History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 97

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

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JOHN F. SHICKEL, M. D., Terre Haute, was born in Vir- ginia, May 5, 1826, a son of Jacob and Eva (Fuls) Shickel, natives

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of Virginia and of German descent, former of whom was a car- penter. Our subject is the third in a family of five children, and was reared in Rockingham county, Va., where he obtained his education. He studied medicine at Harrisonburg, Va., and com- menced the practice in Hampshire county, same State, subsequently removing to Parkersburg, W. Va. On May, 5, 1868, he came to Vigo county, and located at Sandford, where he sojourned a short time; then went to New Goshen, Ind., and remained there two years with Dr. Swafford. In 1878 he came to Terre Haute, and has since been in the regular practice. The Doctor was married in Rockingham county, Va., November 19, 1846, to Miss Kizia Bol- ton, a lady of Pennsylvania-Dutch parentage. The Doctor and his wife were rocked in the same cradle in Rockingham county, Va., and had the same grandfather and grandmother, and yet they were not related. They have two children living, viz .: James, en- gaged in the drug business, and John W., in the employ of the railroad company. Dr. and Mrs. Shickel are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Master Mason, and in politics a Republican.

W. A. SHORES, farmer and stock-grower, Fayette township, P. O. New Goshen, was born in Fayette township, Vigo Co., Ind., April 1, 1842, and is a son of Meredith and Frankie (Giser) Shores, natives of North Carolina and of Irish and Dutch descent. The father, who was a farmer, came from North Carolina to Vigo county, Ind., among the early settlers, and spent the remaining portion of his life here, dying in 1871. The mother is still living, and is now in her seventy-fifth year. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving the usual schooling in the district in which he now resides. He chose farming as a vocation, and has met with success, owning at the present time 180 acres of land; he also has charge of his mother's farm of 320 acres, making in all a farm of 500 acres. Mr. Shores was united in marriage, December 25, 1871, with Miss C. F., daughter of John N. and Jane (Hay) Rhyan, and of Ger- man origin, which union has been blessed with three children, viz .: Edith Myrtle, Della May and William Claude. Mrs. Shores is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Shores is a Democrat, and he is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity; a member of the Blue Lodge, and of the Chapter.

ISAAC SHULL, farmer and stock-grower, Nevins township, P. O. Rosedale, Parke county, was born in East Tennessee, September 19, 1825, the fifth in the family of eight children (four of whom are living) of Isaac and Ellen (Keeny) Shull, former a native of North Carolina, latter of Tennessee. They were of German and Irish descent. The father, who was a farmer, came to this county

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

from Tennessee about the year 1833, and settled on the farm where Isaac was reared. He died in Vigo county in 1856. Isaac Shull received what little education he had in the old-fashioned log school-house, has made a success of farming, and has performed a great deal of hard labor, all that he owns having been accumu- lated by honest toil; he has 171 acres of well-improved and well- stocked land. Mr. Shull has now retired, and his sons, of whom he is very proud, attend to the farm, both being excellent farmers. Mr. Shull has been twice married, the first time to Miss Mary, daughter of John McKee. She lived, however, but a short time after her marriage, and he was then married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (James) Willoughby, which union has been blessed with seven children, four of whom are liv- ing-two daughters and two sons, viz .: Charles T., born in Nevins township, August 1, 1863; Benjamin S., born December 27, 1865, also in Nevins township; Mary Belle, now the wife of Josephus Tarvin, and Leora, who is at home. Both the sons are farmers and stock-growers, and both are Republicans in politics. Mrs. Shull died in 1875, a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Shull is a Republican, and is a member of the Republican party.

W. F. SIBLEY, of the firm of Sibley & Bossom, wallpaper and window shades, house and sign painting, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, April 10, 1856, and is a son of Elisha and Phœbe R. (Cole) Sibley. His father was a native of Bennington, Vt., and moved to Terre Haute in 1819, two of his brothers having come here a short time before. He was a brick manufacturer, and earlier in life worked some time at the tailor's trade. He made the first dress-coat for Chauncey Rose, at Roseville, Parke Co., Ind. He died in July, 1889. Our subject's grandfather, on his father's side, was killed at the battle of Queenston Heights, in 1812. Mr. Sibley's parents were of English descent.

