History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 88

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 88

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Judge McNutt has indulged but little in politics, though a man of strong convictions, and having the courage of his convictions on all

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subjects. In 1872, however, in what will remain in political history as the noted Greeley campaign, he became the Democratic nominee for congress in the Indianapolis district, and was defeated by Gen. John C. Coburn, Republican, but by a majority reduced nearly 1,500. The Judge's friends were greatly gratified at this remark- able and unexpected result of the campaign, where, at least among the Democrats, every candidate had to make the contest upon his individual merits, and was to some extent handicapped instead of carried along by the National ticket. Of his professional life since making his home in Terre Haute, it is difficult to write, and at the same time avoid the shadow of the reflection that is mere meaning- less flattery, and we may content ourselves with the words of one of his contemporaries who said of him: "It is not too much to say that Judge McNutt has stood at the head of the Terre Haute bar since coming here."

Outside of his profession he is a strong thinker and a polished writer, and is a literary author of considerable distinction. He has written meritorious works of fiction. His miscellaneous magazine papers, especially one on "Fiction," have attracted marked atten- tion. The "Western Association of Writers" was organized in 1885, and the name indicates the purpose and membership of the society. It has a membership of 200, including some of the emi- nent literary names of the country. In 1889 Judge McNutt was elected its president. By the constitution of the society this officer can only serve one year. At the July meeting of 1890, Judge McNutt was succeeded by Dr. John Clark Ridpath, the historian, and formerly professor in DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind., whose " History of the World" is just now one of the most popular books from American authors. At the formation of the Terre Haute Bar Association, in the spring of 1890, he was elected presi- dent. He is at present the candidate of the Democracy of Vigo county for the office of superior court judge, which, in a full con- vention, was given him unanimously. The law firm is McNutt & McNutt, his two sons, John G. and Finley A., being his associates in business.

SAMUEL A. McPHEETERS, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Orange county, Ind., April 27, 1843, and is a son of Alexander and Nancy J. Rig- ney, natives of same county, of Scotch-Irish descent. The father who is still living at the age of seventy-eight years, has been a very hard-working farmer, and has succeeded in accumulating a hand- some fortune, ranking among the large land owners of Vigo county. Samuel A. is the eldest now living in a family of thirteen children, six of whom lived to the age of maturity, but only five-two boys and

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three girls-are now living. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools of the neigh- borhood, and chose farming as a business. He works early and late, and attends to all the details of the affairs on the farm, having a great attachment for his home, and his success in life is largely due to his energy and determination and industry. He is the owner of 163 acres of valuable land, all well improved and stocked. Mr. McPheeters was married in 1875 to Miss Mckinney, daughter of J. W. and Jane ( White) McKinney, natives of Orange county, Ind., and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. McPheeters are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the P. of H.

HON. MARION McQUILKIN, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Terre Haute, is a member of the State legislature from this county. He was born in Sugar Creek township, July 5, 1842, and is the son of William and Mercy (Chase) McQuilkin, and the grandson of Samuel McQuilkin, who came to this county in 1816, and settled. He was an inn-keeper in Terre Haute, his being the first tavern or hotel. After a time he sold the hotel, and entered land two and one-half miles from Terre Haute. He bought the land where Macksville now stands, and laid out the village, which took its name from him. When he planted the village he thought that in time it would be part of the city of Terre Haute, and it surely would be were it not for the overflow of the Wabash River. He died in Macksville in 1847. Mr. McQuilkin's father was a shoemaker early in life, but later was a farmer and coal operator. He was twice married. Our subject is the eldest of seven children by the first wife. He was reared on the farm in Sugar Creek township, and naturally took to farming. He attended the common schools. He spent some time in the mercantile trade, having carried on the grocery business in Terre Haute for six years, but returned to his farm in 1875. He now owns 235 acres of improved land. He is a Republican, but takes no active part in politics. When he was nominated for the legislature in 1888, he hardly knew he was talked of, and did not expect the nomination until about thirty minutes before he received it. He only made a speech once or twice. He is a quiet man, but when the war broke out he promptly enlisted in the Thirty-first Ind. V. I., Company K. At the expired time he re-enlisted, and was transferred to the first United States Vet- erans, Volunteer Cavalry, Company G. He was a non-commissioned officer. Some of the battles he participated in were Stone River, Perry's Landing, Fort Donelson and others. He is a member of the G. A. R., Jacob Hooks Post, No. 85. He is a Master Mason. He was married in 1865 to Miss Roda Mahew, daughter of Frank-

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lin Mahew [See his sketch. ] Their children are Ola (a school teacher in Vermillion), Lena, Eva, Ora and Albert.

