York, August 31, 1833, a son of Daniel
and Rhoda (Watson) Carr, natives of
Rhode Island and New York, respectively,
and the former of Irish descent. The fam-
ily have Ijeen mosth- tillers of the soil, which
vocation the father followed as' a life work.
His wife held membership in the Methodist
church. He was twice married and by the
first union had two children, Stephen and
Tabitha. The children of the second mar-
riage were Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis, a resident
of Maryville, Missouri ; Lorenzo and Rob-
ert, both deceased ; Lafayette, a resident of
New York state; Mary; Charles E., our sub-
ject; Hannah, the wife of J. McCates; and
Rhoda, the wife of Calvin Bush.
When two years and a half old Charles
E. Carr was taken by his parents to Cat-
taraugus county. New York, where he was
reared on his father's farm and educated
in the common schools. At the age of six-
teen he commenced teaching school, which
profession he followed for three years, and
then went to New York city, where he
clerked in a store the same length of time.
After visiting his old home he then emi-
grated to La Salle county, Illinois, wliere
he again engaged in teaching. At the end
of about six months he took the gokl fever
arid started for California, but while passing
through southern Iowa the rich lands of
that region attracted his attention and he
could not resist the temptation to buy a farm
at the government price of one tlollar and
a quarter per acre. Borrowing an ax he cut
a few poles, marked off his land and Innlt
a cabin near the present city of Braddyville,
where he made his hi ime until 1867. In 1863
he made a trip to Idaho and spent se\-enteen
months in the west.
In 1867 Mr. Carr purchased a tract tif
unbroken land in the valley of the Noda-
way river near Clearmont, Nodaway county,
Missouri, and took up his residence there-
on in March, in the late "50s. To his original
purchase of one hundred and sixty acres he
added forty acres. In 1874 he came to Polk
township and located where he now resides.
He now has over one thousand acres, which
is one of the finest stock farms in the county,
and besides this valuable place he owns proj)-
erty in Alaryville. He now has sixteen hun-
dred acres in this county. He was one of
the organizers of the First National Bank
of this city and a director for a number of
years. As a financier he ranks among the
ablest, and for many years loaned money ti.
his neighbors on good security.
312
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Tn 1S57 yiv. Can- married Mis> M. J.
Cuthrie, a native of Illinois and a daughter
of Michael Guthrie, who was a i)ioneer of
this county and one of its ])roniinent farm-
ers. Her parents were both members of the
Christian cliurcli. Their children were Will-
iam. Samuel. Mar\- J.. Mrs. Melissa Tibbctt,
Maria, Mrs. Xancy Russell, Mrs. lunnia
Lamnie and Perry. To Mr. and Mrs. Carr
were born five children, namely: Lewis R.,
now a resident of the state of Washington:
limma K.. tlie wife of John Whitinack : and
Albert. I'red and Charles C, all farmers of
this county. The wife and mother died in
I\Iav, 1873, and in March. 1874. Mr. Carr
married Mrs. Lucy Colburn. whose son.
Herbert C). Colburn. made Iiis In mic with our
Mibject until bis death, at the age of six-
teen years. The t\v<> children born of the
second union Ijoth died in infancy. Mr.
and Mrs. Carr were married in Xew York,
of which state her ])arents. M. W. and Cath-
erine (Wiles) Smith, were lifelong resi-
dents. Her father was ([uite a ])rominent
farmer and miller, and was called u])wu t(:>
fill some county oftices. Her mollicr was a
member of tlie Methodist church. In their
family were seven cliiidrc-n. of whom Mrs.
Elizaijeth Hollirook, a resident of Xew York
state, and Mrs. Carr are the only survivors.
The others were Orson and .Xnson, both
railroad engineers ; Xathan : George, a school
teacher; and Charles, a farmer, who was
taken jjrisoner in the late war and died in
the service. Mrs. Carr's first husband,
William H. Colburn, was born in Xew N'ork
ami in early life followed school teaching.
During the Civil war he entered the service
a., the captain of Company E, Forty-second
Illinois X'olunteer Infantry, and served five
years, enduring all the hardships and priva-
tions of such a life, .\fter bis return home
Ik was married, in 1866, and settled on bis
farm in Michigan, where he died in 1870.
