Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
William Mendenhall
The Mendenhall family is one of the oldest and most honored in the United States, their ancestors having accompanied William Penn to these shores and settled in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The family have authentic documents from which the name is traced in England back to 1275. From the American branch are descended the numerous persons of the name now to be found in every state in the Union. Like their distinguished leader, they were members of the Society of Friends, living peaceful, just lives, and ever striving to aid and uplift humanity.
The more immediate ancestors of William Mendenhall became pioneers in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, his grandfather, Aaron Mendenhall, a surveyor, going to Beaver Falls in 1800 and to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1828. In 1804 he was married to Lydia Richardson, by whom he had four sons,—John, Moses, Cyrus and George. George became a physician of distinction and president of a medical college in Cincinnati. Cyrus and Moses were members of the Ohio legislature from 1856 to 1858. Cyrus, while a member of that body, originated and secured the passage of the bill making it unlawful to inflict corporal punishment upon inmates of the penitentiary, and also the law enabling a convict, by his good behavior, to lessen the time of his term of imprisonment. Following this humane movement similar laws have from time to time been enacted by other states. John, the oldest son, born in 1806, was the father of the subject of this narrative. In 1835 he married Hannah Milhous, of Belmont county, Ohio, who is now living at Richmond (June, 1899), in her eighty-sixth year, genial and energetic. In his early married life John Mendenhall lived in Columbiana and Morgan counties, Ohio, while from i860 until his death, in 1868, he was a resident of Richmond. His chief occupation was that of a leather merchant, which business he followed until shortly before his demise. He was exact, punctual and above reproach in all his financial transactions, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
Born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 12, 1836, William Mendenhall was a mere boy when the family removed to Morgan county. There he received his elementary education in the public schools of McConnelsville, though when yet a small boy he attended also the Friends' boarding school (now Earlham College) at Richmond. He was graduated at the University of Michigan in 1863, but previous to that time had been successfully engaged in teaching in Belmont county, Ohio; two years at Fountain City, Indiana, and at Earlham College. After his graduation in 1863 he was appointed and served in the astronomical corps of the United States coast survey along the shores of the great lakes. Being elected principal of the preparatory department of Earlham College, he entered on his new duties, continuing for two years. At the end of that time he was chosen as principal of the Richmond high schqpl, in which capacity he acted tor some time to the entire satisfaction of all interested in the excellence of our schools. Later he became one of the owners and principals of the City Academy of Indianapolis, with which well-known institution he was connected for two years. Having given considerable thought and attention to the subject of suitable text-books for use in schools, he had some correspondence with Charles Scribner & Company, of New York, which firm published a number of the finest school-books, and the result of the matter was that he entered the employ of the firm, and during the following two years introduced their publications as general agent for the state of Indiana.
In 1871 he went to Colorado, where he was for many years extensively engaged in mining operations and civil engineering. He met with success in his various ventures and undertakings, but the associations and old friends of former days recalled him at last to Richmond, where he has dwelt since 1884. Of late years he is occupied in civil engineering and deals in real estate. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and in religion he adheres to the faith of his forefathers, being a member of the Society of Friends.
Mr. Mendenhall has been twice married. His first wife, whom he wedded in this city, bore the name of Hannah N. Lancaster. After her death Mr. Mendenhall was married, in 1886, to Miss Eliza D. Hadley, by whom he has three children, namely. Olive J., William Edwin and Jessie C. The family have a pleasant, cozy home in West Richmond, where their hospitality is enjoyed by their numerous friends and well-wishers.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899