History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 86

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

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and Mrs. Leforge had born to them the following named children: Sarah J., wife of George Boyll; Melissa, who died in infancy; Eliz- abeth, wife of Calvin Boyll; Thomas, who married Emily Boyll, who died, and he then married Mollie St. Cleair; Elijah, who married Dorothea McGrew; Rhoda, who married Nathan Drake; Ephraim W., deceased; Lida A., wife of Oliver Lee; Eunia E., wife of Pres- ton Stout, deceased; Isaac; James C., who married Allie Kennett, and Louisa H., wife of Mortimore Drake. Mr. Leforge was reared on the farm. They were pioneer settlers of this county, which they saw pass through the various changes from the time it was a wilder- ness to its present stage of development. Mr. Leforge owned, dur- ing his lifetime, a farm containing 160 acres. He was a consist- ent member of the Baptist Church, in which he served as deacon for about three years, and died June 7, 1871, while holding the office. His widow owns a house and lot in Pimento, where she re-

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sides. Her son, Isaac, lives with her, and owns a farm containing fifty acres of improved land. Mrs. Leforge is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOHN G. LENTZ, contractor and builder, Terre Haute, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 29, 1846, and is a son of John G. and Eva (Shellers) Lentz, natives of Germany. The father was a gardener, and came from Germany to this country, settling at Indianapolis in 1854, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1880. John G., who is the eldest in a family of nine.children, was reared at Indianapolis, attending the common schools, and early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has worked since, having been contractor on many of the best buildings in Terre Haute. Mr. Lentz was married January 2, 1872, to Miss Catharine Diess, and they have four children: Ida, Mary, Fred and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Lentz are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is trustee. In politics he is a Democrat.

JEHU LEWIS, proprietor of a leading livery and sale stable, Terre Haute, was born in Bartholomew county, Ind., March 12, 1838, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Hartman) Lewis, former a native of West Virginia, latter of Pennsylvania. The father was of Scotch and Welsh origin, and the mother of Dutch. In early life the father was a carpenter, but afterward became a farmer; he was born in 1788, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years, dying in Johnson county, Ind., in 1873. Jehu Lewis, who is next the youngest son in a family of ten children, was reared and received his education in Bartholomew county. He became a farmer and dealt in stock, which business he followed nine years in Coles county, Ill., and in 1875 he came to Terre Haute, where he embarked in his present business, and has met with more than average success. When the Civil war broke out, he promptly enlisted in the Seventh Ind. V. I., Company H, and served his full term of enlistment. On returning home he was elected lieutenant of the State militia, serving three years. Mr. Lewis was married in Shelby county, Ind., January 15, 1865, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Jacob and Charlot ( Wooley) Missick, and they have two children: Mary Luella and Charles Morton, who is a clerk in East St. Louis, in the office of the Vandalia Railroad. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Knights of Honor, and in politics is a Republican.

ANDREW LEWSADER, Nevins township, P. O. Fontanet. (The family name was formerly spelled Luzader). Andrew Lew- sader is a successful farmer of Nevins township, and is the owner of 170 acres of valuable land which he has well improved and stocked. He is one of the few men who never had the advantage

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of schooling, and who grew up in the wild country, but after he arrived at manhood's estate he was taught by his wife, and learned to read and write. He was born in Fountain county, Ind., October 9, 1835, and is the son of Andrew and Rebecca (Davis) Lewsader, natives of Virginia and of French descent. The father worked at farming like many other pioneers, but hunting and trapping was the chief occupation of his life. His family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, Andrew being the young- est. The father was twice married, and had two children by his last wife. Andrew Lewsader spent his childhood and youth in Ver- million county, Ind., and was "bound out " to a farmer who reared · him, but attended more to teaching him how to work than to the cultivating of his mind. When he reached his majority he started in the world for himself by working as a farm hand at $10 per month. He hired to drive cattle for a drover, and worked by the day and month where he could get the best wages. He was ambitious to be his own master, and saved his earnings until he was able to buy a team, when he rented land, subsequently buying, and has met with success. Mr. Lewsader was married in 1859, to Miss Mary, daughter of Martin Faris and,of English descent. This union has been blessed with seven children: Joseph F .; Sara, wife of James Crothers; Hester, wife of C. Lathons; Nathan; Laura; Andrew and Thomas. Mrs. Lewsader is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Lewsader affiliates with the Republican party.

