USA > Indiana > Vigo County > Terre Haute > Greater Terre Haute and Vigo County : closing the first century's history of city and county, showing the growth of their people, industries and wealth > Part 11
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After attending the common schools and the Roanoke College of Salem, Virginia, where he was a student from 1872 to 1873, Henry C. Steeg secured a position in his father's business at Greencastle Junction, and after his father's death he took charge of the business and continued at the same location until 1885. In the meantime, in 1882, he constructed the first stone pike roads in Putnam county. In 1885 he located in Terre Haute and engaged in general contracting along the line of bridge
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building, etc., finally, on the Ist of October, 1887, forming the firm of Rei- man & Steeg, his partner being Ernest L. Reiman, and upon their incorpo- ration, in 1891. E. E. Reiman was taken into the firm. This firm deals in all kinds of lime, cement, sewer pipes and building material, and in 1891 the company was incorporated, with E. E. Reiman as president and general manager and MIr. Steeg is the vice president. He was also one of the organizers of the People's Brewing Company in 1904, and in 1906 was made the president of the company. In 1888 he was elected to represent his district in the city council, his term of office continuing until 1890. and in 1898 he was made the mayor of Terre Haute, the highest office within the gift of his fellow citizens, and again elected in 1902 and served until the close of his term, September. 190.4. He has attained to the thirty-second degree in Masonry and is a member of the Elks, the Eagles, the Commercial Club, the Young Business Men's Club, the German Club and Red Men.
Mr. Steeg married Anna E. Marsh, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 26, 1859, a daughter of Henry Marsh, for years con- nected with the Vandalia Railroad. Their children are William H .. Mabelle L., now the wife of Edward Lammers, of Terre Haute; Paul E. and Ernest R. Paul E. is deceased and William H. is cashier of the People's Brewing Company, Terre Haute.
EDWARD B. CoWAN, a leading florist, member-at-large of the city council of Terre Haute. and a representative citizen generally, is a native of the Empire state, born in Orange county on the 23d of June, 1860. His parents, Charles B. and Jane (McCormack) Cowan, were born in Wightonshire, Scotland, where they were married and where one son and two daughters were born. The family came to the United States in March, 1869, and first located in Orange county, where they resided until 1875, when they removed to Terre Haute. Here the father engaged in fruit growing and the dairy business, dying in April, 1892, at the age of fifty-four years. The widow is still living.
Edward B. Cowan was reared and educated in Terre Haute, and in 1882 commenced his career as a florist. He was with John G. Heinl for two years and with the M. A. Hunt Floral Company for a period of nine years. In 1894. as a member of the firm of Cowan Brothers & Company, he engaged in an independent business, with green houses at the corner of Spruce and Twenty-first streets. In 1904 Mr. Cowan was elected as councilman-at-large, and has taken a prominent part in the proceedings of that body. In that capacity he has supported all reforma- tory and progressive movements, has earnestly sustained necessary munic- ipal improvements, and waged a vigorous fight along these lines, caring
Edward B. Cowan
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lonox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
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nothing for criticism so long as the best interests of the city were con- served.
Mr. Cowan's wife was formerly Miss Ella M. Daily, born in Parke county, Indiana, and daughter of James Daily. To their union have been born Minnie, Frederick, Katherine and Gladys.
Mr. Cowan is a member of the Commercial and Young Business Men's clubs, and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Ben Hur and Maccabees.
WILLIAM H. BERRY .- The activities of William H. Berry touch many lines, and various interests have profited by his co-operation, his wise counsel and his sound judgment. He is now serving as clerk of Vigo county and is widely known as a leader in Republican circles. He is also prominent in the business life of the city as vice president of the Indiana State Bank, and also as president of the East Side Building and Loan Association, which he assisted in organizing in 1876. His birth occurred in Braxton county, Virginia, now West Virgina, on the 28th of February, 1848. His parents, Washington and Agnes (Cunningham) Berry, were also natives of the Old Dominion and the father devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming.
