Lot Bloomfield, the first attorney admitted to the bar of Henry County, and who figured conspicuously at the opening of the first court in the county, resided principally at Centreville, Wayne Co., where he located in 1820. He was a man of sound scholarship and good intellect, but was not particularly successful as a lawyer. Later in life he engaged in the mercantile business and was successful. He died in Indianapolis.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 357.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Abraham Elliott, the first lawyer who settled at the county seat, was a native of Guilford County, N. C. He came to Wayne County at an early day, and was one of the prominent early settlers there. In 1823 he removed to what is still known as the Elliott farm, near New Castle, and soon after opened a law office in the town. He was a man of good ability, and for several years transacted a considerable part of the legal business of the county. He was subsequently a Justice of the Peace, and an Associate Judge. He was the father of the late Hon. Jehu T. Elliott, and after the admission of the latter to the bar devoted himself less to legal business. He retired from practice entirely, on account of poor health, several years before he died. Judge Elliott was a plain, unassuming man, and was highly esteemed.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 357.
Submitted by: Jeanie


James Gilmore, one of the attorneys admitted in 1822, died in 1826. He served as Prosecuting Attorney in 1823, and as a member of the Board of Justices, which performed the duties of county commissioners, in 1824, 1825 and 1826, until his death.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 357.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Hon. Jehu T. Elliott, one of the ablest and most honored members of the Henry County bar, was born near Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind., Feb. 7, 1813. His father, Abraham Elliott, settled on a farm one and a half miles from the town of New Castle, in 1823. The family was large, and it was necessary that each member should contribute by his labor toward its maintenance. The subject of this notice had but limited school privileges, but making good use of his time and opportunities, he was able to engage in teaching school at the age of eighteen, and for two years he followed that occupation. His father, a member of the bar in good standing, had intended his son for the legal profession, and therefore placed him, at the age of twenty, in the office of Martin M. Ray, a lawyer of large practice, in Centreville, Wayne County. After about a year he was admitted to the bar, and on completion of his studies returned to New Castle and opened an office. His talents soon gained for him a lucrative practice. On the 24th of October, 1833, he married Miss Hannah Branson, who survives him.

Judge Elliott's first office was that of Assistant Secretary of the House of Representatives of the State Legislature, a position to which he was re-elected, and in 1837 he became Secretary of the House. In 1838 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Judicial Circuit in which he resided. In August, 1839, he was elected State Senator for three years. In 1844, at the comparatively youthful age of thirty-one years, he was chosen by the Legislature as Circuit Judge. His judicial circuit embraced eight counties in one of the most prosperous and populous sections of the State. In 1851 he was re-elected to the same important office, for the term of seven years, but in 1852 resigned the office to accept the presidency of a railroad, which was then building from Richmond to Chicago. He resigned that position in 1854, and the following year was elected Circuit Judge by the people. Serving with distinction in this capacity until 1864, he was then elected one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Indiana. The bar of the circuit over which he had so long presided embraced many eminent lawyers, among whom may be mentioned James Rariden, John S. Newman, Charles H. Test, Caleb B. Smith, Samuel W. Parker, and James Perry. "It was the opinion of these gentlemen, and other competent judges," remarks his biographer, 'that, as a Circuit Judge, his ability was of the highest order, and it is certain that no judge ever gave greater satisfaction than he. His popularity was such that no one ever opposed him for the place successfully, and when it was known that he was a candidate an election followed, of course. The opinions he delivered during the six years he occupied a seat on the Supreme bench, bear evidence of great industry, and a thorough knowledge of the law, and stand deservedly high with the profession.

