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| Lew Wallace with cane in hand exiting the Study, ca. 1900. |
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wallace & his Walking Stick
Among the extraordinary items in the Study, the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum has a collection of canes associated with the General. Throughout his life, Lew Wallace maintained a military bearing and erect posture that was frequently commented upon. He did, however, on occasion use canes. Beyond aids to walking, canes were also ceremonial gifts in the 19th century that were offered in recognition of significant events or to honor important people.
According to museum records, one of the canes in the museum was made from a sapling that was growing where General Wallace pitched his tent prior to the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. In later years when the General travelled to the battlefield he visited his campsite and asked for wood from the maturing tree. Wallace was given the wood and he sent it off to Tiffany’s in New York where a cane was made and an ivory handle was affixed.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Education the Lew Wallace Way
As a youth, Lew Wallace managed to develop a reputation as a truant and a rascal. He used any number of excuses to avoid the classroom and undertake adventure in the great outdoors. He was part of an informal group of Indianapolis boys, who established “The Red Eye and the Hay Press Club,” which met in a loft accessible only by a trap door. The boys were reputed to raid gardens, pull bell ropes, and generally create havoc as they ran through the countryside. In 1840, when Wallace was about 13 years old his truancy hit a new level. A huge rally was planned in Battleground, Indiana in support of William Henry Harrison’s bid for president. This promised to be far more interesting to Lew than any classroom studies.
Twenty thousand Whig supporters and delegates converged on the tiny community a few miles north of Lafayette. It’s said the procession coming up from Indianapolis formed a column twenty-five miles long. With his father away on business, Lew decided to join this parade—without letting his stepmother Zerelda or anyone else know—as it headed north. Fortunately, one of Lew’s uncles saw him on the road and got word back to the family. Lew stayed at this “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” rally for almost two weeks. As the rally concluded a church revival started up and Lew stayed to see part of that enterprise before finally wandering the seventy or so miles back to Indianapolis.
This was not his first, nor his last escapade. A few years later when Lew was about 16 years old he and a friend, Aquilla Cook, determined to create their own “Huckleberry Finn” adventure. Aquilla Cook was the son of John Cook, the first State House librarian, and disappeared from history a few years after his adventure with Lew Wallace. Aquilla married a dancer in Cincinnati and then killed a man who had reportedly made unwelcomed advances to his wife. He escaped arrest and was last heard from when he wrote a letter to a Cincinnati newspaper boasting of how he fooled the police and escaped arrest.
However, years before this drama played out, Wallace and Cook had been reading about the Alamo and the heroics of the freedom fighters in Texas. Together the teenagers decided that it was their duty to reinforce Commodore Moore of the Texan Navy. Although they were unsuccessful in recruiting others to join them, the two boys commandeered a skiff and began floating down the White River, intent on finding a flatboat headed to New Orleans. Their plan to reinforce the Texas Navy was thwarted when Zerelda Wallace’s father, Dr. John Sanders, and a local constable caught up with the boys.
This adventure was the one that finally led to Lew Wallace’s father to throw up his hands and throw in the towel. As Lew reported in his autobiography, his father approached the boy with his accustomed good address and graceful manner saying:
Were I to die tonight, your portion of my estate would not keep you a month. I have struggled to give you and your brothers what, in my opinion, is better than money—education. Since your sixth year, I have paid school-bills for you; but—one day you will regret the opportunities you have thrown away. I am sorry, disappointed, mortified; so, without shutting the door upon you, I am resolved that from today you must go out and earn your own livelihood. I shall watch your course hopefully.
It took a few more years and a few more adventures before David Wallace began to see his son settle down, grow in resolve, and focus on accomplishments that brought credit to the Wallace name. Throughout his life, Lew Wallace adored and respected his father and, just as David Wallace predicted, Lew grew to understand what had been lost when he squandered his education. He grew to be a man who learned by experience, read voraciously, challenged himself routinely, and became a devoted life-long learner. While Lew Wallace’s time in the classroom may have been a disappointment, perhaps his education was not truly squandered—he was just a boy who never let school get in the way of his learning.
Sources:
“The Early Life of Lew Wallace,” Indiana Magazine of History, September 1941 by Irving McKee.
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| Log Cabin & Hard Cider Campaign of 1840 for Wallace family friend William Henry Harrison |
This was not his first, nor his last escapade. A few years later when Lew was about 16 years old he and a friend, Aquilla Cook, determined to create their own “Huckleberry Finn” adventure. Aquilla Cook was the son of John Cook, the first State House librarian, and disappeared from history a few years after his adventure with Lew Wallace. Aquilla married a dancer in Cincinnati and then killed a man who had reportedly made unwelcomed advances to his wife. He escaped arrest and was last heard from when he wrote a letter to a Cincinnati newspaper boasting of how he fooled the police and escaped arrest.
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| Lew Wallace ca. 1850 |
This adventure was the one that finally led to Lew Wallace’s father to throw up his hands and throw in the towel. As Lew reported in his autobiography, his father approached the boy with his accustomed good address and graceful manner saying:
Were I to die tonight, your portion of my estate would not keep you a month. I have struggled to give you and your brothers what, in my opinion, is better than money—education. Since your sixth year, I have paid school-bills for you; but—one day you will regret the opportunities you have thrown away. I am sorry, disappointed, mortified; so, without shutting the door upon you, I am resolved that from today you must go out and earn your own livelihood. I shall watch your course hopefully.
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| David Wallace |
It took a few more years and a few more adventures before David Wallace began to see his son settle down, grow in resolve, and focus on accomplishments that brought credit to the Wallace name. Throughout his life, Lew Wallace adored and respected his father and, just as David Wallace predicted, Lew grew to understand what had been lost when he squandered his education. He grew to be a man who learned by experience, read voraciously, challenged himself routinely, and became a devoted life-long learner. While Lew Wallace’s time in the classroom may have been a disappointment, perhaps his education was not truly squandered—he was just a boy who never let school get in the way of his learning.
