History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 69

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

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HENRY BECKEL, farmer and stock-dealer, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, ranks among the most extensive stock- dealers and farmers of this county, as well as being a prominent and influential citizen. He was born in Germany, February 19, 1832, the third in the family of four children of Henry Beckel, who was a farmer. Henry and an uncle came to America when the former was a youth of nineteen years, and they settled at Baltimore, Md. Henry bought and shipped cattle east. He came to Vigo county in 1865, bought and fed cattle extensively before he came here, and has made that his chief business since. He is the owner of a well- improved farm on which he resides, comprising 285 acres of valua- ble land. Mr. Beckel is a man of keen perceptive faculties, and does business quickly, being a man of but few words. He has a wide reputation for honesty and veracity, and has many friends and few enemies. It was during the Civil war he made his start. He buys much corn on his farm, paying the highest market price. Mr. Beckel was united in marriage April 27, 1858, to Rika Seilacker, and they have nine children, as follows: George, Henry, Fred, Charles, William, Lizzie, Carrie, Frank and Girtie. Mr. and Mrs. Beckel are members of the Lutheran Church; in politics he is a Democrat.

HON. JOHN BEGGS, Terre Haute. This enterprising and successful business man is a member of the Wabash Distilling Company, of Terre Haute, and also of the Straw Board Manufactur- ing Company, at Ellsworth Station, Vigo county. He was born in Fermoy, Ireland, April 6, 1832, and is a son of Edward Beggs, who was a manufacturer, and whose family consisted of seven children, of whom four are living. Our subject came with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1843, and was educated at Woodward College. Early in life he learned the distillery business, and was so employed

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several years at New Richmond, then, in 1851, embarked in the business for himself. In 1852 he sold out, and, coming to Indiana, settled in Franklin county, where lie engaged in the real estate busi- ness, and was interested largely in the timber and lumber trade. In 1870 he was elected to the legislature, and in 1874 was elected State senator. In 1852 he bought a distillery, which he operated until 1872. In 1877 he removed to Terre Haute, and has since been a member of the Wabash Distilling Company. He is treas- urer of the same, and is vice-president of the Wabash Lumber Company. Mr. Beggs was married in Kentucky, in 1853, to Miss Rebecca Lewis, who was descended from English forefathers, and was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. She died in 1881, leaving seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, now the wife of Alonzo B. Jones; Belle, wife of J. P. McDaniel; Clara, wife of Thomas Swain; John E., superintendent of the Wabash Distilling Company; Katie, at home; H. W., who is a member of the Wabash Lumber Company; Thomas G., attending school. Mr. Beggs is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Grand Lodge. He is past master in the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.

RICHARD BELT, M.D., is now actively engaged in tlie prac- tice of his chosen profession at Sandford and vicinity. He was reared on a farm in Licking county, Ohio, where he was born April 30, 1848, son of William and Jane (Park) Belt, natives of Ohio, and of American descent. The father who was a farmer all his life, died in Ohio in 1883, and his family consisted of eight chil- dren, of whom six are now living, our subject being the third. He was reared in Ohio, receiving his earliest education at the district schools, and later attending the graded schools, also the high school. He studied medicine at Marshall, Ill., and subsequently, in 1876 and 1877, attended the Ohio Medical College. He passed and received a certificate of examination from the State Board of Health, Chi- cago, Ill., March 6, 1878. In the spring of that year he commenced to practice as an undergraduate in Clark county, Ill., where he continued until 1880, when he came to Vigo county, and located at Sandford. The Doctor is very attentive to his patients, and has met with much success in his practice both here and elsewhere. He was married in Marshall, Ill., in 1875, to Miss Alice V., daughter of John Husted, and of American descent. They have one child, Bula Ella. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Wabash Valley Medical Society.

