History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 104

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

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ROBERT G. WATSON, proprietor of the National House, Terre Haute, is one of the city's enterprising and successful hotel men. He was born at Vincennes, Ind., and is a son of Louis and Lydia Watson, natives of Indiana, and of French and Irish descent.

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The father is proprietor of one of the leading hotels at Vincennes. Robert C., who is the eighth in a family of thirteen children, grew to manhood in his native city, where he attended the public schools, passed through the high school, and then became a student in the State University. He was born to his business, has been the architect of his own fortune, having commenced as a clerk, and is now proprietor of four hotels and a partner in a large store. One of his hotels is in Danville, Ill .; one is the Arlington Hotel at Clarksville, Tenn .; and the other is the Clinton House at Kokomo, Ind. He has made Terre Haute his home since 1876, and he has lately remodeled the National House, and added thereto until it is now one of the leading hotels of the country. Mr. Watson was married October 11, 1877, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Miss Luella, daughter of the late P. S. Westfall, who was a prominent member of society and an editor and publisher. [See his sketch elsewhere. ] Mr. and Mrs. Watson have one child, Louise. Mrs. Watson is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Watson is a Demo- crat in politics, and is a Sir Knight Templar.

HENRY WATTS, farmer and stock-grower; Nevins township, P. O. Seelyville, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, October 19, 1819, and is a son of Samuel and Mary J. (Davis) Watts, former born in England and died in Hamilton county, Ohio, latter born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. Henry, who is the second in a family of six children, was reared on the farm, attending the com- mon schools, and has followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with success. He labored hard, having started for himself by working out by the day and month, and he is now the owner of 300 acres of land, where he resides. He formerly owned the valuable coal field where the Fontanet and Coal Bluff extension coal shaft is now; but having his honest thoughts, saying what he really be- lieved, he was sued for slander, which gave the lawyers a chance, and, as he expressed it, his property changed owners from himself to the lawyers. But by honesty and industry he has yet left suffi- cent of this world's goods to see him safely through, and to keep him from want in the declining years of his life. Mr. Watts was married in this county, and by his first wife he was blessed with three children; by his second wife with two, and by his third wife he has ten children. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Watts is highly respected by his neighbors, and his word is considered as good as gold.

JAMES W. WATTS, manufacturer of tile at Sandford, was born in Edgar county, Ill., April 26, 1837, and is a son of William and Hannah E. (Dennison) Watts, who were of Scotch and English descent, and natives of Virginia; the father, who was a school

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teacher in his early days, but later became a farmer, came to Edgar county, Ill., and died there in 1844. His family consisted of four children-three sons and a daughter-James W. being the eldest. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the district schools, and early in life engaged in mercantile trade. He carried on a general merchandise business from 1865 to 1873, when he sold out and commenced operating a saw-mill and manufactur- ing hard wood lumber, which industry he carried on until 1889, when he embarked in the manufacture of tile at Sandford. Mr. Watts was married, in 1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Phobe (Bolton) Haymaker, who were of German origin, her father having been a blacksmith and farmer. The children born to our subject and wife are William; Cora L., wife of James M. Reese; Waldo M. and Oliver Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is trustee, and has been class-leader for seven years, also superintendent of the Sab- bath-school, and teacher of a Bible class. In politics he is a Republican, has been a justice of the peace in Fayette township, and served as deputy two terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Blue Lodge, having been made a Mason at Ver- million, Ill., in 1865.

JOHN K. WEBSTER, farmer and stock-grower, Nevins town- ship, P. O. Fontanet, was born in Clay county, Ind., December 17, 1841, and is a son of Joshua and Mary (Kerr) Webster, former born in Virginia, latter in Indiana. The father who was a success- ful farmer, died in 1880. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the second in a family of eight children, all of whom are living, and was reared on the farm, attending the district schools in his vicinity. He remained on the farm with his parents until he reached his majority, and then commenced his life for himself, first by working as a farm hand by the month, also by the day, until he could secure a sufficiency to start for himself. Like his ancestors he has become a successful tiller of the soil, being now the owner of a valuable farm comprising 172 acres of land, highly improved and well stocked. It is situated partly in Parke county, and partly in Vigo, his residence and the greater part of his farm being in Nevins townshp, whither he removed in 1873. Mr. Webster was united in marriage, in Parke county, Ind., January 1, 1865, with Miss Amanda, daughter of Edward Crabb, and this union has been blessed with two children: Albert A. and Mary Louisa. In politics Mr. Webster is a Republican but has never held any political office, nor has he ever aspired to political honors, having constantly de- voted his time to his farm with a determination to succeed.

