History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 103

Author: Bradsby, Henry C
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co.
Number of Pages: 1032

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given to Washburn. In 1866 Mr. Voorhees refused a nomination, but in 1868 he was again elected to congress, and re-elected in 1870. In 1872 he was defeated by Hon. Morton C. Hunter. He was appointed United States senator November 6, 1869, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Morton, and in 1878 the issue in the State was his election to a full term. On this issue he carried the State by more than 30,000 majority, and was re-elected in 1884 to a term that expires March 4, 1891, and his re-election will depend upon the voters of this State at the fall election of this year, 1890. He has not in office disappointed his friends, and therefore in the approaching election he will have no opposition whatever in his party.

His great defense of John E. Cook, a lieutenant of John Brown in his notable invasion of Harper's Ferry, just preceding the out- break of the war, contributed to make that a memorable episode in our country's history. It will stand for the most eloquent plea for a fellow-man's life ever heard in a court-room. Cook was a young man who had been led to the scaffold by his leader of more mature years. The young man was the brother-in-law of the gifted A. P. Willard, who was at that time the governor of Indiana, the cham- pion of the Indiana democracy, and a close friend of Voorhees, who espoused deeply the cause of his wife's unfortunate young brother, and appealed to Voorhees to aid them. These were the circum-

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stances that drew him into the case, and where the earnest warn- ings of friends that it would ruin him were as the idle winds. Thus all the surroundings of attorney and client in the case were remarkable, and when Voorhees sank exhausted in his chair from his plea to the jury, his fame as a great criminal lawyer blazed out across the face of the civilized world. There could hardly have been other circumstances but in which his plea would have saved the life of his client. The speech was universally published in this country, translated and published over Europe, and the students of ' forensic eloquence will read it when the cause that gave rise to it will have passed from human memory. It has been said that he formed the acquaintance of the girl who became Mrs. Voorhees while at school. In 1850 he returned to his old school home at Greencastle and was married to Miss Anna Hardesty, a daughter of Mr. Reese Hardesty, of that place, where she was born in 1832. The announcement of her sudden death in Washington, June 21, 1887, came to the good people of Terre Haute like a great shock. She had been sick of peritonitis not much more than twenty-four hours. She left four children: Dr. Reese, Hon. Charles W., James P. and Miss Hallie Voorhees. Her sister, Mrs. Robbs, at the time of her death was a resident of Robbs' Station, Benton Co., Ind. Mrs. Voorhees was an exemplary member of the Episcopal Church. Pure and gentle as wife, mother and friend, the sad news of her passing away was laden with pain to many hearts.

JOSSE A. VRYDAGH is the senior member of the firm of Vrydagh & Sons, architects and superintendents, with office at No. 925 South Seventh street, Terre Haute. He is a native of Louvain, Belgium, born May 16, 1833, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Heller) Vrydagh. Peter Vrydagh was a soldier under Napoleon, and participated in the battle of Leipsic. He was a wholesale gro- cer and manufacturer of spices. He died in 1854, when sixty-one years of age; his wife, in 1848, at the age of fifty-six. Josse A., who is the youngest in a family of ten children, at the age of four- teen entered the Louvain School of Arts, attending there nearly seven years. In 1854 he joined the Phalansterian Colony, com- posed of about 250 persons from France, Belgium, Switzerland and the United States, which emigrated to Dallas, Tex. During the time he resided at Dallas he was engaged in contracting, and also in architectural work, and built the St. Nicholas hotel, the finest structure in the city. In 1858 the colony broke up, and Mr. Vry- dagh traveled through the South, making a study of the slave question. In 1859 he returned to Europe, visiting some of the principal cities of France, Belgium and England. In 1862 he visited the World's Fair at London, and in 1863 he returned to the

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United States and went to Decatur, Ill., where he sojourned about six months, then removed to Cincinnati, where he remained until 1866. He then came to Terre Haute and established an office. In 1870 he was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Archi- tects. In 1874, with fifty other architects, he submitted competitive drawings for the Centennial buildings at Philadelphia, for which he was awarded one of the ten premiums. In 1877 he received $1,000 award from the United States Government for submitting the best plans for rebuilding the burned patent-office building. In 1881 and 1882 he was in the office of the supervising architect of the treasury department at Washington City. Mr. Vrydagh has been constantly engaged in architectural work since he was fourteen years old. Since he located in Terre Haute, among many others, the following are buildings erected after his plans, specifications and under his supervision: The Indiana State Normal, the Terre Haute Opera House, the entire wholesale grocery and spice mills of Mr. Herman Hulman, the Catholic Orphan Home, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Church, the Deming Block, the Beach Block, the Terre Haute House, and numerous stores, warehouses, roundhouses, car-houses and many fine residences, besides a large number in other towns and cities, such as the DePauw University, Greencastle; the court-houses at Sullivan, Bedford and Mount Vernon, Ind., and a large number of public and private buildings at Evansville.

