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 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
AIr. Kadel has always been a great reader and is today a man of broad culture and learning. He has what is probably the largest pri- vate library in Terre Haute, containing over four thousand finely bound volumes, with the contents of which he is largely familiar. He numbers as his friends the leading minds of all ages and greatly delights in that companionship. He is an interested, active and helpful member of the German Lutheran church, of which he has served as deacon for four years. For nine years, continuing to the present time, he has been president of the Young People's Society of that church, of which he is one of the organizers. He is also a member of the choir, is interested in all departments of the church work and has labored earnestly and effectively to promote its interests. He is also active in the Young Men's Christian Association and his influence is ever found on the side of right, justice, reform and progress. He is an enthusiast on the subject of automobiling and finds his chief recreation in his car. The name of Kadel in Terre Haute has always been a synonym for business integrity, and life record of him whose name introduces this review stands in contra- distinction to the old adage that "A prophet is never without honor, save in his own country." for Mr. Kadel enjoys the full respect of his fellow towns- men, among whom his entire life has been passed.
.
MERRILL N. SMITH, in whose recent death the city of Terre Haute lost one of its respected and worthy residents, was born November 8.
-
Menil W. Smith,
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lonox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
500.
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
1848, in Covington, Indiana. He was educated in the public schools and was a man of naturally strong intellectual force, who added largely to his knowledge by reading and observation. He possessed a retentive mind and his respective powers enabled him to quickly grasp an idea. During his business carcer he was identified with several interests and in all maintained an unassailable reputation for his loyalty and enter- prise. He was an accountant with the Hulman house for a number of years, and in 1893 was connected with the Elliott hat business for a short time, but afterward retired and during his last years engaged in no active business enterprise. Twice he served as county clerk of Vigo county and his official record was characterized by accuracy and prompt- ness in the discharge of his duties and by unfaltering fidelity to the trust reposed in him.
Mr. Smith was married twice. In 1875 he wedded Miss Matie Milliken, daughter of Hon. Thomas Milliken, of Hamilton, Ohio, who died in 1884. For his second wife he wedded Mrs. Julia C. Williams, nee Gorham, this wedding being celebrated in 1888.
Mr. Smith was a very popular man of generous, kindly disposition, who won friends wherever he went. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he took an active and helpful interest in its work and growth, doing all in his power to secure its success. It was upon the party ticket that he was twice chosen to the office of county clerk, and in the councils of his party his opinions carried weight and in- fluence. He was prominent socially, belonging to the Fort Harrison Club, and in the Masonic fraternity he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He had some military experience as captain of the Terre Haute Light Guards. All who knew him respected him and he held friendship inviolable. He had a faculty not only of winning friends but also in retaining them and as they came into closer contact with him their friendship increased, for they recognized in him those sterling traits of manhood which ever win the highest esteem and affection. He passed away January 12, 1902, but his memory is yet enshrined by many who knew him, and whose lives were enriched by his congenial companionship. Mrs. Smith still survives her husband and is a member of the board of directors of the Union Hospital, and of the board of the Humane Society. She is greatly interested in charitable and benevolent work and gives earnest co-operation to many efforts of that character.
MOSES WARREN WILLIAMS. The history of Moses Warren Williams is that of a man who in the business world arose from a very humble posi- tion to one of affluence and comfort. He was born in Rocky Hill, near
510
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
Hartford, Connecticut, May 18, 1828, a son of Horace Williams, who lived and died in the Charter Oak state. Spending the days of his boyhood and youth in Connecticut, Mr. Williams of this review, there pursued a public school education, and when a young man, feeling that the west offered better opportunities, he made his way to Indiana and settled in Terre Haute. He here secured employment as a clerk in a mer- cantile establishment and a result of his careful expenditure and unfalter- ing integrity, at length secured the capital sufficient to enable him to en- gage in business on his own account. He therefore opened a dry goods store, which he conducted for a number of years. In this he received a good trade and conducted the enterprise successfully for some time. but eventually sold out and became identified with the Terre Haute Gas Company as its secretary, a position which he filled up to the time of his death, which occurred on the IIth of February, 1884. In the posi- tion of administrative ability and executive control he proved himself equally competent as he had in mercantile fields, and the success of the gas company was attributable in no small degree to his efforts.
In 1852 Mr. Williams was married to Miss Margaret M. Wood. who died in 1874, leaving one child, Charles Wood Williams, now de- ceased. In 1877 Mr. Williams was again married, his second union being with Julia C. Gorham, who, after his death, became the wife of the late Merrill N. Smith.
Mr. Williams was a staunch Republican in politics, his study of the issues of the day leading him to give unfaltering support to the party, for he believed that its principles were most conducive to good govern- ment. He never held office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He was prominent, however, in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his life was in harmony with its beneficent spirit and its teachings concerning mutual helpfulness and brotherly kind- ness. He was an honest man, his life characterized by honorable pur- pose, and at his death he left behind many friends.
WILLIAM WARD ADAMSON, senior member of the firm of Adamson & Anderson, wholesale and retail dealers in paints, oils and window glass, at 644 Wabash avenue, in Terre Haute, is a native of Indiana. and displays in his life the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been dominant in the upbuilding of the commonwealth and the promo- tion of its financial interests. His birth occurred at Rockville. Parke county, March 28, 1847. He is the youngest of a family of nine chil- dren of English-Irish parentage, born of the marriage of Nathan and Phoebe (Ward) Adamson. the mother being a direct descendant of Capt.
5II
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
James Ward, who served his country as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. William Ward spent his youth with his parents in Rockville, and while yet quite a young lad became connected with the firm of Stark Brothers, druggists of that place. He continued with them as a clerk until he attained his majority and then in recognition of his capability and trustworthiness he was admitted to a partnership in the business, but a few months later the store, together with the entire block, was de- stroyed by fire. The other partners not desiring to continue the busi- ness after the fire, Mr. Adamson went west to seek his fortune, and located at St. Joseph, Missouri. Two years later, however, he returned to Indiana and established his home in Terre Haute, where he accepted a position with the firm of Gulick & Berry, with whom he remained for eight years. His unfaltering industry and careful expenditure during that period brought him capital sufficient to justify his embarkation in business on his own account and he then again embarked in business.
In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of William Ward Adamson and Miss Mary E. Harrison, a granddaughter of Britton M. Harrison, a prominent citizen of Terre Haute of the early days. They now have two daughters.
In community interests Mr. Adamson is very prominent and influ- ential. At the present writing, in 1908, he is serving as president of the Retail Merchants' Association of Terre Haute. He is also a valued member of the Commercial Club and belongs to the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Masonic fraternity. In the last named he has attained high rank, being now a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and also the present captain general of the Terre Haute com- mandery Knights Templar. He is a man of social, genial nature, a courteous gentleman and a pleasant, entertaining companion, who has many stanch and admiring friends among all classes of men. As an energetic, upright and conscientious merchant and a gentleman of at- tractive social qualities, he stands high in the estimation of the entire community.
EDWIN A. BADGLEY .- Terre Haute's commercial interests find a worthy and well known representative in Edwin A. Badgley, dealer in hardware and tinware, at the corner of Twenty-fifth street and Wash- ington avenue. His life record began in New Jersey on the 24th of November, 1851, his birthplace being about two and a half miles south- east of Plainfield, in Middlesex county. He is a son of John .A. and Mary Jane ( Thorp) Badgley, both of whom were natives of Middlesex county, New Jersey, whence they removed westward to Terre Haute in
512
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
1856. A few months later they took up their residence upon a farm west of the river in Sugar Creek township, where they remained for a few years, when the father purchased a tract of land near Seeleyville, where the family resided until 1863. In that year they returned to the city and established their home at the corner of Fourth and Oak streets. The father then engaged in the retail grocery business at No. 143 Main street. now 507 Wabash avenue, where Mr. Badgley carried on business for about six years. On the expiration of that period he purchased five acres on Twenty-fifth street. near Hulmann street, where he engaged in gardening and continued to make his home until his death in 1888. He was then about seventy-six years of age, his birth having occurred in 1812. His wife, who was born in 1815, died in 1898. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were people of the highest respectability, true to their faith and the teachings which they followed. Their family numbered nine children: Thomas P., now deceased : Sarah, the wife of William Sims, a resident farmer of Sugar Creek township, Vigo county : Mary C., who married Charles Eppert, a photographer of Terre Haute: John J., deceased; Samuel F., who is now living in Toronto, Canada ; Adaline W .. the wife of David M. Solomon, of this city : Edwin A., Richard L., who resides in Indianapolis. and Thompson, who is engaged in the notion business near Twelve Points, in this city.
Edwin A. Badgley was reared in Terre Haute and attended the common schools. On the 15th of October, 1871, he went to New Jersey and began to learn the trade of a tinsmith, completing his trade, how- ever. with C. C. Smith, of Terre Haute, returning to this city September 15. 1872. His term of apprenticeship was over December, 1874, and January, 1875. he entered the employ of Patton Brothers on South Fourth street, in the capacity of clerk and bookkeeper, and continued with them for about eight years. He then spent a year and a half in the same capacity with James W. Stout and on the 14th of August, 1882. he entered the office of the Vigo Iron Company, where he remained until March 1, 1896, or for a period of fourteen years. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself. and ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he had, previous to this, embarked in the grocery trade with his brother Thompson, with whom he continued for a year and a half. They then sold out and Mr. Badgley, of this review, accepted the position of shipping clerk with the Republic Iron & Steel Company, remaining in that capacity until January 1, 1905, when he withdrew and engaged in his present business. He has since conducted a hardware and tinware store at the corner of Twenty-fifth street and Washington avenue, where he has built up a large and constantly grow-
513
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
ing trade. His business methods are thoroughly reliable and his earnest desire to please his patrons, combined with his reasonable prices, have secured to him a gratifying trade."