William H. Berry was born and reared upon the home farm and pursued his education in private schools, for his school days covered a period prior to that in which the free school system had been established in his home locality. In fact he was one of the first to teach free schools, which was organized in his native county. He had not yet attained his majority at that time. In 1870 he left West Virginia and removed to Ohio, where he was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company for four years. In 1874 he arrived in Terre Haute, where he entered the service of the Vandalia Railroad Company and for a period of thirty years and forty-five days he was in the employ of the corpora- tion. entering the service as a day laborer and rising by successive stages to the position of general foreman of the car department, his promo- tions coming to him in recognition of his merit and worth.
In 1902, while still with the Vandalia Company, Mr. Berry was nominated by the Republican party and elected to the office of county clerk. He took charge of the office in 1905 and his administration is giving uniform satisfaction. He has thoroughly systematized the work of the department and demands of all absolute accuracy in executing the duties of the position. Since 1876 he has been associated with the busi- ness affairs of Terre Haute, in which year he was one of the organizers of the East Side Building and Loan Association, of which he is now the president. He was also one of the organizers of the Indiana State Bank
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of Terre Haute and is now vice president of this institution, which is regarded as one of the strongest moneyed concerns of western Indiana.
Mr. Berry was married in Ohio to Miss Tillie Definbaugh, who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are now the parents of three sons : George L., a druggist of West Terre Haute; Charles H .. a ma- chinist in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Company, and Alvin D., a clerk in the Vandalia car accountant's office. In 1888 Mr. Berry was elected to the Indiana legislature, being nominated without his consent, and in 1896 was again elected to the same position.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Berry is connected with Social Lodge, No. 86, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is now the treasurer. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to Ben Hur lodge and to the Commercial Club. His actions dur- ing his life have been such as to distinctly entitle him to a place in this publication, and although his career has not been filled with thrilling in- cidents, probably no biography published in this volume can serve as a better illustration to young men of the power of honesty, integrity, de- termination and unwearied industry in insuring success.
ALLEN H. DONHAM .- The financial interests of Terre Haute find a worthy representative in Allen H. Donham, treasurer of the Terre Haute Savings Bank, and a man whose enterprise, laudable ambition and stalwart determination stand as salient elements in his life record, while his history illustrates what may be accomplished through the possession of those qualities. He is a son of the late Darius and Mary (Allen) Donham, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. The father was born near New Richmond, in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1819, while the mother's birth occurred in Vermilion county, Indiana, in 1833. The paternal grandfather was William Donham, also a native of Clermont county, whence he removed to Vigo county in 1833. He located in Honey Creek township, where he entered government land and there, in the midst of the wilderness, developed a new farm. Throughout his remaining days he devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits and was closely associated with the early improvement and progress of this part of the state. His wife in her maidenhood was Miss Brown. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Allen, a native of Ireland, and a pioneer of Vermilion county, Indiana.
Darius Donham, coming to this state in his youth, assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, experiencing all the hardships and privations which fall to the lot of the pioneer. On attaining man- hood he chose as a life work the occupation to which he was reared, and continuously followed farming until 1882, when he removed to Terre
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Haute. spending his remaining days-a period of twenty years-in this city. He passed away in 1902, while his wife died in 1897.
Allen H. Donham was reared on the home farm and pursued his education in the district schools and the high school of Terre Haute. He took up his abode in this city in 1878 to read law in the office and under the direction of the firm of Davis & Davis. He afterward con- tinued his studies with Allen & Mack, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He then opened an office and continued in the practice of his profession until 1893, when he was appointed postmaster of Terre Haute under President Cleveland and served for one term of four years. On his retirement from the office he resumed the practice of law, but in 1902 became treasurer of the Terre Haute Savings Bank, which is the leading savings institution of the city and one of the important banking concerns of the county. This claims his entire attention, leaving bim no time for active participation in legal interests as a practitioner.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Donham was married to Miss Julia Ball, a daughter of the late William J. Ball, of Terre Haute. and a sister of William C. and Spencer F. Ball of this city. They are well known socially and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Donham is a member of the Com- mercial Club and in 1892 was chairman of the Democratic central com- mittee. His life has been one of industry and perseverance and his systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the support and confidence of the citizens of Vigo county. Without the aid of influence or wealth he has risen to a position among the promi- nent citizens of Terre Haute and his native genius and acquired ability are stepping stones on which he has mounted.