Sources:
“The Early Life of Lew Wallace,” Indiana Magazine of History, September 1941 by Irving McKee.
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Indianapolis National Bank Scandal
By all accounts, Lew Wallace’s older brother William was a capable, honorable, and trustworthy person. From 1855 until 1860, William Wallace and Benjamin Harrison were law partners. Their partnership was just one example of the friendships between the Harrison and Wallace families that crossed the generations. Harrison and Wallace also entered into other partnerships of various kinds including some with Theodore Haughey (pronounced Hoy).
Haughey was born in Delaware in 1826 and moved to Indianapolis in 1848. Theodore married Hannah Moore in 1853 and they had a daughter who died young and two sons, Louis Chauncey and Schuyler Colfax. Theodore worked first as a book keeper and accountant but moved up the ladder of success to become secretary and treasurer of one of the major railroads in Indianapolis. He dabbled in real estate and during the Civil War he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Indianapolis by President Lincoln. During the war he also became president of the Indianapolis National Bank. Over the years he also became a trustee of Asbury University (now DePauw University) in Greencastle).
The business relationship between William Wallace and Theodore Haughey turned personal when William’s daughter Zerelda married Theodore’s son, Louis Chauncey Haughey. Louis Chauncey and Zerelda had several children: Theodore P., William, Esther, Lawrence G., John D., and Louis C. Several members of the Haughey family followed Theodore in business at the Indianapolis National Bank—and that’s what eventually brought the family down.
Fortunately for William Wallace his friendship with Benjamin Harrison continued over the years. Although William had completed a successful career and had retired, at the age of 64 he was suddenly in need of a job. Many people felt he was working to keep his son-in-law Louis and daughter Zerelda afloat. In 1889, President Harrison, in an effort to help, appointed William the City Postmaster in Indianapolis. This was a difficult position for William Wallace to find himself in but he worked dutifully, enduring some criticism by those seeking Civil Service reform, until his death in 1891. Although William Wallace’s name was never associated with the looming financial debacle, with his passing, the house of cards that the Indianapolis National Bank had become came crashing down.
The Indianapolis National Bank had been organized in 1864 with Theodore Haughey as president and Ingram Fletcher as cashier. It counted among its depositors some of Indianapolis’ most esteemed citizens. Relationships with the rich and powerful were so close that Theodore P. and his wife, Hannah, named their youngest son Schuyler C. Haughey after close family friend Schuyler Colfax—Speaker of the United States House of Representatives during the Civil War, Vice President of the United States, and one of Indiana’s most influential men. The relationship with Schuyler Colfax would prove useful when the bank ran into some difficulties in 1884. Mr. Colfax personally added $27,500 to the bank reserves and encouraged others to do the same.
It’s believed that at this time, the swindles and embezzlement by Theodore P. Haughey started. He began to create fictitious companies, placing his sons Louis and Schuyler in charge of some of them. In ways, some simple and some complicated, Theodore embezzled great amounts of money for almost a decade.
In August of 1893, Theodore was arrested at his home and charged with embezzlement and misapplication of funds and credits of the Indianapolis National Bank. Arrested at the same time were his son, Schuyler Colfax Haughey, and other associates Francis A. Coffin Percival Coffin, and Albert T. Reed. Schuyler, the Coffins, and Reed were charged with aiding and abetting Theodore. Theodore was indicted for embezzling more than $700,000. At the time of the arrests, the bank had liabilities of $2,000,000 and assets of approximately $300,000. Among the 3,000 creditors who lost their savings were charitable aid societies, school teachers and members of Theodore’s church who had trusted him.
The arrest of Theodore sent shock waves through Indianapolis. A business and social leader he had been an esteemed member of the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church, serving the Indiana conference as lay delegate to national conferences and serving for years as a Sunday school teacher. He served as treasurer of the Grand Lodge, Independent Order of Odd-fellows for over 25 years, was chairman of the finance committee for six years of the Second Ward in the Indianapolis City Council and supported numerous charities and worthy endeavors. Glowing tributes directed toward Theodore in the early 1880s were swept away in the early 1890s as his financial misdeeds became known.
As the complicated case wound its way through the court system and decisions were appealed, in some instances all the way to the Supreme Court, it ruined reputations and lives. Theodore pleaded guilty and at the age of 75 was sent to the penitentiary for six years. He was said to be broken in health and newspapers reported that they did not think he would survive the humiliation and disgrace. Theodore actually did survive the humiliation and lived until 1914. His wife Hannah predeceased him by two years, passing away in 1912. In the 1890 census Theodore, recently released from prison, Hannah, and their grandson William were living in a middle class neighborhood on North New Jersey Street. In 1900, they are still in Indianapolis, but they do not show up in 1910 records. Given their advancing ages, Theodore and Hannah may have moved in with family members.
Ultimately, his son Schuyler was acquitted when his case came to trial in 1895 and his other son, Louis (William Wallace’s son-in-law) was not arrested. Although Louis had been involved to some degree, he was not seen as a major player and there may have been some thought that with her husband and other son likely headed to prison, Hannah would have no one to care for her.
Although Theodore and Hannah remained in the city, in the aftermath of this financial collapse and social embarrassment, other members of the Haughey family left Indianapolis. By 1890, Louis C. Haughey and his wife Zerelda had moved to Chicago where census records indicate that their children were living with them and they were still able to have several house servants. By 1920, they had moved to Buffalo, New York and were living in a boarding house. Their children and grand children in turn moved on to places far and wide.
In 1890, Schuyler Colfax Haughey and his wife Gertrude were also living in Chicago in a comfortable residential hotel. Within a few years they left the Midwest and moved to Pasadena, California where they lived the rest of their lives.
Although William Wallace was never implicated in any wrong doing and, in fact, worked to help keep his daughter and her family together, the failure of the Indianapolis National Bank destroyed many lives surely affected the Wallace family personally and financially if not socially.