Religiously Mrs. Carr is a consistent mem-
ber of the Methodist church.
Descended from sturdy Xew England
stock, Mr. Carr is endowed with that en-
terprise and perse\erance [iroverbial in the
Yankee. During his early residence in Iowa
he worked at anything which he could find
to do. and liis labors always ga\e the utmost
Si'.tisfaclion. Seeing such fine grazing land
all about him, he was an.\ious to embark in
the cattle business. The only oi)portunity
he found for raising read)' money was at
the laborious task of wheeling dirt for the
construction of a milldam, at which he
worked for some time. He at length man-
aged to save one hundred dollars, which he
invested in thirty-three cahes, and thus se-
cured a start in the stock business. To pro-
vide himself w iili hay for winter use. h.e
would mow at night, after having used a
scythe all day, working for others at si.xty-
tw'o and a half cents per acre. When the
first tax on his two hundred acres was <lue
he found that lie had no money. It was al-
most impossible to raise the money, as there
was no cash market for his corn and wheat.
He took a load to Maryvijlc, where he could
have exchanged it for goods, but this time
he needed the ready money and started to
return iKune with his load. Meeting a man
who neetled the grain for bread, be sold him
the corn for twelve and a half cents ]ier
bushel, and the wheat for twenty-five. Ilis
load brought him c.nly a few cents over what
was required to i)ay his taxes.
A man of keen discrimination ;md sound
judgment, be has prospered in all bis un-
dertakings, and has acciunulatcil a hand-
some pro])erty. He has ever made a s|)ccial-
ty of stock raising, and upon bis ])lacc has
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ai3
some fine imported horses, Kentucky jacks
and shorthorn cattle. In poHtics Mr. Carr
is independent, reserving his right to vote
for the man wliom he beheves best cjuahfied'
to fill the ofiice. regardless of party lines.
SHELDON B. FARGO.
There are some lives of peculiar interest,
a record of which might be made voluminous
and yet be good reading, entertaining and
instructive, from the first line to the last.
The biography of those who have, during
an^• part of their lives, had adventurous ca-
reers in new countries and among savage
oi lawless people is valuable in literature,
not alone because narratives of adventure
are always interesting but also because they
shed light on important periods in our his-
tory which is scarcely obtainable from any
other source. There is so much of adventur-
ous and historic interest in the life of the
gentleman named above that it seems a pity
te be obliged to condense an account of it
within the limits of a mere biographical
sketch.
Sheldon B. Fargo, attorney at law and
pension attorney, Quitman, Nodaway coun-
ty, one of the well-known residents of north-
west Missouri, was born in Ashtabula coun-
ty, Ohio, May 13, 1825. His father was
Thomas Fargo, a son of Ezekiel Fargo, who
was born at Sandersfield, Massachusetts, in
1 79 1, and became a soldier in the war of
1812. The family is of Scotch-Irish an-
cestry and its founder in America came from
the Isle of Man. The mother of our subject,
Mabel (Bidwell) Fargo, a native of Con-
necticut, was a daughter of Stephen Bid-
well, who died at the age of one hundred
and three years at Litchfield, Connecticut.
Thomas and ]\Iabel Fargo were the par-
ents of nine children, four sons and fi\-e
daughters. Four are living, viz. : Susan
Phillips, of lUinois; Ralph G., a soldier in
the Civil war, serving in an Illinois infantry
regiment; 2^Iilo W., of Oklahoma; and
Sheldon B. The others, who are dead, were
Emeline S., Eggleston, Harriet N., [Matilda,
Jerome D. and Jane E. Their father died
in 1842, in Peoria county, Illinois, aged
fifty-one years; the mother in Stark county,
I'linois, at the age of nearly eighty-seven
years. She came of a long-lived family,
some members of which had lived nearly one
hundred years. She was a member of the
Presbyterian church ; her husband was in
religion a L'niversalist, and in polities' a
Whig. He learned and long followed the
trade of carpenter and joiner, though late
in life he engaged in farming.
Sheldon B. Fargo remained in Ashta-
bula county, Ohio, until, in 1835, at the age
of ten, he moved to Peoria county, Illinois,
twelve years before there was a railroad
built in that state. In 1850, during the gold
excitement, he joined the great number who
were pushing their way, against many diffi-
culties and obstacles, to the western coast.
