History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 87

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 87

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James C. McGregor was reared in Cincinnati, and attended school there until 1851, when he went to Europe, and traveled ex- tensively in that country. Returning, he entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1855. In April, 1856, he came to Terre Haute, and embarked in business in company with Alexander Mc- Gregor, who was engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, also in the milling and distilling business. They did the largest business in Terre Haute up to that time in this line. In a single year their trade reached $500,000, which was extraordinary for Terre Haute of that day. Our subject was appointed administrator of his father's estate in 1866, and has given his attention to the estate's affairs largely since then. In 1890 he made one sale of real estate

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which realized $450,000. His family resides at his old home in Terre Haute.

James C. McGregor was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth C. Riddle, a lady of Scotch descent, daughter of A. N. Riddle, an attorney of Cincinnati. They have three children, as follows: Elizabeth, Helen and James C. McGregor, Jr., all at home. In politics Mr. McGregor is a Republican. He is a Master Mason. Mr. McGregor had four brothers in the Civil war. His brother Charles is now an officer in the United States Navy.

JOSEPH MCHENRY, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek township, P. O. Cloverland, Clay county, was born in Switzerland county, Ind., November 7, 1827, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Sedan) McHenry, former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and latter of New Jersey, of German descent. They had eleven children-five sons and six daughters-of whom Joseph is the second in order of birth. He was married March 3, 1853, to Nancy, daughter of James and Polina (Thompson) Wat- son, who had a family of five sons and five daughters, Mrs. Mc- Henry being the second. To our subject and wife were born ten children, of whom seven grew to maturity, viz .: Hulda P., Sarah E., Mattie A., Joseph W., George I., Emma F. and John T. Mrs. McHenry died September 15, 1884, a consistent member of the Christian Church, and September 12, 1886, Mr. McHenry married Mrs. Eliza Ann Smith, a sister of his first wife, and widow of James Smith; they had a family of seven children, of whom two are liv- ing: James F. and Ella C. Mr. McHenry has made his own way in the world, and worked by the month for several years. He first bought a farm in Vermillion county, Ill., in 1850, and re- mained thereon about thirty years. Then he removed to Lost Creek township, Vigo county, and purchased the farm he now resides on, containing 175 acres. Mr. McHenry has served as school director a number of years. He is a member of the Christian Church, and Mrs. McHenry of the Methodist.

RICHARD MCILROY, merchant, Macksville, was born in Phil- adelphia, Penn., May 25, 1840, and is the son of Robert and Sarah Ann ( Kennedy) McIlroy, natives of Ireland, who came when they were young from that country to Philadelphia, where they were married. Richard's father was engaged in mercantile trade in that city with success until his death, which occurred in 1870. Richard, who is the eldest in a family of seven children, passed his childhood and youth in Philadelphia, where he obtained his schooling and assisted his father in the store. He moved to Terre Haute in 1856, and soon after came to Macksville, where he clerked in a general store. In 1866 he embarked in the coal trade, and subsequently

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was employed as a salesman until 1870, when he engaged in his present business, also carrying on the coal mining industry. Since 1874 he has devoted the most of his time to mercantile trade, in which he has met with success. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted, in 1861, in the First Indiana Cavalry, and served three months; then re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and served for three years. He was in several battles, among them those of Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Chancellorsville and Fred- ericksburg. He was on detached service a part of the time, and was at the headquarters of Gens. Mead, Rosecrans, U. S. Grant and Sigel, serving as orderly for all of them. Mr. McIlroy was mar- ried in St. Louis, Mo., April 12, 1866, to Miss Louise, daughter of William Fields, and born in Greene county, Ind. They have five children: Anna, William K., Richard H., Harry M. and Edna. Mrs. McIlroy is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. McIlroy is quartermaster of Jacob Hoops Post, No. 163, G. A. R., is a Master Mason, and in politics is a Republican.

