History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 82

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 82

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).

791

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

of years. Mr. Herbert afterward carried on the coal business in Clay and Vigo counties, and in the fall of 1867 he bought a small farm in Lost Creek township, Vigo county, and has since made his home there. He was engaged in mining and dealing in coal for forty-three years. Mr. Herbert was married in Wales to Miss Elizabeth Daniels, who was also born in South Wales, and they have had twelve children-five sons and seven daughters-of whom four are dead. The names of the eight living are as follows: Isaac, Charles, Hannah (who is the wife of R. H. Modesitt, Esq., of Seelyville, Ind.), Mollie, Fannie (who is the wife of Jacob Stephens), Thomas, Sarah and Rosa. Mrs. Herbert is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Herbert has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since he reached his majority.

JOHN W. HICKCOX, voucher department, auditor's office. Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, Terre Haute, is a native of Terre Haute, Ind., born October 21, 1845, and is a son of Marvin M. and Eliza (Turner) Hickcox, natives of New York. The father, who came to this county in 1818, was a real-estate agent, and served two terms as sheriff of this county ; he died in 1877 at the age of sixty-nine. The mother died in 1857 at the age of thirty-five. John W., who is the eldest in a family of four chil- dren, was reared in Terre Haute, and received his education in the city schools and at Bloomingdale Academy. He enlisted, in De- cember, 1863, in Company F, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, and was off duty some time on account of sickness; he was mustered out in September, 1865. After the war he clerked four years in the county auditor's office, two years in the recorder's, and about two years in the treasurer's office. During the time he was in the court-house he worked more or less at civil engineering for two .

years. March 15, 1872, he accepted the position he now holds in the auditor's office of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, and when he began work three men performed the labor that now requires twenty-three men.

Mr. Hickcox was married in York, Penn., January 1, 1874, to Millie E. Wolfe, a native of that place, born October 20, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Hickcox had born to them one daughter, Gertrude M., and one son, Frank R., who died at the age of three years. Mr. Hickcox is a member of the K. of H. No. 1220, and has served as the financial secretary of the so- ciety eight years. He is a member of the National Union, Inter- national Progressive Association, and the Grand Army of the Re- public. Politically he is a Republican,

JOSIAH HICKLIN, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Vedder, was born in Knox county, Ind., four and one-half miles north of Vincennes, June 2, 1820, and is a son of

792

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

James and Amelia (Black) Hicklin. The ancestors of this gen- tleman, running back for a good many generations, have been na- tives of the United States. His mother is of Irish descent. His father came to Vigo county about the time of the War of 1812, and enlisted; at the close of the war he returned here, and spent the remaining portion of his life in this county. He died in Sugar Creek township February 13, 1849. Josiah, who is the eldest of two sons, was reared on the farm, and attended the old-fashioned, log school-house .. He afterward farmed, meeting with remarkable success, now owning 400 acres of valuable land, the home farm be- ing well improved and stocked. He has been a very industrious worker, and has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. He married, April 11, 1843, Miss Lydia J. Shuey, who is of Ger- man descent, born in Augusta County, Va .. , October 14, 1825. Her parents, John and Catherine (Funkhouser) Shuey, came to this county in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Hicklin have had ten children, six of whom are living: Viola J., wife of R. E. McColloch; Eliza M., wife of William Cusic; Martha J. N., wife of G. A. Harris; Clara J., wife of Theadore Jumper; Mary A., wife of Prof. J. A. Mitchell, a member of the faculty of the State University at Bloom- ington, Ind., and Josiah H., who is at home. They have also reared three orphans. The family are all members of the Church, Mr. Hicklin being a ruling elder in the church, teacher in the Sab- bath-school for forty years, and has also acted as superintendent of the Sabbath-school and school director. He formerly voted the Republican ticket, but at present is a Prohibitionist. He is a prominent member of the Farmers' Alliance.

