History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 74

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

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CAPTAIN SAMUEL M. CRANDELL, farmer and stock- grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Garrard county, Ky., April 20, 1838, and is a son of Joshua T. and Mary (Marksberry ) Crandell, natives of Kentucky, and of English lineage. The father, who was a farmer and blacksmith, died in Honey Creek township, this county, in 1864; he had left Kentucky in 1863 on account of his being a Union man, and came north. His family consisted of nine children, of whom six attained their majority. Samuel M, was reared in Kentucky, where he received his education in the common schools, and became a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, and was elected first lieutenant, in which capacity he served thirteen months; was then appointed mustering officer, and was mustered out for the purpose of recruiting a company. He then recruited Company G, Thirteenth Kentucky Cavalry, and was mustered in as captain in 1863, serving in that capacity until the close of the war in 1865, in which year he came to Vigo county. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 158, and is post commander, now serving his third term. Capt. Crandell was married December 19, 1867, on the farm where he now resides, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William Fox- worthy, and of German descent. The children born to them are as follows: Joshua, William T., Elizabeth, Mary Lois and Samuel

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and Daniel (twins). In politics Capt. Crandell is a Republican, and he has been trustee one term.

A. J. CRAWFORD, manufacturer, Terre Haute. This enter- prising and successful business man was born in Montgomery county, Penn., November 7, 1837, and is a son of Alexander and Mary R. (List) Crawford, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and German descent. His father was an ironmonger, and was a factor in the building up of this great industry, in early times in this country, and was one of the county's prosperous men.

He established the Blast Furnace at Terre Haute in 1869. He died in April, 1890. His family consisted of eight children-five sons and three daughters-A. J. being the eldest. Our subject was reared at New Castle, Penn., where he received his education, and when a young man he commenced work with his father, thus growing up to the business of an iron manufacturer. In 1869 he came to Terre

Haute, and became a partner in the Blast Furnace. When the Wabash Iron Works Company was formed he became its president, his brother, J. P., being elected secretary and treasurer. The latter is now president, and A. J. Crawford is vice-president of the Terre Haute Iron and Steel Company, called sometimes the "Nail Works." They employ about 500 men in their business in this place. A. J. Crawford is president, and his brother, J. P., is secretary and treasurer of the Crawford Coal Company, at Brazil, Ind., which was organized in 1881; this gives employment to about 250 men.

J. P. Crawford was born in Pennsylvania in 1855, and early in life engaged in business. The brothers erected an iron furnace in 1882 at Gadsden, Ala., where they now employ about 250 men. A. J. Crawford became president when the company was formed. He is president of the Terre Haute Electric Light Company, and is president of the Nashville & Knoxville Railroad Company.

A. J. Crawford was married, December 26, 1865, to Emma E., daughter of James Ivenson, and a native of England, which union has been blessed with five children, as follows: Alexander; Mary, who is the wife of Frank L. Kidder, a son of Wright L. Kidder; James, John and Anna. Mr. Crawford is a Master Mason, a mem- ber of Lodge No. 19. The family worship at the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Above has been given but an imperfect list of the vast business concerns of these two brothers. An hour's chat with the senior member, in his usual breezy, jolly vein, causes the visitor to think of the " Cheerible Brothers," hearty, frank and pleasant, in the breeziest way, ever ready to welcome all and bid them stay and talk on as he is more than ready to listen. "I've nothing in the world to do-sit down," and the play of good humor that runs over his face would put at his ease even a-agent!

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JAMES L. CREAL, farmer and stock-grower, Otter Creek township, P. O. Burnett, is a native of Vigo county, Ind., and was born May 2, 1832, the son of Lewis and Nancy ( Messer) Creal, who were from New York and Pennsylvania, his mother being of German descent. The father, who was of English descent and a pi- oneer shoemaker, which trade he carried on in Terre Haute, died in 1848, leaving one child, James L. Our subject was reared in Otter Creek township, attending the schools in Terre Haute, and early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed un- til 1858, when he commenced farming, which vocation he lias pursued since, excepting during the time he spent in the service of his country. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eleventh Ind. V. I. for three months, and then re-enlisted in the Seventy-first Reg- iment (which merged into the Sixth Cavalry), in Company E. He served in the dangerous position of color sergeant, was twice wounded, losing his right eye, and was a prisoner in both Libby and Andersonville prisons; he served until the close of the war. In 1953 Mr. Creal was married to Roslinda Burnett, by whom he had two children, Davie and William L., and in 1863 he was mar- ried to Amanda Havens, daughter of Thomas Havens, who served in the war of the Rebellion as a member of Company M, Fourth Indi- ana Cavalry, and died at Nashville, Tenn., in 1863. To this union were born the following named children: Rorez M., Ida B., Charles C., Bessie G., James B., Abbie E., Carrie A., Ova B. and Benjamin H. Mr. Creal is a member of Leslie Post, G. A. R., and in poli- tics is a Republican. He is the owner of the farm where he now resides.