SAMUEL McILVAIN, farmer, is the son of Geer and Martha (Brown) McIlvain, and was born December 1, 1834, his parents being natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish origin. The father made farming the business of his life, and died in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1871. His family consisted of nine children, of whom Samuel is the second. Our subject was reared in Ohio, in Union and Delaware counties, and his education was limited to the common schools in those counties. Very naturally he took to farming, and has made his own way successfully, financially, being at present the owner of two well-improved farms, one in Fayette township, this county, and one in Edgar county, Ill. He resides on the latter farm, it being well stocked. Mr. McIlvain loves to talk of old times, and often refers to the fact that he made his start in the world by cutting cord-wood. He was united in mar- riage. in Franklin county, Ohio, with Miss Nancy J., daughter of Elijah Bennett. Her parents are natives of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch origin. The union of Mr. and Mrs. McIlvain has been blessed with two children, Ida and Emma. In politics our subject is a Prohibitionist.

ASBERY D. McJOHNSTON, M. D., Pimento, was born in Vanderburg county, Ind., December 10, 1845, and is a son of Edwin and Ann (Hillyard) McJohnston, pioneer settlers of Indi- ana and of Irish descent, latter of whom died December 12, 1868. The father, who was a Methodist preacher, and also followed farm- ing for some time, sold his farm and engaged in the grocery busi- ness, which he carried on for some time; then sold out his store and embarked in the coal trade; he is still living. Their family con-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

sisted of three children, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Our subject was married December 12, 1868, to Rhoda J., daughter of Josiah and Rosina (Davis) Wolfe, natives of Virginia. Her father, who was a merchant and stock dealer, also owning a farm, was born in August, 1821, and died in Evansville, Ind., August 7, 1869; her mother was born July 18, 1825, and died in Carlisle, Sullivan Co., Ind., May 5, 1855. They were early settlers of Indiana. Their family consisted of five children, of whom Mrs. McJohnston is the second, born September 22, 1847. Dr. and Mrs. McJohn- ston are the parents of one daughter, Louella, married to J. E. Bratton, a telegraph operator and railroad agent. Mrs. McJohn- ston and her daughter Louella were both educated at St. Mary's in the Woods, four miles west of Terre Haute. Our subject received his education in the common and grammar schools of Evansville, Ind., graduating in the commercial college at that place, and was book-keeper for his father and uncle for two years in their grocery store. The father then purchased the uncle's interest in the store, and took hi's son in as a partner, the latter remaining with his father three years. He then attended Drake Medical College in Evansville. and graduated there. April 14, 1876, he moved to Pimento, where he now resides, and began the practice of medicine, in which he has since successfully continued. August 1, 1889, he formed a partnership with W. O. Collins. They operate a hotel in Pimento. . The Doctor is a member of the Vigo Medical Society, Terre Haute ; also a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 485, Pimento, and belonged to the A. O. U. W. until they disbanded. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

DR. BENJAMIN F. McKEEN, Terre Haute, is connected with the Vandalia Railroad Company, with which he has occupied a responsible position since the road was built. He is general tie agent. The Doctor is a native of Knox county, Ind., born October 4, 1827, and is a son of William and Nancy (Latshaw) McKeen, former a native of Kentucky, latter of Ohio, and both of Scotch-Irish descent. His ancestors coming from Pennsylvania were a branch of the family descended from Thomas Mckean, of Revolutionary fame. The father and two brothers were early set- tlers of Busseron Creek, and belonged to the Shaker settlement in Knox county, whence they came to Vigo county in 1818. They were farmers, but at the same time were skilled in the handling of tools and machinery. William McKeen died at his home in Illinois in 1875. Benjamin F., who is the eldest in a family of six children, was reared on the farm, and attended first the common schools, and then the Academy at Marshall, Ill. He studied medicine, and attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, subsequently engaging in the

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practice two years, when he abandoned the profession and embarked in milling, which he followed with success until he came to Terre Haute in 1864. He has been in the employment of the Vandalia Railroad Company since he came to Terre Haute. Dr. McKeen was united in marriage in Illinois, November 24, 1859, with Miss Mary E., daughter of Erwin Cowles, and of English descent. They have three children: Charles E., a conductor on the railroad; Electa, the wife of T. A. Parker, and Nellie A., unmarried. Mrs. McKeen is a member of the Episcopal Church. In politics the Doctor is a Republican.