Our subject is the eldest of two children, and received his education in the city schools, attending the Commercial College two terms. In 1883 he engaged in the book and stationery busi- ness, which he changed to the present line. By energy and indus- try the firm have succeeded in building up a large and growing trade. Mr. Sibley was united in marriage in Terre Haute, in De- cember, 1878, with Miss Flora J. Bell, second in the family of eight children born to John D. Bell (deputy county auditor, and a native of Ireland) and Charlotte M. (Foster) Bell, a native of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Sibley have had one son, Richard E. Mrs. Sibley is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Sibley is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Tamany Tribe No. 39.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

SYLVESTER C. SINGHORSE, merchant, Lewis, was born in Vigo county, Ind., April 4, 1853, and is the only child born to the marriage of Lewis and Vina (Totten) Singhorse, former of whom was born in the eastern part of Indiana fifty-seven years ago, and when a child was brought to Vigo county by his father, William Singhorse. The latter was a soldier in the War of 1812, an early settler of this county, a farmer by occupation, and afterward one of the county's most respected citizens; he died at the age of eighty- seven years. Lewis Singhorse early learned how to work, and, making industry his rule of life, has become one of Vigo county's most substantial farmers. At the beginning of the Civil war he joined Capt. Bryan's Company, Eighty-fifth Ind. V. I., in which he served until discharged in the latter part of the war, on account of disability. During his term of service he participated in the battle of Richmond, and in the Georgia campaign; politically he is a Republican. His first wife, Vina ( Totten), was born in this county, and died here when their son, Sylvester C., was but eighteen months old. After her death Lewis Singhorse married Permelia Totten, a sister of his first wife, and she died within eight months after her marriage. Mr. Singhorse afterward married a widow, Mrs. Asenith Timmons, by which union have been born four children, as. follows: Alice, at home; Emery Grant, a farmer of Pierson town- ship, this county; Herbert, at home, and Cora, who died when seventeen years of age.

Sylvester C. Singhorse attended the common schools, and, after becoming old enough, assisted his father on the farm until his twenty-fourth year, when he commenced for himself as a farmer. He worked some time at the carpenter's trade, but has devoted most of his time to agriculture. In 1881 he purchased land and since then has bought and sold at different times. He continued to farm until 1888, when he embarked in his present business as dealer in drugs, groceries, hardware, etc. When starting for him- self he was the possessor of limited means, and was in debt, but by energy and business ability, which the family is noted for, he has become more than ordinarily successful. Mr. Singhorse was united in marriage September 13, 1877, with Miss Maria Osborn, a daughter of John Osborn, of Madisonville, Hopkins Co., Ky., and this union has been blessed with three interesting children, viz .: Harry A., Maston Arthur and Lewis Blaine. Mr. Singhorse represented Comet Lodge No. 615, I. O. O. F., in the Grand Lodge of Indiana, in 1888; in politics he is a stanch Republican, and he is an enterprising citizen.

DOUGLAS H. SMITH, managing editor of the Daily News, Terre Haute, was born on a farm near Youngstown, Ohio, June 16,

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1867, and is a son of H. D. Smith, of Terre Haute, and Eliza (Pat- rick) Smith, former a native of Wales, latter of Ohio, and of Scotcli- Irish descent. The father came to Terre Haute in 1879, and is engaged in the coal business. His family consists of five children, all of whom have had the advantages of good schools; they are as follows: R. J. is an attorney in Terre Haute; Will T. is a horse dealer in Kansas City; Douglas H., Birdie E. and Grace A.

Douglas H. Smith attended the public schools and an academy in Ohio, and also the high school in Terre Haute, where he gradu- ated in 1884. He then became a student at DePauw University, remaining one year. At thirteen years of age he began to develop a taste for the newspaper office, and this has steadily grown with his growth. In 1886 he found employment as night editor on the Daily Express, and filled the rounds of nearly every position on the

staff of the paper. In 1888 he was offered and accepted the editor- ship of the Saturday Evening Mail, and filled the chair with marked ability. He then organized a stock company which started the News in 1889. The stockholders elected Mr. Smith managing editor, and August 5, 1889, issued the first number of the Terre Haute News, a bright and newsy daily paper, perfectly independent of politics. Mr. Smith is chief editor of the paper, and secretary and treasurer of the News Publishing Company. Individually Mr. Smith is a Democrat; editorially he and his paper are non-partisan. He wields a keen and trenchant pen, and it may safely be said of him that he is one of the coming journalists of the State. He is a member of the K. of P.

