History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 81

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

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

GIDEON A. HARRIS, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born in Sugar Creek township, Vigo county, Ind., January 5, 1850, and is a son of Richard J. and Lavina (Bennett) Harris. Gideon A., who is the youngest son in a family of ten children, was reared in Sugar Creek township, his education being obtained first in the district schools and subsequently at DePauw College, where he attended two years. He and his brother, G. W., rank among the best farmers and stock-growers in Sugar Creek township. They have dealt extensively in cattle, and still have several head on hand. Our subject was married in this county February 15, 1880, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Josiah and Lydia (Shuey) Hicklin, and of German descent. They have two children: Estella and Lena L. Mrs. Harris is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. Harris is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

G. W. HARRIS, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek town- ship, P. O. Macksville, was born on the farm he now owns, and where he resides, in Sugar Creek township, this county, December 2, 1845, and is a son of Richard and Lavina (Bennett) Harris, former of Welsh and latter of German and English descent. The mother, who is a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers of Vigo county, was born, in 1828, in this county. Her parents were mem- bers of the Society of Friends. The father of our subject, who came to this county in 1835, was a farmer of marked ability, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1889, he owned 1,200 acres of land. G. W.'s mother and four of her children are the surviving members of the family: James W. is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; G. W. is a partner of Gideon (they are among the largest farmers and stock-growers in Sugar Creek township) ; Francis E. is at home. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving his first schooling in the neighborhood, subse- quently attending college at Greencastle, Ind. For twelve years he taught school, since when he has farmed. He is a Republican, and was elected county surveyor of Vigo county, in 1883, serving two years. He enlisted, in 1861, in the Second Indiana Cavalry, Com- pany H, and served fourteen months; then, in 1864, re- enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ind. V. I., and was elected orderly. He served his full term of enlistment, and then re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ind. V. I .. Company F. When the company was organized he was elected second sergeant, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He is a Master Mason, also a member of the K. of P., and commander of Jacob Hoops Post No. 163, G. A. R. Mr. Harris was married in Sullivan county, Ind., May 21, 1867, to Miss Cindora, daughter of

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

F. P. and Louise ( Vail) McClain, who were of Irish descent, and natives of Ohio. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Harris has been blessed with six children: William H., Eva L. and Iva L. (twins), Ethalinda, G. W., Jr., and James. Mr. Harris is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES B. HARRIS, secretary of the Terre Haute Gas Light Company, Terre Haute, was born in 1841 in Stark county, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Beam) Harris, former a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Ohio. They were of German, Scotch and English descent. The father, who was a miller, died in 1863; the mother died in 1855. James B., who is the elder of two children, moved with his parents to Terre Haute in 1851. He attended and received his education mainly in the public schools of Terre Haute, and obtained his business education at Bryant & Stratton's Com- mercial College, Chicago. He graduated in 1863, and kept books in Chicago two years. He then returned to Terre Haute, and en- gaged as book-keeper in Thompson's mill for four years, when he abandoned the milling business and entered the Harmony Railroad office of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, as sta- tion agent, where he remained four years. He was then promoted to chief clerk for the superintendent of the motive power at Terre Haute, which position he retained about three years. He then pur- chased the " Avenue Flouring Mills," and from 1875 to 1880 he was again engaged in the milling business. From 1880 to 1883 he was treasurer of the Terre Haute Elevator Company, since when he has held his present position, and he is also one of the stock- holders. Mr. Harris was married at Indianapolis in 1865, to Eliza- beth, daughter of Charles Young, and of German descent. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris are Nellie B., Winnifred, Daisy, Charles H. and Fred R. Mr. Harris enlisted in the Fifty- fourth Ind. V. I., Company B, and was company clerk. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment. He is a Mas- ter Mason. Politically he is a Republican, and was a member of the city council from 1876 to 1880.

