History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 67

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

USA > Indiana > Vigo County > History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections > Part 67

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).

Bearing apple trees, 43,759; young trees (not bearing), 15,702; apple trees killed, 1889, 3,363; bearing peach trees, 9,351; young peach trees, 2,719; bearing cherry trees, 5,630; young trees, 3,455; bearing grapevines, 23,356; young vines, 4,087; apple trees planted, 1889, 4,700; peach trees planted, 1889, 1,511.

Number of books in private libraries, 16,516; public libraries, 14,411; pianos, 472; organs, 396; sewing machines, 2,546.

PART II.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,

STEPHEN ADAIR, grocer and cooper, Terre Haute, was born in Wayne county, Ind., July 14, 1843, a son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Rigler) Adair, former a native of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent, latter of Pennsylvania, of German lineage. Stephen, who is the second in a family of six children, was married November 19, 1868, in Terre Haute, to Rebecca A., daughter of Edward and Sarah (Richardson) Derrickson, natives of Philadelphia, Penn., her father of German descent, and her mother of English. Mrs. Adair is the third in a family of five children who grew to their majority, and was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, October 17, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Adair had born to them four children, viz .: Joseph Edward, Emma, Lester (deceased) and Mabel.

Mr. Adair was reared in Terre Haute until he was thirteen years of age, and was educated in the schools of the city, also in Putman and Hendricks counties. He has had to depend on his own resources from the time he was thirteen years of age, and worked on a farm until he was eighteen years old; then returned to Terre Haute in the spring of 1861, and worked at whatever he could get to do. February 8, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his command marched at once to the front. Some of the important engage- ments in which he participated were the battles of Atlanta, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, Franklin, etc. He was mustered out at Indianapolis in January, 1866, and returned to Terre Haute, where he worked for seven years in Thompson's flour-mill and cooper shop, during which time he learned the cooper's trade. He then engaged in the cooper business for himself, and has since fol- lowed it. In 1880 he embarked in a grocery business at Thir- teenth street and College avenue, which he sold out in July, 1883. He then erected a two-story brick building, with store-room on the first floor, at No. 800 South Seventh street, where he again engaged in the grocery trade. His cooper shop is in the rear of No. 900 South Ninth street. Mr. Adair is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Lodge No. 86, also of the I. O. O. F., No. 51, Terre Haute;

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has passed the chairs, and is a member of the Encampment; is also a member of the A. O. U. W. He eschews politics, and gives his attention to his large and increasing business affairs; his sympathies and votes are in favor of Democratic principles.

ANDREW J. ADAMS, farmer and stock-grower, Nevins town- ship, P. O. Fontanet. This gentleman is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Vigo county, and was born in Nevins township, Vigo county, Ind., May 24, 1843, a son of Wayne and Elizabeth B. (Nevins) Adams. Nevins township was named in honor of William Nevins. The grandfather of Andrew J. was born in Fort Wayne, and his mother was also a native of Indiana; they were of English and Irish descent. The father, who was a farmer, was born December 31, 1814, and died in Nevins township. An- drew J. was two years of age when his parents came to Vigo county, where his father entered 900 acres of land, which property has been transmitted to his children and their heirs. Mr. Adams' father died in Nevins township in 1874. Andrew J., who is the young- est in the family, was reared on the farm in this county, attending the common schools, and followed farming, his father's occupation, in which he has been very successful, and is the owner of 180 acres of highly improved land. In politics he is a Democrat. He has been three times married; first to Laura Roy, who was of French descent, and by her he had two children: Amanda and Elizabeth; his second wife was Sarah Moore, a lady of Irish descent, and their only child is Effie; his third wife was Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob Kyle, of Nevins township, and of German descent. This union has been blessed with two children: Robert and Laura Ellen. Mr. Adams' grandfather, William Adams, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

FILLMORE ADAMS, farmer and stock-grower, Nevins town- ship, P. O. Fontanet. This gentleman is a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families in Vigo county, and was born in Nev- ins township, August 27, 1859, a son of Joel and Matilda ( White) Adams, natives of the "Sunny South," born of English descent, and who were among the early settlers of Nevins township. The mother is still living, and resides on the old home farm, which consists of 260 acres of valuable land, and the father helped to clear almost all this farm. He died in 1867, leaving a valuable estate, where several members of his family reside; in the family were four- teen children, Fillmore being the twelfth in order of birth. He was married September 20, 1883, to Miss Ira, daughter of Noah Grinell, and of English descent. Her father was a farmer, and also cooper by trade. This marriage has been blessed with two children: John L. and Oha. Mr. Adams is a member of the