JOHN W. CREAL, proprietor of a saw-mill and grist-mill, Otter Creek township, P. O. Burnett. This enterprising young man is a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of Vigo county. He was born in Otter Creek township, Vigo county, Ind., October 5, 1862, and is a son of H. S. and Hannah (Gray) Creal, who were of English descent. The father was a miller and farmer, also a stock-grower, and was a successful business man, succeeding in accumulating a handsome fortune. He died in 1879. The mother of our subject now resides on the home farm, which consists of about 200 acres of well-improved land in Nevins township, this county. John W. is the second in a family of seven children, of whom five are now living. He was reared on the farm, attending the school in the district where he now resides. He cliose milling as his life business, and now owns and operates both a saw-mill and grist-mill in Otter Creek township. He is hard of hearing, but when the running of the mill is dis- turbed he is aware of the fact as soon as those who have their

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

hearing. He is very attentive to business, but finds time to in- dulge in the reading of good literature. In his political predilec- tions he is a Republican.

ALEXANDER CREWS, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Nelson, ranks among the most prominent farmers of this county. He was born February 29, 1832, on the farm he now owns and where he resides, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (McCowan) Crews. His father was born in Tennessee, of English descent; his mother in Kentucky, of Irish descent. She lived to be ninety-three years old. The father was a farmer all his life, and came to this county in 1819. His nearest neighbor then lived four miles away. He entered a tract of 360 acres of land, and subsequently bought 200 acres more. He died in 1876 at the advanced age of eighty-three. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom Alexander is the fourth. He wasreared on the farm, attending school in the log house, walking three miles daily. He has lived all his life in his native district, and wisely chose farming, following that all his life. He has also dealt extensively in stock, and has met with great success, being now classed with the wealthiest farmers of Vigo county. His home farm consists of 720 acres of valuable land in his town- ship. Mr. Crews was married, in 1877, in this county to Miss Sarah, daughter of Joseph Thompson, a farmer. Mrs. Crews is of English descent. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Crews has been blessed with a family of five children, as follows: Julia, John, Joseph, Robert and Emma. Mr. Crews affiliates in politics with the Democratic party, and is a Master Mason in the Masonic fra- ternity, Terre Haute Lodge No. 85.

JOSEPH S. CROCKETT, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in Sugar Creek town- ship, Vigo county, Ind., December 12, 1839. His father, William Crockett, who was a farmer all his life, was a native of Tennessee, his mother, Sarah Crockett, of Maryland, and they were of Scotch- Irish and Dutch descent. They came to this county in 1822 among the pioneer settlers. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom Joseph S. is the fourth. He was reared on the farm, and re- ceived his education in the common schools of the township, then turned his attention to farming, and now owns a farm consisting of eighty acres of land. He was married in this county, in 1870, to Miss Anna Burnham, and by her had one child, Nora. Mrs. Crockett died in 1873 and Mr. Crockett married in 1879, Mrs. Catherine Keim, widow of David M. Keim, a daughter of Peter Rardin, and of German descent. This union has been blessed with three children, viz .: Bertha, Catherine and Joseph E. Mr. Crockett is a Democrat, and was elected trustee in 1887, which

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

office he still holds. At the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, he promptly enlisted in the Thirty-first Ind. V. I., Company K, and was made a non-commissioned officer. He was wounded at the battle of Fort Donelson, but served his full term of three years.