S. P. WEBSTER is the owner and proprietor of the Star Mill, at Fontanet, and is also a farmer and stock-grower. He was born

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in Nevins township, Vigo Co., Ind., December 16, 1846, and is a son of J. R. and Susan M. (Kerr) Webster, of German and French descent, and natives of Virginia, former of whom was a farmer. Mr. Webster's paternal grandfather was Reuben Webster, a pioneer settler of Parke county, and his maternal grandfather, James H. Kerr, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and an honest farmer dur- ing the remaining portion of his life. The history of the family gives many pursuits. Several members have been successful in literature, and in the professions, and many of them have been farmers. Mr. Webster's father died in 1887, in Clay county, Ind., in his sixty-eighth year. S. P. Webster, who is the next young- est in a family of six children, was reared on the farm in Clay county, where he attended the common school. He has chosen farming for his life work, has made that his main business, and is the owner of a well-improved farm where he now resides in Nevins township, consisting of eighty acres. Mr. Webster was married in Clay county in 1871, to Miss Rachel M. Lyle, who was born in Kentucky, and they had one child, Adie. Mrs. Webster died in 1874, and in 1876 Mr. Webster was married in Clay county, Ind., to Miss Mattie Dunagan, who is of Irish and English descent, a step-daughter of Maj. C. W. Moss, who was a soldier in the Mex- ican war and in the war of the Rebellion. By this union were born four children, viz .: Rupert, Ira, Eva and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Webster are members of the Christian Church, of which he is an elder. He is a member of the K. of P., also of the Owl's Nest No. 8, and is a Master Mason. In politics he is a strong Democrat, and for four years he has been trustee of Nevins township.

HARMON H. WEDDLE (deceased), who in his life-time was a prominent citizen of Pierson township, was born March 4, 1822, in Morgan county, Ind., a son of Thompson (a farmer) and Sarah (Mile) Weddle, natives of Kentucky, who both died in McDonald county, Mo., he in 1880 and she in 1870, both members of the Christian Church. Harmon H. spent his school days in Morgan county, Ind., and when a young man turned his attention to agri- culture. In 1857 he and his wife came to Vigo county, and located where his widow now lives. He died August 9, 1882. In July, 1861, he enlisted for three years in Company H, Thirty-third Ind. V. I., becoming a non-commissioned officer, and being un- fitted through disability for service in the ranks he was detailed to hospital duty. While in the ranks he participated in the battle at Wild Cat Mountains, and other engagements and skirmishes. He was a member of the U. B. Church, and was prominent in Ma- sonic circles. In politics, as in all other matters, he was very enthusiastic, always working in the interests of the Republican

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party, and he was a very pleasant, social gentleman, always genial, bright and witty.

In 1855 Mr. Weddle was married to Miss Eliza Cunningham, als o a native of Morgan county, Ind., born April 2, 1844, a daughter of William N. Cunningham, who was born near Lexington, Ky., and died in Morgan county, August 7, 1887, when about seventy-three years of age. He was a wealthy and prominent farmer and stock- raiser, noted as the owner of fine horses; in politics he was a Re- publican. Mr. and Mrs. Weddle had a family of twelve children, eleven of whom are living, as follows: William T., Samantha, John C., Marion, Alonzo, Ida, Sherman, Perry, Edward R., Nor- man F. and Lula D. Nancy E., the eldest child, died in her twenty- fourth year, a member of the U. B. Church.

