USA > Indiana > Vigo County > History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections > Part 105
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Supt. Wiley is by no means rugged, physically-having inher-
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ited rather a frail constitution and slight figure from his mother; but he guards well his health and strength, so that he constantly, year after year, does vastly more work than the majority of men. Patient and persistent to a remarkable degree, it is a matter of common remark among his friends that if he starts out to accom- plish a certain object he never stops short of victory. Terre Haute honors herself in honoring this faithful school teacher.
CAPTAIN PETER WILHOIT, farmer and stock-grower, Fayette township, P. O. Libertyville, was born in Virginia, March 16, 1837, and is a son of Henry and Lutitia (Grub) Wilhoit, also natives of Virginia, and of German and English descent, former of whom was a farmer all his life. The family consisted of eleven children, of whom nine reached the age of maturity. Our subject, who is the ninth, received his schooling in Virginia, but as his school days were very limited his education has been chiefly ac- quired by his own efforts. He has made his own way in the world, and has been rewarded by more than average success, being now the owner of a well-improved farm in Fayette township, where he re- sides. For a time he engaged in mercantile trade. Mr. Wilhoit has been twice married, first time to Miss Doratha, daughter of Samuel Shank, and born in Fayette township, this county. Their children are Susan K., Simon P., Senora E. and Sylvester W. For his second wife Mr. Wilhoit married, in 1879, Curly Belsher, and by her he has two children: Ethel and Lattie Cleveland. Capt. and Mrs. Wilhoit are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served seven years as school director. In 1861 he enlisted in the Thirty-third Virginia Infantry, and was attached to McClanahan's Battery. He was in a great many battles, was seven times wounded, and was nine months held as a prisoner. He was first a lieutenant, and during the last year and a half of his service was a captain.
L. J. WILLIEN, M. D., ranks high among the eminent surgeons and medical practitioners of the State.
JOHN A. WILLISON, druggist, Terre Haute, was born in Har- riettsville, Noble Co., Ohio, September 4, 1852, and is a son of Jeremiah and Mary (Gallaher) Willison, natives of Ohio, former of Welsh descent, and latter of Irish and German. Our subject, who is the eldest in a family of eight children, received a common- school education in Ohio. He was in the employ of Bidenhain & Co., fifteen months, and of J. C. Wernicke & Co., about one year. He then took charge of a country store for William Morrison, and was manager of same for eleven months. Having a desire to learn the drug business, he obtained a position in Samuel Cooley's drug store, with whom he worked three years. He then traveled a short
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time for Bear, Hanchimer & Co., and then came to Terre Haute in the spring of 1879. Securing a position with Groves & Lowery, druggists, he remained with them three years. For ten months he worked for E. H. Bindley & Co., wholesale druggists, and then bought out C. A. Robinson, where he is located at the present time, and his success in the drug trade is a fair example of what may be accomplished by energy, enterprise and a close attention to bus- iness. His stock is composed of popular proprietary medicines, paints, oils, varnishes, dye stuffs, toilet articles, and pure wines and liquors for medical purposes. Mr. Willison was married August 2, 1877, in Harriettsville, Ohio, to Martha L. Shafer, who died in 1878, and in March, 1883, he was married, in Terre Haute, to Rosa Sthaor, who died October 17, 1887. There were born to this mar- riage three children: Margaret, Walter and Elmer. £ Mr. Willison was married (the third time) in March, 1890, to Mary B. Blundell, of Marshall, Ill. He was appointed deputy State oil inspector for the Eighth Congressional district, and entered on his duties De- cember 1, 1889. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 51; Vigo Encampment, No. 17, and the Canton, No. 28; he has passed the chairs in the subordinate lodge and of the Encampment. He is a member of the National Union and also of the Columbia Club, and is a Republican.