JAMES A. PINSON, M. D., one of the oldest active members of the medical profession of Terre Haute, was born in the village of Tecumseh, Vigo county, Indiana, on the 8th of February, 1837. being the son of Thomas and Mary ( Polly) (Ward) Pinson. Aaron Pinson, the pa- ternal grandfather, was a native of North Carolina, whence he migrated to Pike county. Kentucky, and thence to Edgar county, Illinois, locat- ing, in 1829, on a tract of two hundred and forty acres near the present city of Paris. He was the son of Thomas Pinson, a native of England. who came to the United States before the Revolutionary war and set- tled in North Carolina, where he served the cause of the patriots for four years.
The Doctor's maternal great-grandfather, Jonathan Ward, was also a native of England, who likewise settled in North Carolina at an early date in American history. His son, Elijah M. Ward, the maternal
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grandfather, was a native of that state, married Polly Cullins, and aft- erward removed to White county. Tennessee, where, on August 4, 1810, was born the mother of our subject.
In 1829 the Ward family came to Vigo county, Indiana, the Doctor's mother fording the Wabash river on horseback at the point known as Indian Riffle, two and a half miles from Terre Haute. Her father, the Elijah Ward already mentioned, was the first man to preach what later became known as the Christian faith; but these times were long before the days of Alexander Campbell, the recognized founder of the sect called Christians, or Campbellites. The old gentleman was a preacher of that faith all his life, dying in Fayette township. Vigo county, in 1857.
The father of the Doctor was born in Pike county, Kentucky, on April 22, 1810, and was nineteen years of age when he came to Edgar county. Illinois, with his parents. Thomas Pinson wedded Mary ( Polly ) Ward on the 24th of March. 1836, the couple at once settling on a farm in Vigo county. The children of this union were as follows: James A., our subject ; Elizabeth A., who married Garrett Amis, and now lives in New Goshen, Indiana : Lurany, Mrs. James Lamb, who resides at New Goshen, Indiana : Sarah M., the wife of Fielding C. Nolan, and living in Edgar county. Illinois : Lora A., who died in 1897. at the age of fifty- two years ; and Mary A. and Luna D., who died in infancy.
The Doctor obtained a 'common school education. and in August, 1858, commenced reading medicine in the office of Dr. B. F. Swafford, in Fayette township, this county, where he continued until 1863. On September 5th of that year he was mustered into the Union service as a corporal of Company G. Seventh Regiment, Indiana Cavalry. At one time he was detailed to duty in the medical department. continuing thus until his discharge, on account of ill health. in the latter part of 1864. In 1866 he attended regular lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and then engaged in practice at St. Bernice. Vermilion county, Indiana. In 1872 he graduated from the Indiana Medical College, and the follow- * ing year located in Edgar county, Illinois. Two years later he settled at New Goshen, Indiana, where he practiced, until March, 1878, when he located in Putnam county, Missouri, and was there engaged in pro- fessional work for eleven years. In 1889 he returned to Indiana, locat- ing at Clinton. Since 1895 he has been a progressive practitioner of Terre Haute. Dr. Pinson has since established a substantial practice, based upon his ability in his profession and his high honor as a man. In 1902 he was appointed a member of the board of United States pension ex- aminers for Vigo county, and has since served as treasurer of that body. He has also been honored by his old comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, who thrice elected him their post commander, while in
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Missouri, and one term in Terre Haute. His identification with Ma- sonry dates from 1866. On March 7. 1861, Dr. Pinson married Miss Diana M. McAdams, a native of Fayette township, Vigo county, born September 26, 1844, and a daughter of Harry G. and Harriet (Mathany) McAdams, old settlers of the county, who came from Kentucky in 1829. The children born to the Doctor and his wife are as follows: Franklin S., born January 18, 1863, who died October 20, 1864: John L., born November 7. 1865, and who died November 27, 1866; Thomas A., born in September, 1868, who is now junior editor of Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution; Harriet R., born September 29, 1870, who died May 29, 1885; Mary J., born May 9. 1873, who died October 21, 1874. and Harry M., who was born September 2, 1875, and resides at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.