Mr. Badgley was married to Miss Helene Katzenbach, who was born in Terre Haute, a daughter of Peter Katzenbach, a pioneer of this city. They have two children, Irma E. and E. Luther.
Mr. Badgley has been a worker in the cause of the Republican party but has never held office. At the present writing, however, he is a can- didate for the office of township trustee of Harrison township. He belongs to Social Lodge, No. 86, Free and Accepted Masons, and to Oriental Lodge. No. 81, Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Sheet Metal Workers' organization. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, and he is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community, to its moral, intellectual, social and material progress. His own business career has been marked by orderly progression and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities until he is today one of the successful merchants of the city and a self-made man, whose record is most creditable.
WILLIAM D. CHAMBERS, secretary and treasurer of the Indiana division of the Travelers' Protective Association and one of Terre Haute's native sons, was born March 14, 1868. His parents were Dixon and Mary J. (Ferguson) Chambers, both natives of Ireland, born in the vicinity of Dublin. They were reared, educated and married in their native land and on coming to America in the early fifties, settled first in New York city, where they remained but a short time. They then came to Terre Haute and the father was for many years engaged in the pork packing business here, in association with John Duncan. Later his time and energies were devoted to carpentering, in which he continued until the end of his days, his death occurring in Terre Haute in 1871. His widow still survives and yet remains a resident of this city.
At the usual age William D. Chambers became a pupil in the public schools and passed through successive grades until at the age of twelve years he left school and began earning his own living, being employed as an errand boy by the Townley Stove Company, with which he con- tinued for twenty-three years. The record of that long service is marked by the utmost fidelity to duty and by successive promotions. He ad- vanced from one position to another as his knowledge and capabilities increased, and for several years represented the house upon the road as traveling salesman. His trustworthiness was above question and he enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence of those whom he repre- 33
514
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
sented. In 1904 he entered the county auditor's office as first deputy to Mr. Denehie and continued in that position until the expiration of Mr. Denehie's term on the Ist of January, 1908. In 1902 Mr. Chambers had been elected to the positon of secretary and treasurer of the Indiana divi- sion of the Travelers' Protective Association and served as such through that and the succeeding year. In the fiscal year of 1904 he was again electcd and has continued to hold the office to the present time, in which position he is giving eminent satisfaction to those interested.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Chambers was married to Miss Sue M. Humphreys, who was born in Rockville, Indiana, a daugh- ter of James H. and Margaret (Pinegar) Humphreys, of Parke county. Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have one son, Laurence, and the family is well known in the community, where they have the friendship of many and the respect of all who know them. Mr. Chambers is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is a gentleman of genial. social nature, who readily recognizes and appreciates the good in others and whose life record proves the truth of the Emersonian phil- osophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one."
JAMES MADISON SANKEY .- In a history of Vigo county it is impera- tive that mention be made of James Madison Sankey, whose record as.a business man and citizen entitle him to a distinctive representation with the prominent and leading residents of this part of the state. He was born on a farm in Riley township, this county, July 26, 1836, his birthplace being on a tract of land which his father had entered from the govern- ment in early pioneer days. He was a son of John Sankey and a grand- son of Thomas Sankey. The family name has figured in connection with progress and improvement here for many years, especially in the line of agricultural development.
James Madison Sankey was reared on the home farm where his birth occurred. and the place is still owned by his widow. His early education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in the State University of Indiana, and he put his education to good use as a teacher in this locality, and also in his later work as farmer and public official. In carrying on general agricultural pursuits he displayed an aptitude for successful management, accompanied by unfaltering diligence and unwearied industry. Upon that basis he builded his success and was recognized as one of the prominent representatives of farming in central Indiana. At the time of his death he was a member of the State Sanitary Stock Commission and was the oldest member of the State Agricultural Society.
Jameson Banky.
- THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
515
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
His fellow-citizens, recognizing his worth, ability and loyal citizen- ship, selected him for several positions of public honor and trust and his duties were ever discharged with the utmost fidelity. In 1872 he became treasurer of Vigo county and at the succeeding election was defeated, but at the close of that term was again chosen to office, the vote being an endorsement of the excellent service which he had rendered during his first term. In order to better discharge the duties of the office he removed to Terre Haute in 1875 and there resided up to the time of his death. He was a member of the first police board of commissioners for the city and his opinions carried weight in public councils. He was ever a stal- wart advocate of the Democracy and was widely recognized as one of the prominent party leaders in Vigo county.
