History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 71

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

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Mr. Bronson enlisted in 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty- third, Ind. V. I., Company E., and served the full term. He was married, in 1870, to Mary E. Pritchett, a lady of English descent, and this union has been blessed with two children: Ross and Harry, both students at Notre Dame College.

THEODORE F. BROWN, M. D., Sandford, was born in Butler county, Ohio, November 9, 1846, and is a son of Dr. Nathan S. and Nancy (Irwin) Brown, former a native of Virginia, lat- ter of Pennsylvania, and they were of German and Scotch descent. His father was a physician, who came to Indiana in 1852, set- tling at State Line City. Our subject, who is the eldest in a family of five children, was reared in Centre county, Ind., re- ceiving his literary education at Greencastle College, Ind., and DePauw University. From school he enlisted, in 1862, in the Seventieth Ill. V. I., for six months, served his term, and re-en- listing in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, Company B, he served till the close of the war. He suffered all the hardships of a soldier's life, and was engaged in several battles; was wounded and taken prisoner, being held nine months, during the most of the time in Andersonville prison. Returning home he subsequently attended Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1868. He is a member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Asso- ciation and of the State Medical Society of Indiana; and served two years as vice-president of the medical association. He commenced practicing, first in Illinois, and in 1883 he came to Sandford, where he has been actively engaged in the practice ever since. He was united in marriage at Sandford, Ind., May 16, 1867, to Miss Susan, daughter of Emanuel and Caroline (Norton) Staley. Her father and grandfather are now residents of Edgar county, Ill. ; her grandfather, Aaron Norton, is now in his ninety-fifth year. Dr. and Mrs. Brown have two children, Gleen C. and Elbert S.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and steward. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the G. A. R. Dr. Brown is eminently qualified for the high calling he has chosen. He was always an apt student, standing well in his studies in school, and having taken a thorough course in medicine is the possessor of a diploma from two medical colleges. He ranks high as a physician in Vigo county, and has met with well-merited success at Sandford.

C. P. BRUCE, proprietor of meat market, No. 1242 Wabash avenue, Terre Haute, was born in Knox county, Ind., January 26, 1852, and is the sixth in a family of seven children of Harvey J., and Mary (Rader) Bruce, former of whom was a native of Indiana, of Scotch descent, and latter of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Our subject was married February 17, 1876, to Anna, a daughter of Walter and Belle (Linens) Clift, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of Indiana, and both of English descent. Mrs. Bruce is the fifth in a family of seven children, and was born in Greene county, Ind., June 23, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have two children, Herbert and Claude. Mr. Bruce was reared on a farm, and in 1873 he went to California and Oregon, where he remained six months, and, returning east, came to Terre Haute where he learned the butcher's trade, which he followed three years. In 1878 he went to Kansas, locating on a farm twenty-five miles south of Hutchinson, where he farmed one year, and lost what capital he had. He then moved to Hutchinson, and there followed butchering one year, at which time he returned to Terre Haute, and embarked in his present business. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 157, has passed the chairs, and is a member of the Encampment, Canton and Grand Lodge. Mrs. Bruce is a member of the Daughters of Rebeka, and is at present Noble Grand. Mr. Bruce is president of the Butchers' Association at Terre Haute. Politically he is a Republican.

JAMES W. BRUNKER, M. D., Riley township, was born in Pierson township, Vigo county, Ind., August 29, 1858, and is a son of James D. and Martha T. Brunker, former born at Bristol, Eng- land, latter in Vigo county, of Scotch descent. The father came to this county in 1853, and settled on a farm in Pierson township, where he still resides. The family consists of one daughter and six sons, James W. being the eldest son. Our subject was reared on a farm in Pierson township, where he received his earliest school- ing in the neighborhood of his birth. At the age of eighteen he commenced reading medicine, and when twenty years old he engaged in teaching school, continuing the study of medicine during leisure hours. He taught seven terms of school in his native township.

