History of Carlisle, (Sullivan County) Indiana United States of America

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Biographies:

William Maxwell Blackburn, educator, was born at Carlisle, Ind., Dec. 30, 1828. He was educated at Hanover college and Princeton theological seminary, graduating from the latter in 1853. After holding various pastorates in the Presbyterian church, he was from 1868 to 1881 professor of church history in the McCormick theological seminary of Chicago, resigning in 1881, to accept the pastorate of the Central church of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1884 he was elected to the presidency of the University of North Dakota, and after successful work in organizing that new institution, he resigned in 1885 to become the first installed president of Pierre university in South Dakota. He, in addition to his duties as president, was professor of mental, moral and political sciences. The institution was largely in debt and this he succeeded in paying off, and establishing the university on a permanent and substantial basis. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by Wooster university, Ohio, in 1894. Between 186l and 1866 he wrote nine Sunday-school books, chiefly for the Presbyterian board of publication, and in 1866 a work on the Reformation in Switzerland. He also published a "Life of St. Patrick" (1867); "Admiral Coligny, and the Rise of the Huguenots" (1868), the first historical biography of Coligny based on original documents written in the English language; and "The History of the Christian Church from its Origin" (1879). He died in 1900.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John W. Davis, representative, was born in Lancaster, Pa., July 17, 1799. He was graduated at the Baltimore medical college in 1821; located in Carlisle, Ind., in 1823; and was elected surrogate of the county in 1829, and a member of the state legislature several terms, serving in that body as speaker in 1832. He was a Democratic representative in the 24th, 26th, 28th and 29th congresses; was chairman of the committee on public lands, and was speaker of the house in the 29th congress. After his service in congress he was re-elected to the state legislature, was again speaker in 1847, and also served as a commissioner to the Indians. In 1848 President Polk appointed him U.S. commissioner to the Empire of China, and he was succeeded in 1851 by T. A. R. Nelson. He presided over .the Democratic national convention of 1852 at Baltimore and President Pierce appointed him governor of Oregon Territory in which capacity he served, 1853-54. He died at Carlisle, Ind., Aug. 22, 1859.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Lee Davis, naval officer, was born in Carlisle, Ind,, Sept. 3, 1825. He entered the U.S. naval service in 1841, as midshipman, and was promoted passed midshipman, Aug. 10, 1847. He was on blockade duty off the Mexican ports, 1845-46, acting lieutenant on the Preble of the East Indian squadron, and in November, 1849, distinguished himself by manning a boat with sixteen men from the Preble and capturing a Chinese junk off Macao, while engaged in a piratical exploit. He was commissioned master, Sept. 14, 1855; lieutenant, Sept. 15, 1855, and was attached to the Gulf squadron at the outbreak of the civil war as executive officer of the Water Witch. With this vessel he successfully engaged the Confederate ram Manassas and the squadron near Pilot Town, Oct. 12, 1861. He declined the command of the Water Witch in favor of his senior officer, was made lieutenant-commander, July 16, 1862, and was with Du Pont's fleet in the attack on Fort McAllister Nov. 19, 1862. He successfully repaired the damage made by a solid shot piercing the iron clad Montauk below the water mark, and again engaged the fort, Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 1863, and with the Montauk destroyed the Confederate privateer Nashville, Feb. 28, 1863. He then was transferred with Du Pont's fleet to Charleston and on March 19 sank the blockade runner Georgiana, as that steamer undertook to enter the harbor. He next commanded the Montauk and with that vessel engaged Forts Sumter, Gregg, Moultrie and Battery Bee in September, 1863, and Fort Sumter, Nov. 5-10 and Fort Moultrie, Nov. 16, 1863. He was transferred to the command of the Sassacus of the North Atlantic squadron and was delegated to tow Butler's powder ship Louisiana from Norfolk to Fort Fisher, N.C., with the design of destroying the fort by explosion. He engaged in the unsuccessful attack of Dec. 24-25, 1864, and in the reduction and capture of the fort, Jan. 13-14, 1865. He was also engaged in the capture of Fort Anderson on Cape Fear River, N.C., Feb. 18, and of Fort Strong, N.C. Feb. 20-21, 1865. He was commissioned commander, July 25, 1866; captain, Feb. 14, 1873, and commander, Feb. 4, 1882. He was on the lighthouse board, 1876; commanded the flagship Trenton of the European squadron for three years, and was on the board of inspection, 1882. He commanded the Asiatic squadron, 1883-86, receiving his commission as rear-admiral, Oct. 30, 1885; and was retired in November, 1886. He died in Washington,.D.C., March 12, 1889.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor