Walter March was born August 5, 1814, at the town of Millbury, Mass., within six miles of the city of Worcester, in Worcester County. His father, Samuel March, was a native of the same county, and a lineal descendant of Hugh March, who came to the Colony of Massachusetts from England in the year 1635; and his mother, whose maiden name was Zoa Parks was a native of Harvard, Mass.
The parents were industrious and frugal, and, while the proceeds of their farm did not elevate them to opulence, they were yet very comfortably situated, and desired to afford their children better educational advantages than they themselves had enjoyed. The latter improved well their opportunities, and grew up to fill important and responsible positions
The eldest son is a manufacturer and farmer at Charlton, Mass., another is a farmer near Oshkosh, Wis.; another is a well-known minister of the Gospel at Woburn, Mass.; and Walter, the second son is the subject of our sketch. His boyhood was passed in a manner quite uneventful, amid pastoral scenes at a country home. What time could be spared from farm work was devoted to the improvement of his mind and the acquisition of a primary education at the common schools and the academy at Millbury. He entered Amherst College, and graduated in 1837, after a course of four years, during which time he taught two terms in the common schools, and, after graduation again took up the vocation of school teaching, which he pursued two terms longer.
During this time, and subsequently, he studied law with Judge Ira M. Barton, of Worcester, and afterward attended lectures at Cambridge, Mass. In 1840, he was admitted to the bar at Worcester, and, in the fall of the same year, removed to Indiana, reaching Indianapolis in the month of November. He engaged in the practice in that city, and remained until March of the following year, when he removed to Muncie. Here, in January 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J., daughter of Benjamin and Ann Sayre. Her parents, who have reached the ripe age of eighty; eight years, still reside with the Judge.
Although a young man when he began the practice at Muncie in 1841, Mr. March handled the most complicated cases successfully, and, as confidence was established, he soon built up a large practice. One rule has marked his entire career. He would never undertake the cause of a client whom he thought was in the wrong, and undertake the cause of a client whom he thought was in the wrong; and under no circumstances would he accept a case that he could not conscientiously defend. This trait undoubtedly gained him friends and inspired a feeling of trust in his integrity. His practice grew, and, in the meantime, he was called to fill important public positions. In 1850, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention from the district composed of the counties of Delaware and Grant. He was a Democrat, and, although this was a Whig district, he was elected by a goodly majority over the candidate of that party. At heart he was an Abolitionist, and, much against his convictions, loyalty to party and public trust induced him to support measures not entirely in harmony with his own will--especially those discriminating against the colored race. The open antagonism of his party to his own principles finally culminated in his withdrawal from it, about the time of the Kansas and Nebraska troubles. He was intensely in earnest in his support of the party, and, as a public speaker, did more effectual work and accomplished more good in its behalf, perhaps, than any other man in the district; for he is, and ever was, an extraordinarily fine speaker, and a thorough scholar and when he joined the ranks of the Republican party, he brought with him the same energy and the same ability, and devoted himself as earnestly to the success of the newly espoused cause, and with results equally fruitful.
While a member of the State Constitutional Convention, he advocated a change in the system of law practice then prevalent, by which the old English system should be abolished. With the assistance of his associates this measure was carried through, and the first Legislature that assembled after the adoption of the new constitution, appointed him one of a committee to draft a code of principles and practice, which should obtain throughout the State.
Among other things, he incorporated a clause investing Circuit Judges with the power to settle disputed points by arbitration, by which means the courts could be saved a great amount of trouble, and a great deal of needless litigation could be avoided. It was tried in many of the counties-Delaware among the number-with good results; and this private and friendly mode of settlement was almost uniformly productive of bettor fellowship between the plaintiff and defendant than a suit at law. But attorneys' fees were diminished in consequence of this peaceful mode of litigation, and it was antagonized by attorneys throughout the State. Finally, such was the pressure brought to bear that it was repealed by the General Assembly of 1865.
In 1852, he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, on the Democratic ticket, serving four years. In 1856, he became a candidate for the State Senate, and was elected. He had then withdrawn from the Democratic Party, and was elected as an independent friend of the union. He served four years, and, at the expiration of that time, became the candidate of the Republican Party for the same position. He was returned for another term of four years, and served throughout that stormy period in the history of the Indiana Senate embraced between the years 1860 and 1864. Within this period, the Democrats, who were in the majority, attempted to deprive the Governor of his power over the State militia, and invest it in the four officers of State. They were only prevented from accomplishing their plan by the Republican members absenting themselves from the Senate, and thus breaking the quorum. Judge March was among the number, and was, in fact the leader of the "bolt." While in the Senate, he occupied many important positions, among which was that of Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was a recognized leader of his party, and in many ways proved himself the soldier's friend. His career in the Senate was characterized by dignity and ability and the following tribute was paid him by the Cincinnati Gazette. (Page 222)
Dr. Kemper was born in Rush County, Ind., on the 16th day of December, 1839.
His parents, Arthur S. and Patience (Bryant) Kemper, were native of Garrard County, Ky., and were of German descent. The early life of their son was not unlike that of the majority of farmers' boys. His father died in 1849, and, at the age of ten years, he began the battle of life for himself. The next seven years, his time was employed in working on his mother's farm during the summer, and attending the district school during the winter. In 1856, he removed to Montezuma, Iowa, and spent a year as clerk in a dry goods store. An opportunity presenting, he accepted employment in a printing office, where he worked for two years more. The opportunities for acquiring knowledge in the printing office, which he eagerly embraced, stimulated a desire for more, and, early in the winter of 1859, he removed to Greensburg, Ind., and entered the City Seminary. Here his studies were industriously pursued, until January, 1861. A desire for the study of medicine had been cherished for some time, and, at the age of twenty-one years, he entered upon the study of this profession in the office of John W. Moodey, M. D.