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His medical preceptor was Dr. F. M. Pickens, formerly of Centre- ville, Ind. In 1882 our subject entered the Medical College of Indiana, where he graduated in 1884, in the regular course, as phy- sician and surgeon. His practice has been in Clay and Vigo coun- ties. The Doctor has a large and lucrative practice, and has drawn about him many warm friends. In 1884 he served as president of the Sydenham Medical Society. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in Sullivan county, Ind., March 20, 1884, to Willa C., daughter of Dr. John and Caroline (Miller) Welty, natives of Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Brunker are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

E. R. BRYANT, freight agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, headquarters, Terre Haute. This gentleman is a first-class railroad man, and, having grown from childhood with the business, he fully comprehends all its intricacies. He was born in Massachusetts June 5, 1839, and is a son of Oliver and Susan (Richards ) Bryant, also natives of Massachusetts, and of English descent, former of whom, who was a merchant, came west and went into business in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died in 1885. The grandfather, Ephraim Richards, was a soldier in the Mexican war. E. R. Bryant who is the eldest in a family of five children, received his educa- tion in Massachusetts, learned telegraphy there, came west, and was employed as railroad telegraph operator. He served four years as train dispatcher at Indianapolis, also two years at Chicago, and was in the service of the government during the war of the Rebell- ion as telegraph operator. In 1863 he came to Terre Haute as agent for the Adams Express Company, and served in that capacity seven years, during which time he was engaged in the grain busi-

ness. Since 1865 he has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Bryant was married in Terre Haute, in 1864, to Miss Rose, daughter of Harry Ross, who was among the earliest settlers of Vigo county, and is a prominent man [see sketch ]. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant has been blessed with one child, Harry Ross Bryant. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are members of the Congregational Church. He has served as trustee twelve years. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, and is a Sir Knight Templar. In politics he is a Republican.

SAMUEL C. BUDD, of the firm of A. C. Bryce & Co., dealers in clothing and men's furnishing goods, Main street, Terre Haute, was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo county, Ind., October 8, 1857, and is a son of William A. and Emily (Jones) Budd. His paternal and maternal ancestry were among the earliest settlers of Vigo county. Joseph Budd, his grandfather, who was a native of Kentucky, settled in Linton township, and Jesse Jones, his mater-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

nal grandfather, located in Honey Creek township, when this was a very sparsely settled country. The history of the family shows they have usually been either school teachers or tillers of the soil. Samuel C. Budd's parents are prominent farmers who have pros- pered well, and are now quietly enjoying the fruits of their indus- try. Their living children are four sons and one daughter, of whom Samuel C. is the third in the family. He was reared on the farm, attended the public school in Honey Creek township, and the old college at Prairieton. His first employment for his own account was as a school teacher, when he was but seventeen years of age, which profession he followed for six years. In 1874 he came to Terre Haute, where he accepted a position with Myers Bros. as salesman, and remained with them eight years. January 1, 1888, he embarked in his present business, and the prospects of the firm bid fair for well-merited success. Mr. Bryce, the head of the firm, is a man of long experience in the trade, and has the advantages of having been a traveling salesman for years. Mr. Budd was mar- ried in Orange county, Ind., January 20, 1884, to Miss Nellie G., daughter of Dr. Gray, of Orange county, and of English descent. They have one child, Corrinne. Mr. Budd served two years as the president of the Occidental Literary Society of Terre Haute, is a past officer of the Grand Lodge of K. of P., and is a Republican in politics.

WINFIELD S. BURGAN, coal operator, Glenn, Lost Creek township, was born in Lost Creek township, Vigo county, Ind .. February 22, 1850, a son of James and Elizabeth (Cochran) Burgan, natives of Washington county, Penn., the father of German, the mother of English descent. They migrated from Washington county to Lost Creek township in 1840, and purchased a farm, following farming until 1878. He then sold his farm and removed to Terre Haute, where he engaged in the live-stock business, carrying on the same till his death August 17, 1881. Mrs. Burgan died February 2, 1883. Winfield S. Burgan was married October 5, 1876, to Miss Ella, daughter of Alex and Elizabeth (Haines) Persons, former a native of Michigan, born in Port Huron August 19, 1827, latter a native of Indiana, born March 1, 1832. They were married November 30, 1850. Mr. Haines died May 4, 1834. Mrs. Elizabeth Persons died August 31, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Persons had a family of five children, of whom Mrs. Burgan is the eldest, and was born September 1, 1851. Mrs. Burgan's grand- mother, Hannah (McKee) Haines, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, March 17, 1802, and came to this county, May 21, 1818. Joseph Haines was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, January 6, 1800, and came to this county in 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Burgan had born to