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Christian Church; in politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

THOMAS W. ADAMS, farmer, Nevins township, P. O. Rose- dale, Parke county. This gentleman is a descendant of John Quincy Adams, ex-President of the United States, and belongs to one of the early pioneer families of Parke county, Ind., where he was born May 16, 1850, a son of William and Mary ( White ) Adams. who were of English descent, and natives of Ohio. His grand- father, Samuel Adams, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father came from Ohio to Parke county at an early day, and, in 1854, to Vigo county ; he was a farmer, and died in 1879, his fam- ily consisting of nine children of whom Thomas W. is the fourth in order of birth. Our subject was reared on the farm, attending the common school, and has always been a farmer. He is the owner of a highly improved farm, consisting of 118 acres in Nevins township. Mr. Adams was united in marriage in 1873, with Miss Amelia, daughter of George and Harriet (Peters) Woods, who were of Ger- man origin and natives of Indiana. This union has been blessed with six children, as follows: Laura Ella, James H., Carrie, Josie, Fred and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Republican, and since 1887 he has served as trustee of Nevins township. The family have a wide circle of warm friends.

GEORGE T. ALBIN, farmer and stock-grower, Linton town- ship, P. O. Youngstown, was born in Nelson county, Ky., February 7, 1822, and is a son of George and Nancy (Foxworthy) Albin, natives of Kentucky, former of whom, who was a saddler by trade, died in that State. They had two children, both sons, of whom George T. is the elder. He was married January 3, 1844, to Elner J., daughter of Eli and Frances (Siner) St. Clair, natives of Essex county, Md., and early settlers of this county. Mrs. Elner J. Albin is the fifth in a family of nine children, and was born in Sullivan county, Ind., March 7, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Albin have had born to them nine children, viz .: Sarah J., wife of Joseph L. McCoskey ; Mary F., deceased wife of Frederick Finkbine; Luther M., who married Jennie McCoskey; Martha E., wife of George McCoskey, deceased; Nancy C., wife of James Lane; William C., deceased; Louisa M., wife of Dudley Weeks, sheriff of this county; Charles N., who married Lulu Cook, and one that died in infancy. George T. Albin was reared on the farm, and first learned the cooper's trade in Terre Haute, which he followed for eight years, tlien turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on the farm, with his mother, who still lives; she owns a farm of 140 acres. August 6, 1862, Mr. Albin enlisted in Company E, Sixtlı Regiment Indiana

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Cavalry, and he took part in the battle of Richmond, Ky., Camp- bell station, and went through the Georgia campaign. He con- tracted scurvy during the fall of 1863, and was injured by a government wagon, at Nashville, Tenn., in the fall of 1864. He was mustered out at Pulaski, Tenn., June 17, 1865. Mr. Albin is a member of the G. A. R., Topping Post No. 158, Youngstown, and his political party is the Republican.

WILLIAM H. H. ALKIRE, farmer and stock-grower, Otter Creek township, P. O. Atherton. The place of his nativity is Madi- son county, Ohio, where he was born in December, 1823, son of John H. and Sarah (Skiles) Alkire, former of whom was a Ken- tuckian, latter a native of Ohio, and they were of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic origin. The father was a farmer and a noted hunter, liv- ing among the pioneers of Vigo county in a very early day. Our sub- ject was reared in Madison county, Ohio, a farmer boy, and is now one of the leading agriculturists of this county. His school advan- tages in youth were extremely limited, and since early boyhood necessity has taught him the utmost self-reliance. He spent his youth among strangers in Ohio, and when grown he married Eliza- beth, daughter of Asa and Phebe Oglesby, by which union were born six sons and one daughter, viz .: William, a farmer; Margaret, now the wife of Z. Hastings; John, Thomas, Courtney, Samuel and Harley, all farmers. Mr. Alkire is a member of the Christian Church, Mrs. Alkire of the Baptist. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has a splendidly improved farm of 148 acres, which is the family homestead, and the family are widely known and well respected.