OLIVER M. CURRY, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born December 21, 1829, in Vigo county, and is a son of John and Jane M. (Jordan) Curry, the father a native of Delaware, and the mother of Pennsylvania; they were of Irish and German descent on one side, and of English and Scotch-Irish on the other. They came to Sullivan county among the pioneer settlers, locating on what has ever since been called " Curry Prairie," and they built the first house on that prairie. The grandfather of our subject, William Curry, was also a pioneer farmer. The father, who died in 1852, was twice mar- ried, Oliver M. being the eldest in the family of four children by the second wife. Our subject reached his majority on the farm, attending the common schools, and has made farming his life pursuit, being now the owner of a well-improved farm of 141 acres. He was married in Vigo County, November 9, 1854, to Elvira, daughter of John and Sarah (McCormick) Ryman, whose parents were of Scotch and German descent. Mrs. Curry was born November 4, 1829, and was eight years old when her father came to Vigo county ; he was a farmer and died in 1857; her mother died April 11, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Curry have had seven children, five of whom are liv- ing, viz .: J. Charles (a farmer), Albert B., Jennie M., George A. and Lucy A. This is a family of farmers, and the children are all musicians. In politics Mr. Curry is a National Greenbacker, and has served one term as a justice of the peace. He is a charter member of Honey Creek Grange No. 1, and has passed all of the offices; has held an office in the State Grange of Indiana for twelve years, and is a Master Mason. He was nominated in the Eight Congressional district for congress by the People's party.

C. M. DAGGETT, lumber dealer, Terre Haute, is a native of Maine, born in Union, Knox county, March 8, 1834, and is a son of Ebenezer and Salome (Miller) Daggett, natives of that State, lat- ter of German origin. The father who was of English descent, and a farmer and miller by occupation, died in Maine in 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-one. His family consisted of eight children, of whom our subject is the second by the second marriage. He was reared on the farm, attending the district school, and when twelve years old he went to work in a saw-mill; standing on a bench he was about able to do a man's work. When he reached his majority and started in the world his whole fortune was his good health, a fair knowledge of the saw-mill business, and a resolution

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

that would not quail. At the age of twenty-three he came west, and stopped at Alton, Ill., where he worked at the cooper's trade. Before leaving that place he was foreman in one of the cooper shops, and he has always had control of men wherever he has worked. He then went to Missouri in the employment of the rail- road company as car inspector and repairer, a position he held six years. In 1869 he came to Terre Haute, and superintended the building of cars at Seath & Hagers'; then commenced the man- ufacture of lumber. He has owned and operated saw-mills at various points, but has made Terre Haute his home, where he has a neat and substantial residence. Mr. Daggett gives employment to about fifty men. He has a partner in business. in Arkansas, and they often buy large tracts of land, now owning about 7,000 acres, and are running two saw-mills and a planing-mill; property he has acquired since he has reached the age of twenty-three.

Our subject was married at Alton, Ill., February 9, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary (Greenwood) Broadbent, and a native of England; she died in Terre Haute, January 12, 1889, a member of the Universalist Church, of the Sunday-school of which she was superintendent at the time of her death. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Daggett was blessed with six chil- dren, as follows: Clara B .; Edith E., wife of W. W. Hauck; Lulu V., wife of Willis D. Miller; Ethelda M .; Gertrude Greenwood and Leoretta. Mr. Daggett is a Republican in politics; he is a Mason, and has taken all the degrees.

HON. F. C. DANALDSON, attorney at law, and mayor of the city of Terre Haute, was born in that city September 26, 1852, and is a son of David S. and Emaline W. (Clark) Danaldson, who were of Scotch and English descent, the father born in Kentucky, and the mother in Virginia, both early settlers of this county. His father, now in his eighty-third year, was a merchant in early life, and came to Terre Haute in 1833, where for many years he was an active, leading business man. He published the first daily paper here. For some years he has devoted his time to securing govern- ment claims for parties. He has three children, our subject being the youngest.

Hon. F. C. Danaldson was reared in Terre Haute, attended the public schools, and subsequently he entered Bloomington Univer- sity, where he graduated in 1873 in the law department. He then commenced the practice of law here, and has continued in practice since. He was elected mayor of the city in 1889. In politics he is a Republican, and is regarded by all as an eloquent and able orator, and he has made many public speeches. He is one of the able campaigners on the stump, and at every campaign his services

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are frequently called for. Though young in years, he is an able political leader, commanding a strong following. In social life he is a public favorite; there are no lines of division here among the good people of Terre Haute. Our subject is a prominent member of Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M. He is high priest in Chapter No. 11, and a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of Terre Haute Com- mandery No. 16, K. T.