JESSE H. WILSON, Riley township. This gentleman is of German and Irish descent. His parents, Joseph and Mary ( Hart- ley) Wilson, came to Vigo county in 1832, and settled within one- fourth of a mile of where he now resides. It was there they spent many years of their lives, and where the mother now resides with her son, Thomas, who is a prominent farmer. She was born in South Carolina, her husband in Virginia. He was a farmer, and died in 1864, being at the time of his death the owner of 170 acres of land. Jesse H. Wilson is the eldest of five children, two of whom are deceased. He is a regular graduate of the old-fashioned log school-house, where they used slabs for seats. He has made farming and stock-growing his business, and is the owner of a well- improved farm, where he resides. He joined the Christian Church when only seventeen years of age, and has officiated as a minister for many years. In early life he was elected elder of Liberty Church, and served in that capacity twenty years. He also served as Sabbath-school superintendent.
Our subject was married by Rev. A. Ward, in Riley township, this county, March 29, 1855, to Miss Cynthia E., daughter of Edward Roll, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, January 1, 1814. He now resides in Riley township, this county, a prominent farmer and a successful business man, but now retired. At one time he
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owned 640 acres of land in Vigo county. He is the third son of Isaac Roll, of Virginia, and of English descent. Mrs. Wilson's grandfather, Aaron Thompson, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Fort Harrison, in this county. Her grand- father, Isaac Roll, died in Vigo county in 1828. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been blessed with six children, all living and doing well. They are named as follows: Edward J., John A., Henry T., Stephen F., Mollie B. and George W., four of whom are members of the Christian Church. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been very pleasant, and they are congenial and have many friends. Our subject has united in marriage 182 couples. His political affiliation is Democratic. This is a pleasant and very respectable family, greatly esteemed by a wide circle of friends.
SYLVESTER S. WINNINGHAM, engineer, Seelyville, was born in Lost Creek township, Vigo Co., Ind., June 18, 1838, and is a son of Becket and Elizabeth (Shepherd) Winningham, natives of North Carolina. The father, who was a farmer, came to this county about the year 1821, and died in Lost Creek township. The family consisted of two sons and two daughters, of whom Sylvester S. is the eldest. He was reared on a farm and helped grade the Vanda- lia Railroad through Lost Creek townsnip; then followed farming for about five years. In 1860 he went to Iowa, and remained there about nine months, when he returned and engaged in engineering, in Clay county, which business he followed for about one year. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company M, Fourth Indiana Cavalry (Seventy-seventh Regiment), Capt. Seeley's command, and some of the engagements, etc., in which he participated were the battle of Chickamauga, the East Tennessee campaign, the campaign of At- lanta, and the battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Resaca. They then moved back, with Gen. Thomas, to Nashville, and after the battle" there they went to Waterloo, were organized into a cavalry corps, and made the famous Wilson raid. They were at Macon, Ga., when the war closed, and, marching back to Nashville, they were mustered out July 8, 1865. Mr. Winningham was married in Orange county, August 14, 1865, to Mary, daughter of Wood and Mary (Sunders) Winningham, natives of North Carolina, and who had a family of seven children, of whom Mrs. Winningham was the sixth, born May 8, 1844. Our subject had by this wife two children: Sanford (deceased) and Robert M. Mrs. Winningham died July 14, 1875, a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Winningham was after- ward married to Sarah J., daughter of Samuel and Ann ( Austin) Cheek, who had seven children, of whom Sarah J. is the second. Mr. Winningham is a member of Leslie Post, No. 410, G. A. R.
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JASPER N. WOODS, carpenter and farmer, Pierson township, P. O. Lewis, was born in Morgan county, Ind., October 15, 1848, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Woods, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. David Woods was born January 3, 1820, and is now a resident of Clay county, Ind. Mrs. Elizabeth Woods was born in 1812, in Kentucky, and died in Pierson township, this county, October 23, 1852. David Woods. afterward married Mrs. Rubie Ellington, daughter of Joseph Denton, and widow of Cyrus Ellington. David Woods when a young man went from Davidson county, N. C., to Virginia, where he lived six years, after which time he came to Indiana, and located in Morgan county, near Martinsville. In 1849 he moved from there with his family to what is now known as the " Reservoir Prairie," which was his home until 1882, when he removed to Clay county. His occupation has been that of a farmer, with the ex- ception of one year (1869), when he operated a mill on Eel River. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in politics a Republican. Mrs. Elizabeth (Cunningham) Woods removed with her parents from Kentucky to Morgan county, Ind., where she mar- ried David Woods. There were born to them the following named children: Jasper N., Edward N., and Benjamin F., who died when quite young. By the last marriage of David Woods there were five sons and four daughters.
