Born: September 26, 1795
Death: May 17, 1854 Buried: Crown Hill Cemetery
After writing the name above, I
have to lay down my pen to think of language
befitting to give the reader an idea of the many
good qualities and characteristics of this man.
He was many years a prominent and
popular merchant of this place, and during that time
did the largest business of any person in it. He
became a citizen in the fall of 1823, and early
manifested a deep interest in the place and all its
citizens, especially the young men, many of whom he
assisted and started in business.
In 1852 he was the Whig
candidate for Governor of the State, and the
last one that party ever ran. Although
beaten by Joseph A. Wright, he made a very
energetic and vigorous canvass, and kept his
honorable opponent quite busy to answer some
of his plain, off-hand and sensible speeches
in defense of his party and its measures.
His efforts had been almost uniformly
successful, but in this he was doomed to
defeat.
Mr. McCarty died in May,
1854, beloved by his family, respected by
his neighbors, and well satisfied with the
fortunes he had experienced in life. He
left a son bearing his name, who is still a
resident of this city, and two or three
daughters, one of whom is the wife of the
Rev. Doctor Day, pastor of the First Baptist
Church, and another the wife of John C. S.
Harrison, a prominent banker.
Reader, when you pass the
grave of Nicholas McCarty, you can
truthfully say, there lies "an honest man,
the noblest work of God."
"Like dews of
morning, he was given
To shine on earth,
then rise to heaven."
Nowland, John H. B., "Early
Reminiscences of Indianapolis, with
Short Biographical Sketches of Its Early
Citizens, and of a Few of the Prominent
Business Men of the Present Day," 1870,
pp. 158-159.
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