History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 94

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

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

H. M. PITTENGER, farmer and stock-grower, Fayette township, P. O. New Goshen, was born in that township, October 13, 1858, and is the eldest in the family of three children (of whom two are now living) of W. T. and Harriet (McColough) Pittenger. He was reared in the township where he was born, receiving a common- school education, also attending the college at Danville, Ill., and the Commercial College at Terre Haute. He has been success- ful, financially, and has followed farming as a business. His well- improved farm in Fayette township, where he now resides, consists of eighty-two acres of valuable land. Mr. Pittenger was united in marriage, in 1880, with Miss Glen Dora, daughter of William and Charlotte Robinson, and of English descent, and the children born to our subject and wife are Inez and Hazel. Mrs. Pittenger is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Pittenger is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F.

HARVEY M. POUND, artist, Terre Haute, is a native of Spencer county, Ky., and was born November 28, 1831, a son of David and Massie (Sparks) Pound, natives of Kentucky, former of whom was of English and German and latter of English and Irish descent. They moved to this county in the spring of 1836. The father, who was a merchant and farmer, was born in 1800, and died August 29, 1880. Mrs. Pound was born August 1, 1807, and died September 15, 1887. Rev. Samuel K. Sparks, grandfather of our subject, organized the first Baptist Church in Terre Haute, and others in the county. Harvey M., who is the third in a family of eight children, received a common-school education in Terre Haute. In 1855 he went to California, where he followed mining, seven years, then returned to Terre Haute in the winter of 1862, and learned the photographer's art. He next went to Vincennes, Ind., and opened rooms, remaining eighteen months, when he returned to Terre Haute, and conducted a similar business ten years. He then turned his attention to portrait painting and crayon work, also doing some photographing. Mr. Pound was married in Terre Haute, October 30, 1865, to Elizabeth, danghter of Moses and Re- becca (Kester) Carr, natives of Kentucky, and early settlers of this county. Moses Carr was born July 11, 1796, and died in Clark county, Ill., December 14, 1849; Mrs. Carr was born December 13, 1794, and died in same county, September 6, 1844. Mrs. Pound is the seventh in a family of eight children, and was born in this county January 25, 1835. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pound has been blessed with one daughter, Lenora. Mrs. Pound and her daughter are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Pound is a member of the A. O. U. W. ; in politics he is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

IRVING PRESTON, of the firm of Preston & Harris, Terre Haute, was born at Richfield .Springs, N. Y., July 21, 1837, and is a son of Volney and Martha (Johnston) Preston, natives of New Jersey, who died in New York. Irving, who is the younger of two children, received his education in the public schools of Richfield Springs, N. Y. In 1852 he went to Waupun, Wis., and clerked in a general store until 1861, when he engaged in the drug and gro- cery trade, in which, by good financiering and close application to business, he made a success. He sold out his store in 1874, and, coming to Vigo county, he here embarked in the farming and dairy- ing business, and has continued in the same since. Mr. Preston was married in Waupun, Wis., August 21, 1863, to Carolina E., daughter of Jacob Jackson, who was a prominent and wealthy farmer of this county. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Donnelly ; they were natives of Tennessee, and died in this county. Mrs. Preston is the third in a family of eight children, and was born in Terre Haute, May 10, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Preston have had born to them four children: Gertrude, wife of Herman Hulman, Jr. ; Mary, Carrie and Irving. Mrs. Preston is a member of the Congrega- tional Church.

BARNETT , PRICE, retired farmer and stock-grower, Riley township, was born in Franklin county, Ind., in August, 1823, and is a son of John and Leanore (Chapman) Price, natives of Delaware and of English descent. The father was a farmer, and came from Franklin county to Vigo in 1835. He was three times married, Barnett being the third son by the second wife, having four broth- ers and three sisters. Our subject was reared on the farm in Frank- lin county, Ind., attending the common schools, and became a farmer; has made his own way in the world, and has met with suc- cess. He has given each of his children a farm, and is the owner of the farm on which he resides, which contains 120 acres of well- improved land. Mr. Price was married October 31, 1844, to Miss Lucinda Pickens, who was born in Orange county, Ind., in 1826, a daughter of James Pickens, and sister of James M. Pickens, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, where also may be found a brief history of her parents, who were among the pioneer settlers of this county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Price has been blessed with six children, four of whom are living, viz .: John L. (unmar- ried, Theodore, Amos C. and Francis H .; one of the deceased is David C. All the sons are farmers, and own farms on which they reside. Mrs. Price is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Price has always attended closely to his business, and is generally at home; he has never traveled extensively, but what he lacks in that connection he has gained by reading. At one time he owned a half section of land. In politics he is a Democrat.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

