History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 85

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 85

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).

HON. JOHN E. LAMB, attorney at law, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., December 26, 1852, and is a son of Michael and Catharine (McGovern) Lamb, natives of Ireland, but who spent their lives mostly in this country. The father came to Amer- ica when he was sixteen years of age, and to Terre Haute, in 1835, where he continued to reside until his death in 1874. John E., who is the fifth in a family of eleven children, was reared in Terre Haute, where he attended school. At the age of nineteen he was appointed deputy county treasurer of Vigo county, and served in that capacity two years. While thus engaged he commenced the study of law, and subsequently he completed the course in the of- fice of Voorhees & Carlton, being admitted to the practice in 1874. In 1875 he was appointed prosecuting attorney by Gov. Hendricks, . and in 1876 was elected to the office, and served a full term. In

819

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

1880 he was one of the electors on the electoral ticket for Hancock and English, for his district, and in 1882 he received the Demo- cratic nomination for congress, being duly elected, overcoming a large Republican majority ; has since been twice nominated by his party, but was each time defeated for the same office. In 1885 he was appointed United States district attorney, by President Cleve- land, which office he resigned in 1886, to accept the nomination for congress. In 1888 the Democrats of Indiana gave this young but distinguished politician the honor of placing his name at the head of the electoral ticket of the State, for Cleveland and Thurman. Mr. Lamb has never given up his law practice or his law office in Terre Haute, and is now enjoying a large and lucrative business as a member of the firm of Jump, Lamb & Davis. He is a sound law- yer, a strong and able politician, and an eloquent and distinguished speaker either at the bar or on the stump. In a country full of surprises, his rapid rise to leadership and power has been phenom- enal. Hon. John E. Lamb and Miss Essie Kent were united in marriage in Terre Haute, July 2, 1890-a notable social event of the season. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kent, one of the leading and best known families of the city.

JAMES W. LANDRUM, manager for the Terre Haute Coal and Lime Company, Terre Haute, was born in Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind., May 6, 1855, a son of William R. and Margaret (Rhea ) Landrum, natives of Tennessee, who came to Indiana in 1854, mov- ing to Terre Haute when James W. was three years old. Our sub- ject grew to maturity, receiving his education in Terre Haute, and; in 1874, he and Miss Kate Tolbert, who afterward became his wife, graduated in the high school, after which he turned his attention to school teaching. He taught one year in the country, and two years in the city schools, when he became principal of the Fourth District school, in which capacity he served three years, and then filled the same position in the Seventh District school, two years. The follow- ing five years he spent in the office of the auditor of the Vandalia Railroad. March 1, 1887, the Terre Haute Coal and Lime Com- pany was organized with Mr. Landrum as manager, since which time the business has greatly increased, much the result of his energy and business ability. February 17, 1878, he was married to Miss Kate Tolbert, above mentioned, and this union has been blessed with two children: Robert T. and Margaret. Mrs. Lan- drum is the fifth in the family of six children of James M. and Mary (Scantlin) Tolbert, natives of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Lan- drum are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been steward sixteen years, and superintendent of the mission Sunday-school six years. He is a member of the Masonic frater-

820

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

nity, and of the Royal Arcanum. At the organization of the Co- lumbia Club he was elected vice-president, and in 1889 was elected president. He is a Republican, and has served three years as member of the school board, filling the various offices of president, secretary and treasurer. He is a well-known and popular citizen.

HENRY LANG, proprietor of meat market, Terre Haute, was born in Germany, January 9, 1849, and is a son of Jacob and Carlina (Steinacker) Lang, natives of Germany, where the father was a manufacturer all his life. Henry, who is the youngest in a family of nine children, seven of whom reached the age of maturity, was reared in Germany and attended the common schools there. He learned the butcher's trade while young, and at the age of six- teen he went from Germany to England, thence came in 1868 to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, where he remained one year, when he enlisted in the United States regular army, subsequently becoming a non-commissioned officer, and was with Gen. Miles' ex- pedition against the Indians. In 1875 he came to Terre Haute, and embarked in his present business. He has made his own way in the world, has met with success and is the owner of valuable real estate. He is a member of Morton Post No. 1, G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Lang was united in marriage, in 1875, in Terre Haute, with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Pheis, and of German descent. Mrs. Lang is a member of the German Lutheran Church.