THOMAS HIGH, merchant, engineer and baker, Nevins town- ship, P. O. Fontanet, was born in Nevins township, Vigo county, Ind., a son of Tilman and Rebecca (Grider) High, natives of Ken- tucky, who came to this county in 1830, and were among the pio- neers of the Wabash. The father, who was a farmer, died in 1878, aged seventy-two years. Thomas' grandfather, Jacob Grider, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was at the battle of Valley Forge, and was also present when Lord Cornwallis surrendered his sword to Gen. Greene. He lived to be ninety-nine years of age. Our subject's father settled in the wild woods on Section 24, Nevins township, where he cleared up a farm of 200 acres, and where Thomas was reared. The latter's opportunity for education was very limited, twenty-six days being the most he ever attended school in one year. He became a farmer, and made agriculture his business for several years, owning the farm he worked. In 1865 he embarked in the mercantile trade, also learned engineer- ing, and for seven years he has run a stationary engine in connection

793

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

with his other affairs. Mr. High was married in Clay county, Ind., in December, 1865, to Miss Hester E., daughter of Mrs. Rebecca Smith Tanner. Her parents were natives of Virginia and Penn- sylvania, and were of German and Dutch descent. The children of Mr. and Mrs. High are Ida May, wife of Charles Miller, of Terre Haute; Edwin C., Fred, T., and Lavern. Mrs. High is a member of the U. B. Church. In politics Mr. High is Independent, and he served one term as postmaster, also, in 1880, was a census enumer- ator. He enlisted in the army, but could not pass muster, but was a member of the State Militia. He is a member of the K. of P. Mrs. High's grandfather, Jacob Smith, was a soldier under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.

SIMON A. HIRSCHLER, member of the firm of Goodman & Hirschler, merchant tailors and clothiers, Terre Haute, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born June 3, 1844, and is a son of Simon and Hannah Hirschler, also natives of Germany, who immigrated to Philadelphia, Penn., in 1852. The father, who was a merchant, died in 1869, at the age of eighty-eight years, and the mother in 1882, at the age of seventy-six. Simon A. Hirschler, who is the thir- teenth in a family of fourteen children, received a public-school ed- ucation. In 1859 he went to Brownsville, Tenn., returning in 1861 to Philadelphia, where he obtained the position of stock-keeper for a wholesale clothing house. In 1863 he came to Terre Haute, and worked for L. Goodman until 1870, when he and his present part- ner bought L. Goodman's interest in the business. They make a specialty of tailoring and ready made clothing, and have estab- lished a trade that has placed them among the leading clothiers of the city. Mr. Hirschler has had to depend on his own resources. He was married in Mattoon, Ill., May 10, 1876, to Sarah, daughter of Leon Frank, a merchant in Chicago, and she is a native of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, born March 5, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Hirschler had born to them three children: Alexander (deceased), Rosa and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Hirschler are members of the Jewish Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Terre Haute Lodge No. 19, and of the A. O. U. W., also a member of the B'Nai B'Rith Society. Politically he is a Republican.

JAMES V. HOAGLAND, farmer and rollingman workman, P. O. Terre Haute. This gentleman resides on section 9, Harrison township, and is a native of what is now Lawrence county, Penn., born August 18, 1836, a son of Peter and Sarah (Lutton) Hoag- land. They were married in Pennsylvania, and came to Dearborn county, Ind., where the father died in 1840; the mother returned to Pennsylvania, and died in 1849. James V. was reared on a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the Re-

794

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

bellion, when he enlisted, July 12, 1862, in company K., fourteenth, New Jersey, V.I., of which he was made a sergeant, serving three years, during which time he participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the Civil war, among them being Antietam, South Mount- ain, Gettysburg, Fulton, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania Court House, Hanover Court House, Cold Harbor and many others. Being disabled for field duty, was sent to Washington city, to the hospital, and after recovery was transferred to the V. R. C. Corps, and was sent to New York city to enforce the draft, afterward was sent to Augusta, Me., thence to Bangor Me., then back to Augusta, where he was mustered out Au- gust 12, 1865. He then returned to New Jersey, thence went to Pennsylvania, where he was married, March 8, 1867, to Anna Sneyd, who was born in England in October, 1844. They are the parents of ten children, five of whom are living: Sarah, John, Lu- cas, Grace, Richard, the deceased being Silas, James, and three infants. Mr. Hoagland carries a musket ball between his shoulder blades, received in the battle of Locust Grove. He is a member of the Republican party.