W. R. McKEEN, Terre Haute. Riley McKeen was born in Vigo county, Ind., October 12, 1829, a son of Benjamin and Leathy (Paddock) McKeen, former of whom was a native of Kentucky, born January 1, 1803, latter being a native of Ohio. They were of Scotch and English descent. The father, who was a farmer and pork-packer, settled in Vigo county in 1823, and died December 22, 1866. At the time of his death Mr. McKeen was a member of the county commissioners' court.

W. R. McKeen, who is the eldest in a family of five children, was reared on his father's farm, assisting in the labors of the same and attending the district schools. At the age of seventeen he be- came deputy in the county clerk's office, where he was employed two years. He was then employed as a clerk in the State Bank of Indiana, Terre Haute, and was promoted to cashier, in which em- ployment he served several years. In 1855 he established a pri- vate bank, known as the "McKeen Bros. Bank," of which his son Frank is now president; also engaged in other business enterprises, and invested largely in real estate. He became a stockholder in the Vandalia Railroad Company, and was elected president thereof in 1867; is president of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Rail- road Company. Frank McKeen is his only child by his first wife; the children by his last marriage, in order of birth, are Anna, wife of Valentine Shuler; Mary J., wife of H. C. Pugh; Samuel C., Benjamin, W. R., Jr., and Edith. Mr. McKeen has served as a member of the city council of Terre Haute, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican.

In railroad and financial circles his name is as "familiar as household words" throughout the land, but not exactly as written above. If we had printed it as "Riley McKeen," the familiar spoken name, then there are few indeed who would have required the second thought for recognition. As financier and the responsi- ble head of the great railroad system of the country, he is well known at home and abroad, or as a banker, but in the city of his home he is perhaps better known as a leader in all public enter-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

prises tending to the growth and glory of Terre Haute and the sur- rounding country-a man of action and power in politics, finances, public improvements, education and social life.

FRANK McKEEN, manager of McKeen's Bank, Terre Haute. This is one of the leading young business men of the city. He is the eldest son of W. R. and Eliza (Johnston) McKeen, and was born in Terre Haute, Ind., May 24, 1853, where he grew to man's estate, attending the public schools, passing the several grades and through the high school. His first employment was in his father's bank, commencing as an office boy, then became clerk, subsequently manager, and at present he is a partner in the house. He has thus literally grown with the important financial concern of which he is now the managing partner. Mr. McKeen was married November 11, 1880, to Miss Mary, daughter of Alexander McGregor, who was an early settler and proprietor of the noted McGregor distillery of this place; lie also carried on a wholesale grocery business in Terre Haute. This was one of the most respectable families in the city. Mrs. McKeen is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. McKeen is a Republican in politics, and has served as a member of the city council. He is a Knight Templar. The members of the family are greatly esteemed in the best social circles of the city.

JOHN McKEEVER, engineer Vandalia Railroad, Terre Haute, is a native of New Hampshire, and was born August 8, 1829, a son of John and Nancy (Collins) Mckeever, latter a native of New Hampshire, who died in Terre Haute. The father, who was a native of Ireland, followed boating on the Merrimac River, and died in New Hampshire. John, who is the second in a family of nine children, was reared in New Hampshire. He received a com- mon-school education, and then worked as section-hand on the rail- road, for some time, in his native State, after which he went to New York and worked at laying track near Seneca Lake, and on the Coshocton Valley. Here he remained about two years, when he went to Ohio, and worked laying track near Toledo; from there he moved to Crestline, where he fired on the Ohio & Indiana (now the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne) Railroad. He remained there only about one year, when he went to Chicago, in which city he ran a stationary engine for a short time, thence proceeded to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked at laying track for a short time. From there he came to Terre Haute, in 1856, and obtained a position on the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad as engineer. He continued on that line about seven years, when he went on the Vandalia Rail- road, and now runs on that line the passenger train from Terre Haute to Indianapolis. Mr. McKeever was married in Evansville, Ind., September 21, 1857, to Themis A., daughter of Clarence and

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Malinda (Revis ) Chambers, former a native of New York, latter of Indiana. Mr. Chambers followed farming for a time, and after- ward became a prominent railroad man, holding a number of positions. He was an engineer, roadmaster, paymaster, etc. He died near Princeton, Ind., Mrs. Chambers in Vincennes, same State. Mrs. Mckeever, who is the eldest in a family of four children, was born in Gibson county, Ind., February 3, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. McKeever had born to them eight children, viz .: William E., who married Fannie E. Kelley; Clarence O., who married Emma B. Morris; George E., deceased; Fred; Jessie; Mattie, deceased; Grace and Frank. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. McKeever is a member of the F. & A. M., Lodge No. 19, Terre Haute, and of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council; also a member of the A. O. U. W .; in politics he is a Republican.