ERNEST J. LANGEN, member of the firm of Moore & Langen, printers, binders and blank-book makers, Terre Haute. This busi- ness, which is fast becoming one of the principal industries of Terre Haute, is located at Nos. 24 and 26 South Fifth street. Mr. Langen was born in Germany, January 12, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Lisette (Ritterskamp) Langen, who came to Vigo county in 1867, and located at Terre Haute, where the father was a prominent mer- chant tailor. Ernest J., who is the second in a family of six chil- dren, attended school in Germany, learned the printer's trade when a lad, and has worked in both English and German printing offices. He writes and speaks English and German with fluency. He did newspaper and job work until their present job office was organized in September, 1878, in company with T. S. Moore. The business has had a rapid growth, and at present they are running eight presses- three large cylinder and five smaller job presses, employment being given to about fifty persons. Their work is largely for railroad companies, which requires great accuracy and skill. Mr. Langen is a Democrat, and a member of the Catholic Church.

W. H. LARIMER, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, is engaged in the coal mining business, mercantile trade, saw-milling,

821

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

the manufacturing of hardwood lumber, and also carries on a farm of 160 acres. He was born in Scioto county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Emily (Grimes) Larimer. His mother was born in Vir- ginia, his father in Pennsylvania, and they were of French and German origin. His father was a captain, following that business for many years on the canal, also on the Ohio river. He died in Illinois, in March, 1856. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the fourth in a family of thirteen children. He was reared in Ohio and Illinois, and obtained his schooling at both places. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed it for four- teen years. Subsequently he came to Paris, Ill., where he engaged in the saw-milling business, and afterward was employed by the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad as superintendent of their shops. In this capacity he served for thirteen years, and in 1880 came to Terre Haute, where he was on the railroad, and furnished timber here for a time. Then he engaged in coal mining, which has merged into a large and lucrative business. He has met with success, and gives employment to nearly 150 men in his various enterprises. He is the owner of 160 acres of land which is underlaid with coal, and here he is engaged in his mining and lumber business. He is a worthy example of what ambition can accomplish, having started out as a poor boy. He has been a cripple all his life, having been severely injured in the left leg. He was married in Paris, Ill., in 1858, to Miss Isabella, daughter of John Alsop, and of German descent. Of their six children but one survives, Jedil. Mrs. Larimer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Larimer is a Democrat; and is a member of the I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs of Paris (Ill.) Lodge No. 91. He has one grandchild, Mary, who is the daughter of Maggie, deceased, and lives with her great-grandparents.

EDGAR L. LARKINS, physician and surgeon, No. 328 North Thirteenth street, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Ind., September 13, 1855, and is a son of James H. and Mary (Mattox) Larkins, former a native of New York, of English and German descent, latter of Indiana, of Scotch descent. Our subject. wlio is the younger of two children, received his early education in the common schools of this county, and afterward attended the high school three years; he then taught school two terms, and read medicine under Dr. John E. Link. In the fall of 1876 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis, where he graduated February 22, 1878, and delivered the valedictory address for his class. He then formed a partnership with Dr. Link, his preceptor, and they were together two years, after which Dr. Larkins went to Staunton, Clay Co., Ind., where he

822

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

practiced about six years, and then returned to Terre Haute, locat- ing where he is at present. The practice the Doctor has built up shows in itself that he has been successful. Dr. Larkins was united in marriage, December 22, 1880, in Vigo county, with Marium, a daughter of Theron and Emily (St. Clair) Sutliff, natives of Indiana and of English descent. Mrs. Larkins is the third in a fam- ily of ten children, and was born in Vigo county, October 23, 1854. To this union has been born one child, Ernest L. Dr. and Mrs. Larkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 157, and has passed the chairs; he is a member of the Encampment and Canton, and holds the office of assistant surgeon, with rank of captain in the latter, for the State of Indiana; is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. The Doctor is a member of the Indiana State, Esculapian and Vigo County Medical Societies; is a member of the Columbia Club, and in politics he is a Republican. In May, 1890, he was elected a member of the common council from the Fifth ward to serve for the period of two years.