"On retiring from the Supreme bench, he resumed the practice of the law, and was thus engaged when death overtook him. The community in which the Judge so long resided placed a very high estimate on his ability and integrity. He was the friend and counselor of the young men who embarked in the profession, and such as these esteemed him very highly. The litigant always felt that in the decision of his case, the Judge would bring to his aid thorough knowledge of the law and impartiality, and if he lost his suit, it was because the law and facts compelled a decision the other way; and therefore lawyers and their clients submitted cheerfully to adverse decisions. It was by this means that he won the title of 'the model judge.' He served eighteen years as Circuit Judge, and six years on the Supreme bench, making twenty-four years in all, and from1835 to 1871 he was continually in the public service. Few men who die at the age of sixty-three have served the public so long, and with such universal commendation as Judge Elliott."

He died at his home in New Castle, Feb. 12, 1876. The bar of Henry County adopted a set of resolutions, which, though highly eulogistic, are but a true expression of the esteem in which he was held by all who knew him.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 357 to 359.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Eli Murphey, deceased. This gentlemen, one of the early settlers of New Castle, and for many years a most prominent citizen, died Sept. 11, 1877. He was born in North Carolina, May 5, 1811, and came to Henry County with his parents in 1823. Being a ready scholar he obtained a good education for those days, and together with the late Hon. Jehu T. Elliott read law under M. M. Ray, of Centreville. He and Judge Elliott were admitted to the bar at the same term of court in 1833, and Mr. Murphey began practicing in New Castle. During the cholera epidemic of 1833, when as many of the inhabitants as possible left New Castle, young Murphey remained and was a faithful and constant attendant upon the suffering. In 1834 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for Henry County. In 1835 he married Rebecca Carpenter, who bore five children. In 1845 Mr. Murphey was elected State Senator, and during his term he served upon several important committees. He reported and advocated the bill chartering the New Castle & Richmond Railroad, and was earnest as a promoter of that enterprise. For some time he served as Treasurer of the railroad company. In 1861 he became a partner of Hon. S. T. Powell in the practice of law. He was prominent in business and stood high as a citizen. A devoted member of the Christian church, and a man of benevolent nature and noble character, his death was greatly mourned.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 359 and 360.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Colonel Edmund Johnson, deceased, was long a member of the Henry County bar, and stood very high professionally and socially. He was born in Windham County, Conn., Nov. 20, 1813, and resided in his native county until he attained his majority. He received his primary education at the Plainfield Academy, and for some time attended the Brownsville Academy. About the year 1838 he came to Wayne County, Ind., where he taught school one term. He was one of the surveyors of the Whitewater Canal. In 1839 he located at New Castle and opened a law office, having previously read law under Hon. Martin M. Ray, of Wayne County. Possessed of a good mind, ready talent and skill, he soon became prominent in his profession. After an honorable career at the bar, he retired from active business some twelve years before his death. He was a candidate for Representative to Congress on the Democratic ticket in 1862, and again in 1874. Colonel Johnson died in 1876. He was married in 1846 to Miss Frances, daughter of G. and M. W. Chorn. Mrs. Johnson is still living. She was born in Rush County, Ind., where her parents settled in 1828. Her father was born in Kentucky, and her mother in Alabama. Colonel Johnson was the father of nine children, of whom five are living - India (wife of Asa Hatch), May C., George S., Bertha B., and Edmund P.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 360.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Hon. George W. Julian, the distinguished lawyer and statesman, was for a time a New Castle lawyer, almost at the outset of his brilliant career. Born in Wayne County in 1817, and admitted to the bar in 1840, he became a member of the Henry County bar in 1841, and for a short time practiced in New Castle. But as he left this county before entering upon public life, his subsequent biography does not fall within the scope of this work.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 360.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Hon. Martin L. Bundy, of New Castle, was born in Randolph County, N. C., Nov. 11, 1818, and was brought to the State of Indiana when three months old, where he has ever since resided. The family first settled near Richmond and remained there about two years, removing in the spring of 1821 to a part of what is known as the Woodward farm adjoining the land on which New Castle was laid out in 1822. He received his education in the common schools of the time, spending one year, however, in Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, then the leading college of the West, which was under the presidency of the Rev. R. H. Bishop, D. D. His education, however, was mainly obtained by his own exertions and diligent application.