FRANK P. H. PROX, president and general manager of the Prox & Brinkman Manufacturing Company, successors to Frank Prox and the Phoenix Foundry & Machine Works. This gentle- man is a first-class mechanic, and is also a great inventor, having invented the best steam and hot-water heating appliances on the market. The foundry and machine works, of which he is the head, are among the largest institutions of the kind in the West, and have the best of appliances for prompt work that money can buy. The pipe department, in which the heating department is included is the largest institution in the West, and has many large contracts to mark its great success, which is due to the proper management of so skilful a man as Mr. Prox.

Mr. Prox was born in Papenburg, Province Hanover, Germany, May 18, 1840, and is the youngest son of Carl Prox. At an early age he learned the trade of coppersmith, and continued to work at lis trade in Germany until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he came to the United States, where he worked in Cincinnati for some time. In 1869 he came to Terre Haute, where he took the position of superintendent of the McGregor distillery, then the property of Herman Hulman, which position he held for six years. The great increase of capacity of this house, while Mr. Prox had the management, again proved him to be a good mechanic and busi- ness manager. He left the employ of the distillery in order to go into business with Mr. D. W. Watson, under the name of Watson & Prox; they engaged in gasfitting, coppersmithing and plumbing. The firm of Watson & Prox was then dissolved after two years of successful business, Mr. Prox retiring and starting up his present business at No. 677 Main street. The great amount of business that Mr. Prox transacted soon made the quarters at this place too small, so he built his own place at Nos. 17 and 19 North Ninth street, where he continued to spread out until he occupied a full half block, Nos. 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, North Ninth street. The rapid growth of business continued until he was forced to look for other quarters, and he then formed partnership again, under the firm name of Prox & Brinkman Manufacturing Co., who now occupy a solid block on North Ninth street, from Nos. 201 to 235, inclusive. This change of business was made on January 27, 1890, and the

firm have been enjoying the best of success. Mr. Prox was mar- ried at Cincinnati October 6, 1868, to Miss Agnes Middendorff, also a native of Germany, but who moved to Cincinnati with her family when but a child. This union was blessed with three chil- dren, viz .: Herman (the eldest), who is assistant general manager of the pipe department; Anton, who is serving his time in the heating and plumbing department, and Theodore, attending college.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

The family belong to the Catholic Church, and Mr. Prox is vice- president of the Catholic Benevolent Society, also a trustee of the German Catholic Church. Mr. Prox received his military training in Germany, where he served in the regular army. He is giving his children a good education so as to make them thoroughly prac- tical business men.

W. B. PURCELL, dealer in boots and shoes, No. 623 Wabash avenue, Terre Haute, is a native of Vermillion, Edgar Co., Ill., and was born June 25, 1859. He is a son of Joseph and Margaret ( Vermillion) Purcell, former a native of Tennessee, a farmer by occupation, and resident of Alton, Ill. Mrs. Purcell died in March, 1868, at the age of forty years. W. B. Purcell, who is the youngest in a family of seven children, left Vermillion when he was eleven years of age, and came to Terre Haute, received his education in the public schools, and graduated at the Commercial College. He clerked in a boot, shoe and queensware store, about five years, and then in a shoe store for D. C. Greiner, about three years. He then purchased Mr. Greiner's interest, and engaged in the boot and shoe business with Mr. Paddock as " Paddock & Purcell." They continued in business about two years and six months, when they sold out. Mr. Purcell then went on the road for a boot and shoe house, and traveled seven years; then embarked in the boot and shoe business where he is now located. He has prospered, and built up a nice growing trade, having had to depend on his own resources.