ALBERT D. WEEKS, sheriff of Vigo county, was born in Linton township, this county, May 8, 1855, and is a son of Joseph F. and Lucinda (Pound) Weeks, former a native of Kentucky, and latter of Vigo county. Her parents were among the earliest settlers, and were here when the Indians still lingered in the brush, and painted their cheeks with the Wabash mud. Mr. Weeks' grandmother was a daughter of Joseph Liston, and has often told some of the thrilling experiences she had with the Indians. Among other things she related that her husband had dug a deep hole under the floor large enough for her and the five children to get into when they heard the Indians coming. She would raise a plank in the floor, and after all the children got in she would follow, and the frightened chicks would crouch quiet as the grave, while the Indians would enter the cabin and take what they wanted and go away. She also related that when the corn was tall enough they would escape to the corn field. On one occasion one of the little boys was forgotten and left in the house; the mother realized the awful fact, and when she crept back in the forlorn hope of saving the child's life, and got where she could see, to her horror she beheld the boy laughing and chattering, and turning the grind- stone for an Indian to grind his tomahawk. She looked on in mute horror, but the Indian finally left and did the boy no harm.

The parents of Mr. Weeks were of English descent, the father being a farmer. He died in Linton township, this county, in Janu- ary, 1867. His family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are living, Mr. Weeks being the eldest of those now living. He was reared on a farm, attending the public schools. He followed farming, and was thus employed until he was appointed deputy sheriff, in 1882. He was nominated and elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket, in 1886. In 1890 there was a "strike " among the employes of the Mackey Railroad System, which was a critical

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period in the official life of the sheriff. He was the chief peace officer in the county, and the railroad authorities would have used him, if possible, to promote their aims, which of course he would not consent to, as they were unjust to the men. It is a high com- pliment to his good sense to say that he so managed the most deli- cate matter to the entire approbation of the community, and especially to that of the railroad employes. He knew his official duty, and performed it to the perfect satisfaction of all good men. At the time there were those who criticised his actions, but now there are none but speak of his entire career with the fullest approbation. Mr. Weeks is one of the successful men of the county, and is the owner of a farm of 120 acres in Linton town- ship. He was married, in Vigo county, to Miss Maria, daughter of George and Ellen (St. Clair) Albin, and of English descent; she is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks are members of the K. & L. of H .; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

LOUIS L. WEEKS, farmer and stock-grower, Linton township, P. O. Pimento, was born in Spencer county, Ky., November 14, 1820, and is a son of William L. and Nancy ( Kester) Weeks, former a native of Virginia, of English descent, latter of Kentucky, of English and German descent. They came to this county about 1838, where he was a farmer. His death occurred August 21, 1875, and his wife's in October, 1845. They had a family of five sons and four daugh- ters, of whom Louis L. is the eldest. Our subject was married April 9, 1845, to Sarah Ann, daughter of David and Ruth (Arm- strong) Kelley, natives of Kentucky, former of Irislı and latter of Irish and German descent. They were pioneer settlers of this county, and had a family of seven children, of whom Sarah Ann is the fourth. Her father died in Prairie Creek township, Vigo county, in October, 1859, and her mother, March 18, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks had born to them eleven children, viz .: Nancy D., deceased; John K., who married Sarah F. Kester; David, who married Martha Watson; Chancy, married to Mary Hickman; Julia B., who married Alex. Beard; Louis H., married to Mary E. Siner; Carrie, deceased; Ruth, deceased; Ida, Daniel V. and Eura. Mr. Weeks is a prominent farmer of Linton township, and owns a farm of 400 acres, in a good state of cultivation. He taught a subscription school two terms. ' He is a member of the Baptist Church, of which he is clerk at the present time. Politically he is a Democrat, and served two terms as county commissioner, and one term as town- ship trustee.

LEO J. WEINSTEIN, physician and surgeon, Terre Haute, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 12, 1848, and is the fifth