Jasper N. Woods attended the schools of Pierson township during the school session, and worked on his father's farm during the farm season, until February, 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany I, Nineteenth Ind. V. I., but on account of his youth was dis- charged. In 1864 he again enlisted, this time in Company C, Forty-third Ind. V. I., and during a larger portion of the time he was detailed to do camp duty at Camp Morton. He was discharged by general order July 23, 1865. After returning from the war he commenced to farm for himself on his father's farm, on which he remained until 1881, when he removed to Clay county. After one year he again came to Vigo county, locating at Centerville, In 1873, in connection with farming, he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, and in 1882 he moved to the farm where he now lives. November 15, 1865, Mr. Woods married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John McCammon, who was born in Grundy county, Mo., October 30, 1846, by which union nine children have been born- four daughters and five sons: Sarah L., Joseph E., David F., Ida F. (who died May 1, 1877, aged three years, eight months ), Cora and Nora (twins), John T., Ben. Harrison (who died in 1888, when six years old), and Perry W. Mr. and Mrs. Woods are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is commander of Gen. Cruft Post.
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No, 284, G. A. R., and treasurer of Comet Lodge No. 615, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican.
J. E. WOLFF, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Daily Journal, was born in Coblenz, Prussia, February 17, 1848, and is a son of Casper Wolff, a machinist, who came to America with his family in 1854, and settled in Louisville, Ky., where he died in 1883. His family consisted of two daughters and one son, J. E. The subject of this sketch was reared in Kentucky and attended a private school, where he was prepared for college. Soon after com- pleting his collegiate course he commenced work on a newspaper, as a reporter, and thus continued until 1872, when he took charge of the paper at Huntingburg, Ind., as editor, where he remained until 1878. He established the Rockport Banner at Rockport, Ind., and in 1882 he added to his possessions another paper called the Spencer County Advance, an English paper. In 1883 he sold both papers and came to Terre Haute, to take charge of the Terre Haute Banner, and continued with that paper until 1884, when lie commenced the publication of the Terre Haute Journal, which is a daily and weekly paper, having an extensive circulation among those who read the German language, in which establishment he employs nine people. Mr. Wolff was married at Louisville, Ky., May 1, 1871, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Warren Bartlet, of Washing- ton, Ind., her parents being natives of Kentucky, and of English descent. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wolff has been blessed with the following named children: Lillie E., Bertha A., Olive and Charles.
JOHN WOOLF, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek town- ship, P. O. Seelyville, was born in Fayette township, Vigo Co., Ind., January 1, 1848, and is a son of John and Mary (Steangle) Woolf, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and who died in Clay county, Ind. They had a family of three boys and two girls, of whom John is the third in the order of birth. He was married April 22, 1867, to Sophia, daughter of Edmond and Catha- rine (Mace) Butt, who had seven children, of whom Mrs. Woolf is the eldest. To Mr. and Mrs. Woolf were born nine children, viz .: Mary C., Ollie, Charlie, Leander, Henry W., Eva, Clarence, Allie F. and Lula E. Mr. Woolf was reared in Clay county, Ind., and re- ceived his education in the common schools. He owned an interest in a saw-mill, which business he followed nineteen years, and now owns a farm of 122 acres where he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Woolf are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is in sympathy with the Democratic party.
JONATHAN P. WORRELL, physician, Terre Haute, is a na- tive of Chester county, Penn., born in the year 1844. He is of
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Quaker descent, his ancestors having been obliged, on account of persecution for conscience' sake, to leave England, coming to this country with William Penn in 1682. They settled, according to the old records, "in the Indian country on the west side of the great river Delaware," taking up extensive tracts of land, much of which has since never changed hands save by inheritance. Here they built their first rude cabin, and raised up in the wilderness a home from which has sprung a posterity of many thousands whose members may be found in every section of our broad land. The visitor to the old town of Chester may still read upon a rock (against which was built their first house, and which formed the back of their chimney place) the names of the pioneers and the date of their arrival at their new home.