JOHN HARRIS, farmer, Pierson township, P. O. Lewis, was born in Owen county, Ind., April 4, 1830, a son of Thomas and Lu- cinda ( Witham ) Harris. Thomas Harris was a son of Daniel Harris, who was attracted to this part of Indiana by the fine hunting and trapping, and the abundance of wild game. He was born in Penn- sylvania, where he grew to manhood, and then moved to Ohio, in which State he remained for a time, after which he went to Spen- cer, Owen Co., Ind., and was one of the first to represent that county in the State legislature. When Clay county was detached from Owen county, he was its first representative, and frequently

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

thereafter he was called Clay and the father of Clay county. That county continued to be his home until his death, which occurred in 1851, when he was eighty-seven years of age. Besides being rep- resentative, other positions of honor and trust were most efficiently filled by him, and it has been frequently said that no one could de- feat him for any office within the gift of the people of Clay county. In politics he was a Whig, and in religion, although not a member of any church, yet he was a student of the Bible. His son, Thomas Harris, was born in October, 1806, and died in Des Moines, Iowa, while on a visit trying to regain his health in 1873. He came with his father to Owen county, Ind., then to Clay county, and afterward to Terre Haute when but two families were living in the place. During the time of his residence in Terre Haute he helped build the first pork-house in the city. In his younger days he was a boatman, making two trips each winter from Terre Haute to New Orleans, after which he became a contractor. He took some exten- sive contracts on the Wabash and Erie Canal, the Vandalia Rail- road, the New Albany & Salem Railroad, the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, the White River Dam, the foundation of the Gas- port Depot, and many others, and for several years he was in part- nership with A. D. McMaster. In connection with contracting Mr. Harris also owned considerable farming interests in Vigo county. In politics he was formerly a Whig, afterward a Republican, and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife, who was Lucinda Witham, a daughter of Peter Witham, was born in North Carolina, about the year 1810, and died in Clay county in 1867. Peter Witham, who was a soldier in the Revolution, participating in many of the battles, was by occupation a farmer, and an early settler of Indiana. Mrs. Harris was a member of the Methodist Church, but in later years united with the Dunkard Church. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harris was blessed with eight chil- dren, three of whom are living, as follows: John; Alga D., a farmer in Clay county, Ind., and Eliza, wife of George Carrithers.

John Harris, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of Clay and Vigo counties, and being the eldest son, it be- came his duty to attend to his father's farming interests, which were under his management until 1857, when he commenced to farm for himself, first in Clay county; in 1858 he came to where he now lives, and where he owns 550 acres of land, one of the finest farms in Vigo county, He has made a specialty of stock-raising, his farm being well adapted to the business, and his success is the re- sult of energy and ability. In 1882 he was elected, on the Repub- lican ticket, trustee of Pierson township, a strong Democratic township. March 29, 1854, he was married to Mahala Bolick, who

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

was born in North Carolina in 1827, and by this union there are the following named children now living: Alga N., a graduate of the Valparaiso Academy, and said by those who know to be one of the best penmen in the State; George R., at home; Clarence C., also with his father; Mary, Eva and Eliza, all at home; four chil- dren are deceased. In politics Mr. Harris is a Republican.

JOHN L. HASELBERGER famer and stock-grower, Otter Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute. This gentleman may be men- tioned as a worthy example to the rising generation, one who, by industry and perseverance in business has made life a financial suc- cess. He was born in Germany, and is the son of Andrew Hasel- berger, who came from that country to Ohio, where he farmed for a time in the Buckeye State. He subsequently came to this county, and in March, 1854, he settled on a farm in Otter Creek township, where he spent the remaining portion of his life, dying there in 1873. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is the youngest of five children, was reared in Ohio, receiving his education in the common schools. He owns the farm where he now resides, which consists of 272 acres of valuable and well-improved land. He buys and sells stock, carrying on a general farming business. He was united in marriage on February 17, 1870, with Eleanor Ackers, a lady of Irish and German descent. Mrs. Haselberger is a mem- ber of the Christian Church; in politics Mr. Haselberger is a stead- fast Democrat.