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them a family of three children, viz. : Burton E., Jesse V. and Sarah E. Mr. Burgan received his education in the common schools of his township, and graduated at the Terre Haute Commercial Col- lege in 1873. He then embarked in the live-stock business, and also followed farming till 1884. He then engaged in the coal busi- ness, which he has followed to the present time. He owns fifteen acres of land on which his coal shaft is located. He erected a store- room and dwelling-house in 1887. The post-office is named Glenn, and the railroad station Glendale. Thomas H. Varley is postmaster and ticket agent, and has a grocery store in the building. Mr. Burgan is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 51, Terre Haute, and Vigo Encampment No. 17, I. O. O. F. He is a Republican in politics, in which he takes an active part, and has served one term as township trustee.

SIMEON BURKET (deceased) was born in Ohio, and was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Burket. He immigrated to Vigo county in 1858, where he was married in 1860 to Maria T. Davis, who was born in Vigo county in 1840, and they were the parents of four children, as follows: Grant, Clara, John and Dora. In 1862 Mr. Burket enlisted in the Civil war, in Company B, Eighty- fifth Ind. V. I., and served eleven months. He died in 1874, leav- ing a widow and four children as well as a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mrs. Burket resides on the home place, which consists of twenty acres of excellent farm land; she re- ceives a pension of $12 per month. Mr. Burket was a member of the U. B. Church, and was highly respected by his neighbors, as is his amiable widow. In politics he was in sympathy with the Republican party.

H. H. CALDWELL, physician and surgeon, Terre Haute, was born in Jefferson county, Ill., March 24, 1840, and is a son of Wal- lace and Abigal (Nicholson) Caldwell, natives of Kentucky and of French descent. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, having entered as a private, and by promotion he became a captain. The family were noted for their martial bearing and appearance, being large, muscular, erect, and, for the most part, born soldiers. The father was six feet in height, nerv- ous, quick and agile, courtly in address, and genial of nature. Charles Caldwell, LL.D., was the father of the School of Medicine in Kentucky. He was dean of the College of Medicine, and presi- dent of Jefferson College, Ky. The Doctor's father was a farmer, who spent most of his life on his Illinois farm.

H. H. Caldwell, who is the youngest of eight children, was reared on the farm, attending Salem (Marion county, Ill. ) College, and early in life he studied medicine at the Kentucky School of

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Medicine, commencing the practice of his profession in Jefferson county, Ill. After having been in practice some time he attended Rush Medical College, Chicago. . He then continued in the practice in Illinois, until coming in 1865 to Terre Haute, where he has since been engaged in the regular practice. Dr. Caldwell was married in Vigo county, Ind., in 1867, to Miss Juliette, a daughter of Daniel Budd, and of English descent. This union has been blessed with three children, of whom two died in infancy, and G. D. is at present a medical student. Dr. Caldwell votes for the man and not the party.

W. C. CALVERT, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in Fayette township, Vigo county, Ind., August 22, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Susan (Cromwell) Calvert, former a native of Ohio, latter of Maryland, and both of German descent. The grandfather of our subject came to this county in 1838, and settled in Fayette township. The father is a carpenter, and is now employed in the railroad shops at Terre Haute. He was twice married, W. C. being the only child now liv- ing by his first wife. Our subject was reared on the farm in Fay- ette township, until twelve years of age, and then went to work for himself on a farm in summer, attending school in winter. In 1863 he moved to Clark county, Ill., where he continued to farm. Mr. Calvert was married in 1871 to Julia, daughter of Franklin and Caroline (Mayhme) Calvert. W. C. Calvert enlisted, in 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ind. V. I., Company H, serving four months, then re-enlisted in 1865, this time in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ind. V. I., Company H. In politics he is a Repub- lican. Mr. Calvert is owner of a well-improved farm.

