History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 75

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 75

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H. W. DAVY, engineer, Vandalia Railroad, Terre Haute, is a native of Knox county, Ohio, born June 12,1841, and is a son of John and Sarah (Snyder) Davy, former a native of Maryland, and latter of Jefferson, Harrison county, Ohio. The family moved to Terre Haute in the spring of 1853, and here the father, who was a farmer and stock-dealer, resided until the time of his death in July, 1877, when in his seventy-fourth year; the mother died in May, 1888, in her eighty-third year. Our subject, who is the youngest in a fam- ily of six children, was reared in Knox county, Ohio, and received a common-school education. In 1855 he engaged in the grocery business in Terre Haute, which he, followed about five years, and in March, 1860, he began firing on the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, remaining with that company about two years, when he went to work on the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, and was promoted. In the spring of 1864 he went into the Government service as locomotive engineer, and was on duty at Nashville, Knox-

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ville, also at Atlanta, after the siege, and after the close of the war he helped deliver engines for the Government, the last two he deliv- ered being to the Knoxville & Bristol Railroad Company, at Knox- ville. He returned home in October, 1865, and went to work on the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad as engineer, and was in that em- ployment until 1875, when he went to work on the Terre Haute & Logansport Railroad, but remained with that company only about one year, when he engaged in the grocery business, continuing about eighteen months. He next held the position as depot police- man, at the union depot, over three years, when he secured a position on the Vandalia Railroad in September, 1880. He runs on the east division from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, and has had the same engine (No. 41) over nine years. Mr. Davy was married in Terre Haute, April, 23, 1866, to Gertrude V. Minnick, daughter of John G. and Caroline ( Malcom ) Minnick, former a native of Mary- land, latter of Virginia, and both early settlers of this county. Her father was a pattern-maker, and died here February 2, 1880, in his seventy-fourth year; her mother resides with her son in Tennessee. Mrs. Davy is the fifth in a family of six children that grew to matu- rity, and was born in Terre Haute, June 30, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Davy have four children: George J., Harry H., Walter E. and Sadie C. Mr. Davy is a member of the K. of H., No. 520, and also of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Division No. 25; politically he is a Democrat.

DANIEL DEBS, Terre Haute, is a native of Alsace, France, and was born December 4, 1820, a son of Daniel and Margaret (Schillinger) Debs, who were born in Alsace and died there, Mr. Debs in 1848, his widow in about 1858. They reared four children- one son and three daughters-two of whom are living, viz. : Daniel, and his youngest sister, who is in her native country. Daniel Debs was educated in his native land, and in 1848 he left home and friends to seek his fortune in the "land of the free." He settled in New York City, and was there married, in 1849, to Miss Margaret Bett- erich, also a native of Alsace, France, born in 1828. By their union two sons and four daughters were born, viz .: Mary, wife of J. G. Heinl; Louisa, wife of Henry Michel, a resident of Marion, Ind. ; Eugene V., who is secretary of the " Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman " and editor of the " Locomotive Fireman " magazine, one of the most popular and enterprising citizens of Terre Haute; Eugenia, wife of Howard Selby, of Terre Haute; Emma, wife of C. O. Mailloux of New York City; and Theodore, who is treasurer of the "Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen." Mr. Debs resided in the city of New York until 1851, when he moved to Terre Haute, and soon after opened a grocery and provision store, which he carried

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on until about 1887, since which time he has been in the wine and liquor business at 1102 Wabash avenue. Mr. Debs is an old and respected citizen, and takes an active interest in all public enter- prises.

JUDGE DEMAS DEMING (deceased) was born in Berlin, Conn., March 22, 1787, and departed this life at his home in Terre Haute, March 3, 1865. He attained his majority in Connecticut, where he received the rudiments of an English education. The young man became a soldier in the regular army, was appointed from his native State, and served two years as second lieutenant, when he resigned. He then went to Baltimore. Mr. Deming came to Terre Haute in 1818, and resumed his mercantile persuits, which he followed successfully until he was compelled to give them up on account of his failing health. In 1837 he became connected with the old State Bank, in which capacity he remained eighteen years, when he retired with a large fortune, for that day. Judge Demas Deming and Miss Sarah C. Patterson were married in Parke county, Ind., February 19, 1840. She is a Virginian by birth, born in October, 1810. Her father, Arthur Patterson, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, immigrated to America, settling in Penn- sylvania when seventeen years of age, and about 1814 he located in Vincennes. From there he went to Parke county, where he was a prominent citizen, being chosen to represent his people in the State Legislature. He died at Saratoga Springs in 1848. His wife was Miss Margaret Chambers, who was born in New Jersey, and who died in this county in 1868. She was the mother of one son and three daughters, as follows: Chambers, the eldest child and only son, Sarah C., Mary and Margaret.

Mrs. Sarah C. Deming resides in the family mansion in Terre Haute, the mother of three sons and one daughter, of whom two sons and the daughter are living. Henry is one son; Sophia S. is the wife of Capt. Wheeler of the regular army, now stationed at Los Angeles, Cal. ; he was born in Cavendish, Vt., and he and his wife have two children: Sophie and Deming. Judge Deming left considerable property in real estate, money and credits. He was a pioneer of Vigo county, and a leading and prominent citizen. He represented the district in the legislature, and at one time was grand master in the Masonic fraternity. In politics he was a Repub- lican. Heand his wife were not members of any church, but usually attended the Congregational.

WALTER H. DENNY, stock-breeder and farmer, Otter Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, is a native of Vigo county, and was born in Otter Creek township, Vigo county, September 2, 1857, a son of Harrison and Luna (Ballou) Denny, the father a

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

native of Otter Creek township, where he was born in 1825, be- coming one of the leading successful farmers of the county ; he died in 1888. William Denny, grandfather of Walter H., was a soldier in the War of 1812, thus learning something of the Wabash Valley, an immediately after the close of the war he came to Vigo county, where he purchased of the Government a large tract of land. The father of Walter H. owned at the time of his death 600 acres of land, which was a part of the original purchase by the grandfather. This family has a long line of ancestors, both farmers and profes- sional men. Walter H. grew up as a farmer's boy, attending the public schools, has followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns 240 acres of land in Otter Creek township, on which he resides: He was married, in 1879, to Alice, daughter of Milton and Mary (Sim- mons) Rogers, farmers, and she is also a native of Vigo county. Of this union there are the following named children: Walter Har- rison, Clifford R., Roy V. and Gertrude. Mrs. Denny is of Ger- man and English descent, while Mr. Denny is of Irish and French. Politically he is a Republican.

THOMAS DERMODY, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. St. Mary's, is a descendant of one of the earli- est settlers of Vigo county, where he was born September 17, 1866, a son of Peter and Kate (Shearn) Dermody, latter of Irish descent. The father was born in Ireland, and became an early settler of Sugar Creek township. He was an energetic and suc- cessful farmer, stock-grower and dealer, and owned over 800 acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. His widow still resides on the homestead in Sugar Creek township. Their family consisted of nine children, six of whom grew to ma- turity. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, the youngest of the family, attended school at St. Mary's and Terre Haute, and became a farmer, having now charge of 400 acres of land. He was united in marriage, October 16, 1888, with Miss Anna, daughter of John and Jane ( Cambron) Delahaye, and a lady of French origin, her father having been born in France. Mr.

and Mrs. Dermody are members of the Catholic Church, as were also their parents. He is in sympathy with the Democratic party.

LABAN H. DICKERSON, P. O. Seelyville. This gentleman is trustee of Lost Creek township. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, November 12, 1828, and is a son of John and Rhoda ( Holland) Dickerson, former a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Georgia, and of English and French descent. They came to Vigo county, Octo- ber 7, 1839, and settled on the farm where their daughter Mary now resides, in Lost Creek township. Of their family of eleven children Laban H. is the fifth. He received his education in the dis-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

trict schools in Lost Creek township, also at the seminary in Terre Haute, and the academy at Liberty, Union county, Ind. He was engaged for several years in teaching in the common schools of the State. He has made farming and stock-growing the main business of his life, being the owner of a well-improved farm consisting of 200 acres, where he now resides. Mr. Dickerson has held many offices of honor and trust, and has many friends especially among those who were soldiers in the Civil war. He volunteered, August 7, 1862, in Company M, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, Ex-Gov. Isaac P. Gray having been the first colonel of the regiment. After the company was organized he was appointed a non-commissioned officer, and was also company clerk; he was mustered out as quar- termaster-sergeant, June 29, 1865, at Edgefield, Tenn. He was in many engagements while in the army, and, excepting one month while in the hospital at Nashville, was in the saddle at the front. He was in the long campaign with Gen. Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta; was on the McCook raid with Rosecrans at Chicka- mauga with cavalry sent to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville, and finally was with the cavalry corps under Maj .- Gen. Wilson from East Port, on the Tennessee, to Macon, Ga. He was present when Jeff Davis was brought into the Union line as a prisoner of war at Macon, Ga. Mr. Dickerson's career as a farmer, soldier, teacher and business man, has been an honorable one.

He was married in Union county, Ind., September 3, 1852, to Isabella F., daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Shannon) Hayward. Her mother was cousin of Ex-Gov. Shannon of Ohio. She is of Irish and English descent, and was born in Union county, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson have five children living: Josephine A., wife of Ben F. Vanvactor; James, who is a farmer; Mollie E., wife of William Collins; Hattie C., wife of S. H. Lowish [see his bio- graphical sketch ], and William W., who is at home. In politics Mr. Dickerson is a Republican, and has been a member of the Re- publican County Committee. He helped to organize Leslie Post No. 410, G. A. R. and served two terms as commander of the same. He is a prominent member of Lodge No. 51, I. O. O. F., Terre Haute. He is wide awake to everything that may forward the in- terests of the citizens of Lost Creek township, or Vigo county, and to better the condition of public morality and humanity He has proved himself both honest and successful in business life-a kind husband and an indulgent father.

J. M. DISHON, city bill poster, Terre Haute, was born in Owen county, Ind., May 23, 1843, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Paine) Dishon, natives of North Carolina, former of French and latter of English descent. J. M., who is third in a family of nine

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children, was married in Paola, Ind., August 25, 1864, to Sarah E., daughter of Squire Kemly, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Dishon was third in a family of four children, and was born in Pulaski county, Ky., March 16, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Dishon have had two children: William R., and Estelle, who died October 30, 1890. Mr. Dishon was reared in Paola, Orange county, Ind., and received his education in the common schools. He started out as city bill poster in Indianapolis about the year 1860, and followed that business there until 1871, when he sold and removed to Terre Haute, where he has since been engaged in the same line. Mrs. Dishon died June 23, 1881, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Di- shon was married, the second time, in Terre Haute, February 27, 1883, to Sarah Wilson, daughter of John Wilson.

WILLIAM D. DOBBS, farmer and stock-grower, Linton town- ship, P. O. Youngstown, was born in Beaver county, Penn., August 31, 1839, and is a son of Anger and Hannah ( Davis) Dobbs, natives of Pennsylvania, and English and Irish descent. The father, who was a farmer, died in February, 1844, the mother in Terre Haute, September 8, 1884. They had a family of five children, of whom William D. is the third in order of birth. Our subject was mar- ried in Terre Haute, July 4, 1867, to Mary A, daughter of John and Sarah (Clink) Sink, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Ger- man descent. Her father was a farmer, but worked during his early life at cabinet-making and carpentering. They moved first to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and then to Owen county, Ind., in 1851. The father died in February, 1866, and the mother in March, 1880. Mrs. Dobbs is the seventh in a family of twelve chil- dren, and was born in Ohio, October 9, 1838, coming to Terre Haute in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs had born to them seven children, as follows: Charles, deceased; Harry C .; Spencer L. ; Elmer, deceased; Grace; Guy A., and John S., who died in infancy. Mr. Dobbs re- ceived his education in the common schools in Beaver county, Penn. and in Summit county, Ohio. He learned the tanner's and currier's trade. In 1858 he moved to Summit county, Ohio, where in Hudson he learned his trade with his uncle, William Dobbs, at which he worked there for about four years. On June 22, 1863, he enlisted as a government employe for six months, and was sent to Nashville, Tenn., where he worked in the government repair shops until the close of the war, being mustered out June 22, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. August 7, 1865, he came to Terre Haute, and worked at his trade and in the hominy-mills for about eleven years; then moved to Linton township April 16, 1876, settling on the farm on which he now resides. His farm contains 108 acres, in a good state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs are members of the First Baptist

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Church at Terre Haute, and he has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school near where he resides. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 51, Terre Haute, and in politics is a Republican.