W. W. HAUCK, city treasurer, Terre Haute, was born in Clay county, Ind., December 11, 1859, and is a son of G. C. and Mary (Harsh) Hauck, the father a native of Germany, and the moth- er of Clay county, Ind., of German descent; they are still living. The father, who is a farmer, served in the Civil war, and was wounded at the battle of Richmond. W. W. Hauck, who is the eld- est in a family of seven children, was united in marriage October 4, 1888, with Edith Daggett, a daughter of Charles M. and Mary (Broadbent) Daggett, natives of Maine. Mrs. Hauck, who is the second in a family of six girls, was born July 17, 1864. Mr. Hauck was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools of Clay county, and, for his life work, chose milling, which he fol- lowed two years, when he met with an accident that caused him to change his business. He then attended the Commercial Col- lege, Terre Haute, where he graduated, and afterward he became a teacher in that college, an incumbency he held for six years. He then accepted the position of head book-keeper for H. Robison & Sons, and was with them until August, 1889, when he took charge of the office of the city treasurer, having been elected in May, 1889. Mr. Hauck is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F.,

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

No. 157, Terre Haute, and of the K. of P., being recorder in the Uniform Rank; has served as director in the Building & Loan Association. In politics he is a Republican.

ISAIAH HAWORTH, merchant and postmaster at Atherton, was born in Parke county, Ind., December 7, 1845, and is a son of Barnabas and Lydia ( Wallace) Haworth, natives of North Carolina, and of English descent. Isaiah's grandfather, Jeremiah Haworth, came to this county with his family in 1816; he was a farmer, and, clearing some land, carried on agriculture where his son, Isaiah's father, was reared. The latter, also followed the occupation of his father, and now resides in Parke county on a farm. Of the eleven children born to Barnabas Haworth only five are now living, our subject being fifth in the order of birth, and next to the eldest now living. He spent his childhood and youth on the farm with his par- ents, attending the school of the neighborhood. His first venture for himself was teaching school, and in 1882 he accepted a position as salesman in a store in Terre Haute. April 10, 1883, he em- barked in mercantile trade at Atherton, establishing his present business, a general store, and same year he was appointed postmas- ter at Atherton, which office he still holds. He was married De- cember 20, 1880, to Miss Sally, daughter of Shelby French, and of English descent. They have two children, Luther Allen and Ho- mer Herbert. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and he takes an active interest in Sabbath- school work; has been assistant and superintendent of the Sabbath- school at Atherton. He is a Republican in politics.

DR. WILLIAM W. HAWORTH, physician and surgeon, No. 1108, South Fourth street, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Ind., January 4, 1850, and is the only son of Isaac B. and Mary F. (Walker) Haworth, former of whom was born in East Tennessee, about 1810, and died in Vigo county in 1882. In an early day he emigrated from Tennessee to Illinois, carrying on mercantile business there until about 1860, when he removed to Vigo county. He was a son of William H. Haworth, who was a Quaker of English and Scotch descent, and who located in Tennessee in an early day. Dr. Haworth's mother was born in Vigo county, Ind., in 1824, a daugh- ter of William and Susan (Durham) Walker. Mr. Walker was one of the first settlers of Vigo county, where he came and entered land in 1816, becoming an extensive farmer. He was born in Pennsyl- vania about 1790, and died in this county about 1845; his wife was born about 1800, and died in 1852. They were the parents of two sons and four daughters, of whom Mary F. (our subject's mother) is the only one living. She and Isaac B. Haworth were married in this county, and had two children: Alice J. (deceased wife of Col.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

John P. Baird, one of the leading lawyers of this county), and Dr. Haworth.

Our subject received his literary education in Vigo county, and in 1880 he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, as a student, where he graduated in 1882, at which time, being in failing health, he proceeded to Florida, where he practiced medicine about one year. His health improving, he went to Atlanta, Ga., where he re- mained one year, and then returned to Terre Haute, and has here since made his home. In 1886 he was elected coroner of Vigo county, serving two terms, and was then appointed one of the board of pension medical examiners, in which capacity he is serving at this time. He was president of the city board of health, and a member of the American Medical Association. He is also a mem- ber of the State, County and Esculapian Societies. The Doctor is one of the most popular and enterprising citizens of Terre Haute.