GEORGE W. BEMENT, member of the firm of Bement & Rea, wholesale dealers in groceries, Wabash avenue, Terre Haute, was

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

born at Stockbridge, Mass., August 4, 1826, son of G. W. Bement, who was of Welsh descent, a farmer by occupation, and who died in Massachusetts. George W. Bement, who is the fifth in a family of eight children, obtained his earliest education in the common schools, and also attended the high school or college one year, but his best lessons were obtained in his father's family-lessons of toil and frugality, that came to the eldest and youngest alike; there- fore, the son commenced work in a general store when quite young, receiving therefor his board and clothes. This was his practical school, and before he was grown he had learned many of the lessons of life that are adjudged to belong solely to mature man- hood. Yet his was not that quick young development that is com- monly known as precocious. It was no doubt largely due to these circumstances that, while still a youth, not fairly beyond that age when the average are only dreaming of going out from the mother's love and care, and fighting the battle of life, where strong men strug- gle and sometimes so mercilessly trample upon the weak or faint- hearted, he went in business on his own account. He had learned enough of business life to engage in merchandising on his own behalf. His commercial career has been marked from the first with a steady progress and merited success. From time to time, as his means enabled him, he has invested in real estate, and now has a farm of 500 acres in Lost Creek township, which is his especial pride; it is well stocked and highly improved. He has altogether over 1,500 acres of land, and he is now well able to give farming much of his attention. Here is the life that yields him the great- est pleasure. As stated he started in the world with but little; even when he commenced business for himself, when all was summed up, it was but a meagerly-stocked grocery store; but from this beginning he has expanded it into his present wholesale busi- ness, which he lias carried on since 1854. He has been a promi- nent factor in advancing the manufacturing interests of the city, liberal toward everything promising the general good. He served many years as director of the State National Bank. Mrs. Bement, nee Helen Brotherson, is a native of the State of New York. Our subject and wife have two children: Asa Bruce and Charles Wesley.

CHARLES N. BENIGHT (deceased) was born in New York, November 10, 1809, and was a son of Joseph and Margaret (Rosson) Benight, who were of English descent, and who moved from New York to Prairieton Township this county in 1818. Their family consisted of 'twelve children, Charles N. being the eighth in order of birth. Our subject was twice married, first to Eliza, daughter of Otis and Sarah (Bush) Jones, natives of New York, and to this

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

union were born four children, all of whom grew to maturity, and of these Eliza was the second. She was born in Vigo county about the year 1816, and is said to have been the first white child born in the county. Mr. Benight had, by this marriage, three children who grew up, viz .: Sarah, wife of Milton Henderson; Hamilton, who married Hannah Jones; and Harriet, deceased. Mrs. Benight died in 1851, a member of the Methodist Church, and July 10, 1853, Mr. Benight was married to Louisa, daughter of Johnston and Sarah (Caldwell) Birch, former of whom was a native of North Carolina, of Irish descent, and latter a native of Nashville, Tenn., of English descent; they died in Clark county, Ill. Mrs. Benight, who is the eighth in a family of twelve children, was born April 11, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Benight had born to them six children, viz .: Charles, who married Harriet Miller; Frank, who married Nellie Shurberne; Martha, who died in infancy; Mary, deceased; Gertrude, wife of O. P. Hood, and Bert, born May 1, 1865, in Terre Haute, and married August 6, 1888, to Mary E. Baiely, who was born March 15. 1867.

Charles N. Benight came to Prairieton township with his par- ents in 1818 and was reared to farming, an occupation he followed until 1855, when he moved to Terre Haute and engaged in the man- ufacturing of brick, which business he carried on fourteen years. He owned at one time about 1,000 acres of land, part of which he sold, dividing some of it among his children. Mr. Benight belonged to the militia that guarded Fort Harrison during the Indian war. He died April 6, 1886, a consistent member of the Centenary Meth- odist Church. His widow owns a farm containing 256 acres of land, and has her residence in Terre Haute, Ind.

FRANK E. BENJAMIN, American Express agent, Terre Haute, was born in New Jersey, and is a son of Edward J. and Mary S. (Hurd) Benjamin, natives of New Jersey, the father of English and the mother of German descent. Frank E., who is the eldest of six children, who grew to maturity, received his education in the city schools of Rockaway. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Seventy-second Ind. V. I., being then but fourteen years and six months of age, and weighing about 100 pounds. Some of the important engagements he participated in were the battle of Chick- amauga, the Atlanta campaign, the battles of Hoover's Gap, Stone River, Ringgold, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain and others, and in all his fighting was only slightly wounded. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., in July, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R., and served one year as quartermaster-general on the staff of Gen. D. M. Foster. He is a member of the K. of P., and has passed the chairs; is a G. O. O. member, and has served as D. D. G. O. Mr. Benjamin represented the Seventeenth ward in the city council of Indianap-