Mr. Vrydagh was married at his native home in Belgium, in 1852, to Miss Victoria Notez, and they have had five children, viz. : Martin U., who married Clara Stuckwish (they reside in Kansas City) ; Mary E., resident of the same place; Jupiter G., resident of St. Louis, and Robert T. and Allison L., who reside at Terre Haute. Three of the sons are architects. Mr. Vrydagh in politics is inde- pendent. He is properly regarded as one of the prominent and valuable citizens of Terre Haute, a master of his line of art, gifted with that taste and culture that will leave its permanent impress on the architecture and styles in this and many other localities for many years to come.

ORLANDO WAKEFIELD (deceased), late telegraph operator at Seelyville, Lost Creek township, was born in Indiana county, Penn., April 18, 1844, a son of W. W. and Margaret (Rogers) Wakefield, also natives of that county and State. The father, who was a farmer, and also engaged in saw-milling, came to Vigo county in 1858, and was employed by the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company until his death; his widow survived until 1888. Orlando, who was the elder of two children, was reared in In- diana county, Penn., receiving a good education in the English branches. In early life he learned telegraphy, and made railroad

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work the chief business of his life; had also been station agent at Seelyville for several years. He had an interest with his brother in farming operations. He died in 1889, much beloved and re- spected by all who knew him; in politics he was a Republican.

His brother, William Wakefield, was born in Indiana county, Penn., December 28, 1858, and was reared in Lost Creek township, this county. He attended the district schools, and early in life close railroading as a vocation, which he followed for twelve years, since when he has carried on farming, and is now a prominent agricultur- ist. He was married in 1888 to Nora, daughter of John Stinebur- ner, and of German descent, and they have one child, Meda. Mrs. Wakefield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in pol- itics Mr. Wakefield is a Repblican.

LEWIS E. WALKER, merchant broker and brick manufacturer, Terre Haute, was born at Washington, D. C., April 16, 1850, and is a son of William H. and Louisa (Murphy) Walker, natives of Virginia, and of English descent. His father came to Indiana and settled in Terre Haute in 1855, carried on the brickmaking busi- ness many years, and died in 1889. Lewis E. is the eldest in a family of five children, and was reared in Terre Haute, where he attended the public schools. He learned to manufacture brick with his father, and has made that liis permanent business, manufactur- ing 13,000 brick per day, and employing fifteen men. In 1877 he embarked in the merchant, brokerage and commission business, still continuing brickmaking, and has met with merited success. Mr. Walker was married in Clark county, Ill., in 1879, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of G. Baker, and of English descent, and they have four children: Katie, Clara, Bertha and Edwin. Mrs. Walker is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Walker, in his polit- ical preferments, is a Democrat.

SAMUEL H. WALKER, retired farmer and stock-grower, Su- gar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 11, 1825, and is a son of Jesse and Rosa (Lyburger) Walker, former of whom was born in Ireland, and came to Vigo county in 1819. He was a surveyor, and died in Ohio in 1829. Samuel H., the second in a family of three children, was reared in Knox county, Ohio, where he spent his childhood and youth, and obtained his schooling. Early in life he learned the millwright trade, which he followed for ten years. He came to this county, and settled in Sugar Creek township, where he farmed, and mined for coal. His farm consists of about 200 acres, on which are valua- ble coal mines. Mr. Walker was married May 17, 1849, to Miss Margaret Kelly, daughter of Phelix and Christina (Cyle) Kelly, natives of Ireland, and their children are as follows: Rose, now

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the wife of William Ward, a school teacher in Terre Haute ; Isabella, now the wife of Joseph O'Riley; Margaret, wife of Charles Grotte; William, a farmer; Elizabeth, at home; Josephine, deceased; Idella C., now the wife of George Haskell; and Mary, now the wife of Charles Walcher. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Walker was a native of Ireland, and died in 1878. He is in sympathy with the Democratic party, and has served two terms as trustee. He has been very successful in life, making his own way in the world,

