Thomas Riley, an ex-policeman of Washington, Ind., and proprietor of one of the leading retail liquor establishments of that city, was born in Daviess county, February 27, 1845, and is the son of Patrick and Mary (Cassidy) Riley, both natives of Ireland.
His father was born in county Cavan, Ireland, in 1804, son of Thomas and Bridget (Bigelow) Riley, the former of county Cavan, the latter of county Monaghan. When Patrick was about twenty years old he came to America and located in Pennsylvania. His first net earnings in this country were applied to procuring the passage of his father across the ocean. He had entered some land in Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., in 1838, and in 1839 was joined by his father (his mother having already died), who died at New Albany in 1854. Patrick Riley married Mary Cassidy, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He died in June, 1850; she in November, 1872. They were the parents of the following children: Mary A.; Julia; Thomas; Margaret; and Mary, of whom Thomas, our subject, alone survives. All were earnest Catholics and progressive farmers, accumulating an estate of 240 acres in Daviess county, which fell to Thomas, the subject of this sketch.
Thomas Riley was educated in the common schools of the county, remaining at home until 1874, working on the farm during the summer months and being engaged in railroad work during the winters. In 1874 he sold the farm and engaged in the retail liquor business in Washington, in which business he has continued since, with the exception of two years, 1883-1884 when he served on the Washington police force.
July 3, 1870, Mr. Riley married Miss Mary Collins, who was born in Daviess county in June, 1847, daughter of Patrick and Mary Collins, natives of Ireland. To them have been born four children: Mary, deceased; Julia; Mary; and Helen. Mr. Riley owns his residence property on Flora street, and has been prosperous
in his business. Politically, he is a democrat, and takes a proper degree of interest in local affairs. He and his family are members of St. Simon's parish.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Daniel Monaghan, Jr., who is a native born citizen of Washington, Daviess County, Ind., was born October 6, 1868, a son of Daniel and Mary (Lively) Monaghan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of the state of Illinois. Daniel Monaghan, father of subject, came to America in 1857, and made his home at once in Daviess County, Ind., and found employment as a generallaborer, to which he applied himself industriously until able to provide for a wife and resulting family, which he never failed to do until his powers became exhausted. To his marriage, in Daviess county. Ind., with Miss Lively, have been born ten children, in the following order: Michael, of Washington; Philip,a coal miner; Elizabeth, wife of H. Sahn; Daniel, Jr., subject of this sketch; Annie, wife of John R. Jones; Catherine, at home; Anthony, a calciminer; Bridget; John; and Margaret, at home. The family belong to St. Simon's parish Daniel Monaghan, Jr., our subject,
dutifully attended the parochial school until fifteen years of age, and the education thus acquired was supplemented by a two year course in the common schools of Washington. Telegraphy next occupied his attention until 1888, after which date he attended bar until 1891, in May of which year he was nominated by the democratic party as its candidate for city clerk, but met with defeat, as did the rest of the ticket. He was, however, appointed deputy recorder under John Dosch, and served in this capacity for three years, and gave such general satisfaction in the performance of the duties of this office, that on his renomination for the position of city clerk, in 1894, he was triumphantly elected and filled the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public, until September, 1898. Mr. Monaghan now owns two pieces of improved residence property and four buildings within the city limits of Washington. He is a member of St.Simon's church.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Jacob Miller (deceased) was a well known business man of Washington, Daviess County, Ind., of which city he was a resident from November, 1854, until his death which occurred March 9, 1872. He was born in Bavaria, June 16, 1828, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Weir) Miller, and was early taught the mason's trade. In 1852 he came to the United States, and in June, 1853, married, in New York, Miss Eva Hegsdens, who was born in Bavaria, December 28, 1826, a daughter of Adam and Mary Ann (Deis) Hegsdens, the former of whom was a nailmaker. In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Miller left New York for Indiana, and arrived in November, as stated above. Here Mr. Miller engaged at work as a mason on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, and later in a brickyard and in quarrying stone, and was thus employed until 1863, when he opened a saloon, and this he conducted until his death.