WILLIAM McWILLIAMS, dealer in boots and shoes, Terre Haute, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., June 17, 1852, and is the youngest in the family of six children of William P. and Ellen (Johnston) Mc Williams, natives of Ireland. Our subject was mar- ried in Terre Haute, Ind., April 20, 1875, to Margaret, daughter of Adam and Charlotte (Bannan) Kirkwood, natives of Virginia. Slie is the second in a family of six children, and was born in Wheel- ing, W. Va., August 10, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Mc Williams have had born to them four children, viz .: Charlotte (deceased), Addie, Birdie and Arthur (both deceased). Mr. McWilliams was reared in New Castle, Penn., and received his education in the town schools. He learned the trade of nail feeder in New Castle when a boy, and followed same for about eight years. He came to Terre Haute in 1874, and here worked at his trade for about two years; then was assistant packer in the factory about three years, after which he was foreman six years. In October, 1886, he engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he has since followed. Mr. Mc Williams, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Social Lodge No. 86, and is S. D. In politics he is a Republican.

HON. WILLIAM MACK, judge of the circuit court, Terre Haute, was born September 29, 1827, in Hamilton county, Ohio, and is a son of Erastus and Martha (Brenton) Mack, former of whom was born in Connecticut, and latter in Kentucky. In the family mingled the blood of the Scotch and the Irish. The father, who was a well-to-do farmer, very honorable and highly esteemed, died in 1846. In this family were five children, and of these the . Judge is the third in order of birth. He was reared on the farm, attending the common schools, and when a well-grown youth entered the school at College Hill, Cincinnati. On leaving this literary institution, he became a law student in a leading law school of the Eastern States. After this preparatory course he was ad- mitted to the bar, and opened a law office in Terre Haute. He was once elected to the legislature as a representative, and was the chosen speaker of that body. He was elected judge of Vigo County Circuit Court, in 1884, for a term of six years. As jurist or parlia- mentarian, Judge Mack is recognized as one of the foremost men in the State.

W. R. MAIL, of the firm of Mail & Hunt, dentists, Terre Haute, is a native of Vincennes, Knox Co., Ind., and is a son of John and Margaret (Homes) Mail, natives of Indiana; the father, who is a farmer, is a resident of Knox county. W. R. Mail, who is the third in a family of six children, received his early education in the

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common schools, and then entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute, graduating there in 1880. In 1883 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, and graduated in the spring of 1885, then began the practice of his profession in Terre Haute, in Au- gust, same year. By industry and close attention to business the Doctor has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and the K. of P., Occidental, No. 18, and of the Uniform Rank. In polit- ical matters he affiliates with the Democratic party.

W. D. MALONE, merchant, Prairieton, was born in Prairie Creek township, this county, March 12, 1833, and is a son of Hugh and Sarah P. (Moore) Malone, natives of Alabama. His father was of Irish, and his mother of Scotch descent. They came to Prairie Creek township in 1828, and after remaining there about five years, moved across to Darwin Post, Clark Co., Ill., where they died. The father was a veterinary surgeon, and also followed farming. They had a family of six children, of whom W. D. is the youngest. Our subject was married November 27, 1855, to Mary A., daughter of Evan Simmons, a farmer, and Elizabeth (Dozier) Simmons, both natives of North Carolina. They were early settlers of this county, where they died. They had a family of seven children, who grew to maturity, of whom Mrs. Malone is the fifth, born November 30, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Malone had a family of five children, viz .: Matilda F., deceased; Hugh E., who died in infancy; Charles I., deceased; Welthy J., who married Harvey Bryant, and Tulley N., who married Millie Whitlock, daughter of the Predestinarian preacher at Eugene, Vermillion Co., Ind.