Mr. Purcell was married in Morgansfield, Ky., February 28, 1888, to Mary C., daughter of John R. and Nancy A. (McCabe) Miller, natives of Clark county, Ill. Her father was engaged in the mercantile trade until about four years ago, since which time he has been farming near the city. Mrs. Purcell is the fourth in a family of five children that grew to their majority, and was born in Clark county, Ill., April 14, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell had born to them one daughter, Ethel M. In politics he is a Republican.

DAVID W. RANKIN, retired hotel-keeper, Terre Haute, was born in Centre county, Penn., August 8, 1810, and is a son of Jeremiah and Sarab ( Whitehill) Rankin, who were of Scotch descent, the father born in Cumberland county, Penn. David W., who is the eldest in a family of eight children, was reared in Centre county, Penn., on the farm, and attended the public schools. When he was nineteen years of age he served a regular apprenticeship at the cabinet-maker's trade, and in 1834 he came to Terre Haute, being among the early settlers of this county, and carried on the cabinet- maker's trade some twenty years. He kept a hotel on Fourth Street for several years; then sold and built a hotel on Ninth Street, and was engaged in the business there nineteen years. He was success-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

ful in his undertakings, and is now living a retired life. Mr. Rankin was united in marriage, in 1836, with Miss Ann Mary, daughter of Caleb and Phobe E. Crawford, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rankin, and now liv- ing, are Sarah E., Morton C. and Oscar; Emeline is deceased. Mrs. Rankin died in 1888, in her seventy-sixth year.

MORTON C. RANKIN, lumber dealer, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., October 10, 1840, and is a son of David W. Rankin. He was reared in Terre Haute, and attended the public schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventy-first Ind. V. I., Com- pany B, was wounded four times, and also taken prisoner, and was discharged for disability in 1862. When he returned from the army he became engaged as a salesman in Terre Haute, and was thus em- ployed until 1872, since when he has been in the lumber business. He takes an active interest in politics; is a member of the G. A. R., and of the I. O. O. F. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Angeline L. Layton, and they have two children: Mary Arnetta and Morton L.

W. R. RAY, Riley township. Among the prominent farmers and native-born citizens of Riley township, prominent mention is due to W. R. Ray, the present township trustee. He was born De- cember 25, 1835, and is a son of John W. and Rebecca (Crumb) Ray, former of whom is now in his eighty-seventh year. The father has lived to see Riley township change from a wild wilderness to its present form, having come to this county in 1818, and resided here continuously since. He now lives a retired life. W. R. Ray, who is the eldest son and next oldest in a family of eight children, was reared on the farm in Riley township, where he attended school un- til he was prepared to enter college, at Greencastle, Ind. After com- pleting his education, he engaged in farming, meeting with great success, and he is now the owner of a well-improved farm, comprising

320 acres in Riley township. Mr. Ray was married November 4, 1858, to Miss Hester A., daughter of Dr. H. D. and Harriet (Gor- don) Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Ray have had seven children, five of whom are living, as follows: John H., Miller S., Charles, Daisy and Anna. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which Mr. Ray is trustee, steward and superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the K. of P., and is a Master Mason. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

W. S. REA, of the wholesale grocery firm of Bement, Rea & Co., Terre Haute. This enterprising firm have completed and removed to their new business house on Wabash avenue, one of the handsomest houses in the city. W. S. Rea, the junior partner, is a native of

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

the city, born November 22, 1838, and is a son of John Rea, who was a native of Philadelphia and of Scotch descent. His father was a merchant and came to Terre Haute in 1835, where he spent the remaining portion of his life. He died in 1488. W. S. Rea, who is the eldest of four children, spent four years at Wabash Col- lege, and then engaged in farming and stock-dealing until 1870, when he engaged in merchandising in a retail way for three years. In 1875 he embarked in his present business. He was married in 1875 to Geraldine A. Knecht, of Illinois. Mrs. Rea is a member of the First Congregational Church.

