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This eccentric gentleman was a
ntive of the State of Delaware, a lawyer by profession,
though he did but little in that line after he came to
this place, except as a justice of the peace. He became
a citizen of Indianapolis late in the fall of 1821. He
was then a single man, but on the bachelor order, and
kept "Bachelor's Hall" for some years. He resided on
the north side of Washington, east of the alley, between
Delaware and Pennsylvania streets.
Soon after he was eligible he
was elected a magistrate, which office he held until he
died, September, 1833.
On one occasion he was
ploughing in his corn field, in the north part of the
donation, when a couple came to him and wished him to go
to his office for the purpose of uniting them in
marriage. He inquired if they had the license with
them, and being answered in the affirmative, he called a
man who was ploughing in an adjoining field as a
witness; he then ordered the bride and groom to stand up
in the fence corner, and there he performed the
ceremony; after which he gave instructions to the groom
more pointed than classic.
Mr. Foote was a man of more
than ordinary native, as well as acquired ability, and
possessed a large fund of general information.
His first wife was the eldest
daughter of Luke Walpole; they had one chid, a son, who
is named for the father; he now resides in Paris,
Illinois. His second wife was a widow Davis. They also
had one child, a daughter, who is now the wife of Mr.
Frederick Baggs, a gentleman well known in the business
and social circles of this city.
Mrs. Baggs is the half or
step-sister of Mrs. McCready, wife of James McCready,
once the Mayor of this city.
Mr. Foote died in the prime of
life, and long before this city assumed to be anything
more than a country village.
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, p. 136.
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