HUGH H. LOUGHEAD, of Fayette township, was born in said township, July 21, 1841, and is a descendant of one of the pio- neer settlers of this county. His parents came from Front Royal, Warren (then Frederick) County, Va., to this county, October 7, 1835, and settled in Fayette township, where they spent the remain- ing part of their lives. The children still reside here, except their second son, Joseph, who lives in Putnam county, Mo. The father was a shoemaker, and carried on that business, and also farmed; he was born April 8, 1799, in New Castle county, Del., five miles from the battle-field of Brandywine, and died in 1875. Hugh's mother was born in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., Va., February 23, 1806, and died August 17, 1880. His parents' names are Thomas and Rebecca Ann (Conrad) Loughead. His father was of Scotch and English, and his mother of German descent: she could speak the German and English languages. Their children were eight in num- ber (of whom six are now living), viz .: Lemuel, Joseph, Thomas, Mary (now the wife of Frank Argost), John (who died at the age of seven ) Hugh H., Catharine (at home ), and Gideon ( who died De- cember 13, 1882) ; the surviving sons are all farmers except Lemuel who engaged in teaching school several terms. Hugh H. attended

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school in his native district. He is the owner of 260 acres of val- uable land, the farm on which he resides consisting of 140 acres. Mr. Loughead is unmarried; in politics he is a Democrat.

SANTFORD H. LOWISH, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, who is a descendant of an early settler of Vigo county, was born in Lost Creek township, Vigo Co., Ind., August 26, 1867, a son of Martin and Lucinda (Nelson) Lowish, former of whom was a native of England, latter of Lost Creek township, Vigo county, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The father owns a farm of 207 acres, where he now resides, in Lost Creek township. He was three times married, and Santford H. is the only child living, born to the first wife. He was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and followed the oc- cupation of his father, in which he has met with eminent success, being now the owner of a well-improved farm of 116 acres, where he resides. He was united in marriage in Vigo county, Ind., in 1885, to Miss Hattie C., daughter of Laban H. Dickerson, a prominent farmer of Vigo county, and now trustee of Lost Creek township, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- ume. Mr. and Mrs. Lowish have one child, Mabel Carlista. In politics, Mr. Lowish is a Republican.

JOHN LUKEN, Terre Haute, the general manager for A. Z. Foster, dealer in furniture, carpets, and house-furnishing goods, was born in Hanover, Germany, November 4. 1852, and is a son of John H. and Christianna Margaret Luken. His father, who was a carpenter and contractor, came, in 1856, from Germany to Terre Haute, where he successfully carried on his trade many years, and spent the rest of his life, dying in 1889. His family con- sisted of four children, of whom John is the youngest. Our sub- ject was reared in Terre Haute, where he attended the public schools, and early in life commenced as an errand boy in a dry- goods store, soon becoming a clerk, and subsequently head sales- man and manager of the store. He has been engaged in the vari- ous positions in mercantile trade, from handy boy about the store to his present position of manager, with a proprietary interest in the concern. He has been manager, for A. Z. Foster since the company was organized, and it is not flattery to say that Mr. Luken's extensive acquaintance, aided by his polite and gentlemanly demeanor, has attracted many of the influential and wealthy people to the store. Mr. Luken was married, in 1885, to Miss Anna M., daughter of Michael and Mary A. Kuhhardt. Mr. and Mrs. Luken are members of the Lutheran Church; in political matters he is in sympathy with the Democratic party.

LESLIE McCLAIN, physician and surgeon, Terre Haute, was

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 2, 1850, and is a son of Francis and Louisa (Vale) McClain, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of Ohio, both being of English descent. The Doctor, who is the fourth in a family of six children, was married in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, December 24, 1874, to Sarah E., daughter of Alex and Jane ( Hosack) Russell, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. McClain is the youngest in a family of seven children who grew to maturity, and was born in Indiana county, Penn., May 29, 1848. When our subject was ten years of age his parents removed to Car- lyle, Ill., thence to Merom, Sullivan Co., Ind., where he attended the public school, and afterward the college, about five years. He then read medicine under Dr. J. F. Harper, and in September, 1873, entered the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, graduat- ing in March, 1875, in which year he came to Terre Haute, and be- gan the practice of medicine, in which he has since been busily en- gaged, and he has made a success of his profession. Mrs. McClain is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is a member of the K. & L. of H., Vulcan Lodge No. 753; is also a member of the A. O. U. W., Prairie City Lodge No. 2, and of the Select Knights ; in politics he is a Republican.