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in the family of eight children of Joseph and Lena (Bendel) Wein- stein, former a native of Poland, latter of Germany. His parents moved to Covington, Ky., in 1850, where the son was reared, and, while yet a small boy, he was put to work in the glass works at that place, and was in that employment from the time he was six years old until he was nine. He was taught to read, while in the glass works, by one of the men who took an interest in him. He then went to Cincinnati, and lived with an uncle until he was eleven years of age, at which time he returned to Covington, and again went to work in the glass works, remaining eighteen months. He was attentive to his duties, and spent his extra time in study. He then went to live with a sister in Montgomery county, Ohio, where he remained until 1860, when he moved to Dayton, where he found employment in a store until 1863, and then removed to Pana, Ill., where his two elder brothers were engaged in mercantile trade. He clerked for them, and at the same time commenced the study of medicine, his preceptors being Drs. Dodge and Huber. In 1868 he attended a course of lectures, and then engaged in the practice as an undergraduate, after which he took a thorough course of study of medicine at Miami College, Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1873-74, and returned to his practice in Illinois. May 1, 1878, he came to Terre Haute, where he has met with marked success in his profession. Politically he is a Republican, and served as a member of the city council of Terre Haute, from 1887 to 1889; he is a member of the board of health of that city. The Doctor is a member of the Vigo County Medical Association, and of the State Medical Association; is medical examiner for the New Eng- land Life Insurance Company. He was noble grand of the I. O. O. F., while in Illinois, also medical examiner for that lodge, and he is a member of the Masonic body. He has written for medical journals, and has lectured before the Medical Association.

Dr. Weinstein was married December 25, 1866, to Miss Thirza B., daughter of Dr. J. B. Hamilton, and a native of Indiana, born of Scotch and English descent. This union has been blessed with three children: Carrie, Alice and Joseph. Dr. and Mrs. Weinstein are members of the Congregational Church.

WILLIAM O. WELDELE, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., April 30, 1862, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Monninger ) Weldele, former of whom is a native of Baden, Germany, and latter of Bavaria. They came to this country about the year 1854. George Weldele is a barber, and has been in that busi- ness about thirty-five years in Terre Haute. Our subject, who is the third in a family of ten children, nine of whom are living, re- ceived a public-school education in the city schools. He worked

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seven years for Ed E. Lawrence, and then engaged in the bakery and restaurant business with W. N. Broadhurst, the firm name be- ing Broadhurst & Weldele. At the expiratian of two years he sold his interest to his partner, and embarked in his present business. He has made his own way in the world. Mr. Weldele was married in Terre Haute November 1, 1887, to Miss Cora, daughter of Stephen G. Howe, now a merchant of Chicago. She died August 23, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Weldele had born to them one son, Carl William. Mr. Weldele is a member of the following societies: K. of P., Occidental No. 18; Red Men, Ionie Tribe No. 104; and the T. H. L. D. Association. He was a member of the Occidental Literary Club ten years. He was elected member of the city coun- cil May 7, 1889, and is a Democrat. He weighs 365 pounds.

LEONHARD WELTE, member of the firm of Stuempfle & Welte, Terre Haute, is a native of Erlahain, Wurttemberg, Ger- many, born December 8, 1851, and is a son of Engelbert and Kumarana (Berner) Welte, also natives of Germany, who immi- grated to Charleston, Ill., in 1871. The mother died there in the fall of 1871. The father, who is a miller by trade, but turned his attention to farming after coming to this country, is now a resident of Ida Grove, Ida Co., Iowa. Leonhard, who is the third in a family of eleven children, was reared in Germany, receiving a public- school education, and served an apprenticeship at the stone-cutter's

trade. In 1869 he immigrated to Charleston, Ill., and worked at his trade there until 1873, when he came to Terre Haute, where he clerked in the National Roadhouse three years, and then engaged in his present business. He has made his own way in the world. Mr. Welte was married in Preston, Canada, to Miss Mary, daughter of Michel and Catharine (Roos) Stuempfle. She is the tenth in a family of eleven children, and was born in Preston August 12, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Welte have four children: Herman, Emma, Pauline and Ada. 'In his political preferments Mr. Welte is a Democrat.

PERRY S. WESTFALL (deceased) was one of Terre Haute's most prominent editors and publishers, and was born in Parke county, Ind., December 18, 1834. His parents, James and Mary (McMullen) Westfall, were of Scotch-Irish and German descent, and were among the early settlers of Vigo county. From Vigo they moved ' to Parke county, and there the father died in 1842, leaving a family of five children to the widow's care. All grew up to maturity and married, but all preceded the mother in death, and now she alone remains, still sturdy in health and interested in all that goes on around her. She is now seventy-six years old, having been born in Richland, Ohio, April 8, 1814. She has nine grand- children, six of whom are the children of her first son, Perry S.

