History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 99

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

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THOMAS STEVENSON, farmer and stock-grower, Otter Creek township. This gentleman is among the most prominent and best known farmers of Vigo county. He was born on Section 8, in Otter Creek township, this county, March 31, 1826, and is a son of Mahlon and Ruth (Durham) Stevenson, former a native of Tennessee, latter of Virginia. They were of English descent, and were among the earliest settlers of Vigo county. The father was a farmer, and came to this county in 1816, and in 1819 he settled in Otter Creek township, in the green wood, where he opened a farm and spent the remaining portion of his life. He was a wheelwright

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by trade, but could turn his hand to other work with success, among other things making chairs, his sons doing most of the farm work. The father and mother died in Otter Creek township. Of their ten children eight lived to be men and women, only three of whom are now living. Thomas, who is next to the youngest, was reared in Otter Creek township, and attended the district school and Bloomingdale Academy. He has devoted his life to farming and stock-growing, and has met withi success, being the owner of 300 acres of land. Mr. Stevenson is highly respected by all who know him. He was married in Tippecanoe county, Ind., February 27, 1862, to Miss Eliza, daughter of George S. and Sarah (Coffman) Aholtz, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. This union has been blessed with six children, viz .: George L., a farmer; Sarah I., Norma, Archer, Octavia and Frederick. Mr. Stevenson is a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, which was the religious faith of his parents; Mrs. Stevenson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, but never aspired to any office; has served as supervisor, also one term as trustee of Otter Creek township, where he has spent most of his life.

JAMES A. STEWART, farmer, Nevins township, P. O. Fonta- net, whose residence is on Section 24, is the owner of eighty acres of land, all in a high state of cultivation. He was born in Terre Haute, Ind., Jauary 22, 1850, and is a son of James and Catharine Stewart. He was reared on a farm as a farmer boy, and has followed agricul- tural pursuits since commencing life for himself. He was married in Vigo county, Ind., to Semantha A., a daughter of Edward T. and Mary Jones, and they are the parents of the following named children: Thaddeus D., Tony E. and Herman. Mr. Stewart is a member of the F. M. B. A., and politically he is in accord with the Democratic party. The family have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and in the social life of the neighborhood are highly esteemed.

LOUIS K. STOCK, M. D., Centerville, Pierson township, promi- nent as a physician and citizen of that township, was born in Clark- son, Columbiana Co., Ohio, May 1, 1853, and is a son of Franklin and Catharine (Canaan) Stock. Franklin Stock is a son of Benji- man and Jane (Dougherty) Stock, former of whom was a native of England. The Stock family for generations have mostly been en- gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. Franklin was born in Ohio, in 1829, was reared in Washington county, Penn., and then migrated to Ohio, where he remained until 1860, in which year he removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., and then came to Sullivan county, Ind., where he resided until 1884, thence came to Centerville, this county, where he now resides. During the Civil war he served eighteen

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

months in Company D, Forty-third Ind. V. I., being on duty most of the time transferring prisoners from the North to the South. His principal occupation has been that of farming. .

Dr. Stock is the eldest in a family of four children. His brother, Charles G., a carpenter and undertaker in Centerville, is the second child ; Clara B., the third, is the wife of George R. Dutton, cash- ier of the Sullivan County Bank; Edgar M., the youngest, is engaged in farming in Vigo county. Dr. Stock received his education at Ascension Seminary, at Farmersburg, Ind., and when he became old enough he taught school in Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties. After six years in the school-room, he commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. W. W. Johuston, of Terre Haute, as his preceptor. Previous to this, however, he had taken a course in the Commercial College, and was able to keep books, which he did, earning money to pay his expenses while engaged in the study of medicine. In 1877 he attended, one term, the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cin- cinnati. He then located, and commenced the practice of medicine at New Goshen, Ind. After four years he again attended medical lectures at Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1882. He then settled in Centerville, Ind., where he now has an extensive and lucrative practice. During his days in school it was one continual struggle for success, which he has gained. October 2, 1883, he married Miss Emma F. Cochran, daughter of Charles P. Cochran, and they have one son, Herbert. Dr. and Mrs. Stock are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of Comet Lodge No. 615, I. O. O. F .; has represented the I. O. O. F. in the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics he is a Republican.