J. G. DOBBS, grocer, Nos. 204 and 206 South Fourth street, Terre Haute, is a native of Beaver county, Penn., born March 10, 1841, and is a son of Anger and Hannah (Davis) Dobbs, natives of Pennsylvania, the father being of Irish and the mother of Irish and Welsh origin. Our subject, who is the third in a family of four children, received a common-school education at his native home. In 1860 he went to Hudson, Ohio, and in November, 1862, he en- listed in Company B, Sixth O. V. C., in Gen. Meade's command. He participated in several important engagements during his term of service, and May 4, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. He was sent to the hospital, and remained there until August, when he rejoined his command in front of Petersburg, Va., and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Colum- bus, Ohio, in July, 1865. After the close of the war he proceeded to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he entered the Iron City Commercial College, graduating therefrom in 1865. In 1866 he came to Terre Haute, and served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, which he followed about ten years, and during the last year he was fore- man in the machine shops of J. A. Parker & Co. In 1877 he em- barked in the grocery business on the corner of Second street and Washington avenue, and after being there about five years he sold out. In 1883 he commenced business where he is at present located, making a specialty of staple and fancy groceries. By good man- agement and close application to business he has succeeded in build- ing up a trade that places him among the leading grocers of the city. Mr. Dobbs was married in Terre Haute, June 1, 1870, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Scott) Bell, natives of Ireland, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. Dobbs is the youngest in a family of four children, and was born in Utica, N. Y., February 16, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs had born to them two children: Clair and Effie Frances. The parents are members of the Baptist Church, and he is one of the board of trustees. Mr. Dobbs is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics he is Republican.

NICHOLAS DODSON, engineer on the Vandalia Line, P. O. Terre Haute, is a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., and was born March 12, 1841, a son of Elijah and Eliza (Anderson) Dod- son, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county about 1860. Elijah Dodson was a farmer, and died here in 1883 in his eighty- fifth year; his wife died in Westmoreland county, Penn., in 1849. Nicholas Dodson was reared in his native county until he was thir- teen years of age, when he came to Terre Haute. He received a

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common-school education. He ran as train boy on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, four years, except three summers when he worked for his father on the farm. He then began firing on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, and was fireman about six years, when he was promoted and given an engine June 19, 1865. He has been on duty since, except about two years, dur- ing which time he was compelled to lay off on account of injuries received by running into an open switch. He met with the acci- dent July 15, 1880, and went to work again July 11, 1882. His run is on the passenger engine from Terre Haute to Indianapolis. Mr. Dodson was married in Terre Haute, Ind., March 8, 1866, to Miss Mary, daughter of Charles and Mary (Smith ) Callahan, natives of Ireland, who first settled in New York, from there moving to Ohio, and thence to Indiana. Mr. Callahan, who was a farmer, died in New York; Mrs. Callahan died in this county, in 1885. Mrs. Dodson is the second in a family of five children, and was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 8, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson have four children, viz .: Charles E., Hattie, George H. and N. F. Mr. Dodson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Terre Haute, No. 19; is also a member of the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, Terre Haute, No. 25; the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Firemen, and of the K. of H. He enlisted in the hundred days' service, under Capt. Ross, in the One Hundred and Thirty- third Ind. V. I. ; in politics he is a Republican.

SAMUEL DODSON (deceased). This gentleman was a promi- nent citizen of Terre Haute, and did much to forward many of the public enterprises of Vigo county. He had many warm personal friends, and his death, which occurred at his home in Terre Haute, May 23, 1890, caused a public loss. He was born in the western part of Tennessee, October 18, 1818, and was a son of Jeremiah and Arletta (Brown) Dodson, natives of Scotland, who came to Tennes- see in colonial times. His father was a minister of the gospel, and also a medical practitioner.