C. H. WALLACE, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek town- ship, P. O. Prairieton, was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo Co., Ind., September 20, 1836, and is a son of James M. and Eliza (Copeland) Wallace, former a native of Ohio, latter of North Car- olina. They were of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, who was a wagon and plowmaker, died in 1844. C. H. Wallace who is the eldest in a family of five children, spent his young life on his father's farm, attending the common school and assisting in the farm labors. He chose farming as a business, which he has made his main pursuit, and was engaged in mercantile trade a short time. Mr. Wallace has been twice married, the first time in 1865, to Em- ma F., a daughter of John Ryman, and of this marriage two children are now living: Arligh and Mary, Mrs. Wallace died in 1878, and Mr. Wallace was then married, in 1881, to Miss Margaret A., daugh- ter of James Cummings, and a native of Vigo county. They have four children: Clarence B., William C., Hermon F. and Coleman H. Mr. Wallace enlisted October 3, 1861, in the Third Ind. V. I., Com- pany G. He was second sergeant on duty, and was wounded while on the skirmish line at White River, Ark. He participated in nu- merous other battles and skirmishes, and was discharged at the expiration of his term of service. He is a member of Blinn Post, G. A. R., at Prairieton, is a Master Mason, and in politics is a Democrat.

ANDERSON WARD, farmer and stock-grower, Fayette town- ship, P. O. Libertyville, was born in Edgar county, Ill., March 3, 1845, and is a son of James and Maria (James) Ward, former a na- tive of Tennessee, latter of Virginia, and both of Dutch origin. The father was a farmer all his life, and was twice married, Anderson being the eldest child by the second wife, and one of a family of five children. Our subject was reared on the farm in Edgar county, Ill., and had no educational advantages save those of the common schools, attending same only in winter time. He wisely chose the same vocation as his father, and has made agriculture the business of his life. He is the owner of a farm in Fayette township, where he now resides, which is under a high state of cultivation. In 1869

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he was united in marriage with Miss Laura, daughter of St. Clair Taylor, and of Dutch and English descent. Their children are Franklin R., Anna, Bert B. and Rosa. Mr. Ward enlisted four times in the United States Volunteers, but not being very strong, physically, he enlisted for short terms only. He was under fire at one time every day for sixteen days, and was discharged at the close of the war. He is a member of New Goshen Post, G. A. R., is a Master Mason, and in politics he is a Republican. . .

THOMAS J. WARD, nursery-man and fruit-grower, Fayette township, P. O. St. Mary's, was born in Washington county, Md., in 1836, and is a son of Michael and Anna (Curley) Ward, natives of Ireland. The father, who is a farmer, came to Vigo county in 1839, and settled in Sugar Creek township, and has ever since resided on a farm in this county; he is the owner of the farm in Fayette township. He reared a family a of eight chil- dren-six sons and two daughters-of whom Thomas J., who is the eldest, was brought up on the farm, and made agriculture his vocation. In 1869 he engaged in the nursery and fruit-growing business, and has since carried on these occupations with success. He has forty acres in choice fruit, has an extensive catalogue, and sells all kinds of nursery stock in many localities throughout the United States. Mr. Ward was married, in 1857, to Miss Anna Balfe, who was born in Ireland, and is the daughter of James and Hanora Balfe. This union has been blessed with eight children-five daughters and three sons-as follows: Mary Ann, wife of Horace B. Hinton; Jennie M., a school teacher in Terre Haute; Florence H., also a school teacher; Thomas J., Jr., a book-keeper; Scholas- tica M., a school teacher; and Rosa, the youngest, is at school ; Willie M. and John C. are deceased. The family are members of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Ward is a Democrat, and has served as a justice of the peace twenty years; has been school director one term, and served two years as president of the Democratic township committee. He is truly a representative citizen of Vigo county.

CHAUNCEY WARREN (deceased). Bernard Miller Warren and family came to Indiana, in 1820, from New York State, and stopped on Blue River, at Morristown. In a short time they came to Vigo county, and settled at Markle's Mill, Otter Creek township. He was taken sick, and died in about one month after his arrival; he was buried on Otter creek. His widow then returned with the two sons, William and Levi G., to Morristown, Ind., where she died, December 3, 1845, aged sixty-seven years. Bernard Miller War- ren's children by his first marriage were Fannie, Chauncey and Eliza ; the children by his second wife were Levi G. and William. Fannie

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had married, in New York State, Seth M. Cole. This family re- sided at Morristown, Shelby Co., Ind., where are now their de- scendants.