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Perry S. Westfall came to Terre Haute in 1841, and made the place his permanent home. By the untimely death of his father he was thrown on his own resources, but nevertheless found time to educate himself in the city schools. At an early age he secured employment as a clerk in a store, and this was the beginning of his energetic and successful business career. In 1855 he entered a newspaper office and here found the field for his ambition. Two years after this he became foreman of the Terre Haute Daily Express composing room, and in five years advanced to the position of general editor and business manager of the paper. He served one term as deputy-postmaster at Terre Haute, under J. O. Jones. In 1872 he purchased the Saturday Evening Mail, and to the de- velopment of this journal he devoted the remainder of his life. He was its editor and publisher for nearly seventeen years, and his success was remarkable. In 1855 Perry S. Westfall and Miss Nancy M. Cochran, who was of Scotch and German descent, were united in marriage, and their union was blessed with six children, all of whom are still living, as follows: Luella, the wife of Robert G. Watson, a prominent citizen of Terre Haute [See sketch. ]; Cora Mae, at home; Edwin P., manager and publisher of the Saturday Evening Mail; George F., owner of the post-office news-stand; Clifford C., an employe in the Mail office; and Herbert C., at home .. The family, including the mother and five unmarried children, now reside at No. 121 North Seventh street. Mr. Westfall was a member of the First Congregational Church, and took an active interest in all church matters, for several years being leader of the choir. He was patriotic in his advancement of Terre Haute's interests, and also advocated local as well as State reforms. He died January 17, 1889. His mantle fell upon the shoulders of his son, Edwin P., who has since had full charge of the Mail, and of whose qualities mention is made in the chapter of this volume entitled " The Press."

PROF. WILLIAM H. WILEY, superintendent of the public schools of Terre Haute, was born in Rush county, Ind., December 28, 1842, and is the eldest son of John H. and Catharine ( Bracken) Wiley. His father was a native of Kentucky, his mother of Indi- ana, and were both of Scotch-Irish descent. His father spent many years on the farm in Indiana, but now resides in the "Far West;" the mother is long since dead. The boyhood of the son was divided between the plow in summer and the public school in winter. He entered the North-western Christian (now Butler) University in 1859, and graduated from the classical department of that insti- tution in 1864. He taught one term of school before his gradua- tion, and was so encouraged with his success as to be led to select

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that profession for his life work. His alma mater has honored him with the degree of master of arts, and a number of invitations to deliver addresses before her students. Immediately upon his graduation Mr. Wiley taught six months in an academy at State Line, Ind., and came to Terre Haute in the spring of 1865. After a term of three months in the Fourth District school he was pro- moted to the principalship of the Terre Haute High school. This latter position was held for a period of four years, during which time the school increased greatly, both in number of pupils and in popularity. In the summer of 1869 the board of education elected Mr. Wiley to the very responsible place at the head of the Terre Haute schools, and he has served continuously in that capacity from that time until the present. This term of service happens to be longer than that of any other man now holding a similar position in Indiana. Considering the size and importance of the city as an educational center, this speaks in high terms of his success in his vocation. The exceptional beauty and convenience of many pub- lic school buildings of the city are due very largely to the wise suggestions of Supt. Wiley. He has at present under his direction and oversight 125 teachers, more than 5,000 pupils and $300,000 worth of school property. In 1875 he was chosen president of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, and had the honor of serving in that capacity in the Centennial year. He is at present a member of the State Board of Education, having been first appointed three years ago.

Mr. Wiley has written many valuable articles for educational journals, and has appeared before a number of audiences as a lect- urer on popular as well as professional themes. His written re- ports, from time to time, upon the condition of the schools under his charge, and his suggestions upon courses of study for public schools, take rank with the best thinkers upon educational subjects. Mr. Wiley has given considerable attention to societies for charita- ble purposes, and among other orders in which he holds member- ship, it may be mentioned that he is a Royal Arch Mason.

On August 10, 1865, Mr. Wiley was married to Miss Lida Brown, of Indianapolis. She is a daughter of Dr. R. T. Brown, a scientist and educator of note in the State, and graduated from the same college as her husband. This union has been blessed with two children, Walter Brown and Mary Katharine, both of whom have also been thoroughly educated. The family are all members of the Christian Church. Mr. Wiley has been an elder of the Terre Haute congregation for many years, and has held many other offices in the church and Sunday-school.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 104

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