HORACE C. PUGH .- Statistics indicate that the great majority of the successful professional and business men of the city are those who have spent their early lives amid rural surroundings. To this class belongs Horace C. Pugh, who today practicing at the Terre Haute bar is ac- corded a large and distinctively representative clientage that has con- nected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He was born on a farm in Honey Creek township, this county, September 12, 1854, and is a son of David and Catherine W. (Durham) Pugh, of whom mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of George Edward Pugh. He is the second of three sons, and in the district schools he began his edu- cation, which was further continued as a high school student in Terre Haute. Later he entered DePauw University, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1875, and during his college days he became a member of the Greek letter fraternity, the Delta Kappa Epsilon. In 1878 he received an appointment to the pay department of the United States navy, with which he continued until the summer of 1880, when he resigned at Buenos Ayres, South America. While in service he was with the South Atlantic Station and he visited the entire South American coast and not a few towns of interest in the interior. On his way home after leaving the service he traveled northward through Africa, thence to Lisbon, Portugal, Bordeaux. Paris and London. Hle toured both France and England and saw much of interest in his travels, in fact gaining thereby that culture and general knowledge which only travel can bring.
Having read law while in college, upon his return from his service with the navy Mr. Pugh resumed his law reading, and after passing the required examination was admitted to the bar in 1881. He then began
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the practice of law in partnership with his brother, George Edward, and continued an active member of the legal fraternity here until 1889, when he was appointed, under the Harrison administration, United States consul to Newcastle, England. He remained there in that capacity for a year and a half and remembers it as a most delightful period in his life, having been fortunate in being received socially by the best families of the locality. While at Newcastle he was promoted in the consular service by being appointed consul to Palermo, Sicily. He was sent there by the United States government to break up the customs frauds that had been allowed to develop under his predecessor, whereby the govern- ment was being swindled out of large sums of money annually. Though it was a difficult and arduous task that confronted him, Mr. Pugh suc- ceeded in accomplishing his mission there, and in fact performed his duties so well and ably that he received high commendation from the de- partment of state, and when he shortly afterward tendered his resigna- tion he was offered the important post of consul general of Rome, but declined the honor, owing to his desire to return to his home city and resume the practice of his profession. He devoted altogether four years to the consul service and while stationed at Sicily he utilized thie oppor- tunity for extensive travel through Egypt, to the Black sea and on the continent.
On again becoming a resident of Terre Haute, Mr. Pugh resumed the practice of law, in which he has since continued and has attained a high position in professional ranks in Terre Haute. For six years he was referee in bankruptcy. He is also president of the Terre Haute, Robinson, Oliney & Southwestern Railroad ; a director of the William- ville, Greenville & St. Louis Railroad, and a director of the Terre Haute & Danville Traction Company. He is a member of both the Com- mercial and Young Business Men's clubs and is thus associated with the organized movements for the upbuilding of the city.
Mr. Pugh was married to Miss Mary J., second daughter of W. R. McKeen, of Terre Haute. He is well known in the city both socially and professionally and his personal qualities render him popular, while his close application and ability have gained him distinction in profes- sonal and business circles. Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he stands today as one of the leading representative men of his city-a man who is a power in his community.