He was a democrat in politics and was very popular with his party and the general public,
and accumulated considerable property. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born six children, as follows: Louisa, now Mrs. Henry F. Vollmer; Josephine, wife of T. Klee; Mary, Sister in St. Mary of the Woods Society; Sophia, deceased; Clara, at home; and Anna, wife of Charles Burns. Mr.Miller was a member of St. Simon's Catholic church, of which Mrs. Miller was also a member, but after his decease she transferred her membership to St. Mary's congregation, of which she was a member of the Altar society. She departed this life in September, 1897.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
John W. McCarty, ex postmaster of Washington, Daviess county, Ind., is a native of County Clare, Ireland, was born March 17, 1861, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (O'Connor) McCarty, the latter of whom died in Ireland a few months after the birth of the subject, having borne her husband nine children, viz: Margaret, deceased; Peter, now of Vincennes, Ind.,; Mary, of Denver, Colo.; Delia, Ellen and Michael, of the same city; Martin and James, deceased; and John W., the subject of this memoir. Michael McCarty, the father of this family, brought the surviving members to the United States in the fall of 1862, and for two years was employed at general labor in Hoboken, N. J., then in 1864 came to Washington, Ind., working as a section hand on the railroad until 1867, and then went to Leavenworth, Kans., where his death took place in 1872. John W. McCarty was an attendent at the common and parochial schools of Leavenworth, Kans., until about eleven years of
age, when he returned to Washington, Ind., and attended St. Simon's school until fifteen, and also attended public school in Petersburg, Pike county, Ind., a few years. He began his business life in Petersburg by handling gents' furnishing goods, but in 1883 sold out his stock, and until 1886 engaged in the livery business, when he again sold out and for a few months conducted a drug store. In the spring of 1886 he was nominated by the democratic party for county clerk of Pike county, but, with the rest of his ticket, was defeated. Early in 1887 he went to Vincennes, Ind., and kept books for a brother until May, when he returned to Washington, and, in company with a cousin, Pat McCarty, engaged in the livery business. A few years later he erected the brick barn at the corner of Vantrees and East Third Streets, where the livery business was conducted in a very satisfactory manner, both to himself and patrons, until the close of 1893, when he was commissioned
postmaster of Washington, under Grover Cleveland, February 5, 1894, and entered on the duties of the office March 1, of the same year, and served until March 1, 1898. The marriage of Mr. McCarty was celebrated in Washington, June 25,1891, when he was joined in matrimony with Miss Jennie Denver, who was born in Cincinnati in 1865, a daughter of James and Esther Denver, and this union has been blessed with two children: C. Walter and Mary Margaret. Mr. McCarty is a director of the Industrial Building & Loan association and is very popular with all classes of citizens. As postmaster he gave satisfaction to the public. As a democrat he has been very active, and was selected by his party to represent Indiana as assistant marshal at the Inaugural of President Cleveland, at Washington, D.C., in March, 1893.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Rev. Joseph P. Matthews, pastor of St. Michael's church, Daviess County, with his post office at Trainor, Ind., is a native of this county, was born October 30, 1859, and is a son of Michael and Eleanor (Owens) Matthews, of whom further mention is made in the biographical notice of E. W. Matthews, a brother of the reverend gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Rev. J. P. Matthews, at the age of fourteen years, was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais. He was educated primarily in the common schools, and later attended the school of the Sisters of Providence at Loogootee. In 1876 he entered St. Meinrad's College in Spencer county, where he remained two years, and in 1878 began a classical course of study at St. Joseph's college, which ended at the close of three years. In 1881 he entered Preston Park Seminary, Wayne County, Pa., where he completed his theological studies in 1884, and, June 10th of that year, was ordained priest by Bishop McCloskey, of New York.