GEORGE W. STOUT, farmer and stock-grower, Linton town- ship, P. O. Pimento, was born in Spencer county, Ky., January 1, 1829, and is a son of Robert and Martha (Vandyke) Stout, former of whom was a carpenter by trade, and also followed farming. They were natives of Kentucky, and had a family of six children, of whom George W., is the third. Our subject's paternal grandpar- ents were Peter and - - (Sherwood) Stout, and his maternal grandparents were Peter and Anna (Stout) Vandyke, natives of Virginia. George W. Stout was married, October 9, 1850, to Nancy R., daughter of Reuben H. and Elizabeth (Kester) Beau- champ, who reared a family of nine children, Nancy R. being the fifth. Mrs. Stout's parents were natives of Kentucky, where they were married, and whence they moved to Indiana. They were both mem- bers of the Baptist Church, Her paternal grandparents were both named Beauchamp-Isaac and Hetty-and her maternal grandpar- ents were John and Sarah (Pound) Kester, the one a native of Vir-

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

ginia, the other of Tennessee; they moved to Kentucky, and raised a family of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Stout had born to them nine children, viz .: Theadore V., William P. (deceased), Martha E. (deceased ), Marietta K. (deceased ), James R. (deceased ), Claudie D., Reuben C., John H. and George L. The subject of this sketch re- ceived his education in the common schools of Kentucky, and chose farming as a business. He moved to Linton township, this county, in 1849, and bought the farm on which he now resides. He has made a success of farming, and owns 230 acres of land in a good state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Stout are members of the Bap- tist Church, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest, being deacon at the present time. He has served four years as justice of the peace, and two years as assessor by appointment. . In politics he is a Democrat.

J. W. STOUT, chief of police, Terre Haute, was born in Spen- cer county, Ky., December 3, 1852, and is a son of James and Arsula (Taylor) Stout, natives of Kentucky and of English descent. They came to Indiana in 1855, and settled in Sullivan county, on a farm near the Vigo county line. J. W. Stout, who is the second in a family of six children, remained with his parents on the farm, and attended the district schools until he was nineteen years old, when he came to Terre Haute, where he was engaged for a short time as hotel clerk. He then removed to a farm in Prairieton township, and followed agriculture three years; then returned to Terre Haute, and kept hotel until 1880, when he embarked in mercantile trade, which he continued four years. In 1884 he engaged in the livery business, which he has since carried on. Mr. Stout was married in Clay county, Ind., October 27, 1874, to Miss Emma, daughter of Christopher Trinkle, and a native of Clay county. In politics Mr. Stout is a Democrat, and was appointed superintendent of the police of Terre Haute, May 10, 1888. He has thirty-seven men under him, and is well qualified for the position he holds.

JOHN H. STROLE, Fayette township, P. O. New Goshen, is one among the most successful farmers of Vigo county, Ind. He was born in Page county, Va., September 9, 1828, and is a son of John and Drucilla (Graves) Strole, former a native of Pennsylvania, lat- ter of Old Virginia, and they were of Dutch and English descent. His father was a miller in Virginia. He died in 1867. Our sub- ject, who is the fifth in a large family of children, was reared in Virginia, and was with his father in the milling business until 1851. He received his schooling in that State, and has made farming the main business of his life, meeting with great success. He is the owner of a fine well-improved farm in Fayette township, of 290 acres, and also 130 acres in Edgar county, Ill. He has made his

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

possessions mostly by farming, and attends strictly to his business. His farm is an example of neatness, well worthy of imitation. Mr. Strole was married in Vigo county, Ind., February 14, 1856, to Miss Matilda E., daughter of Jacob Whitesel. Her parents were of Dutch descent. Our subject and wife have six children, as follows: D. F., Hannah D., Susanna A., Sarah R., Joseph S. and Dora E. Mr. Strole is a devout member of the U. B. Church, and has served for a quarter of a century as trustee of the same; is also an active member of the Sabbath-school, and has served many years as treasurer of it. He contributes both liis money and time liberally to the support of the gospel, and is classed on the side of morality and temperance. He is an out-and-out believer in letting the light shine, and when his church people erected their church he came forward with the largest subscription on the list. He believes in church matters as he does in business: " What is worth doing is worth doing well."