GEORGE M. ALLEN, editor and proprietor of the Terre Haute Express, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., August 26, 1853, and is a son of Edward B. and Lucina (Sales) Allen. His parents were born in Vigo county, and his ancestors on both sides of the house were pioneer settlers on the Wabash. His grandfather, Ira Allen, came to Vigo county with his father, Peter B. Allen, in 1817; they pushed a keelboat up the Wabash. Our subject attended the public schools and the high school at Terre Haute, and after com- pleting his studies he found employment in the Prairie City Bank of Terre Haute. After some time he went to Salt Lake City, Utah, and became teller of the First National Bank of that place. He then accepted the management of Warren Hussey's bank at Corinne, Utah, where he was until 1873, when he returned to Indiana and was appointed teller of the First National Bank at Indianapolis, where he remained until 1878, when he received the appointment of paymaster of the United States navy, which position he occupied until 1882, when he returned to his old home and purchased the

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Terre Haute Express, the leading morning daily and weekly Re- publican paper in western Indiana. In the brief eight years it has been under his charge it has grown rapidly, and is now a metro- politan journal, commanding a wide patronage, and exerting a strong and healthy influence, not only in its party, but generally. He has increased its facilities in every way until they are more than double, and it has especially increased in circulation. He has full associated press reports on both wires; also controls the United States franchise for all the morning papers, and he has a force of able lieutenants, not only in the office but at all points in the Wabash valley. The Express has a general circulation in Vigo county and all the eastern part of Illinois.

George M. Allen, as the controlling power of the Express, is a vigilant and sleepless guard on the outer walls of the Republican party and its best interests. He is secretary of the congressional committee; is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been initiated at Lima, Peru, South America, while he was in the service of the government, where he also took the first three degrees.

HON. JAMES M. ALLEN, judge of the superior court of Vigo county, was born in Shelby county, Ky., March 3, 1827, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Youel) Allen, natives of Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish descent, former of whom, a farmer by occupa- tion, died in Kentucky. Judge Allen, who is the eighth in a family of nine children, was reared in Indiana, his education being ob- tained in the public schools, and completed in Bloomington Uni- versity. His parents came from Kentucky to Parke county, Ind., in 1831, and made that their home. The son remained with his parents until 1844, subsequently moving to Mississippi, where he remained one year, when he returned to Parke county, and studied law and taught school. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1852, and then went to Dearborn county, that State, and opened a law office at Lawrenceburg, the county seat. In 1863 he removed to Terre Haute, opened a law office, and was at once actively engaged in the practice. He soon drew a large clientage, and was recognized as one of the county's prominent advocates. The firm of Allen & Mack, both now on the bench, was the leading law firm of this part of the State. Our subject was elected superior judge in 1884, for a term of six years.

Judge Allen was united in marriage, in 1853, with Henrietta Wedding, daughter of Judge Randolph Wedding, who was among the early settlers of Parke county, Ind. He made his home in Vigo county during the later years of his life. [See chapter on “ Bench and Bar." ] This union has been blessed with nine children, as follows: Elizabeth Youel, Anna Wedding, Emily S., Mary, John

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Randolph, Henrietta, James M., Belle and Mack. Mrs. Allen, who is now deceased, was a member of the Congregational Church.

MILTON ALLEN, farmer and stock-grower, Nevins township, P. O. Fontanet. This enterprising young man is a native of this State, born January 17, 1848, and is a son of William and Sarah (Faris) Allen, natives of Indiana. Their ancestors have been in the United States a great many years, and Col. Ethan Allen, of his- toric fame, was a member of the family. Milton's father, who in early life was a miller and later a farmer, came to Vigo county in 1854, and for several years carried on the milling business, but subsequently engaged in farming and stock-growing in Nevins township, in which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1869. He was twice married, had one child by his first wife and nine by his second, and the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the eldest son by the second wife. Milton was reared on the farm in Nevins township, where he attended the district school, and he chose farming as a life business. He takes pride in a good horse, and drives one of the best looking draft teams in the county. His farm contains 120 acres of land in Nevins township, where he has lately erected a neat and substantial dwelling. He is unmar- ried. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Allen has many friends, and especially is this true of those who know him best, for he is of a social and congenial nature, enjoying the society of his many friends, as well as imparting pleasure to all his associates.