His first appointment was as assistant to Rev. D. O'Donaghue, of St. Patrick's church, Indianapolis, but eighteen months later was transferred to the church of the Holy Trinity, at New Albany, as assistant to Rev. John B. Kelly, and, in 1887, was placed in charge of his present parish of St. Michael, with the mission of St. Joseph, in Martin county, ten miles distant. When he assumed his duties at St. Michael's, the congregation comprised thirty or forty families, while that of St. Joseph's was constituted of eighty families. With these two charges, Father Matthews labored arduously for seven long years, when he relinquished his charge of St. Joseph's and has since devoted his entire attention to his duties at St. Michael's. Prior to the coming of Father Matthews to St. Michael's, services had been held by the Venerable Father Piers in the homes of the leading members of the congregation. Although the erection of a church edifice had been discussed, the
project had discouraged by both Father Piers and the bishop; but Father Matthews, aided by Nicholas Ryan, John Daily, Thomas Wade, and other determined and ardent members of the congregation succeeded in raising funds sufficient to pay for the erection of the present frame church building at a cost of $3,500, and this was dedicated by Bishop Chatard in 1888. A year or two later a parsonage was erected at the cost of $1,600, and of the total, $5,100 not one cent is now unpaid. The present congregation numbers about sixty families, or 300 souls, and is in a most flourishing condition.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Edward W. Mathews, hardware merchant, formerly a practical blacksmith at Montgomery, Ind., is a native of Daviess county, was born April 4, 1845, and is the fifth of the seven children that constituted the family of Michael and Ellen (Owens) Mathews. Michael Mathews, a native of county Longford, Ireland, was reared a farmer, came to the United States about 1825, and first located in Baltimore, Md. About 1835 he came to Indiana, lived in Madison until 1838, when he settled in Daviess county, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife was a native of Virginia, and also died in Daviess county, Ind. Edward W. Mathews lived on the home farm until sixteen years old, when he engaged in blacksmithing, a trade he followed for twenty years. He began business on his own account with a cash capital of $5, and first started in Loogootee, but soon after Edward came to Montgomery, leased a lot, and hauled lumber from Raglesville, with which he erected a little
shop, hired a good helper and prospered. In 1878 he began dealing in grain, and still continues to handle that commodity. In 1886 he embarked in the hardware and agricultural implement trade, and his enterprise, fair dealing and attention to business have met their just reward, the volume of his trade now reaching $30,000 per annum. Mr. Mathews was first married July 3, 1866, by Father Gueguen, of Loogootee, to Miss Margaret Reilly, the result being nine children, of whom six, however, are deceased. The survivors are Francis M., the eldest, who was confirmed by Bishop Chatard, is married, and has been engaged in the hardware trade; Mary, who was confirmed by the same bishop, makes her home with her father, and Leo, who was also confirmed by Bishop Chatard, is a dealer in live stock. Mrs. Mathews passed away December 18, 1882, and Mr. Mathew took for his second wife Miss Elizabeth Feagan, a native of Daviess county, whom he married April 13, 1886.
This union has been blessed with five children, of whom three are still living and attending St. Peter's church parochial school. In politics Mr. Mathews is a democrat, cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour and his last for William J. Bryan. He has himself served as township trustee for six years, and given entire satisfaction to the people. He is a leading member of St.Peter's congregation and freely contributes to the support of the church, of which his family are all members, and his business career shows him to be one of the most sagacious managers in the county, the original capital of $5, with which he began, having developed into 320 acres of land in Barr, Bogard and Van Buren townships, Daviess county, his place of business and twelve residences in Montgomery, a business block and flats on the corner of Lake and Ada Streets, Chicago, Ill., and a residence property in Loogootee.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Martin Mandabach, dealer in groceries and provisions, Washington, Daviess county, Ind., was born in Massillon, Ohio, October 3, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Caroline (Kocher) Mandabach, natives of Germany, who were married in Massillon, and lived there until 1870, when they came to Washington, Ind., and here the father was employed as a miller until 1896, when he became janitor of a public school house in the city. The father and mother are members of St. Mary's R. C. church, and of the fourteen children born to them seven are still living, viz: Nicholas, Charles, Jacob, John, Augustus and Laura. Martin Mandabach attended a parochial school until thirteen years of age, and afterward worked in the mines until 1889, when he opened a saloon, which he conducted until 1894, when he embarked in the grocery and provision trade, carrying a first class and well selected stock and doing a profitable business. March 2, 1885, he married, in Washington,