In the month of June, 1837, he entered the office of Dr. Joel Reed, then Recorder of Henry County, and served as deputy four years. In the meantime he entered the law office of Hon. J. T. Elliott, then the leading practitioner in New Castle, whose sister he married Dec. 6, 1839. He was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law at New Castle in 1842. He was elected County Treasurer of Henry County in August, 1844, and served as such three years, declining a re-election. He was a member of the Whig party and an ardent admirer of Henry Clay, and gave him a cordial support for the Presidency in 1844. He was a member of the Whig National Convention of 1848, which nominated Zachary Taylor for the Presidency. The same year he was nominated and elected a member of the State Legislature. In 1852 he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and re-elected in 1856, serving as such till October, 1860, when he was elected a member of the Legislature which made provision for the raising of troops to suppress the Rebellion. He gave an unwavering support to the war measures and his services were highly appreciated by Governor Morton. Having been appointed a paymaster of the army in August, 1861, he reported for duty at St. Louis, and served there until June, 1862, when he was transferred to Louisville, Ky. The Paymaster-General speaks of him as follows: "The efficiency and intelligence with which you have performed all your duties cause the deepest regret at being compelled to part with you." He served nearly five years in this capacity and returned in the spring of 1866. Having, with several other gentlemen, started the First National Bank in 1864, he was made President of that institution. He retired from that bank in 1873, and in the following year started the Bundy National Bank. He was a member of the Philadelphia Convention in 1856, which organized the Republican party and nominated John C. Fremont for the Presidency. He was Examiner of the National Banks of Indiana from 1867 to 1874, under the Treasury Department. He was one of the delegates from his district in the National Convention of 1872, which nominated General Grant for re-election, and has given the great General a constant support. His life thus far has been one of active business, and he has always taken a deep interest in the improvement of his town and county.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 360 to 362.
Submitted by: Jeanie


General William Grose, who has won honorable distinction both in military and civil affairs, has been a member of the bar of Henry County since 1843. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1812, and is the son of William and Mary (Hubbell) Grose, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New Jersey. His grandfather, Jacob Grose, was killed in the Revolutionary war, and his father served under General Harrison in the war of 1812. William Grose, the subject of this notice, came with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., in the spring of 1813, and thence in 1829 to Henry County. The family settled six miles south of New Castle and entered upon the difficult task of creating a home in the midst of a wilderness. The parents of General Grose reared a family of five sons and two daughters, of whom four are still living. The names of these children were Joseph, Daniel, William, Ahizah, Sarah, Mary and Isaac. The father died in 1875 and the mother in 1874, both at a ripe old age.

William Grose had but slight educational privileges, but he was fond of study and took advantage of every opportunity of adding to his knowledge. He became able to teach school and followed that occupation in winter, assisting his father on the farm in summer. After attaining his majority he began life for himself, working on a farm and in a brick-yard. In 1836 he married Miss Rebecca Needham and soon after began reading law. His preceptors were Judges Elliott and Test, though the greater part of his studying was performed at home. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1843, and in 1846 stood an examination and was licensed to practice in the Supreme Court. His practice soon became extensive and lucrative and he rapidly rose to prominence among the legal fraternity. He was a Democrat until 1854; but in 1856 was one of the body which met at Pittsburg to organize the Republican party. In 1856 he received an election to the State Legislature, but declined to be a candidate for the same office at the following election. In 1860 Mr. Grose was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for a term of four years. The commencement of the war caused him to resign this office in July, 1861, at which time he received form Governor Morton a commission as Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The regimental organization was soon completed and in September it reported to General Sherman at Louisville, Ky. Soon afterward the regiment was ordered by General Buell to New Haven, Ky., where it remained until it became a part of Ammen's brigade in Nelson's division at Camp Wickliffe, Ky. The division marched to the Ohio River in February, 1862, thence proceeded by boat to the Cumberland, and ascending that river, arrived at Nashville on the 25th of the month. The Thirty-sixth Indiana and the Sixth Ohio were the first troops to enter the city and dislodge the rebel cavalry. Thence proceeding to Shiloh, Colonel Grose's regiment was the only portion of Buell's army that took part in the first day's fight. On the second day (the 7th of April), on account of the disability of Colonel Ammen, Colonel Grose became brigade commander, in which capacity he acted until the organization of the Army of the Cumberland, after which he commanded the third brigade, first division, fourth corps of that army. With his brigade he was in the first battle at Corinth, Miss., and from that place proceeded through Mississippi and Alabama into Tennessee, thence to Kentucky where he participated in the battle of Perryville, and again into Tennessee. He took part, as brigade commander, in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and was in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign.