ROBERT ALLEN, farmer and stock-grower, Linton town- ship, P. O. Pimento, was born in Shelby county, Ky., March 28, 1814, and is a son of Josiah and Nancy (Biby) Allen, former a farmer of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter of English, natives of Virginia; both died in Kentucky. They had a family of five boys and five girls, of whom Robert is the youngest. Our subject was married March 28, 1844, to Emily, daughter of Robert and Martha (Vandyke) Stout, who had six children, of whom Mrs. Emily Allen was the second, born January 16, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had born to them the following named three children: Mary Jane, married to Thomas H. Williams; Martha, married to Alex. F. Shaw, and Lida Ann, deceased. Mrs. Allen died November 2, 1852, a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Allen was married, the second time, September 8, 1853, to Sarah C. Ring, daughter of Martin and Barbara (Hazard) Ring, born April 12, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had two children: Susan and James W., both now dead. Mrs. Saralı C. Allen died March 16, 1856, a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Allen's third marriage occurred October 24, 1858, with Elizabeth Williams, daughter of James Williams, a farm- er, and Anna (McWilliams) Williams. They were natives of Ken-

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tucky, of Irish descent, and moved to this county March 23, 1851. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom Elizabeth is the eldest, born October 9, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had a fam- ily of four children: Sarah Ann ( wife of Charles P. Miller ), John H., Hannah E. and Robert C. Mr. Allen was reared on the farm and received his education in the subscription schools of Shelby county, Ky. He taught school for five years, then attended Bacon College at Harrisburg, Ky., and taught school for about twenty years after attending college. He owns a well-cultivated farm of 120 acres on which he resides; 240 acres he divided among his children. Mr. Allen served twelve years as county surveyor, and has worked at surveying more or less for a number of years. He is a member of the Christian Church, and has served as elder for fifty years, also as teacher in the Sabbath-school. Mr. Allen's father was in the Indian war of 1790, and in St. Clair's defeat at Fort Recovery. A. G. Thurman, candidate for Vice-President, is an uncle of Mr. Allen. Our subject is Democratic in politics, and served one term as township trustee.

ROBERT ANDREW, secretary of the Lancaster & Diamond Block Coal Company, with office at No. 921 Wabash avenue, Terre Haute, was born in Clay county, Ind., February 10, 1858, and is a son of John and Jesse ( Anderson ) Andrew, natives of Scotland. Robert, who is the fourth in a family of seven children, was married Decem- ber 25, 1883, in Brazil, Clay county, Ind., to Sarah, daughter of John and Kate (Humphrey ) Kennedy, natives of Scotland. Mrs. Andrew is the fifth in a family of eight children, and was born De- cember 29, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew had born to them one son, John H. Mr. Andrew was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of Clay county. When he was thirteen years of age he engaged in the coal business with his father, and has continued in it since. The two mines do a business of about $180,000 a year. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew are members of the Central Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Republican in politics.

C. F. ASKREN, M. D., Terre Haute, was born at Corydon, Ind., October 6, 1861, and is the son of John and Sarah (Davis) Askren, natives of Kentucky and of Scotch descent, former being a farmer and stock-dealer. Dr. Askren, who is the youngest in a family of two children, was reared in his native county, where he attended the district school and the high school at Corydon, graduating in the regular course. In 1877 he entered Hartsville University and took a classical course. He then went to Louisville, Ky., where he took the regular course in the medical college at that place, graduating in 1883. He then entered the practice of medicine, and has been

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actively engaged since. Dr. Askren takes a great interest in science and literature, and is a frequent contributor to the medical and scientific journals. He is medical examiner for several insurance companies and for secret orders. He is one of the visiting physi- cians to St. Anthony's Hospital. He was married in Corydon, Ind., in 1884, to Miss Mollie, daughter of Charles Pennington, and of English descent. Dr. and Mrs. Askren are members of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he affiliates with the Dem- ocratic party.