STEPHEN MCCLANAHAN, farmer and stock-grower, Linton township, P. O. Farmersburg, was born in Virginia, May 10, 1827, and is a son of Andrew and Mary A. (Kees) McClanahan, natives of Virginia. The father, who was of Irish descent, followed farm- ing, and, moving to Muskingum county, Ohio, resided there till he died, July 4, 1847; the mother died September 8, 1868. They had a family of four boys and three girls, of whom Stephen is the third.

Our subject first married, in August, 1849, Miss Margaret, daughter of Hardie and Mary (Shelbern) Hill, natives of Virginia. They moved to Sullivan county, Ind., and died there. Margaret was the seventh in a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. McClan- ahan had three children, of whom Mary Jane, the only one liv- ing, is married to G. W. McDonald. Mrs. McClanahan died in March, 1853, a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. McClanahan married for his second wife, April 17, 1855, Parthena J., daughter of Nelson and Dessie (Shelburn) Siner, natives of Virginia. Her father moved from Virginia to Kentucky, from there to Vigo coun- ty, and then to Sullivan county, where they died, the father Febru- ary 12, 1867, and the mother February 7, 1871. They had a fam- ily of eight children, of whom Parthena J. is the youngest, born Sep- tember 10, 1840. By this union eight children have been born, viz. : Belle, wife of Thomas Kendall; James A., who married Ella Heap; D. V., who married Ida Moore; Charlie, who married Emma

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Curry; Minnie; Benjamin F .; Flora, and one who died in infancy. Mr. McClanahan was reared on the farm, and has made his own way in the world. His start was made in this way: He bought a horse for $35 on time, and then bought eighty acres of land, and turned the horse in for the first payment at $75. He has given 175 acres of land to his children, and owns at the present time 320 acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is a trustee. Politically he is in sympathy with the Democratic party. Mr. McClanahan's house is built on the line between Vigo and Sullivan counties, and he dines in the former and sleeps in the latter.

THOMAS McCOLLOCH (deceased) was a farmer and stock- grower for many years in Sugar Creek township. He was born in Tennessee August 1, 1804, a son of Alexander and Margaret Mc- Colloch, who were of Irish descent. Thomas was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was endowed with superior business fac- ulties. He received but a limited education in the then sparsely , settled county of Vigo, and commencing as a poor boy, with no help, his success was due to his own exertions. At the time of his death he was the owner 500 of acres of land in Sugar Creek town- ship. He died in 1877 at the age of seventy-three years, highly re- spected for his many excellent qualities. Mr. McColloch was married in this county to Miss Ellen, daughter of Garard and Amelia Vans- dall, of German and English descent. Their union was a happy one, and was blessed with five children, viz .: Anna, wife of James Kaufman; Altha, wife of Moses Robinson; Thomas; John and George. Mr. McColloch was for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church, was thoroughly posted on the current topics of the time in which he lived, and in his political preferments he was a Republican.

JESSE McCOMB, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo Co., Ind., July 25, 1820, and is a son of William and Catherine (Campbell) McComb, former a native of Kentucky, of German origin, latter of Ohio. The father was a farmer who came to Honey Creek township in 1817, and settled on the farm where he died in 1850. Our subject, who is the eldest of six sons, was reared in Honey Creek township on the family homestead, at- tending the old-fashioned log school-house and the early subscrip- tion schools. He has made agriculture his vocation, and is the owner of a farm consisting of 203 acres. He was married in Vigo county April 5, 1849, to Mary, daughter of George and Mary (Curry) Clem, who were of German descent. The father was the first permanent settler of Honey Creek, coming from Ohio in 1814,