Sources:
National Bank Frauds by Franck G. Carpenter
History of Indianapolis and Marion County by Berry Sulgrove
History of Greater Indianapolis
A Biographical History of Eminent & Self Made Men of the State of Indiana, 1880
Life of Benjamin Harrison by Lew Wallace
The New York Times, August 22, 1893; November 26, 1893; May 29, 1894
Haughey was born in Delaware in 1826 and moved to Indianapolis in 1848. Theodore married Hannah Moore in 1853 and they had a daughter who died young and two sons, Louis Chauncey and Schuyler Colfax. Theodore worked first as a book keeper and accountant but moved up the ladder of success to become secretary and treasurer of one of the major railroads in Indianapolis. He dabbled in real estate and during the Civil War he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Indianapolis by President Lincoln. During the war he also became president of the Indianapolis National Bank. Over the years he also became a trustee of Asbury University (now DePauw University) in Greencastle).
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| Williaml Wallace |
The business relationship between William Wallace and Theodore Haughey turned personal when William’s daughter Zerelda married Theodore’s son, Louis Chauncey Haughey. Louis Chauncey and Zerelda had several children: Theodore P., William, Esther, Lawrence G., John D., and Louis C. Several members of the Haughey family followed Theodore in business at the Indianapolis National Bank—and that’s what eventually brought the family down.
Fortunately for William Wallace his friendship with Benjamin Harrison continued over the years. Although William had completed a successful career and had retired, at the age of 64 he was suddenly in need of a job. Many people felt he was working to keep his son-in-law Louis and daughter Zerelda afloat. In 1889, President Harrison, in an effort to help, appointed William the City Postmaster in Indianapolis. This was a difficult position for William Wallace to find himself in but he worked dutifully, enduring some criticism by those seeking Civil Service reform, until his death in 1891. Although William Wallace’s name was never associated with the looming financial debacle, with his passing, the house of cards that the Indianapolis National Bank had become came crashing down.
The Indianapolis National Bank had been organized in 1864 with Theodore Haughey as president and Ingram Fletcher as cashier. It counted among its depositors some of Indianapolis’ most esteemed citizens. Relationships with the rich and powerful were so close that Theodore P. and his wife, Hannah, named their youngest son Schuyler C. Haughey after close family friend Schuyler Colfax—Speaker of the United States House of Representatives during the Civil War, Vice President of the United States, and one of Indiana’s most influential men. The relationship with Schuyler Colfax would prove useful when the bank ran into some difficulties in 1884. Mr. Colfax personally added $27,500 to the bank reserves and encouraged others to do the same.
It’s believed that at this time, the swindles and embezzlement by Theodore P. Haughey started. He began to create fictitious companies, placing his sons Louis and Schuyler in charge of some of them. In ways, some simple and some complicated, Theodore embezzled great amounts of money for almost a decade.
In August of 1893, Theodore was arrested at his home and charged with embezzlement and misapplication of funds and credits of the Indianapolis National Bank. Arrested at the same time were his son, Schuyler Colfax Haughey, and other associates Francis A. Coffin Percival Coffin, and Albert T. Reed. Schuyler, the Coffins, and Reed were charged with aiding and abetting Theodore. Theodore was indicted for embezzling more than $700,000. At the time of the arrests, the bank had liabilities of $2,000,000 and assets of approximately $300,000. Among the 3,000 creditors who lost their savings were charitable aid societies, school teachers and members of Theodore’s church who had trusted him.
The arrest of Theodore sent shock waves through Indianapolis. A business and social leader he had been an esteemed member of the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church, serving the Indiana conference as lay delegate to national conferences and serving for years as a Sunday school teacher. He served as treasurer of the Grand Lodge, Independent Order of Odd-fellows for over 25 years, was chairman of the finance committee for six years of the Second Ward in the Indianapolis City Council and supported numerous charities and worthy endeavors. Glowing tributes directed toward Theodore in the early 1880s were swept away in the early 1890s as his financial misdeeds became known.
As the complicated case wound its way through the court system and decisions were appealed, in some instances all the way to the Supreme Court, it ruined reputations and lives. Theodore pleaded guilty and at the age of 75 was sent to the penitentiary for six years. He was said to be broken in health and newspapers reported that they did not think he would survive the humiliation and disgrace. Theodore actually did survive the humiliation and lived until 1914. His wife Hannah predeceased him by two years, passing away in 1912. In the 1890 census Theodore, recently released from prison, Hannah, and their grandson William were living in a middle class neighborhood on North New Jersey Street. In 1900, they are still in Indianapolis, but they do not show up in 1910 records. Given their advancing ages, Theodore and Hannah may have moved in with family members.
Ultimately, his son Schuyler was acquitted when his case came to trial in 1895 and his other son, Louis (William Wallace’s son-in-law) was not arrested. Although Louis had been involved to some degree, he was not seen as a major player and there may have been some thought that with her husband and other son likely headed to prison, Hannah would have no one to care for her.
Although Theodore and Hannah remained in the city, in the aftermath of this financial collapse and social embarrassment, other members of the Haughey family left Indianapolis. By 1890, Louis C. Haughey and his wife Zerelda had moved to Chicago where census records indicate that their children were living with them and they were still able to have several house servants. By 1920, they had moved to Buffalo, New York and were living in a boarding house. Their children and grand children in turn moved on to places far and wide.
In 1890, Schuyler Colfax Haughey and his wife Gertrude were also living in Chicago in a comfortable residential hotel. Within a few years they left the Midwest and moved to Pasadena, California where they lived the rest of their lives.
Although William Wallace was never implicated in any wrong doing and, in fact, worked to help keep his daughter and her family together, the failure of the Indianapolis National Bank destroyed many lives surely affected the Wallace family personally and financially if not socially.
