History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 73

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 73

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).

JAMES COMPTON, Otter Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute. This gentleman's birthplace is Clinton, Vermillion county, Ind., and he was born January 16, 1841, a son of John and Betsy ( Palma ) Compton, the mother a native of Vermont, and the father of Ohio, born in 1814; they were of English descent. The father, who followed farming all his life, came to this county among the early settlers of Otter Creek township, and now resides in Ells- „worth. James, who is the eldest in a family of five children, was reared on the farm, receiving a common-school education in . this county, and has made farming his business. He is the owner of a farm of eighty acres where he now resides, and he has made his own way in the world. He was married in this county to Miss Rachel, daughter of Robert Hayes, who is of English descent, and they have one child, Clara. Mrs. Compton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Compton is a Demo- crat. He is an industrious man, and has many friends.

CHARLES CONAWAY, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in this county May 12, 1864, and is a son of James and Eliza (Lee) Conaway, his father, born in Kentucky, of Scotch descent, his mother in this county, of German origin. The father, who was a farmer and miller, now resides in Sugar Creek township. Charles, who is the third in a family of five children, was reared on the farm, attending the common schools. He commenced business for himself, became a farmer, and has followed that vocation since, and he is the owner of the homestead on which he resides, comprising 120 acres of valuable land. He was united in marriage in this county to Miss May, daughter of John Omart, of German descent, and they have

710

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

one child, Dora Agnes. He is in sympathy with the Democratic party, and is an honest and industrious man, and has many friends.

MICHAEL CONCANNON, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. St. Mary's, the only member of his father's family in America, settled in Sugar Creek township, where he owns a valuable farm. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, in March, 1847, and is a son of John and Bridget (McKune) Con- cannon, also natives of Ireland, who spent their lives on a farm in that country; the father died in 1885. Michael, who is the third in a family of five children, was reared on the farm, attending the parish schools in Ireland, and early in life learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked several years. He came from Ireland to America, and settled at St. Mary's, this county, in 1874, where he worked at his trade, carrying on a shop there with success, working both early and late. He made his start there, and in 1885 he bought a farm of 100 acres where he now resides. Mr. Concannon was married in Ireland to Miss Mary, daughter of James Martin, and this union has been blessed with eight children, viz .: John, Edwin, Mary Mayant, Thomas, Michael V., Robert J., Carrie G. and Anna S. The family are all members of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Concannon is a Democrat.

REV. BLACKFORD CONDIT, D. D., Terre Haute. This gentleman, who is a retired Presbyterian minister, is a son of Daniel D. and Charlotte T. Condit, who came to Indiana in an» early day from the State of New Jersey. It was a long journey, yet they expected to make the whole way by water, but were com- pelled to travel overland from Sandusky to Cincinnati. Here they took boat to Evansville, and thence to Vincennes. In prospecting for a location Mr. Condit found a colony of New Jersey people, for- merly members of his father's parish at Hanover, and they per- suaded him to make his home with them till he should settle upon a permanent location. In " Uncle Boudinot's" orchard, a new hewed-log cabin was fitted up for the reception of the family, and in this cabin Blackford was born, August 6, 1829. His parents were of Scotch, English and German origin. Gen. Dayton, of the Revolutionary war, was a relative on the Condit side of the house. Rev. Condit's grandfather, Rev. Aaron Condit, was a Presbyterian minister in the State of New Jersey, and held the pastorate of the Hanover Church continuously for thirty-five years. Four of his sons entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. The mother of Blackford Condit was a half-sister to the distinguished Judge Blackford, who was for many years one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Indiana. The father, Daniel Dayton Condit, came with his family to Terre Haute in 1831, where he engaged in

711

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

merchandising, but suffered severe reverses, as did others, in the general crash of 1837-38. For many years he followed his trade as a wagon-maker, till again, in connection with his son, J. D. Condit, he entered upon mercantile pursuits. He was born in New Jersey, October 21, 1797, and died at his home in Terre Haute, January 24, 1877. Three children survive him, of whom Black- ford is second in order of birth.