He was commission Brigadier-General when in front of Atlanta in July, 1864. Thenceforth until the close of the war, he commanded the brigade, division and corps alternately. At Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station he was engaged with his corps. General Grose then returned to General Thomas, and after participating in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, joined in the pursuit of Hood's Army. At Huntsville, Ala., in January, 1865, he received a commission as Major-General. In June, 1865, he was made president of a court-martial, and was engaged in the duties of that position until Jan. 1, 1866. He then resigned and returned to New Castle. The military career of General Grose is a record of such grand achievements as entitle him to a prominent place among our country's brave defenders. In May, 1866, he was appointed Revenue-Collector of the Fifth Indiana district, in which capacity he served eight years. In 1878 he was nominated as a Representative to Congress, and defeated by only a small majority during the general political disturbance of that time. He is at present one of the commissioners for building additional insane hospitals in the State.

General Grose has been abundantly successful in pecuniary affairs, and his old age finds him the possessor of a competency adequate to his wants, a cheerful and pleasant home, and best of all, a contented mind. Mrs. Grose, a most estimable lady, died May 23, 1879, in the sixtieth year of her age, leaving five children living - Sarah M., wife of John M. Moore, miner and stockbroker, of 78 Broadway, New York; Ella, wife of General C. C. Clements, attorney, Washington, D. C.; Madison, of Indianapolis; Adolphus, U. S. gauger, at Cincinnati; and James L. in the telephone service in Chicago.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 362 to 364.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Hon. Joshua H. Mellett, ex-judge of the Circuit Court, was born in Monongalia County, W. Va., April 9, 1824. His father, John Mellett, settled on a farm in the northern part of Henry County in the fall of 1830, and there resided until his death in 1838. The mother of Judge Mellett died in 1854, having borne thirteen children, of whom five are now living. Her maiden name was Mary A. Hickman, and she was of Scotch descent. Joshua H. Mellett, coming to the county when a mere boy, had only the privileges afforded by the country schools of that early day until he was sixteen years of age. He then came to New Castle and for about a year attended the seminary. Soon afterward he began the study of law, Colonel Edmund Johnson, lately deceased, being his preceptor. Applying himself with diligence, in the fall of 1844 he was admitted to the bar, and while yet a minor, licensed to practice, contrary to the usual rule. His ability became recognized, and in 1848, less than four years after being licensed, he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney for the circuit for a term of two years. At the expiration of the term he was re-elected. He was first called to office by the Whigs, but on the organization of the Republican party he gave it his support, and at the general election of 1858 was chosen to represent his county in the Legislature for two years. In 1860 he was chosen State Senator. In this office he served four years, taking an active part in legislation and holding responsible positions upon committees.

In 1870 he was elected to the honorable and important position of Circuit Judge. The circuit - then the thirteenth - comprised the counties of Henry, Hancock, Grant and Delaware. This office he filled very ably for six years, then retired to devote himself to law practice, associating with himself Hon. E. H. Bundy, who still continues a member of the firm. Judge Mellett opened a law office in New Castle in 1848, and this place has since been his home. In every public position which he has been called upon to fill he has won honor and esteem. He was married in 1847 to Catharine Shroyer, daughter of John Shroyer, of New Castle, and has two children living - Betty, now Mrs. E. H. Bundy, and Harry S.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
The Bar of Henry County.
Page 364 and 365.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Deb Murray