Sources:
National Bank Frauds by Franck G. Carpenter
History of Indianapolis and Marion County by Berry Sulgrove
History of Greater Indianapolis
A Biographical History of Eminent & Self Made Men of the State of Indiana, 1880
The New York Times, August 22, 1893; November 26, 1893; May 29, 1894
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Lew Wallace & Boston Corbett
In 1865, Lew Wallace was involved in two important trials that served to conclude the Civil War. He was a judge on the tribunal that considered the case against the Lincoln Conspirators and he served as the lead judge in the trial of Commander Henry Wirz of Andersonville. As it turned out, Wallace was not the only person to be associated with both Andersonville and the Lincoln Conspirators. A fellow named Thomas P. “Boston” Corbett was also a player in both of these episodes of the Civil War—but in ways very different from Lew Wallace.
Born in England in 1832, Corbett immigrated to America with his family and took up the trade of hat making in Troy, New York. In the 19th century, two of the most dangerous occupations were the silvering of mirrors and hat making. These professions were dangerous because of the amount of mercury that was used in manufacturing the finished products. The life expectancy for men in these jobs was often not long and because of the effects of the mercury insanity was a common problem as was used to great effect by Lewis Carroll with the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Corbett’s young wife died in childbirth and he moved to Boston where he continued his work as a hatter. The effects of his profession may have been beginning to manifest themselves because after his move to Boston he changed his name from Thomas to “Boston,” grew his hair very long to better emulate Jesus Christ, and in 1858 took the drastic step of castrating himself with a pair of scissors in an effort to avoid the temptation of prostitutes. Before seeking medical treatment for his self inflicted surgery, he ate a meal and attended a prayer meeting.
In April 186, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Corbett joined the army as a private in the New York militia. When this enlistment expired he later reenlisted in September of 1863. He was captured in Culpeper, Virginia in June of 1864 and sent to the prisoner of war camp in Andersonville where he was kept for five months. He was exchanged in late 1864 and returned to his company where he was promoted to sergeant. As a result of his time in Andersonville he was called to testify in the trial of Henry Wirz and Lew Wallace would have certainly been aware of Corbett’s testimony.
In April of 1865, Corbett was a member of the 16th New York Cavalry Regiment and a part of the troops assembled for the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth. On April 26th, Corbett and his regiment surrounded Booth and Davy Herold in a barn on the farm of Richard Garrett. The barn was set on fire and Herold surrendered, but Booth did not. Corbett was stationed near a crack in the barn wall and in the confusion and excitement, he claimed he saw Booth begin to raise a carbine and so Corbett shot and mortally wounded Lincoln’s assassin.
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton had instructed that Booth be taken alive so Corbett was arrested for violating orders. Stanton quickly dismissed the charges stating: “The rebel is dead. The patriot lives.” Stories surrounding the death of Booth circulated and Corbett ultimately told people that he fired the fatal shot because “Providence directed me.” Again, Wallace would certainly have been aware of Corbett because of the controversies surrounding the death of Booth.
Corbett collected his share of the reward money for the capture of Booth and after his discharge from the military resumed his career making hats; first in Boston, then in Connecticut and finally in New Jersey. His mental deterioration continued. In 1875, he threatened a group of men with a firearm at a soldier’s reunion. In 1878, he moved to Kansas and as a result of his fame he was asked to serve as door keeper for the House of Representatives in 1887. Within a few months he heard someone in the House make disparaging remarks about the prayer that had been offered and again threatened a group of men as he brandished a revolver in the chambers. He was arrested and sent to the Topeka Asylum for the Insane but he soon escaped. He told a friend that he was headed to Mexico, but many people believe that he headed to Concordia, Kansas where he lived in a dugout--or basically a hole in the ground--before heading north to Minnesota where he lived in a small cabin in the woods near Hinckley. His fate is unknown but it is widely thought that he died in the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894.
Lew Wallace and Boston Corbett lived decidedly different lives. It’s intriguing to note how their lives crossed at two particular moments in American legal history. While Lew Wallace is remembered for many accomplishments and experiences, Boston Corbett is generally remembered for just the two episodes in his life where his path crossed that of Lew Wallace.
Thanks:
Sam Andre for research assistance
Born in England in 1832, Corbett immigrated to America with his family and took up the trade of hat making in Troy, New York. In the 19th century, two of the most dangerous occupations were the silvering of mirrors and hat making. These professions were dangerous because of the amount of mercury that was used in manufacturing the finished products. The life expectancy for men in these jobs was often not long and because of the effects of the mercury insanity was a common problem as was used to great effect by Lewis Carroll with the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Corbett’s young wife died in childbirth and he moved to Boston where he continued his work as a hatter. The effects of his profession may have been beginning to manifest themselves because after his move to Boston he changed his name from Thomas to “Boston,” grew his hair very long to better emulate Jesus Christ, and in 1858 took the drastic step of castrating himself with a pair of scissors in an effort to avoid the temptation of prostitutes. Before seeking medical treatment for his self inflicted surgery, he ate a meal and attended a prayer meeting.
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| Boston Corbett |
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| Henry Wirz |
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton had instructed that Booth be taken alive so Corbett was arrested for violating orders. Stanton quickly dismissed the charges stating: “The rebel is dead. The patriot lives.” Stories surrounding the death of Booth circulated and Corbett ultimately told people that he fired the fatal shot because “Providence directed me.” Again, Wallace would certainly have been aware of Corbett because of the controversies surrounding the death of Booth.
Corbett collected his share of the reward money for the capture of Booth and after his discharge from the military resumed his career making hats; first in Boston, then in Connecticut and finally in New Jersey. His mental deterioration continued. In 1875, he threatened a group of men with a firearm at a soldier’s reunion. In 1878, he moved to Kansas and as a result of his fame he was asked to serve as door keeper for the House of Representatives in 1887. Within a few months he heard someone in the House make disparaging remarks about the prayer that had been offered and again threatened a group of men as he brandished a revolver in the chambers. He was arrested and sent to the Topeka Asylum for the Insane but he soon escaped. He told a friend that he was headed to Mexico, but many people believe that he headed to Concordia, Kansas where he lived in a dugout--or basically a hole in the ground--before heading north to Minnesota where he lived in a small cabin in the woods near Hinckley. His fate is unknown but it is widely thought that he died in the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894.