ROBERT A. CAMPBELL, general agent for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Evansville & Terre Haute and Evansville & In- dianapolis Railroads, Terre Haute. This young man is filling his position of trust and responsibility by virtue of his worth as a business man, and high character for integrity and energy. He was born in Effingham county, Ill., April 13, 1854, and is a son of William M. Campbell, who is of Scotch descent, and a resident of the locality where the son was born. Robert A., who is the youngest son in a family of eight children, passed his childhood and early youth in his native county until sixteen years of age, when he embraced an opportunity to learn telegraphy. When qualified, he took charge of a telegraph office on the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, and served in that capacity two years. He then found employment with the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company as a telegraph operator and chief clerk in the freight office at Vincennes, Ind., where he remained three years. He was

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then promoted to the position of chief clerk in the general freight office of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, at Evansville, Ind., where he remained two years, when he returned to Vincennes and accepted the position of freight agent for the same company, and subsequently was appointed general traveling agent for the Evans- ville & Terre Haute Railroad Company. He was thus engaged eighteen months, when he was promoted to his present position in Terre Haute. He has resided in that city since 1883. Mr. Camp- bell was united in marriage December 27, 1876, with Miss Isadora Scott, of Vincennes, Ind, and they have two children, Walter and Una Belle. Mrs. Campbell is a member of the Centenary Method- ist Church. In politics Mr. Campbell is a Republican. He is a Sir Knight Templar, and a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. JAMES CARITHERS, farmer and stock-grower, Nevins township, P. O. Fontanet, is one of the oldest settlers of Nevins township, and one of the leading farmers of Vigo county. He was born in West Tennessee May 19, 1830, and is a son of David and Elizabeth . (Philps) Carithers, natives of Tennessee, and of Irish and Dutch descent. His father, who was a blacksmith and gun- smith, came to Nevins township, this county, when James was a child, and made improvements on the farm where he settled, carry- ing on blacksmithing for the neighbors for many years; he died November 24, 1876. He reared five children, and the family were much respected. James attended school in a log school-house, assisting on the farm, and became a successful business man, being now the owner of 450 acres of excellent land. He has made his own way in the world. His first purchase of land was forty acres, to which he added as he became able. He was married March 8, 1856, to Miss Mary F., daughter of Squire Smith, and of English descent. She died in 1877, a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carithers, and now living, are as follows: Mary B. (wife of Anderson Faris), Squire J., Rosa, Cora, Maggie, Grace and David. Mr. Carithers in politics is a Democrat.

J. C. CARSON, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek town- ship, P. O. Prairieton. This gentleman ranks among the represent- ative farmers of Vigo county, one who has by his own individual exertions succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. He is a na- tive of Armstrong county, Penn., and was born September 13, 1824, of Irish and English descent, the third from the youngest in a fam- ily of thirteen children. He spent his young life on a farm, re- ceiving a common-school education. In 1829 he came to Dearborn county, Ind., where he remained a short time, and then moved to Terre Haute. He was almost altogether reared in Vigo county,

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and worked out by the month. In 1850 he went to California, where he made his first real start in life, and returning here, in 1863, he bought a farm. He is now the owner of 398 acres of val- uable land, which is the homestead. He has scrupulously avoided debts, and therefore his word is as good as his bond. Mr. Carson was united in marriage on Tuesday, May 8, 1860, with Miss Hermina Vanulzen, and their children are Daniel, Abagail and William. Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Master Mason; in politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have reared a much respected family.

RUFUS CARSON, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O., Terre Haute, was born in Fayette township, Vigo county, Ind., May 16, 1853, and is a son of H. T. and Dicey A. (Wood) Carson, who were of English and Irish descent. His grandfather, James Carson, at one time owned 640 acres of land where Pittsburgh, Penn. now stands. Our subject's father now re- sides on his splendid farm in Fayette township, and owns 371 acres of valuable land. Rufus Carson, who is the elder of two children, was reared on a farm, and attended the common school, acquiring the foundation of an English education, and has followed farming all his life. He was married in 1874 to Ellen, daughter of Clark Holda- way, and sister of William Holdaway, the present trustee of Fay- ette township [see his sketch.]. This union has been blessed with two children: Lyman H. and Dicey E. Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been steward four years. He is a member of the P. of H. and of the I. O. O. F., is a Master Mason, and in politics is a Republican.