WILLIAM I. LAW, Terre Haute. This gentleman is travel- ing salesman for Joseph Strong & Co., of Terre Haute. He was born at Bowling Green, Ind., April 14, 1860, and is a son of Mar- maduke and Rebecca A. (Clemmons) Law, natives of Ohio, and of English and Irish descent. His paternal and maternal ancestors were among the colonial settlers of Pennsylvania. His father came West, and settled in Clay county, Ind., when he was a young man, and followed tailoring, but at present is engaged in the hardware trade at Brazil, Ind. He has been prominent in the politics of Clay county, where he has resided since 1865, and served one term as county treasurer. He reared a family of six daughters and two sons, William I. being the youngest son. Our subject grew to manhood at Brazil, where he attended the public schools. He learned the baker's trade at that place, but did not follow it after completing his apprenticeship. He then worked on the farm by the month, afterward securing a position as salesman in a general store, for a time, for J. M. Nees & Co. He then went into the gro- cery house of A. S. Decker, of Brazil, as salesman, remaining as · such until coming to Terre Haute, January 23, 1880, and accept- ing his present position. He is eminently qualified for the posi- tion of salesman, and has met with excellent success. Mr. Law was married in Terre Haute, Ind., April 28, 1886, to Miss Cora, daugh- ter of Dr. Joseph and Sarah (McAdams) Lane, and of Irish descent. Her father, who was a physician in Terre Haute, died in 1884; her mother resides in Terre Haute. Mrs. Law is the second child in a family of four children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.

823

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Law has been blessed with one child, Ira Lyndon. In his pro- nounced political convictions Mr. Law is a stanch Republican.

E. E. LAWRENCE, owner and proprietor of the bakery, con- fectionery and restaurant on North Fourth street, Terre Haute, was born in Clark county, Ill., February 22, 1844, and is a son of James and Sarah (Handy) Lawrence, former a native of Massa- chusetts, latter of Illinois, and who were descendants of early En- glish settlers of the United States; the father, who was a civil engineer, died in 1856. Our subject, who is the eldest in a family of four children, was reared in Marshall, Ill., and attended the schools there. Early in life he clerked in a store, and was there employed seven years, then, in 1868, he came to Terre Haute, where he engaged with his uncle in the grocery trade and hotel keeping. In 1876 he embarked in his present employment, and is now doing an extensive business in his line. Mr. Lawrence was married in Terre Haute, in 1871, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of N. W. White, and their children are Fred, who is a clerk, and Roy. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1888, a member of the Congre- gational Church, and of the Eastern Star. Mr. Lawrence is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., and of the Masonic fraternity. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment Ill. V. I., Com- pany G, and was made a non-commissioned officer, serving till the close of the war. In his political preferments he is a Republican.

CHARLES LAYER, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine ( Wolfe) Layer, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The father, who was a farm- er, came to Vigo county in 1860. His family consisted of ten children, Charles being the sixth in order of birth. Our subject was reared on the farm, and worked at farming until he was eighteen years old, when he commenced to operate a saw-mill, which business he followed until he was able to buy 122 acres of land in Honey Creek township. He has made his own way, and also made his own farm, having cleared it of heavy timber, for when he came here it was all wild wood, but it is now highly improved and well stocked. Mr. Layer was married in Vigo county, Ind., in 1860, to Miss Ma- ria Bayles, a lady of English descent, and their children are Ed- ward, Jacob, Mary, Ida, Minnie, Pearl, Ella and Cora. Mrs. Layer is a member of the Baptist Church ; in politics Mr. Layer is a Democrat.

ROBERT LEAK, farmer and stock-grower, Riley township, was born in Warren county, Ohio, February 17, 1840, and is a son of Gilpin and Merrilla ( Woodruff) Leak, natives of Ohio, and of Irish and Dutch descent; the father, who was a farmer, died in Ohio, in 1844. Their family consisted of five children, of whom Robert

824

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

is the second. Our subject was reared on the farm in Ohio, receiv- ing his education in the common schools, and became a farmer. He has made his own way in the world, and at present is the owner of 200 acres of land in this county. Mr. Leak was married, March 18, 1859, to Miss Malinda, daughter of James and Eliza ( Hartley ) Pringle, who were of German and Irish descent. This union has been blessed with three children, as follows: Katie, wife of Algie Kite; William and Harriet E. Mr. Leak belongs to the Demo- cratic party. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, Company M, serving nearly three years, and was discharged at Washington, D. C.