ALBERT J. REED, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek town- ship, P. O. Seelyville, was born in Centre county, Penn., March 31, 1844, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Hopper) Reed, na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The father was a farmer and stock-grower, and died in Pennsylvania in 1887. A. J. Reed was reared on a farm in Mifflin county, Penn., where he re- ceived a fair English education in the common schools, and early in life he commenced work on the Central Railroad, being in the em- ployment of the company nineteen years in various positions, when he was promoted to conductor on train from Altoona to Harrisburg, which position he held for three years. In 1884 he came to Lost Creek township, and located on his farm where he yet resides, which con- sists of 120 acres of choice land. He enlisted August 15, 1862, in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth P. V. I., Company H. He partici- pated in many battles and skirmishes, among them Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Rappahannock, Antietam, Gettysburg and Spott- sylvania, where he was severely wounded by a gunshot which passed through his left lung. He was discharged March 19, 1865. Mr. Reed was married in Mifflin county, Penn., January 24, 1867, to Miss Anna C. daughter of Jacob and Maria (Hockeenbrought) Esterline, and is of German descent. They have two children: William and Charles. The family all take an interest in good reading. The sons are young men now, remarkably active and en- ergetic, and Mr. and Mrs. Reed are justly proud of them. They treat them as companions, and advise with them in all business af- fairs. This is a model family where love and happiness prevail. Mr. Reed is quartermaster of Leslie Post No. 410, G. A. R., and is also a member of the K. of P. In politics he is a Republican.

EDWARD REED, attorney at law, Terre Haute, was born at Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn., February 22, 1850, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Harper) Reed, natives of Pennsylvania and of English and German descent. The father, who had been a wagon-maker, died in 1887, at the age of seventy-three years; the mother is still living at the old home in Pennsylvania. Edward,

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

who is the seventh in a family of twelve children, spent his child- hood in Mifflin county, Penn., where he attended the common schools and Kischoquillas Seminary, and then the Northwestern University, where he pursued the regular course until he reached the junior class, when his financial circumstances necessitated his retirement, and he engaged in teaching two years. He then commenced thie study of law, and, being admitted to the bar, at once entered into the practice, in which he has met with marked success. He is the owner of considerable real estate in Terre Haute, as well as a well- improved farm near the city, which is well stocked. Mr. Reed has an enviable reputation for honesty and square dealing, and is now serving as executor for some very large estates. His law practice has been largely in the line of real estate, or in settling estates. Mr. Reed's eldest brother is a Methodist minister, and is now at Baltimore, Md. The family are rather inclined to be latitudinarian. Four of them have been teachers.'

S. T. REESE, lumber dealer, Terre Haute, is a descendant of one of the prominent early settlers of Vigo county, who migrated to this place before S. T. Reese was born, the date of his birth being February 22, 1824. He is a son of John M. and Mary (Kimball) Reese, former a native of Maryland, latter of Ohio, both of English parentage. The father came to Vigo county in 1822, and settled in Sugar Creek township. He was a carpenter and joiner, and was also engaged in farming; a quiet, frugal and industrious citizen, who lived many years in his western farm home. He departed this life in 1868. He had been twice married, S. T. Reese being the third in the order of birth by the first wife, who had a family of five children. Our subject's young life was spent on the farm, and early he learned to assist in the work, in the win- ter attending the district schools. When old enough he worked with his father at the carpenter's trade, which he learned, and subsequently became a large contractor and builder, a business he followed twenty-five years with marked success. He built many houses in Terre Haute. In 1872 he embarked in the lum- ber trade in company with G. Ashman-the firm name being Ashman & Reese. They continued together fourteen years, when Mr. Ashman retired, and the firm then became Reese, Snider & Co., as it is at present. This is one of the prosperous firms of the city, and is doing a large and lucrative business in lumber and building material of all kinds. Mr. Reese has led an industrious life, building up the business house of which he is head. Quick to act, strong in executive abilities, his connection in any enterprise is a strong guarantee of success. Commencing life humbly, he has climbed the ladder successfully. Mr. Reese was married in

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Vigo county, December 19, 1850, to Miss Maria, daughter of Dennis and Elizabeth (Smith) Hearn. Her venerable mother is still living, and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Reese. Mrs. Reese's parents were of German descent, who came to Vigo county in 1823. By this union was born one child, Emma, the wife of W. Q. Haythorn. Mr. and Mrs. Reese are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics he is a Republican. He served as a member of the city council of Terre Haute, and is universally regarded as one of the best citizens of the place.