Lew Wallace and Boston Corbett lived decidedly different lives. It’s intriguing to note how their lives crossed at two particular moments in American legal history. While Lew Wallace is remembered for many accomplishments and experiences, Boston Corbett is generally remembered for just the two episodes in his life where his path crossed that of Lew Wallace.
Thanks:
Sam Andre for research assistance
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Zelda Harrison Seguin Wallace
Lew Wallace and his brother William each married women from prominent families who brought prestige, money and important Hoosier connections to the Wallace family. These were not, however, the only sons of David Wallace to marry well. David had six children by his second wife, Zerelda. Three of these children died in childhood. Their only surviving son was born in 1852, named David Jr., and married a woman of prestige with connections far beyond Indiana.
When doing historical research it is generally easier to find records on men than it is women. In the case of David Wallace, Jr. however, it is his wife who is much better recorded. In 1870, census records list eighteen year old David, Jr. as a baggage master for a railroad in Indianapolis. Ten years later in 1880 he is living in the home of his sister Mary Wallace Leathers with his mother, Zerelda and working as a transfer agent for an Indianapolis railroad. Reportedly a very handsome man of 28, David, Jr. married the beautiful Zelda Harrison Seguin in Baltimore on July 31 that same year.
Zelda was one of the most famous opera singers of her day. A contralto, Zelda became known as the Gypsy Queen because of her tremendous success in the opera “The Bohemian Girl.” Among her accomplishments on stage, she introduced the role of Bizet’s “Carmen” in English to the opera world in a performance in New Orleans and in her last New York appearances in 1886 she performed in “The Mikado.”
Born in 1848, and a native of New York City, her parents discovered that young Zelda Harrison had a remarkable voice. They placed her under the tutelage of Mrs. Anne Seguin one of the most important opera teachers of the late 19th century. Mrs. Seguin was trained at the Royal Academy and had an extraordinary career of her own, including her debut performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in 1836. Together with her husband, Edward, Anne sang at the coronation of Queen Victoria. From 1840 until his death in 1852, Anne and Edward dominated the opera world. They were particularly famous for their performances of opera in English and the list of their accomplishments is still highly regarded by opera historians.
Zelda made her stage debut at a concert in Saratoga in 1865 when she was seventeen years old singing popular songs of the day. During her time studying with Anne Seguin, she met one of Anne’s children, Edward Seguin, Jr. Although more than ten years her senior, they fell in love and married in 1867. Edward, an opera singer, was trained at the Conservatoire in Paris and the Royal Academy in London and had been touring in America since his return from Europe in 1860. Together Edward, Jr. and Zelda performed throughout the county. In the 1870s, they had a son they named Edward S.R. Seguin.
Zelda’s husband, Edward, was resoundingly successful and, like his father, one of the most popular performers of his day. He taught Zelda about make-up, stage presence, and acting. In 1877, Zelda was one of the featured performers at a New York Press Club entertainment held in Steinway Hall with guest speakers that included Mark Twain. She was singled out in coverage of the evening with the following:
Mrs. Zelda Seguin, a favorite among favorites, not only with the journalistic fraternity, who have always expressed good wishes for her success, but with everybody else possessed of taste and feeling, raised a whirlwind of applause by her singing of Hullah's "Storm." The excitement could not be stayed by anything less than a ballad, and the lady sang a pretty little Irish song--"I wrote my love a letter."
Her husband also helped manage Zelda’s career by selecting parts she would and, just as importantly, would not sing. For instance, he would not let her perform in Wagnerian operas because he felt Wagner’s work did not suit the range of her voice. Under his tutelage, Zelda Seguin became internationally famous and, like her in-laws, was especially known for performing operas in English that were traditionally performed in Italian or French.
In early October of 1879, Edward died suddenly of heart disease in Rochester, New York at the age of about 42. Stricken three weeks earlier in Jersey City, he didn’t consider the illness serious as he thought he was having an asthma attack and continued to travel with his wife and other performers. Zelda did not perform the evening of his death and accompanied her husband’s body back to New York, but the show had to go on and in spite of their grief the rest of the cast and crew performed as scheduled at the Grand Opera House in Rochester.
The beautiful widow and famed performer based in New York met the Indianapolis based David Wallace, Jr. in February of 1880 at the home of a mutual friend in Indianapolis. At the time, David was the Master of Transportation for the Indianapolis-Terre Haute railway. After a “season of bouquets and correspondence” David went to New York to propose and within ten months of her husband’s death, Zelda and David were married at St. Luke’s Church in Baltimore. David was joined by his sister, Agnes Wallace Steiner and in a detailed description of the ceremony the news account made note that “Diamonds were the jewels” worn by the bride. The quiet service received wide discussion as it was a distinct surprise to many of her friends. This marriage cost Zelda a small fortune because her mother-in-law, Anne Seguin had revised her will just weeks after her son’s death leaving Zelda $20,000 in cash to be held for her benefit provided she not remarry. With her marriage to David, the money was forfeited and returned to the estate.
Records indicate that Zelda and David, Jr. had a son in October of 1881, who was also named David, but it appears this child died within a year. Census records in 1900 indicate that David and Zelda may have had one more son born in 1891, but the name and fate of this child is unknown. In these records from 1900, David and Zelda are living in Indianapolis adjacent to the prominent Claypool family.
After Edward’s death and her marriage to David, Zelda resumed performing throughout the country. Her last operatic performance in New York was in 1886, but she continued to sing in important venues across the country for a few more years. In 1895, Zelda was still appearing on the concert stage when she was badly injured in a train accident when a train she was on jumped the tracks as it rounded a curve near Coatesville, Indiana. Two people were killed and although she did recover, Zelda was among the most seriously injured. As her professional career came to an end she still supported favored charities with small programs.