Miss Gertrude State, a native of Germany, born February 24, 1861, and a daughter of Jacob and Catherine State. This marriage has resulted in the birth of five children, in the following order: Henry, Theodore, Rosa, Caroline, and Carl. The family belong to St. Mary's Catholic church and are held in high respect by their neighbors. In politics Mr. Mandabach is a democrat and is now serving as councilman from the Third ward of Washington. He has always been liberal and public spirited, has paid close attention to his business interests, and has invested his earnings in real estate in both city and country, and is in very comfortable circumstances, the result of his own prudence and honorable conduct through life.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Mrs. Ellen Madden, one of the most highly esteemed ladies of St. Mary's parish, Daviess county, Ind., was born about 1829 in the city of Cork, Ireland, the third in the family of three sons and seven daughters that blessed the marriage of Dennis and Margaret (Healy) McCarthy. Of these ten children three still survive, viz: Mrs. Madden; John, a farmer of Barr township, and a member of St. Mary's congregation; and Isadora, wife of Michael Foley, also a farmer and a member of St. Simon's congregation.Ellen McCarthy was a child but two years old when brought to America by her mother, the father having preceded his family in order to secure them a home prior to their arrival. After a voyage of seven weeks and three days between Cork and New Orleans they landed in safety, and a few weeks later went to Frankfort, Ky., where Ellen was confirmed in the Catholic faith at the age of thirteen years. In or about 1841, the family settled in St. Mary's parish,
Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., the township being then a wilderness. April 27, 1858, Miss Ellen was united in matrimony, by Rev. Father Mougin, with John Madden. The late John Madden was born in Baltimore, Md., July 13, 1832, and was reared to hard toil. After coming to Indiana he helped to excavate the canal at Terre Haute, and also to grade the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. On reaching his majority he had no capital, but by thrift and industry succeeded in acquiring a competency, and in this he was largely aided by his willing wife. His first ownership of land was in Martin county, in 1845, which land was purchased for him by his father, and in 1855 he made his first purchase in Daviess county; at his death, which occured march 18, 1896, he possessed 618 acres in Barr and Van Buren townships, all the result of his own good management and the frugality of his helpmate. In politics he was a democrat, and in religion one of the most devout of
Catholics, and as a citizen was honored by all who knew him. As a husband and a father he was extremely affectionate, and his loving wife and children have erected a beautiful granite monument, in sacred remembrance of him, over his resting place in St. Mary's cemetery. The children that blessed the marriage of Mr. & Mrs. Madden were eight in number: three sons and five daughters, and of these the following named have still survived: Jeremiah M. who was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, in now a prominent member of St. Mary's congregation, and in politics he is a democrat; Margaret A. was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and is a Sister of Providence at St. Mary's of the Woods; Hannah A. was also confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and is the chief reliance of her mother in the care of the homestead; William D. was confirmed by Bishop Chatard, at the age of fourteen years, is a democrat in politics, and manages the home farm; Malachi J., also
confirmed by Bishop Chatard, at the age of fifteen, May 24, 1886, is a democrat in politics, and, like his brother, William D., cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland; he, also, makes his home on his mother's homestead. Mrs. Madden is very liberal in her contributions to the church,and no lady in the parish is held in higher esteem than herself.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
Aimon J. Dant, proprietor of the Washington Bottling works and city councilman of Washington, Ind., one of the most progressive citizens of the place and a prominent member of St. Simon's church, was born in Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., August 12, 1855, son of Edward and Eliza J. (Grider) Dant. The father was born in Maryland, in 1811, son of William Dant, a native of Germany, and was reared to manhood on the paternal farm. In 1835 he located in Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., entering 160 acres of land, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in April, 1884. In 1837 he was married, in Vincennes, Ind., to Eliza J. Grider, who was born in Knox county, Ind., a daughter of James Grider, of German extraction. To this union "the baker's dozen" of children were born, of whom eight survive, viz: Mary; Barbara, wife of J. H. Kidwell; Edward W., a farmer; Amanda E.; Aimon J., our subject; Catherine, now Sister Mary Paulette, of Loretto Convent,
Colo.; Jennie, wife of Frank Dixon; and Julia A., wife of J. L. Carrico. This family was reared in the Catholic faith, as members of St. Peter's parish, at Montgomery, and the father was a prominent Democrat in that locality. Aimon J. Dant was reared to manhood on the farm, and being given all the advantages of the public schools, graduated from the city high school in the spring of 1876. After completing his schooling, he remained on the farm for a year, and then went to Mattoon, Ill., where for four years he was engaged as bookkeeper in the shops of the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville R. R. Upon the election of his brother-in-law, J. H. Kidwell, to the office of county recorder, our subject was tendered the position of deputy recorder, which he held until 1887, when he resigned to accept a position with R. S. Beeson & Son, hardware dealers, with whom he remained until 1892, when he purchased the Washington Bottling works of F. W. Teiman, and in this business
has since been engaged very successfully. The Washington Bottling works do quite an extensive business in the manufacture of temperance, or soft drinks, and the bottling of mineral waters, and Mr. Dant's practical business methods, and pleasant manner of treating his patrons, are adding daily to the success and importance of this well known local industry. On January 8, 1881, at Olney, Ill., Mr. Dant was united in marriage to Miss Cora I. Ensor, who was born in Richland county, Ill., in April, 1863, and died in November, 1883, leaving one child, Mabel, who did not long survive her. ; Mr. Dant was next married, in Washington, October 7, 1886, to Miss Mary Billings, who was born in Daviess county, December 8, 1860, daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Miller) Billings, natives of Illinois, of German-Irish descent. Two children are the fruits of this union, Aimon J., Jr., and Leo Gaddis. This is an influential family in St. Simon's parish and is highly regarded in the community.