JONATHAN S. LEE, a prominent and progressive farmer of Riley township, is a native of this county, born March 29, 1849, and is a son of David S. and Anna (Ferrall) Lee, former of whom was born in Ohio in 1812. Henry Lee, grandfather of Jonathan S., and who is supposed to have been born in Virginia, was of English descent, and came to Ohio at an early day; his wife was Miss Dun- ham, a lady of Scotch descent. They moved from Ohio to this county in 1831, where they passed the remainder of their days. Their son, David S., came with them here, and in 1834 he married Miss Anna Ferrall, who was also born in Ohio, coming here in 1818 with her parents, when she was about two years of age, tliey being among the first settlers. David S. Lee was an extensive farmer and good citizen, having held the office of justice of the peace for many years. He was a prominent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and died April 24, 1884. His widow, Mrs. Anna Lee, died February 28, 1888. They had three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living except one daughter.

Jonathan S., who is the sixth child in order of birth, received a fair English education in the common schools of the county, after- ward attending the high school at Farmersburgh, in Sullivan county. He lived with his parents until he attained his majority. In 1874, he married Miss Susanna Gross, who was born in this county in 1854, and died December 2, 1889, leaving three children: Robert E., Herschel G. and Ada C. She was a daughter of James I. and Catherine (Hartley) Gross, and was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Lee is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Grant. He is a good citizen, highly respected. He served one term as justice of the peace in Riley township; he owns a well-improved farm of 181 acres, all under cultivation, located twelve miles southeast of Terre Haute.

MARTIN K. LEE, P. O. Prairieton. This gentleman is one of Vigo county's most respected citizens, and is a native of the county, born November 3, 1823. His father, James Lee, was born

825

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

in Butler county, Ohio, October 13, 1802, his parents being James and Mary (Jones) Lee, natives of Virginia, and emigrants from said State in an early day to Kentucky. James Lee, Sr., became a companion of and traveled with Daniel Boone, and served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution; he was an elder in the Bap- tist Church. From Kentucky they moved to Ohio, and thence, in 1817, to this county, residing here until their death. The Lees are of Welsh descent. Martin's father, James Lee, who was also an elder in the Baptist Church, was married in this county July 5, 1821, to Miss Mary Ann Kercheval, also a native of Butler county, Ohio, born December 13, 1804. They were the first couple ever married in Vigo county. He was a farmer, and died in this county, October 31, 1877. He and his wife reared a family of seven girls and four boys, viz. : Benjamin, deceased; Martin K. ; John, deceased; Nancy, deceased; Mary ; Elizabeth; Sarah A., deceased; Ruth ; Eliza J. ; Precilla, and James B. Martin K. Lee has always resided in his native county, receiving a limited education by attending the subscription schools in the winter. In those days the nearest mar- kets were Chicago and New Orleans, and Martin made several trips to the latter city with flatboats, and to the former place by wagon. He was married to Miss Hannah Leforge, also a native of this county, born March 10, 1822, a daughter of Isaac and Ann (Harris) Leforge. Mr. Leforge was born in New Jersey, and Mrs. Leforge in Butler county, Ohio; they came to Vigo county in 1817, and both died here. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the parents of the following named children: William S .; Wesley H .; Nancy A., wife of Joseph R. Wright; Oliver F .; James W .; John S., deceased; Ada, wife of E. M. Watson, and Kate, wife of William Fitzpatrick. Mr. Lee resides on his highly improved farm of 182 acres, situated eleven miles south of the county seat. He held the office of county commissioner for the term of three years. He cast his first presi- dential vote for James K. Polk, being twenty-one years of age one day before the election, and has never changed his politics. He and his wife are faithful members of the Old School Baptist Church.