Mr. Malone received his education in the common schools of Clark county, Ill., and learned the boot and shoe trade at Point Commerce, Greene Co., Ind .; also worked on the farm. He moved to Prairieton township, this county, in the fall of 1855, and followed farming until 1861, then he came to Prairieton, and bought out a shop, working at the boot and shoe trade for four years. He then bought a drug store, carrying on the shoe store in connection there- with. Mr. Malone commenced the study of medicine when he bought the drug store, and practiced it six years. Selling his drug store September 15, 1872, he moved to Neosha county, Kas., and returned satisfied in four months .. He then built a new shop in Prairieton, and carried it on till March, 1876, when he moved to Vermillion county, Ill., and practiced medicine there two years. Returning to Prairieton township, he engaged in gardening, which he followed until 1888, when he bought his present grocery store in Prairieton. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and has

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served as trustee in the same, also as teacher in the Sabbath-school. Mr. Malone has served six terms as township trustee, was elected to the seventh term, but after serving six months he resigned. He also served two years as constable, and is serving his second term as justice of the peace. Mr. Malone in politics is a Democrat.

HENRY D. MANN, M. D., Terre Haute, was born in Bed- ford county, Penn., December 8, 1834, and is a son of Philip and Eva (Kuntz) Mann, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German de- scent. His father, who was a farmer and manufacturer, died in Ohio in 1868. Our subject, who is the only son in a family of four children, was reared on a farm in Pennsylvania, until he was eleven years old, when his parents removed to Stark county, Ohio. They then went to Tiffin, where he attended Heidelberg College, and he subsequently entered the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he attended lectures in the medical department. He then went to Albany, N. Y., where he graduated in the Medical Col- lege in 1855. The Doctor commenced the practice at Fostoria, Ohio, afterward went to Sandusky, Ohio, and then to Mattoon, Ill., where he remained until he came to Terre Haute, November 15, 1861. He has continued in the practice here since, and is emi- nently qualified for his profession. He was married in Oswego, N. Y., to Miss Florence Carde, daughter of Daniel Carde, and of French and New England descent. Dr, and Mrs. Mann are mem- bers of the Episcopal Church.

GEN. MAHLON D. MANSON, ex-lieutenant-governor of Indi- ana, residence in Crawfordsville, Ind., was born in Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, February 20, 1820, and is a son of David and Sallie (Corn- woll) Manson, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish and English descent. The father, who was a farmer, died at the age of thirty-two years. His family were agriculturists, and it was on the old farm that Mahlon D., who is the fifth in a family of seven chil- dren, spent his young life. When old enough he was put to learn the carpenter's trade, and afterward he worked in a tailor's shop. Plod- ding his way along, he next engaged in the drug trade at Craw- fordsville, Ind., and was thus occupied from 1842 until the break- ing out of the Mexican war in 1846, when he raised a company, and was elected captain. He was wounded in an engagement with the enemy, but continued to serve until the close of the war. He then returned to his home in Crawfordsville, and again embarked in the drug business, in which he was eminently successful. He was thus engaged until the war of 1861 broke over the land, when he promptly tendered his services to his country, raised the Tenth Regiment, Ind. V. I., of which he became the colonel, and in that capacity served until March, 1862, after the battle of Mill Springs,

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when he was promoted to brigadier general, but on account of the wound which he received in battle he resigned in 1864, and re- turned to Crawfordsville, resuming his former drug business.

As a soldier, politician or civilian, Gen. Manson is not only a prominent Indianian, but has elevated himself to the position of a national man. As a soldier, a statesman, a quiet but eminently successful business man, one among men in private or public life of marked moral and physical courage everywhere, he had made no mean record in the annals of his country. In 1851, while quite a young man, he was elected to the State general assembly as repre- sentative; in 1870 he was elected to congress. In 1884 he was elected lieutenant-governor of the State, and during his term of office (1886) was appointed collector of internal revenue of the Terre Haute district, which office he resigned in 1889 on the change of the administration. As an orator Gen. Manson is a man of great power. In 1889, on the occasion of the dedication of the soldiers' monument at Indianapolis, he was the orator, when he delivered what was pronounced one of the most eloquent and patriotic speeches that have warmed the hearts of the old war veterans since the war. He is president of the Mexican Veteran Association, is a Freema- son of high degree, and has been all his life a sincere and patriotic Democrat. He is a member of McPherson Post No. 7, G. A. R. In public life or in his business concerns Gen. Manson has had unin- terrupted successes.