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olis, four years. After he returned from the army he engaged in the American Express business at Colfax, Ind., was also interested in a general store, and remained there three years. Since that time he has been engaged exclusively in the American Express employ, and was engaged at that business at the Union depot, In- dianapolis, thirteen years. He served as president of the fire board at Indianapolis, four years, and also as chairman of the commit- tee on sewerage and drainage, two years; he was a member of the judiciary committee, two years, and also served on committee on streets and alleys. He was chairman of the special committee having charge of the city ordinance in reference to the building of the Union depot, in Indianapolis, one of the finest in the country, at a cost of $1,500,000. He is president of the Columbia Club, Terre Haute, secretary of the Terre Haute Park Association, and has served as president of the Athletic Club in the city. Mr. Benja- min came to Terre Haute in October, 1886. He is a Republican in politics.

STEPHEN M. BENNETT, M. D., New Goshen, stands at the head of the medical profession in Fayette township. . He has an ex- tensive practice in this vicinity, where he has spent the most of his time since he commenced the practice of his chosen profession. He was born in Franklin county, Ind., October 2, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Maranda (Coffin) Bennett, natives of the State of New York, and of English descent. His father was a farmer all his life, and died in Sullivan county, Ind., in 1866. Dr. Bennett, who is the youngest of a family of nine children, was reared on the farm in Franklin county, Ind., where he obtained his early education in the common schools, subsequently attending college at Sullivan, Ind. He studied medicine at the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated February 4, 1873. He prac- ticed his profession one year as an undergraduate at New Goshen, Ind., and since he graduated he has made it his home. He is well read, and is a frequent contributor to the medical journals.

The Doctor was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 25, 1872, to Miss Rosella, daughter of William and Eliza (Hall) Wrench, natives of Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The children born to this union are as follows: Chloral W., Claude M., Clara R. and Cliva G. The Doctor and wife are consistent members of the U. B. Church, he taking an active part in the church and the Sabbatlı- school. He is now secretary of the township Sabbath-school, and superintendent of the one at New Goshen. In politics he is a Re- publican, and he is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He was, for a time medical examiner for the I. O. O. F. Dr. Ben- nett, was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in 1863, in the Eighty-

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fifth Ind. V. I., Company H, and was discharged in 1865, at the close of the war. He participated in several battles, and was a faithful soldier. The Doctor is well known in Terre Haute, and has many friends in Vigo county. He is generous to a fault, and is wonderfully attached to his profession, his success being largely due to his energy and determination to succeed.

MARSHALL N. BENTLEY, Prairieton township, P. O. Prai- rieton, is an energetic young farmer, a native of this county. He was born December 13, 1864, and is a son of Charles E. and Nancy (Coffman) Bentley, former of whom was born in Kentucky, and died in this county, being among the first settlers of same. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an influen- tial and useful citizen. He always aided in enterprises pertain- ing to education and the general welfare of the community in which he lived. His wife, Nancy (Coffman), was born in Pennsylvania, and died in this county in 1877. By their marriage four sons and three daughters were born, of whom three sons and one daughter survive, Marshall N. being the youngest child. He was reared in this county, and received a good education in the common schools. April 7, 1887, he married Miss Lora, the accomplished daughter of C. H. and Ophelia Morgan, and born in Vigo county, Ind., in 1868. Her father now resides in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have one child, Homer. Mr. Bentley was elected trustee of Prairieton township in April, 1890, by the Republican party, and he is probably the youngest man in the county that has ever been elected to said office. He is a good citizen, and there is every reason to believe he will make a trusty public official. He has 120 acres of well-culti- vated valuable land. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Harrison.