Dr. Worrell received his education for the most part in the pub- lic schools, completing his studies in a private academy at West Chester. After leaving the academy he taught school for some months, resigning his position to enter the army in the autumn of 1862, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment, P. M. Receiving his discharge, an invalid, in Septem- ber, 1863, he immediately resumed teaching, accepting an appoint- ment in a private academy in Clearfield, Penn. While thus en- gaged he began the study of medicine under Dr. R. V. Wilson of that place. Subsequently he became a student in the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated in the spring of 1867. Some months' residence in Charity Hospital in Philadelphia, and a year's residence in the "Sanitarium," or Penn- sylvania Inebriate Asylum, fitted him to engage successfully in general practice, entering upon that phase of his work in 1869, in the town of Media, Penn. In 1872 he removed to Terre Haute, which has continued to be his residence to the present time. In 1875 he became a student of Drs. Norris and Risley, of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, in ophthalmology, and of Dr. Straw- bridge, of the same institution, in otology, for both of which spe- cialties he had developed a strong liking. In 1877 he returned to Terre Haute to pursue the practice of these departments of medi- cine, to which he has continued to confine his attention. In 1882, and again in 1888, he spent several months in Europe, following the practice of Von Arlt, Politzer, Hartmann and other leading workers in his chosen line of work. During his last visit, for sev- eral months, he enjoyed the immediate instruction of Prof. Heirch- berg, of the University of Berlin. Dr. Worrell has for several years held the position of ophthalmic and aural surgeon to St. Anthony's Hospital, in the city of Terre Haute. He is the govern- ment expert for this district in diseases of the eye and ear, claim-
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mants for pensions for diseases affecting these organs appearing before him upon order from the government.
Dr. Worrell is a member of the County, District and State So- cieties, and of the National Medical Association. In his County So- ciety, and in the Esculapian Society of the Wabash, he has taken an active part, and has held the presidency and other offices. He is also a member of the American Ophthalmological Society, and his mem- bership in the latter constitutes him a member of the "Congress of American Physicians and Surgeons." He was a member of the International Medical Congress which met in Washington in 1887, serving upon the council of the otological section of that body.
DR. MILTON L. WYETH (deceased) was a native of Rush- ville, Ind., born in March, 1825, his parents being Elisha and Nancy (Sallisberry) Wyeth, natives of Pennsylvania. Elisha Wyeth (who was an old-line Whig) took an active interest in poli- tics in his younger days, and during his residence in Pennsylvania served his county as sheriff. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and also followed farming. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and was considered one of the brightest Masons of his day. He moved to Indiana in an early day and died here. Our subject, who is the youngest in a family of seven children, came to this county with his parents when about nine years of age, and was reared on a farm. In 1852 he began the study of medicine, and attended school at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio; then began the practice of medicine in Prairieton, this county, and was also engaged in the mercantile trade there. In 1859 he moved on a farm in Edgar. county, Ill. At the breaking out of the Civil war he responded to the call of his country for the second time (he was also in the Mexican war), and enlisted in July, 1861, in the Thirty-first Ind. V. I. Shortly ' afterward he helped to organize Company G, Forty-third Ind. V. I., and was elected first lieutenant. Dr. Wyeth was taken sick while in the service, and died on the steamer. " De Sota," opposite Island No. 10, May 4, 1862. He was married in Riley township, this county, December 31, 1848, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Louis H. Davis, a farmer, who was a native of Warren county, Ohio, and who came to this county in 1830, re- turning to Ohio in 1832, and again, in 1836, coming here. He took an active interest in politics, and was of the Jackson Democ- racy. He died in the fall of 1856 at the age of fifty-one years. His wife's name was Mary Dickerson, and she was also a native of War- ren county, Ohio. She is still living, now in her eighty-third year. They had born to them eleven children, of whom nine grew to maturity, Mrs. Wyeth being the second. She was born in War- ren county, Ohio, June 19, 1828. Caleb Davis, the eldest of the
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family, went to California in 1850, where he followed mining for some time, and he is now a prominent farmer in Fresno county, his farm adjoining Fresno City. Murray Davis served in the same company during the war as Dr. Wyeth; he enlisted as a private, and was promoted to second lieutenant, serving to the close of the war. He is now a resident of San Diego, Cal. Rudolph Davis, the sixth son, served three months under Col. Hudson, re-enlisted, in 1864, in the Forty-third Ind. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He is a resident of the county. Dr. and Mrs. Wyeth had born to them two children: William W. and James C., both de- ceased. Mrs. Wyeth is an active member of the Universalist Church, as were her parents before her.