JONAS STROUSE, grocer, Terre Haute, is a native of Ger- many, and is a son of Abraham Strouse. His parents died in Ger- many. He received a common-school education, and then worked about eight years at the shoemaker's trade in his native place. In 1866 he immigrated to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he worked at his trade one year, and then came to Terre Haute, where he was employed as a clerk in his brother's clothing store about five years; then was in a grocery store for some time. In 1879 he engaged in business for himself where he is at present located, and does a wholesale and retail business in groceries and liquors. . Mr. Strouse started out in the world with no capital except good health, a good character and honest industry, supplementing these with a close application to business, and he has won him success. He was married in Indianapolis in October, 1880, to Trulia Rosendolph, and they have one son, Alfred. Mr. Strouse is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, Humbolt Lodge No. 42, and also of the I. O. O. F., No. 386. CHARLES STUEMPFLE, member of the firm of Stuempfle & Welte, Terre Haute, is a native of Preston, Canada, born August 13, 1843, and is a son of Michel and Catharine (Roos) Stuempfle, natives of Germany, the father of Wurtemberg, and the mother of Alsace. Michel Stuempfle, who was a manufacturer of pottery- ware, moved to Canada when a young man, and died there in 1879, in his seventy-third year. His widow, now in her seventy-third year, is still a resident of Canada. Charles, who is the sixth in a family of eleven children, was reared in Canada, where he received a common-school education. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed same ten years at his native home. In 1868 he canie to Terre Haute and carried on his trade here about ten years; then, on

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September 7, 1878, embarked in business with Mr. Welte, his present partner, where they are located at this time. Their hall is nicely fitted up, and they conduct a quiet, orderly place. Mr. Stuempfle has been dependent on his own resources. He was married in Terre Haute, November 3, 1870, to Miss Frances, daughter of John and Philophena (Zimmerman ) Schmidt, natives of Hessia, Germany, who came to this country about the year 1850. Her father was in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Company in their shops, and died in 1867; her mother died in 1887. Frances is the eldest in a family of five children that grew to maturity, and was born in Syra- cuse, N. Y., October 26, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Stuempfle had born to them three children: Charles (deceased), Charlotte and Ada. Mrs. Stuempfle is a member of the German Reformed Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and in politics is a Democrat.

D. C. SULLIVAN, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. St. Mary's, was born at St. Mary's, this county, May 10, 1858, and is a son of Dennis and Catherine (Shea) Sulli- van, natives of Ireland, but who resided in England for some time, and then came to America in 1849, and settled in Sugar Creek township, this county, on a farm. In 1860 the father removed to Fayette township where he spent the remaining portion of his life, dying July 3, 1889. His family consists of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only son. He was reared on the farm, attending the common school, and then followed farming, in which he has been successful; his farm where he now resides con- sists of 257 acres. Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage January 27, 1881, to Miss Lora, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sauvel) Fulmer, and a native of Pennsylvania, born of German descent. They have six children: Lena, Katie, Lora, Grover D., James A. and Johanna. Mr. Sullivan is a member of the Catholic Church; in politics he is a Democrat.

THOMAS SUNDERLAND, gardener and farmer, Otter Creek township, P. O. Atherton, was born in Yorkshire, England, Febru- ary 26, 1833, and is a son of George Sunderland, who was a man of considerable mechanical ingenuity, whose main business was working in the factories in England, mostly as superintendent; he died in England in May, 1870. Thomas, who is the youngest in the family, partook of his father's nature, and after attending the common schools he learned the blacksmith trade, serving as an ap- prentice for five years in England. In 1855 he married Ann Long, and in 1857 he came to the United States, making his temporary home in Orleans county, N. Y. He was prudent and industrious, and in December, 1860, he was in a position to revisit England, which he did. In March, following year, he returned to the United

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States, bringing his wife with him. In New York they had a son and daughter born to them, of whom James (the elder of the two) was married to Laura Nott, and then left Terre Haute (whither he had come with his parents) for Chicago, where he is engineer for the Cook Laundry, at No. 3734 Cottage Grove avenue. The daughter, Sarah Hannah, is the wife of George F. Davis. Thomas Sunderland farmed until coming to this county, in 1869, then worked in the nail factory, as night fireman, for several years. Subsequently he bought his present farm in Otter Creek township, and he now makes gardening a specialty. Mrs. Sunderland is a mem- ber of the Church of England. Mr. Sunderland is a member of the A. O. U. W., and of the F. M. B. A .; politically he is a Democrat.