Chauncey Warren was the second in the order of birth, and he was born in Cheshire county, N. H., January 29, 1800. He spent his young life there having but limited school advantages, and was twenty years old when he came to make his home in the West. May 1, 1832, he was married to Frances Elizabeth Modesitt, daughter of Dr. Charles B. Modesitt, and to this union the follow- ing named children were born: Henry, Mary Welton (who died in infancy), Charles Modesitt, Chauncey Warren, Jr., (who died April 12, 1889), Eliza Bowen, Clara Welton (now Mrs. Egbert Curtis), Bernard Miller, Fredrick (died April 12, 1862), John Craw- ford and Fannie Deming. Soon after his father's death, Mr. War- ren went to Roseville, and entered into a mercantile partnership with Chauncey Rose, the firm name becoming Rose & Warren. In 1823 the firm removed from there to Terre Haute, and opened a store on Second street, near the corner of the block immediately west of the court-house. This soon became one of the leading estab- lishments on the Wabash. In 1832 Chauncey Warren purchased Mr, Rose's interest, and assumed sole control of the establishment. He had brought his two younger brothers, William and Levi, and placed them in the store, having had the responsibility of the care and wel- fare of the youths, solely, after their mother's death. In 1842 he be- came so afflicted in his eyes that he sold the entire concern to his brother, Levi G. Warren, and retired from all further active business life except the caring of his large private estate. For more than twenty years before his death he was compelled to remain in a darkened room where he could shield his eyes from the light. He died at his family residence, on South Sixth street, June 18, 1868, after a brief illness.

Mr. Warren had filled the position of one of the directors of the old Branch Bank of the State, as well as holding many positions of judiciary trust, especially in the matter of settling estates. He was one of the typical, strong self-made men of the country. He placed his honor far above life, and his integrity was never discussed among those who personally knew him. No man has ever lived in Vigo county who had better won and deserved the respect and con- fidence of the entire people. Owing to the misfortune that befell his eyes, his active business life was comparatively short, yet he left a healthy impress on the community. To him in his darkened room men went as children to a father for advice and counsel, and no one ever went away empty. The name of Chauncey Warren will be long and gratefully remembered.

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His sister, Eliza, was a member of the family all her life. She was never married, and gave her valuable life to the family and children. She was born February 25, 1802, and died September 18, 1882, aged a little over eighty years.

JOHN C. WARREN, county clerk of Vigo county, Terre Haute, is a descendant of one of the early pioneer settlers of Vigo county, and was born in Terre Haute, Ind., October 27, 1853, a son of Chauncey and Frances ( Modesitt ) Warren. His parents were of Scotch and English descent, and his father, who was a native of the State of New York, born in 1800, came west in 1820, settling at Terre Haute, where he first clerked in a store, but subse- quently was employed by Chauncey Rose. Chauncey Warren was married in Terre Haute to a daughter of Dr. Charles Modesitt, who came from Virginia to Terre Haute in 1816, bringing his family on horseback. Mrs. Warren was born in 1813, and was but three years old when her parents came to Vigo county. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Warren: Henry, Charles M., Chauncey (deceased), Eliza, Clara, Bernard M., Frances D. and John C. Our subject was reared in Terre Haute, where he attended the public schools and prepared for col- lege; then attended Oberlin College, Ohio, and subsequently studied law. In 1874 he engaged in the abstract business, and in 1881 was appointed deputy county clerk, and elected to that office in 1886. Mr. Warren was married February 9, 1880, to Mary, daughter of J. A. Parker, proprietor of the Eagle Iron Works of Terre Haute, and they have three children: Robert Chauncey, Frederic Parker and Mary Elizabeth. Mrs. Warren is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Warren is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and is a Scottish Rite Mason; in politics he is a stanch Republican.

LEVI G. WARREN (deceased). Among the active and en- terprising men of the early settlers of Vigo county may well be mentioned Levi G. Warren. He was president of the old State Bank of Terre Haute for many years, and also dealt largely in real estate, at the time of his death his estate being worth from $250,- 000 to $300,000. He was married in Terre Haute to Miss Danald- son, a sister of D. S. Danaldson, of Terre Haute, her people being among the early settlers of Vigo county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Warren was blessed with three children, two of whom are living in Terre Haute. Sallie W. is the wife of W. P. Ijams, of Terre Haute. Mr. Warren was a Republican in politics, and was a sincere and active member of the Episcopal Church. He was of English descent.