ZEPHANIAH LEE, farmer, Pierson township, P. O. Lewis, is a . native of Vigo county, Ind., born December 17, 1835, and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Green) Lee, former of whom was born in Virginia, June 7, 1797, and died in Clay county March 22, 1864; latter was born April 12, 1802, and died in 1840. After her death John R. Lee married Sarilda Perkins, who survived her marriage about three years, and Mr. Lee afterward married Mrs. Nancy Ramsey, a native of North Carolina. She died in Clay county, Ind., in 1864. John R. Lee came to Vigo county from Ohio, and re- mained in the county until 1843, when Clay county became his

826

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

home, and here he served as justice of the peace sixteen years. While in Ohio, before coming to Indiana, he was a captain in the militia. He was often called " Captain John R." by the old settlers. He was a member of the Christian Church, and in politics was a Whig. Ten children were born by his first marriage, three by his second, none by his third. Elizabeth (Green) Lee, his first wife, was a native of Vermont, and was a child when taken by her parents to Virginia, where she married Mr. Lee. Zephaniah is the eighth in order of birth, and being one of the youngest it became his duty to remain with his father and work on the farm. This he did until the death of the latter, when he commenced farming for his own account, and in 1867 he came to his present place. January 22, 1859, he married Nancy, daughter of Thomas Luther, and born in Clay county, Ind., in 1836. She died in her native place February 9, 1864, the mother of four children, two of whom are living: Rachel and Lewis H., those deceased being Martha J., who died when a child, and Luther, a twin brother of Lewis H., who died when he was three years of age. December 20, 1866, Mr. Lee married Miss Mary, a daughter of Joseph Denton, and born in Vigo county July 7, 1846. This happy union has been blessed with a family of eight children: Annie Rosetta, Dora Jane, Hattie Bell, Ida Myrtle, Edgar D., Frederic (who died in infancy), and Frank M. and Charles C. (twins). Mrs. Lee is a member of the Church of God. Mr. Lee is a member of the F. M. B. A. In politics he is a Republican, but not so ardent but what he would cross the line for better men.

CRITTENDEN C. LEEK, druggist, No. 1202 Poplar street, Terre Haute, was born in Clay county, Ind., January 25, 1844, and is second in the family of four children of Fredrick and Mary (Tinsley) Leek. Our subject moved to Iowa with his parents when he was eight years old, and remained there until he was thirteen, when he came to Terre Haute. He worked one year at the saddle and harness trade, and for four years on a farm. July 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Ind. V. I., and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, at which latter place he was taken sick, which necessitated his being sent to hospital at Evans- ville. Returning to his command at Memphis, Tenn., from there he went to Helena, Ark., where he was again taken sick, and was discharged from the service September 19, 1862. He returned home and remained until 1863, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, which took part in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and then were sent out on the plains to guard the United States mails and Government trains against the Indians. September 19, 1865, he was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., and returning

827

HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

to Terre Haute he engaged in the restaurant and confectionery busi- ness, which he continued three months. He then sold out and worked for the American Express Company about eight months, when he en- tered the service of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company as yardmaster, remaining in their employ eleven years. He then em- barked in his present drug trade, in which he does a remunerative and growing business, and has had to depend on his own resources. Mr. Leek was united in marriage in Terre Haute, Ind., August 12, 1868, with Miss Margaret Coombes, eldest in the family of seven children of John and Susan (Poorman) Coombes, natives of Illinois. former of Irish descent, latter of English. She was born in Clark county, Ill., December 10, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Leek have two children, viz .: James Oscar and Lula R. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the National Union. Politically he is a Republican.

EPHRAIM LEFORGE (deceased), late farmer and stock- grower, Linton township, was born in Vigo county, Ind., November 28, 1819, and was a son of Isaac and Annie ( Harris) Leforge, natives of Butler county, Ohio, who moved from Ohio to Prairie Creek township, this county, in 1816, and here died. Their family con- sisted of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the second in order of birth. He was married October 14, 1840, to Cyntha A., daughter of Elijah and Lida (Drake) Pound, natives of Butler county, Ohio, former of whom was born September 16, 1801, and died October 7, 1879; latter was born February 11, 1802, and is still living. Her father moved from Ohio to Prairie Creek township, this county, in 1816, and was married in Sullivan county, Ind. They had a family of ten children, of whom Cyntha A. is the eldest, born January 22, 1822, in Linton township, Vigo Co., Ind. Mr.

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 85

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