Our subject first attended the home schools, and then entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., where he graduated in the regular classical course, in 1854. He then became a student in the Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1857. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Cincinnati, and by invitation took charge of the Fulton Presbyterian Church, of that city, for one year, and then, in accordance with his original purpose, took a post-graduate course at Union Theological Seminary, New York City. His next charge was the Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Penn., which he was compelled to resign on account of poor health. In October, mms0, he sailed for Europe, where he traveled extensively, returning home in August, 1861. The out- break of the Civil war was the occasion of his return, and though anxious to enter into the service, either as a chaplain or as a private soldier, yet on account of his general health, and advice of his friends, he did not.

He was pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Terre Haute, from 1868 to 1875, when, again on account of his health, he was compelled to resign and practically to retire from the active duties of the ministry; although since 1875 he has been the stated clerk of his presbytery, and also chairman of the Presbyterial com- mittee of Home Missions, in which positions he has had his full share of church work. But, for the most part, his time has been taken up in literary pursuits. His history of the English Bible, a volume of 458 pages, is a valuable work; it was published in 1882. Mr. Condit's collection of old Bibles, made necessary in the preparation of his history, is probably as extensive as any in the State. He paid as high as $75. for a single copy of the Cranmer Bible, pub- lished in 1549. By the side of this stands a copy of Mathew's Bible, also in Black-Letter, and published in 1549. The collection contains some of the earliest copies of the English New Testament, among which is a fac-simile copy of the first printed New Testament, translated into English by William Tyndale. In 1889 the degree of D. D. was conferred on Mr. Condit by Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio.

On February 26, 1862, Mr. Condit was married to Miss Sarah L. Mills, a lady of English descent, daughter of Prof. Caleb Mills,

712

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

LL. D., of Wabash College, and Saralı ( Marshall) Mills, of New Hampshire. Prof. Mills is recognized as one of the founders of the common-school system of the State of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Con- dit have five children, as follows: Emma, Howe Allen, Blackford Mills, Helen and Joseph Dayton. Mrs. Condit and all her children are members of the Presbyterian Church. In the family and social life of Terre Haute this family is one of the most esteemed.

CHARLES W. CONN, cashier of Vigo County National Bank, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., August 29, 1857, and is a son of Nelson W. and Alma ( Britton ) Conn, also natives of this county, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Charles W., who is the youngest in a family of four children, was united in marriage De- cember 26, 1883, with Martlia, a daughter of William H. and Mary (Sparks) Scudder, her father a native of New Jersey, and her mother of Kentucky. Martha is the second in a family of seven children, and was born December 1, 1859. Mr. Conn received his . education in the city schools of Terre Haute, and began his bank- ing career as clerk in the Prairie Cil &Bank when he was fifteen years old, serving in that capacity until 1879, when he was appointed cashier. He held that position until October, 1888, when he was elected cashier of the Vigo County National Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Conn are members of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder, also teacher in the Sunday-school, and has served as super- intendent of same. He is a member of the board of trustees, and is treasurer of Coate's College; is president of the Terre Haute Build- ing and Loan Association, No. 17, series one and two; is treasurer of the Indiana Savings Building and Loan Association, and finan- cial secretary of the Mutual Savings Association, series three; he has served as treasurer of the Oratorio Society. In his political preferments he is a Republican.

AARON CONOVER, P. O. Terre Haute, ranks among the en- terprising farmers of Harrison township, where he owns, in Section 9, 112 acres of fine farm land, in a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Vigo county, where he was born in July, 1853, and is a son of Ralph and Elenor (Snedicker) Conover, both natives of New Jersey, the former being of Scotch and the latter of German descent. They immigrated to this county in 1832, where they re- mained until the death of the father. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Jane, Alfred, Aaron, Gertrude, Eliza and Ralph. Aaron Conover, Sr., died in 1888, his widow resides in Terre Haute. Our subject was reared on a farm, and is a prominent agriculturist. He was married in Vigo county to Nettie Metcalf, who was born in Edgar county, Ill., in 1856, and they have had four children, viz. : Coral and Warren (both deceased)

713

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

and Earl and Beulah. Mrs. Conover's father was killed by the cars at Paris, Ill., while walking on the track; his hearing was so de- fective that he failed to hear the approaching engine. Mr. Con- over was supervisor of Harrison township in 1888, and re-elected in 1890. He is a self-made man; working his way in life, aided by his estimable wife, he has acquired a handsome property. His comfortable residence is of brick, and there are a good barn and outbuildings. In addition to farming he carries on fruit-growing. He is a Republican, and is highly respected in the neighborhood.