HENRY A. BERGHERM, grocer, Terre Haute. This enter- prising young man was born in Clay county, Ind., March 21, 1865, a son of Fredrick A. Bergherm (deceased) and Mary (Mehmeyer) Bergherm, former born in Germany, and latter in Baltimore, Md., her parents being natives of Germany. The father was born in 1839, and immigrated to the United States when he was nineteen years old, coming soon after to Terre Haute, where he spent the remaining portion of his life. He was a merchant and farmer, and died in 1889, leaving a family of seven children-four sons and three daughters. He became a leading and successful business man, and made his own way in the world; was a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church, in which he served as elder for a number of years; politically he was a Democrat. At his death the business and the settling up of the estate devolved on his son, Henry A., who conducts the grocery store with more than average success.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Our subject received his education in the public schools of Terre Haute, and first clerked in his father's store, which training well qualified him for the management of it. He has had charge of the business since 1886. Henry A. Bergherm is a member of the K. of P., and in politics is a Democrat.

JOHN BIANCHY, retired farmer, Terre Haute. This enter- prising and successful citizen of Vigo county was born at Baden, Germany, January 13, 1823, the eldest child and son of Stephen and Mary (Baust) Bianchy, also natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1853, and in 1855 to Vigo county. The father, who was a farmer, died in this county, September 4, 1867. Of their five children but two survive-the eldest and the youngest, Eve being the youngest. John was reared in Germany, where he attended the schools of his district, and in 1847 he came to the United States, spending a short time in New York City, then went to Philadelphia, where he remained until he came to Vigo county with his parents. He has become one of the most successful farm -. ers of the county, and is now owner of farms, one in Prairie Creek township, and another in Prairieton township, the last mentioned farm consisting of 270 acres of valuable land. Mr. Bianchy started in life for himself with but little, even for a poor boy, but formed habits of industry and economy, and has lived an industri- ous and exemplary life, commencing as a renter. He has been twice married, the first time in 1849, in Philadelphia, but his companion died in 1858. In 1860 he married Mrs. Gearhart Lancing, who had two children, one of whom died young, and the other, Henry, lived to be twenty-seven years of age, when he died October 28, 1883. Mrs. Bianchy's maiden name was Adaline Roty, and she is of Ger- man descent. Mr. and Mrs. Bianchy and family are members of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Bianchy sympathizes with the Democratic party.

HON. FRANCIS VON BICHOWSKY, Ex-State senator, Terre Haute, was born in Frankfort-on-the-Oder, Prussia, May 16, 1827, and is a son of John Andrew and Caroline Von Bichowsky. The father was a retired Prussian army officer and of Polish parent- age the mother a German, being the second wife. This gentleman who is the second youngest child, was reared and educated in his native place. He is well educated, and he finished his education at the Polytechnic Institute at Berlin, Prussia, where he studied mechanical engineering. He emigrated to the United States in 1851, locating first in Clay county, and in 1852 made Terre Haute his home. He engaged in mercantile business, and remained in it until 1869, when, on account of impaired health, he sold out and retired permanently from active business pursuits. Mr. Bichowsky

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is a Republican, and cast his first Republican vote for Lincoln. He served for seven years as a member of the city school board; served in 1881 and 1883 as State Senator for Vigo county, and was re-elected to that office in 1888. He was married in 1855, in Germany, to Miss Matilda Gust, and they have two children living: a son, Emmo, who is a resident of California, and a daughter, Cora, who is living with her parents. Mr. Bichowsky has many friends, and his reputation for honesty and integrity has never been questioned by anybody who knows him.

FRED J. BIEL, Terre Haute. This gentleman was born in Prussia, Germany, March 6, 1843, and is a son of Henry and Au- gusta (Hessland) Biel, also natives of Germany. The father, who was a blacksmith, came to America in 1854, and worked at his trade a short time in Wisconsin, and then came to Terre Haute, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1887. Our subject, who is the eldest son in a family of eight children, received his edu- cation in the public schools, and early in life learned cigar-making, at which business he worked for some time. In 1861 he came to Terre Haute, and worked at his trade until 1866, when he commenced a small business that has merged into the present concern, which is almost all a wholesale trade. For fifteen years he has carried on the largest trade in his line in the city, and employs about sixty men. His success in life is due to his exertion and energy. Mr. Biel was married in Terre Haute, to Miss Anna, daughter of Charles Seeman, and born in Terre Haute, of German descent. Their children are Margaret, Amanda and Charles. Mrs. Biel is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Biel is a member of the A. O. U. W., and of the Masonic fraternity. He has served as a member of the city council of Terre Haute, and in his political predilections he is a Republican.