COL. WILLIAM E. McLEAN, attorney, Washington, D. C. This gentleman was for many years prominently identified with the bar of Vigo county, and for years has been an active and leading politician. He was born near Frederick City, Md., October 12, 1833, and is tlie son of George and Amelia (Cookerly ) McLean, natives of that State, and of English origin. George McLean, who was a farmer, hard-working, honest and much respected, died on his farm near Frederick, in 1838.

William Edward McLean was the only child, and may be said to have been born a "farmer boy." He came with his grandmother, Mrs. Dorcas Cookerly, to Vigo county, in 1841, when Terre Haute could boast of only about 3,000 population. After graduating at the Indiana University, at Bloomington, he commenced for himself as a school teacher in Lost Creek township, subsequently teaching for a short time in the city in what was then known as a district school. Studying law, he commenced the practice of liis profession in Terre Haute in the fall of 1852, before he was twenty years of age. At the same time lie became the editor of the Terre Haute Journal, then a weekly paper, and the only Democratic newspaper in this congressional district, remaining its editor for five years. In 1854 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Vigo circuit court, and in 1856 was elected State senator on the Democratic ticket. In the State election in 1860 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives. In September, 1861, he resigned his seat in the Indiana legislature, having been appointed by Gov. Oliver P. Morton lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, and charged with the authority of the raising and organization of that regiment. In September, 1861, he recruited and organized that regiment at old Camp Vigo, it being the last regiment raised in this county under President Lincoln's first call for 300,000 troops.

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In October, 1861, the regiment having been recruited up to the standard of nearly a thousand men, went to the front and became a part of Gen. Crittenden's command, stationed on Green River, in Kentucky. In January, 1862, upon the resignation of Col. George K. Steele, he was promoted colonel and remained in the colonelcy and command of the regiment until its final muster out of service in June, 1865, having served as colonel longer than any other officer of that rank in Indiana. The Forty-third Regiment was known as a fighting regiment, and achieved a brilliant military record in the armies of the Southwest. Its first distinguished service was at the battle of New Madrid, Mo., and at the taking of Island No. 10, where 6,000 prisoners were captured. The regiment afterward, during the spring of 1862, co-operated with the gunboat fleet, under the command of Admirals Foote and Davis, in the capture of the Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi known as Fort Pillow. It was the first regiment to land at Memphis, Tenn., upon the sur- render of that city to the gunboat flotilla, where it did provost duty until it was transferred to the military department of Arkansas, early in May, 1862. Col. McLean commanded the First Infantry Brigade of Gen. Solomon's division at the very successful battle fought at Helena, Ark., July 4, 1863, and Gen. Prentiss, the com- manding general, in his official report of that engagement, says: "The thanks of the whole Nation are eminently due to Col. William . E. McLean, commanding First Infantry Division, for his services on that day." [See Official Record of the Rebellion, published by the War Department, Vol. 22, page 390.} Col. McLean also com- manded the Union forces in the battle of Elkin's Ford, fought April 3, 1864, an official report of which engagement was published by the War Department. He also was present and participated in the disastrous battle of Jenkins' Ferry, fought upon the retreat of Gen. Steele's army from Camden, a part of the unfortunate series of military disasters known in the history of the war as the "Banks Expedition." After his muster out of service in 1866, the Colonel was tendered a commission as brevet brigadier-general for gallant and meritorious services in the army of Arkansas.