GUS A. CONZMAN, county treasurer of Vigo county, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., and is a son of Gustavus A. and Catharine ( Hertfelder) Conzman, who in 1849 emigrated from the Fatherland to the "land of the free and the home of the brave," settling in Vigo county. The father, who had been proprietor of a hotel, died in 1876. His family consisted of five children, of whom four are living, Gus A. being the eldest. He was reared in Terre Haute, where he attended the public schools, and in 1871 he commenced to learn the book-maker's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship, and then worked as journeyman. In 1879, in company with E. A. Hess, he purchased the bindery, and conducted same until August, 1885, when he was ap- pointed deputy county treasurer under James Cox, being thus employed four years. In 1888 he was nominated on the Demo- cratic ticket and elected county treasurer, in which office he is ably assisted by John L. Walsh, as deputy. Mr. Conzman was married in December, 1885, to Miss Lydia, daughter of John and Catharine (Swartz) Elsevach, and of German descent. Mr. Conz- man is a member of several secret societies; he served three years as treasurer of the National Union; is a member of the A. O. U. W., also of the Royal Arcanum and the K. of P. and is a Master Mason.

GEORGE COPPAGE, farmer, Otter Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Sugar Creek township, Vigo county, No- vember 1, 1843, and is a son of Freborn and Latilla (Fox) Cop- page, natives of Maryland, and of English descent. The father, who was a farmer all his life, came to Vigo county in 1835, and spent the remaining portion of his life here, dying May 15, 1885. His family consisted of six children, George being next to the youngest. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving his edu- cation in the common schools, chose agricultural pursuits as a busi- ness, and is now the owner of the farm where he resides in Otter Creek township. He was married, March 15, 1881, to Miss Susie Morton, which union has been blessed with one child, Monta I. In politics Mr. Coppage is a Democrat. He is not a member

714

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

of any church or secret society, and has never run for any office. He is a quiet, unassuming man, one who reads a great deal, and is well posted on the current events of the day. He spends consider- able time and money in enriching his land which now produces nearly twice the amount it did when he purchased it a few years ago ; in a word he is an industrious man, well deserving of success.

B. H. CORNWELL (deceased) was a native of Kentucky, born in Louisville, July 3, 1819, and was the youngest in the family of eight children of William and Mary (Swan) Cornwell, Virginians, of English extraction, who owned a large plantation near Louis- ville. The name is descended from the Cornwalls of England, and the change in the spelling occurred in the branch of that noted old English family that came to America. During the early boyhood of B. H. Cornwell his parents removed to Paola, Ind., where the son grew to his majority. He attended the common schools of the place, with such advantages as were then within the reach of a well- to-do farmer's son. He acquired a sound English education, be- cause he was studious of nature and had a remarkably retentive memory. Being now well grown, he removed to Vincennes, where he entered a dry-goods store as clerk, and incidentally gave con- siderable attention to the clothing department thereof. In 1845 he came to Terre Haute, a bright and hopeful young man, and soon after opened a clothing store in the place, his room being on the east side of the court-house square. Eminently successful in busi- ness affairs, he was of that order of men who make their presence felt in all branches of society to which they turn their attention. He was soon a strong factor in politics, and in 1855 President Pierce appointed him postmaster at Terre Haute, to which office he was again appointed, in 1857, by President Buchanan. When he became postmaster, he closed out his business, but when he went out of office (with the change in the administration from Buchanan to Lincoln) he resumed it, in the dry-goods trade, in company with John G. Davis, congressman. Mr. Cornwell was a man of ripe judgment of men and affairs, a Democrat possessed of the courage of his con- victions, which he followed regardless of the clamor of the mob or the seductive influences that may have been offered. He was sev- eral years chairman of the county central committee, and while quietly attending to his own affairs, without solicitation on his part, he was nominated and elected by his party county auditor for a term of four years. He filled the office well, and at the end of his term was unanimously offered a nomination by both parties which he positively declined, chiefly on account of his failing health. After leaving the auditor's office he engaged in the hardware trade, and associated with himself in the store his two sons-in-law, D. B. Otis and