In the 1910 census, David’s occupation was listed as the manager of a motor company in Indianapolis and the couple was living along prestigious North Delaware Street—although they may have been living in an apartment rather than a detached home.1911, was terrible year for Zelda. She had all of her costumes and memorabilia in storage but a fire destroyed everything she had saved from her storied career. To add to her burden, David died in May of 1911 at the age of 59. Shortly after his death, Zelda made a much publicized return trip to New York to visit her son, Edward and two grandsons. In newspaper interviews she reminisced about famous people she had worked with, productions she had performed in, and trends she had seen in opera during her career.
In these interviews in 1911, although she was 63 yeas old, Zelda is described as still a young woman in thought, action and manner of speech. Friends who came to call on her found her very much like the Zelda Seguin of old. Just three years later, Zelda passed away at her home in Indianapolis in February of 1914. Timing is everything and while she was remembered in the press for her great stage career with small mentions, Zelda’s death was eclipsed in the newspapers because of the passing of Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson the same day. David and Zelda are buried together very near his father and adjacent to his uncle, Richard Gatling, in Crown Hill Cemetery. In a family of accomplished men and women, Zelda Harrison Seguin Wallace was certainly one of the most talented and widely admired members of the Wallace family.
Sources:
www.music.library.wisc.edu
www.nytimes.com
Census records 1860-1880, 1900, 1910
www.clerkandthecity.pastispresent.org
www.twainquotes.com
When doing historical research it is generally easier to find records on men than it is women. In the case of David Wallace, Jr. however, it is his wife who is much better recorded. In 1870, census records list eighteen year old David, Jr. as a baggage master for a railroad in Indianapolis. Ten years later in 1880 he is living in the home of his sister Mary Wallace Leathers with his mother, Zerelda and working as a transfer agent for an Indianapolis railroad. Reportedly a very handsome man of 28, David, Jr. married the beautiful Zelda Harrison Seguin in Baltimore on July 31 that same year.
Zelda was one of the most famous opera singers of her day. A contralto, Zelda became known as the Gypsy Queen because of her tremendous success in the opera “The Bohemian Girl.” Among her accomplishments on stage, she introduced the role of Bizet’s “Carmen” in English to the opera world in a performance in New Orleans and in her last New York appearances in 1886 she performed in “The Mikado.”
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| Anne Seguin |
Zelda made her stage debut at a concert in Saratoga in 1865 when she was seventeen years old singing popular songs of the day. During her time studying with Anne Seguin, she met one of Anne’s children, Edward Seguin, Jr. Although more than ten years her senior, they fell in love and married in 1867. Edward, an opera singer, was trained at the Conservatoire in Paris and the Royal Academy in London and had been touring in America since his return from Europe in 1860. Together Edward, Jr. and Zelda performed throughout the county. In the 1870s, they had a son they named Edward S.R. Seguin.
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| Edward Sequin |
Her husband also helped manage Zelda’s career by selecting parts she would and, just as importantly, would not sing. For instance, he would not let her perform in Wagnerian operas because he felt Wagner’s work did not suit the range of her voice. Under his tutelage, Zelda Seguin became internationally famous and, like her in-laws, was especially known for performing operas in English that were traditionally performed in Italian or French.
In early October of 1879, Edward died suddenly of heart disease in Rochester, New York at the age of about 42. Stricken three weeks earlier in Jersey City, he didn’t consider the illness serious as he thought he was having an asthma attack and continued to travel with his wife and other performers. Zelda did not perform the evening of his death and accompanied her husband’s body back to New York, but the show had to go on and in spite of their grief the rest of the cast and crew performed as scheduled at the Grand Opera House in Rochester.
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| Zelda Harrison Seguin Wallace |
After Edward’s death and her marriage to David, Zelda resumed performing throughout the country. Her last operatic performance in New York was in 1886, but she continued to sing in important venues across the country for a few more years. In 1895, Zelda was still appearing on the concert stage when she was badly injured in a train accident when a train she was on jumped the tracks as it rounded a curve near Coatesville, Indiana. Two people were killed and although she did recover, Zelda was among the most seriously injured. As her professional career came to an end she still supported favored charities with small programs.
After her marriage to David, it appears that Zelda left New York behind and Indianapolis Indianapolis
In these interviews in 1911, although she was 63 yeas old, Zelda is described as still a young woman in thought, action and manner of speech. Friends who came to call on her found her very much like the Zelda Seguin of old. Just three years later, Zelda passed away at her home in Indianapolis in February of 1914. Timing is everything and while she was remembered in the press for her great stage career with small mentions, Zelda’s death was eclipsed in the newspapers because of the passing of Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson the same day. David and Zelda are buried together very near his father and adjacent to his uncle, Richard Gatling, in Crown Hill Cemetery. In a family of accomplished men and women, Zelda Harrison Seguin Wallace was certainly one of the most talented and widely admired members of the Wallace family.
Sources:
www.music.library.wisc.edu
www.nytimes.com
Census records 1860-1880, 1900, 1910
www.clerkandthecity.pastispresent.org
www.twainquotes.com
Aurora Daily Express, September 17, 1883
Thanks to Erin Gobel and Roger Adams
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Wallaces and Indiana's Governor's Mansions
In 1821, Alexander Ralston and Elias Fordham were charged with planning Indiana's new capital. Ralston had worked with architect Pierre L’Enfant in mapping the city of Washington, D.C. and Ralston used some the designs he learned there in the plan he developed for Indianapolis. James Brown Ray, the 4th governor of the State, was the first to live and work out in Indianapolis and he pressed the state government for an official residence. Ray’s wife, Esther, was not considered in decisions made with respect to the new governor’s mansion, which Ralston ultimately decided should be placed near the center of the city on what is now Monument Circle. This residence was completed in 1827 at the impressive cost of $6,500.