HARRISON SMITH, manufacturer, Terre Haute, was born in Camden, N. J., August 13, 1853, and is a son of William and Sarah Smith, who were of English descent. The father is a tallow manu- facturer, and is living in Indianapolis; the mother died in Phila- delphia, Penn. The family removed to Indianapolis in 1856, and Harrison, who is the youngest in a family of four children, received his education in the city schools of that place. He then worked for his father in the tallow and grease factory until he became of age, when he went to Mattoon, Ill., and started in business for him- self. At the end of one year he sold and came to Terre Haute, and engaged in the manufacture of tallow, grease, etc., the factory being

located on the island southwest of town. Mr. Smith was married in Mattoon, Ill., April 16, 1876, to Catherine Kenny, a native of New York City, born December 25, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had born to them two children: Bertha and Harry. Mr. Smith is a member of the K. of P., Occidental No. 18, and has passed the chairs; is also a member of the Uniform Rank, Terre Haute Division No. 3. In politics he is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

HENRY SMITH, retired farmer, Sugar Creek township, P. O. St. Mary's, was born in North Carolina, February 4, 1803, and is a son of George and Mayant (Coble) Smith. His grandfather, Henry Smith, came from Germany to America before the Revolu- tionary war, and when the war broke out he promptly enlisted, and served during seven years. Mr. Smith's father was an aid, and carried news for Gen. Washington. He was a farmer, and came to Indiana in 1815, and to Vigo county in 1821, settling in Terre Haute. His mother was born in North Carolina, of German descent. Henry is the fourth in a family of nine children, and grew up in this county, many of his playmates being young Indians. He fol- lowed farming, has made his own way in the world, and is the owner of 360 acres. He was united in marriage in Crawford county, Ind., in 1823, with Miss Nannie Hearn, of English descent. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom six are living. They lived together sixty-three years. Mrs. Smith died in 1885. Both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he being class leader, trustee and steward in the same. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Republican, and served as school trustee in Sugar Creek township. His father entered a section of land in and around St. Mary's.

HENRY SMITH, grocer, Terre Haute, was born in Harri- son township, Vigo Co., Ind., October 5, 1857, and is a son of Christopher and Christena (Grathwhole) Smith, natives of Ger- many, who immigrated to Jeffersonville, Ky., and from there moved to Ohio, coming to this county about the year 1842. Henry, who is the third in a family of five children, received his education in the public schools, and then worked one year in a brick yard; after- ward was engaged in the bakery business for his own account in Terre Haute, and carried on same two years. Hethen turned his attention to gardening, which he followed two years, but worked part of the time for B. G. Hudnut, after which he was employed in the hub and spoke factory, three years and three months, and learned the bending trade. From there he went to the Hudnut Milling Company, with whom he worked over three years, then in Septem- ber, 1888, embarked in the grocery trade on his own account, and has prospered from the start. He handles a full line of staple and fancy groceries, and has been dependent on his own resources. Mr. Smith was united in marriage April 9, 1878, in Terre Haute, with Miss Ella, daughter of William H. and Luella (Murphy ) Walker. She is the fourth in a family of five children, and was born in Terre Haute, September 9, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had born to them one daughter, Minnie. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

ISAIAH E. SMITH, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo Co., Ind., September 8, 1857, and is a son of David H. and Hannah (Marts) Smith, who were of English and German descent. His mother was a native of Washington county, Ind., his father of Jefferson county, same State, and was one of the early settlers of Vigo county, a farmer and miller by occupation. His family con-

sisted of five children, Isaiah E. being the eldest. Our subject was reared on the farm, has followed agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 123 acres of land in Vigo county. He was married in this county, September 13, 1883, to Phebe, daughter of Richard Pucket, of one of the noted first families in the early settlement of this por- tion of Indiana. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah E. Smith were Faith, Mabel and Earnest. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Smith of the Baptist; in politics he is a Republican.