G. W. DAVIS, farmer, Nevins township, P. O. Cloverland, Clay county, resides on Section 31, where he owns sixty-nine acres of excellent farm land. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, September 2, 1832, and is a son of Isaac and Mary A. (Hull) Davis, natives of Clermont county, Ohio, and who came to Vigo county in 1836, when G. W. was four years of age. They spent the remainder of their days in this county, the father dying in 1879, and the mother in 1866; they were the parents of ten chil- dren. Our subject's opportunities for an early education were limited. He was reared on a farm, and to the occupation of a farmer, which he has followed thus far through life. In 1869 he was mar- ried in Vigo county to Mary F. Calahan, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1834. Mr. Davis, who is a Democrat, has never sought or held office, except some of the minor offices of his town- ship; he is a member of the F. M. B. A.

ISAAC DAVIS, farmer, Nevins township, P. O. Seelyville, was born in Clermont, Ohio, November 24, 1836, and is the son of Isaac and Mary (Hull) Davis, natives of Ohio, and of English descent. The father, who was a farmer during his life, came to Vigo county in 1836, and settled on a farm, where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying in 1879. His family consisted of six sons and three daughters, Isaac being the third in the family. Our subject was reared in Nevins township on the farm, attending the district school, and chose farming, which he has since carried on, except during the time he was manufacturing brooms. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Ind. V. I., Company B,; he was a non- commissioned officer, was in one engagement, and was discharged for disability in 1863, at Franklin, Tenn. He is a member of the G. A. R., in politics a Democrat. Mr. Davis was married in Vigo county, in 1866, to Miss Lucinda Smith, whose parents were natives of Ohio, her father being now a well-to-do farmer of Nevins town- ship, this county. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Davis has many friends.

LEANDER DAVIS, farmer and brick mason, P. O. Fontanet. The pleasant residence of this gentleman is in Section 36, Nevins township, where he owns eighty acres of land; he also has twenty- three acres in Section 30. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio,

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

in 1834, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Hull) Davis, who came to Vigo county in 1835. Leander grew to manhood on the same farm he now owns, he being only two years old when his parents came to Indiana. He had but limited school advantages. Mr. Davis was married in 1859, in Clay county, Ind., to Caroline, daugh- ter of George Neville, and born in the State of New York in 1844. They are the parents of nine children, of whom the following named are living: Edward, Daniel, Charles, May and Clyde; those deceased are Mary, George, Dora and Harry. Mr. Davis has held the office of township assessor four years, and was supervisor two years. He is a member of the F. M. B. A. August 21, 1862, he enlisted in the Civil war in Company B, Eighty-fifth Ind. V. I. ; was in several skirmishes, and was mustered out of the service at Indianapolis, June 30, 1865. He is the worthy recipient of a monthly pension of $10. In politics Mr. Davis is a Democrat.

EDWARD DAVIS, a dealer in general merchandise at Coal Bluff, was born in Nevins township, Vigo county, Ind., March 16, 1844, and is a son of Isaac and Mary H. (Hull) Davis, natives of Ohio and of English descent. The father was among the pioneer farmers of Nevins township, where he settled in 1832. It was then a wild wood, but by hard toil he cleared the farm where Edward was born, spent his childhood and attended school. The father died in 1878. The family consisted of ten children, Edward being the seventh. After passing through the district school, Edward at- tended Bloomingdale Academy, and acquired a taste for literature and a desire to know something of the movements of the day. He concluded to make farming his business, but in 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was a good soldier, and served in Gen. Sherman's command on the march to the sea, being in several engagements. He served until the close of the war, when he returned home, and was engaged at the brick- mason's trade until 1874, when he embarked in his present busi- ness. He has prospered, and met with deserved success. Mr. Davis is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. societies, and is a Master Mason.