Samuel, who was the fourth in a family of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity, received his education in the common schools, and early in life engaged in the business of contractor. In 1844 he came and located in Terre Haute, where he took large railroad contracts, and built several of the railroads running into the city. He had an extensive contract on the Wabash & Erie Canal. He fitted up a theater in Terre Haute, and conducted it several years, proving a very successful manager. He had rare versatility of talent, and easily became master of the work before him. This was the secret of his success in the variety of things he undertook. In politics he commenced life a Whig, and when that

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

party passed away, he became a Republican. He served three terms as tax collector, and was street commissioner, also city mar- shal of Terre Haute. Mr. Dodson was married January 25, 1845, in Putnam county, Ind., to Miss Martha E., daughter of John Witty, and of Scotch descent, born in Tennessee, April 16, 1825, and now residing in Terre Haute. To this union were born children, as follows: Florence A. (the wife of Dr. Crapo), Emma O. (deceased wife of Daniel Davis). Their only son is George C., a prominent business man of Terre Haute. [See his sketch. ] Mr. Dodson, as is his widow, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE C. DODSON, wholesale dealer in junk, wood and coal, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., September 23, 1851, and is a son of Samuel and Martha E. (Witty) Dodson, natives of the "Sunny South." His father, who was a contractor, and carried on extensive public work, was an early settler of Vigo county. [See his sketch. ] George C. Dodson was reared in Terre Haute, and at- tended the public schools. His first employment was as salesman in a general store, where he worked six years, and was then advanced to a partnership in the firm. This continued two years when he embarked in the produce trade. He subsequently commenced in his present business which he has since continued, meeting with good success. Mr. Dodson was married October 21, 1879, to Miss Elvira, daughter of John Armstrong, and of Irish and German descent. They have two children: Bertha and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the K. of P. and K. of H., of which latter he served eight years as treasurer; has also served several years as director of different building and loan associations.

J. B. DOLSON, M. D., Pimento, was born in Clark county, Ill., June 23, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Polly A. ( Cooper ) Dolson, former of whom was a native of New York, of German and Welsh de- scent; latter of Kentucky, of Scotch-Irish descent. They were mar- ried in Clark county, Ill., where they both died, the father in 1861, the mother December 24, 1881. The father was a stock dealer, and also followed farming. They had a family of six children, who grew up, of whom our subject is the eldest. He was married June 15, 1864, to Amanda M., daughter of William S. and Mary A. (Gil- len) Montgomery, the father a native of Pennsylvania, born Sep- tember 16, 1809, and the mother a native of Maryland, born Sep- tember 22, 1816. They were married in Stark county, Ohio, July 24, 1835, and moved to Clark county, Ill., in 1840, where they both died, the mother March 29, 1853, and the father August 1, 1876. They had a family of six children, all of whom grew up, and of

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these Amanda M. is the fourth, born February 8, 1842. Dr. and Mrs. Dolson had born to them four children, viz .: One that died in infancy; Vern K., telegraph operator and station agent at Pimento; O. S. and T. D., deceased. The Doctor received his education in the common schools of Marshall, Ill., and at the academy there, also at- tended the college at Marshall about eight terms. He studied medi- cine under Dr. F. R. Payne at Marshall, and then attended Chicago Medical College in the fall of 1873, graduating there in the spring of 1874. He began the practice of medicine at York, Clark Co., Ill., in partnership with D. O. McCord, M. D., an old army surgeon, and there remained about a year, when, in June, 1875, he moved to Pimento, where he is located at the present time, and has been suc- cessful in his practice. He owns a lot in Pimento containing twelve acres, on which he resides. He is a Master Mason, a member of Lodge No. 292, Pimento, and is serving his third term as worship- ful master; is also a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 485, Pimento. June 14, 1862, he enlisted in the three months' service in Company G, Seventieth Ill. V. I., and was put on guard duty at Camp San- gamon, being there about three months; was also on guard about one month at Alton, Ill., where he was mustered out October 23, 1862. He then acted as deputy provost-marshal about one year in Clark County, Ill., and served four years as constable in same county. He has in his possession a newspaper called The New Harmony Gazette, printed in New Harmony, Ind., August 1, 1827, its mottoes being: "The second year of mental independence," and " If we can not reconcile all opinions, let us endeavor to unite all hearts." Politically Dr. Dolson is a Republican.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 75

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