JOSEPH SMITH, farmer and stock-grower, Linton township, P. O. Youngstown, was born in Bucks county, Penn., January 12, 1816, and is a son of Eli and Mary (Woolsey) Smith, former a shoe- maker by trade, and a native of Bucks county, of English descent, latter a native of New Jersey, of Welsh descent. They died in Warren county, Ohio. They had a family of seven children, of whom Joseph is the eldest. He was married February 9, 1837, to Cassandre, daughter of Burgess and Sarah (Taylor) French, na- tives of Virginia. Mrs. Smith, who is the third of a family of nine children, was born in Shenandoah county, Va., October 5, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Smith adopted a boy, named George F., who married Arabell Davis. Mr. Smith received his education in the common schools of Ohio, learning the boot and shoe trade with his father, at which he has worked more or less all his life. He came to this county in 1858, and now owns a farm of forty-one acres, on which he resides. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, of which he is trustee and class-leader, and has served as steward and Sabbath-school superintendent. He is master of Eureka Grange, a subordinate order, and is also a member of the Pamo Grange. He served as justice of the peace for years.

LEWIS A. SMITH, salesman for the Coal Bluff Mining Com- pany, Fontanet, was born in the city of Terre Haute, Ind., May 11, 1862, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth A. (Lackey) Smith, natives of Vigo county, Ind., and of families of the early settlers on the Wabash. The father, who was a farmer when the Civil war broke out, enlisted in the service of his country, and was killed on the field of battle. Lewis A., who is the only surviving child, was reared in Terre Haute, where he attended school; also

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

took a full course at the Terre Haute Commercial College, where he graduated in 1885, since when he has been with the Coal Bluff Mining Company, three years. Mr. Smith was united in marriage in 1887 with Miss Mary Belle, daughter of Martin Ray, and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church at Fontanet, of which he is a trustee, and has been teacher and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

REV. JACOB SMOCK, pastor of the Missionary Baptist Church. This gentleman has been an active and efficient worker in the missionary cause. He entered the ministry in the good old- fashioned times, when the minister was supposed to be able to do all kinds of religious labor, when the gospel was supposed to be free to all except the shepherd, who was expected to preach regu- larly and board himself.

Rev. Smock was born in Bullitt county, Ky., September 13, 1824. His parents were David and Dorcas (Cole) Smock, also natives of Bullitt county, and of Pennsylvania-Dutch origin. They removed to Parke county, Ind., in 1825, where our subject grew to manhood. The father, who was a hard-working farmer, died at the age of fifty-five years in Parke county, Ind .; his father, William Smock, who was a soldier in the Revolution, and also a farmer, lived to a good old age. Rev. Jacob Smock, who is the sixth in a family of ten children, spent his young days in Raccoon township, Parke county, on the farm. He learned to labor at a tender age, and in the winter trudged along to the district school, where all his surroundings were of the most primitive type. In 1857 he united with the Missionary Baptist Church of Parke county, and soon after was ordained minister. He has organ- ized two churches, has put up two church buildings, and has re- ceived many into the church fold. He has baptized over eight hundred people in Parke, Vigo and Sullivan counties. He has been twice married, first, when he was only seventeen years and six months old, to Caroline, daughter of Olmstead and Sarah Mil- ligan, and of English descent. Six of their children are living, as follows: Jasper, Alexander, Josephine, Ida M., Maud and Rosa. Mrs. Smock died in 1879, and, in 1881, Mr. Smock was married to Miss Dianah, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Spray) Wilson, former a native of South Carolina, and latter of Ohio. They were of English descent, and members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Smock is an exemplary member of the Missionary Baptist Church. This union has been blessed with one child, Wilma H. Rev. Smock from early in life has had to rely on his own resources, and in a business point of view has met with deserved success. He deals

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

largely in real estate, in which respect his sound judgment has served him well, and he has succeeded in accumulating a fair share of this world's goods. When a lad he bought his time of his father, and boldly launched his bark on the troubled sea of life, with the flat- tering capital in stock of two dollars and a half.