THERON SUTLIFF (deceased) was a prominent farmer and stock-grower, and was born in the State of New York, Febru- ary 7, 1815, and died in 1881. He was the third in a family of four children. His parents came to Vigo county at an early day, and the father lost his life while on a trip to New Orleans on a boat. Theron Sutliff grew to manhood in Vigo county and be- came widely known as an energetic and successful farmer, own- ing at the time of his death 350 acres of valuable land, all the fruits of his own toil. He was married January 10, 1847, to Miss Emily M., daughter of Eli St. Clair, who is still living at the ad- vanced age of ninety-five years. Her mother's maiden name was Fannie Siner, her parents being of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff had a family of eight children, viz .: Warren, who is now in the drug business at Peoria, Ill .; Cordelia, wife of William Bow- man; Marium, wife of Edgar Larkins; Albert, Nelson, and Henry, farmers; Park, a farmer in Honey Creek township; and Riley, also a farmer at the same place. Mrs. Sutliff is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church; Mr. Sutliff was a Republican in politics.

PARK SUTLIFF, farmer and stock-grower, Honey Creek town- ship, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo Co., Ind., December 22, 1866, and is a son of the late Theron Sut- liff. His mother's maiden name was Emily M. St. Clair. She was born in Honey Creek township; his father was born in the State of New York, and died in 1881; they were of American and German origin. The father made farming his business, and succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. Our subject, who is the seventh in a family of eight children, was reared in Honey Creek township on a farm. His schooling was obtained in the district school of the neighborhood, and he wisely chose farming and stock-growing as a permanent life business. He is now the owner of a well-improved farm where he resides, situated near the spot where he was born. He was married in Vigo county, in 1884, to Miss Irene, daughter of

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

John and Millie (Puckett) Price, and was born in Indiana, of Amer- ican and German lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff have one child, a bright little girl named Dora E. Mr. Sutliff is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Sutliff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

PRESTON N. SWALLS, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek township, P. O. Seelyville, is a descendant of one of the pioneer fami- lies of Vigo county. He was born April 15, 1843, on the farm where he now resides, and of which he owns a one-half interest; this. is a valuable farm, consisting of 298 acres. His brother, C. B., who is unmarried, owns the other half interest in this farm, and resides with the family. Their parents were David and Catharine (Muncie) Swalls, natives of South Carolina, and of Scotch-Irish and German descent. The father, who was a farmer all' his life, came to this county in 1830. Preston N. is a grandson 'of Valen- tine Swalls, also a farmer, who lived to the advanced aged of ninety- three years. Our subject, who is the eldest son in a family of seven children, received his education in schools of the district where he. grew to manhood, and he has been a farmer all his life. He was united in marriage, in Vigo county, with Miss Sarah E., daughter of Henry Clay (a farmer) and Mary J. (Ladd) Long, and of En- glish descent. Mrs. Swalls is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Swalls is a Democrat in politics, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to attend to his farm. He and his brother, C. B., mindful of the old maxim "In union there is strength," have kept their farm together, and have prospered remarkably well. Preston N. enlisted in August, 1862, in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, Seventy-seventh Regiment, Ind. I. V., Company M, and proved a good soldier, serving his country faithfully.

HENRY B. SWEET, general manager for Arthur Jordan, wholesale dealer, Nos. 101 and 119, Water street, Terre Haute, was. born in Springfield, Ill., August 6, 1855, and is a son of Galusha B. and Matilda (Perrin) Sweet, of Massachusetts and New York, respectively, former of English ancestry. When about fifteen years of age Galusha B. Sweet moved from his native State, with his parents, to Galena, Ill., where he grew to manhood, and be- came a prominent and influential business man. He was connected with various important enterprises. At one time he was a whole- sale commission merchant, forwarding supplies for the Southern plantations; was also connected with an important steamboat line, and with the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He died at Alton, Ill., in 1865; his widow is now living in Brooklyn, N. Y. They had born to them nine sons and one daughter, of whom four sons are living. Our subject was reared and educated in Illinois, and when he was