JOSIAH HODGERS, merchant, Macksville. This gentleman was born in Devonshire, England, November 26, 1844, and is the son of Benjamin and Ann (Langman ) Hodgers, also natives of Eng- land. His father was a practical copper miner in England, also in America, in any of its branches. He came to the United States in 1848, landing in New York, whence he went to Pennsylvania, re- maining there but a short time; thence to Virginia, and from there to the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee, where he was foreman of part of the west end of the tunnel. After leaving there he came to Mulford's Mines, Union Co., Ky., where he became fireman in the mines, living in that county nearly eighteen years. Then he came to Vigo county, Ind., in the fall of 1862, and carried on the busi- ness of coal mining for several years. He met with a severe acci- dent, being blown up by a blast in the mines, from the effects of which he never fully recovered, dying October 17, 1888.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of seven sons and two daughters. One sister, Louisa, is living, and one, Eliza, is dead. He was reared near Caseyville, Union Co., Ky., where he received his little schooling in a log house, near what was known as the " dead fall," the furniture of which school-house consisting of a broad cypress board, pinned to the wall, and the rough slabs were used as the easy and substantial seats for the scholars. Besides being a practical miner, Mr. Hodgers also learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it as an occupation. He came to Vigo county when a young man, first working at the mining business, after

795

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

leaving which he worked nearly two years for the firm of Cliff, Williams & Co. In 1869 he bought some real estate at Macksville. In 1881 he retired from the carpenter work and engaged in business by himself, opening a general store, where he carries on the busi- ness at present. Mr. Hodgers was married at Charleston, Coles Co., Ill., May 28, 1873, to Miss Clara I., daughter of John Griggs, of Butler county, Ohio. Mrs. Hodgers is a member of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Hodgers is a Democrat in politics, and is ex- postmaster, having been postmaster during Cleveland's adminis- tration. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 51, at Terre Haute, Ind.

CHARLES W. HOFF, president of the school board, Terre Haute, has been for many years one of the leading manufacturers of brick in that city. He is a native of Germany, born March 7, 1849, a son of John H. and Mary W. (Treutler) Hoff, who came to America from Germany in 1856, and settled in Terre Haute. The father was a weaver, but on coming here engaged in brickmaking. He has retired from the active affairs of life, and is now seventy- eight years of age, hale and hearty. Charles W. Hoff, who is the fourth in a family of six children, five of whom are living, was reared in Terre Haute, and attended the common school, also a private educational institution. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he worked at until he was twenty years of age; then was engaged in the grocery trade in Terre Haute, nearly two years; his present bus- iness he opened in 1873, and energy, skill and ability have placed him master of his trade. His yards, which adjoin the city limits, contain eleven acres, and he here manufactures 2,000,000 brick a year, employing twenty men, and paying his force every Saturday evening. He is well and favorably known throughout the county, and has met with excellent success. Mr. Hoff was married in Vigo county, in 1872, to Miss Minnie S., daughter of Lewis Koch, and who came with her parents from Germany, her native land, in 1850. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoff are Minnie S. and Flora L. The parents are members of the Reformed Church, Mr. Hoff being a member of the board of trustees. He is a Democrat, and was elected in 1889 a member of the school board. He is a member of the Uniform Rank, I. O. O. F., and is a Royal Arch Mason.

WILLIAM HOLDAWAY, farmer and township trustee, Fay- ette township, P. O. New Goshen, is a son of Clark and Mary E. (Eddington ) Holdaway, and was born in Fayette township, Vigo county, Ind., September 8, 1848. His parents were natives of Vir- ginia, and descended from German and English and Irish ancestry. His father, who was a tiller of the soil in Fayette township for

796

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

many years, died here in 1886, and his family consisted of eight children, all now living and prosperous, William being the next to the eldest. Our subject was reared on a farm in Fayette township, where he attended the schools of the district, and he has devoted most of his time to farming, but has engaged successfully in other businesses. He turned his attention to baling and shipping hay for a time, and also bought and shipped stock; was engaged in mercantile trade for three years at Hanover, Ill., keeping a general store. Returning to this county in 1884, he commenced farming, and in 1885 he was elected township trustee. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Holdaway was married May 30, 1868, to Miss Emma C., daughter of Ransom and Susana (Whitesel) Clark, and of English and German origin. They have six children: Ginerva; Manetta and Luretta (twins) : Nora S .; Bruce and Lillie. Mrs. Holdaway is a member of the U. B. Church. Mr. Holdaway enlisted in 1863, for six months, in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Infan- try, and then re-enlisted in the Eighth Indiana Artillery, serving till the close of the war. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R., being quartermaster of the post. He is a man possessed of but few enemies and many friends.