\\'ith a four-horse team he spent one hun-
dred and twelve and one-half days by tlie
way, finally settling at Corvallis, Oregon,
where he lived for eight years. He took
part in the Indian war, enlisting July, 1853,
and receiving an honorable discharge Sep-
tember 10, following, at Jacksonville, Ore-
gon. He was orderly sergeant in the volun-
teer company of Captain J. K. Lamerick.
Later he was elected sherifif of Benton
county, Oregon, and served as its sheriff
while Oregon was a territory, and as the
first one after Oregon became a state. There
were no constables and his work was' onerous
and sometimes exciting and dangerous.
3U
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
During his residence in Wasiiington he
served as deputy United States niarslial on
tlie revenue cutter '■Slnil)rick." plying on
I'uget Sound. His official duty was to ar-
rest smugglers who might try to bring goods
illegally from foreign jwrts into the United
States. He was admitted to the bar in
1861 at Walla Walla. Washington, where
he i)racticed law until 1868, meanwhile act-
ing as prosecuting attorney of the first ju-
dicial district, when he came east to Stark
county. Illinois, where, in 1870. he was ap-
])ointe(l attorney for the village of Wyom-
ing, which t)ffice he held for two years. In
1881 he came to Quitman. Missouri, where
he is the only lawyer and where he ably fills
the office of pension attorney.
y\v. Fargo was marrieil January 30,
1878. in W'yiiming. Illinois, to Miss Belle
Carrico. a daughter of John Carrico. of that
place. Her mother was Elizabeth Carrico,
als(j a native of Illinois. They have one son,
Ed. P. Fargo, now in his twenty-fifth year,
v,ho is a resident of the town of Quitman.
Politically Mr. Fargo is a Republican and
as a citizen he is iniblic spirited and influen-
tial. As a lawyer he has. in the cour.se of
his pnifessional career, been called u]H>n to
haiKlle .some cases of inii)urlance and he
has won a reputation for ability and success.
As a L'nited States pension attorney he has
<lischarged the duties of his office in .such a
manner as In win the ap])roliation of all con-
cerned, safeguarding the interests of the
])ensioners.
Wll.Ll.XM II. IIIXDMAX*.
William M. Hindman. a successful farm-
er and stock rai.ser of Atchison county, Mi.s-
s<»uri, has l)een closely identified with the
growth and development of this countv. lie
is a member of an old pioneer family, and
was lx)rn in Holt county, Missouri, Sep-
tember 10, 1849, a son of John and Xancy J.
( Stephenson) Hindman.
William Hindman. the grandfather of
our subject, was a native of Kentucky, who
moved to Missouri at an early day, settling
in Clay county, where he became a well-
known farmer. His children were Thomas.
Marion. William, and John M., the father
of our subject. John Hindman was reared
to manhood in Clay county, Missouri, and
later entered the Mexican war, where he saw
active service and many hardships. He re-
ceived from the United States government
a lantl warrant, which was laid out in Holt
county. This he greatly improved and
afterward sold, moving to Atchi.son coun-
ty, where he carried on farming for several
years, and at the time of his death left con-
siderable property. He was torn in Octo-
ber, 1825. and his death occurred June 18,
1858. He married Xancy J. Stephenson,
v^ho was born February 17, 1832, in Parke
county, Indiana. She was a daughter of
William and Margaret Frontman .Stephen-
son. Margaret Frontman was a daughter
of Peter I*"rontman. who wa.^ of (lerman de-
.scent. The Stephenson family were the first
white settlers in I loh comity. Missouri,
where they assisted in the growth and de-
velopment of the place. William .Stejihen-
son, our sul)ject's maternal grandfather, was
born in Culjieper county, \ irgini.i, in March.
1789. His father was a native of Ireland
and his mother was born in France. He
was married in \'irginia. in 1813. to Mar-
garet Frontman, and then mo\ed to Bond
county, Illinois, where se\eral of his chil-
dren were l)orn. He then moved to Parke
county, Indiana, where he remained until
June. 1S40. when he took up his final resi-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
315
(lence in Holt countv. Missouri, where two
of his sons resided. He died in 1842, and
liis wife lived for several years after-
xuird. Their children were as follows: Mrs.