715

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

A. G. Austin. When this was well established, he gave it but little more attention. On August 10, 1841, Mr. Cornwell was united in marriage at Vincennes with Miss Caroline S., a daughter of H. P. and Sally ( Ruble) Brokaw, former of whom was a native of New Jersey, and latter of Indiana. The grandfather, Henry Ruble, was present at the battle of Tippecanoe as a member of Gen. Harrison's staff. Born to Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Cornwell were children as follows: Sallie C., married to A. G. Austin, a prominent citizen and hard- ware merchant of Terre Haute; Mary C., wife of Dr. L. H. Bartholo- mew, a leading dentist, of Terre Haute; and Annie C., wife of Capt. W. B. Wheeler, of the United States army ( they reside at Fort Clark, Tex .; he is a West Point graduate). Mr. Cornwell died in Sep- tember, 1869. When twenty-four years of age he had united with the Presbyterian Church, and in 1847 he became an elder of the same and so remained during life.

ROBERT S. COX (deceased) was a native of Ohio, born at Zanesville, February 7, 1833, and died November 18, 1886. He came to Terre Haute in 1855, and formed a partnership with his father, Robert S. Cox, Sr., in the wholesale grocery business, the style of the firm being R. S. Cox & Son, and was widely and favor- ably known in all the territory tributary to Terre Haute. His father died in 1864, but his mother retained her interest in the store. The firm was changed to Cox & Son in 1870, and he became a partner with Mr. H. Hulman, under the name of Hulman & Cox. Here his great executive capacity and his sound views on business were conspicuously manifested. In 1879 he became part owner of the Terre Haute Distillery, but sold in the latter part of 1881, and in March, 1882, he bought a one-third interest in the Terre Haute Car Works. He served as vice-president until the death of Mr. J. B. Hager, when he was elected president. He was twice married, first, January 29, 1855, to Miss Hannah F. Schell, of Cincinnati, who died in 1860, and in 1861 he was married to Miss Frances Strain, who died July 29, 1881. He had a family of seven children: Lewis J., Robert S., George, Frank, John, and two daughters.

Mr. Cox was more than a pushing man of business, and had broad views of education and progress. He was an earnest advo- cate of practical education in technology, and as a member of the board of trustees of the Rose Polytechnic, the results of his wisdom and thoroughness will long survive him. The Rose Orphans' Home, on whose board he was a most useful member, was an especial object of his solicitude. He was a public-spirited man, and from the days when he was chief of the fire department to the hour of his death he was patriotic toward Terre Haute, and had her growth and progress constantly in view. This entire community mourned

716

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

his loss by death. He was a useful citizen, broad and generous of all his busines ideas, and ever loyal to the city of his adoption.

LEWIS J. COX, vice-president and treasurer of the Terre Haute Car and Manufacturing Company, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., April 27, 1857, and is a son of Robert S. and Hannah F. (Schell) Cox, natives of Ohio, former of whom was of English, latter of German descent. Lewis J. who is the second in a family of three children, was reared and received his early education in Terre Haute. In 1874 he entered the Polytechnic Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, where he graduated in 1878. Returning to Terre Haute, he worked for Cox & Fairbanks about three years, and in 1883 he accepted the position of superintendent of the foundry at the car works, and has since been connected with this company. He is a thorough business man, and by his energy and gen- eral qualifications, has done much toward building up the business to its present proportions. Mr. Cox was married in Wooster, Ohio, August 20, 1889, to Lenora Hannah, daughter of James and Mary (Jones) Hannah, former of whom was a native of New York, lat- ter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cox is the third in a family of four children, and was born in Wooster, Ohio, November 2, 1864. This is one of the pleasant and prominent families of Terre Haute, con- tributing largely to its social life.

ROBERT S. COX, superintendent of the Terre Haute Car and Manufacturing Company, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., June 28, 1858, and is the youngest of the three children of Robert S. and Hannah (Schell) Cox. Our subject was reared in Terre Haute, and attended the city schools. In 1874 he entered the Polytechnic School of Arts at Zurich, Switzerland, where he graduated in the mechanical department in August, 1880. He then returned to Terre Haute. He was united in marriage August 8, 1887, with Miss Frank Day, of Brazil, Ind., and daughter of John and Margaret (Smith) Day, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Cox is the sixth in a family of seven children, and was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 18, 1862. In November, 1886, Mr. Cox was elected super- intendent of the Terre Haute Car and Manufacturing Company.