MARTIN HOLLINGER, attorney at law, Terre Haute, is a native of the Buckeye State, born July 8, 1836, and is a son of Jacob Hollinger. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. His father, who was a coppersmith, and also worked at the tinner's trade, came to Vigo county in 1836, settling in Terre Haute. He was drowned in the Mississippi river in 1837. His family consisted of three children, viz .: George, who was reared in Terre Haute, and is a resident of the State at the present time; Martin, and Amanda, who was the wife of John S. Jordon. Martin, after his father's death, was put out to live with an uncle in Ohio, and was reared on a farm, attending the public schools of Terre Haute. He enlisted in 1862 in the Eighty-fifth Ind. V. I., Company G, and served until the close of the war. Returning to Terre Haute he studied law in the office of Judge Mack for a short time, and then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in the law department in 1867. He returned to Terre Haute in 1868, was elected circuit clerk, in which capacity

he served eight years. In 1881 he went to New Mexico, and there engaged in farming and trading, five years. Mr. Hollinger was married in 1874 to Miss Eva M., daughter of Fredrick Fisher, and of German and Irish descent. They have one child, Eva. Mrs. Hollinger is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Hollinger is a Sir Knight Templar, in politics a Democrat.

DAVID HOLSTON, retired wagon-maker, Riley township, was

797

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

born in Wayne county, Ind., April 26, 1816, and is a son of Andrew and Castilla (McKee) Holston, former born in Delaware, of Irish descent, latter in Maryland, of German descent. The father, who was a farmer, came to this county in 1832, and settled on a farm in Riley township, where he died in 1835. David, who is the fourth in a family of seven children-three girls and four boys-was reared on the farm, attending the common schools, and followed agri- cultural pursuits until 1851, when he embarked in the wagon- maker's trade at Lockport, this county, and carried on same until 1879, since when he has not been actively engaged in any occupa- tion. Mr. Holston was twice married; first in March, 1838, to Deborah Ann, daughter of Christopher Clark, and of Irish descent. Of their eight children, the following five are now living: A. M .; Theo. F .; Augustus C .; Cordelia Ann, wife of Miron Young, and Mary E., wife of John Moyer. Mrs. Holston died in 1875, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Holston was married, in 1877, to Mary C., daughter of David S. and Clarissa (Hawley) Carey, natives of New York. She is of English de- scent, born in 1829 in Ohio, and was the widow of Joseph Graham, by whom she had six children: Charles E .; Charlotte A., wife of J. P. Fowler; James B .; Joseph L .; William H., and Cora B., wife of F. H. Asperger. Mr. Holston is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, and is a Master Mason. He is the owner of real estate, a small farm and two houses and lots in Riley. Mrs. Holston's grandfather, Ira Haw- ley, was a pioneer farmer of this county, coming here in 1829. Her great-grandfather, Jonathan Hawley, was a blacksmith, who lived to be one hundred years old.

J. W. HOWARD, grocer, Terre Haute, was born in Monroe county, Ind., near Bloomington, January 16, 1839, and is a son of Thomas and Crissilla (Thomas) Howard, natives of North Carolina, and of German origin. The father, who was a farmer, resided on a farm in Monroe county, Ind., where he died; his family consisted of eight children-three sons and five daughters. J. W. Howard was reared on the farm, and attended the district schools of his native place. He commenced life for himself as a farmer, and then bought and shipped stock extensively. In 1870 he went to Iowa, where he engaged in farming and stock-dealing, and in 1880 came to Terre Haute, where he embarked in his present business. He is one of the first-class business men of the city, genial and pleasant of manner in all his intercourse or dealings with his customers. Mr. Howard was united in marriage in Monroe county, Ind., July 25, 1861, with Miss Mary E., daughter of James and Margaret ( Col- lins) Freeman, who were natives of Indiana, and of German descent.

798

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

This union has been blessed with six children, five of whom are living, as follows: Julia, wife of John Summit; Alonzo T., in the employ of the railroad company; Estella, Gabriel and Daisy. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. How- ard in politics is a Democrat, and he is Royal Arch Mason. He enlisted in 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil war, in the Eighty- second Ind. V. I., Company I, and was at the battle of Perryville, participating also in several skirmishes. He was discharged for disability, January 16, 1862.

THEODORE HUDNUT, of the Hudnut Milling Company, Terre Haute. This firm manufactures white corn goods, and the Hudnut Hominy Mills are the most extensive in the world. The company have large mills at Pekin, Ill., and Mount Vernon, Ind. The business was commenced in 1852, and incorporated in 1886. The mills of this corporation consume between 4,000,000 and 5,000, 000 bushels of corn each year, and employ about 300 people in Terre Haute. Mr. Theodore Hudnut, who is a pioneer in the busi- ness, was born in Washington, Ky., in the year 1820, and has actively pursued the hominy business since 1852.