Theresa Baldwin; Blank S. : Peter: :\Irs.
George Baxter: William: John F. : Alex-
andria; Margaret, the wife of J. Hindman;
Nancy J., the mother of our subject: James;
jMichael S. : Elna; Mrs. Rebecca Collins;
Mrs. Sarah Hutton ; and Mrs. Rachel Pice.
John M. and Nancy (Stephenson) Hind-
man were the parents of four children :
\\'illiani H., the subject of this sketch; An-
geline, the wife of H. Hurst ; Sarah, the
wife of L. Mooney: and Robert, of Arkan-
sas. January 18, 1859, Mrs. Hindman mar-
ried John Sly, of Pickaway county, Ohio.
He was born February 22, 1828, a son of
Henry and Ann ( McCollister) Sly. Henry
Sly was a nati^•e of Virginia, and his wife
\\as a native of Maryland. John Sly en-
gaged in shipping cattle in his native state,
and in 1837 located in Clark township, Atch-
ison county, Missouri, where he purchased
a large tract of land, on which he built a large
brick house and several fine out-buildings.
He served several years as county judge and,
was well known in the ci immunity. Mr. and
Mrs. Sly were the parents of four children:
H. O., a prominent farmer: Lillian, the wife
of H. F. Staples; Senoma, the wife of
George Hunter ; and Mary, the wife of H. E.
W'yatt. Mr. Sly was a Democrat in pol-
itics. His wife died December 25, 1882.
He is still living.
William Hindman, the subject of this
personal biography, was nine years old at
the time of his father's death. He remained
with his mother until he had reached man-
hood, and at the age of twenty-five married
and began a career for himself. In 1874
he bought a farm, on which he remained
until 1882, when he went to Nebraska and
engaged in ranching. At the end of two
and one-half years he returned to Atchison
count}^ where he bought a farm of tliree
Inmdred and sevent_\--five acres, and has since
added to it until he is now one of the large'
land owners of the county, being the possess-
or of seven hundred and twenty acres, all of
which is in a high state of cultivation. The
land when first bought was worth thirtv-
five dollars per acre, but the price has ad-
vanced considerably since that time. Mr.
Hindman owns several head of valuable
stock, buying only the best to be obtained.
His farm is one of the finest in the state,
and he is considered one of the most solid
business men in the county. He takes a
strong interest in politics, being a member
of the Democratic party, but has never
aspired to political preferment.
Mr. Hindman married Bettie Graves.
November i, 1874. She was a daughter of
W. E. and Edna (Saunders) Graves, both
natives of Kentucky. Samuel Graves, the
father of William, was a native of Virginia,
but early in life settled in Kentucky, where
he was a well-to-do farmer. His children
were: E. H., deceased: J. P., deceased; and
W. E., the father of Airs. Hindman. W.
E. Graves grew to manhood in Kentuckv,
when he located in Buchanan county, Alis-
souri, and began farming. He then bought
another farm, on which the town of Milton
now stands, and this he improved and farmed
in general. It was there he passed from this
life, April 22, 1879. He was the owner of
a number of slaves, and though he was prac-
tically a Union man during the war his
sympathies were with the snutli. He was
the captain of the Paw Paw militia and saw
some active service during the w&w He
was the postmaster at Irish Grove, and held
316
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the office of justice of the peace for a num-
ber of years. Religiously he was a member
of the Methodist church, in which he was
an active worker. Mr. Graves married Edna'
Saunders, a daughter of Jack Saunders, who
was a prominent and wideh' known resident
of Kentucky and later of Buchanan county,
Missouri. When Xodaway county was set-
tled he came here to live and became one
of the most successful farmers in this section
of the state. He was also a large slave
owner. For many years he was a promi-
nent merchant of Maryville, where he built
the first business house. He then went to
St. Joseph, Missouri, where he erected the
Saunders HoUse. Hjs children were as fol-
lows : James, of ^laryville; Robert, of Okla-
homa; Edna, the mother of Mrs. Hindman;
jMibhau, of St. Joseph ; Bella, ihe wife of Mr.