Ultimately, no first family ever lived in this first official governor’s mansion in Indianapolis. The building was used for the Supreme Court offices and the State Library. In his writings, Lew Wallace said he read almost every book in the state library when his father was governor, so Lew probably knew this building very well. It went on to serve as a bank and a kindergarten before it was abandoned and fell into great disrepair. It was auctioned off in 1857 for $667 and torn down to make way for a park that later became Monument Circle.
In the years between 1827 and 1837, Indiana’s governors selected their own places to live and received a housing allowance. When David Wallace became governor in 1837 and he moved his family to Indianapolis, the state legislature provided funds for the purchase of a new official residence and the state purchased the home of Dr. John Sanders for $9,000. This house was located on the corner of Illinois and Market Streets and, coincidently, belonged to David Wallace’s father-in-law.
This is the home where David and Zerelda reared their children until David’s governorship ended in December of 1840. However, like the first governor’s mansion in Indianapolis, this residence also proved to be damp and unhealthy. In 1848, barely ten years after the state had purchased the house, Governor James Whitcomb blamed it for his wife, Martha’s, death. She had been first lady for only 479 days, passing away two weeks after the birth of a daughter—a little girl who later became the 22nd first lady of Indiana when her husband, Claude Matthews, was elected governor in 1893. The house at Illinois and Market continued to be used as the official residence through the 1850s and in a sense, Lew Wallace was returning home when he answered Governor Morton’s call to service in 1861. Morton was living in the home that Wallace’s father had used as Governor and that his step-grandfather Sanders had built. After a short stay, however, Governor Morton found the building unacceptable and refused to live in it. The structure was sold in 1865 and eventually destroyed.
After these two unsuccessful ventures at providing home for the governor in Indianapolis, the State of Indiana did not provide a formal residence for over 50 years. The three homes used for Indiana’s governors since 1919 have offered their residents more comfort, space, and privacy and no first lady since 1919 has had to worry about what the neighbors might say about her Monday morning wash.
Sources: First Ladies of Indiana and The Governors 1816-1984 by Margaret Moore Post, 1984.
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Jacob Cox, William Merritt Chase, & Lew Wallace
Teaching is a noble profession and many times a student will ultimately outshine the instructor. Such was the case with Jacob Cox. Jacob was born in 1810 in Philadelphia and arrived in Indianapolis as a young man in 1833. He opened a business selling tin ware, stoves and worked as a coppersmith. In 1835, he also opened an artist’s studio. Although he was known as an artist, in 1840, he painted a banner promoting William Henry Harrison’s bid for president that spurred interest in Cox’s artistic work and in 1842 he moved to Cincinnati to open a studio with John Dunn, a former treasurer of the State of Indiana.
The move didn’t work out and after five months, he returned to his business in Indianapolis and continued painting as a sideline, exhibiting annually at the shows of the Cincinnati Art Union. By 1860, he was devoted to art full-time and became well known in Indianapolis for his portraits and landscapes. Among the portraits he became best known for were of a number of the early Indiana governors, including James B. Ray, Noah Noble, Samuel Bigger, Joseph A. Wright, Henry S. Lane and David Wallace.
Although self-taught, Cox was proud to share his talent and he taught willing students—some formally and others informally. Perhaps the most accomplished artist he taught in a formal setting was William Merritt Chase. Chase was a native Hoosier born in 1849. Chase’s family moved to Indianapolis in 1861 and young William worked in the family business as a salesman. Chase showed an early aptitude for art and began studying with a couple of local artists, including Jacob Cox. Chase served briefly in the Navy, and then at his teachers’ urging, he moved to New York City for more formal instruction.
By the late 1860’s his family’s fortunes had turned and Chase was forced to leave his training in New York and he moved to St. Louis where his family had relocated. He became active in the local art community and sold paintings to help support his family. In 1871, he exhibited for the first time in the National Academy. The quality of Chase’s Impressionistic work elicited support from wealthy clients in St. Louis, some of whom offered to sponsor him for two years in Europe. He settled in Munich and began producing work that was recognized internationally. In 1876, his painting “Keying Up”-The Court Jester won a medal at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
In 1878, Chase returned to the United States and settled in New York. Chase proved to be a cultivated, sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and devoted family man, and an esteemed teacher. He married Alice Gerson in 1886 and together they raised eight children during Chase's most energetic artistic period. He counted among his close friends, Winslow Homer, Augustus Saint Gaudens, and later Georgia O’Keefe. Like Jacob Cox, Chase enjoyed sharing his knowledge and taught many of the most important artists on the east coast and he was influential in establishing California art in the early 20th century. Among his many teaching endeavors he established the Chase School which became known as Parsons the New School for Design in New York—now commonly called Parsons. By the time of his death in 1916, he was one of the most well-known, most decorated, and much admired artists in the country.
While William Merritt Chase was the most successful of Jacob Cox’s formal students, one of his informal students also achieved world-wide fame—though not necessarily for his paintings. About 1840, young Lew Wallace watched as Jacob Cox painted a portrait of Governor David Wallace. In his autobiography, Lew Wallace, told a story about his early aspirations to become an artist. He found his father posing one day in Jacob Cox's studio. "When I heard that Mr. Cox painted pictures in oil, I nerved myself and boldly invaded his studio. He was painting my father's portrait when I went in. The coincidence excused me. We became good friends, and not a few of my truancies were spent watching him at work."
According to his recollections, Lew was allowed to help mix the pigments used for the portrait. At that time, paints came in hard cakes and artists had to carefully grind the colors on a marble slab before mixing them with oil. Lew volunteered to do this for Mr. Cox. After a time Lew gave in to temptation. While he admitted that Mr. Cox would probably have given him the paint, he was hesitant to voice his passion. Instead he loaded a tin plate with “dabs of paints, hastened home, and with the coveted plunder, stole up into the garret as the safest place from intrusion.” Realizing he needed further equipment, he pulled hairs from the tail of a dog and tied them on a stick to make a brush, used the bottom of a wooden box as his canvas and appropriated castor oil from the sickroom supplies as his mixing fluid. His subject was Chief Black Hawk.