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

about one year old his parents moved to Alton, same State, and soon after the death of the father the family went to Chicago. From there Mr. Sweet proceeded to Minneapolis, Minn., subse- quently to New York, thence moved to St. Paul, and from there to the Pacific coast, where he remained two years engaged in mining. In the latter part of 1888 he located in Spokane Falls, W. T., and then came to Terre Haute, where he accepted the position he now occupies. October 25, 1880, Mr. Sweet was married to Miss Gene Burke, an accomplished lady of Indianapolis, and by this union there is one son, Edward E. He and Mrs. Sweet are members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; he is a worthy member of the K. of P., and in politics he is a Republican, having cast his first presi- dential vote for Hayes.

G. W. TABER, farmer and stock-grower, Lost Creek town- ship, P. O. Seelyville, was born in Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio, April 15, 1837, and is a son of John Clay and Rebecca (Doolittle) Taber, latter a native of Maryland, of German origin. The father, who was born in Kentucky, of English descent, was a hatter by trade, and was a prominent man; he served two terms as sheriff of Champaign county, Ohio, and died in Indiana in 1873. His family consisted of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity. G. W. Taber, who is the third in the family, was reared in Urbana, Ohio, where he received his education. His first occupation was that of a clerk, in which capacity he was employed six years. He came to Terre Haute in 1863, and, having learned the manufactur- ing of horse-collars and fly-nets, he embarked in the manufacture of that line of goods, with two of his brothers, continuing the busi- ness with success till 1874. One year during the war they paid a revenue tax of $1,600. His farm in Lost Creek township, where he has resided since 1874, consists of 155 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Taber has made his own way in the world. He was married in Terre Haute, Ind., to Miss Anna, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Elizabeth (Herrington) Eckles, and born in England, as were also her parents. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Church, a man of high literary attainments, who came to Terre Haute in 1852, where he opened a school and taught the higher branches; he died in 1854. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taber has been blessed with five sons, viz .: William H. and George M., school teachers; Frank A., Herbert E. and Mont E., attending school. They take an active interest in the affairs of the church, and Mr. Taber has served as trustee in the church at Terre Haute. In politics he is a Democrat.

ROBERT TAGGART, manager of the Depot Hotel, Terre Haute, was born in Ireland, August 15, 1857, and is the fifth in the

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family of seven children of Thomas and Martha (Kingsburry) Taggart, who came from Ireland and settled at Xenia, Ohio, in 1863. The father was employed by the railroad company many years. Our subject's first employment was as clerk in a hotel at Xenia, and in 1876 he came to Terre Haute, where he accepted his present position. He has made a success, and is well and favor- ably known by the traveling public. He was married in Ohio, to Miss Mary, daughter of Robert Greenwood, her parents being natives of Virginia, and of English descent. This union has been blessed with a family of four children: Ralph, Thomas, Robert and Mary. Mrs. Taggart is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Taggart is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, Scottish Rite, and has taken thirty-two degrees. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

JOHN M. TALBOTT, M. D., Middletown, was born in La Fayette, July 3, 1836, and is a son of Rev. Henry S. and Martha L. (Harter) Talbott, former a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Ken- tucky. From Pennsylvania the father went to Steubenville, Ohio, and studied medicine there, the late Ex-Secretary of War Stanton being one of his schoolmates. The Doctor's father, who was one of the first graduates of the Cincinnati Medical College, came to Spencer county, Ind., about the year 1818, and practiced medicine nine years in that county and also in Warrick county; then entered the Methodist Episcopal Conference, and was a minister of the Gospel for nearly fifty years. When a little girl, his wife came to Spencer county with her widowed mother, who had five children. Rev. Henry S. Talbott died in September, 1880, in his eighty-first year; his widow is still living, and is in her eightieth year. They had a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom the Doctor is the fifth. Our subject was united in marriage, January 3, 1861, with Amanda, daughter of James (a farmer) and Mary (Clark) Rice, natives of Kentucky, and pioneer settlers of Warrick county, Ind., where they died. Amanda was born February 28, 1838, and died March 14, 1889, a consistent member of the Christian Church. Dr. and Mrs. Talbott had an adopted daughter, Osa M. White, who died April 16, 1889.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 99

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