Jester, of Salem county, ^lissouri. W. E. and
Edna (Saunders) Graves had ihirleen chil-
dren. These five are living, namely : J. W.,
a prominent farmer of this county; Robert,
of Milton, Missouri; R. S.. of St. Joseph;
W. E., of Craig, this state; and Elizabeth,
the wife of our subject.
^Ir. Hindman and his wife have been
blessed with the following children : Robert
L., born August 13, 1875; Edward L., born
January 4, 1877, died September 14, 1887,'
Charles I'., liurn October 11, 1878, died
February 11, 1879; Pearl E., born June 28,
1881, died .\pril 14. 1885; William R., bom
March 21, 1884; Richard, horn March 13,
1SX6; Grover D., born March 3. 1888; and
Lillian G., Ix>rn August 16, i8yi. Mr.
Hindman is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, I. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias;
and his wife is a member of the Ratlibone
Sisters and Eastern Star. Mr. Hindman
lias always been an active worker in the
Cumlwrland Presbyterian chinch, of which
he has been an elder and a teacher in the
Sunday-school. The family are highly re-
spected in the community, where they have
a host of warm friends.
CHRISTIAN K. ROl.I'.
For many years Mr. Rolf has occupied
a leading position among the earnest men of
iVtchison county, where he has attained
prominence in political circles as well as in
business life. He was born in the province
of Hanover, Germany, February 26, 1854,
and was reared to honest toil, while in the
common schools of the communiiy he ac-
quired his education. His parents. B. R. and
I Agnes (Bensman) Rolf, were both natives
of Hanover, and there they were married and
I reared their family. The lather died in 1895,
but the mother is still living, at the age of
si.xty-six. He devoted his entire life to the
work of the farm, lived quietly and unos-
tentatiously and commaniled the respect and
confidence of his fellow men. In his family
v.ere the following named : Christian Rudolf,
of lhi> review; A. W., now of Atchison
county; and Henry Rolf, of Fremont county,
Iowa. The mother and daughter are still
living in Germany, and the mother is a mem-
ber of the Lutheran Church, as was her hus-
band.
Mr. Rulf of this review remained at home
until nineteen years of age and then took
passage at Bremen for New York, reaching-
that harbor after thirteen days. He at once
made his way to Wisconsin, where he was
employed as a farm hand for four years,
and in 1877 he came to Missouri, locating
in Atchison county, where he again worked
as a farm hand for a year. He then inir-
chased eighty acres of land, at ten dollars an
acre. Not a furrow had been lurned or an
C. R. ROLF.
THE
NEW VORK
'PUBLIC L IRRAPv
Founaanons,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
317
impro\'enient of au}' kind made on the place,
lint with characteristic energy he began its
de\'eli:ipment, erected a small house, fenced
a portion of his place and began farming.
As the years have passed he has extended the
boundaries of his place until he now has two
hundred and ninety acres, all in one tract.
This constitutes a fine homestead, the land
being valued at sixty dollars per acre. All
of it is under a high state of cultivation and
there are good meadows and pasture lands,
offering" excellent grazing facilities for the
stock. He has erected a model two-story
frame residence and large barns and out-
buildings which, together with orchards and
groves of ornamental trees, render his home
one of the most attractive and desirable coun-
try seats in Atchison county. He carries on
general farming' and has also raised and
handled considerable stock. On his arrival
in America he had only a few dollars. Since
that time he has received a small amount
from home, but the greater part of his posses-
sions have been acquired through earnest,
honest labor, and to-day he is the possessor
of much valuable property in addition to his
farm possessions. He is also one of the
stockholders of the Farmers" Bank at West'
boro and is recognized as a man of excellent
linancial ability, of keen discernment, un-
llag-ging energy and persistent purpose.
In 1878 occurred the marriage of Air.
Rolf and Miss Lena Kahle. who was born
in Hanover, Germany, ]\Iarch i, 1856, and
in 1872 crossed the Atlantic to America, re-
moving' from Wisconsin to Alissouri, where
she was married. Her parents, who were
farming people, both died in Germany. They
were members of the Lutheran church and
in that faith reared their family of seven
children, namely : Mrs. Mary Redeker, Airs.
Anna Hostman, Mrs. Dora HasenTS'er, Airs.