CHARLES L. HARTENFELS is an example of that class of men who win advancement by reason of inherent force of character, strong deter- mination and laudable ambition. His course has ever been marked by progression and he is today secretary of the Acme Coal & Lime Com-
CL. Hartenfilo
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
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pany, of Terre Haute. He is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth hav- ing occurred in Mansfield, Ohio. His parents were George J. and Maria (Strater) Hartenfels, natives of Nassau, Germany. The father was born in August, 1826, and is still living, making his home among his children, but the mother, who was born in 1832, passed away in January, 1901. They came to America prior to their marriage but both crossed the Atlantic in the year 1848. The father was a cabinet maker by trade and after his arrival in the United States followed that business in New York city, in Brooklyn and Buffalo, New York, and in other cities. Eventually he located in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1849, and it was there that he wedded Miss Strater. After locating in Mansfield he entered a sash and door factory owned by the late Hon. John Sherman, but sometime afterward withdrew from industrial interests and engaged in farming in Richland county, Ohio, near Mansfield. He was also interested in a large stone quarry and engaged in the sale of its output until he reached his eightieth year. He is yet a most hale and hearty man but has retired from active business to enjoy the evening of his life in well earned rest. He found his success not in any advantageous circumstance, but as the result of industry carefully directed by sound judgment.
While spending his boyhood days under the parental roof Charles L. Hartenfels acquired a public school education and later continued his studies in Ada College, at Ada, Ohio. After leaving college he taught school for one year. From early boyhood he depended largely upon his own resources for a living, being employed at a tender age as messenger boy in the Erie Railroad station in his home city. After completing his year at teaching he removed westward to Iowa and joined a railroad surveying party that worked on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific line. Subsequently he took a position in the freight and passenger department of the Erie Railroad at Mansfield, Ohio, and in 1889 accepted a position with the Ohio Valley Railroad, at Evansville, Indiana, and for three years was chief clerk in the freight department of that company. In 1892 he was offered the position of bill clerk at Terre Haute with the Evans- ville & Terre Haute Railroad, but later resigned in order to return to the Ohio Valley Railroad as agent at Evansville. When he left that service he returned to the Evansville & Terre Haute and also represented the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad at Terre Haute, continuing as cashier and chief clerk of the two roads until September 1. 1901, when he became general agent, at Terre Haute, of the Southern Indiana Railroad. Through the succeeding five years he represented that corporation, at the end of which time, in 1006. he organized the Acme Coal & Lime Company, of which he became secretary and manager. This is his present business connection and his carefully directed labors have con-
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stituted the strong element in the success of the company. He also assisted in the organization of the Indiana State Bank and is a member of its board of directors. A man of resourceful business ability, readily recognizing opportunities, he also assisted in organizing the East Side Building & Loan Association and the Central Building & Loan Asso- ciation, being now vice president of the former and treasurer of the latter. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, for his strong purpose overcomes all 'obstacles and difficulties in his path and at the same time conforms strictly to a high standard of business ethics.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Hartenfels was married to Miss Susie Louise Fox, who was born in Mansfield. Ohio, a daughter of John and Katherine Marie ( Kochheiser ) Fox. early residents of Mansfield and natives of Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartenfels have been born two children, Carl and Katherine, aged respectively nine and six years. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Hartenfels belongs to Euclid Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Royal Arch Chapter in Terre Haute. He is likewise connected with Paul Revere Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. and his brethren of these fraternities entertain for him warm regard in recognition of his fidelity to the principles of the order and of the admirable qualities which he displays in every relation of life. While he started out as a messenger boy, he has today attained a creditable position in business circles, with opportunities for further busi- ness expansion and consequent success.
JOHN O. PIETY .- The consecutive progress which can be interpreted in no other way than the expression of ability and merit on the part of the individual has characterized the professional career of John O. Piety, a most successful and prominent attorney of Terre Haute, who stands today as the exponent of high ideals in the practice of law. He was born on a farm in Prairie Creek township. Vigo county, Indiana, September 15, 1864, and is a son of J. D. E. and Eliza (Perry) Piety, who were of Scotch-English descent. The paternal grandfather was James Piety. a native of Kentucky, who became one of the earliest resi- dents of Vigo county, settling within its borders in 1818, only two years after the admission of the state into the Union. The city of Terre Haute was in an embryonic condition and the entire countryside was an almost unbroken wilderness, with only here and there a few settlements to show that the work of improvement had been begun. The maternal grand- father. William Perry, was a native of Pennsylvania and became one of the first tanners of Vigo county. The father, J. D. E. Piety. was born
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