F. F. MARKLE, miller, Otter Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, is descended from one of the early pioneer families of this county, of whom much is said in the general history in this volume. He is the owner and proprietor of the Markle Mills, in Otter Creek township, where he was born May 22, 1848, and where Abraham Markle built the second mill in the county. Our subject is the son of Frederick and Sarah B. (Denny) Markle, former of whom was born in Canada, latter in Ohio, and they were of English descent. The father was a miller, and built a grist-mill here at an early day. F. F. Markle is a grandson of Abraham Markle, who was a major in the War of 1812, and was a pioneer miller in this county. Frederick Markle, our subject's father, died here in 1866, and then F. F. and his brother, W. D., bought the mill here, and operated it for a time, when they sold it to H. S. Creal, who ran it until 1888, when F. F. again bought it. He has since put in the roller process, making many other improvements in the mill, and is now doing first-class work. He does a custom trade, and as the mill is well known he receives a liberal patronage. Mr. Markle is eminently qualified for the milling business, having devoted most of his business career to that calling. He was united in marriage

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in this county, in 1877, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Jonathan Musgrave, who is of English descent. This union has been blessed with three children, viz .: Francis Lehman, Jonathan and Robert. Mrs. Markle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Markle is a Republican, and he is a Master Mason.

WILLIAM L. MARSHALL, farmer and stock-grower, Otter Creek township, P. O. Atherton, was born in Kentucky, October 10, 1857, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Miller) Marshall, who were of English descent, former a native of Virginia, latter of Kentucky. The father was a blacksmith, and died in Parke county, Ind., in 1878. His family consisted of eleven children, eight of whom grew to majority, William L. being the fifth. Our subject was reared in Parke county, Ind., where he attended the common school. He made his own way in the world, working by the month to get a start in life, and has met with much success, being the owner of a farm of 280 acres, of which 170 are under a high state of cultiva- tion. Farming has been his chief occupation. Mr. Marshall was married in 1884, in Parke county, Ind., to Miss Laura, daughter of John T. and Mary (Harland) Brown, who were of Irish descent. This union has been blessed with three children, viz .: Frank B., Cecil Vistia and John. Mrs. Marshall is a member of the Methodist . Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Marshall is a Democrat.

LEWIS B. MARTIN, banker, Terre Haute, is a native of Delaware, born June 26, 1841, and is a son of James S. and Char- lotte (Soan) Martin, former a native of Virginia, latter of Pennsyl- vania, and both of English origin. Our subject is the only mem- ber of a family of ten children residing in Indiana. He obtained his education at Newark Academy, and commenced his business life as a clerk in a railroad office; as soon as able he embarked in trade as a merchant on his own account, at Atlanta, Ga. Here he carried on business until 1863, when he came to Indiana and located at Terre Haute. He first clerked in the post-office a short time, and then found employment in the bank-first as a clerk, then as book- keeper, and afterward as cashier. In 1869 he became book-keeper in the savings bank, is a member of the board of trustees of the bank, and is now the secretary and general manager. He has been in the concern since 1869. Mr. Martin was married October 15, 1877, to Miss Adeline, daughter of Capt. William and Margaret (Watson) Fowler, and of English and Scotch descent. Her father was captain of the First Artillery, United States Army, in the Seminole war. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Martin has been blessed with two children-Margaret E. and Thomas Mills. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Martin's brother Thomas was formerly rector of the St. Stephen's Church at Terre

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Haute, of which Mr. Martin has been junior warden since 1871, and treasurer of the diocese of Indiana since 1888. He is a promi- nent member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Sir Knight Tem- plar.