In 1872 Mr. Sankey was united in marriage to Harriet A. Leak and unto them were born two children. Anna Blanche and James Madison, the latter now looking after the farming interests of the estate.
Mr. Sankey in his business affairs attained a measure of success which was most creditable and indicated his superior ability and executive force. In addition to his home farm, comprising seven hundred acres of rich and productive land, he owned other farm property and was more- over a pioneer shorthorn breeder of the country, in which connection he not only furthered his own interests but also promoted the welfare of stock raisers in this locality by introducing high grade cattle and raising the price paid for stock here.
Fraternally he was a Mason of high rank, attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and was the first Master Mason of Riley lodge, at Riley. Spending his entire life in Vigo county, his history was an open book which all might read. His political opponents acknowledged his personal worth and all who knew him entertained for him a warm regard. His life was actuated by high principles and honorable pur- poses and by a sense of justice which prompted the utmost consideration for his fellow men and made his business affairs matters of the strictest integrity and honor.
DAVID W. WATSON, whose name is on the roll of Terre Haute's honored dead, figured among the prominent and influential citizens and leading business men of the city twenty-five years ago. He was, more- over, one of the promoters of early industrial activity here-the pioneer plumber and gasfitter of Terre Haute and the builder of the first stone front business house here.
Mr. Watson was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in the year 1820. and was educated for the ministry at the Presbyterian College of Belfast. but, determining to give his life to another calling, he learned the trade
516
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
of plumbing and gasfitting, attaining a high degree of efficiency in those lines. Study and comparison of the trade conditions of the old world and the new led him to the determination that he would seek his fortune in the United States, and accordingly he crossed the Atlantic to New York, where he engaged in the plumbing and gasfitting business for several years.
From the same county in Ireland, in 1846, had come the Scott fam- ily, with the members of which Mr. Watson was well acquainted. James Scott, the father, with his wife and children, emigrated to the new world a few years prior to the arrival of Mr. Watson and lived for a time in New York city, but later made his way direct to Terre Haute and became the pioneer carriage and wagon manufacturer here, estab- lishing a shop at the corner of Second and Chestnut streets. He was active in the early industrial development of Terre Haute, but died in 1858. While still living in New York city, Mr. Watson came to Terre Haute on a visit to the Scott family in 1854 and during that visit wedded Eliza, the daughter of James Scott, whom he had known in Ireland. Just at that time the first steps were being taken in Terre Haute toward the erection of a gas plant, and parties interested in the project solicited Mr. Watson to locate permanently in this city. and exacted from him a promise to return as soon as the gas plant was completed and open here a gasfitting and plumbing establishment. With his bride Mr. Watson went to New York, but in accordance with his promise again came to Terre Haute in January. 1856, bringing with him a stock of goods for the equipment of his shop. . He then opened the first plumbing and gasfitting establishment of Terre Haute, com- mencing business on Fourth street. between Main and Cherry streets. Later he erected a frame business building at the corner of Third and Mulberry streets, having his shop on the ground floor and his residence on the second floor. The growth of his business justified his erection of a new business house in 1862 at No. 634 Main street on the site of the Star newspaper office. This was a brick structure with a stone front and was the most pretentious business block of the city at that time. In 1868 Mr. Watson further extended the scope of his activity by engaging in the ice business, with which he was connected for a number of years, but during that period he contracted rheumatism, from which he was ever afterward a great sufferer. Disposing of his ice business, he then concentrated his energies upon plumbing and gasfitting, in which he continued until his death on the 25th of September, 1883. His business was then carried on by his son, John C., who had been as- sociated with the father from boyhood and who was even then a partner under the firm name of Watson & Son. In 1885 the firm of D. W.
517
GREATER TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY.
Watson's Sons Company was formed by John C., David L. and Lester W. Watson and Macelroy B. Glenn, a son-in-law of the founder of the business. Mr. Glenn died in 1905 and the partners are now the Watson brothers. Theirs is one of the largest concerns in this line in the state, the business having been developed substantially, a liberal patronage be- ing accorded in recognition of honorable methods and the progressive spirit of the house.
Mr. Watson was a member of the Masonic fraternity of the First Congregational church-associations which indicate much of the char- acter of his interests and his ideals. His life was ever actuated by high and honorable purposes and principles which found expression in his business career and daily associations. His life work was closely in- terwoven with the development of Terre Haute, and thus the history of the city would be incomplete without mention of him. Mrs. Watson survived until 1898 and passed away at the age of seventy-three.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.