19
Lena Rolf, Henry, Adam and Elizaljeth. The
last three are still residents of the old coun-
try, but the others are living in America.
The marriage of Air. and Airs. Rolf has been
blessed with seven children, namely : Ru-
dolph L., Mary, Ella, August, Henry, Clara
and Grant Washington. In his political
views Air. Rolf is a Republican and has filled
many offices of honor and trust. For one
term he has served as county judge, dis-
charging his duty with strict fairness and
impartiality. He and his family are consis-
tent and worthy members of the Lutheran
church. Throughout the county he is widely
known as a successful business man, with
more than ordinary financial ability. His
advice is sought by many friends and his
judgment is largely received as correct. His
hope ot*bettering his financial condition in
America has been more than realized, and he
has not only gained financial success but has
also secured a good home and many warm
friends. From the little German home across
the sea he made his way to the new world
and entered upon a career which seems most
marvelous ; yet it is not the outcome of pro-
pitious circumstances, but the honest reward
of labor, good management, ambition and
energy, without which no man can win
prosperity.
ALFRED B. CRANE.
It is a noteworthy fact that the young-
man is coming to the front in these }'ears of
the changing centuries. Not that the yoimg
men are purposely crowding the old men out,
for they have no disposition to do that ; and
the old man is everywhere active in public
affairs ; Ijut the work which all good Amer-
ican citizens find to do is taken in hand now
318
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
l)v men at an earlier age tlian it was a gen-
eration or two hack. One of the most pro-
gressixe voung; men i>t (ircen township. Xod-
awav county, Missouri, is Alfred B. Crane,
whose postoffice adihx'ss i> I'.nrlingtnn Junc-
tion.
Mr. Crane was horn near Rosexi'.le. W'ar-
rtn county. IlHnois. January 27, 1862. a .son
of S. B. and Caroline (Mills) Crane. His
father was a prominent farmer, stockman and
citizen and iii.s mother was a woman of many
virtues and graces. The wortliy couple were
of Eastern birth and came early in their mar-
ried life to their prairie home, where they
reared eleven children. si.K of them sons.
Alfred B. was brought up to the life work
of the farm and sent to school as opportunity
was presented. He soon developed into an
exceptionally good farm hand and evinced
a great liking for and practical interest in
cattle, as well as a noteworthy capacity for
caring for and managing farm stock of all
kinds. This inclination had nuich tod.i with
shaping his subsecpient career and contiib-
uted not a little to its success.
Mr. Crane came to Xodawa\- county Mis-
.souri, in 1883, accompanied by his brother,
J. H. Crane, who has prospered and become
well known in the line .stock trade. He
farmed successfully until iSi^i on rented
land, then jjurchased one hundred and sixty
acres, to which he later added two hundred
acres, and now owns three hundred and sixty
acres in (ireen township, known as the
Crane farm, which constitutes a tirst-class
agricultural and stock-raising i)lant. with a
good residence, barns and outbuildings,
convenient wells, and clover nieadows and
l)lue-grass pasture unsurpassed .inywhere
for stock-raising ])urpo.scs. He feeds cattle
and h(jgs and has been increasingly pro.sper-
(Uis, because he has brought t(t his enterpri.se
not only industry, but also a .special knowl-
edge of its details and good business ability.
Mr. Crane was married in 1886 to Miss
?\rarina King, a daughter of Thomas King.
Left an ori)han early in life. Miss King was
reared in the faiuily of J. W. Siuith. of
Cireen township. Thomas King, originally
from Indiana, ser\ ed in a Missouri regiment
in the Civil war. His wife was Catherine
Peters, who died in 1869. He passed away
in 1870. Their children, eight in number,
were named thus, in order of birth: Sylves-
ter, who became a United States soldier;
Lavina: E. M., who al.so became a soldier in
the Cnited States army, Charles, Thomas,
Robert, Julia and .Malvina. Mr. and Mrs,
Crane have live children, namely : William
S., Mills E., Alfred K., Anna Ruth and
Clara. Mrs. Crane is a member of the United
Brethren church, devoted to its tenets and
lieli)ful to all its interests. Mr. Crane is a
Democrat, jKilitically, active in part}- work
and influential in party councils. He is one
of the leaders aiuong the young men of the
township; of the highest character, trusted,
enterjirising and progressive and success-
ful. His disiKisition is friendly and sympa-
thetic to ;i marked degree and his manner
i> frank, hcai'l\- and joxial.