WILLIAM M. MASON, stone and brick mason, P. O. Terre Haute, resides on Section 9, Harrison township, where he owns seven acres of prime land. He was born in Sullivan county, Ind., May 11, 1846, and is a son of James M. and Elizabeth (Albright) Mason, former of whom is a native of Kentucky, of Scotch descent. The parents died in Sullivan county. . William M. lived in Sulli- van county till seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in the Civil war, June 29, 1863, in Company F, One Hundred and Fif- teenth Ind. V. I., and was in the siege of Nashville, also at Ball's Gap. He was discharged February 25, 1864, at Indianapolis, and March 20, 1864, he re-enlisted, this time in Company D, Thirty- first Ind. V. I., and was discharged in December, 1865. He was in the battle of Resaca, also through the Atlanta campaign, and in the battles of Ashville, N. C., Franklin, Tenn., as well as the two days' fight at Nashville. He was discharged December 8, 1865, and now receives a pension of $14 per month. Mr. Mason was married in Terre Haute, Ind., to Gertrude, daughter of Ralph and Eleanor Conover, and born in Terre Haute. Mr. and Mrs. Mason were the parents of four children: Ovid R. and Pearl M., living, and Minnie and Frank, deceased. The entire family are well respected in the community where they reside. Mr. Mason is a member of the G. A. R. ; in politics he is a Republican.

FRANCIS M. MATHERLY, farmer, Prairieton township, P. O. Prairieton, was born in Larue county, Ky., March 7, 1845, and is a son of Henry B. and Melvina P. (Miller) Matherly, former a native of Virginia, and latter of Kentucky, both of English descent. The father was a brick and stone mason, and also followed farming. They both died in Larue county, Ky. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom Francis M. is the seventh. He was married December 27, 1875, to Elizabeth, daughter of David and Sarah (Smith) Goff, natives of Kentucky. Her father was of German descent, and died in Johnson county, Ind. ; her mother was of English descent, and died in Taylor county, Ky. They had a family of six children, of whom Elizabeth, the eldest, was born October 23, 1851, in Larue county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Matherly had born to them two children: Oliver E. and David H. Mrs. Matherly is a member of the Methodist Church, Mr. Matherly of the Baptist. He was reared on the farm, and received his educa- tion in the common schools of Larue county, Ky. Coming to this county March 10, 1865, he now lives in Prairieton and owns a house

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. and lot containing four acres. Mr. Matherly enlisted in the State service in 1862, serving one year, and then re-enlisted in Company I, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Kentucky Volunteers, October 3, 1863. Some of the engagements he participated in were the battles of Peach Tree Creek, Saltsville, Franklin (Tenn.), Marion (W. Va., ) and the first battle of Nashville. He was in Stoneman's raid through Mississippi, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., February 5, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R., Blinn Post, No. 394; is a Master Mason, also a Royal Arch Mason. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM R. MATTOX, physician and surgeon, was born in Orange county, Ind., September 10, 1855, and is a son of William and Sarah ( Trinkle ) Mattox, natives of Tennessee and of English descent. The father has been a farmer all his life, and now resides on a farm in Orange county, Ind. His family consists of ten children. of whom Dr. Mattox is the sixth in order of birth. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools there, afterward the Normal at Paoli, Ind., and was then engaged in teaching for ten terms, when he commenced the study of medicine in Kentucky, subsequent- ly attending Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated in the regular course in 1888. He had practiced some time as an

undergraduate. In 1882 he came to Prairieton, stayed one year, and then removed to Youngstown, this county, where he had a good practice, meeting with more than the average success in the line of his profession. The Doctor was married in Orange county, Ind., in 1879, to Miss Zora V., daughter of Hugh and Rachel (Critchfield) Stewart, who were of English origin. This union has been blessed with three children, viz .: Earnest L., Mary Ethel and William C. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Bap- tist Church, and he is a member of I. O. O. F .; in politics a Democrat. He was elected coroner of Vigo county November 4, 1890, defeating the incumbent Dr. John Hyde by 432 majority. After his election to the office of coroner he removed to Terre Haute.

ANTON MAYER, retired, Terre Haute. This gentleman was born of German parentage in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 12, 1842, and is a son of Bartholomew Mayer, a farmer. Anton Mayer, who is the youngest in a family of eleven children, was reared on his father's farm, and attended the common schools. Bidding adieu to the Fatherland, he sailed for the New World, and came to Terre Haute. He had worked eighteen months in Germany at the brewer's trade, and was in Terre Haute only a short time when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment in a brewery, remaining there eight years and six months, during the last three years of which time he was foreman. Mr. Mayer was

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 88

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