HENRY C. HAY, Fayette township, P. O. Libertyville. This gentleman never had the advantage of schooling, having been af- flicted with very weak eyes in his childhood and youth. He was born at New Goshen, Vigo Co., Ind., and has always made Fayette township his home. He is a son of John and Anna Hay, his mother's maiden name having been Anna Wolfe. His parents were natives of Virginia, his father of German extraction, his mother Dutch, and among the early settlers of Vigo county. His father was a boat builder in his early life, and made many trips to New Orleans by water, but in his later years he turned his attention to farming, and died in Fayette township, this county. He was twice married, and had two children by the second union, Henry C. being the

younger of the two. Our subject naturally took up farming as a business, having been reared on the farm, and succeeded in making for himself a home, now owning the farm where he resides. He was married, June 27, 1875, to Miss Jennie, daughter of B. F. Spicer, who is of German origin. This union has been blessed with four bright children, viz .: Jessie F., Milton Clay, Mabel Clara and John. Mr. Hay is an industrious and energetic man ; is a Mas- ter Mason, and in politics is a Democrat.

GEORGE HEINE, salesman, Fontanet, Nevins township, is the third in a family of five children, and was born in Hamburg, Germany, March 9, 1864, a son of Adams Henry and Catherine (Zinz) Heine, former of whom was a merchant tailor, which was the main business of his life; he died October 9, 1875. The par- ents of our subject came to America in 1870, and settled in Ken- tucky, where the father carried on his trade until his death. George received his education in the common schools, and worked with his father until 1882 when he came to Fontanet, his present home, and

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

since 1888 he has been employed by the Coal Bluff Mining Company as a salesman in their store at Fontanet. He was married in Vigo county, Ind., June 22, 1887, to Ida J., daughter of James B. Cress, and born and reared in this county. They have one child, Maude E. Mr. and Mrs. Heine are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is treasurer of the I. O. O. F. ; in politics is a Repub- lican, and has served as a justice of the peace.

HENRY HEINE, Fontanet, Nevins township. This enterpris- ing young business man is the head salesman in the store of the Coal Bluff Mining Company at Fontanet. He was born in Ger- many, March 29, 1868, and is next the youngest in the family of five children of Adams Heine, a merchant tailor, who died in 1881; the mother of our subject is still living. The parents came from Germany when Henry was a child, and settled in Kentucky, where the father carried on the tailoring business, and where Henry at- tended the public schools. His first work was as a clerk in a store in Kentucky, and in 1882 he came to Vigo county, where he ac- cepted a position in the store of the Coal Bluff Mining Company, where he has remained the past seven years. Mr. Heine votes the Prohibition ticket, is an active worker in the temperance cause, and is financial secretary of the Good Templar society. He is a prompt business man, with an inviting future before him, and is enjoying the confidence of his employers, and the respect of a wide circle of friends.

SANFORD S. HENDERSON, Prairie Creek township, P. O. Prairieton, county commissioner, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Parke county, Ill., January 20, 1838, and is a son of Heze- kiah and Nancy (Hill) Henderson, natives of Kentucky, the father being of German descent. They were married in Clark county, Ill. He was a farmer by occupation, and the mother died in Clark county, Ill. ; the father is living in Kansas. Sanford S., who is the fourth in a family of seven children, was married October 12, 1868, to Martha H., daughter of James and Lucinda (Lancaster) Sanders, natives of Ohio, and of German descent, former of whom was a carpenter. Martha is the only living child, and was born in this county June 5, 1844; she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Henderson was reared on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of this county. He chose farming as his business, and has made his way in the world by his own ex- ertions, now owning a well-improved farm of seventy acres. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted, August 7, 1861, in Company D, Eleventh Ind. V. I., and his military career is worthy of record. Some of the important engagements in which he participated were the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, Winches-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

ter and Cedar Creek. At the battle of Shiloh he was shot through the face, the ball entering the left cheek and coming out on the right, under the jaw, destroying the palate and also affecting his hearing. He was mustered out at Baltimore, July 26, 1865. He is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. , Blinn Post, at Prairieton; is a prominent Free- mason, a member of Lodge No. 178, Prairieton, and has held all the offices. Mr. Henderson takes an active interest in politics, and is serving his second term as county commissioner. He is a stanch Republican.

