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HISTORY OF
INDIANAPOLIS & MARION CO.,
INDIANA
By
B. R. SULGROVE -
ILLUSTRATED.
PHILADELPHIA
L. H. EVERTS & CO.
1884
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ELIAS
C. ATKINS. - The earliest representative of the Atkins
family in America emigrated from England in the sixteenth
century, and settled in New England. From his son Benoni
was descended Rollin Atkins, father of the subject of this
biographical sketch, whose birth occurred in Bristol, Conn.
His was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bishop, of the same
city, and had children, - George R., Ellen (Mrs. Volney
Barber), Harriet (Mrs. Lyman Smith), Mary Ann )deceased,
Marietta (Mrs. Henry Stevens), and Elias C. The last
named, the youngest of the number, was born June 28, 1833, in
Bristol, Conn. His early education was confined to a
period of three years at the grammar-school, after which, at
the age of twelve, he was apprenticed to the trade of saw
manufacturing, and continued thus employed until his
seventeenth year. His thorough knowledge of the business
and mechanical genius immediately caused his promotion to the
position of superintendent of the establishment. His
evenings were devoted to study and reading, the lack of
earlier opportunities having inspired a desire to improve such
advantages as later and more favorable circumstances offered.
He was at the age of twenty-two, married to Miss Sarah J.
Wells, of Newington, Conn., whose family were of English
extraction. One daughter, Hattie J., was born to this
marriage. Mrs. Atkins' death occurred April 11, 1863,
and Mr. Atkins death occurred April 11, 1863, and Mr. Atkins
was a second time married , to Miss Mary Dolbeare, of
Colchester, Conn., who died March 11, 1865. Their only
child was Willie D., whose death occurred Aug. 30, 1865.
Mr. Atkins, desiring a wider field of usefulness than
was opened in New England, removed in 1855 to Cleveland, Ohio,
and established the first saw-manufactory in that city.
One year's experience convinced him that the saw industry
could be developed under more favorable conditions in
Indianapolis, and, disposing of his interest, he removed to
the latter city in 1856, and developed the first and largest
manufactory of saws in the State. Beginning with limited
capital and the employment of but a single hand, the
enterprise has increased to such proportions as to utilize the
labor of one hundred and twenty men and furnish its products
to a large area of territory in the Northwest and other
points. Much of the machinery used in the various
departments of the mill is the invention of Mr. Adkins, and
protected by patents. He has also engaged extensively in
mining operations, having organized the Hecla Consolidated
Mining Company of Indianapolis, with mines situated in
Montana, of which he was for seven years general agent and for
two years superintendent, with his residence at the mines.
During this time all purchases and sales of products was made
by him, and the profitable development of the property the
result of his personal attention and financial ability.
He also purchased seven additional mines, which are at present
the most productive interests of the company. Other
mining enterprises in which he is interested have proved
equally successful.
Mr. Atkins is in politics a Republican, but without
ambition for office, his time being exclusively devoted to his
various business pursuits. Both he and his wife are
members of the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis. Mr.
Atkins was a third time married, to Miss Sarah Frances Parker,
daughter of Rev. Addison Parker, of Newton Centre, Mass.
The children born to this marriage are Mary Dolbeare,
Henry Cornelius, Sarah Frances,
Emma Louisa, and Carra Isabel.
These children, with Miss Hattie J., constitute the present
family of Mr. and Mrs. Atkins.
In 1867, Farley & Sinker, son of E. T. Sinker, began
making saws on the corner of Pennsylvania and George Streets,
and carried it on successfully till Mr. Sinker went back to
the machine-works on the death of his father. Mr. Farley
then, or soon after, opened up the same business on the east
side of South Meridian Street, just below the Eagle Machine
Works. Henry Westphal & Co. are in the same business on
the same street, father south, and Barry & Co. occupy the old
establishment on Pennsylvania and George Streets.
Source: History of Indianapolis & Marion County,
Indiana - Published by B. R. Sulgrove - Philadelphia:
L. H. Everts & Co.
1884 ~ Page 469 |
LEVI
AYRES (Centre Twp.) The Ayres family are
of Welsh extraction, the grandfather of Levi Ayres
having been John Ayres, a Revolutionary patriot, who
was taken prisoner by the enemy and confined in the noted
prisonship lying in New York harbor, where he remained until
released by the suspension of hostilities. He was a
blacksmith, and in that capacity proved invaluable to the
enemy, who refused to exchange him. He married Miss
Susanna Jarman, and had children, among whom was
John, the father of the subject of this biographical
sketch, born in 1777, in Cumberland County, N. J., the
residence of his father, where he followed agricultural
pursuits. He married Miss Margaret Pawner, the
daughter of Asher Pawner, who was reared in
the Quaker faith. The children of John and Margaret
Ayres are Levi, Reuben, George, Charles, Richard,
John and Mary Jane (Mrs. Ebenezer Woodruff).
The death of Mr. Ayres occurred in 1847, and that of
his wife the same year. Their son Levi was born
on the 3d of September, 1808, in Cumberland County, N. J.
His early life was spent upon the farm, and such education
obtained as was possible in the common schools of the
neighborhood, after which, for two successive winters, he
engaged in teaching, meanwhile during the remainder of the
year aiding in the labor of the farm. In 1832 he
removed to Indiana, and settled for one year in Franklin
County, after which he resided in Vicksburg, Miss., and for
three years pursued the trade of a painter. In 1836 he
returned to Franklin County and became owner of a farm.
He was, in 1840, married to Jane C., daughter of
Alexander and Rachel Cregmile, of Franklin County, Ind.
Their children are John T., deceased; R. Jennie,
deceased; Alexnader C., a practicing lawyer in
Indianapolis; Franklin, a farmer; Levi P., a
farmer, and two who died in infancy. Alexancer C.
and Levi P. are graduates of Butler University.
Mr. Ayres during the two successive winters following
his advent in Indiana engaged in teaching, the remainder of
his life having been devoted to the cultivation of his
lands. In 1858 he removed to Centre township, Marion
Co., his present residence.
He has been, as a Democrat, actively identified with
politics, and in Franklin County served as inspector of
elections, justice of the peace county commissioner for two
terms, and as a member of the State Legislature in
1858. He is a charter member of Mount Carmel Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons, and also a member of the
Brookville Chapter. Mrs. Ayres and her family
were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of
which Mr. Ayres is a supporter.
Source: History of Indianapolis & Marion County,
Indiana - Published by B. R. Sulgrove - Philadelphia:
L. H. Everts & Co.
1884 ~ Page 506 |
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