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and settling among the Indians. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Comb has been blessed with six children-five sons and one daugh- ter-as follows: William, John D., G. W., Wood, George and Mary Catherine. In politics Mr. McComb is a Republican. Mrs. Mc- Comb is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Alto- gether, here is a family highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. THOMAS H. MCCORKLE, physician and surgeon, Otter Creek township, P. O. Edwards, was born in Boone county, Ind., Novem- ber 4, 1845, and is the son of Samuel E. and Jane ( Higgins) Mc- Corkle, former born in North Carolina, latter in Ohio. They were of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was a blacksmith in early life, and in later years he engaged in the manufacture of carriages and wagons. He now resides in Boone county, Ind. His family consisted of seven children, of whom only five are now living, Thomas H. being the third son. Our subject attended the common schools in Boone county, and Thorntown Academy, subse- quently attending Wabash College. He studied medicine under Prof. Mendenhall, and then practiced for five years in Clay county, Ind. In 1879 he graduated at the Ohio Medical College, Cincin- nati, and continued to practice in Clay county until 1882, when he came to this county and located at Ellsworth, in Otter Creek town- ship, where he has since been engaged in active practice. He is a member of the Vigo County Medical and the State Medical Associa- tions. The Doctor was married in Putnam county, Ind., December 26, 1877, to Miss Gertrude, daughter of Ignatius and Sarah (Daggy) Hawkins, who were of German descent. Mrs. McCorkle is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. McCorkle was appointed a member of the United States pension examining board in 1889. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventy-second Ind. V. I., Com- pany D, and served until the close of the war. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is a Master Mason. Politically he is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. McCOSKEY, merchant and postmaster, Youngs- town, was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo county, Ind., February 26, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Rachel (Hixen) McCoskey, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish origin. His father was a farmer, and came to this county among the early settlers, being married in this county. The grandfather, John McCoskey, died on the way coming to this county with his family of thirteen children. His widow (grandmother of William H. ) came to Vigo county with the children, and entered 340 acres of land in Honey Creek township. She was a woman endowed with excellent business faculties, and succeeded in rearing the large family respectably and prosperously. She reached the patriarchal age of one hundred and ten years, ex-

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ceeding that of any person who has lived and died in this portion of the State. As an evidence of her active vitality, it is told that she walked a mile to visit a neighbor within four weeks of the day of her death. It is related of her that she attended a church meet- ing where she went three-quarters of a mile to hear preaching, and the weather was so bad that only two or three came. The good Brother, after waiting, concluded that he would not preach, and so announced, but Grandmother McCoskey told him that she had come to hear preaching, so the minister took his text and preached the

usual sermon. She was a devout Christian. The father of Will- iam H., her youngest son, made farming a business, and for a time engaged in the butchering trade, opening the first slaughter house in Terre Haute. He was twice married, and died in 1845. Our subject, who is the eldest of four children by the first wife, was reared on the farm, attending the common school. He was a farmer until 1875, when for a time he engaged in blacksmithing. He has been engaged in mercantile business in Youngstown since 1887, and has also been postmaster since that date. He was mar- ried in Honey Creek township, in December, 1842, to Miss Mary McCalley, a native of Kentucky, of Irish descent, and they have had nine children, six now living: Joseph L .; Virginia, wife of Luther Allen; Almira, wife of Jesse Budd; Dora, wife of Charles Brooks; Morton; Nancy J., wife of O. N. Moore. Both parents are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. McCoskey is a Republi- can, and is a Master Mason. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Volunteer Light Artillery, and served as a non-commis- sioned officer; was wounded at the battle of Stone River, and dis- charged at the close of the war. He is past commander of Toppin Post No. 158, G. A. R.

GEORGE W. McDONALD, farmer and stock-grower, Linton township, P. O. Farmersburgh, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, July 27, 1849, and is a son of Laban and Francis A. (Moore) McDonald, former a native of Ohio, latter of Virginia. The father, who was of Scotch descent, and a school teacher and farmer by oc- cupation, died in Ohio in March, 1889; the mother is still living. They had a family of nine children, of whom George W. is the fourth. Our subject was married, October 19, 1876, to Mary J., daughter of Stephen and Margaret (Hill) McClanahan, her father a native of Virginia, and her mother of Indiana. Mrs. McDonald is the only child by this marriage, and was born August 29, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald had born to them four children, viz .: Thur- man S., Cecil (who died in infancy), Loran E., and a twin sister of the latter, who died in infancy. Mr. McDonald was reared on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of Coshoc-

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ton county, Ohio, at Bedford Academy and Granville College, Ohio. He taught school for ten years, then turned his attention to farm- ing, and now owns a farm containing 120 acres in a good state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are members of the Christian Church, of which he is clerk, having held that office for several years. Politically he stands in the ranks of the Democratic party.