HON. D. W. HENRY, though yet a young man, is one of the prominent attorneys of Terre Haute. He is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, born October 10, 1852, a son of Jacob and Alvira (Rowles) Henry, former a native of Pennsylvania, and latter of Columbiana county, Ohio. Our subject is named for his two grand- fathers, David Henry and William Rowles, and is one of a family of ten children. One of his brothers, Leroy, resides in Galesburg, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Fields, is in Clay county, Ind .; the other members of the family live in Greene county, Ind. D. W. Henry received his. primary education at the public schools of his native place, and afterward attended Ascension Academy, at Sullivan, Sullivan county, Ind., where he graduated in 1873, a short time before he reached his legal majority. He then taught school for some time, being thus regularly employed for two years in Vermill- ion county, after which he entered Mount Union College, Ohio, and was for two years in that institution, taking a scientific course of instruction. Returning to his home in Terre Haute, he read law the following year, but owing to too close a course of reading, his health broke down, and he was compelled to seek a less confining occupation. After a short time, again becoming able to engage in teaching, he taught once more in Vermillion county, in the graded schools, and also at Pittsburg, Ind. He then took charge of the Farmersburg High School as principal, and was in that capacity there two years. He then made a tour of health and observation through the West, but, finding nothing there that sufficiently tempted him, he returned and assumed charge of the Bloomfield (Greene county, Ind. ) schools, teaching there two terms. Resign- ing this position he resumed the reading of law in the office of Baker & Shaw, and then attended the law school at Indianapolis, in which city he graduated in 1881 in the Central Law School, where he had the advantages of such eminent lawyers for preceptors as Judge Byron K. Elliott, now of the Supreme bench, Judge James M. Black, and Hon. Charles P. Jacobs. Immediately after gradu- ation our subject returned to Terre Haute and entered the office of Davis & Davis, where he remained until 1883, when Harvey D.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Scott, having been appointed, by Gov. Porter, judge of the Vigo County Circuit Court, turned over his office and practice to Mr. Henry. He was alone in the business for one year, when, the ex- tensive practice having much accumulated, he formed his present partnership with Mr. J. D. Early. In 1884 Mr. Henry was ten- dered the nomination by the Republican party for the office of prosecuting attorney, and although in this campaign, which was one of the most noted in the county, the Democrats swept all be- fore them, yet Mr. Henry was elected by a flattering majority, one of the highest compliments the county has ever paid any of its young politicians. Mr. Henry performed his official duties with marked ability, impartiality and energy. He was both renominated and re-elected, and his second election was italicized by one of the largest majorities ever given in the county. When his term of office expired, he peremptorily refused a further nomination, but engaged actively in the practice of his profession, receiving retain- ers in many of the important corporation cases coming before the courts, and he is regularly retained by some of the largest corpora- tions of the district in all their cases.

On June 30, 1885, Mr. Henry was married to Virginia, daughter of Col. Richard W. and Harriet Thompson, and born at Columbus, Ohio. Of this union two children were born: Harriet, born in 1886, and Richard Porter, born April 24, 1890. Mr. Henry is a Republican in politics, without those characteristics of a mere blind partisan-broad and liberal in his views, conceding heartily to others the same honesty and integrity of purpose in such matters as he may well claim for himself; and is no more blind to the virtues of those who may differ from him, than he is to the faults of political friends and associates. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F.

LEWIS MORRIS HERBERT, Lost Creek township, P. O. Seelyville. This gentleman was born in South Wales, January 1. 1833, and is a son of Evin and Hannah (Morris) Herbert, natives of Wales. Lewis M., who is the eldest of three children, grew to manhood in the land of his nativity, where he attended school, re- ceiving a very moderate education. He emigrated to the United States in 1857, and settled at Youngstown, Ohio, where he worked in the mines. In 1859 he came to Vigo county, and worked for George Broadhurst about one month; then became superintendent for Joseph Thralls, a coal-mining company at Terre Haute. He then sunk a shaft and operated the same for Joseph Thralls. Subse- quently he embarked in the coal business at Terre Haute along with Samuel Walker, Joseph Broadhurst and Richard Broadhurst, and they followed this business on their own account for a number

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 81

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