When he was finally located intently involved in his new activity, Lew said he had never heard his father laugh so long and heartily as when his art equipment was produced. Nevertheless, his father discouraged the interest in art. “You must give up drawing. I will not have it. If you are thinking of being an artist, listen to me…to give yourself up to [that] pursuit means starvation.” Lew continued for a time to pursue his artistic talents, but because of the lack of support at home and the comments made by school mates he let his interest in painting drift slowly away. As he later said:
“to give up the dream. Still it haunts me. At this day even, I cannot look at a great picture without envying its creator the delight he must have had the while it was in evolution.”
However, the dream never completely died. In the 1860s, he again began creating artwork. For much of the rest of his life, when time permitted, he sketched, painted in oil, and in watercolor but, perhaps because his father had so discouraged his interest in the profession, Wallace seldom signed his work. Even though his painting ability was known during his lifetime and some of his works were very well received when they were on public display, other careers and accomplishments in his full life overshadowed Lew Wallace’s artistic creations and the early lessons he learned from Jacob Cox.
The move didn’t work out and after five months, he returned to his business in Indianapolis and continued painting as a sideline, exhibiting annually at the shows of the Cincinnati Art Union. By 1860, he was devoted to art full-time and became well known in Indianapolis for his portraits and landscapes. Among the portraits he became best known for were of a number of the early Indiana governors, including James B. Ray, Noah Noble, Samuel Bigger, Joseph A. Wright, Henry S. Lane and David Wallace.
Although self-taught, Cox was proud to share his talent and he taught willing students—some formally and others informally. Perhaps the most accomplished artist he taught in a formal setting was William Merritt Chase. Chase was a native Hoosier born in 1849. Chase’s family moved to Indianapolis in 1861 and young William worked in the family business as a salesman. Chase showed an early aptitude for art and began studying with a couple of local artists, including Jacob Cox. Chase served briefly in the Navy, and then at his teachers’ urging, he moved to New York City for more formal instruction.
By the late 1860’s his family’s fortunes had turned and Chase was forced to leave his training in New York and he moved to St. Louis where his family had relocated. He became active in the local art community and sold paintings to help support his family. In 1871, he exhibited for the first time in the National Academy. The quality of Chase’s Impressionistic work elicited support from wealthy clients in St. Louis, some of whom offered to sponsor him for two years in Europe. He settled in Munich and began producing work that was recognized internationally. In 1876, his painting “Keying Up”-The Court Jester won a medal at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
 |
| William Merritt Chase, ca. 1900 |
In 1878, Chase returned to the United States and settled in New York. Chase proved to be a cultivated, sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and devoted family man, and an esteemed teacher. He married Alice Gerson in 1886 and together they raised eight children during Chase's most energetic artistic period. He counted among his close friends, Winslow Homer, Augustus Saint Gaudens, and later Georgia O’Keefe. Like Jacob Cox, Chase enjoyed sharing his knowledge and taught many of the most important artists on the east coast and he was influential in establishing California art in the early 20th century. Among his many teaching endeavors he established the Chase School which became known as Parsons the New School for Design in New York—now commonly called Parsons. By the time of his death in 1916, he was one of the most well-known, most decorated, and much admired artists in the country.
While William Merritt Chase was the most successful of Jacob Cox’s formal students, one of his informal students also achieved world-wide fame—though not necessarily for his paintings. About 1840, young Lew Wallace watched as Jacob Cox painted a portrait of Governor David Wallace. In his autobiography, Lew Wallace, told a story about his early aspirations to become an artist. He found his father posing one day in Jacob Cox's studio. "When I heard that Mr. Cox painted pictures in oil, I nerved myself and boldly invaded his studio. He was painting my father's portrait when I went in. The coincidence excused me. We became good friends, and not a few of my truancies were spent watching him at work."
 |
| David Wallace as painted by Jacob Cox, ca. 1840 |
According to his recollections, Lew was allowed to help mix the pigments used for the portrait. At that time, paints came in hard cakes and artists had to carefully grind the colors on a marble slab before mixing them with oil. Lew volunteered to do this for Mr. Cox. After a time Lew gave in to temptation. While he admitted that Mr. Cox would probably have given him the paint, he was hesitant to voice his passion. Instead he loaded a tin plate with “dabs of paints, hastened home, and with the coveted plunder, stole up into the garret as the safest place from intrusion.” Realizing he needed further equipment, he pulled hairs from the tail of a dog and tied them on a stick to make a brush, used the bottom of a wooden box as his canvas and appropriated castor oil from the sickroom supplies as his mixing fluid. His subject was Chief Black Hawk.
When he was finally located intently involved in his new activity, Lew said he had never heard his father laugh so long and heartily as when his art equipment was produced. Nevertheless, his father discouraged the interest in art. “You must give up drawing. I will not have it. If you are thinking of being an artist, listen to me…to give yourself up to [that] pursuit means starvation.” Lew continued for a time to pursue his artistic talents, but because of the lack of support at home and the comments made by school mates he let his interest in painting drift slowly away. As he later said:
“to give up the dream. Still it haunts me. At this day even, I cannot look at a great picture without envying its creator the delight he must have had the while it was in evolution.”
 |
| The Conspirators one of Lew Wallace's paintings that was highly regarded during his lifetime |
However, the dream never completely died. In the 1860s, he again began creating artwork. For much of the rest of his life, when time permitted, he sketched, painted in oil, and in watercolor but, perhaps because his father had so discouraged his interest in the profession, Wallace seldom signed his work. Even though his painting ability was known during his lifetime and some of his works were very well received when they were on public display, other careers and accomplishments in his full life overshadowed Lew Wallace’s artistic creations and the early lessons he learned from Jacob Cox.
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum celebrates and renews belief in the power of the individual spirit to affect American history and culture.
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