He had progressed but a few weeks with his studies, when the tocsin of war was sounded, and the President called volunteers in words which appealed to the patriotism of every American citizen. Young, strong and full of enthusiasm, he responded promptly, and enlisted as a private soldier in Company B, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, on the 24th of April, 1861. This was the first company to enter the service from Decatur County. While serving as a private in this compay, he participated in the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford, West Virginia. At the expiration of this term of enlistment--three months--he re-enlistd, and was appointed Hospital Steward of the Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered as such on the 25th day of September, 1861. From this position, he was promoted to that of Assistant Surgeon of the same regiment, on the 20th of February, 1863. With his regiment, he participated in the battles of Hoover's Gap, Tenn.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Rock Spring, Ga.; Chickamauga, Ga.; McMinnville, Tenn.; Farmington, Tenn.; Missionary Ridge, Tenn.; Cleveland, Tenn.; the siege of Knoxville, Tenn.; Dallas, Ga.; Big Shanty, Ga.; Noonday Creek, Ga.; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and the battles before Atlanta, Ga. He was honorably discharged, at the expiration of his term of service, on the 27th of July, 1864.
Having, during his service, gained large practical experience, he returned to private life, resolved to complete the theoretical part of his education; and, accordingly, in the winter of 1864-65, attended a course of medical lectures at the University of Michigan. In the following spring, he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and attended a second course of lectures at the long Island College Hospital, where he graduated in June, 1865. He then located at Muncie, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has achieved flattering success in the varied fields of surgery, obstetrics and the practice of medicine. He has contributed a number of valuable papers to the medical societies of this State, as well as the periodicals of the country, and has received in return the commendation of some of our ablest physicians and surgeons. Not content to rest upon the laurels he has already won, he is a constant reader and a close student. His published papers contain valuable information, and bear evidence of deep, careful study and originality.
In 1872, he formed a co-partnership with Dr. Robert Winton, a successful physician of Muncie, with whom he is still associated in practice. He is a member of the Delaware County Medical Society, the Delaware District Medical Society and the Indiana State Medical Society, of which he has been Treasurer for the past two years.
In politics, he is an ardent Republican. He has never been very active as a politician; but, in 1870, he was elected Coroner of Delaware County, and seved until 1875, when he resigned.
In May, 1872, he was appointed United States Examiner for Pensions, a position he has ever since held with satisfaction to pensioners and the Government, and credit to himself.
He is a strict temperance man, and a zealous laborer in the temperance cause. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker in the Sunday school.
On the 15th of August, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie, daughter of William Kemper, Esq., of Oskaloosa, Iowa. They are the parents of three children--Georgette Moodey, Arthur Thomson and William Winton Kemper.
The life of Dr. Kemper is an example worthy of imitation by our young men, showing the position in society and success attainable by all those who are guided by correct principles, united to industry and perserverance.(Page 221)
His grandfather, Charles Legg, was among the early settlers of Butler County, Ohio, having removed to that point from one of the Eastern States. He was a farmer, and was engaged in that vocation until his decease.
Walter, his son, and the father of Charles W. Legg, was born in Maryland March 12, 1796, and emigrated to Butler County, Ohio with his parents. He left home when quite a young man, and made his way to Richmond, Ind, where he found employment with Robert Morrison a tanner. From his earnings he saved sufficient money to purchase a piece of land, situated within two miles of Richmond. While engaged in the tannery, he married Miss Barbara H. Burgess, daughter of one of the pioneer families of Wayne County. He erected a little cabin on the land, and began to clear and improve the farm. He was successful in the accumulation of wealth, and was honored and respected by all who knew, him. Although a man of limited education, he acquired a good fund of practical knowledge by his experience with the world. He was chosen as the Representative in the State Legislature from the district in which he resided, serving two terms, and filled other offices of lees importance in the county. He died September 27,1863. His wife survived him seven years, and died in 1870, at the house of her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Truitt, at Muncie.
Charles W. was born November 27, 1833, in Wayne County, Indiana.
He enjoyed the advantages of a fair education in the common schools, and, upon the completion of that course, entered Indiana Asbury University, at Green Castle, Ind., to finish his education. Having been accustomed all his life to the active duties of farm-life, the confinement of the schoolroom began to work injuriously upon his constitution; so that at the close of the second year, he was compelled to leave the university without finishing the course. He resumed his duties at the home farm, and thus regained his health, developing into a fine specimen of physical manhood. He remained at home until his father sold the farm, and with his share of the inheritance, started out in quest of a location in which to begin life for himself. He came to Delaware County, and, for a period of a year and a half, resided with his brother-in-law, Z. W. Cecil, in Perry Township, assisting him and raising crops on shares. In the fall of 1857, he purchased the farm of 200 acres entered by John Moore in Section 13, Center Township. It was then occupied by tenant with whom he boarded for about a year, in the meantime cultivating a part of the farm.
In October 1858 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A., daughter of Warren Stewart, one of the pioneers of this county. This union was blessed with six children, namely: Walter E., Warren B., Olive A., Charles W. and John S. (twins), and Bessie W. The training of his early life made him proficient in the art of farming, and in the choice of an occupation, he wisely selected that with which he was most familiar; and that he has prosecuted it intelligently and systematically, his well kept farm is sufficient evidence.