B. G. Hudnut, secretary and treasurer of the company, is a son of its president, and has active charge of the business at all points. He was born at Edinburg, Ind., in 1854, and has devoted his time largely since his youth to this business. He has served as president of the Vigo County National Bank since 1888, and is a director and stockholder in several of the largest manufacturing industries of Terre Haute. He is president of the Indiana Savings & Loan Association; is also president of the Terre Haute District Telegraph Company, and is vice-president of the Business Men's Association of Terre Haute. Mr. Hudnut was married in 1880, to Miss Mary W., daughter of Richard A. and Mary (Miller) Morris, and is of Welsh and English descent. She is a member of the Episcopal Church.

PETER HUGHES, farmer, Lost Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, December 28, 1815, and is a son of George and Mary Dennis Hughes, former of whom was a miller, millwright and farmer. They lived in County Tyrone until 1824, when they immigrated to New York State, where they died. George Hughes had a family of five children by his first marriage, Peter being the fourth in order of birth, and after the death of his first wife he married Mary McDonald, by whom he had four children. Our subject received his educa- tion in the common schools of New York and Indiana, and March 24, 1839, he was united in marriage with Ellen, daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Bowyer) Dickerson, natives of Ohio, the

799

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

father of Irish and the mother of German descent. They had ten children, of whom Mrs. Hughes is the seventh. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have had a family of thirteen children, viz. : Samuel D., who died in the Civil war; Sarah E .; Rachel E .; George W .; James J., deceased; Hannah L., deceased; Mary, deceased ; Levi G .; John H .; Emmet P .; Rilla; Stephen C., and Martha. All those living are married except Stephen C. and Rilla. Mr. Hughes is one of the pioneer settlers of Vigo county, having come here in September, 1833, and worked at his trade, stone cut- ter and stone mason, for the Government for some time. He owns a farm of 130 acres where he now resides. He has served two terms as township trustee.

A. J. HULL, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Youngstown, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Vigo county. He was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo county, Ind., May 16, 1840, and is a son of Rev. Samuel and Mary (Carter) Hull; former a native of Virginia, latter of Ten- nessee. They were of Scotch and English descent. The father spent most of his life as a Methodist minister-a pious God-fear- ing man, ever active and energetic in his church work. In 1817 he was in charge of the Evansville and Terre Haute circuit as presiding elder, and it was then that he concluded to make this county his permanent earthly home. He settled on a farm in Honey Creek township in 1828, where he spent the remaining portion of his life as a farmer, filling the sacred desk at times as a local minister. He was a Christian gentleman, greatly respected by those who knew him best. He died in 1857. His family con- sisted of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, our subject being next to the youngest. He was reared on a farm, attending the common school here, and has made agriculture the business of his life. His farm where he resides consists of 170 acres of valuable land, well improved and stocked. Mr. Hull was united in marriage February 14, 1860, with Miss Martha, daughter of Nelson St. Clair, who died in 1874. Her grandfather is living at the age of ninety-seven, a man of remarkable memory. The family are of English stock. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hull has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living: May E., now wife of A. D. Owens; Debora F., wife of G. W. Jones, and Deloras, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hull are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been steward, trustee and class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.

WESLEY H. HULL (deceased). This gentleman spent his life as a farmer in Vigo county, and by industry, economy and suc-

800

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

cessful business management, succeeded in accumulating a fair share of this world's goods. At the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1889, he owned over 500 acres of valuable land. He was born in Sullivan county, Ind., June 27, 1825, and was the son of Samuel and Mary Hull, former of whom was a prominent Method- ist minister, an early settler of Vigo county and who carried on farm- ing during the later years of his life. Wesley H. Hull, who was the eldest son, was reared on the farm, attending the common school, and selected agricultural pursuits as the chief occupation of his life. He was married January 22, 1845, to Miss Emily E., daughter of David and Ruth (Carr) Boyll, who were of English de- scent, and who came to Vigo county about the year 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Hull had a family of nine children, of whom six are living, as follows: Sarah Frances, wife of Fred Connell; Nancy C., wife of J. W. Canady; Thirza Bell; James H .; Newton A., and Clara Ruth, wife of Edward Blocksom. Mrs. Hull is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Hull was a Republican in politics.

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 82

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