After the war he returned to Terre Haute and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1866 he was again elected to the legislature, and was the chairman of the standing committee on education in the house, and aided in procuring the necessary · appropriation to carry into successful operation the Indiana State Normal School, now recognized as the most popular institution in the State. In the presidential election, in 1872, he took a very active part and was the Greeley elector of the Terre Haute congres- sional district, having also been secretary of the Cincinnati national

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convention which nominated that distinguished editor and founder of the Republican party. In the campaign of 1876 he was the Democratic candidate for congress, but was defeated by Gen. Morton C. Hunter. In the presidential elections of 1880 and 1884 he zealously advocated, upon the stump, the nominees of the De- mocracy. President Cleveland appointed him first deputy com- missioner of pensions in March, 1885, he being the first appointee of that administration from Indiana. Col. McLean in the discharge

of the duties of that position advocated the most liberal interpreta- tion of the pension laws, and took an advanced position in favor of the most generous dealing by the Nation with its defenders, even the New York Tribune, and other prominent Republican papers complimenting his official conduct in the Pension Bureau. Upon the incoming of the Harrison administration he tendered his resig- nation, which was accepted June 30, 1889. Since his retiracy from the Pension Office he has accepted a partnership in a law firm in Washington, but clings to his residence in Terre Haute, spending much of his time here, and, if possible, is more devoted to Terre Haute and the advancement of her material interests and prosperity than ever before, and has the greatest faith in her future. Col. McLean is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been connected with the oldest lodge of that order in the city ever since he attained his majority, and is a past noble grand of that lodge. He is one of the original members of the G. A. R., and was the first com- mander of Morton Post, No. 1-the first post of that order instituted in Indiana. He is recognized as a very zealous Grand Army man. He has served as a member of the board of park commissioners, and assisted as such in laying out and planning " Collett Park." He is a stockholder, and for twenty years was a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Terre Haute. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Indiana State Normal School, and secretary of the board at the time of his appointment as deputy commissioner of pensions. . He was also for years a director of the Vigo Agricultural Society, and took a deep interest in its success. Col. McLean has recently been appointed, upon the recommendation of Gov. Hovey, alternate commissioner of the World's Fair at Chicago, the law requiring that the commissioners shall be equally selected from the two leading political parties.

It is due to Col. McLean to say that he has contributed his full share to advance the interests of Vigo county and her beautiful prairie city. He has also, by his own exertions alone, succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. Mrs. McLean departed this life October 10, 1889.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

ALBERT McMULLIN, farmer and stock-breeder, Otter Creek township, P. O. Edwards, was born in Parke county, Ind., January 19, 1864, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Howk) McMullin, also natives of Parke county, and of Irish and English descent, re- spectively. The father is one of the influential and prominent citi- zens of Parke county, where he has spent the most of his life as a farmer. Albert, who is the youngest of eight children, spent his youth on the old homestead where he was born, attending the public school and assisting in the work on the farm till he commenced life for himself. Besides carrying on general farming he has dealt in stock to a considerable extent, and has given considerable attention to the breeding of thoroughbred trotting horses. His home is at Ellsworth, in Otter Creek township, adjoining which is his farm. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. McMullin was united in mar- riage December 25, 1882, with Miss Tullona E., daughter of Addi- son Bell. This family is of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. McMullin have two children: Ohmer C. and Enola P.

JUDGE CYRUS F. MCNUTT, Terre Haute, is a native of Indiana, born in Johnson county, July 29, 1837, and is a son of John and Mahala (Hensley) McNutt, natives of Ohio and Ken- tucky, respectively, and of Irish and Welsh descent. The father, who was a farmer, departed this life in 1857. In the order of birth in a family of six children, Judge McNutt is the fifth. He spent his youth, therefore, on his father's farm, where he remained re- ceiving something less than the average of the benefits of the schools, until he reached his legal age. At this time, without leav- ing his farm home, or abandoning his labors afield, he commenced to read law, and was thus engaged two years. When he had mas- tered something of the elements of the English law, at the age of twenty-three he commenced a regular course of reading in the Northwestern Christian University, of which Judge Perkins was professor. From there he entered the practice of the law at Frank- lin, Ind., and he then spent nearly two years in further private study of his profession, and in 1862 he went to Martinsville, Morgan county, in this State, and opened a law office. Such were his acquirements and adaptation to his profession that he soon had a respectable clientele. He continued in the practice here twelve years. In 1874 he was offered and accepted a chair in the law school of the State University, at Bloomington, as professor of law, where he remained four years, or until the middle of the academic year 1876 and 1877, when he resigned his professorship, removed to Terre Haute, and resumed the practice.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 87

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