JOHN WYNAND, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Vedder. This gentleman, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Sugar Creek township, was born in Adams county, Penn., near the great battle-field of Gettysburg, December 3, 1817, and is a son of Phillip and Sarah Taylor, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. His father, who was a shoemaker by trade, was twice married, and died in 1880. John is the third child by the first wife, and was reared on the farm, learning the shoemaker's trade with his father. He came to this county in 1859, and settled in Sugar Creek town- ship, where he carried on his trade until he enlisted in 1862 in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, afterward in Seventy-seventh Regiment, Ind. V. I., Company H. While in the service he received a gun- shot wound, from which he has never fully recovered. He was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah A. Eckes, who is of German descent, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Wy- nand first started the grocery business, but since his health has failed he has taken charge of the store. Politically he sympathizes with the Republicans. This aged couple are now in the sundown of their lives.
JAMES F. YEAGER, merchant, Prairie Creek, was born in Sullivan county, Ind., April 1, 1854, and is a son of Nicholas and Isabel (Dilley) Yeager, also natives of Sullivan county, the father of German and the mother of French descent, latter of whom died in Sullivan county; the father, who is still living, is a farmer, and has served as justice of the peace. They had a family of twelve children of whom James F. is the eldest. Our subject was first married March 12, 1876, to Carrie E. Liston, who died July 17, 1880, a member of the Christian Church, and a charter member of the Sisters of Rebekah. Mr. Yeager was married, the second time, October 12, 1882, to Mrs. Sarah E. Pound, widow of Dr. Pound, and a daughter of Capt. D. W. and Rebecca (Thomas) Weir, natives of Indiana and early settlers of Vigo county. Her father
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served through the Mexican war, and was also in the Civil war, being captain of Company F, Eighty-fifth Ind. V. I., and served till the close of the struggle. He was a justice of the peace, and died in Middletown, this county; her mother is still living. They had a family of four children, Mrs. Yeager being the third in order of birth, born December 12, 1857, in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager had born to them three children: Nicholas O., .James O. and Osia R.
Mr. Yeager received his education in the common schools of Sullivan county, also the graded schools of Middletown, and was reared on the farm. When he became of age he engaged in farm- ing, following same for five years. In 1880 he embarked in mer- cantile trade in Middletown, which he has followed to the present time. He owns a well-improved farm of thirty acres in Prairie Creek township, and also 200 acres in Desha county, Ark. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 476, Vigo, and she of the Sisters of Rebekah. Mr. Yeager in politics is a Republican.
STEPHEN J. YOUNG, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 31, 1829, and is a son of Jonathan and Sarah (McFaren) Young, natives of the State of New Jersey, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, who was a farmer, moved in 1839 from Ohio to Edgar county, Ill., and settled at Paris. Stephen J. received the rudiments of his education in the schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and at the Edgar County Academy, at Paris, Ill. When in his seventeenth year he came to Terre Haute, and began the study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. Ezra Read. He subsequently attended the Medical College of Ohio, where he graduated in 1851. He then returned to Terre Haute, and began the practice of his profession. At the breaking out of the Civil war, in 1861, he entered the army as an assistant surgeon, and was soon promoted to surgeon, in which capacity he served until the close of the struggle in 1865. He then resumed his practice in Paris, Ill., where he remained until 1869, when he again made his residence in Terre Haute, where he has continued in the general practice of medicine. The Doctor was united in marriage at New Harmony, Posey Co., Ind., in April, 1864, with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Cooper, and born at New Harmony of Scotch and English descent. They have one child, Eleanor, who is the wife of F. T. Hord, of Indianapolis.
JOHN G. ZIEGLER, proprietor of meat market, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., January 17, 1857, and is a son of Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Koegle) Ziegler, who were born at Wein- garden, in Baden, Germany. They immigrated to America in 1851,
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