SAMUEL WATKINS, physician and surgeon, Otter Creek township, P. O. Edwards, was born in Indiana October 31, 1847,

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and is the son of George and Serrepta (Elkins) Watkins. His mother was born in Virginia, his father in New Jersey, and they were of German and Scotch descent. The father was a farmer and wagon-maker, and died in 1880. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is next to the youngest in a family of twelve children, was reared on the farm and attended the common schools, early in life studied medicine, and graduated at Indianapolis Medical College in 1874. He practiced three years as an under- graduate in Parke county, Ind., and then located in Otter Creek township, where he has resided ever since, actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He has for several years had all that he could attend to, and has met with much success in his practice, as well as in his financial affairs; he is the owner of considerable real estate in this county. The Doctor is in the regular practice, and is a member of the Vigo County Medical Association. He is a Sir Knight Templar. In politics he is a Democrat, and served one term as township trustee, being re-elected in 1890. He has been twice married, first in 1872 to Ellen Baldwin, who died in 1873, leaving one child, Nellie M. His second marriage was in 1875 with Miss Alma D., daughter of Isaiah Murphy, her parents being of Irish descent. They have two children: Paul Earl and Alma Ethel.

D. W. WATSON (deceased) was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1820, and was educated for the. ministry in the Presby- terian College at Belfast. He was induced by friends to come to America in 1852, and landing in New York he engaged in the gas- fitting and plumbing business with Boland & Harris. While in New York he visited Terre Haute in 1854, at which time he mar- ried Miss Eliza Scott, daughter of James Scott. During this visit the first steps were taken toward the erection of a gas plant here. Mr. Watson promised to engage in business in Terre Haute as soon as the works were erected, and in accordance with the promise he brought a stock of goods to the city in January, 1856, opening a shop on Fourth street in that year, the first gas-fitting and plumb-

ing shop in Terre Haute. When Mr. Watson first started on Fourth street it was on a small scale, but his business had a rapid growth, and in a few years he was compelled to seek larger quar- ters .. He first removed to Third street, but subsequently to Wa- bash avenue, now No. 634, where he erected the first stone-front building in the city, which building he occupied at the time of his death. He died September 5, 1883. The business is continued, being ably conducted by his son, J. C. Watson.

Mrs. Watson's father was among the first settlers in Vigo county, and the first to manufacture wagons and carriages here. Her par-

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ents were natives of County Armagh, Ireland. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Watson was blessed with a family of five children, as fol- lows: Sarah J., wife of McElroy B. Glenn; J. C .; David L .; Les- ter and Jessie. Mr. Watson was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and in politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Repub- lican. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church.

JAMES MORRISON WATSON, P. O. Prairie Creek, is a native of Nelson county, Ky., born December 3, 1827, and is a son of Scarlet and Kiziah (Walker) Watson, former of whom was born near Fairfax Court House, Va., in 1801, and emigrated with his parents to Kentucky in an early day. His parents were John M. and Permelia (Fisher) Watson, natives of Virginia, former of Irish descent, a farmer by occupation. They emigrated from Kentucky to Sullivan county, Ind., in 1828, subsequently moving to Vigo county, where they died. Scarlet Watson was reared and married in Kentucky, coming to Sullivan county with his family and parents in 1828, afterward moving to this county. He was an influential citizen, having served as township trustee several years, and as assessor, two terms. He died in Vigo county, February 9, 1876. His wife, Kiziah (Walker), was born in Kentucky, July 21, 1805, and died January 4, 1885, in this county. She reared five daughters and four sons-of whom three sons and one daughter are living-James M. being the second child. Our subject has re- sided in Vigo county since eight years of age, his limited education being received in the subscription schools, he having to walk three miles through dense forests, then inhabited by wolves, panthers and other wild animals. He resided with his parents till March 23, 1848, when he married Miss Sarah Ann Drake, a native of Illinois, who died December 7, same year. October 31, 1850, Mr. Watson married Mary E. Kinsor, who was born in Sullivan county, Ind., and died June 10, 1880. Three children survive her, viz. : Edmund, Ansel W. and James W. Mr. Watson is now living with his third wife, who was Miss Dosie E. Thompson. When our subject began life for himself he had forty acres of unimproved timberland, and by hard work and close attention to business he has accumulated considerable property, having 186 acres of good land, 98 in the farm where he resides, with 78 in cultiva- tion. The property is located fifteen miles southwest of the county seat. Mr. Watson cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. He is an enterprising and highly respected citizen.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 103

Author: Bradsby, Henry C Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co. Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Bradsby, Henry C
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co.
Number of Pages: 1032