MARY M. REEVE, Glenn, Lost Creek township, was born in the township where she now resides, June 25, 1836, a daughter of Zadoc and Mary M. (Colton) Reeve, natives of New York, former of whom was born October 14, 1796, and latter April 11, 1800. They were married December 29, 1816. Zadoc Reeve was a house and ship-carpenter, and was one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He laid off the first school district in Lost Creek township, and bought the farm on which Mrs. Reeve now resides, containing eighty acres, before the National Road was made. He had a con- tract on the National Road from Clear Creek to Cory's Creek; also constructed the bridges across Lost Creek, Sugar Creek and Clear Creek, and built the first schoolhouse in Lost Creek township, which was called " Reeve's school-house." Mr. and Mrs. Reeve had a family of nine children, of whom Mary M. is the eightlı in order of birth. Mr. Reeve was a Master Mason; he served as school trustee. He died March 7, 1885, and his wife died August 15, 1862. Mary M. Reeve has two sons: David M. and Zadoc, who are industrious and prominent farmers.

JOHN REGAN, farmer and stock-grower, also justice of the peace of Sugar Creek township, was born in Fayette township, Vigo Co., Ind., December 23, 1850. He is a descendant of one of the early settlers of this county, and is a son of Patrick and Rosana (Rice) Regan, natives of Ireland, former of whom farmed over fifty years, and died in Fayette township, this county, in 1879. They reared one daughter and five sons, of whom John is the third in the family. He was reared in this county, has followed farming, and is now the owner of 165 acres of highly improved land. He was married September 25, 1883, to Miss Mary, daughter of Peter Dermody (deceased), a native of Ireland, who was a wealthy and influential farmer during his life. Her mother, who is still living, was Kate Sheern. Mr. and Mrs. Regan are members of the Catho- lic Church. They have one child, Katie. In politics Mr. Regan is identified with the Democrats, and he was elected justice of the peace in 1886, serving one term.

PATRICK REGAN, farmer and stock-grower, Fayette township, P. O. St. Mary's. This gentleman is a descendant of one of the early

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

settlers of this county. He is a son of Patrick and Rosa (Rice) Regan, natives of Ireland, who came to this country when they were young, and have resided in this county for over half a cent- ury. Patrick's father was a successful farmer, and died in this county in 1879. His family consisted of six children-five sons and one daughter-of whom Patrick is the fourth. They are all members of the Catholic Church; all attended the schools of Fay- ette township, and all are prosperous, the boys being successful farmers. William and Patrick are unmarried. They own and carry on the home farm, which consists of 305 acres of well-im -. proved land in Fayette township. John is a farmer in Sugar Creek township, and was a justice of the peace there. They all vote the Democratic ticket, as did their father. None of them are office- seekers, but devote their time to their farms; they are industrious, and have made a success of their business.

J. B. REYNOLDS, Terre Haute, was born in Freeport, Penn., December 18, 1846, and is a son of Charles L. and Anna S. (Wei- man) Reynolds, natives of Pennsylvania, former of Scotch and lat- ter of German descent. Our subject, who is the second in a family of four children, was married in Terre Haute, Ind., October 10, 1871, to Helen L., daughter of E. M. and Helen ( Reeves) Gill- man, natives of New York. Mrs. Reynolds is the eldest in a family of four children, and was born in Terre Haute February 2, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have two children: Charles G. and Helen L. Mr. Reynolds was reared in Freeport, Penn., receiving his ed- ucation in the schools of that place, and learned the cooper's trade, which he followed at Kittanning, Penn., until 1866, except during the time he was in the army. He enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Third P. V. I., serving until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Wilmington, N. C., in July, 1865. He came to Terre Haute in 1869, and kept books for E. M. Gillman two years, then went into partnership with him, and continued in the firm until the spring of 1887, when he sold his interest in the fact- ory to his partner. After that he bought a cooper-shop in the south part of the city, but sold this at the end of the year. Mr. Reynolds and a number of prominent men of Terre Haute formed a company, and bought the "Crystal Salt Works" at South Hutchin- son, Kas., and he has been engaged in the business since. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the Congregational Church. He is a Master Mason, also a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 157, at Terre Haute, and of the Encampment; in politics he is a stanch Republican.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 94

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