H. P. DAVIS, merchant, lumberman and miller, Coal Bluff, Nevins township, was born in Parke county Ind., January 4, 1852, a son of Josiah Robert and Delana Jane ( Wilson) Davis, latter of whom was born in Parke county, Ind., of English parentage. The father, who was a native of North Carolina, of Welsh parentage, was a merchant, and carried on business in Indiana for many years. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he promptly enlisted in the Twenty-first Ind. V. I., Company K. He died in 1863. H. P. Davis was reared on the farm, attending the common schools,

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

also Bloomingdale Academy, and for a time was engaged in teach- ing school. He then took a railroad contract to furnish the rail- road and bridge timber. He continued railroad work until embarking in the coal business, as a member of the Edgar Coal Company. Since 1885 he has been engaged extensively in the hardwood lumber business. He is the owner of the saw-mill at Coxville, Parke county, and carries on an extensive trade in hardwood timber, the capacity of his mill at Coxville being 10,000 feet per day. He also owns and operates the flouring-mill at Rosedale, which has a capacity of 100 barrels per day. In 1889 he established a general store at Coal Bluff. Mr. Davis was married, in 1882, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Christopher Young, and born in Ken- tucky of English descent. Their children are Josiah R. and Aus- tin T. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican. He is a Master Mason.

R. P. DAVIS, proprietor of the Early House, Terre Haute, was born in Harrison county, Ind., July 24, 1844, and is a son of J. M. and Mary (Ackron) Davis, natives of Indiana and of Scotch and German origin. His father made farming the main business of his life, but at present is engaged in hotel-keeping. Mr. Davis was reared on the farm, and received his education in the district schools of his native county. July 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, First Missouri Regiment, V. I., and served till the close of the

war. He participated in many engagements, some of which were Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta (Ga.) and others, and he was with Gen. Sherman in his famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he came to Terre Haute, and learned the iron-molder's trade, at which he worked eleven years, and, in 1877, he embarked in his present business. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 1, is an active member of the militia, and has served several years as captain in the State Militia at Terre Haute. He is a prominent Mason, and has taken thirty-two degrees; is a member of the K. of P., and has served as captain of the Uniform Rank. While he was captain, his company took three prizes in drilling-one at Cincin- nati, one at Evansville and one at Louisville-and his success as drill master is beyond dispute. Mr. Davis received the appoint- ment of superintendent of police of Terre Haute in 1890, and has proven himself a very efficient officer, being much attached to the office, as he is naturally of a military turn of mind, and he is very highly respected.

WILLIAM G. DAVIS, Terre Haute. This gentleman has spent many years of his life in the rolling-mills, having been thus en- gaged both in the Old and New world. He is now sixty-three years old, and was born in Wales, June 7, 1827. He is a son of Daniel

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and Mary (Gabriel) Davis, natives of Wales. His father was an iron refiner, and was employed in the rolling-mills for many years. He died in his native country in 1882, his widow surviving him two years, and dying in 1884. Mr. Davis, who is the eldest in a family of seven children, at the age of fourteen began his first work in a rolling-mill, in Wales. He subsequently went to England, where he was employed until he came to America, and located at Youngstown, Ohio. He has been boss roller since 1868, and. he rolled the first bar of iron ever rolled in Terre Haute. He has been very successful, financially, and resides in his beautiful home in Terre Haute. He owns large real-estate interests. In Wales he was married, in 1849, to Miss Jane Thomas, daughter of Joseph and Charlotte Thomas. Her father was engaged in the iron business in Wales. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Davis has been blessed with fourteen children-nine sons and five daughters-of whom the fol- lowing named are residents of Terre Haute: Daniel, who is the book-keeper at the rolling-mills; Mary, wife of Frank Woodward; Joseph A., who is employed at the iron-mills; Charlotte, wife of John T. Luellen; Thomas W., an iron roller; Lizzie, the wife of W. W. Ray; Hattie, the wife of T. J. Odell; and John, who is a telegraph operator on the Vandalia road. The family worship at the Centenary Methodist Church, and Mr. Davis is known as "Singer Davis." The family are all musicians, both vocal and in- strumental, and in musical circles they are widely known as people of more than ordinary cultivation and talent, frequently being termed " the musical family of Indiana." Mr. Davis is a Repub- lican in politics, and is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., Terre Haute.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 74

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