JOSEPH A. McGLONE, farmer and stock-grower, Linton town- ship, P. O. Farmersburgh, Sullivan county, was born in Linton township, Vigo county, Ind., January 27, 1842, and is a son of John and Hannah ( Akers) McGlone, former of whom was a native of Ohio, latter of Kentucky. The father was a pioneer, and with the mother early settled in this county, where he became a farmer. He married in the county, and died in Linton township, September 7, 1887; his widow is still living. They had eight children, all of whom grew up, and of them Joseph A. is second in order of birth. Our subject has been twice married, first December 23, 1866, to Mary E., daughter of Philip and Lucinda (Moore) Cap- ple, natives of this State, and whose family of seven children all grew up, of whom Mary E. was the second, born November 12, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. McGlone had eight children, viz .: Jacob L .; Ida M., who married Levi Hall; Charles P .; Dora E. (de- ceased) ; Alpha D .; one that died in infancy; Lucy (deceased), and Liza E. Mrs. McGlone died January 24, 1884, and for his second wife Mr. McGlone was married to Mrs. Ann J. Wheeler, daughter of William and Mary ( Copple) Hanger, natives of this State, and whose family of six children all grew to maturity, Mrs. McGlone being the eldest, born October 22, 1844. Mr. Mc- Glone has had two children by this marriage: Walter and Ira. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of Linton township. He chose farming as an occupation, and owns a well-cultivated farm of 106 acres. Mrs. McGlone is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. McGlone enlisted, October 17, 1864, in the Eighth Indiana Battery, and being taken sick was in hospital about two months. He was at Chattanooga when the war closed, and was mustered out at Indian- apolis July 19, 1865. He is a Master Mason, and has served as steward. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as school director.

C. R. McGRANAHAN, druggist, Fontanet, was born in Clay county, Ind., November 30, 1858, and is a son of J. H. and Amanda McGranahan, former of whom was born in Indiana, and died in 1883, latter born in New York, and they were of Scotch-Irish and English descent. The grandfather of our subject came to Vigo county in 1825, and was a leading farmer during his life. The

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subject of this sketch, who is the eldest of four children, grew up on the old homestead, attending the common school, and became a farmer, which occupation he followed until 1885, when he em- barked in his present business, and has met with good success. He has made his own way in life. He was united in marriage in this county, in 1882, with Miss Lydia, daughter of William M. Carithers, her parents being of German and English descent. Politically Mr. McGranahan is identified with the Democratic party.

JAMES C. MCGREGOR, Terre Haute. This gentleman was for many years among the prominent business men of Terre Haute. He is now retired from his once active and busy life, and keeps before him merely so much of business as to give him diversion and pastime. He divides his time between Terre Haute and Cin- cinnati, having in the latter place large real estate interests to look after. Cincinnati is the place of his nativity, having been born there April 2, 1835, a son of Robert and Mary ( Craney ) McGregor, latter of whom was born in New York City, of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, who was born in Scotland, immigrated to Pittsburgh, Penn., when a young man. In 1818 he went down the Ohio to Cincinnati in a skiff. He was fortuneless in all save a good char- acter and a high resolve to succeed, and his total capital when he arrived at Cincinnati was $4. He accepted employment at the rate of $16 per month, but being a man of courage, great energy and unusual business capacity, before old age came upon him, he was wealthy. In 1822 he owned and ran a line of steamboats on the Ohio River. He embarked in the manufacture of iron, and was one of the first to build an iron furnace near Portsmouth, Ohio. He invested largely in real estate in Cincinnati, and at the time of his death, in 1866, he was a wealthy and influential man of that city. In connection with his iron furnace he carried on a large hardware store in Cincinnati. Of his seven children but four sur- vive.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 86

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