\\.\siii.\(;to\ Hosi U)R.
Prominent among the successful agricul-
turists of Xodaway couiUy is luuubered the
gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch. In his .special lield of industry lie
has met with remarkable success, and by tlie
energy- and zeal he has manifested he has
wi)n the confidence and esteem of the i)ub-
lic. He was born in b'airlield county. Ohio,
December 22, 1819, and is a son of deorge
and Barbara Hoshor. who were born, reared
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
319
iind married in \'irginia, and at a \-erv early
<lay emigrated to Oliio. where the father en-
tered a section of land and iniprnNed a farm,
lie also owned and operated a sawmill, grist-
mill and distillery, and prospered in all his
undertakings. He was a man of far more
than ordinary intelligence and business' abil-
ity and a capable financier, and succeeded in
accumulating a large estate, owning tweh-e
hundred acres of land at the time of his
death. Upright and lionorable in all his
transactions, he commanded the confidence
invA respect of those with whom he came in
contact either in Inisiness or social life. He
was the captain of a compan\- in the war of
1S12, and was a Presbyterian in religious
l)elief, while his wife, who was of German
<!escent. held membership in the Lutheran
church. He died at the age of sixty-six years,
and she passed awav at the age of eigh-
ty-foiu-. Their children were (ieorge, Will-
iam. Allen, James, Jefferson, Perry, John,
Washington, Bet.sey, Pydia and Barbara. Of
this family only our subject is now living.
John was a pioneer of Andrew county, Mis-
•souri, where he im]jro\e(l a farm, and died
after man}' years' residence tliere.
Washington Hoshor began his education
in the subscription schools of his native state,
^nid when grown attended a seminary for
tight months. He remained with his par-
ents nn the old homestead throughout their
li\es. The estate wa.s then di\ided among
the heirs and their interests became individ-
ual. Subsequently our subject purcliased a
-Mexican war land warrant, with which, in
1856. he secured fourteen hundred acres of
l::nd in Nodaway county, Missouri, the pur-
chase price being about seveutv-five cents
])er acre. A portion of this tract m iw- adjoins
the corix)ration of Maryville. Returning
li. Ohio, he sold his property there, and after
settling up his business he joined his brother
John, in Andrew county, Missouri, in i860.
There he bought land, improved a farm, and
successfully engaged in the stock business
as a dealer in cattle and hogs.
In that county Mr. Hoshor was married,
irj 1866, to Miss Anna Lincoln, who was
born on Lincoln creek, Andrew county, and
belongs to one of its honored pioneer fam-
ilies. Her father, John Lincoln, was a native
of Kentuck}-. and a first cousin of Abraham
Lincoln. At an earlv day he moved to An-
drew comity, Missouri, where in tlie midsc of
the wilderness he developed a good farm,
becoming one of its substantial farmers and
slave-owners. There he died in 1890, at the
ripe old age of eightA'-four years. He was
well and fa\'oral)ly known, and justl)- merited
tlie high regard in which he was held. His
children were Anna, the wife of our sub-
ject; Mrs. William Walker; John; George;
Da\-id ; and Clara, now Mrs. Mead. iMr. and
Mrs. Hoshor ha\e five children, namely;
John L., a resident of Colorado; George W.
and Otis, both at home; Eva, the wife of
Joseph Stock; Ina, the wife of Guy Gray.
After res'iding in And'i'ew county for
aliout ten years, Mr. Hoshor sold his prop-
ert}' there and settled on his large farm in
Nodaua\- count}-, where he has since made
his home. He has sold a portion of the tract
adjt)iniug Maryville. and gave one acre for
a school lot, but still retains nine hundred and
ninety-nine acres of \aluable land, running
from the highland to the valley of the 102
rix-er. This is well adapted for the raising of
lioth grain and stock, and he has placed it
under a high state of culti\ation. It is well
improved with good and substantial build-
ings, which he has erected, including a com-
modious residence built on an ele\ation,
which makes a lovelv building site. He has
320
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
also plaiUetl an orchard and forest trees and
otlierwise improved that place, making it a
iviost attractive home. lie raises, buys and
feeds stuck. Success has attended his well-
d'rected efforts through life, as he is a man
of sound business judgment and good execu-
ti\e ability, and he has accumulated a large
estate. Besides his valuable farm he owns
])roi'.erty in Maryvilie. Politically Mr. Ho-
-' r is an uncompromising Democrat, but
lias never cared for the honors of emolu-
ments of public ofiice.