R. A. AUSTIN, general superintendent of the American Straw Board Paper Company, Otter Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute. This gentleman is eminently qualified for the position he has as- sumed. He has 150 employes under him, and his salary is the largest paid any superintendent in the United States employed in the paper manufacturing business. He was born in New York City, December 11, 1839, and is a son of Alonzo and Sarah (Sheffield) Austin, natives of England, former of whom was a blacksmith. R. A. Austin, who is the elder of two children, was reared in New York City, and received a good education, having attended school in that city and also in Delaware, where early in life he commenced work in a paper-mill. He put his mind to the work, as well as his muscle, and advanced in his knowledge of the business when he had mastered the trade. He was offered a position as foreman, soon be- coming superintendent, and in 1870 he came to Mansfield, Ohio, as superintendent of the paper mills. In 1872 he moved to Illinois and was superintendent of a paper mill there for nine years, when he wentto Portage county, Ohio, and was superintendent of the Straw Board Company at Circleville until he came here in 1888 to fill the position of general superintendent of the American Straw Board Paper Company. Mr. Austin was united in marriage in 1864 with Miss Emma T., daughter of Robert Light, and of Scotch descent. The fruits of this union have been five children, viz .: Hamilton, Charles, Frank, Emma and Lillian. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in Ohio he was trustee of the church and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He takes an active part in the Sabbath-school here, and in 1888 he organized a Sabbath-school at the Union Church. He is vice grand in the I. O. O. F., is a member of the I. O. M., and served as dis- trict deputy grand master at Circleville, Ohio. He enlisted in New York, serving three years, and suffered the horrors of Libby prison, where he was a prisoner two months, and he is a member of the Loyal Legion. Mr. Austin is a man of more than ordinary energy and industry. His children are all doing well, and of them Charles is the shipping clerk for the American Straw Board Paper Company

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at Ellsworth Station, in Otter Creek township, where Mr. Austin and his family now reside.

HENRY BADER, proprietor of Bader's Hall, Terre Haute. This gentleman has an extensive acquaintance in Terre Haute and surrounding country. He was born in Germany January 1, 1838, and is a son of Michael and Dora (Hamer) Bader, natives of Ger- many, where the father, who was a farmer, died in 1878. He had been a soldier under Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo. Henry, who is the youngest in a family of five children, was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen he was put to learn the tanner's trade, serving a reg- ular apprenticeship, and then followed the same a quarter of a cent- ury. He came to America when a young man, and worked at his trade in Ohio, where he met and became well acquainted with his fellow tradesman, afterward Gen. U. S. Grant, who was then but a humble tanner. Mr. Bader went to Bloomington, Ind., in 1868, where he accepted a position as foreman in a large tannery, in which he remained ten years. In 1878 he came to Terre Haute, where for eight years he was employed with the Keyes Manufactur- ing Company, and then opened up his present business, which is located on Lafayette avenue. He has made his own way in the world by industry and a determination to succeed. Mr. Bader has been twice married, first time in 1860, by which union were four children: Rosa, wife of John Cassman; Henry, a machinist, now employed at a high salary at Portland, Ore .; Fred, also a machin- ist, and Albert (deceased). The mother of this family dying, Mr. Bader married for his second wife Mrs. Best, widow of Philip Best, by whom she had three children, as follows: Louis, now express mes- senger at Terre Haute; Charles, also in the employ of the express company; William, in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Bader have had the following named children: Edward, John, Albert, Hattie and Edith. Mrs. Bader is a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Bader is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN BAILEY, stock-grower, P. O. Prairie Creek, was born in Ohio July 25, 1818, and is a son of Resin and Susiana Bai- ley, who came to this county in 1825. The mother died here, and the father in Illinois. Their family consisted of six children, of whom John is the third in order of birth. He was married October 1, 1838, to Fannie S., daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Elliot) Shoemaker, natives of Kentucky, and early settlers of this county, where they died. They had a family of seven children, Fannie S. being the eldest, having been born in Kentucky Novem- ber 28, 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been blessed with a

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family of seven children, viz .: Joseph, who married Jemima Frakes; William H., who married Nancy Hemter; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Scott; Mary A., wife of Charles Handy; Nancy wife of Theodore Handy; James, who married Sarah Kirkham, and Oliver M., who married Mollie Frakes. Mrs. Bailey died June 2, 1889. Mr. Bailey was reared on the farm, and has made his way in the world by his own exertions. He is an old settler of Prairie Creek township, and owns a farm containing 103 acres. In his political convictions he is a Republican.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 67

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