ADRIAN A. BITCHER, Pierson township, P. O. Soonover, is secretary of the F. M. B. A., of Vigo county, and is a popular young man. He is a native of Pierson township, Vigo county, Ind., and was born March 26, 1857, a son of George and Keziah (Grover) Bitcher, former of whom was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 14, 1818, and died in Pierson township, this county, June 7, 1887. Keziah Grover, was born near Lancaster, Ohio, September 13, 1824, and now resides on the home farm. They were married in Ohio, and moved from there, in 1855, to Vigo county, Ind., their entire means consisting of $30 in cash, a team and a wagon. At that time George Bitcher commenced to improve the farm where his widow now lives, consisting of 185 acres of Vigo county's best land, well stocked and improved. Mr. Bitcher was well known and respected by all. At an early date he was one of the trustees

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of Pierson township, but never afterward, although urged to by his many friends, would he accept offers of official trust. He was a member for many years, as is his widow, of Fletcher Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Repub- lican. His parents were Abram and Elizabeth ( Coffinberry ) Bitcher, former of whom was born in Basle, Switzerland, and came to the United States before his marriage, locating in Ohio, after residing in Pennsylvania for a term of years. His wife was a native of Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. Keziah (Grover) Bitcher is a daughter of Levi and Cassie Grover, who were from Vermont. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. George Bitcher was blessed by the birth of six children-four daughters and two sons-all of whom are living, Adrian A. being the fifth in order of birth. He attended the schools of Pierson town- ship, also Ascension Academy, in Sullivan, Ind., and at the age of sixteen commenced to teach school in Fayette township. Soon after, however, farming became his business. In 1885 he was made an honorary member of the Vigo county bar, both in the circuit and superior court, and in January, 1890, he was made secretary of the F. M. B. A., which position he ably fills. For two years he was secretary and treasurer of Pierson Township Fair Association, which is soon to become a district fair, rivaling in importance and success the Vigo and Sullivan counties fair. On November 6, 1879, he was married to Miss Kate, daughter of Harden and Phœbe Hodges, and born in Vigo county in 1857. To their marriage have been born five children: Walter L., Mary Lucinda, Gertrude, Eloise and Genevera. Mr. Bitcher is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mrs. Bitcher of the Mission- ary Baptist Church.

JAMES BLACK (deceased) was a native of Ireland, born in 1815, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Coote) Black. They immi- grated to America in 1817, and located in Philadelphia for a short time; then removed to Washington county, Penn., where they re- mained a short time, thence went to Ohio, where they died. James, who was reared on a farm, followed agricultural pursuits during early life, and later engaged in mercantile business. He was twice mar- ried; first in Ohio, to Mary Ann Davis, by whom there were three children, one of whom is living, Martha A., wife of J. D. Porter. Mrs. Black departed this life in 1853, and in 1854 Mr. Black was married in Owen county, Ind., to Lydia, daughter of. Robert and Lucy (Rushton) Harrison, and a native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were the parents of six children, three of whom are living: Nelson, Elisha and Lydia (Mrs. Black). The father died in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Black were the parents of five children: Robert H., in Terre Haute; William, in Clay county, Ind. ; E. C., also in

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Clay county; Mary E., wife of Horace Wright, of Terre Haute, and Sarah Coote, at home with her mother. Mr. Black formed a partnership with R. W. Wingate, as merchants, in which he con- tinued until 1862, and then formed a partnership with O. H. P. Ash, which continued uutil 1864, when their entire stock of goods was destroyed by fire, the loss being $14,000. Mr. Black then came to Terre Haute and purchased the business of John C. Ross & Co., which he conducted three years, when he sold and removed to Bowling Green, where he formed a partnership with C. M. Thomp- son, which was continued until 1878, when he transferred his in- terest to his son, R. H. Black. Mr. Black commenced life very poor, yet, even after his loss of everything by fire, he died the owner of valuable property, consisting of eighty acres of excellent land and also considerable city property. After a busy and useful life he died May 2, 1885, and his death was mourned by his many friends.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 69

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