JAMES H. CRABB, Otter Creek township, P. O. Burnett. This gentleman, who is the trustee of that township, was born in Parke county, Ind., October 31, 1842, and is a son of Edward and Liona ( Williams) Crabb, former a native of Ohio, latter of Kentucky, and both of English descent. The father is a leading farmer and prominent citizen of Parke county, Ind., James H., who is the fourth' in a family of nine children, grew to manhood on his father's farm in Parke county, where he attended the public schools, working on the farm in the summer. He naturally became

717

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

a farmer and stock-grower, and has been successful in the business. The farm on which he resided consists of 195 acres of valuable land, well improved and stocked. He was united in marriage in Parke county, Ind., in 1866, to Miss Mary, daughter of Daniel Lyons. She was of English descent, and died in 1871. Two chil- dren were born to them: Minnie, who married, in 1889, George Stevenson, son of Thomas Stevenson, a wealthy and influential farmer of this county; and John, who is at home, Mr. Crabb's second wife was Carrie Briggs, daughter of Robert and Rosetta (Burnett) Briggs, and a native of Indiana, born of English descent. This union has been blessed with five children, three of whom are now living: Rosamond, Dovie and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Crabb are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is stew- ard, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has served as school director, and was elected trustee of Otter Creek township in 1888. He is a Master Mason. He enlisted in 1862 in · Company G, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; served three years, and was under Gen. Sherman on part of the march to the sea. He was in a number of battles, among others those of Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, Ga.

E. R. CRABB, farmer and stock-grower, Otter Creek township, P. O. Burnett, was born in Parke county, Ind., August 18, 1849, and is a son of E. R. and Liona (Williams) Crabb, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, and of English descent. Our subject's grandfather was James Crabb, and his great-grandfather was Edward Crabb, prominent citizens of the Old Dominion, a race of farmers who migrated from that State to Kentucky, thence to Ohio in an early day. Our subject's father, who was also a farmer, was born July 21, 1815. He had a family of nine children, seven of whom survive. Here E. R. grew to manhood, receiving the ordinary advantages of education in the public schools, and afterward at- tended the Sullivan County Seminary, completing his education at the Terre Haute Commercial College. He then engaged in teach- ing, carrying on, at the same time, his farm. His property is noted as a fine old homestead of 111 acres of highly improved land, and he is recognized as one of the representative self-made men of the county. He has never married, though social and congenial in nature, and enjoying a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His chief enjoyment is in his library, among his favorite books, in- vestigating those practical scientific subjects most closely connected with his affairs. In his political sentiments lie is a Republican.

WILLIAM G. CRAIG, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Brown county, Ohio, July 12, 1833, and is a son of John and Isabel (Wishart) Craig, natives of

718

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Pennsylvania, former of Irish, and latter of Scotch descent. The father came to Clay county, Ind., in 1845, and died in Saline county, same State. They had a family of six boys and four girls, of whom William G. is the fifth. Our subject was married December 23, 1863, to Alvina, daughter of John and Martha (Martin) Rogers, and born August 21, 1846. To this union have been born seven children, of whom the three youngest are living, as follows: Clif- ford C., Tena A. and Samantha. Mr. Craig learned the cooper's trade, worked at same eight years, and is now living on his farm containing eighty acres. April 3, 1861, he enlisted for three months in the Nineteenth Regiment, First Indiana Cavalry, and served the full term in camp; then enlisted for three years in the same company, and participated in the follow- ing named battles: Carnifax Ferry, Bull Run, Rappahannock, Nashville and others. He was discharged in April, 1863, and re-enlisted in December, 1864, this time in the One Hun- dred and Twenty-sixth Regiment, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, serving till the close of the war. He contracted chronic diarrhoea while in the service, and has not been able to do hard work for fifteen years. Mr. Craig is a member of Leslie Post No. 410, G. A. R., and is a Republican in politics. The family are members of the Christian Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 73

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