JOHN B. CASSADAY, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in that township July 31, 1845, and is a son of John B. and Rebecca Goodman who were of Irish descent, and natives of Kentucky. They came to this county among the early settlers, and were married here, spending the re- maining portion of their lives in this place. The father, who was a carpenter and farmer, died in December, in 1868. His family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom grew to their majority, and all are of a literary turn, five being school teachers. John B. and his twin brother, Marion K., are third the eldest of those liv- ing. Our subject grew to manhood at his parental home, receiving the average advantages of schooling. He was married November 14, 1872, to Miss Olive M., daughter of Verlin Jessup, and of En- glish descent. This union has been blessed with a family of five children: Mamie, Verlin, Clyde, Gracie and Don. Mr. and Mrs. Cassaday are members of the Congregational Church, in which he

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holds the office of trustee and deacon, and is also superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a Master Mason, and in politics is iden- tified with the Democratic party.

JOHN EDWARD CASSADY, Terre Haute, is a native of Un- iontown, Penn., and was born July 26, 1851, a son of John R. and Amanda C. (Taggart ) Cassady, natives of Maryland, former of whom was a grocer; they moved to Peru, Ind., about the year 1852. John R. Cassady lost his life while serving his country in the Civil war; he was in the Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, and was in the service two years and nine months; his widow is still living. John Edward Cassady, who is the third in a family of five children, received a common-school education in his native place, and came to Terre Haute in 1867. Here he worked in Gilman's stove factory, about three years, was two years at the cooper's trade, and worked for John T. Staff, eight years. He then engaged in his present busi- ness at No. 525 Wabash avenue, in company with Mr. John Confare, under the firm name of Confare & Cassady, and they continued together two years, when May 4, 1884, Mr. Cassady commenced business where he is located at the present time, with John Staff. On January 7, 1889, he bought Mr. Staff's interest in the business. He has his hall nicely fitted up, and has had to depend on his own resources. Mr. Cassady was married in Terre Haute, Ind., April 28, 1880, to Miss Amelia, daughter of John and Barbra (Wieland) Snyder, natives of Germany, the father being a cabinet-maker by trade. Mrs. Cassady is the sixth in a family of seven children, and was born in Terre Haute, Ind., September 9, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Cassady have one son, Allen E. In politics our subject is a Democrat.

W. W. CASTO, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in Vigo county, Ind., November 23, 1834, and is a son of Jabez S. and Margaret (Jordan) Casto, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish and French descent. The mother came to Vigo county, Ind., in 1814; the father was a cooper and came to this county in 1829; they were married in this county. The father made farming and milling his business after 1852. He was a successful business man, and at one time owned 1,600 acres of land. He died here in 1879. He was twice married, and had one son by his first wife, William E., who now resides in Kentucky. W. W. is the eldest son by the second wife, and was reared in Sugar Creek township, during his youth working in his father's mill. He engaged in the mercantile trade at the age of twenty-one years in Illi- nois. He returned to this county in 1861, and soon after enlisted in the Eleventh Ind. V. I., Company E; he is the hero of a number of well-fought battles, and was twice wounded. He re-enlisted in 1862

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in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, Company E, and served until the close of the war. He then engaged as a merchant at Vandalia, Ill., for one year, but since that time has farmed, being the owner of 435 acres of land. He was married in January, 1867, to Miss Mary E., daughter of David and Mary (Newton ) Stirling. Her mother was a native of the Empire State, her father of East Tennessee, and were of Scotch-Irish origin. The latter was for many years a farmer in Sugar Creek township. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Casto has been blessed with ten children, nine of whom are living, viz .: Margaret, Mary M., Alice, David, Jabez, William McKeen, Mercy,

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 71

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