MAJOR MATHIAS SMOCK, Harrison township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born October 4, 1851, on the site of old Fort Harrison, a portion which forms a part of the building in which he was born. He is a son of Cornelius and Mary (Sliner) Smock, who came to this county many years ago. Cornelius Smock was born in Ken- tucky, and was married in Vigo county in 1848. He had three children, viz .: Mathias, better known as " Major;" Emma, wife of William Green, and Charles. Mrs. Smock has been previously mar- ried to Milton Evans, by whom she had two children: Angeline, wife of George Bell, and an infant, deceased. Mrs. Smock's father is still living at the advanced age of ninety-six years, hale and hearty. Mr. Smock located at the old fort in 1851. Major Mathias Smock was reared on a farm, has followed agricultural pursuits, and has served as deputy sheriff of Vigo county during the past four years. He was married in this county in 1875, to Kate, daughter of James W. Stewart, and born in Terre Haute. They are the parents of six children, as follows: Frank, Mary, Helen, Herbert, Bessie and Emma. Mr. Smock resides on the old fort farm with his mother. He has quite a large collection of ancient relics he has gathered in and around the old fort, among them stone axes, arrow points, and other curiosities. He is one of the prominent citizens of the county, an influential citizen, and a leading Democrat.

GEORGE H. SNIDER, dealer in stoves, tinware and kitchen furnishing goods, Terre Haute, was born in Shelby county, Ind., April 1, 1855, and is a son of William H. and Sophia (Thurston) Snider, former of whom was a native of Kentucky, latter of Penn- sylvania, and both of German descent. George H., who is the eldest in a family of four children, received a common-school edu- cation in Shelby and Clay counties, and then worked on a farm about five years. He next turned his attention to the grocery busi- ness, and clerked for some time in Shelburn and Sullivan, Ind., coming in 1880 to Terre Haute, where he worked for R. L. Ball, in the stove and tinware trade, about seven years. In August, 1887, he embarked in business for himself at 21 South Fourth street, where he deals in stoves, tin, copper, sheet-iron ware, house furnish- ing goods, roofing and guttering, and also makes stove repairing a specialty. Mr. Snider was married in Sullivan, Ind., February 23, 1882, to Miss Belle, daughter of Abraham and Armilda (Hopewell). Annis, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Snider is the sixth in a family

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

of seven children, and was born in Sullivan county, Ind., July +, 1859. She is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Snider have had born to them one daughter, Jessie. Mr. Snider is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 51, and of the Encampment; is a member of the Canton, in which he is accountant, also a mem- ber of the Chosen Friends. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILSON H. SOALE, attorney, of the firm of Soale & Grimes, Terre Haute, is a native of Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Sarah (Parkes) Soale, who were of German and Irish descent, the father being a farmer by occupation. Our subject was reared on the farm in Highland county, Ohio, where he received his primary education at the district schools. He attended college at Hillsboro, where he graduated in the regular classical course in 1874; then studied law with Judge Gardner, at Hillsboro, and practiced his pro- fession in Highland and Ross counties, Ohio, until 1883, when he accepted a position in the United States pension office. In 1885 he was appointed assistant supervisor of pensions of the State of Indiana, with headquarters at Terre Haute, but resigning his office he again entered on the practice of his profession in Terre Haute. This law firm has met with success in business. Mr. Soale was united in marriage in Ross county, Ohio, October 18, 1879, with Miss Myrtie M., daughter of Gotlieb Sheible, and born in Ohio, of German descent. This union has been blessed with one child, Grace. Mrs. Soale is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Soale is a Republican, and in 1890 he received the appointment of supervisor of the census of the Fourth District of Indiana, and he filled this office with credit, his district being the first in the United States to be completed.

WARREN SOULES, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Ind., Octo- ber 7, 1827, and is a son of William and Almira (Baker) Soules. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was one of the pioneer settlers of this country, where he followed farming, having come from New York State in 1816. He was in the Revolutionary war. He and his wife had a family of ten children, of whom eight grew to maturity, Warren being the fourth in the order of birth. Our subject was married December 6, 1868, to Sarah C. McFadden, who was born April 6, 1832, daughter of Malcolm and Elizabeth (Dixon) McFadden, her father a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and her mother of Ohio, of English and Scotch lineage. They were pioneer settlers of this county. Mr. Soules has followed farming with success, and is active and energetic, now owning 600 acres of farm land in a good state of cultivation. In May, 1865, he enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment, Ind. V. I. in the 100, days' call, served four months and was honorably discharged.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 97

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