Mr. Dant owns a pleasant residence property at the corner of Third and Maple Streets, the bottling plant being on the opposite corner. He is a Democrat and takes an active and personal interest in local politics. In 1889 he was elected to the city council from the Second Ward, and was afterward twice returned to the council from the same. He is a charter member of the Industrial Building and Loan Association, and a prominent member of the Young Mens Institute.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport: Bowen, 1898).
An enterprising young farmer of Van Buren Township, Daviess Co, Indiana, he was born September 21, 1854 in Monroe County, PA and is one of five children born to the marriage of Henry Ransbury and Elizabeth Kern. the father is a native of the Keystone State and was born in 1828. He is a tiller of the soil, and at the time of his marriage was a resident of his native state, where he now resides. The mother was born in the same place as her husband in 1832. Our subject attended the common schools and at the age of nineteen years began teaching school, continuing at that occupation four terms. He remained at home with his people until attaining his majority. In 1882 he and friend by the name of George Kern came West and purchased a farm of 240 acres in Daviess County and remained partners for about two years; then Mr. Ransbury purchased his partner's share of the farm. His sister, Sally, who came to Indiana in 1883, is keeping house for him. In politics he
is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes.
Submitted by: Shirley Platt
From "Biographical Sketches, History of Daviess County"
NORRIS, Richard D.-- descends from families who settled in Lord Baltimore's palatinate in St. Mary's Co., Maryland. His parents were Rodolphus and Dorothy Norris, who were early settlers of Kentucky. Richard married Mary Mills in Washington Co., KY, August 6, 1798, by Rev. Father Stephen Theodore Badin. On August 24, 1830, he purchased 80 acres of land in Daviess Co., IN, from the US Government, it being the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 11, township 3 north, range 5 west, a part of which was the site of the St. Mary's Church. Richard D. Norris died in 1835 and deeds indicated that he left ten heirs, namely, Elizabeth, who married Calistus Melton in Hardin Co., KY; Ann, whose married name is unknown; John Dennis, whose first wife was Elizabeth Gootee and his second, Elizabeth Hays; Charles A. whose first wife was Sarah J. Gootee, and his second, Lucy A. Bramble Compton; Mary Ann who married John Summers and moved to Mt. Pleasant in
1851; Susan who was the wife of William Walker; George who married Elizabeth Bowling; Barnard, who married Ann Hager; Sebastian married Mary Ann Brewer, and there is a child whose name is unknown. Richard and Mary Mills Norris are thought to be buried in the first St. Mary's church cemetery on the land where the church hall now stands.
Submitted by: Shirley Platt
A native of Ohio, where he was born November 19, 1828, and is one of four sons and three daughters born to William and Elizabeth Smiley. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. In 1816 he came with his parents to Ohio, where he remained until death in 1848. The mother was also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1804, and lives with her eldest son and is eighty-two years of age. Owing to ill health in his boyhood, our subject received a limited education. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. May 28, 1854 he married Esther Bear, daughter of Leonard and Mary Bear. She is a native of the Buckeye State, born in 1833. They have seven children named Payson, Wilson, R.M., Reison, Sarah (deceased), Eliza (deceased) and Jonas. In 1863, Mr. Smiley removed to Daviess County, Indiana, where he owns 205 acres of land. His farm is well improved and furnished with good buildings. In politics he is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce.
Submitted by: Shirley Platt
From "Biographical Sketches, History of Daviess County"