ISAAC BARGER.
.\ prominent and successful agriculturist
of -Vtchison county, Missouri, is Isaac Bar-
ger, the subject of this sketch. He was born
in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, November
24, 1844, a son of Joseph and Eve (Hor-
lacherj Barger, Ijolh natives of the Key-
stone state, of Dutch descent. Mr. Barger,
senior, was a tanner by trade and moved into
Illinois in 1845, where he remained eight
years engaged in farming. He then went
to Iowa, where he bought and improved a
large tract of land and still resides upon it,
enjoying the fruits of honest toil, at the age
of seventy-eight, being still hale and hearty.
Mrs. Barger was removed by death, March
28, 1900, she having been, like her husband,
a devoted member of the Methodist clnucli.
The family name is well known; one brother
of Joseph ]5arger, named William Barger,
i.- a hotel-keeper at West Side, Crawfonl
county, Iowa, having engaged formerly at
farming in Inwa and at merchandising in
Illinois. The brothers and sister of Mrs.
J!arger are: Anna, now Mrs. Manback; Da-
vid, a farmer in lllinni.s; and Joseph, a half-
bnjther, wIkj is a minister in the Methodist
ilinrch. Our snliiici w.is ilic . illicit •>! the
childrtn of his parents, the others lieing Mrs.
Mary Vaughn, William, of Idwa, and Lu-
cinda, now Mrs. T. Fleming.
The subject of this sketch was reareil and
educated until his ninth year, in Illinois,
and then removed Nvith his parents to the
■ new home in«lowa, where he remaineil until
, he was twenty-seven years old. lie had
I thoroughly learned the science of farming,
and at the time of his marriage was prepared
to begin life for himself with assurance of
success. Coming to Missouri he liought the
farm upon which he now resides, and has
ever since devoted his time and attention to
its cultivation and improvement. The gro\ es
of forest antl ornamental trees, orcharils,
: fencing and commndious and comfortable
buildings testify to his industry and energy.
The marriage of Mr. Barger took [)lace
January 6, 1873, to I^Iiss Lucy Evans, who
was born b'ebruary 14. i85_'. in Wisconsin.
She was the daughter of Jacob and Eliza-
beth (^Teagarden) Evans, natives of Uhio
and Illinois, respectively. Mr. Evans was
formerl}' a lead nnjier. later a carpenter, but
after the removal to Mis.souri, in 1857, he en-
gaged in farming, transforming in twenty
years a tract of prairie and timber land into
a profitable, well cultivated farm. He died
ill 1871, his wife surviving him until 1899.
Both were consistent niemliers of the Chris-
tian church, where their many virtures were
known and appreciated. Mr. and Mrs.
Evans had the following children: Mrs.
Miriam Kinney, Mrs. Mary Brown, Joseph,
a resident of Nebraska, Mrs. Barger, Mrs.
Susan Wool.sey, Daniel. I'f Nebraska. John,
of the same state, Mrs. Louisa Davis, and
Ulysses, who is not living. Mr. and Mrs. Bar-
ger li.nc the following children : .Mrs. l"\a
Chambers, Mrs. Susie Benlley, William, tiic
Immestcid fnnucr, T.illi.i .■iml Pansv L.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
3L'l
Politically Mr. Baro-er is now an inde-
pendent, although formerly he voted with
the Democratic party. His excellent wife is a
highly esteemed memher of the Christian
church, li\-ing up to its teachino;s in her fam-
ily and neig'hljorhood. Mr. Barger is prom-
inently identified with the I. O. O. F. organ-
ization, and the family is most respected in
the community.
HAJNILTX C. BATLEY.
This is the age of the }-onng man. — the
}Oung man in politics, the young man in the
professio 
